_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Late afternoon.
Eve lay with her head resting on the desk, gazing out the window. The scenery beyond seemed distant, her eyes slightly unfocused.
She murmured under her breath, "Master… it's about time to take part in the Divine Bird Trial…"
Nearby, Setsuna bounced around restlessly. Her cheeks were flushed an unnatural red, and she kept squirming as if she couldn't sit still.
"Ahhh, it's been so long. Setsuna wants a future too."
Hearing that, Akame smiled helplessly. "Alright, Setsuna. This was already promised to the Star Spirit."
She said it lightly, but honestly, she felt a bit of regret herself.
Back when they were together, she hadn't really felt anything.
But now?
Spending an entire night listening to the Star Spirit's overly energetic voice was another matter entirely.
Most likely…
Mine felt the same way.
Akame glanced at Mine, who was shifting restlessly in her seat, and the corners of her lips lifted slightly.
Finally.
Another half hour passed.
Edgar and the Star Spirit at last appeared in the living room.
The Star Spirit was clinging to Edgar's arm, her steps unsteady. Her eyes kept darting away, as if she didn't dare meet Akame and the others' gazes at all.
"…."
Akame, Eve, and Mine exchanged looks. In each other's eyes, they saw the same subtle, knowing expression.
Pretty impressive.
She actually still had the nerve to show up in front of them.
Mm-hmm.
Looks like they'd gained a dependable new teammate after all.
Setsuna, on the other hand, didn't think that far ahead. The moment Edgar appeared, she jumped up and wrapped herself around his neck.
"Hey, Master. Setsuna wants a future too."
Like a kitten, she rubbed her cheek against his, her eyes sparkling as she stared at him.
"…."
Edgar looked down into her expectant gaze, his index finger twitching almost reflexively.
To be honest…
He still had plenty of level breakthrough potions left.
So maybe…
It wouldn't hurt to satisfy his familiar's desire to grow stronger.
Eve waved her hands frantically. "No, Master. There's still something important to do."
Akame stepped forward, grabbed Setsuna by the collar, and pulled her off Edgar.
"Enough, Setsuna. Today is the day we tackle the Divine Bird Trial."
"…."
Setsuna blinked, looking up at the slowly setting sun. She fell silent.
Today…
Was it really necessary to go?
"Alright, let's not delay the trial," Edgar said, clapping his hands once. "We'll eat first, then set out."
After a full meal.
Aside from the Star Spirit, who needed a bit of time to recover her strength, the remaining five soon arrived at the foot of a mountain.
As far as the eye could see, the entire peak was shrouded in drifting mist.
This was the true location of the Black Wing clan's sacred land.
The Divine Bird Trial awaited them at the summit.
"Are the teleportation coordinates set?" Edgar asked.
"Yes."
"Good. Don't push yourselves. If you can't hold on, teleport out immediately."
With a wave of his hand, the group began their ascent.
It had to be said, the scenery was stunning.
But before long, no one felt like admiring it anymore.
At some point, a thin mist had begun to rise from all directions, enveloping them.
"Everyone, be careful," Eve warned. "According to our clan's records, when this mist appears, it means we're about to enter the range of the Divine Bird Trial."
Mine immediately raised her Pumpkin, scanning the surroundings warily.
Akame stepped in front of Edgar, taking up her role as his guard.
Setsuna pricked up her ears and slipped straight into combat mode.
Seeing this, Edgar felt deeply satisfied.
Being protected by his familiars really was a wonderful feeling.
"Actually, you don't need to be so tense," Eve said with a laugh. "You already know the first trial tests physical endurance."
"We just need to withstand the Divine Bird's poison."
"Oh… right."
Akame and the others laughed awkwardly.
And then—
Despite the clear daytime sky, snowflakes suddenly filled the air, drifting down from above.
"So pretty."
"I've never seen snow before!"
Setsuna and Mine stared in excitement, almost dancing as they reached out to catch the falling flakes.
"You two really need to stay alert," Edgar sighed. "This snow appeared way too suddenly. Don't you think something's off?"
Akame nodded. "Master's right. There's something wrong with this snow."
Setsuna and Mine froze in alarm and immediately deployed defensive magic circles.
"I'm afraid that won't help," Eve said softly. "This should be the first trial. The Divine Bird's unique poison."
"The moment the snow appeared, we were already affected."
The instant her words fell, Setsuna and Mine let out muffled groans and dropped to one knee, all strength drained from their bodies.
Compared to them, Eve and Akame only frowned slightly.
"This poison is interesting," Edgar said calmly, sensing the subtle changes in his body.
It specifically targeted physical endurance.
Aside from a faint discomfort, he felt no real effect at all.
And more than that…
If one endured this poison without dying, it might actually temper the body.
"In that case, once I subdue the Divine Bird, I could have her help train some of my familiars," Edgar mused, stroking his chin.
He had plenty of familiars now.
But not many who could withstand him on their own.
"Master, Setsuna probably has to retreat," Setsuna said weakly.
"Same here. I can't take much more," Mine added.
After a short while, both of them raised their hands in surrender.
"Alright. Withdraw," Edgar said.
With his permission, they activated teleportation magic and vanished on the spot.
"If you can't handle it, don't force yourselves," Edgar said to Akame and Eve, then continued toward the summit.
Akame and Eve exchanged a glance and followed close behind.
Time passed slowly.
As they drew nearer to the peak, the poison saturating the trial grew stronger and stronger.
Edgar remained unaffected as ever.
But Akame and Eve gradually slowed, their backs soaked through with sweat.
"How are you holding up?" Edgar stopped and asked with concern.
"I'm fine, Master," Eve replied.
"Same here," Akame said. "And I can feel my body getting stronger."
Their eyes burned with determination.
Before becoming demons, they never could have endured this poison.
But now?
They were still far from their limits.
After who knew how long, a massive, majestic palace finally appeared before them.
Bathed in radiant light, it inspired a sense of holiness and overwhelming grandeur.
Above the palace, all that brilliance converged into a single, glowing jewel.
As if sensing their arrival, a dignified voice slowly echoed from within it.
"Those who have passed the first trial, I acknowledge the strength of your bodies."
"But if you wish to earn my true recognition, then show me all your power and accept the second trial."
As the voice faded, a clear, melodious cry rang out in their ears.
In a daze—
A majestic, sacred figure slowly emerged from the light.
At the same time, an invisible wave of power spread out, instantly covering the entire world around them.
In that instant, Akame and Eve's eyes went blank, their minds fully drawn into the trial.
"A mental interference ability?" Edgar noted calmly.
His expression didn't change at all.
To influence his mind…
This so-called Divine Bird still wasn't qualified.
"..."
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________