Luna, despite her wound, fought on. She could not fail this examination; she needed to pass to become a Junior Master. The memory of Ram's instruction on weapon grip flashed in her mind, and she quickly formed a plan.
Stephen lunged. "If you don't move, you'll be hurt by what I'm about to do!"
Luna looked at the Headmaster, then remembered Natalie's fighting style from when she watched her spar once. Luna fluidly adopted Natalie's move, instantly tripping Stephen and sending him crashing to the ground.
"She perfectly copied that move I used!" Natalie exclaimed. "She's good."
"Good?" Ram scoffed. "She is relying on the fighting style of others. She has no personal combat strategy and relies on others to defeat her opponent."
"We don't know her full capability yet; she is still training," Shin countered. "Besides, that was just a simple style she picked up from Natalie. It's not a big deal, Ram. Let her be. Luna will figure out her own style eventually."
"I still disagree with what she did." Ram was firm.
Kalmin helped Luna, who was still bleeding, back to the side. Next up was Lyra, who came from another Division and also aimed for Headmaster training. Stephen, furious at being defeated by a Junior, lashed out with his power. Lyra swiftly dodged his attack and delivered a powerful kick to the Headmaster.
"Now this is a fight I want to watch!" Shin cheered.
Stephen, desperate, broke the cage holding the two banished beings. Everyone was shocked by the Headmaster's reckless action. Lyra, undaunted, drew her weapon and faced the monsters, showing no fear.
"That wasn't me! I didn't do anything!" Natalie insisted, hands raised innocently.
"Don't fight, we'll handle it, Shin and I," Ram commanded, stepping forward.
"That makes me lazier! What am I supposed to do while you two fight? Just wait until the battle is over?" Natalie complained.
"Yes, Minister Natalie," Shin confirmed flatly.
"You two are so annoying!"
Lyra struggled against the two creatures, eventually falling as one struck her arm. Shin quickly threw his weapon, skewering one of the beings, and rushed into the fight. Ram charged the second creature. Stephen tried to flee, but Natalie stopped him with her rope, lifting him high and flipping him upside down. Ram and Shin quickly defeated the banished beings. The two Junior Masters looked at their superior officers.
"Our task for the day is complete," Natalie announced with a bright smile. "Finally, I can eat!"
"What is your decision on the two Juniors, Minister Natalie?" Ram asked.
"What is your assessment of their performance, Minister Ram? Minister Shin?" Natalie turned the question to them.
"Junior Lyra has a unique style, but she hasn't fully mastered it, and her attacks lack finesse," Shin analyzed. "She was too confident in defeating the creatures and lacked situational awareness, failing to consider that her companions nearby might be harmed by her actions."
"Junior Luna has no distinct style; she copied one of Minister Natalie's moves," Ram stated, still disapproving. "I disagree with her choice. We all have our own unique fighting styles, and even a Junior should be capable of creating their own. Her combat knowledge is lacking, and her ability is still weak, which led to her injury."
"In that case, they have both passed the Junior Master examination," Natalie decided.
Luna and Lyra were shocked by the decision, given the Ministers' harsh critiques.
"And you, Headmaster Stephen, you will clean the dining hall for three days. If you repeat this, the punishment will be far worse. Is that clear?"
"Yes! Yes! Thank you, Minister Natalie!" Stephen pleaded from his inverted position.
Natalie turned to leave, Ram and Shin following. With a quick thrust of his weapon, Shin cut Stephen's rope. The Headmaster crashed hard onto the ground. Lyra stared at Shin, who only smiled casually as he walked away.
"Minister Shin and Minister Ram are truly excellent," Kalmin said to the girls. "They are perfectly suited to be Ministers. That's why Minister Natalie can't cause trouble anymore, since they are always following her. Superior Nephtali is brilliant."
"So, they are only watching Minister Natalie to prevent her from causing chaos?" Lyra asked. "Is it true she is the one who always causes trouble in this Division?"
"Not always," Luna interjected. "She is actually the one who helps us the most here. Even when she causes trouble, she usually ends up helping someone."
"This is Luna, Lyra, you will be working together now," Kalmin said. "Anyway, I have to go. Lencia is waiting. I'll see you later at the dining hall. Get your wounds treated."
