"Trash? What do you mean by trash?"
"Are you looking down on us?" Alice grumbled.
"Actually, you guys have some real talent. But your skills? Trash."
"Let’s start with you, Tiana. You’re interested in being an elemental mage, right?" Daniel glanced at her and asked.
"I’m not really into being an Awakened, but if I had to pick, I’d prefer the elemental mage path," Tiana answered shyly.
"You actually have really good potential as an elemental mage. Using that staff as a focus is a smart move—it’s clear it improves your accuracy."
"I suggest you start understanding the elements. That way, not only will your power increase, but the strength you draw from the staff will be much greater too."
"Isn’t it too early for that?" Tiana asked, surprised.
Her surprise was understandable—most Awakened only begin studying the elements seriously when they reach Rank D or even C.
She couldn’t understand why Daniel was telling her to start so early.
"You know what separates smart geniuses who stand at the top of the world from dumb geniuses and the rest of the Awakened who end up as their lapdogs?"
"It’s that they always try to be the best. They aim for the top. Instead of whining, they search for a way to get what they want and use their brains."
"If you plan to just follow the usual path and say, ’Well, I’ll start learning elements when I hit Rank D,’ then how exactly are you gonna surpass them?" Daniel explained with sarcasm.
"I get it now," Tiana said, as a glint of understanding flickered in her eyes.
"Good. Also, you don’t know when to use which skill. It’s like memorizing every physics formula but not knowing which one goes with which problem."
"A lot of my teachers tell me that too, but I honestly don’t know what to do about it," she muttered.
"It’s not a hard problem to fix. You just need battle experience so you can learn when to use each skill."
"Besides that, not much else comes to mind. Oh—your physical strength is terrible. But since you’re a long-range mage, I’m sure there are plenty of ways to work around that," Daniel pointed out everything calmly.
"And now, my dear sister." His gaze shifted to Alice.
"You’re actually really talented. But since you’re my sister, naturally I have high expectations… Unlike her, you know when to use your skills—but you have very little actual experience. That’s just because you haven’t had many real fights."
"Isn’t that kind of a problem for most new Awakened?" Alice asked, confused.
"Yeah, but just because it’s common doesn’t mean it’s something you can ignore. In a lot of fights, it’s experience that decides the winner."
"And there’s only one way to fix that—fight. You need to fight as much as you can," Daniel said.
"I understand," Alice nodded firmly. Even though she could be stubborn, she never ignored her brother’s advice.
After all, her brother was currently very well-known and praised as a genius, so his words definitely held weight.
"Let’s see what else you’re lacking." Daniel closed his eyes, trying to recall their fight.
"You also don’t know how to use a sword properly. You think swordsmanship is just swinging the blade around, but that’s not how it works."
"That’s not something I should be teaching you—you’re supposed to learn that at the academy. What are they even teaching you there?" he asked with a frown.
"Well, mostly about the Celestial Domain, our world’s history after the apocalypse, important historical figures, and the power system and what’s required at each rank," Alice replied.
"We also have physical competitions with other students, but because of a bunch of rules, they’re very restricted," Tiana added.
"I see. But it’s fine—since I’m your brother, it’s my responsibility to train you both," Daniel smiled faintly, then summoned two of his Fallen.
One was Pride, currently his best swordsman. Azrak was powerful too, but in terms of pure swordsmanship, Daniel considered Pride better.
He also summoned Velmord, who used to be a mage before his death, and Daniel was sure Velmord could help Tiana.
"What the hell are these things?" Both girls’ eyes widened as they saw monsters rising from pools of blood.
What were these things? Where had they come from? The aura they gave off made their very souls and bodies shake.
But that wasn’t all—when they saw the Fallen kneeling respectfully before Daniel, their jaws dropped.
"These are my friends—Velmord and Pride. One’s a knight, the other used to be a mage. I’m sure they can help you," Daniel introduced them, then explained the situation to the Fallen.
"Rest assured, my lord, we will train them to the best of our abilities," both said in unison with deep respect.
"You two, get ready. You’re going to spar with them," Daniel said, turning to his sister and Tiana.
"We’re gonna fight those things? Forget why you even think we’d agree to that—how do you expect us to fight monsters way stronger than us?" Alice asked.
To her, this was ridiculous. The Fallen were at least two ranks above them. This wasn’t a fight—it was just one-sided humiliation.
"No need to worry—they’ll restrict their power so they won’t hurt you. Besides, it’s not just about fighting—they’re going to teach you how to fight," Daniel explained.
"Unless you’d rather stay trash forever," he said with a shrug.
Tiana and Alice exchanged a glance and clenched their teeth. Hearing Daniel call them trash made their blood boil.
They wanted nothing more than to go beat him up, but they knew they had zero chance. Daniel would destroy them.
In the end, they sighed and divided the training room into three parts: one for Tiana and Velmord, one for Alice and Pride, and Daniel in the center as the observer and referee.
Both girls drew their weapons again and got into their fighting stances.
"If you’re ready, let’s begin."
The girls nodded.
Daniel clapped his hands—and both of them charged toward their temporary instructors.