The boys were warming up.
"Good morning!" General Howard announced as he entered the training camp.
"Good morning, General!" they replied in unison.
"I have important news. Gather round."
The boys did as instructed.
"Yesterday I received news from the northern front: an ancient demon has appeared, after millennia of silence."
"An ancient demon? What does that mean?" asked Michael.
"Simply put, it's a type of demon that can almost be compared to a real demon."
"Do demons have a royal family?" asked Alexandre, surprised.
"Exactly. Ultimately, demons aren't all that different from humans in mentality. The only real difference is that, culturally, their species believes that 'might justifies all.'"
"And what does this have to do with us?" asked Leon.
"Not directly with you, but it concerns me," replied the general. The boys seemed to understand what this meant. "The King has ordered me to take care of this situation immediately, so I'm leaving for the front tomorrow."
"Will you return safely?" Enea asked firmly.
Howard laughed. "I may be getting on in years, but I can still hold my own on the battlefield!"
"When will you return?" Hector asked.
"I don't know," he said sadly, "but one thing's for sure: I won't be here to supervise your training until the exam."
"Damn... what shitty timing!" Leon exclaimed angrily.
"Don't worry. I've already found a worthy replacement in the meantime." The general looked toward the entrance. "Luckily, I have former students who haven't forgotten me."
Suddenly, Princess Alexia entered the camp and approached them.
"I believe introductions are unnecessary. Captain Alexia will take care of your training for now."
The boys looked uncomfortable, and Alexia noticed immediately, visibly annoyed.
"Alexia, I've explained everything necessary. The rest is up to you," said the general, stepping aside.
"Thank you, General."
Alexia stopped in front of the boys. "Good morning. I accepted this responsibility because I owe everything to the general and I refuse to disappoint him. Therefore, I will do double the effort and expect the same from all of you."
"Yes, ma'am!" they shouted in unison, making the princess smile.
"Good. That's the right spirit." Alexia drew her sword. "To begin, I want to see how far you've come."
"Of course. Who goes first?" Michael asked innocently.
"First? I meant all of you, together."
"All of us!?" Daniel blurted out, shocked.
"Are you underestimating us, Princess?" asked Andrea.
"No," she replied provocatively, "but I know I'm much stronger."
The boys grabbed their weapons and took up positions.
"We'll see," Leon added.
...
Hector, Daniel, and Michael were already on the ground.
The others were still standing, but fatigue was quickly setting in.
We have no escape... this is on another level! — Alexandre thought, his heart pounding, only to suddenly find Alexia right in front of him.
"Focus." Alexandre couldn't react, and Alexia struck him in the stomach with the hilt of her sword, fast and hard, sending him to the ground.
"On the battlefield, losing concentration could cost you your life."
Andrea tried to strike from behind. "That goes for you too!" he shouted, as Leon charged forward.
"Good attack, but too slow."
In an instant, Alexia disappeared from their sight.
"What!?" Leon exclaimed, stunned.
Alexia reappeared behind Andrea.
"Watch out!" Leon warned.
Andrea lashed out blindly, but Alexia dodged and landed a blow on his arm.
"Andrea!" Leon shouted, but before he could react, Alexia attacked him.
"Don't worry about him."
She unleashed a flurry of lightning-fast strikes, which Leon barely managed to block.
She's incredibly fast! No openings... so that's what the general meant!
Alexia increased her speed even further, and Leon was on the verge of being overwhelmed.
I can't hold out much longer!
Andrea charged again despite his wound. "It's not over yet!"
Alexia smiled, impressed. "Nice perseverance! But it's not enough!"
Once again, she disappeared before their eyes.
Not this time! — Andrea instinctively turned, anticipating her move. He attacked, but Alexia parried and countered, striking him in the cheek.
Andrea staggered back, losing his balance. Alexia prepared to exploit the opening, but then suddenly she sensed a presence behind her.
It was Enea.
Where did he come from!? — Alexia turned instinctively, but her position prevented a clean defense. A moment later, she was on the ground.
"Now!" Enea shouted, ready to strike again, followed by Andrea and Leon.
"We got her!" Leon exclaimed.
In an instant, however, Enea's blow slipped past Alexia without touching her.
What!?
Alexia swiftly kicked Enea, sending him flying backward. Then, with a swift movement, she struck Leon's shoulder and Andrea's leg.
Enea tried to close the distance again, but Alexia appeared before him in the blink of an eye, her blade pointed at his throat.
"Enough!" General Howard ordered.
Enea and Alexia looked at each other, both challenging.
"So you're just appearances," Alexia said coldly.
"Says the one who had to use magic to win," Enea retorted mockingly.
The princess snorted and sheathed her sword.
"General, as always, your teaching skills are unmatched," she said respectfully.
"Your words honor me, Princess," the general replied.
"I believe I can adequately prepare them for the exam."
"I'm pleased to hear that."
"Do you already know the names of their opponents?" Alexia asked.
"No, the King hasn't informed me yet."
"I see..." she said thoughtfully.
"Actually, we know a name," Enea added, helping Alexandre to his feet.
"Who is that?" General Howard asked.
"The vice-captain of the Third Unit, Felix Greymont," Enea replied coldly.
Both the princess and the general were shocked.
"He said elite soldiers, but I didn't think he meant that level," Howard said, worried.
"How do you know?" Alexia asked, doubtful.
"He came to tell us personally, rather rudely," Alexandre replied.
"He also said he wants to fight me," Enea added.
"He specifically asked to fight you? That's a problem. I hate to say it, but you'll never beat him, especially if he's serious," Alexia said, thinking aloud.
"Because of his magic, right?" Enea asked.
"Exactly," the general interjected. "His magic goes beyond human understanding — a power almost divine. It grants him senses no mortal could ever match. Nothing escapes him. They call it Divine Admission."