Kalmin left. Lyra pondered Minister Shin, while Luna spoke.
"I was surprised to learn that Minister Shin and Minister Ram were once enemies, but Minister Natalie's intervention made them friends again."
"Really? They were enemies? Why did that happen?" Lyra asked.
"Headmaster Fairah wouldn't say; she said it doesn't matter now. What matters is that they are friends again, and they are stuck in the middle with Minister Natalie. Minister Natalie is such a powerful fighter; she can defeat any creature without effort."
"I've noticed. A Guardian truly becomes powerful under Superior Nephtali's care, don't they?" Lyra looked at Luna, her eyes determined. "I want to be like those three—a ward of a great Superior Grandmaster or the Grandminister himself."
In the Master's Hall, the three Ministers arrived, and everyone stared at them.
"Do I have dirt on my face?" Natalie asked.
"Don't you know that some trainees have arrived today to prepare for their training next year?" Ram informed her.
"That's still a long way off, isn't it? They still have a month and a half before training begins. Training is exhausting."
"It's exhausting for you, but for them, they need to train hard to pass the examinations we will administer," Shin explained.
"Why do we have so much to do?"
The three sat down, observed by the newly arrived Junior Masters and Headmasters from other Divisions who had come to train in the Ministry Sector.
"Andre, Minister Shin is so handsome," Mia whispered to her companion. "I can't believe I'm here and seeing him in person."
"Be quiet, Mia. That's embarrassing. Don't stare at him so much. Show some respect to a Minister."
Dmitry and Henrik arrived with the others, sitting near the three Ministers. Natalie ate without a care, flanked by Ram and Shin. Kalmin arrived with Lencia, Luna, and Lyra, sitting near Mia.
"Andre?! Is that you?!" Lencia called out.
"Lencia! It is! How are you? It's been a long time since we saw each other. Are you a Junior Master now?"
"Yes, I train here. How about you? How have you been?"
"My training was difficult in my previous Division, so I need to train here to prepare well. This is Mia, she was with me there."
"Hi, Mia. I'm Lencia, and these are Kalmin, Luna, and Lyra."
"Good afternoon, I'm happy to meet you all. I still feel like I'm dreaming. I can't believe I'm here, seeing my idol in person!"
"You're not the only one who idolizes Superior Nephtali; many people here do," Kalmin said.
"Of course, Superior Nephtali is my idol too, but I prefer one of his wards. She still looks beautiful, and she's so close."
Everyone looked at the Ministers and their friends.
"Do you like Minister Ram too?" Luna asked.
"No, Minister Ram is too strict. I meant Minister Shin."
"What?!" Lyra shouted, jumping up from her seat. She slowly sat back down, embarrassed.
"Do you like Minister Shin too?" Mia asked.
"Huh? W-why would I like a Minister? I have great respect for them, and they don't even pay attention to women."
Some girls approached, bringing cakes for Shin. He smiled, thanked them, and accepted the gifts. Lyra and Mia looked on, dismayed. Kalmin and Lencia laughed at them.
"I heard you passed the examination, so why don't you thank the Ministers?" Lencia suggested mischievously. "This is your chance to get closer to them."
The three girls quickly stood up and rushed to select cakes.
At Natalie's table, she paused her eating, sensing Nephtali calling them.
"Superior Nephtali is calling us to his office, Ministers."
"Already? You haven't even finished eating," Venice said.
"If we don't go immediately, we'll definitely be punished again. I don't want to be locked up in the Cursed Chamber again," Shin grumbled.
"You're dragging people into trouble now, Natalie," Dmitry observed. "It used to be just you, but now you have company."
"That's why I don't cause trouble anymore. I feel bad for these two when they get locked in there."
Their friends laughed, remembering seeing Ram and Shin struggling under the Chamber's Orations.
"It's not your turn to be locked in there yet," Ram retorted. "We'll see what happens when it is."
"What about these cakes from your fans?" Henrik asked.
"You can have them," Shin said. "I'm not fond of sweets. Ram doesn't like them either. We're leaving now."
The Ministers left, and the three girls stared at their cakes, dumbfounded.
"They don't like sweets?" Mia whispered.
