Chapter 150: Spearmanship Training Feng had been confident many times in the game, and it had led him to be nearly killed on just as many occasions. Azel knew that better than anyone. He had watched him fall, flail, and suffer from arrogance. It was plot and he was the main character so he wouldn’t die. But this world was different. Death meant the end. Azel didn’t want him to repeat those same mistakes. He couldn’t make Feng as ruthless and cold as his in-game counterpart had eventually become — that would take years of pain but he could at least correct the issues before they took root. "I understand," Feng said after a long pause. His voice was low, subdued. Though his shoulders sagged and his spirit seemed deflated, there was sincerity in his tone. He knew exactly where the problem was. "An opponent can be weaker than you in mana," Azel advised, his words sharp, deliberate, "but their body can still be tough. You can’t judge by energy alone. Always study everything. That’s what it means to be a warrior." Before Feng could respond, a sudden muffled cry cut through the cold silence. "Umph!" It was followed immediately by a loud thud, thud, thud as bodies hit the snow one after the other. Azel didn’t even flinch. He had sensed them following since earlier, their half-hearted attempts at stealth standing out to him as clearly as torches in the dark. The first figure to stumble into view was Veyra. She pushed herself upright with a sheepish expression, brushing snow off her clothes while trying to look composed. Behind her was Medusa, her usual elegance crumpled by the decidedly inelegant fall. She straightened herself quickly, pretending it hadn’t happened. Lastly came Anya, tangled in her cloak, cheeks flushed from the cold and embarrassment. Azel raised an eyebrow. Would he call them out for stalking? No. Let them shame themselves by tumbling into the snow like children. "Um... hey," Veyra waved, clearly caught red-handed. Then her gaze slid to Feng, who stood stiffly with his head bowed, still processing everything Azel had told him. Surprise flickered across her face. "I never thought you would be training him." "He’s my subordinate," Azel said simply, his voice calm and assured. "So of course I’ll train him." His gaze then shifted to Medusa, eyes narrowing ever so slightly. He hadn’t expected her of all people to be here. She met his look for half a second before huffing and turning her head away. "Hmph." Anya, on the other hand, had no such excuses ready. Her lips parted, then closed again as if scrambling for an explanation. "What I should be asking," Azel said, his tone deceptively mild, "is why you three are stalking us." "We were just watching," Anya blurted quickly, her hands fluttering in the air. "That’s all!" Then she glanced toward Feng, who stood there awkwardly gripping his spear. "Feng did pretty well." His head snapped up, eyes shining with hope. "Really?" "Yes, you did very well," Veyra added with a gentle smile. "Especially with your Heavenly Spear Projection. Though..." she tapped her chin thoughtfully, "I think Anthony can teach you better spear techniques. He’s the best with a spear, after all." Feng’s lips twitched, halfway between pride and humiliation. He wanted to protest, to say he had done just fine without Anthony, but he couldn’t. Deep down, he knew she was right. He had no real weapon arts, only instinct. How could he complain when he barely knew the basics? "I would be grateful," he admitted, bowing his head slightly, "but I have to wait for Master to agree." His eyes slid toward Azel, filled with nervous anticipation. "I don’t see why not," Azel said without hesitation. He exhaled softly and turned back toward the path. "Let’s go back." ... The Mansion’s dining hall was warm, the air filled with the rich aroma of roasted meat, spiced broth, and freshly baked bread. A welcome contrast to the icy wilderness outside. At the long table, Feng was a blur of motion. Plate after plate vanished before him as if swallowed by a void. He tore through roasted meat, slurped down steaming soup, and gnawed on bones with a fervor that made the maids exchange amused smiles. "He really did good," Azel muttered between bites of his own meal. His tone was quiet, almost absentminded, but there was a note of satisfaction in it. They had gone out too early without a proper breakfast, so it was no wonder Feng was devouring everything in sight. Still, there was something earnest about the way the young man ate, like he was finally feeding both body and soul. Besides he did far better than how Azel expected. "My Prince," Anya said softly at his side, offering him a cup of water. Azel took it, swallowing and sighing in relief. She leaned closer, lowering her voice. "I’ve called over Sir Anthony. He’ll be here any minute." As if on cue, the doors opened. Anthony entered with the easy confidence of a man who had nothing to prove. His tunic clung slightly to his frame, damp with sweat from training, and his hair was tousled from exertion. Yet there was no hesitation in his step as he strode into the hall. "Anya said you were calling me," Anthony said casually, pulling out a chair across from Azel. He sat down without ceremony, directly beside Feng who at that exact moment was licking the bottom of his bowl to scrape out the last of the stew. Azel allowed himself a small smile. He and Anthony had grown close enough over the mission that formality wasn’t necessary between them anymore. "Yes," Azel said, setting his cup aside. "I need you to help me train him in the art of the spear." His eyes flicked toward Feng, who was currently trying to juggle a piece of bread, a drumstick, and another plate simultaneously. Anthony followed his gaze, his brow arching. For a moment, his expression was skeptical — until his eyes dropped to Feng’s palms. Something shifted in his gaze in ther moment. Anthony had always possessed a keen instinct, an ability to see potential for the spear in others at a glance. And right now it was going haywire the more he looked at Feng’s hands. He leaned back with a smirk. "Why not?" Anthony said with a shrug. "I needed a new trainee anyway." Before Feng could so much as blink, Anthony stood up, seized him by the ankle, and dragged him clean off his chair. Feng yelped, scrambling to hold onto the food in his hands, desperately trying to shove a piece of meat into his mouth even as he was hauled across the floor. "Nooooooo!!!" Feng’s wail echoed down the corridor as the doors slammed shut behind them, silencing his cries. The dining hall grew quiet for a moment. Then Azel chuckled under his breath, shaking his head. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚 ’Now I have to prepare for... that,’ he thought with a sigh, he really needed to make it special. It would be his first time after all... [Author’s Note] 2 Bonus Chapters will be coming in later, phew.