They entered the underground training room, each one picking their weapons.
"Wait, Silas," Alfred suddenly sighed, his fingers sliding over his eyes.
"It is impossible for both of us to compete at my stage. Even if I try to hold back, it will be useless," he explained.
"What rank are you?" Silas asked with furrowed brows.
"Marshal rank."
"How can the gap be that much?" Silas mumbled to himself, but he chose not to believe it.
"Why don't we fight first?" he asked, taking a sleek katana this time.
He was very used to the katana as it was his main choice of weapon.
"I really like your ambition. But there is a natural difference between both of us that even talent can't breach," Alfred spoke gently.
"Why don't we try it first?" Silas replied, his katana held firmly in his hand.
"Alright then."
As Alfred uttered those words, Silas burst forward, the floor beneath him cracking.
He appeared before Alfred in an instant, his katana thrusting forward with precision targeting his opponent's chest.
A light flashed in Alfred's eyes as he saw Silas's opening move.
He sidestepped casually, Silas's speed mockingly slow to him.
"You opened with an unexpected attack," Alfred muttered with a smile.
Silas sidestepped at Alfred's words. He was barely able to avoid a thrust aimed at his head, but it was not without its own cost.
The shockwave from the attack erupted, releasing a sharp gale that tore through his face, creating a deep wound on his cheek.
Silas lifted his hand slightly, touching his cheek.
He felt the thick liquid drifting down his cheek.
"You were able to dodge that," Alfred grinned. "At least, you should be able to endure some beatings."
Silas moved before the words could finish, his katana tearing through the air in a brutal horizontal arc.
Alfred shifted his body, piercing forward toward the katana with the tip of his spear.
As if expecting it, Silas withdrew his katana before the spear could make contact. He slashed again, this time towards Alfred's knee.
Alfred chuckled calmly. He somersaulted backwards before the katana could connect, landing with a slight thud.
Silas did not give him time to rest. His gaze hardened as aether flooded his body.
A slight tremor erupted from his body. Every part of him was heightened beyond normal.
He darted forward, his body a flicker of black.
Alfred did not flinch. He lifted his leg, delivering an overhead kick straight at Silas.
The kick hit Silas in the head, but there was barely any effect.
"Got you," Silas muttered with a wide grin.
Alfred's eyes widened as Silas drove his blade forward, straight at his head.
"So, does this count as my win?" Silas asked.
Alfred nodded with a chuckle. "You really defeated me."
"You were barely trying," Silas smiled.
"And you are too humble," Alfred said, patting his shoulder.
"Do you wish to go for another round?" Alfred asked again, his eyes gleaming with pure battle intent.
"No, I have to sleep," Silas said, returning the katana to the rack.
"So bad, I was already getting in the mood," Alfred sighed.
"Maybe tomorrow."
Alfred nodded, his eyes trailing behind Silas's leaving figure as the elevator door shut behind him.
"Have you seen enough?" Alfred asked the approaching figure with a deep bow.
He threw his spear towards the rack, controlling it mid-air with his aether so it fit perfectly into the rack.
"He is really good," the person said with a smile.
Behind him, Max walked, maintaining his pace so as not to overstep.
"I told you, Master Sebastian," Max said, materialising a golden throne out of thin air for Sebastian to sit on.
"If he accepts to be my disciple, I might think of increasing the status of this planet, maybe to a high-tier one or even the leader of the Orion Sector," Sebastian said with a smile as he placed his elbow on the throne's armrest.
To him, such matters were, at most, worth a few minutes.
At his word, Max's expression changed. This was an opportunity, one that could change the entire course of their planet.
"I will tell him about your intentions," Max said.
In his mind, he was already praying for Silas to agree. He could not force Silas.
"Not yet. You can introduce me as his tutor for now. Let me train him and his friend for some time before I choose."
Max nodded. Then he could not help but think of another thing.
"Master Sebastian, don't be annoyed by my question, but why do you want Silas? With your influence, you can easily get several disciples with divine-tier talents," Max asked with a bow.
At his question, Sebastian smiled.
"That is my business."
Alfred and Max bowed, not pushing the question further.
The night passed as they all spoke.
Meanwhile, Silas, who had just finished eating his snack, walked back into his room, this time finding sleep more easily.
The morning sun drifted through the window, piercing Silas's eyes.
He jumped up almost immediately.
His face was full of smiles as he rushed into the bathroom.
A few minutes later, he came out wrapped in a towel.
He wore his clothes, a white shirt with brown trousers.
As he stepped out, the first person he saw was Amelia.
"Good morning," he greeted her.
Amelia looked at him, then clicked her tongue before walking away.
Silas was stunned by her behavior.
"So you aren't going to beg me?" he suddenly heard Amelia's voice from the front as she turned back.
'I guess she is still crazy,' Silas thought.
"How is your training going?" he asked, brushing aside her question as he walked closer.
"Fine, although it is easier now," she said as they both descended the stairs.
"I have opened 47 meridians now. I should be done with all of them in about two weeks," she added.
"Your pace is quite fast. Do you have any secrets?" Silas poked.
"A strange manual I did not purchase was suddenly in my virtual inventory," she said.
"I would have shared it with you, but it is only useful up to the Expert rank."
"No, don't worry."
They reached the dining hall as they chatted, sitting in their seats with confused gazes as they saw a new face.