Sasaki landed headfirst on the hard ground with a loud thud. Alfie and Jackson stopped running immediately.
"You should've said it earlier…" Sasaki groaned, rubbing his head as he stood back up. "What the hell is with this place? The moment I activated my Renshi, it sent me flying out—damn it." He stomped his foot in frustration before walking back into the training field.
Alfie and Jackson barely paid him any mind. Their attention was glued to the sword battle raging before them. Lucy and Raizer were locked in a fierce duel, their blades clashing with a rhythm that shook the air itself. Every strike was clean, every step calculated, and the sparks from their blades lit the training ground like flashes of lightning.
"They're evenly matched…" Jackson whispered, sweat forming on his temple.
Lucy smirked mid-combat. "You've improved greatly, Raizer. No wonder you earned the title of Special Darkside Knight of Ashura."
Raizer parried sharply, the force of his blade sending a gust across the field. "And you haven't lost a step, Marco… or should I say, Lucy. To think you'd reveal yourself like this."
Their swords danced across the entire field, moving faster than Alfie or Jackson could follow. The ground was scarred with their footsteps, the air vibrating with killing intent.
"This fight… it might end in a draw today," Lucy muttered with a grin. She suddenly vanished, reappearing on the head of a massive Shinra statue. Raizer halted his attack, fading into the air with a silent exit.
Lucy's eyes softened as she stared into the sky. A decade has passed, yet he still looks exactly the same… I didn't even get to ask about his boy. If my guess is right, that kid should be around Alfie's age by now or maybe older.
"Hey master! What are you doing up there?!" Alfie shouted, breaking her thoughts.
Lucy appeared right behind him, whispering into his ear with a creepy tone. "You don't need to scream, Alfie. I can hear you loud and clear."
"Argh! Stop creeping me out, Master!" Alfie stumbled backward, almost tripping. "One day, I swear, I'm gonna pee my pants because of you!"
Lucy chuckled and turned serious. "Back to training. I'll deal with a few unwanted visitors at the entrance."
Jackson, Alfie, and Sasaki returned to their statues, still shaken from what happened to Sasaki earlier. Lucy gave them one last reminder:
"What happened to Sasaki is a lesson—if you try using Renshi in this field, you'll be thrown out instantly. No shortcuts. No cheating. Endure it properly,and increase your force energy."
With that, she switched to the entrance of the field where five Shinras were attempting to enter.
Lucy stood firmly, blocking their path. "How can I help you gentlemen?"
One of them smirked. "That man you were battling with earlier—where is he?"
Lucy's expression sharpened. "That's none of your business. Worry about yourselves, and stay out of matters that don't concern you."
"Tch, big words for such a young lady," one sneered, licking the edge of his curved scythe. "Shall I rip her tongue out?"
Another held him back. "There's no need. Didn't you see her swordplay? None of us here could match that. Picking a fight with her is suicide." He then turned to Lucy, his tone carrying both warning and interest. "I only wanted to confirm who that man was. I've known something about you since the time at the gate… and at the hospital. Listen carefully: threats don't last long in this world. When enemies sense danger, they eliminate it without hesitation. Keep your guard up, or one day you'll vanish without a trace."
With that, they left. The man with the scythe pointed the blade toward her one last time, grinning before disappearing with the others.
Lucy narrowed her eyes. So much attention with just a single incident… This is getting dangerous. She raised her hand, weaving symbols in the air, and placed a massive barrier just outside the training field. The glowing wall hummed, sealing the area in layers of protection.
Hours passed. The sun began to sink. Sasaki had improved to two full minutes, Alfie to forty seconds, and Jackson to twenty seconds. Their bodies were drenched in sweat, their hands trembling.
"It's time for dinner," Lucy finally announced. The students dragged their exhausted bodies over, relief washing across their faces. Together, they headed back to the same restaurant from the night before.
As they entered, the same group of Shinras from last night sat at the corner. The skinny man leaned back with a grin. "Well, well. If it isn't the new rookies in town."
Sasaki began to stand, fury flashing in his eyes, but Lucy held out a hand. "Don't. Ignore them."
Alfie whispered under his breath, This Mr. Reaper really gets mad whenever someone even talks about Master. What's his deal?
They ate silently, not giving the group another glance, before returning to their apartment.
---
Meanwhile – Unknown Existence, Avengers' Hideout
In the hidden realm where the Avengers lurked, Rebekah sat alone on her bed. A full day had passed since her last meeting with Amanda. Her eyes were steady, her voice firm.
"It's time… to move on to another chapter of my life." She stood and opened the door.
Two guards clad in black robes stood at attention, each wielding a long, cruel scythe. "It's time," they said in perfect unison, their voices chilling.
They escorted her through endless staircases until they arrived before a colossal door. The guards pushed it open, revealing a vast chamber lit with eerie, glowing torches.
Amanda sat on a grand, throne-like chair, her presence dominating the hall. To her left and right sat the Seven Origins, each in their own seats. Their silence was heavy, suffocating. And by Amanda's side, the Upper Five—Fladigo, Onamuchi, Fushira, Voldigo, and Pascal—watched on their seats with expressions as cold as stone.
Rebekah's eyes widened slightly at the sight. A massive table stretched between them, polished like glass yet stained with faint marks of warrior scars.
Amanda rose slightly from her chair, her piercing gaze falling on Rebekah. "I never expected you to change your mind so soon, little brain." A thin smile curved her lips as she appeared in front of Rebekah without moving, clasping her hand before returning to her seat in a blink.
"Welcome to the family, Little Brain."
The Origins murmured among themselves, their whispers echoing like snakes in the chamber.
Amanda raised her hand, silencing them. "From today onward, this girl will serve as our strategist. No one touches her, no one dares disrespect her. To treat her roughly… is to disrespect me directly." Her voice cracked through the air like a whip.
Pascal leaned forward, bowing slightly. "Forgive me, my lady, but is this wise? This girl may be capable, but do you truly believe she surpasses someone like Fushira?"
The room grew tense. Fushira smirked faintly, his sharp eyes narrowing as if already eager for a challenge.