The next afternoon.
Eve rested her head on the table, gazing at the scenery outside the window, her eyes somewhat dazed.
She murmured softly, "Master should be participating in the Divine Bird Trial now…"
Akame bounced around, a natural flush on her face, twisting and turning from time to time.
"Ah ah ah, it's been so long, Akame wants a future too!"
Akame heard this and smiled helplessly, "Alright, Akame, this has already been promised to the Star Spirit."
Although she said that.
She also felt a bit of regret.
After all, she didn't feel anything when they were together before.
But now.
The Star Spirit's high-pitched voice all night was another matter entirely.
Presumably.
Meyn felt the same way, right?
She looked at the restless Meyn, the corners of her mouth curving slightly.
Finally.
Another half an hour passed.
Linde and the Star Spirit finally appeared in the living room.
The Star Spirit was holding Linde's arm, walking with a slight stumble.
Her gaze darted around, as if she didn't dare to look at Akame and the others at all.
"…"
Akame, Eve, and Meyn exchanged glances, all seeing the subtle expression in each other's eyes.
Quite impressive, huh.
To actually still be able to appear before them.
Mm-hm.
It seemed a reliable comrade was about to emerge.
Akame didn't think that much; as soon as Linde appeared, she was already clinging to his neck.
"Nyah nyah, Master, Akame wants a future too!"
Akame rubbed Linde's cheek like a kitten, her eyes shining as she looked at Linde.
"…"
Linde lowered his head to meet Akame's expectant gaze, and his index finger immediately twitched.
To be honest…
There was still quite a bit of the Level Breakthrough Potion left.
Otherwise.
He could fulfill the Retainers' desire to become stronger.
Eve waved her hands repeatedly, "No, Master, there's still serious business."
Akame took a few steps forward, reached out, and grabbed Akame's collar, pulling her off Linde.
"Alright, Setsuna, today is the day we're supposed to clear the Divine Bird Trial."
"…"
Setsuna blinked, watching the gradually appearing sunset, and fell silent.
Today…was there still a need to go?
"Alright, let's not delay the Divine Bird Trial any further."
Linde clapped his hands: "First, we eat, then we set off."
After they had eaten their fill.
Except for the Star Spirit, who needed to recover some blood.
Linde and his group of five had arrived at the foot of a mountain.
As far as the eye could see.
The entire mountain peak was shrouded in a misty haze.
This was the true location of the Black Wing Clan's sacred domain.
The Divine Bird Trial was at the summit of this mountain.
"Are the Teleportation Magic coordinates all set?"
"Mhm."
"Good, don't push yourselves when the time comes. If you can't hold on, just teleport away."
Linde waved his hand, and the group grandly began their ascent.
It had to be said.
The scenery of the mountain peak was quite beautiful.
However, very soon.
Everyone was no longer in the mood to appreciate the scenery.
Because from all directions, a faint mist had begun to drift, unbeknownst to them.
"Everyone, be careful. According to our clan's records, the appearance of this mist signifies that we are about to enter the range of the Divine Bird Trial."
Eve looked at everything and quickly reminded them.
Meyn immediately picked up her Romantic Cannon, vigilantly looking around.
Akame stood in front of Linde, performing her duty as a guard.
Setsuna perked up her ears, directly entering a combat state.
Seeing this.
Linde was very pleased.
The feeling of being protected by his Retainers was truly wonderful.
"Actually, you don't have to be like this."
Eve couldn't help but laugh, saying: "Don't you already know that the first trial tests physical strength."
"We only need to endure the potent poison released by the Divine Bird."
"Is that so."
Akame and the others smiled somewhat sheepishly.
And just at this moment.
Even though it was broad daylight, snowflakes covered the sky, continuously falling.
"How beautiful."
"This is my first time seeing snow."
Watching this scene, Setsuna and Meyn were excited, about to dance with joy to catch the snowflakes.
"You two, you still need to be more vigilant."
Linde sighed helplessly: "The snowflakes appeared so suddenly, didn't you feel that something was wrong?"
Akame nodded: "Master is right, the snow has a problem."
Setsuna and Meyn were startled and immediately activated their defensive Magic Circle.
"It's probably useless."
Eve sighed: "This should be the first trial, the unique potent poison of the Divine Bird."
"When the snowflakes appeared, we were already affected."
The moment her words fell, Setsuna and Meyn grunted, already weakly kneeling on one knee.
Compared to them.
Eve and Akame merely frowned slightly.
"This poison is quite interesting."
Feeling a slight abnormality in his body, Linde's expression remained unchanged.
This poison specifically targeted physical strength.
And apart from feeling a tiny bit of discomfort, he was completely unaffected.
Moreover…if one continuously endured the erosion of this potent poison, as long as they didn't die, it would probably have the effect of strengthening the body.
"In that case, after subduing the Divine Bird, she can also help some Retainers train their bodies."
Linde stroked his chin, thinking to himself.
He now had many Retainers.
But not many could withstand him alone.
"Master, Setsuna will probably have to retreat first."
"Me too, I can't hold on much longer."
A moment later, Setsuna and Meyn both raised their hands in surrender.
"Alright, retreat."
Having received Linde's approval, both of them cast Teleportation Magic and disappeared on the spot.
"If you can't bear it, don't force yourselves."
Linde said to Akame and Eve, and continued to advance towards the summit.
Akame and Eve exchanged glances and immediately followed him.
Time slowly passed.
As they gradually approached the summit.
The toxins emanating from the trial were becoming increasingly potent.
Linde was as usual.
However, Akame and Eve's pace gradually slowed down.
Their backs were completely drenched in sweat.
"How are you two doing?"
Linde stopped, asking with concern.
"Master, I can still go on."
"Akame too, and I feel like my body has gotten stronger."
Akame and Eve's eyes were filled with fighting spirit.
If they hadn't become demons, they would never have been able to withstand this potent poison.
But now.
They were still far from their limit.
After an unknown amount of time.
A majestic and magnificent palace finally appeared before Linde and the two women.
The entire palace was bathed in light, giving off a sacred and grand feeling.
And above the palace, all the light came from a shimmering gem.
As if sensing the arrival of Linde and the others.
A majestic voice slowly emanated from within the gem.
"Trial-takers who have passed the first stage, I acknowledge the strength of your bodies."
"However, if you wish to gain my recognition, please unleash all your power and accept the second trial."
The moment the words fell, everyone seemed to hear a pleasant chirp in their ears.
In a daze.
A majestic and sacred figure slowly emerged from within the light.
At the same time.
An invisible wave of power instantly enveloped the entire world.
In just a moment.
Akame and Eve's eyes were already dull, completely immersed in the trial.
"Hmm, a technique that affects the mind, similar to that?"
Linde nodded inwardly, his expression unchanged.
To affect his mind.
This so-called Divine Bird in front of him was not qualified enough…