"Watch your tongue, Neto. I won't take any insult from you," Memphis said, his calm face twisting into a controlled anger. His voice was steady, but the weight behind it was sharp enough to silence the room. The mood immediately shifted; every pro darkside knight present could feel it.
"So tell me, Memphis," another pro darkside knight asked cautiously, "why do you think she's the one from the past?"
Memphis exhaled and looked down, as if weighing his words. "It's best I don't say… but that statement about cutting my head off—" he clenched his fist slightly, "—it really scared the hell out of me. After she slaughtered all those special darkside spirits, I knew. That was her."
The room fell silent. None of them moved, each pro darkside knight considering his words with unease.
"You're the most sensitive and smart one here, Memphis," the pro darkside knight sitting closest to him finally said. "I won't question your decision. If that's what you say, then I support it."
"I'm glad Memphis could recognize and clarify it's her," Raizer added from his seat, his voice calm but firm. "So I will have all of you believe as well. This is not the enemy. We owe her a favor — and we need to return it."
A few of the pro darkside knights nodded in agreement. But Neto and some of the others still wore doubtful expressions, whispering among themselves.
"Thanks for your warm welcome, Raizer," Lucy said softly as she walked slowly toward Alfie, Sasaki, and Jackson. Her presence drew every eye. "I will never forget it."
"Hey, do you mind if I ask you something?" a pro darkside knight who had been quiet all this time finally spoke up. His tone was steady but filled with suspicion. "I appreciate what you did for our comrades back then, but… to make us believe you're really the one from the past, we need confirmation." He rose from his seat, his presence heavy.
"Okay, Mister. I accept your terms," Lucy replied without hesitation.
"There's no need for that!" Memphis interrupted sharply. "She's the one — I've already confirmed it!"
"Don't interrupt, Memphis," Raizer cut in firmly. "This is a world where power speaks louder than words. Let him please himself."
Memphis fell silent and sat back down reluctantly.
"You shouldn't worry about her wellbeing, Memphis," the pro darkside knight — Robert — said calmly, his cold eyes fixed on Lucy. "If she is the one from the past, then she doesn't need your concern."
Memphis's lips curled into a cold smile. "I wasn't worried about her, Robert. It's the other way around. She's one woman you don't want to mess with. I promise you that."
"There's no need for these trials," another pro darkside knight who had remained silent until now said firmly from his seat. "Memphis and the special darkside knight already confirmed her. Isn't that enough?"
"Not everyone is as naïve as you," Robert replied as he started walking toward the door — in the same direction where Alfie, Jackson, and Sasaki were standing. His steps echoed in the tense hall.
"Respect how you talk to me, Robert," the pro darkside knight snapped, but Robert ignored him completely.
Sasaki's eyes sharpened, staring straight at Robert as he approached.
"Don't give me that look," Robert said with a smirk. "You won't last a minute against me."
"Don't you dare insult Mr. Reaper like that, you weird hat guy!" Alfie shouted, stepping forward with reckless anger.
Sasaki moved quickly, grabbing Alfie from behind before he could do anything stupid. "Back off," he said calmly. "Don't do anything reckless."
Alfie froze, shocked by Sasaki's tone. Slowly, he stopped struggling and stepped back, though his eyes never left Robert.
"Allow me to duel him, Lucy," Sasaki said, his face serious and his tone sharper. "I promise to pay him back with my blade."
Lucy shook her head. "That's not the situation here, Sasaki. I can't let you. There's something I need to prove to these kids sitting on iron chairs thinking they're strong and experienced." She walked toward the door, her expression unwavering.
The pro darkside knights who weren't on Raizer and Memphis's side scowled, anger written on their faces.
"I hope your blades are as sharp as your tongue, woman," Robert said with that same calm expression.
"You can let him duel me if you want," Robert continued. "It won't change anything. After I defeat him in under a minute, you'll be next." He pointed at Lucy before turning and walking out toward the sparring grounds.
"What were you thinking, stepping up to a pro darkside knight like that?" Jackson whispered to Alfie, who was still tense, his eyes locked on Robert's back.
"There's no way he can insult Mr. Reaper and get away with it. Don't you find that offensive?" Alfie shot back.
Jackson blinked in surprise at Alfie's tone — defending Sasaki so fiercely. "Of course it's wrong," he said. "But this isn't something you can involve yourself in."
"That's enough talking, gentlemen… shall we?" Robert's voice echoed as he continued walking.
They all followed him out to the sparring arena behind the castle. The pro darkside knights sat around the stone seats, while Lucy, Alfie, and Jackson watched from the side.
Sasaki stepped forward, gripping the sword given to him for the duel. He lowered into his stance, eyes sharp.
"Okay, buddy," Robert said, one hand resting on his scabbard while the other stayed lazily in his pocket. "Show me what you've got."
Without hesitation, Sasaki switched directly to Robert's front and slashed downward with speed and power.
Robert, experienced and calm, bent his body just enough to let the blade pass him by.
But Sasaki didn't give him a chance to rest — his attacks came relentlessly, one after another, each faster than the last. He used switch mode repeatedly, his movements flashing across the arena, forcing Robert to move and adjust.
Robert kept dodging with minimal effort, his body shifting like water around each strike. He didn't strike back — not yet. He was testing. Waiting.
Jackson clenched his fists in frustration, thinking, What's with this pro darkside knight? Why isn't he attacking yet? This will be disgraceful for Mr. Sasaki if he loses like this.
"Fight him head-on! Stop running around!" Alfie shouted from the side, his voice echoing across the arena.