Preparation

"London is beautiful!" Sofia cheered as she walked down the brick streets.

A van picked them up from the airport and sent them to the hotel they were going to stay at. London was one of the cities who does not use sirens as signals, instead they used bells on several towers around the city.

Today, they were given a day to stroll around the beautiful city. They went to different places, traveled down the different alleys and ate in different restaurants.

"This is the only day that we'll spend in leisure," Kagura announced. "Tomorrow, we will start our training."

Squad Lewis nodded and they continued on. Stephanie was with them along with an Exorcist from the Europe Branch named Schneider.

"They seem cheerful," Schneider said to Stephanie.

The dark brown-haired girl shook her head, "Believe me. They went through a lot just this month."

"And as they are now, they will face more."

"I know," Stephanie sighed. "I heard Oceania's merciless this year. They didn't let their participants rest."

"Oceania wants the win this year," Schneider said. "It's been two decades since their won. It's always the Asia that hogs the win."

"That's because we're the best," Stephanie smirked.

Schneider shook his head, "If the Alastairs, Ivanovs, and the Von Schweitzers were still in Europe, I don't think you can say that."

"AIV or not, we still have the Zhangs and the Velascos," Stephanie countered. "Maybe you have forgotten?"

The two continued arguing that made Kagura rolled her eyes.

"I can't believe they're high-rankers and they act like that," Kagura sighed and continued to look for clothes.

"Mr. Schneider is a high-ranker?" Devin asked.

Rodney nodded. "The second strongest person in Europe next to Martin, Rank 14, Schneider Wisely."

"Even rumors said that she's almost equal to Professor Stephanie," Adonis said. "It's so cool."

Devin quirked his brow, "Why is that cool?"

"You didn't know?" Adonis asked. When Devin shook his head, he sighed. "Of course, you don't."

"Exorcists above Rank 14 has a great margin among the rest," Kagura explained. "Professor Stephanie is even far from 11 & 12's power. They're on different levels."

"Don't even mention the Top Three," Yuri interrupted.

"What about the Top Three?"

"The Rank 3 and 4 has a very big gap between them," Rodney said seriously. "Franco Alastair made sure of that."

"His power gap against Helen Smith is too great," Yuri cheered. "He can even par Liu even without an Apostle."

"That's because of the Alastair Project I," Kagura said. "Without his sisters' powers, I'm not sure if he'd even make it to Top 20."

"What are you guys talking about?" Stephanie whispered that made everyone jump in surprise. "Kids shouldn't gossip like that, you know."

"We're sorry," Devin said, bowing before the group dispersed.

Their day ended with several paper bags on their hands and a wide smile on their faces. The Union paid for all their expenses, so Devin didn't have to worry about paying.

Devin shared a room with Rodney and Rain like they always do.

Morris was a loner while Adonis and Yuri had always had crazy ideas with their time that no one else could keep up. If Rain was in their room instead of Morris, he'd be left out. Morris didn't have to worry about being left out because he didn't want to be around people much.

"Tomorrow's the start of the vigorous training," Rodney said. "Are you ready?"

Devin nodded, "My current limit is now 5 minutes. I think that's enough."

"You need to raise that to 10 if we want to win this," Rain said.

"Why?" Devin asked nervously.

"Call everyone," Rain said.

When everyone on their team had arrived, Rain started.

"Do you know why Oceania has been training non-stop?" Rain asked.

Everyone shook their heads.

"My source told me they they came across a very rare yet familiar Sanctity," Rain said. "A Sanctity to replenish health."

"Where was that Sanctity when Devin needed help?" Rodney asked with a bitter tone. "They want to hog that gift for themselves? We were attacked! Students and Exorcists were killed."

"She's a first year," Rain interrupted before Rodney could continue. "You know it's against the law to send first years out the country to help on a crisis."

"It's also against the law for them to do that," Kagura said. "Making a student use their Sanctity for their own win? That's preposterous!"

Rain shook his head, "This is where it gets tricky. The healer wanted it. She was even interviewed by Tina herself. But she really wanted to help them and they made it look like they were helping her in the training. They even let her join the team after the rules were changed."

"They really want to win this year, huh?" Devin muttered under his breathe.

His teammates looked at him, waiting for his command.

"But let's not falter. We still don't know how the game goes," Devin said and smiled. "They may have a healing type but individually, we will still rise."

"Even when they have 3 Exorcist-level participants and we only have one?" Rain asked with a quirked brow.

"No," Devin whispered. "We have nine."

–

"I can't do it anymore," Devin panted, falling to his knees.

The others followed him, as equally tired.

"Let's take a break," Kagura suggested. Devin nodded but Morris cleared his throat.

"I thought you were going to be an Exorcist-level student?" Morris smirked.

"It's 6 in the morning, Morris," Rodney retorted. "We've been running for 3 hours!"

They were inside a large gym area inside their hotel after Morris woke them up to start their training.

"That's too build up your stamina," Morris said. "Last night, you agreed for me to take over this group for training since Professor Stephanie had a meeting."

"I'm slowly regretting that," Rodney sighed and flopped down the floor. "No offense but you lost an arm to wield your weapon properly. How is it that you're still Exorcist-level?"

Morris unsheathed his sword and activated his weapon. He gracefully moved his sword in the air, rotating it and slashing the air like it was his enemies.

"Oh," Rodney whispered. "That's why."

The others laughed at him while he pouted.

"He proved you wrong," Kagura teased. "Okay. Fine. Morris, teach us to become stronger. You did help Devin transform from a meek little boy to a fearsome Exorcist student."

Morris shook his head, "Okay. First lesson," he grinned and shook his head at his own thoughts. "Increase your stamina more."

While they groaned in disagreement, the other members of Squad Lewis could only follow Morris. He was after all, their trainer for the day.