"It's personal, Raizer. There's nothing to share about him," Lucy replied sharply, and before another word could be spoken, Raizer's presence vanished into the air, as if he was never there.
Lucy let out a faint sigh, her gaze lifting toward the sky. A new step for all of us now huh... Rescuing Rebekah is our top priority now. Days ago it was all about training, getting stronger, defending humanity. Now it's fighting against my own sister. Her hand clenched tightly. Rebekah, when the time comes, please don't choose a path you'll regret.
---
Four Months Later – The Weight of Training
The training field was alive with grunts, sweat, and the deafening crash of giant statues being forced off the ground. Dust and energy swirled across the stone arena as each attempt grew heavier and heavier.
After months of persistence, the results were clear:
Alfie had already lifted forty of his fifty statues.
Sasaki stood tall on his final three.
Jackson was locked in a grueling fight against his thirtieth.
"Come on, boys, it's time to go," Lucy called from her bench, brushing dirt from her clothes.
"You guys go," Jackson said between ragged breaths, arms trembling as he forced the thirty-first statue up with every ounce of Strength he had left. "I need... one or two more before tomorrow. I've got less than twenty-five days left. I can't be left behind." His body shook violently, sweat dripping like rain.
"Don't overdo it, Jack," Alfie said, panting but flashing a thumbs up. "I've got something for you later today."
Jackson let out a weak laugh, his shoulders straining under the statue's weight. "Don't make me laugh, Alfie... this'll be your forty-fifth 'secret technique' you'll try to teach me. I think I have no choice but to rely on my strength from here on."
"Shut it, Jackson. You've been using your strength all this time," Sasaki said bluntly, stepping close with his usual grim face. "Has Alfie ever helped you lift even one statue? No. It's you alone. Don't act like you're falling behind—you're tougher than you think."
"I said let's get going," Lucy's voice cut through, sharp as her blade. She was already standing right behind them, her sudden switch mode startling them into silence.
Jackson's grip gave out and the statue slammed back onto the ground with a thunderous boom. He collapsed to his knees, chest heaving.
"That's enough, Jack. Stand up. We're going," Lucy said, her tone softer this time. She offered her hand.
Jackson groaned, forcing himself up. The four of them walked side by side out of the field, sweat dripping, but their spirits stubbornly unbroken.
---
The familiar aroma of roasted beef and rice greeted them as they sat down at their usual spot in the bustling restaurant.
"Give us the usual," Lucy said calmly to the waiter.
"I don't think I'll be eating that rice and beef steak again, Master," Alfie said, face pale as he slumped against the table. "I... I can't feel my tongue when I eat that."
"You need carbohydrates and proteins to grow strong. This is the best food for you," Lucy replied with no hesitation. "Vegetables too. You can get some sauce with the rice."
"Nah, nah, no way. I'm not touching that again tonight! I want noodles. And chicken steaks. It's been ages since I last ate noodles," Alfie said, pounding the table with exaggerated despair.
Lucy folded her arms. "If you want chicken, fine. But no noodles. That's final."
"Damn it! Damn it! I feel like I'm drowning in pain!" Alfie cried, dramatically laying his head on the table.
Jackson smirked, leaning over to whisper, "Don't worry, Alfie. I know a spot. We'll sneak out for ramen later. Just hold it together."
The waiter arrived with steaming plates, and soon, the clatter of cutlery drowned out Alfie's groaning. They ate until their stomachs were full, laughter occasionally breaking out despite their exhaustion.
Afterward, they walked home slowly, the cool night air refreshing against their sore muscles. Within moments of hitting their beds, sleep claimed them all.
---
Sunlight spilled into the small apartment. Lucy returned from the market with bags of fresh groceries in her hands.
"Morning, Master," Jackson greeted, stretching as he noticed her enter.
"Where are Alfie and Sasaki?" Lucy asked, narrowing her eyes. "Don't tell me they're still sleeping."
She immediately raised her voice. "ALFIE! SASAKI! You better stand up!"
Both of them practically flew out of their rooms, scrambling as if a demon was after them. Minutes later, freshly bathed and dressed, the three sat at the table, staring suspiciously at their plates.
Breakfast was a spread of golden egg toast layered with vegetables and steaming cups of coffee.
"What's with breakfast today?" Alfie asked himself in his thoughts, side-eyeing Jackson, who mirrored the suspicion. "We never eat before training... This must be a trap."
Lucy smirked, sipping her coffee. "Relax, kiddos. Humans eat breakfast before a long day. You three haven't been gaining enough weight these past months. This routine stays."
Sasaki, unbothered, calmly chewed his toast, not sparing them a glance.
Fifteen minutes later, they were back at the training field.
---
Alfie wore his favorite long jacket over his white shirt, the same as always, buttons drawn tight. Jackson, too, had picked up the same habit.
Lucy's eyes narrowed. "Alright, enough. Since you two insist on hiding behind those jackets, today you're leaving them with me."
"This jacket makes me feel more confident, Master. I can't take it off," Jackson said firmly.
"Oh? You're disrespecting me, then?" Lucy's tone dropped cold.
Jackson immediately stripped the jacket off and handed it to her without another word. Alfie hesitated, but sighed and followed.
Lucy placed both jackets beside her on the bench and sat down. "Don't get the wrong idea, Jack. I need you both to build confidence in yourselves, not in the clothes you wear."
The boys exchanged tired glances, then faced the looming statues once again.
"This is going to be a long day," Jackson muttered. "Alfie, I still have twenty left. You've got ten. And Mr. Sasaki's only got three. He'll probably finish today."
Alfie placed a hand on his friend's shoulder. "If you believe Mister reaper can finish today, why can't you believe the same for yourself? Three a day, Jack. If you push, you'll finish all of them before the deadline."
Jackson's eyes hardened, and with a grunt, he squared his stance. "Three a day, huh? That is beyond my limit. Let's see if I can catch up."
The sound of stone grinding against stone echoed as the three of them threw themselves back into the relentless struggle, Lucy silently watching with a proud but worried gaze.