Sword Energy!
An excited expression appeared on Lia's beautiful, alluring face. She closely observed her dantian. Her energy was sealed, yet all that remained was powerful sword energy. If she undid the seal on her body, she believed the sword energy would only grow stronger.
For a moment, she did not know what to say. She could only stare at Grey with a stunned expression.
His words echoed clearly in her mind. She remembered when he had confidently told her that he would help her awaken sword energy.
What was sword energy?
It was a direct display of one's mastery over the sword. Only those who had attained master level mastery in a sword technique could even hope to comprehend it.
Her entire worldview had been turned upside down. Everything she had been taught, everything she believed in.
'Nobody would believe me if I said I comprehended Sword Energy at basic level mastery…' Lia thought in a daze.
That was how shocking it was.
Lia stared at Grey, who was now looking at his phone with a wide smile.
She was the only one shaken. To him, it seemed as if comprehending sword energy this early was completely natural.
It truly made her wonder who exactly this Instructor Daniel Carter was.
She believed that not even her father, who was extremely powerful and well known in evolver circles, could make her comprehend things as quickly as Grey had guided her.
Not to mention her father. Even the top instructors he had hired for her were utterly useless compared to Instructor Daniel Carter.
Not only had she reached basic mastery, he had also taught her the importance of utilizing sword energy in the Zenith Sword Art. Now, even at basic level mastery, she could skip a level and fight someone stronger using only the Zenith Sword Art.
And that was without even using her spiritual energy.
Just then, Grey stepped closer and casually pulled out his phone, the screen displaying his number.
"Add me. If you ever need to contact me in the future, just call."
Now that the fish had bitten the hook, it was time to make sure it kept biting whenever he cast the bait again.
Of course, there was still a chance this young lady might hire someone to deal with him for scamming her. After all, she came from a prominent family, and wealthy people thought differently from ordinary ones, especially those from high and mighty clans. Still, Grey went ahead with his plan regardless.
After all, the girl before him was no ordinary person. She possessed a heaven defying physique, one so rare it could shake the world.
How could he let such a treasure slip by? If he did not steal her physique for himself, or rather, selflessly guide her onto the right path, would that not be doing Blue Star an injustice?
With her talent, once she reached her peak, she could completely eliminate the looming disaster of the corruption fields.
Yes, that was Grey's noble motive. He definitely was not planning to steal her physique. Nor was he scheming to scam her out of money. Absolutely not.
"Number?" Lia frowned slightly. "But Instructor, I already have your number. Didn't we contact each other through messenger today?"
She gave him a strange look. Did this guy have dementia?
"Oh, that one's my business number," Grey replied calmly. "This is my primary."
"…Is that so." Lia muttered before nodding. She quickly saved his number.
At the same time, she noticed several notifications piling up on her screen, messages she had received during training. She did not bother checking them yet, not while Instructor Daniel Carter was still standing before her.
"Alright. Now that you have my number, I'll take my leave," Grey said with a lofty, detached air. "Farewell, Miss Lia."
Without waiting for her response, he slipped past her with light steps, moving as if a cat had leapt onto his back, heading straight for the door.
Outside, Albert was still standing guard, his face expressionless. Their eyes met briefly before both looked away, ignoring each other in silence.
Once Grey disappeared from view, Albert stepped into the training room.
As soon as he entered, he saw Lia staring at her phone with a confused expression.
"The owner of this number is called Grey Lockhart?" A strange look appeared on her face as she viewed the profile.
The profile picture was a massive chicken towering above mountains.
Just then, she noticed another notification. It was from Instructor Daniel Carter, sent just as she had begun training earlier.
Slowly, she opened the message. Her eyes flashed with strangeness, confusion, and disbelief.
Ding!
Daniel Carter's phone rang as he sat slouched on a bench, looking like a shriveled corpse.
The Iron Fang brothers had already left due to a newly opened corruption field, finally leaving Daniel free.
"Damn those idiots. If not for me limiting my physical body to First Rank, the training they forced on me would have been a breeze," Daniel cursed.
They had made him do nearly two hundred thousand push ups under intense gravity, something that would sound absurd to any ordinary person.
Of course, he was not injured. He merely looked drained. A seal soon formed near his abdomen, and a unique green energy surged through him, revitalizing his body.
Only then did he check his phone.
To his surprise, it was a message from Miss Lia.
He had sent his message just before being dragged away. He thought it was a lost cause.
He began reading from three hours ago.
[Daniel Carter: Miss, I sincerely apologize. The nearest grocery store was thirty minutes away on foot. I shortened it by ten minutes with my physical ability, but there was a sale. I waited an hour and nearly got beaten by the aunties for cutting the line.]
[Daniel Carter: I believe you have great talent with the sword. If you return, I promise to help you reach basic mastery in a day.]
[Lia: What are you talking about, Instructor Daniel Carter? Didn't we just finish training?]
[Daniel Carter: Huh? Miss, please do not tease me. I know I am at fault for being late, but at least show me some mercy.]
[Lia: ???]
[Lia: Where are you right now?]
[Daniel Carter: I am still in the open training zone, hoping to guide you. Someone of your talent should not be stuck at basic mastery.]
[Lia: Come to Training Room 19.]
[Daniel Carter: On my way.]
Daniel stood up immediately and headed over.
The moment he entered the room, Lia's eyes widened.
"Miss Lia, I'm here," Daniel greeted warmly.
"You are…" Her voice trembled.
She was right. The man who had guided her earlier was not Daniel Carter.
It was an imposter wearing the same clothes and matching his description.
Shock flashed across her face before twisting into anger.
She had been scammed.
Yet even as anger surged, she calmed herself. She had indeed been deceived, but the results were real. In three hours, she had reached basic mastery and awakened Sword Energy.
Could that truly be called a scam?
Her brows knitted. The anger did not fade.
Suppressing her emotions, she turned to the real Daniel Carter.
"Albert, leave us," she said calmly.
Albert nodded and exited.
"Thank you for coming, Instructor Daniel Carter," Lia sighed softly.
Of course, she could not let anyone know she had been deceived.
"It is nothing. When shall we begin?" Daniel asked politely.
"No need," she replied. "I have already reached basic mastery on my own."
"Huh?" Daniel was shocked.
"Yes. I will still pay you the five thousand Union Credits."
"This is unnecessary," Daniel said firmly. "I cannot accept payment without teaching."
She shook her head and transferred the money anyway.
"Please excuse me. I need to return home."
A dark look settled on her face.
She would investigate Grey Lockhart thoroughly.
"Let's go, Albert."
Daniel watched her leave, smiling brightly.
"Such a kind young lady. Now I can finally buy that new virtual reality headset."