CHAPTER 29: TRUE FRIEND

Two days later.

Inside the training room, Amon was sparring with Seraphina again.

The sharp clash of steel echoed as swords collided over and over. Strike after strike, each exchange was crisp and fierce.

Unlike their previous duels where magic had been involved, this was pure swordsmanship—no mana, no elements, just skill.

Over the past week, Amon’s footwork had noticeably improved, and his instincts had sharpened as well.

Though he was still leagues behind her, his progress was undeniable. Seraphina was a true monster in battle, fast, precise, and relentless... but to Amon, she was still a cute monster.

His body had changed too. Some muscle had begun to form on his lean frame. Not much, but enough to show he was working hard.

He was still slim, but he carried himself with a confidence that made him feel a little more handsome—at least, that’s what he liked to believe.

After an intense session, the two sat down on a bench and drank water from their bottles. Their bodies glistened with sweat, and the heavy sound of breathing filled the quiet room.

"By the way, can we bring extra things for tomorrow’s dungeon practice?" Amon asked while catching his breath.

Seraphina, who had been gulping down water, paused mid-drink. She lowered the bottle and gave him a curious glance.

"Weapons of higher level are allowed if you have them. You can also bring food and other necessary supplies for survival. But artifacts are not allowed."

Amon nodded. Well, that’s understandable. Artifacts are rare, and even the weakest one can be extremely useful.

"Then..." Amon leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice. "Can we bring something like grenades or smoke bombs?"

Her brows furrowed as she gave him a puzzled look. "Why would you need those? You realize you can create explosions with magic, right? And smoke can be conjured with spells too."

"True, but..." she continued after a pause,

"...the professors never said they’re forbidden. Technically, they count as weapons. If you want to bring them, they must be normal ones—mundane, man-made.

Their power should be on par with basic or advanced magic spells. But keep in mind, they’re very expensive."

She wiped her sweat with a towel, her pale white skin gleaming under the light. The sight was admittedly distracting. Amon quickly shook his head to push away the strange thoughts forming in his mind.

"Hey~ Sera~ I have a small request." Amon spoke in a sweet, almost playful tone.

Seraphina froze. Her cheeks flushed lightly at the way he called her. Only her family ever addressed her as Sera.

"What request now?" she asked, raising a brow, though the faint blush lingered on her face.

"Nothing much. You know... you’re from a rich ducal family, and since you’re my friend, I thought maybe... you could lend me some money? I swear I’ll pay you back." His voice softened, his eyes wide with an almost pitiful look.

Her expression stiffened. His audacity always caught her off guard. "You’re seriously asking me for money?"

"Yes!" Amon nodded enthusiastically. "You know how weak I am. And I don’t even know who my party members will be tomorrow. Having grenades might save my life." His acting was flawless, voice dripping with sincerity.

Seraphina sighed heavily, her strict, noble expression softening into resignation. "Alright. I’ll lend you some money. But don’t waste it on useless things, understood?" Her tone carried the weight of a mother lecturing a child.

"Yes, Sera! I won’t!" Amon replied obediently, almost wagging his imaginary tail.

She looked at him carefully before nodding in satisfaction. Normally, she wouldn’t do such things, but she had come to know Amon well over their weeks of training.

Not only was he a commoner, but an orphan too. Though he smiled and laughed all the time, she knew his circumstances outside the academy must be harsh.

Despite that, he carried himself with a cheerfulness that was hard to ignore. That resilience, mixed with his ridiculous antics, made him strangely likable.

If he hadn’t been her friend, she might not have helped him. But now, he was a friend.

Money was clearly one of his problems. And though she didn’t say it aloud, if she could help ease his burden, even a little, she would.

"You really are my angel, Sera. Thank you." Amon grinned brightly and happily.

Seraphina turned her head away, but a small smile escaped her lips.

But then with a frowned she asked him"Care to explain,from where are you going to buy grenades?As much as I remember Academy Campus doesn’t have shop like that?"

Amon stopped smiling and said"Don’t worry about that.I have my ways"

He can’t just tell her that he will be sneaking out of Academy.

Seraphina decided to not pressed the matter much.She thought’I don’t think he will sneak out of the Academy anyway’

She pushed the thought aside.

For now she need to focus on her training.

---

The bustling streets of Elarith were as lively as ever. Merchants shouted their prices, carriages rolled along the cobblestone roads, and the chatter of townsfolk filled the air.

Amon walked through the crowd wearing a black cloak with the hood pulled low, hiding his face. His destination was the same weapon shop he had visited weeks ago when he bought his first sword.

Stopping in front of the wooden door, he pushed it open and stepped inside. The familiar smell of metal and oil filled his nostrils.

"Hello, old man! Remember me?" he greeted cheerfully, pulling down his hood.

Behind the counter, the middle-aged shopkeeper raised his head from the dagger he was polishing. His gaze lingered for a moment before recognition flashed in his eyes.

"Ah, you! The bargaining brat who haggled my sword down for cheap!" the man said with a frown.

"What? That sword wasn’t cheap at all! It was a huge sum, old man," Amon shot back, brushing his messy black hair with his fingers.

"Anyway, I’m here to buy grenades. Show me the cheapest ones." He asked seriously, no trace of hesitation in his tone.

Thanks to Seraphina, Amon now had a shocking amount of money—hundred gold coins. He had only planned to borrow ten gold coins, but she had simply pulled out her pager, asked for his account number, and transferred hundred gold without batting an eye.

"Don’t waste it. Use it well. With this much, you don’t have to worry about your expenses for the month." she had told him.

Amon nearly teared up that time. ’She really is an angel. I could die for her.’

The shopkeeper raised a brow, clearly surprised by his request. "Academy students don’t usually buy these. It’s mostly mundane folk or low-ranking adventurers. But fine." He disappeared into the back and returned with a wooden box.

Inside were round metal grenades, each engraved with faint magic runes.

"These are as destructive as an advanced fire spell—specifically, Fire Explosion. Each costs five hundred silvers."

Amon’s jaw dropped. "As strong as an advanced spell?!" He stared at the grenades, awe shining in his eyes.

’Five hundred each, huh? Pricey... but worth it.’

"Give me ten explosive grenades and five smoke grenades. But I’ll take each explosive grenade for four hundred silvers. Since I’m buying ten, that’s the fair price." Amon crossed his arms confidently.

The shopkeeper’s face twitched. "You bastard, you’re haggling again! Do you think grenades are cheap toys?"

In the end, after a heated exchange, Amon still ended up paying the full price—five hundred silvers each for the explosives. The smoke grenades, however, were much cheaper, costing only a total of one hundres silvers.

Also some bullets for his revolver.

Leaving the shop with a satisfied smile, he whistled happily. "See you next time, old man!"

"Don’t ever come back!" the shopkeeper cursed under his breath.

---

Meanwhile, in the far corner of Elarith, deep underground, a small laboratory flickered with ominous light. Strange runes covered the walls, and the air reeked of blood and incense.

A man cloaked in black stood there, a crazed grin twisting his face. "Heheheh... Tomorrow is going to be fun. So much innocent blood will spill. Those foolish students will become sacrifices for our deity."

In his hand was a crystal communicator. A heavy, commanding voice echoed from the other end.

"Do not make a mess of our plan. They must understand that peace will not last. This is only the beginning."

The hooded man bowed his head, laughter bubbling in his throat. "As you command, my lord. Tomorrow, they will taste despair."

His manic giggles echoed through the chamber, blending with the flicker of sinister flames.