Chapter 16 – Spending Time with Amy
[Gray’s POV]
After Mother left to attend to her duties, the training ground gradually became quieter.
The overwhelming presence she carried disappeared with her, yet the lessons she’d taught remained firmly engraved in my mind.
Selena stepped forward without wasting any time.
Unlike Mother, whose every word carried natural authority, Selena’s teaching style was calm and methodical.
She corrected every mistake immediately.
A misplaced foot.
An uneven grip.
A shoulder that was too tense.
Nothing escaped her eyes.
There were no flashy techniques.
No powerful sword arts.
No spectacular demonstrations.
Only the basics.
Again.
And again.
At first, I wondered why everyone placed so much importance on something so simple.
Then Selena answered that question before I even asked it.
"Never chase flashy techniques before mastering your foundation."
She adjusted my stance with a gentle push.
"If your foundation is unstable, everything you build afterward will eventually collapse."
I silently nodded.
The principle was simple.
No matter which world it was...
A weak foundation would always limit the height of what came after.
Selena continued.
"Many people become impatient."
"They seek quick power."
"They force breakthroughs."
"They rely on shortcuts."
"For a while, they appear stronger than everyone else."
Her expression became more serious.
"But eventually, their own strength betrays them."
"Power without control is merely a burden."
Those words settled deeply in my heart.
I had no intention of rushing.
Strength wasn’t something I wanted for pride.
It was something I needed...
To protect the people precious to me.
If that meant spending months—甚至 years—building the perfect foundation...
Then so be it.
After all...
I had already lived one lifetime.
Patience was something I possessed in abundance.
⸻
Several more hours passed before Selena finally lowered her hand.
"That’s enough for today."
I immediately let out a long sigh.
"My arms are dead..."
Even lifting the wooden sword felt exhausting now.
Every muscle in my body ached.
Amy wasn’t in much better condition.
She tried to hide it, but I noticed her quietly stretching her shoulders while pretending nothing was wrong.
I smiled.
"So..."
"Want to get something to drink?"
She immediately nodded.
"I’ve been waiting for you to ask."
The two of us left the training ground together.
Selena remained behind.
"I still have a few things to prepare," she said.
"You two go ahead."
"Alright."
We waved goodbye before heading toward the mansion.
⸻
The kitchen was surprisingly quiet.
Most of the chefs were already busy preparing lunch, so we tried not to disturb them.
I walked over to the large refrigerator and opened it.
A wave of cool air greeted me.
Perfect.
My eyes immediately landed on a large glass jar filled with fresh orange juice.
I pulled it out and looked toward Amy.
"Orange juice?"
She nodded.
"Sounds good."
I picked up the jar...
Then looked at her expectantly.
She blinked.
"...What?"
"You can get the glasses."
She stared at me for several seconds.
"...You’re unbelievable."
I shrugged innocently.
"I already carried the heavy part."
"You have two perfectly functioning hands."
Amy narrowed her eyes.
"...You’re getting smarter."
"In annoying ways."
She muttered something under her breath before walking over to the cabinet.
A few moments later she returned carrying two glasses.
Small victory.
I couldn’t help smiling.
⸻
The orange juice splashed gently into both glasses.
We picked them up simultaneously.
One sip.
Cold.
Sweet.
Refreshing.
It felt like heaven after hours of training.
I leaned back slightly.
"Ah..."
"I feel alive again."
Amy laughed.
"Really?"
"It was only basic training."
"If this nearly killed you, what are you going to do later?"
I looked at her seriously.
"I’m not giving up."
She blinked.
"I decided to become stronger."
"If I can’t even endure the basics..."
"Then I have no right to dream about protecting anyone."
For a brief moment...
Amy simply looked at me.
Then her playful smile softened.
"I know."
"You’ll definitely become strong."
She said it so naturally...
As though she had never doubted it.
Before I could respond—
Something cold suddenly touched my neck.
"—!"
I nearly jumped.
"Amy!"
She burst into laughter, holding her now half-empty glass.
"You should’ve seen your face!"
I rubbed my neck while glaring at her.
"You’re impossible."
"I prefer ’adorable.’"
"No."
"Annoying."
She laughed even harder.
⸻
After finishing our drinks, I carried both glasses toward the sink.
Amy looked at me curiously.
"You know the maids can wash those."
"I know."
I rinsed the glasses under running water.
"But Mother always says..."
"’If you can do something yourself, don’t leave it for someone else.’"
Amy smiled.
"She really drilled that into us."
"It makes sense."
Simple habits eventually became part of a person’s character.
Cleaning up after yourself.
Putting things back where they belonged.
Taking responsibility for your own actions.
None of those things were difficult.
Yet together...
They shaped the kind of person someone became.
Once the glasses were clean, I placed them neatly back where they belonged.
Amy watched the entire process before nodding approvingly.
"Good."
"You’ll make a decent househusband someday."
I looked at her blankly.
"..."
"...Should I throw these glasses at you?"
She laughed so hard she had to hold her stomach.
"You’d miss."
"You don’t know that."
"I absolutely do."
"Hmph."
We left the kitchen together, still teasing each other.
The soreness from training hadn’t disappeared.
My arms still ached.
My legs still felt heavy.
But somehow...
None of it bothered me.
Because for the first time in both my lives...
Training wasn’t something I endured alone.
I had a family beside me.
A sister who constantly teased me.
A mother who quietly watched over me.
People waiting for me to come home.
That warmth...
Was something I never wanted to lose.