"I'll give both of your performances forty points."
Alfia said, stepping forward to stand before them.
"Forty points? That's not bad."
Belle said with a weak smile as she took a sip from her potion.
"Don't get a big head."
Alfia added flatly.
"That's your overall grade... both of you scored twenty points each."
Hearing that, Belle's shoulders slumped.
"Of course..."
She sighed before glancing toward Judas, who had his back turned to them, overlooking the city.
'Ah... he's so cool.'
To Belle, his figure looked noble and knightly... his clothes and hair swaying with the wind only added to the effect.
Her eyes sparkled dreamily, like a shoujo panel filled with flowers whenever the handsome lead appeared.
But that fantasy shattered a moment later.
"What do you think you're doing, my foolish disciple? Trying to act cool?"
The mood was instantly ruined as Alfia marched over and tugged his ear.
"Hey—hey—let go!"
Judas winced in pain before muttering a quick spell to slip free from her grasp.
Looking at his figure which had turned mist-like... Alfia put her fingers on her chin with a thoughtful expression.
"If you can turn into mist to dodge a scolding, then you can damn well use it to flank an enemy. Use your cowardice creatively next time."
It was then the aura around her took a sudden shift.
"Oh no..."
The color from Belle's face completely drained and became as white as a ghost.
She had a bad feeling, every time she saw her aunt like this, it can only mean one thing.
"Now that you two are done goofing around... Next, I want to see your ability to work together."
Her gaze locked onto them like a predator.
"Both of you be prepared to die because your next opponent will be me."
Belle visibly shivered under her icy stare while a bead of sweat fell from the side of Judas' face.
The next few hours were nothing but full of anguish and harsh words that came out of Alfia's mouth.
"Move. Now. Stop staring at each other like lovers and act like soldiers."
"You...Belle... your angles are wide and sloppy. Close them and control the distance."
"Judas... stop telegraphing your feints."
"Synchronize your breath. If one of you breathes early, the other is already exposed."
"You call that a counter? That was a flail. Control your wrists... precision wins more fights than brute force."
"Do not waste stamina on theatrics. Every wasted motion is a step toward death."
"Belle... lock your elbows. You're leaking power at the shoulder. Use the hips, not the arms."
"Judas... when you vanish, don't vanish to flee. Vanish to reappear where an opponent won't expect you. Make the air itself betray their senses."
"Eyes on the rhythm. Set a rhythm... break it, then punish the moment the enemy hesitates."
"Don't think. React. Then think while you react. Intelligence in motion or you'll be nothing but fast meat."
"One more round. Harder. This time, I want coordinated intent, not two people taking turns to shine."
She made sure to imprint her words into their minds even as they lay exhausted and panting, their backs pressed against the ground.
In particular, Alfia was harsher toward Judas; his ability to heal made him last longer than he should have.
But if there was one thing that surprised him, it was Belle's ability to keep up with Alfia's relentless, spartan-like training.
The more exhausted she became, the more she seemed able to spring back to life.
Judas wondered if her willpower even surpassed his... despite him possessing the [Eternal Persistence] skill.
'No... it must be a skill that enhances her endurance.'
If Belle had endured Alfia's training since childhood, it was no surprise she developed a skill because of it.
After a relentless set of drills, Judas and Belle had taken so much punishment that they could no longer move.
Alfia paused, stepped closer, and stared down at their beaten bodies.
"You both survived this long because fate was kind."
"Don't let it buy you another moment next time. Train like you plan to die today... and make sure you're the one still standing when it ends."
Neither Judas nor Belle replied... the only sounds that escaped their lips were weak grunts of pain.
She stared at them for a few seconds before turning around and grabbing a potion from a nearby bag.
"That's it for today's training."
She said, glancing up at the blue sky before pouring the potion over their bodies.
"Same time tomorrow... my disciple, make sure you're never late."
Alfia added as she picked Belle up like a sack of potatoes and vanished on the spot.
'Hah... now I feel sorry for Belle, having to endure this every single day.'
Now left alone, Judas enjoyed the peace and silence as he lay on the ground for a few minutes before finally sitting up.
He looked toward the sky and estimated the time based on the sun's position.
"It's almost 10 a.m... I must head to the central square and meet up with Alise and the others immediately."
Forcing himself to his feet, Judas grabbed his bag and changed into a fresh set of clothes.
Not only that, he also put on his newly bought armor and the undershirt Rose had given him.
"Looks good."
After checking himself over, his figure vanished.
Feeling the wind brush against his skin, Judas leapt from rooftop to rooftop before landing in a narrow alley.
"Judas, over here!"
Alise's voice called out, and when he turned, he saw her, Ryuu, Kaguya, and Lyra gathered by the fountain.
"How was it? Your first day of training under the legendary Silence of the Hera Familia?"
Kaguya asked, curiosity gleaming in her eyes.
"She's... intense, I guess."
Judas muttered, rubbing a sore spot on his body... the image of Alfia's fist still vivid in his mind.
"I can tell you've been through quite an ordeal if you're talking like that."
Lyra said, leaning forward with her hands on her hips.
Judas gave a weak smile.
"Are you sure you're in proper condition to explore the dungeon, Mister Spade?"
Ryuu asked, concern soft in her voice.
"Thanks for worrying about me, but I'm fine, Miss Ryuu,"
Judas replied with a light smile.
"If you say so, then let's head out!"
Alise said cheerfully as she swooped in between them.
"To celebrate Lion's return, even if it's only temporary... and Judas joining our party... let's do the thing!"
She turned dramatically on her heel and raised her hand with a grin.
The others visibly flinched at their captain's enthusiasm and averted their gazes.
"Huh? The thing?"
"What does she mean by that?"
Judas asked, glancing at Lyra beside him.
"Ugh... something embarrassing, that's what."
Lyra muttered, her grin stiffening as her mouth twitched.
"Do we really have to do it? I don't like doing the thing."
Even the steadfast Kaguya murmured.
"Lyra... Kaguya..."
Even Ryuu seemed mildly embarrassed but managed to hold it in.
"Come on, everyone... here goes!"
Alise stretched her hands forward, palms facing down at waist level.
The others reluctantly followed, stacking their hands on top of hers.
"Judas, come on... join us."
Alise said, flashing a wide smile.
"I have no idea what's going on, but sure."
Judas said with a shrug, adding his hand to the pile.
"Do what you must! Adjust the balance! Until the day we become stars!"
"Leave a gleaming tail on this earth like a shooting star!"
"I swear on the sword and wings of justice!"
Alise's passionate voice carried through the plaza like a vow for knights of justice to uphold.
"I swear on the sword and wings of justice!"
Kaguya, Lyra, and Ryuu repeated the final line in unison, then turned to Judas expectantly.
For the first time, he understood why they had looked so mortified earlier.
Their eyes said it all.
We already embarrassed ourselves... now it's your turn.
Judas sighed with a wry smile.
"I swear on the sword and wings of justice..."
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