Gena woke up with a loud yawn, her mouth stretching wide as her eyes blinked twice slowly, her vision still heavy and unfocused while she rubbed her face with both hands, dragging her palms down her cheeks as if trying to pull herself fully awake.

Her body still felt tired and head still felt heavy.

If she was being honest, it was obvious she wanted to sleep again, but she didn’t because she remembered Ezra was waiting and more importantly, she was hungry.

That thought alone pushed her up from the bed, even though her movements were slow and unwilling, like her body was resisting every action she made.

After getting up, she began changing from her nightwear, wearing her normal white shirt and black skirt, pulling on her black leggings carefully, then placing a cardigan over her head, the hood covering her hair as she wrapped a white scarf around her neck, pulling it up slightly to cover the lower part of her face.

She slipped into her black shoes, then stepped out.

The café wasn’t too crowded, but it wasn’t empty either.

Some people were already eating while some were just finishing and standing up to leave.

The faint sound of plates touching, chairs scraping, and quiet conversations filled the air.

Gena stepped in and immediately spotted Ezra.

He was already seated in his usual place, eating.

Of course.

She didn’t even need to look around properly since she already knew where he would be.

Walking past a few others, her steps still slightly sluggish, she made her way toward him, stopping by his table.

"You are already eating," she said, her voice low and tired.

Ezra didn’t look up immediately.

"You still look tired," he said after a glance, his eyes briefly scanning her face, noticing the sleep bags under her eyes before he returned to his food without hesitation.

"It’s the stress of the fifth trial..." Gena replied as she dropped into the chair, her back leaning fully against it, her shoulders relaxed, both hands slipping into her pockets as if she didn’t even have the strength to sit properly.

She turned her head slowly toward the serving area.

"It’s because I’m very hungry... that’s why I can’t sleep," she muttered.

Then, forcing herself up again, she stood, her body swaying slightly before stabilizing as she walked toward the food section.

After collecting her food, she returned, her steps were slow and posture loose.

She sat down again with a soft drop into the chair.

"Ahhh..." she sighed deeply, picking up her spoon, then she took a bite and just like that...

Her dull, tired expression broke, eyes lit up and posture straightened slightly.

"Ahh... finally, I can eat real food..." she said, her voice almost emotional as a small tear formed at the corner of her eye, though she didn’t stop eating.

Ezra paused for a moment and looked at her.

She’s always like this whenever she eats.

He thought quietly, then continued.

"So, what did you want to tell me?" Ezra asked after finishing his food, placing the spoon down carefully before picking up a napkin and wiping his mouth slowly.

"Yes..." Gena placed her spoon down too, rubbing her palms together, a small smile forming on her face.

"After the sixth trial, there will be a big uproar in the rankings, and even you will be shocked," she said, pointing at him, then tilting her head slightly.

But knowing him...

I’m sure he won’t be surprised.

She sighed, dropping her head onto the table for a moment before lifting it back up with sudden energy.

Ezra just watched her, his expression blank and eyes steady watching her movements and her dramatic shifts.

"What happened was that Lady Vera, with Nina as her support, snuck into Sir Felix’s camp and stole their flag," she said, lowering her voice slightly, though the excitement still showed clearly in her eyes.

Ezra tilted his head slightly, folding his arms.

"But Felix’s group wasn’t eliminated, and I heard all the leaders agreed to a ceasefire... which your Lady also agreed to," he said, glancing briefly at the empty plate in front of him.

"Which means she stole it... but returned it, just to make a statement."

He leaned forward slightly, resting his elbow on the table as he linked his fingers together.

"But I’m curious..." he said.

"How did she manage to sneak through Felix’s defenses?"

There was no mockery in his tone, just a genuine curiosity.

"Hehehe..." Gena straightened up in her seat, her energy returning fully now.

"Nina told me everything. Every single detail."

***

After Vera’s group defeated the Kalians, ending the third wave, they didn’t celebrate as much as they wanted to, not that they didn’t, but they worked just like every other group.

Bodies were cleaned, the battlefield was cleared and graves were dug.

The sound of shovels hitting the ground echoed again and again, each hit slow, each movement heavy, even though they moved forward...

