"Earth!" shouted Enea, summoning a small pillar of rock in front of him.
"This isn't working…" he murmured, exhausted.
"Not bad, for someone who's been using magic for less than a week," said Alexia, walking closer.
"Thanks for the encouragement, but do you think this would be enough against that green-haired guy?"
"Not at all," Alexia replied bluntly, leaving a tense silence between them.
"You really can't stand me, huh?"
"What makes you think that?"
"Can you at least tell me where all this comes from?"
"Do I have to remind you of your attitude since day one? You have no respect for your superiors."
"Right… and I'll remind you that I'm not from this world and have no obligation to follow your hierarchy."
"See? You're doing it again!"
While they trained with magic, Alexandre and Michael watched them argue intensely.
"Neither of them backs down…" said Alexandre.
"Yet they seem oddly in sync," added Michael.
"Watch out!" shouted Leon.
Alexandre turned around—just in time to see a fireball flying straight at him. "Crap!"
He didn't have time to dodge, but someone blocked the spell with his hand and snuffed it out.
Alexandre looked to the side—it was Captain Edward.
"You need to pay more attention during training… danger is always around the corner," said the captain coldly.
Alexandre and Michael exchanged a glance. With that tone, he sounds like the real danger, Michael thought.
"Captain Edward, may I ask what brings you here?" Alexia asked, her expression a mix of concern and confusion.
The captain slowly turned to her. "Princess Alexia, I was just passing by. I thought I'd take the opportunity to check on the progress of our heroes." Then he looked at his hand. "It seems you've started using Transmission—an interesting move indeed."
"Thank you, Captain," Alexia replied.
Edward's gaze shifted to Leon, sharp as a blade. The boy flinched. "When you cast a spell, stay focused on it. You got lucky this time. But I won't always be here to clean up your mistakes."
Leon lowered his head. "Yes, sir. I'm sorry."
Edward nodded. "Since I'm here, let me give you a bit of advice. As you've probably realized, magic can be released even moments after being conjured. You can use that as a surprise tactic."
The group leaned in curiously as a tiny fireball formed in Edward's palm.
"Spells have different levels of intensity, depending on how much magical power you put into them." The fireball grew gradually in size. "Out on the battlefield, I learned one thing above all else—always be ready for anything. Sometimes, keeping a spell hidden and ready to strike can save your life."
"Interesting…" murmured Alexandre.
"It won't be easy to master, but if you manage it, you'll become far more dangerous."
"Thank you, Captain!"
Before leaving, Edward looked at Enea. "Hero Enea, I heard my subordinate caused you some trouble."
'Some trouble'? He nearly ended my hero career before it even started.
"I apologize on his behalf," the captain said, bowing his head slightly.
"There's no need, Captain, really."
"But I won't hide it…" Edward's eyes gleamed with excitement. "I'm quite eager to witness your duel—it'll be like watching a mortal challenge a god."
Enea met his gaze with a cold look. "Then I hope I'll meet your expectations."
Edward chuckled quietly, then walked past Enea and Alexia. "I have no doubt you will." He stopped at the door. "One last piece of advice—be careful what you say. Even now, somewhere in this castle, he's listening."
"I apologize on his behalf," the captain said, bowing his head slightly.
"There's no need, Captain, really."
"But I won't hide it…" Edward's eyes gleamed with excitement. "I'm quite eager to witness your duel—it'll be like watching a mortal challenge a god."
Enea met his gaze with a cold look. "Then I hope I'll meet your expectations."
Edward chuckled quietly, then walked past Enea and Alexia. "I have no doubt you will." He stopped at the door. "One last piece of advice—be careful what you say. Even now, somewhere in this castle, he's listening."
His words sent a chill down everyone's spine, even Princess Alexia's.
"What a despicable being," Alexia muttered.
"So he's listening…" murmured Enea. "Then I'll take this chance as well, Captain Edward."
The captain turned at the door. "For what?"
"To apologize in advance—for the condition I'll leave your vice-captain in." Enea's voice was firm.
Edward smiled faintly, his expression unreadable. "This duel of yours just got even more interesting." Then he left.
...
Inside a room within the castle, Vice-Captain Felix was laughing hysterically as several people at a large table stared at him in confusion—including Kael and Vice-Captain Doran.
"Enea… I can't wait to face him!"
"Please, Vice-Captain Felix, could you calm down and take your seat? We need to start the meeting," asked a curly-haired girl.
"Yes, yes…" he said, walking to the table and trying to compose himself.
As soon as Doran saw him, he began speaking. "Alright. All of you here were personally chosen by His Majesty to face the summoned ones in their upcoming trial at the end of this month."
The soldiers exchanged challenging looks.
"Let's make sure we don't disappoint our King."