"I managed to lift sixty. Master decided I should stop and leave the rest for you," Alfie replied, his voice steady
Jackson stayed quiet, his fists clenched at his sides. He still felt disappointed—like he had let everyone down.
Alfie noticed, so he placed a firm hand on his partner's shoulder. "There's no need for all this, Jack. We've got a lot of work to do. We need to move faster, without wasting any more time. I can't allow you to sit tied down to some hospital bed while we've got things to do. We're giving it our all for the next few years, and I'm counting on you, partner."
He removed his hand, leaving Jackson in silence. Seconds passed. Then Jackson's serious eyes lifted, his voice calm but resolute. "I got all that, Alfie. We're not wasting any more time."
The tension broke the instant Lucy moved. She switched to Sasaki's front in a flash, wooden sword raised. Sasaki was already waiting, his own blade close to his body, ready to counter.
Lucy's form blurred—she switched behind him instantly, aiming a heavy strike at his back. Sasaki bent low, dodging cleanly, but Lucy twisted the sword straight down, striking toward him as he ducked.
With swift instinct, Sasaki planted a hand on the ground, using it as leverage to spring his body upward. His left leg snapped out in a powerful kick, knocking the wooden sword from Lucy's grasp.
The blade spun through the air. Lucy vanished, reappearing mid-air, her fingers clamping around the sword's hilt. Her two hands tightened, and with a swift arc from above, she came down at Sasaki again.
Sasaki rolled aside, his movements sharp and precise. No switch mode. Just pure reflex—faster than anyone expected.
Lucy pressed on relentlessly, her attacks sharp, precise, always aiming for the places Sasaki wasn't guarding. The wooden blade sliced the air with dangerous speed. Sasaki had no choice but to defend, his footing growing tighter with each exchange.
From the sidelines, Alfie's eyes glowed with interest. "Hey, Jack, are you learning anything from their duel?"
Jackson's serious gaze followed every movement. "Of course. I understand a few things Master is doing. I'm sure you noticed as well."
Alfie nodded. "She attacks from the blind spot—where it's hardest to counter. Her sword skill is so advanced."
Jackson's lips curved into a faint smirk. "That's sharp, Alfie. I think we know what our new training is going to be."
For three solid minutes, Lucy and Sasaki clashed, wooden blades striking with the force of steel. Their feet tore at the training field, each switch movement rattling the air.
Then—a sound.
The rumble of hooves. The clatter of armored wheels.
A well-crafted chariot, drawn by shielded horses, rolled into view and stopped at the edge of the training field.
Alfie's head snapped toward the sound. "The chariot," he muttered, nudging Jackson to draw his attention.
Jackson turned and narrowed his eyes. "That design… it's not ordinary Shinra. Whoever they are, they're high-ranking."
Lucy noticed too. With one final move, she switched behind Sasaki, the tip of her wooden sword pressing lightly against his back. "You lost. Let's go see who's paying us a visit."
She lowered her weapon and walked toward the chariot with calm, deliberate steps. Sasaki, Alfie, and Jackson followed behind.
The door creaked. From the chariot stepped Raizer, his presence commanding. Behind him, two figures emerged—Hidari and Giri. Their faces were hidden beneath short mouth-masks, their bodies draped in fine capes. Both carried swords at their sides, hilts polished and deadly.
Even their arrival was careful—the rider guided the chariot to park neatly, drawing no attention.
Lucy's sharp eyes locked onto Raizer. "What's the meaning of this, Raizer?" she asked bluntly.
Hidari froze. She called Papa by his name? Who the hell does this woman think she is?
But Raizer remained calm, his tone polite. "Pardon my manners, Mister Marco. I should've informed you before bringing my boys."
Hidari frowned under his mask. Papa is so polite… there's something about this woman I don't understand. That must be why Papa told us to come in disguise. But why is he calling her Mister?
"Master," Alfie whispered to Lucy, his grip on his sword tightening. "Who are these people?"
"Someone I met some time ago," Lucy answered plainly.
Raizer's voice cut the silence. "Here's the thing. I don't want to trouble you, sincerely. But I need my boys to get stronger before the Elite Tournament. My position keeps me too busy—I cannot train them myself. So, I want to entrust them to you."
He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "I ask you not as the Special Darkside Knight of this kingdom—but as an old friend."
Lucy blinked once, then switched directly to him, laying a firm hand on his shoulder. In a blink, the two shifted some distance away from the group, speaking privately.
Meanwhile, Alfie noticed Hidari staring at Jackson. He frowned, stepping forward. "Hey, you—the tall one. What's your deal? Why are you staring at Jackson?"
Hidari didn't respond. So this is the one Mr. Vintacura spoke of, he thought, analyzing Jackson carefully thinking he was Alfie. He does look tough.
"You jerk, I'm talking to you!" Alfie snapped, anger in his voice as he advanced.
Before he could get closer, Sasaki's hand clamped onto his jacket collar, holding him back. "Calm down, Alfie. There's no need to get so fired up. You can't force someone to notice you."
"Shut it, Mr. Reaper. This is none of your business!" Alfie growled, shaking Sasaki's grip off before storming up to Hidari.
Giri stepped in, his voice sharp and dismissive. "Back off, loser. We've got no time for trash."
Alfie's blood boiled. "Repeat that again, you fool!" He stepped forward, fists tight.
Jackson rushed in, wrapping his arms around Alfie from behind. "Stop! It's okay, Alfie. We can't cause any trouble here. They're here for Master's help. If they want to sound rude, let them. It's not our business."
Alfie trembled with frustration but slowly relaxed under Jackson's grip.
Meanwhile, Lucy and Raizer stood apart, their voices low as Lucy began explaining her terms vividly, her tone sharp.