The weight of what happened stayed, just like in Veda’s group, there was a tight pressure in the air.

Not loud or obvious, but present.

Sitting in their chests.

Still...

They endured it as the survivors they now are.

"Nina!!"

Gena called out as she checked inside the tent, pulling the flap aside quickly, only to find it empty.

She stepped back out and walked toward the usual resting spot where Vera stayed during calm periods, especially when the chance of a wave appearing was low.

A small wooden shade had been built there, blocking the sun and Vera usually sat there with Nina and a few others too, but today they weren’t there, only a few girls remained.

"Hey," Gena said, tapping one of them on the shoulder.

"Oh...Gena," the girl turned.

"Do you know where Nina and Lady Vera are?" Gena asked.

"No..." the girl shook her head.

"When we got here, they weren’t around," another added.

Gena placed her hands on her waist and looked around slowly.

Then sighed.

"Where did they go..."

At Felix’s castle base...The atmosphere was completely different.

Calm and relaxed, almost too relaxed. It was like the third wave hadn’t just happened, like nothing had been lost.

"It’s boring," one boy said, sitting lazily on a bench at the top floor.

"You can say that again," another replied, stretching slightly.

"I wish we could attack another castle," the first boy said, a grin forming on his face. "The sound of weaklings getting crushed... heh... that would be fun."

"Unfortunately, we can’t," a third boy muttered, looking down.

"Why did Sir Felix even agree to that ceasefire..."

They sighed.

Then one of them stood up.

"At least the cold air feels nice."

Snow continued to fall slowly, each flake drifting down in silence as the cold air wrapped around the castle, settling into every corner of the base.

Felix, Lyra, and Page walked up the stairs toward the control room, their footsteps echoing lightly against the stone as they moved in a steady rhythm.

"Ahhh..." Lyra stretched her back as she walked, her shoulders rolling slightly as she let out a breath, "my hands are itching for some action," she said while staring at her palms, her eyes narrowing slightly as a restless hunger for battle surfaced again.

"Humph," Page scoffed without even looking at her properly, "just because you somehow managed to take down one Kalian and then played support while Gareth and Sir Felix handled the stronger one... you suddenly think you’re impressive now?" she said, her gaze sliding sideways toward Lyra with clear disdain.

"Says the person who didn’t do anything throughout this trial," Lyra replied immediately, her tone sharp as she shot back.

"I didn’t do anything?" Page stopped walking and turned fully toward her, placing a hand dramatically on her chest as her eyes widened in disbelief, "who was the one coating all our bullets with poison?" she stepped closer, her voice rising slightly with each word.

"Who was the one whose poison became the weapon that allowed us to bring down the Ground Apes... and even the five Kalians?" she leaned in, her gaze pressing into Lyra’s.

"Hmmm?"

Lyra stepped down one stair instinctively, her body retreating slightly as a bead of sweat slid down the side of her face.

"Argh... you did," she muttered, her voice low.

"Huh? I can’t hear you," Page said immediately, leaning closer.

"You did!" Lyra shouted; her eyes squeezed shut in frustration.

"Better," Page replied calmly, turning away as if satisfied before continuing up the stairs without another word.

Felix reached the control room door first.

"You two are always loud. It’s annoying," he said, glancing back at them with clear irritation.

"Blame Lyra," Page replied instantly, pointing at her.

"Do you want me to release my battle hunger on you?" Lyra shot back, glaring.

"Do you think I’m scared of you?" Page glared right back.

Felix looked at both of them for a moment saying nothing, then he sighed, shaking his head slowly as if he had already given up trying to deal with them.

He pushed the door open.

"Oh... you’re finally here."

The voice came from inside.

Soft and calm, almost bored from waiting.

Felix’s eyes widened slightly.

Behind him, Page and Lyra stiffened, their expressions tightening instantly as they recognized the voice.

"What are you doing here... Vera?" Felix asked, blinking once as he stepped inside.

She was seated on a chair near the blue floating crystal in the center of the control room, her posture relaxed, one leg slightly crossed over the other, her fingers resting lightly against the armrest as if she had been waiting for a while.

