I'll do what I can do to Freedom

After everyone had left, only Linggis, Arcelia, and her mother remained in the now-destroyed arena. Linggis slowly stood up, his body still aching from the previous attack. He reached for his cane, which lay on the ground, gripping it in his right hand as usual.

He let out a long sigh before looking at Arcelia's mother. "Alright, Ma'am. I need one important piece of information before I leave—your name. So that if I ever hear it again anywhere, I'll know to stay far, far away."

Arcelia's mother looked at him with a neutral, slightly arrogant, yet graceful expression. "My name? You want to remember it just to run away from me?"

Linggis nodded with a faint smile. "Exactly. I've suffered enough today. If I know your name, I can make sure there won't be another 'free beatdown' session."

Arcelia tried to stifle a small laugh beside her mother, but her mother maintained a serious face. "My name is Azelith. Remember it well, Linggis. If you ever hear my name, you really should leave immediately, because I won't tolerate a second mistake."

Linggis tilted his head slightly, narrowing his eyes at Azelith. "Azelith, huh? Alright, I'll remember that… on my list of names to avoid."

Azelith stared sharply at Linggis before speaking in a firm tone. "You may be good with words, but don't forget—if you ever hurt Arcelia, I don't care who you are. I will come for you again, and this time, I won't hold back."

Linggis raised his cane slightly in a gesture of surrender. "Relax, Ma'am. Hurting your daughter is the last thing on my mind. Besides, I'd much rather have a peaceful retirement than deal with your family again."

Arcelia rolled her eyes. "Alright, enough, you two. Linggis, we have training to get back to, not another debate."

Linggis chuckled and started walking away, his cane tapping the ground in a relaxed rhythm. "Alright, Arcelia. Let's leave this arena before your family decides to summon their ancestors too."

Azelith watched them leave, still with a wary gaze, but she said nothing more. Linggis and Arcelia left the place, though the atmosphere between them felt slightly lighter than before.

Six months passed, and Arcelia's daily routine with Linggis had become a part of her life. In Linggis' living space, which had now become their training headquarters, Arcelia sat upright on the sofa, her eyes fixed on a large monitor screen displaying the game interface. Linggis, sitting in a chair in front of the screen, looked calmer than before. He no longer threw sarcastic remarks as often, though his mischievous nature still lingered.

That day, as usual, they began their training session. Linggis pressed a few keys on the keyboard, and the game he was explaining started displaying complex mechanics. "Alright, Arcelia," Linggis began, "today, we're going to talk about time management in the game. Every action you take, even when resting, affects the final outcome."

Arcelia nodded, trying to absorb every word he said. Every session always ended with practical training, and today was no different. "I know, Linggis. I've studied this from the theory you taught me. But why is timing so important?" Arcelia asked, typing a few commands on the keyboard, trying to follow Linggis' instructions.

Linggis leaned back in his chair, his expression serious, reflecting his deep understanding of the game. "Timing is everything, Arcelia. You can have power, skills, and everything needed to win, but without the right timing, it's all useless. One second can change the entire course of the match. This is what separates average players from top players."

Arcelia stared at the screen with equal intensity. "I see… so, it's not just about speed, but about knowing when to do something, right?"

Linggis nodded. "Exactly. And it's not just about speed, but also about precision. For example, you need to know when to attack, when to retreat, and when to use certain skills. If you mess up the timing, the enemy can take control of the situation."

After explaining in detail, Linggis refocused on the game on the screen. "Now, let's practice. Remember, six hours of theory must be balanced with three hours of practice."

Arcelia, already accustomed to their strict training schedule, showed no signs of fatigue. She had gotten used to this learning pattern: six hours of studying theory and strategy in the game, followed by three hours of intense practice in front of the screen—every single day, without exception. Over the past six months, she had seen significant progress, though frustration sometimes crept in.

"Alright, I'm ready," Arcelia said, then focused on her character's movements in the game, trying to integrate everything she had just learned.

Linggis sat calmly in his chair, watching closely. "This is the important part. Focus on your precision, not just your speed. Every move should have meaning."

Arcelia took a deep breath, absorbing Linggis' words, then started practicing the strategies he had taught her, testing her limits. Though she sometimes felt exhausted, her determination to become the best player—as Linggis had promised—grew stronger. And for the first time in her life, Arcelia truly believed that she could achieve her goal.