At 4:45 PM, Lilith said, "Well, today's classes sure were annoying. But time to train. But Liebe sure is running late, and it's already 4:50 PM. Oh well, let's find him."
Afterglow Mana Resonance.
"Found him. Third building café, just about 20 km from here. Well then… but wait. Oh frick, I forgot there was a thing called boundaries and privacy. I'm sure he'll be on time. Well then, let's wait. Just 587 seconds left."
Meanwhile, Álfrinn said, "Here is the café. As per the wish of my lady, a quiet place—in a small alley I personally own it."
Liebe said, "Sorry, what? How did you—?"
Álfrinn said, "Do you have a problem with that fact? And my aide, Hildr, will be running it while I run the bar. She makes excellent coffee."
Liebe said, "No, sir."
Álfrinn said, "In order to ensure the details of this café, I personally tracked down the author of the erotic novel."
Liebe said, "Sorry, what?"
Álfrinn grabbed Liebe by the head, lifting him up. "Don't goddamn make me repeat myself, hare-brain! I said I hunted down the author of the novel and ensured this café is perfected, right down to the cups and plates!"
Liebe said, "Sorry, sir."
As Álfrinn let go of his face, he said, "Now then. As today is November 16th—less than 41 days left—the play begins 34 days from today."
Liebe said, "Understood, sir. But, sir, I had a question."
Álfrinn said, "Go ahead."
Liebe said, "Umm, sir, in the novel it is stated they met during a rain, but it's winter. How can we start a rain in winter? December is perfect for snow."
Álfrinn said, "I will alter the weather around the 53 islands of this campus myself, and I will ensure the thunder is extra strong."
Liebe said, "What? Sir, control the weather?"
Álfrinn said, "Don't doubt me, hare-brain. Lady Alysa's wish is divine, and if it requires changes in weather patterns, then it must be done. And in order to properly ensure you mimic the protagonist, I will be training you at night while, during school time, I will train you during the day so that you may accompany my lady at the halls of the academy at night. Is that understood?"
Liebe said, "Understood, sir."
As it was 4:55 PM, Liebe said, "It's about 4:55, sir. I should leave since it's time for my training."
Álfrinn said, "What? What can that witch teach you that I failed to? Even if my King's Roar may be non-existent, my mana resonance and condensation are far superior."
Liebe said, "It's not like that, sir."
Álfrinn said, "Listen, hare-brain—you have far too much faith in humanity and the filthy concept of family."
Liebe said, "Sorry, sir."
Álfrinn said, "You are putting far too much emphasis on the redemption of that witch you call Captain. She has her sights set on what she wants. You are nothing more than a secondary priority."
Hearing Álfrinn's words, Liebe couldn't help but think, Why? Why can't I detect any guilt or lies? How does he know what Mother may want?
Álfrinn said, "No matter how hard you try, it's the truth. It's a fundamental characteristic of every apex predator, even if she herself doesn't know it."
As it was 5 PM, Lilith came crashing down into the ground and said, "You done corrupting Liebe's mind?"
Álfrinn said, "I'm simply stating the possible future."
Lilith said, "I'm grateful to you, Álfrinn Bouduin. Even if I have no right, I will still try to redeem myself, even if it's impossible. And Liebe is my favorite child."
Álfrinn said, "Do whatever you want, witch. Just stay out of my way and my lady's."
Lilith said, "Sure. And I'm grateful."
Seeing the interaction, Liebe couldn't help but think, Why? Why can't I detect any lies? Both Mother and Sir are saying exact opposite things. So why? Why is it that none are lying?
Álfrinn said, "My work is done for today. Liebe, you may do whatever you please."
Liebe said, "Of course, sir."
Lilith said, "What do you want to do about today's training?"
Liebe said, "Well, I don't know. Maybe how about we try Imono Island and train there since it's uninhabited?"
Lilith said, "Sounds great."
As they were training, Iris and Licht were in class. The ground began to shake violently.
Iris said, "What the hell is happening here?"
Alysa said, "Oh, that? It's normal."
Iris said, "How is this normal? It's at least a magnitude 2.1 earthquake."
Licht woke up and said, "It's about that time, I suppose."
Iris said, "What are you guys talking about?"
Licht said, "Oh, you guys don't know?"
Alysa said, "It's normal for us."
Iris said, "Please tell me what's happening."
Olivia said, "Seriously, this is bad news. We need to evacuate."
Licht said, "There really is no reason for that."
Alysa said, "Why are you guys panicking?"
Iris said, "Because the building might collapse!"
Licht said, "Stop worrying."
Iris said, "Please tell me what's going on here!"
Alysa said, "It's nothing special, really. It's just Liebe and the Captain are training their King's Roar."
Iris said, "And how is this related?"
Licht said, "Their Afterglow is just that strong."
Iris said, "Sorry, what?"
Licht said, "I know—I was also a bit surprised at first."
Alysa said, "Where are they now?"
Licht said, "I don't remember. I think it was Imono Island."
Iris said, "Imono Island? That place is literally 50 km from here!"
Alysa said, "Makes sense."
Olivia just laughed and said, "How does any of this make sense? Two people fighting 50 km from here, and we're suffering a 2.1 magnitude earthquake? It's a joke. And Iris, you really believed them? Obviously, they are either lying or joking."
Alysa said, "I don't think so. At least—"
"Are you kidding, Licht?"
Licht said, "Nope. I can sense it—it's them, alright."
Olivia said, "I think I can sense BS when I see one."
Licht said, "Then let's make a deal. If both of you combined can even defeat Isurugi, then I promise to state both of you are strong enough to be Captain."
