The next day, as everyone woke up, Liebe said, "Well, last night was something."
Lia said, "Yeah, we should celebrate more often."
Liebe said, "Can't argue with that."
Lia said, "Now then, fight me."
Liebe said, "Couldn't agree more."
Lia said, "You are also a 1st Class, S-Tier knight, right? Show me what you got."
Liebe said, "Now that's the spirit. By the way, sis, where are you going next?"
Lia said, "Actually, I'm going to Haldonia."
Liebe said, "So, that's for your next mission?"
Lia said, "Of course not. I heard you guys' first round was in Haldonia. What kind of a big sis would I be to skip that? I already bought premium tickets on my way here. So if you guys see fire, know it's me cheering you guys on. And who was that strong guy you are supposed to fight? Hu-Mu-Du? What was it? Ohhh, now I remember. It's 'Chihuahua.'"
Liebe said, "It's Hwang."
Lia said, "Yeah, 'Chihuahua,' Hwang, same thing."
Liebe said, "Guess so. And when are the Black Legion coming back?"
Lia said, "You mean Vexus's personal guards?"
Liebe said, "Yeah."
Lia said, "I heard they had to separate from Vexus for a bit, so they should be back in a few weeks, I guess. And also, sorry I wasn't there at our sacred grounds where you were facing the Sins and the Godkin. I know you guys were fighting."
Liebe said, "No problem."
Lia said, "And get this—while on Mikill, Wrath has Mjolnir and he can use the power of entire thunderstorms."
Liebe said, "Yeah, sis, it's that we don't just know, but sadly we felt it, alright?"
Licht said, "It was you, alright."
Liebe said, "Yeah, yeah, it hurt like crap."
Lia said, "Yeah, heard what you did back there. How you ended up taking down Sloth and had a 1v1 face-off against Hǫfuðbjǫrn Magn. Of course, I, as well as Vexus, fought him before. Yet you standing up to him? Now that's surprising. That's why I want to see how far you have come. But first of all, do you know what 'Grand Black' is?"
Liebe said, "The reason why each captain of Black Rose is from the Faust family. It takes shape depending on the user, yet the spell is always different but can only be used by the Fausts. It is the power of the All-Father."
As Lilith entered, she said, "Exactly."
Lia said, "You know, back when Gramps was alive, his was called 'Dark Magic: Black Execution, Grand Black'—a spell that only harmed who the user deemed as their enemy."
Lilith said, "I know. I saw it plenty of times. While mine is called 'Void Magic: Eternal Abyss, Grand Black.' It shatters my Abyssal Gate spell to turn everything around me to dust—an ultimate spell that kills everything and everyone around me, turning them to dust."
Liebe said, "Okay, now I want to see what mine looks like."
Lilith said, "Forget it. You aren't learning it, since you aren't becoming the next Alföðr. There is no point."
Lia said, "Makes sense, I guess. Since to be the next captain, you need to be chosen by our greatest treasure: the Mask of Ifrit, Mythical Model Alföðr. And if I'm correct, Marks is the one chosen. Sadly, he didn't inherit the signature attribute of the Fausts, so looks like Grand Black will die out with you, Lilith."
Lilith said, "Actually, that was a lie."
Liebe said, "I'm the one chosen by the mask. The one chosen who will inherit the will of every Einherjar before me."
Lia said, "Now that's stretching it a bit. You aren't chosen."
Liebe said, "Allow me to show you." As he extended his hand, the mask appeared before him. Lia was shocked to see this.
Lia said, "So why? Answer me, Lilith. Why is Marks becoming the next captain instead of Liebe?"
Lilith said, "Because that's what I said."
Lia said, "Why? Why him, not Liebe?"
Lilith said, "Because it's my decision."
Lia said, "I see. You would rather throw away everything—our greatest treasure, our greatest spell—just because of blatant favoritism? Come on, Liebe. I will teach you how to use Grand Black."
Liebe said, "Huh? What? How?"
Lia said, "I may not know how to use it, but I'm sure I've seen it plenty of times to know."
Licht said, "That doesn't make sense."