Natalie, Ram, and Shin were heading to Nephtali's office when they noticed Master Vego talking to some Grandmasters.
"He still can't accept that you defeated him, Natalie," Ram observed.
"It's funny to hear what you did to him," Shin added. "He deserved it. He was too arrogant, acting as if no one could defeat him."
"What if he challenges me again? Will you fight him for me?" Natalie asked, smiling at their commitment.
Shin and Ram exchanged glances.
"I know Superior Nephtali doesn't want me fighting, especially if I use my power," Natalie continued. "I follow his wishes, so if Master Vego challenges me, I'm counting on you two to fight for me."
"We made a promise to Superior Nephtali, and we will keep it," Shin confirmed.
"You trust us, don't you?" Ram asked.
"That's why you're here, beside me. If Brother Nephtali says I can't fight, I have to obey, or I'll be scolded and locked up without warning. I hate listening to his endless lectures. It's hard having a sibling who acts like your Mother."
The two young men smiled, following Natalie.
In Superior Nephtali's office, several Grandmasters who would be serving as instructors were waiting. Natalie and the Ministers arrived, saluting them.
"Training in this Division will begin next year," Nephtali announced. "The Grandmasters will be the instructors, and the three Ministers will administer the examinations."
"Superior," Grandmaster Vivian questioned, "why will these Ministers, who are only Superior Headmasters, administer the examinations? We are Grandmasters."
"Superior Remiel and I agreed to change the hierarchy of the Guardians. Ministers will hold the second highest position after us Superiors, so they will administer the examinations for your trainees," Nephtali explained.
"These three did not undergo Grandmaster training; they cannot be ranked higher than us," Grandmaster Vego protested.
"Do you wish to fight one of them again, Master Vego?" Nephtali asked dangerously.
Vego fell silent. Nephtali rose and walked toward the Ministers, who wisely remained quiet.
"You have witnessed what Shin, Ram, and Natalie are capable of. They possess unique abilities that you cannot match. As ancient warriors, it is appropriate for them to rank higher than you. If I had my way, all of you would return to Grandmaster training, because some of you are not ready for that position! Natalie defeated you effortlessly. What if your opponent were the banished beings? What would you do? Run and hide?"
The Grandmasters lowered their heads in shame.
"If you challenge the Ministers, you will answer to me. Do we understand each other, Grandmasters?"
"Yes, Superior Nephtali!" the Grandmasters chorused.
Natalie gave Nephtali a knowing look.
Later, Natalie walked along the pathway, enjoying the cool night air. She saw Nephtali standing, gazing at the starlit sky.
"How are you feeling?" he asked.
"I'm fine, just get hungry quickly whenever I'm busy."
Nephtali turned to her, and Natalie knew what he wanted to say.
"Brother, I'm alright. Don't worry about what happened. I was careful when I did it. I knew I would weaken if I exerted extreme energy, but the important thing is that you didn't succumb to your rage."
"But I still hurt you. I couldn't even protect you from my own anger."
Natalie approached her worried brother. "I'm used to you, even back then. I understand why you couldn't control your anger. I accept that, Brother. In fact, I'd be more afraid if you couldn't get angry. It's part of your nature."
"That's why only the two of us have ever truly understood each other," Nephtali said softly.
"That's just how siblings are, right?"
They smiled at each other, looking up at the multitude of stars.
"The Superior Grandmasters will be holding a meeting, and I will be gone for several weeks," Nephtali informed her. "I will take some Grandmasters with me. I will leave Red in charge of the office. And you—don't cause any trouble here."
"You too. Don't cause any trouble there. Be extremely patient with those you talk to."
"Don't worry, I won't hurt them."
Natalie fell silent, a subtle change Nephtali noticed.
"Why are you quiet?"
"Do you really have to be gone for so long, Brother?"
Nephtali smiled, seeing the sadness in her eyes.
"I know you have to do it."
"I thought you would be happy that the one who lectures you will be gone for weeks, and you can cause mischief again."
"I'm just not used to you being away from my side, especially when you scold and lecture me. My day won't feel complete without those."
"Is my sister sad when she doesn't get a lecture from me?" Nephtali looked at her, seeing the genuine sadness on her face. "Don't try to fool me, Natalie."