"You're an old friend. Even if I don't know a lot about you, I'm sure you're a good person. There's no need to doubt your intentions… but there's a reason I can't accept your boys, Raizer," Lucy said firmly.
Her eyes stayed sharp, her tone calm, but there was a hidden heaviness in her words. Raizer, standing tall with his cape, gave her his full attention.
"My students…" Lucy continued. "On my way to this kingdom, a lot happened on the road—things I can't share in detail. I lost one of them to a dark organization. I don't know if you've heard of them… they call themselves the Avengers. Along that same road, I gained another student, making them three in total, but one of them is still missing. My goal right now is to train the ones I have left, and to make them stronger as quickly as possible. Adding your boys would only slow that process. I hope you understand."
Raizer was silent for a moment, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. Four seconds passed before he exhaled deeply.
"I understand your reasons, Mr. Marco," Raizer said respectfully. "My condolences for your student. I hope you get him back."
"Not him," Lucy corrected sharply. "Her. Her name is Rebekah."
"My mistake. I get that now," Raizer said, bowing his head slightly.
"You idiot. Stop calling me Marco," Lucy snapped, her tone rising with irritation. "My name is Lucy. Get that through your thick skull once and for all."
"Alright, alright—I got that too," Raizer replied with a faint chuckle. His expression softened. "Still, I never expected you to be the one involved in the incident at the border between the Kingdom of Eminence and Sunflower. I'll do my best to dig up information about these Avengers. Just focus on training your students. We're not giving up on Rebekah."
Lucy blinked, a little caught off guard by Raizer's smile—bright, sincere, and almost too carefree for someone of his rank. After a pause, she allowed herself a small nod.
"Thanks, Raizer. I'll appreciate your help. But there's one more reason I can't take in your boys…"
She pointed toward the training field, where Jackson was holding Alfie back from charging at Hidari. Alfie's face was burning with frustration while Hidari's smirk only added fuel to the fire.
Raizer groaned and pressed his palm against his forehead.
"Boys will always be boys," he muttered before switching across the field to break it up.
"That's enough. What's with the heat, huh?" Raizer's voice boomed.
"Your kids have no manners, old man!" Alfie shot back, still struggling against Jackson's grip. "I'd never do such things to strangers. They need to be disciplined."
"You fool, just shut up! What do you know about discipline?" Hidari barked, stepping forward.
The air grew tense, but Lucy's voice cut through like a blade.
"That's enough, kid. Don't mess with him." She tilted her chin toward Alfie, her eyes narrowing. "He's not all talk. Tough is a word too small to describe him—because he's tougher than that."
Hidari and Giri stiffened in shock. Lucy's words carried weight. Their earlier arrogance faltered.
Lucy's gaze shifted sideways, locking onto Sasaki.
"You just stood there? Why didn't you interfere?" she asked, her tone sharp.
"Hey, hey, don't blame me, Lucy," Sasaki replied lazily, shrugging. "I tried to stop him, but you know Alfie will always be Alfie."
Hidari clenched his fists, sweat dripping down his temple. So… he's the tough one? Damn it. Damn it. I could have made a mess of myself.
"Come on. We're heading out," Raizer ordered, turning back toward the chariot. His cape swayed as he walked. Hidari and Giri followed, though Hidari couldn't resist turning back one last time. His eyes locked with Alfie's, the younger boy glaring back with fiery determination.
Lucy, however, didn't let the moment drag on. She stepped behind Alfie and smacked the back of his head.
"Ow! What was that for, Master?" Alfie cried out, clutching his head.
"You think I care who started it? Keep that temper in check."
"But they called me a weakling!" Alfie argued.
Lucy didn't respond—her eyes were on Raizer, who had paused at the gate. Through telepathy, his words brushed her mind:
"I don't know your relationship with that guy… but it seems he's close to you. Close enough to call you by name."
Raizer's gaze shifted toward Sasaki before he finally stepped out of the field. Lucy stood silently, refusing to answer, until Raizer disappeared from sight.
"That's enough," Lucy finally declared, drawing her wooden sword once more. "Back to training. No time to slow down."
Sasaki grinned as he picked up his own blade. "Alright, alright. Let's continue our duel."
From the sidelines, Alfie clenched his fists.
"I can't wait to break through to Phase Zero cultivation. Switching from one place to another mid-battle… that'll change everything."
Jackson nodded beside him, his eyes steady. "Same here. Phase Zero will push us beyond our limits. We'll finally reach our true potential."
Lucy dashed forward, her sword raised, her eyes locked on Sasaki.
"Don't use switch mode. Match my speed with yours," she commanded.
Their swords clashed with a sharp crack as the battle resumed. Lucy's attacks came faster, sharper—an endless storm of strikes. Sasaki's arms trembled from the pressure as he blocked each one, struggling to keep pace.
"Don't just block! Give me everything you've got. Fight back without hesitation!" Lucy roared.
"I can't—how am I supposed to counter at this speed?!" Sasaki gritted his teeth, his defenses slipping for just a moment.
That was all Lucy needed. With a clean strike, her wooden sword slammed against his shoulder.
Sasaki staggered back. Lucy lowered her blade, her voice cool but firm.
"Your time is up. Who's next?"
Before Alfie could take a step forward, Jackson moved ahead, eyes steady.
"Watch carefully, Alfie. We need to absorb every detail of this training."
Alfie blinked, then sighed in relief. "Alright, Jack. I got it."
Jackson's expression hardened as he raised his wooden sword.
"At first, Master tested our reaction to sudden attacks from the flank and blind spot," he explained calmly. "The second step was about how to counter under pressure. This time, it's my turn to see if I've learned anything."
He stepped into the field, facing Lucy head-on.