30/05/1164

The Lakeside of the Unknown Lake

Amelia’s Perspective

A faint grin of superiority spread across my face as I snorted inwardly.

Little kid, you had me develop a trauma regarding blood in my past life. I had to suffer through it for five whole aevis. It was pretty bad every time I got injured; you know that? Now, suffer because of your meaningless pride and allow this miss to toy around with you to — Just what?!

In the next moment, the boy before me closed his only remaining eye before bowing as he said, “Madam, please can you help me?”

My pupils constricted as I thought, Just what the… no, it’s nothing. It was a possibility. And it doesn’t matter. He’ll be gone before long, anyway. He can’t affect my plans much. At the same time, it proves my conjecture regarding this method of regression. I should be more careful.

I sighed as I shook my head.

“Could’ve been better. But okay. I’ll help.”

After a bit of silence, Zack replied with sincerity, “Thanks.”

This kid isn’t half bad. Daddy does have a keen eye for people. No wonder he did things this way.

On one hand, this both checks Zack’s will to fight, as well as tempers his resolve if he has it. And, from his reply earlier, I can see that it’s already taking effect. On another hand, he is preparing Zack for the grind he will face in that Baldy Zhu’s monastery and saving his time by forcing him to learn the basics in advance.

At the same time, he is helping Zack while making him feel he is working hard for it, thus allowing him to feel less indebted. And as a bonus, he is also giving big brother training in hand-to-hand combat for times when he can’t use any of Ki Arts and Magic.

I nodded my head in acknowledgement.

Next, I looked Zack up and down while saying, “Get some breakfast first. We’ll get to training afterwards.”

Zack nodded before guiding me towards the cottage at the other side of the lake.

So this is Uncle Zan’s place. I nodded in appreciation. This is a good place. I quite like the minimal yet cosy interior. Paired with the scenery outside, I’d say it’s one of the better ones I’ve seen.

Placing the basket down on the table, I walked over to the room on the right.

Opening the door, I found myself in a room with large bookshelves which were taller than me, filled sparsely with books.

Have I been here before… My brows creased. I felt like I was about to remember something, but couldn’t quite grasp it. A mild headache filled my head, but it wasn’t anything which I couldn’t manage.

While rubbing my temples, I thought: So this is what that man meant by impression. To think that I, Amelia Sofia, would struggle with this. Sigh… this body is quite limiting.

My gaze landed on my tiny palms. I clenched and unclenched them repeatedly while feeling complicated.

Still, I want to say that my hands without all those scars look good. I don’t have to wear those gloves or gauntlets anymore.

Shaking my head to dismiss the train of thought, I walked back to the hall to see Zack eating.

After having waited for a bit more, I said, “Alright, stop eating. You can eat the rest later.”

“Why?” the boy asked, his mouth filled with food.

Giving him a ‘are you an idiot’ gaze, I said, “Did you really not notice that after filling your stomach full, it becomes harder to move your body? And do you not feel sleepy?”

Zack had an indignant expression, as if he was about to talk back, which gradually turned to that of realisation, as he nodded.

He put down the spoon in his hand before getting up.

I nodded while explaining: “Allow me to tell you that soldiers who take part in wars normally run around with half-filled stomachs to prevent them from both this difficulty, as well as being dragged down by hunger. Breaking your meals into smaller ones also helps in digestion and keeping your stomach well.”

Zack nodded before asking, “Why did Samuel not tell me this?”

I shook my head while giving him another ‘are you an idiot’ gaze.

“Do you really think that he will make it harder on himself to defeat you? Just what have you been doing till now?”

Zack nodded in understanding. After a while of silent nodding, he asked, “What else can I improve?”

Without taking even a second, I said, “Breath and posture. As well as routine. There are a lot of subtleties which you won’t even notice. And they make a lot of difference.”

The more I spoke, the more I fell into the ‘sergeant’ mode I inherited from mom.

“The importance of breathing and posture is most seen in the martial arts of the northern regions. They draw out more energy by every breath you take through your posture, amplifying the use of Ki Arts to a whole another level.”

“I don’t know if you have read the stories about dragons or not, but they, too, use their breath as a means of using Arcana. What else do I need to say now? So focus on the way you breathe.”

“Now, follow me for a run. You’ll understand it easily. Ve~ry easily. Heheh— *cough cough*”

I gave my trademark sinister yet alluring laugh before breaking into awkward coughs after seeing Zack’s confused expression. Next, I looked down at my feet, feeling a bit bummed.

No worries. I know of better methods now. It’s only good nutrition and ageing.

I heaved a sigh before waving my hand.

“What’re you waiting for? Let’s go already.”

Saying so, we both went out, ready for a run around the forest nearby.

I took in a breath before looking at the boy next to me. His honest expressions made him like an open book, easy to read.

‘I will defeat her as well’ is probably what he is thinking. Hehe.

With a playful smirk, I said, “Try to keep up.”

Leaving my words, I strolled forward at a leisure pace.