Lia said, "Did I ask?"
Licht said, "Sorry, ma'am."
Lichee said, "Wait, does that mean I can also use Grand Black?"
Licht said, "Theoretically, yes. But again, it depends."
Lilith said, "You are far too young and naive. Your Void Magic is already unstable as is, and with Grand Black, you can kill more than you know."
As they went outside, Lia said, "This is my katana. Draw your swords. Lemme think... oh yeah, in order to use the spell effectively, the user needs to face life or death or something like that. Or, you know..."
As they began to fight, their swords clashed. Lia said, "You have gotten stronger. I see how you beat Sloth. Yet that bastard was just a Sin for his robberies. The new five Sins—they are nothing like him."
Liebe said, "I know. I must grow stronger. Stronger!"
Lia said, "Now that's the spirit! Now take this! Flame Magic: True Flame!" As her katana was set on fire, Lia said, "With this, we are done warming up. My katana can cut through anything and everything that stands in my way."
Liebe said, "Don't hold back! Dark Magic: Dark Grand Blades!"
Lia said, "Now! Flame Magic: Blazing Rampage!"
Liebe said, "Now, let's do it!"
As they clashed, the mana shockwaves could be felt. Licht said, "Liebe sure has grown. Last time, he was knocked out with a single punch."
Alysa said, "Actually, that was last night."
M said, "Yeah, he has. But that Vexus guy... he is on a different level. Last night's attack—if he was there ten years ago, or if he actually used his lightning without holding back, or even if he was just at Gremory Island—I would be six feet under."
Licht said, "Well, that's big bro. He doesn't hold back. Plus, last night, even with the both of us, it was barely a draw."
In the end, Lia had won. Liebe said, "I was close."
Lia said, "Not even. But good to see you are stronger. Proud of you, kiddo. Also, this is for not telling me you were in a relationship!" As she punched Liebe, he was on the ground.
Liebe said, "Sorry, ma'am."
As Vexus arrived, he said, "Now that's more like it."
Liebe said, "Good morning, bro."
Vexus said, "Oh, you're alive, tiny? I thought Lia finally killed you this time."
Liebe said, "Guess so. Want to have breakfast?"
Vexus said, "Don't bother. Just had breakfast by the river. I'll be out of here in the next few weeks, after the Black Legion—Frey, Tru, and Tracy—return."
Liebe said, "Where are you off to now?"
Vexus said, "First of all, I will show them why in hell you shouldn't mess with Black Rose. Then go to Mikill and do the same to Pride and Wrath. Those bastards piss me off. But look at that—looks like fate is smiling upon me today." As he saw Alem 3 km away, he charged forward.
Alem blocked his punch with his spear. Vexus said, "You are the bastard who dared to set foot on our sacred grounds, you bastard!"
Alem said, "Don't mess with me, turd! Lightning Magic: Chariot!" As he rammed himself toward Vexus.
Vexus said, "You have some nerve attacking my family when I wasn't there! If I was there, I would send you six feet under like right now!" As he used his knee to hit Alem in the stomach, Alem stopped ramming Vexus against buildings.
As Alem stopped, Vexus said, "That was for Licht. I heard how you brats came in uninvited, and it really pissed me off."
Alem knocked him down. Alem said, "Shut up, turd!"
Vexus said, "Hey, you gotta look down once in a while. The other guy may be down, but he might not be out!" As he launched an uppercut, he said, "Now then, kitty, time to end this! Thunder Magic: Absolute Execution—"
Alem said, "I won't lose to a turd like you! Light Magic: Raging Chariot!"
As Alysa screamed, "Bro! Alem! Stop!"
Vexus said, "What's the deal? This bastard entered our sacred grounds without permission, and now he is spying on you!"
Alem said, "Mylady, who is this turd?"
Alysa said, "Break it up!"
Alem said, "I understand, mylady."
Vexus said, "Fine then. Just because my little sister told me, I'm letting you go."
Alem said, "Say that again. Call mylady your little sister, and I will kill you!"
Vexus said, "What's wrong? Did I fry whatever brain cells you have left, or is it just that you want to die so badly?"