章 75: At the very bottom
"..."
"What's wrong?"
The next day, Sebastian and Amy had to attend classes. The week off that they had requested was depleted.
"I just feel that my vision was too narrow."
"Hm? Were the bandages placed incorrectly?"
Amy raised her hand to Sebastian's nose. He took her hand off and smiled wryly.
"Not like that. I meant, I thought that there were only a few people above me but I've seen enemies stronger than me one after another. Compared to them, I'm at the very bottom of the food chain."
Amy covered her mouth and laughed.
"H-hey, don't laugh so much."
"It's okay, Inheritors need to go through that realization at least once in their lives."
If they don't, then they'll never get far.
"There's always a sky above the sky, you aren't alone in thinking that you're the sole sky everyone looks up to."
"Thanks."
"Anytime."
With one of his thoughts answered, Sebastian could finally focus. He participated in class with only half of his attention. The other half was rapidly analyzing his moves and the moves of both Lightning Spear and the assassin.
"Sebastian?"
"Nn."
"Are you okay?"
"Nn."
"What's two plus two?"
"Nn."
"He's broken."
After failing Maria's check, Elliot sighed.
"What's he thinking about so deeply?"
"It's natural to be curious about that but aren't you impressed? He absentmindedly answered the questions asked in class and he's even eating without looking at his meal."
They were in the cafeteria. Without realizing it himself, Sebastian followed them, ordered, and ate.
Just as they talked, Sebastian's eye winced. He blinked once, then twice. The light in his eyes seemed to have returned.
"Where am I?"
"He doesn't even know where he is..."
Elliot didn't know if he could find the situation comedic or dangerous.
"We're eating in the cafeteria. What made you think so hard you weren't even human anymore?"
"Ah... Some battle scenarios. What I'd do if this happened or if that happened."
"Is this related to why you're injured?"
"A bit."
"Well, just make sure not to push yourself too hard. Mary and I will be here if you need help."
"Thanks."
As Sebastian conversed with them, he thought back to his thoughts. What he had been doing the entire time was image training. Using his opponent's abilities, he simulated a battle with them and all of it ended with his loss.
It was a technique only great warriors or strategists could use. Sebastian managed to achieve the same feat using his superior memory and imagination developed from reading.
'What am I lacking?'
Was it power? Agility? No, he lacked skill. He may have definitely improved with Wisteria and Hound's training but if they were to receive the same power that he had, they would perform many times better.
The stigma was a cheat. It didn't use his energy and he could do anything so long as he understood the principle and process. If he were to learn from a summoner, he would even be able to achieve the same feat.
He had a week until he could meet Lightning Spear again and at that time, he would train under her for an uninterrupted two weeks. The assassin that had tried to kill him the other week was definitely going to strike before then.
After classes were over and he had headed home, Sebastian took his spear and began practicing. He had neglected polishing his skill, only his body. He believed that the only part of him that could be praised were his eyes.
His eyes were sharper than any other and he could process information much faster than ten experienced fighters.
"A teacher is really what I need."
Balanos, Kathrina, Amy, Wisteria, and Hound. They were all experts in their various fields but there was one difference between them and Lightning Spear. They weren't teachers, they were fighters and naturals.
He had definitely improved under their help but at the same time, he was stuck. Kathrina furthered his archery but with her style, he had reached his limit and could do nothing other than increase the distance. Balanos, Wisteria, and Hound granted him power and skills that suited various situations but none of them were enough for him to break through the limit of using his own style.
Amy was the closest to helping him improve by teaching him the existence of techniques and suggestion.
"I need to adopt a style or hone my own."
The former would take years and could essentially limit him while the latter might never be completed in his lifetime.
Even he knew the importance of adopting a style. Lightning Spear used the same name as her title, the Lightning Spear Style. It focused on quick and powerful attacks just like a bolt of lightning.
Sebastian stood in the yard with a spear in hand and his eyes closed. He tried his best to seal off his senses using Wisteria's training and focused.
In his mind, Lightning Spear was in front of him and a single mistake was enough to get him killed. His goal is to win.
