"Ah, not bad," Leon says, a smile curving his lips. "But still, not enough."

“Huh?” You exclaim. “Are you serious nya?”

Though you recognize Leon as a Golden-ranked knight with vastly more experience than you, it's hard to believe his comment. That attack right there was already enough to one hit kill a level seven demon! Cleo was immobilized, there was no way she could dodge that!

However, as the dust clears, the outcome is revealed.

There’s only one person standing on the training ground, and that is Cleo. The captain stands there victorious. She's panting, and her greatsword flickers with electric sparks, but she remains unscathed.

As for Arlen, Mirabelle, Calix, Aelrindel, and Lizz? They're all sprawled on the ground, thoroughly defeated.

“H–How is that possible nyaa!?” you mutter in shock.

“Isn’t it obvious?” Leon says “They didn't commit fully to the attack.”

“What do you mean nya?”

Leon then explains. "Shadowstrike-Lethality is a spell that is fueled by killing intent. The greater the intent, the more devastating the attack. But ask yourself, was there sufficient killing intent in that strike?"

Killing.. Intent?

"Ah, I see what you're saying, nya!"

You finally understand. Because Cleo is their captain, it's unlikely that their attack harbored any genuine intent to kill her. As a result, even a spell as potent as Shadowstrike-Lethality lost its efficacy and became useless.

"Exactly," Leon nods. "They should have used spells like Shadowstrike-Oblivion or Shadowstrike-Eclipse instead. They may be lower-tier, but they're much better suited for this situation."

And you agree. 

"But what if, just what if, Shadowstrike-Lethality had enough killing intent? Could they have succeeded then, nya?"

“Hmm, great question,” Leon considers this for a moment. "I'd say there would be a 20% chance of successfully inflict a minor injury."

"What? Only 20%? Are you kidding, nya?" 

It’s too low! 20% is a little incredulous!

“Yes, and if Arlen uses his draconic power, the chance will be 40%.”

Your eyes widen in disbelief. So, even with five people, employing a near-perfect strategy and seamless teamwork, they'd have less than a 50% chance of giving her a 'minor injury' ?? Cleo really is in a league of her own, isn't she?

"Setting that aside," you voice another question that's been nagging you. "Do you have any idea how Arlen could use Blood Break and Shadow Strike nya?"

"That surprised me as well," Leon admits. "But if Arlen can use Blood Break in that manner, it means Lizz has awakened a new star in her constellation."

"Really?" You exclaim. “Her constellation, Serpentis Gemini nya?”

“Exactly.”

As Leon further explains, you begin to grasp how incredible Lizz has become. Her constellation, Serpentis Gemini, is represented by a twin-headed snake and doesn't align with any specific element. But that lack of an elemental affinity doesn't make it any less potent; it merely means her abilities focus on non-elemental effects. In essence, Serpentis Gemini specializes in buffing allies and debuffing enemies. It’s a late-bloomer type of constellation. At low level, all the spells are quite weak. But as Lizz now reached level five, her true strength is beginning to manifest.

Petrify Gaze was just one of her new broken spells.

The other spell that allowed Arlen to use Blood Break was called Ouroboros Exchange. Its principle lies in the interconnectedness of all things. At third circle level, Lizz can transfer buffs within allies seamlessly. So, targeting Blood Break and Shadowstrike-Lethality, two most ridiculous buffs that the team had, she decided to transfer them all to Arlen, to amplify his already ludicrous attack power. When utilized smartly like this, that skill truly has the power to change the tide of any battle! 

Yep! With that, it seems like Lizz is a great addition to the team! 

Thinking that, your heart swells with joy, almost to the point of bursting. But it's shocking how quickly she's advanced, isn't it?

“I can hardly believe she's already joined the Knights of Merton nya.”

“Yes,” Leon replies with a warm smile. "Lilia's come this far so quickly, and it's all thanks to you, you know."

"What? Me? Why nya?"

“Haha, aren’t you Lilia’s girlfriend? The reason why she wants to get stronger is because of you! She wants to catch up to you, Felicia!”

Leon's words strikes you like thunder, your eyes widen as you now realize what has really been happening. As a result, an emotional torrent floods through you.

Yes, it’s all because of you. When you first met, it was Lizz who protected you, the one who was strong when you were weak. But as you've grown more powerful, she's been fueled by a newfound ambition—to catch up to you, to never become a burden, to stand beside you through thick and thin. It wasn’t very obvious, as Lizz was super good at hiding things, never revealing how much she's been sacrificing. She must have trained so hard, yet never complained once to you. In fact, only you were the one who complained to her of how much aches you had after every session with Cleo. And yes, you've seen the signs: the calluses on her hands when you held her at night, the occasional bruise or bandage.

"Please don't worry about it..."

She said that every time you asked, brushing off your concern.

But... silly Felicia. When a girl tells you there's nothing to be concerned about, should you really believe that there's actually nothing going on?

Now, after witnessing the fruits of her training, your heart aches a bit, and tears well up a bit inside your eyes.

“The battle is over, aren’t you supposed to come and get Lilia?” Leon reminds you.

Oh right!

Damn it, Felicia! You are Lizz’s girlfriend! Then why the heck are you still standing here, like this?

With your heart pounding in your chest, you sprint toward the training ground.

"Lizz! Cleo! Everyone! Are you all okay nyaaa?" you shout, your legs carrying you faster than you've ever run before.

Lizz is in the middle of sipping a healing potion, but upon seeing you, she freezes. The potion slips from her grasp and crashes to the ground.

“AAAAAAA! FELICIAAAAAAAA!” she cries out, shouting your name. She tries to stand, but as Blood Break’s side effect is there, she loses balance and is about to tumbles to the ground!

Oh no! 

Ice step!

You cast your teleportation spell.

In an instant, you're at her side, arms outstretched to catch her just in time.

“Uwaaaa! Feliciaaaa~ You’re baccccck~!”

Lizz sobs, her tears streaming freely, and this makes you cry too!

"Aaaa~ I'm here! I missed you so much, nyaaaa~"

“Welcome home, Felicia.” Cleo joins in, her hand gently resting on your shoulder. Her voice is warm and kind. It's clear that she's not mad at you— not in the slightest.

At that moment, you feel ashamed. Yes, shame on you, for even considering avoiding Cleo to escape a potential scolding.

Oh, how you long to respond to her, but at that moment, your emotions overwhelm you; tears and choked sobs make it impossible to form any words.