Behind her...

Nina stood quietly, smiling.

Holding Felix’s castle flag.

"You still don’t know your place," Vera said, tilting her head slightly as she looked at him, her lips forming a faint smile that did not reach her eyes.

Her tone wasn’t loud, but it pressed down.

"You agreed to Veda’s request," Felix replied, his voice steady as he straightened his posture, forcing confidence into his stance as he walked a few steps forward, "and now you come here... going behind your own words?"

"If I blow the horn right now," he continued, folding his arms as a smug expression slowly formed on his face, "what do you think will happen to you... and your group?"

"Clear that disgusting look off your face," Nina said sharply, pointing at him without hesitation.

"Hey, Nina... don’t think Lady Vera can save you when every group gathers to crush yours," Page countered, her tone cold as she glared.

Nina, hearing Page’s cold tone, shifted slightly closer to Vera.

Vera watched Felix.

Quietly.

Her eyes rested on his expression, observing the smug confidence sitting on his face as if she was studying something mildly amusing.

Then...

She let out a small, soft chuckle.

Her head tilted slightly to the side.

"Are you talking about this horn?" she asked casually, pulling it out of her space bag and holding it loosely between her fingers as if it had no value at all.

She glanced at it once...Then casually put it back.

Felix’s expression didn’t change.

"I can’t believe you are this predictable, Vera," he said with a laugh.

The moment his words settled...

Movement erupted.

Gareth and four others jumped into the room through the window one after another, landing smoothly.

At the staircase...More people stood ready. Spears in hand, raised, while outside the others moved.

Everyone was already in position, weapons drawn and waiting.

Felix stepped forward.

Slowly.

His grin widened.

"I already knew," he began, pacing slightly as he spoke, "that once my little plan using Pamela failed... and that lowline maggot survived... you would come to settle the score with me."

His tone sharpened.

"You’ve always been like that. You don’t forgive things easily."

He stopped and looked directly at her.

"So instead of fearing your wrath like I used to..." he said, his voice lowering slightly as something darker crept into it, "I decided to use it."

His smile twisted.

"I thought... why not turn this into an opportunity?"

His eyes locked onto hers.

"And eliminate you... once and for all."

"And you think I didn’t notice that you made it easy for me to enter your castle... and take your horn?" Vera said, her arms folded lightly across her chest, her posture relaxed as if she were discussing something trivial rather than standing inside an enemy base.

Her expression didn’t change. If anything, she looked mildly bored.

Felix placed his hand on his chin, tilting his head slightly as he studied her.

"But because of your pride..." he began, his lips curling into a grin, "you still came here knowing all that."

Then he laughed.

Loud and unrestrained.

"The great Vera... Queen Vera..." he continued, his voice dripping with mockery, "is nothing more than a prideful fool who walked into a trap she clearly saw."

His laughter stopped abruptly, face shifted to a serious and cold look.

He dragged his palm across his face slowly, then lowered it, staring directly at her.

"Although... stealing the horn wasn’t something I expected," he admitted, glancing briefly at Nina, "but that’s just like you, isn’t it?"

He turned slightly, acknowledging the people now surrounding the room, their weapons raised, their presence tightening the space.

"Anyway..." he exhaled, his tone lowering, irritation creeping in, "your calm expression is starting to piss me off."

His gaze dropped slowly, deliberately dragging across Vera’s body.

"Maybe if that loyal dog of yours dies in front of you..." he continued, his voice turning darker, "and then me and my men have our way with you..."

His grin widened.

"Then maybe... you’ll finally give me a reaction that fits someone like you."

Silence followed, as Felix’s dark smirk widened, clearly imagining wild thoughts.

"You disgusting fuck..." Nina stepped forward, her voice sharp with anger, her body already moving.

Vera’s hand lifted slightly.

Not fast or forceful, but enough to stop her.

Before another word could be said...

Lyra moved.

Fast.

Her body blurred forward, her scythe cutting through the air with a sharp arc aimed directly at Vera’s upper body.

"I’m sorry, Lady Vera," she said as she attacked, her voice carrying both respect and intent.

