SSS Hypnosis: I Made the Heroines Beg for Forgiveness-Chapter 28: Training (4)

Benedict staggered toward the stone benches at the edge of the training field.

Alice watched him with a faint, almost proud smile, while Theodore grinned broadly, clearly impressed.

"So, what do you think, Niel?" Alice asked. "Have you figured out his weaknesses?"

Niel brushed the dust off his training gear, cleared his throat, then replied.

"In my opinion, this kid's got sharp instincts. You can see it from the way he fights. He's terrible at defending, bad at footwork, doesn't know a damn thing about swordsmanship... and yet, he still managed to last that long against me. Purely relying on combat instinct."

Alice nodded slightly, her gaze drifting back to Benedict, who was still panting heavily. He glanced at his system, which had been flashing a for a while now, but he ignored it completely.

Niel continued, "In short, this kid's got raw—"

Before he could finish, Alice raised her hand, signaling him to stop.

"Benedict."

Benedict raised an eyebrow, looking over at Alice.

"Yeah?" he answered.

"What do you think about your performance just now?" Alice asked, her voice flat and unreadable.

Benedict let out a thoughtful hmmm, his eyes glancing upward.

"Not bad... I guess? I managed to last quite a while against him," he replied, looking at Niel.

Alice gave a small nod, then turned her eyes sharply toward Niel... and then Theodore. There was something in her gaze, a signal neither of them missed.

She took a slow breath and looked back at Benedict. Her stare sharpened, cold and piercing, enough to make his gut tighten.

"You have no talent, Benedict," she said icily.

Benedict's expression froze. His brows furrowed deeply in confusion.

Theodore and Niel also frowned, their faces silently asking: What kind of nonsense is that?

"Huh?" Benedict muttered.

"You don't have talent," Alice repeated curtly.

Is she serious...? Benedict's mind reeled. Me? No talent? Then why the hell did you take me as your disciple?!

He had just lasted several minutes against one of her subordinates, who might even be an Auric-tier Ascendant—and now she had the nerve to call him talentless?

Her words struck a nerve, digging deep into his pride. He clenched his fists. He'd already been mocked and insulted back at the Veritas mansion... and now this?

A bitter smirk twisted on Benedict's face.

"Are you serious?"

"You think just because you lasted a few minutes against Niel, that makes you talented?" Alice countered coldly. "Do you even realize he was holding back the entire time?"

Niel and Theodore glanced at Benedict, whose shoulders had started to tremble. A soft, disbelieving chuckle escaped his lips.

Benedict knew Niel had been holding back, but still... Why take him in as a disciple if he was so-called talentless?

"Then why did you make me your disciple?!" he snapped.

Alice narrowed her eyes again.

"Exactly because you don't have any talent, Benedict."

His face darkened, brows furrowing harder as a vein pulsed at his temple.

No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't understand the logic of this Ascendant-tier Celest.

"It's always the ones without talent who end up surpassing those who were born with it," Alice said, crossing her arms.

"Huh?" Benedict's right eye twitched. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"If you have no talent, then your only option is to work. Work hard. Train every day under my orders. Stay disciplined. And in time... you'll become truly strong."

Benedict almost laughed.

Back in his old world, he'd watched talented people win again and again, no matter how hard he trained, he could never catch up.

But now, he'd already made up his mind to go even further. To work harder than ever before. He wouldn't waste time hiding in some bedroom like he used to.

"So what you're saying is... all I need to do is train hard?"

"Yes," Alice answered simply.

Benedict chuckled. "That's easy."

Alice gave a faint smile. "I hope you still say that after tomorrow's training."

Benedict smirked.

How hard could it be?

Before they could continue, another voice broke through their conversation.

"Umm... Leader, can we go now?" Theodore asked, raising a hand awkwardly.

Alice turned her gaze to him. He scratched his head nervously.

"No," she answered flatly.

"Awww..." Theodore let out a disappointed groan.

Alice looked back at Benedict.

"You're dismissed for now. We'll resume training tomorrow."

Benedict didn't move. He glanced left and right.

"What? You're free to leave. Did I stutter?" Alice asked, raising an eyebrow.

"The portal?" Benedict replied. He wasn't about to walk all the way back on foot. That'd be a huge waste of time.

"Ah. Right. I forgot. My apologies," Alice said, opening her palm and conjuring a dagger, inky black and glowing faintly.

"Where do you want to go?" she asked.

Benedict paused.

Should I head to Rafaela's shop...? No, I reek of sweat. She'll be disgusted the moment I walk in like this.

Yeah. Better to hit the showers first. The Veritas mansion wasn't far from her place anyway.

"Send me back to my room."

Alice nodded. With a single clean motion, she slashed a glowing cross into the air. A portal burst open, stars swirling inside it.

Benedict stepped forward, but Alice suddenly stopped him.

"Oh! I almost forgot. One more thing, Benedict."

He raised a brow.

What now?

"Check your system."

A Ding! rang in his ears.

(You've received 500 Essence Points from Alice.)

Benedict's eyes widened.

500 Essence Points?! That's insane! That was enough to live off for an entire week!

"Is this... for real?" he asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.

"Consider it a gift from your dear mentor," Alice said, smiling faintly. "And compensation for tomorrow's training."

Holy crap... what am I even supposed to do with this much Essence? Upgrade my level? Upgrade my skills? Gacha? Buy a new weapon?

So many options flashed through Benedict's mind at once that he felt dizzy.

But wait... what did she mean by compensation?

Before he could ask, Alice suddenly shoved him into the portal.

Instinctively, Benedict reached out to grab her hand.

"See you tomorrow," Alice said calmly, as Benedict tumbled through the glowing rift.

---

Only three figures remained in the training field. A heavy silence hung over them.

It was Niel who finally spoke.

"Leader... why did you say he had no talent? That kid clearly has terrifying potential."

"Yeah, he lasted six full minutes against Niel," Theodore added. "And he's just a kid! Looks about the same age as my little sister!"

"I said it so he'd stay focused. So he wouldn't get cocky," Alice replied. "When people are praised as 'gifted,' they tend to believe it. And then they stop trying."

Niel and Theodore raised their brows. They'd seen it before, those so-called geniuses with terrible work ethics.

"Still, though—"

Before Niel could finish, the heavy doors to the training field burst open.

A young woman rushed in, her footsteps echoing loudly.

"Leader Alice!!" she shouted.

The three of them turned toward her.

"Jack the—"

Alice's eyes widened instantly at the name.

"Go prep everything. Now! Nimi!" she ordered.

The brown-haired girl with dark eyes nodded and bolted out of the training field without another word.

Niel and Theodore turned to look at their leader, noticing her clenched fists.

"Niel, Theodore. With me," Alice said. Her voice was heavier now, graver.

"W-Wait, what's going on—?"

"Don't ask questions. Just follow me!" she snapped, her glare sharp.

Alice dashed out of the field, leaving both men behind.

They glanced at each other, clearly thinking the same thing.

What kind of history does Alice have with Jack the Ripper...?