Here's the cleaned-up and polished version of Chapter 9: Super Competent Alpha, with proper grammar, improved readability, and around 2000 words. The requested name changes have bee
Some time after Alpha had joined Alhaitham's side, he made an observation.
"This girl is really capable."
Even Alhaitham, who had seen many talented individuals, couldn't help but be impressed.
He stood in the training courtyard, arms crossed, watching the blonde elf in front of him wielding a sword. Alpha's blade moved swiftly, her attacks sharp and precise as she attempted to break through his defenses.
Of course, she couldn't.
But the fact that she was already this skilled in just one month was astonishing. Her swordsmanship was gradually taking shape, and she was adapting quickly.
It was hard to believe this was the same girl who had once been trapped in a body of rotting flesh, cursed by [Devil's Possession].
A genius—that was the only way to describe her.
However, it wasn't just her physical abilities that were exceptional. Alpha absorbed knowledge like a dry land soaking up rainwater. Every lesson Alhaitham taught, whether it was combat techniques, magical control, or even subjects like physics and biology, she learned at an incredible pace.
But…
"It's still not enough."
Despite her talent, despite her dedication, it was still too slow.
Alhaitham sighed.
At this rate, even if Alpha lived for six hundred years—the average lifespan of an elf—she would only be able to comprehend a fraction of the knowledge he had accumulated.
Of the 13,810 books he had read, she would likely only master a thousand at best.
That wasn't good enough.
Alhaitham wanted absolute competence from his people.
For most subjects, Alpha had no trouble grasping concepts. But when it came to science, she struggled.
The fundamental issue?
She lacked the basic framework to understand it.
This world was one of swords and magic, not scientific advancements. Alpha didn't even know about gravity, nor did she understand that the world was round, or that the sun was the center of the solar system.
Before she could learn, she had to unlearn what she thought she knew.
And that took time.
Alhaitham clicked his tongue in frustration.
"Too slow."
As he was lost in thought, his body moved on instinct. With a single flick of his wrist, he swung his sword.
CLANG!
Alpha barely had time to react before she was sent flying backward, her sword knocked aside.
She landed with a grunt, kneeling on one knee.
"Guh!"
Even though she was breathing heavily, her sapphire eyes still shone with admiration.
She looked up at Alhaitham, her gaze filled with respect.
"No, as expected of you. I lost again."
She had been training every day since she joined him. And yet, she had never once come close to beating him.
That wasn't discouraging—it was inspiring.
The more she trained with him, the more she realized just how deep his abilities went.
Alpha had always been praised as a genius among her people. She had been called brilliant since childhood. No elf her age had ever come close to matching her intelligence or skill.
But next to Alhaitham?
She was nothing more than a child staring up at a mountain.
He was overwhelmingly superior—not just in swordsmanship, but in every field.
His knowledge seemed infinite.
The way he moved, the way he thought, the way he taught—it was as if he weren't just an individual, but an entire civilization's worth of wisdom condensed into a single being.
At first, Alpha had doubted some of the things he taught her.
Like when he had said—
"Alpha, the reason we can stand on the ground is because of [gravity]."
Or—
"This world is actually round. We are rotating around the sun."
Or even—
"Humans have many unexpected weaknesses. It's not just the head and heart. There are other key points to target in battle..."
At the time, these statements had sounded ridiculous to her.
But time and time again, Alhaitham was proven right.
She had learned not to question him.
In fact, at this point, he was the only person she trusted without question.
If Alhaitham told her that the world was going to end tomorrow, she would believe him.
That was how much faith she had in him.
And that was why—
"I need to work harder."
Alpha gritted her teeth and clenched her sword.
She had heard Alhaitham sigh just now.
That meant she wasn't improving fast enough.
She had to push herself even further.
Even if it meant staying up all night to train, she would do it.
She refused to be a disappointment to him.
[The Courtyard of Dark Night] Expands
Alpha wasn't just being trained—she was actively assisting Alhaitham.
Since last week, she had been accompanying him on his "walks".
These were not ordinary walks.
They were recruitment missions.
Alhaitham had no interest in building an army of mediocre individuals. He wanted talented people.
More specifically—
The descendants of heroes who had been afflicted by [Devil's Possession], just like Alpha.
It was an exclusive group.
An elite group.
And today, it was time to find another recruit.
"Alpha, get ready. We're heading out."
"Understood, Alhaitham."
She immediately began preparations.
With their speed, they could reach any city in the kingdom within half a day.
The fastest mode of transportation?
Not horses. Not carriages.
It was the feet of a magic swordsman.
As Alhaitham stretched, he muttered—
"But honestly, my legs are getting sore from all this running. I should speed up Agnes's research and get her to make a proper flying device."
He tapped his chin thoughtfully.
"Should I teach her about the principles of lift? Maybe introduce aerodynamics?"
Of course, there was another alternative—
Capture a flying mount.
This was, after all, a fantasy world of swords and magic.
Perhaps he should tame a dragon.
That would be far more efficient than running everywhere.
Additionally... weapons needed upgrading.
The swords he used were exceptional, but he was starting to wonder—
"Should I create guns?"
Yes, guns.
The concept was still unheard of in this world, but it had potential.
While he enjoyed the grace of swordsmanship, he couldn't deny that firearms would be far more efficient.
He was seriously considering making the switch.
"I might change my fighting style completely... a swordsman becoming a shooter. That has a nice ring to it."
He smirked.
For now, though—
He had a new member to recruit.
And Alpha was coming with him.