Vera sighed softly, not out of fear but inconvenience.

She pushed the chair she had been sitting on forward with her foot, letting it slide across the floor as she rose at the same time, her body shifting just enough for the blade to miss her by a narrow margin.

The scythe sliced through empty air.

The chair tipped and crashed.

Behind her, Nina stepped back instantly, her movement aligned with Vera’s without needing a command.

Then...

Gareth closed in.

His fist drove forward with force, the air around it tightening as it aimed straight for Vera’s torso.

Vera didn’t retreat, she grabbed the falling chair mid-motion and thrust it forward.

Gareth’s punch smashed through it...Wood splintered and fragments scattered, but that single moment...

Vera shifted left.

Her foot pivoted body lowering slightly and her leg snapped forward...

A precise kick aimed at Gareth’s knee joint.

The impact landed clean.

But...

Gareth barely moved, his stance held, his body absorbing the force.

"I’m also sorry, Lady Vera," he said, bowing his head slightly, then he retreated instantly.

At the same time...The four behind him raised their revolvers and fired.

"Nina."

That single word came out calm and clear.

Nina moved immediately.

They switched positions in one smooth motion, like something they had practiced countless times.

Nina stepped forward and Vera stepped back.

Seamless.

Nina tossed one revolver into the air while already holding one in each hand.

Then...

She fired.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The bullets collided mid-air with the incoming shots, sparks flashing as metal deflected metal.

Her hands didn’t stop moving.

She caught the falling revolver.

Switched, throwing another up.

Her arms rotated in a controlled rhythm, firing continuously, each shot precise, intercepting every incoming bullet before it could reach them.

"Sleep, bitch."

Page moved in from the side, her hand already releasing a cloud of black powder directly toward Nina’s face.

The powder spread wide, but...

Whoosh!

A sudden gust tore through the air.

Vera had removed her coat-cape, coming off in a single motion, her arm swinging wide as Cognis surged through her muscles, the force of her movement generating a powerful pressure wave.

The powder reversed, pushing back straight toward Page.

"Ah...!"

Page instinctively covered her mouth, Felix did the same, stepping back slightly.

At that moment, Vera had already held her breath and moved. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

She closed the distance instantly; her fist drove forward...

Boom!

A direct hit to Page’s abdomen.

The impact folded her body slightly, her mouth opening as air left her lungs.

Vera didn’t stop.

Her other hand moved...Scooping part of the powder still lingering in the air...And forcing it directly into Page’s mouth.

Then...

She grabbed her face and slammed it forward.

Hard.

Page’s body hit the wall with a loud crack.

Dust shook loose.

Blood spilled from her mouth as she dropped to the ground, her body unable to respond.

"You are lucky, that was just sleeping powder" Vera said looking at Page.

Immediately, Vera turned...

Just in time.

Her arms crossed upward as Gareth’s fist struck her guard, the force pushing her backward across the floor, her boots scraping slightly as she was driven toward the doorway.

She stopped herself.

Firm.

Her left hand lifted slightly...

A silent warning.

The group rushing forward with spears halted instinctively as the barrel of an Acu-Vector Mk.I. pointed toward them.

Then...

Another one appeared in her other hand.

She flexed her wrist slightly.

"You hit hard, what are you? A steel pipe?" Vera said calmly, shaking her right hand once as if loosening tension.

"I train my body strength without relying on Cognis," Gareth replied, cracking his knuckles.

"But your defense reflexes... is beyond my level."

"That’s because you’re slow," Vera replied without hesitation, raising the gun fully and aiming directly at him.

Her tone didn’t rise nor was it sharp. It stayed level.

Basically, it came out flat.

"If I wanted to injure you," she continued, her gaze steady, "you wouldn’t be standing now."

A faint smile formed with confidence.

"Well, this fight is already over." She tilted her head slightly. "Isn’t that right... Felix?"

Gareth’s brow twitched, confusion flickered.

He turned slowly, following Vera’s gaze and saw...

Felix.

Standing still, his breath shallow.

Lyra stood behind him.

Her scythe pressed lightly against his throat, not cutting...But close enough that even the slightest movement would.