Olivia said, "You're joking, right?"
Licht said, "Not even in the slightest. And if we win, you have to take it as fact—that Liebe and our Captain are the ones who caused this."
Olivia said, "We accept. And if we win, you have to accept your lie and tell the truth. And for equipment?"
Licht said, "Feel free to use whatever you want. You can even use Masks of Ifrit. And I doubt Isurugi will need anything more than a simple blade. And if you win, I will personally take you to Imono Island and show you the truth, even though I doubt you can stand the shockwaves."
Olivia said, "We accept."
Licht grabbed his communicator and said, "Isurugi, come to our class."
Isurugi said, "Of course, sir."
Alysa said, "Licht, are you sure?"
Licht said, "Yeah, I am. We are the Black Rose Special Forces. Can't let an insult to our leader slide, now can we?"
Alysa said, "Guess not."
As Isurugi arrived, Licht said, "Isurugi, can you do me a favor?"
Isurugi said, "Yes, sir?"
Licht said, "Please battle Iris and Olivia for us, will ya?"
Isurugi said, "But, sir, isn't Liebe the one at the liberty to issue that?"
Licht said, "Liebe is a bit busy at the moment, and our pride is kinda on the line. And I'm sure Liebe wouldn't mind much if his second-in-command took the liberty to actually work for once outside a fight."
Isurugi said, "Of course."
Licht said, "Here, take this—my classic." He gave Isurugi his rapier—the blunt, partially rusted rapier.
Olivia said, "Is he seriously going to use that?"
Isurugi said, "This is more than enough."
As the battle began, whatever Olivia and Iris did or whatever defences they raised, none could stop Isurugi. In 2 minutes and 17 seconds, they were defeated.
Olivia said, "How?"
Licht said, "We are the Black Rose Special Forces for a reason."
Olivia said, "Stop it with the lies. No one is this strong and just 17, like us. Answer me—how?"
Licht said, "I did. The simple reason you aren't able to comprehend it is simply because you are thinking of us as classmates or knights. But our Captain, Lilith Faust, is one of the 25 Princes of Hell, and we are her commanders. And soon that throne will belong to Liebe."
Olivia said, "Stop it with the BS. Tell me how the hell are you cheating so flawlessly?"
Alysa said, "I know it's hard to believe, but maybe, Licht, the reason she isn't believing us is simply because the difference is far too great."
Licht said, "Makes sense."
Olivia said, "Stop lying to me."
Licht said, "Fine, then. I will give you a simple challenge. Reach a 2-meter radius of me while I'm taking a nap. If you can even reach the 2 meters around me in this classroom, all the members of Team Liebe will quit the knighthood. In fact, we will even offer our lives as tribute—as your slaves."
Iris said, "Olivia, we should stop. Licht was the one who rampaged through some of the strongest in the world. We should accept we are weak."
Olivia said, "No. Let's do this."
Licht said, "Okay. Goodnight." As he put his head down and went to sleep.
Iris said, "Wow, he really is asleep."
Olivia said, "What a joke."
As she took a step towards Licht, nothing happened. As they took a second step, nothing happened as well. But on the third step, Olivia said, "See, Ir—" as both of them could feel it—the immense magical power. They saw their own death. They couldn't even breathe. The air felt heavy and cold, as if it was crushing them to death. Even though they were bleeding from their noses, eyes, and ears, they weren't reacting, as they knew any movement could be their last.
Alysa said, "You see? We actually weren't lying. We actually had to become stronger."
As Licht stopped his mana, he woke up and said, "Well, that was a nice little beauty sleep." As he saw the blood, he gave them a tissue and said, "Sorry—didn't know it would get this bad. Should have held back further."
Iris said, "Is that why you are his right hand?"
Licht said, "Yeah, for the most part, anyways. And if you still doubt it, feel free to join us for a training session tomorrow. And also, you two should probably see the counselor in case that much mana got to your brains, since usually people can't take much at once, and it was your first, too. Also, feel free to use a hyperbaric chamber in case you guys need to readjust to the mana in the air."
Olivia said, "Exactly how dense is your mana?"
Licht said, "Not that much—about 10%, or about the mana in 10 km deep into the Abyssal Zone. So congrats—we know your depth. Forget surviving in that hellhole—you will just die from the mana. Forget the monsters. And in the hellhole where you can't even cross 10 km, Liebe crossed 1,300 km deep into it. And he didn't just survive—he thrived in the harsh conditions. If he was here and using the same amount I was just now, in his perspective, you would be dead before you know it. But what can I say? Poor dude is a bleeding heart. So sadly, that's why I can be as ruthless as I want. Well, good luck tomorrow. Isurugi, please help them to the doctor's office."
Isurugi said, "Of course."
As Isurugi helped them out, Alysa said, "Well, that was fun. But why did you do that? And here I was under the impression that you actually liked Iris."
Licht said, "I do. But it's just that my loyalty to Liebe is absolute."
Alysa said, "But I'm sure there was a better way."
Licht said, "Sadly, there wasn't. She was directly calling us liars, and I can't stand back and watch, even if it was Iris."
Alysa said, "Sad. So why do you seem so frustrated?"
Licht said, "Because she thinks our strength is either a lie or a cheap trick, and that goes for Liebe as well. It disgusts me. I saw Liebe attain the strength he has. He trained day in and out since he was barely five. We saw Lady Mikhail train him to be the ultimate assassin while we trained. He fought till he bled to death. So, of course, he is far above us."
Alysa said, "I know."
Licht said, "I dislike those who think you can grow stronger by… remember what time it is? If Olivia has the time to accuse us of tricks, then she had more than enough time to train."