The Devil Tears: Lord of the Night
Arc 2 Chapter 3: The Evolution of Elizabeth

[City of Freidburg, Year 735 Months 5 days to 15]

‘Red hair, Nobles' descendants, are you?’ Rupert looked at a young girl in front of him with great mystery. ‘ Well... My job is just to test, not investigate someone's background ’.

Rupert then looked at the horse – horse girl in front of him. ‘ Good posture and no visible gap ’. The girl in front of him then darted towards him and slashed to the side. ‘He will do a Feint and do vertical slash’. Rupert had predicted the girl's attack to be visible from her wrist and leg position.

Tang! Tang! Rupert managed to easily respond to the slash of the girl. Then Rupert arrived – suddenly raised his left hand. Bamm! The girl's kick managed to hold Rupert, Rupert then responded with a stab, but the girl dodged back and began to widen the distance.

‘His attack looks to have no commitment to attack, did he test my reaction speed first?’. The girl in front of him then started shooting Fireball magic. The fireball then shot towards Rupert. He then slashed the fireball in half without dodging but, the girl who should be in front of him disappeared. Rupert's instincts made him look over her. He saw the girl slashing his neck.

“Upper Cut”

Rupert then dodged his attack but, there were a few strands of blond hair flying through the air. Yeah, that girl almost got Rupert's neck. ‘He has life and death fighting experience as it turns out. I think I should show my manners by responding with supposed’, Rupert thought.

Rupert then looked into the girl's eyes which were like burning flames. Rupert then started to dart and attack the girl.

Clangs! Clangs! Clangs! Several times Rupert's attacks were able to be well-tuned. During today's test, Rupert had never attacked using any of his techniques as a knight. He only did basic attacks. This time however, he might have to swallow his pride as an Instructor by fighting the participants using his battle techniques.

“Prepare, this time I will attack,” Rupert commemorates the girl.

“Yes, I will do my best,” said the girl.

Rupert then darted and attacked the girl with a powerful slash. Clangs! The girl was able to endure it and was slightly pushed away due to her impact. However, when he blinked, Rupert had already disappeared from his sight. The girl suffered a slight shock due to Rupert's powerful attack and lost the focus of her gaze for a while. Rupert took advantage of the moment to use one of his techniques, Feather Foot. The technique allowed him to move without making any foot noises at all. Rupert continued to move around the girl's blind spot and punched her in the back. However, Rupert felt something at his feet as he was about to attack the girl. Clangs! The girl arrived – suddenly turned around and fended off Rupert's attack.

“Hehhh... What a right decision, you instantly spread your mana radiation as I disappeared from your sight,” Rupert praised.

Radiation where can be ejected for a distance of 2 meters, and anything that hits it will be detected by the one that gives off the radiation where it is. However, for most fighters, this technique is a waste – to throw mana. However, for those who have a quick reaction can be a medium of surprise counter-attacks.

‘He hasn't shown any combat techniques and only showed some basic magic’ Rupert thought.

Rupert tried to attack the girl intensely to see the limits of stamina and focus that the girl had. With the increasing intensity of the attacks from Rupert, the girl started to cast some strengthening magic. After entering 5 minutes of testing, Rupert noticed no sign of – signs the girl lost stamina and focus. ‘ She was patient enough to wait for a gap from me, should I set her up? ‘. Rupert then started darting and performing 4 basic attack combos. Clangs! Clangs! The girl managed to dodge 2 attacks and fended off the remaining 2 of Rupert's attacks.

Rupert then prepared a horse of – horses and then ran over to the girl. The girl took a breath and did the same to him. They will face each other who will then pit their mental and accuracy. The girl slashed Slash first! However, he was only seen slashing at the empty air.

“Afterimage.”

Rupert arrived – suddenly disappeared and was behind the girl and pointed his sword at the girl's neck.

“You are very experienced and skilled for your age young girl. You can even master a fairly difficult technique,” Rupert praised.

In fact, the girl's attack managed to hit Rupert and made his right leg drip blood from being scratched by the girl's sword.

“No Possibility!” exclaim the assistant who saw the test. He did not believe any participant could injure an Instructor even if he held back.

Then there were all sorts of whispers from the participants watching the Liz Testing.

“Where can you learn the Sackel technique?” ask Rupert.

“I learned it from A Great Knight,” replied the girl.

Rupert noticed the small detail of the girl's face changing when talking about it. He then sheathed his sword and said.

“Well. I want to cross paths with you, but I have to finish the selection first.”

“Nothing – what instructor. I got valuable knowledge, thank you," said Liz.

Liz then started walking back to the seat to rest.

“Oh Boy... This happened again,” said Sara while patting her forehead as if she had known Leon's behavior.

“Hey Sara, what was the girl's name?” leon asked while not giving up his eyes on the girl.

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Just as the second bell rang, the Knight Academy's selection of participants was over. The results of his announcement will be stuck in the bulletin in the afternoon.

The participants then began to see – see the Academy area while waiting for the results of the selection to come out. Liz was sitting in the main park of the academy and was seen some participants who were there whispering – whispered while looking at her. Shortly thereafter, Liz is approached by a man and girl her age.

“Can we sit here? ask male – black-haired male.

“Tentu”

The man and the girl sat down next to Liz.

“My name is Leon, I saw you during the selection. You have great skills,” said Leon who offered Liz a handshake.

“Ah, I'm Elizabeth. You can call me Liz. And thank you for your praise,” reply while shaking Leon Liz's hand. He then looked towards the dumb-looking girl staring at him behind Leon.

“And what's your name?” ask Liz

“Ah, my name is Sara. You're a beautiful girl, Liz,” praise Sara.

“I also saw you guys when it was your turn forward. I think you have unique skills each – each,” said Liz. “ Leon is also very great when doing attack techniques using two elements at once, I can even only use one,” he added.

“Ah, not also hahaha,” said Leon look shy – shy when in praise.

“Hah...” Seeing Leon's gurgle, Sara could only sigh.

They then started talking – talk about themselves – each.

“So, you guys have been friends since 3 years ago?” ask Liz.

“Yes, Leon saved me and my sister when we were stopped by a bandit troupe. And in return for his services, my father recruited Leon as his Squire,” explained Sara.

“Yes, Baron Ainulf was very kind to finance me during my training in this academy,”, Leon said.

“What is the overall cost?” ask Liz.

“If not wrong.. For the entrance fee of 10 Gulden, the cost of accommodation for one year 40 Gulden, and the cost of learning is 25 Gulden,” replied Sara.

Liz then listened to Sara.

‘ Expensiveaaa!’ liz screams in her heart. Liz did not find out the details about the selection because Luciel had told her that the cost was not too expensive. Liz only has 10 Gulden savings. In the meantime, the rest will cost Luciel first for him. For one year, Luciel had a blacksmith business and concocted potions. Liz does not know the details of her income, but Liz knows the products made by Luciel are quite qualified.

“What's Liz doing, is something bothering you?” looking at Liz's expression that looked strange, Leon looked worried.

“Ti-not what –,” replied Liz while smiling awkwardly.

They then continued to talk about other things while waiting for the results of the selection to come out.