"You two… were disappointing."
Vany's smile froze. Rize's eyes blinked in disbelief.
Vergil took a step forward, his shadow lengthening as if to swallow them both.
"Flashy movements. Waste of energy. Unnecessary exposure to the enemy." He looked at Vanny first. "Your punches are strong, yes. But you open your guard with each impact. Any intelligent enemy would have gone through your chest in seconds."
Vany's eyes widened, her fist still raised. She tried to protest:
"W-wait… I caused earthquakes! I—"
"Earthquakes that could have hit me too." His voice crushed her, cold and without room for excuses. "Power without discipline is nothing but shouting."
The blood boiled in her face. For the first time, Vanny felt the impact of a blow that came not from a monster, but from the words of the man she most wanted to impress.
Vergil then turned his gaze to Rize.
