As they were walking home Cedric thought back to what Etos had said. "They wanted to kill me, I responded in kind, what's the problem with that?" His son had no qualms killing another human being, no regrets with how mercilessly and brutally he slaughtered them.
He saw it as a necessary action he had to take and although Cedric definitely wouldn't have thought twice about killing them himself, hearing those words come out the mouth of his 10 year old son just didn't sit right with him. For the entire walk home he was lost in his thoughts, occasionally glancing at Eto with a concerned look in his eyes.
…
Alia's Room, Mansion of the Mayor of Canmai Village
Alia was lost in deep thought. She still couldn't believe what she had just heard. Although she knew that Eto was by no means ordinary, she had no clue that his thoughts were so absurd. He literally killed another human being! How is he so calm about it!
Alia was lost in genuine confusion trying to figure out how Eto thinks, but even more than that she was ashamed. She was always confident in her skills and she had even grown immensely stronger through her training and sparring with Cedric and Eto, but she was easily overwhelmed by the bandits due to her own carelessness.
This was the second time her overconfidence had been the cause of her downfall, and this wasn't like with her first spar with Eto, she could have truly died this time.
Although she hated to admit it, Eto had saved her life, when he had no real reason to do so. Even as arrogant as she was, she was raised to always repay favors given to her, and the payment of the one who saved her life would be anything but small.
As Alia got ready for bed she swore to herself, this would be the last time she would lose due to her own arrogance, the last time she would be overwhelmed so easily, the last time she would need someone to save her.
…
After she had rested for a few days, Alia returned to her normal swordsmanship training under Cedric. She started off the day by going through the motions of her swings and with some cardio.
After she was sufficiently warmed up, it was time to spar with Eto.
Alia took a stance, her sword held out in front of her, one foot in front of the other. She was eyeing Eto, expecting him to take the same stance but this time, he took a new stance she had never seen before.
He turned his upper body sideways, positioning his right foot out front pointing towards her and his left one turned sideways to match his upper body. He held his sword up by his head with his right hand and had his left hand resting under the back part of the handle of his sword.
The moment they were both in their standing respective stances Cedric swung his hand down, beginning the battle.