Just like that, one of the most tiring yet effective training methods were replicated by an amateur.
...
"He's still training..."
Amy looked through the window and sighed. She had tried calling out to him but he wouldn't respond in the least. Even Sana got worried.
To inexperienced people, Sebastian looked crazy. He attacked the empty air, dodged invisible attacks, and tripped on nothing. However, it was a different story for Amy, she had realized the state that Sebastian had entered was special.
"I just wish he wouldn't skip out on meals."
It had been around six hours since Sebastian started training in the yard. It was already night and Sana was soundly asleep in their room.
Just as Amy continued to watch Sebastian through the window, he paused and dropped down on one knee.
Amy quickly raced down to meet him with a towel and water.
"Are you finished?"
"Amy? Yeah..."
Sebastian was exhausted. His entire body was covered in sweat, the shirt he wore was drenched.
"Take off your clothes and take a bath. You'll get a cold like that."
"As much as I'd love to, I can't exactly move right now."
Sebastian dropped to the floor in utter exhaustion. It wasn't just his body, even his mind was heavily taxed.
"I'll drag you to the bath myself if you don't go there. Anyway, drink this."
She propped his head up on his lap without minding the sweat and made him drink. Then, she wiped his sweat with the towel without any sign of disgust or tiredness. She had watched him the entire time and even played with Sana but compared to Sebastian, her fatigue was nothing, or so she believed.
"Hey, Sebastian, you said you were at the bottom of the food chain but I don't believe that in the least."
Sebastian had already closed his eyes. He wasn't asleep, but he was close.
"You may not have noticed it but I've been watching you all this time. I know how hard you work, how much you've improved, and how much you struggle to catch up. Believe me when I say this, you may not be strongest, but you are strong."
Amy stroked Sebastian's face and smiled.
"You may not acknowledge yourself, but I definitely acknowledge you. You work harder than anyone else and I believe that one day, your efforts will bear fruit."
"..."
Sebastian couldn't find any words to stay and just stayed silent. He leaned on Amy's lap a little more then opened his eyes.
"I'll go take a bath. And, it's not really a good idea to get your clothes dirty by kneeling on the ground."
"It's fine. You can stay like this for a little longer."
"Then... I'll take you up on your offer."
Sebastian didn't forget to use a bit of his energy to stop Amy's thighs from getting dirtied.
...
Sebastian yawned. He had slept on Amy's lap for a couple of hours before they entered the bath together. Though she had worn underclothes and covered herself with a towel, it was still quite the sight.
Amy slept in Sebastian's room but it wasn't like anything happened. Sebastian stroked her head and got ready for school.
"Sebastian...?"
"You woke up. Get ready, we're going to be late."
"Nn..."
'She looks too cute...'
Sebastian bit his lower lip and turned away. Her clothes were loose as she didn't have enough energy to go back to her room to get clothes. She wore his shirt and her underwear and slept just like that.
They hadn't forgotten to check on Sana but they hadn't entered the room.
"Sana, we'll be going to school in a bit."
Sebastian knocked on the door twice and entered. Sana was still asleep on the bed.
"..."
Sebastian furrowed his brows as he approached Sana. She was breathing roughly and her face looked flushed.
"A fever?"
Sebastian quickly went to call the attendants and a doctor who checked on her.
"She's awakening her abilities."
"With a fever? I don't recall having one."
Though he was a bit of a special case.
"It's a trait for some lineages. Healers are one of those lineages that get fevers before their abilities activate. It won't be life threatening but she'll definitely be in pain. The fever typically lasts for three days, I'll come in and check on her every day."
The doctor began prescribing medicine and how to use them. The servants listened closely and nodded.
"Ung..."
Amy was very worried, she was even biting her thumb's nail. She looked like she would skip class to take care of Sana.
"Don't worry, she'll be taken care of while we're gone. You can pamper her all you want once we get home."
"Nn..."
She must be blaming herself for not sleeping beside Sana last night.
After her fever subsides, Sebastian would find out whether she really is a healer. But before then, he had to make sure she didn't suffer.
After ordering the servants for quite a few things, Sebastian left for school with Amy in the carriage.
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