What Will You Do Now, Leader?

"Fight!"

Devin dashed forward in a flash. His blade clashed with Rodney's that created white sparks. They dragged their blades along the length of each other before retreating to clash again once more.

"There's a wide margin of strength here," Schneider commented as he watched along the sidelines with Stephanie.

"Argh!" Rodney yelled after being thrown away.

"Your brother needs more strength, Steph," Schneider smirked that earned him a smack on the head from his friend.

"Rodney is doing good," Stephanie said. "Devin just keeps on getting stronger. It's almost unbelievable how his power increased over the course of two weeks."

"Do you think he'll earn a Sigil soon?"

Stephanie gazed at Devin who just ceased his Reverence's activation. "Yeah, I think so."

The fight was over after their talk. Devin won without letting Rodney hit him.

"Next up, Kagura and Rain," Morris announced.

Kagura and Rain walked towards the platform after stretching.

"The Flowers versus the Rain," Schneider narrowed his eyes to see clearer. "A contest of speed and illusion."

Stephanie paired the teams to battle once a day for 9 days. Each day, they'll spar a different teammate. This way, their battle knowledge will enhance since they had experienced a fight against different fighting styles.

Each day a student will be on standby. Today, that student is Adonis.

Stephanie was still figuring out how Adonis could at least know how to battle on short range. The fight he lost in the qualifying round was caused by his inability to fight on close-combat.

The remaining days of the training would be set for group fights. A squad of Licensed Exorcists would come and train the students.

Kagura and Rain got to the platform and waited for Stephanie's signal. She nodded her head and raised her hand, "Okay. Ready, fight!"

–

9 days passed in a flash. Along with their sparring, they would jog with the thinnest clothing they could and endure the cold London mornings. They would run for 2 hours inside the gymnasium and 2 hours outside after the morning bell.

It's the day of the group spar. Squad Lewis waited in front of the forest entrance. Stephanie said she'll be bringing along a few licensed Exorcists to train them. She also had a surprise that the students couldn't wait to know what.

A black van parked a few meters in front of them. The door opened and Stephanie walked out. Their eyes widened after seeing the people that walked out with her.

Schneider, Xia, Franco, Maltoise, and–

"11 & 12," Squad Lewis all whispered in chorus as they saw the familiar white-haired and black-haired boys.

"Good morning," Stephanie greeted. "What you're thinking is right. We will be fighting against you today. Although Dr. Xia will not be participating in the match because she will be the healer and Schneider is not allowed to fight since he's not from the Asian Branch. So, the five of us will be your opponent."

"Count it as a handicap, mm hmm," Maltoise said.

"Why do we need a healer?" Rodney asked and gulped.

"Show us no mercy," Franco said. "Because we will not show you some."

"Wait!" Rodney opened his palm and a hologram played. It displayed the different fights of the Exorcists in front of them he had seen. The ones where they battled Echelon 4 or more.

"You have top rankers, faculty members and Bearers," Rodney argued, gesturing the older people in front of him. "We don't even have any Sigil yet. Then you're supposed to show no mercy?"

Stephanie's group unsheathed their swords. It glowed white, a symbol of activation.

"Even chantless activation," Rodney said. "Are you–"

He wasn't able to finish when a hand with long glowing sharp nails appeared beside his head.

Franco's glowing eyes gave shivers to the students.

"You have 3 minutes to hide and recuperate," Franco said seriously. "In the count of three, either you run or I'll mince you for burger. One..."

The students immediately left the threatening guidance counselor and ran towards the forest.

Devin took the initiative to lead and led his teammates to an area with dense trees so they could hide while they plan out.

"The power imbalance is too great," Rodney mumbled. "We can't win against them."

"Who said?" Morris asked.

"Can't you see?" Rodney argued. "With Franco alone, we're powerless!"

"No," Devin said. "We're almost there. If we get to win this, then there's no force that can stop us at the Summit. Not Oceania, not any other branch."

"Let's ensure our victory," Kagura said. "Let's make sure to win this thing."

Devin unsheathed his sword and raised it in front of him, "Squad Lewis?"

When the others were about to follow him, two swords appeared and connected the tip with Devin.

"Found you," Andrew cheered.

Kagura used her Sanctity to move quickly. She used the hilt of her sword and attacked Andrew but the latter caught her.

"Your footprint is too messy," Andrei said from behind her. "Conceal it more."

Andrei hacked his sword inside his scabbard but it was blocked by a long sword.

"Chantless Bring Out," Andrew said. "Very good."

Morris swerved Afterlife to push Andrei away and it worked. The black-haired boy flew a few meters back and was met by a grinning Yuri.

"Bring Out, Makarov!"

Yuri slashed forward but it was too late, Andrei had already turned and hacked his sheath towards the boy. "That was nice Morris! Yuri, slow reaction time."

"Everyone, Form Beta!" Devin yelled.

Little did their opponents know, Squad Lewis had already formulated plans. From the formation, to the timing and end, they had already planned it the nights before.

"Bring Out!" Everyone activated their Reverences at the same time.

"Bring Out," Devin inhaled and felt the surge of power throughout his body. "Revelation!"

Their team dispersed, Adonis found a tree and used it as his spot for support. The others split in half, divided themselves according to their fighting styles.

There were five divisions their squad formed. Adonis, the rear support that targets their current enemies, provide support, and watches over the incoming enemies.

Sofia and Margaux were the stealth, Kagura and Rain for Speed, Yuri and Morris for strength, and Devin and Rodney would stand on the front lines as the main attacker.

Their plan was working. The twins had already unsheathed their sword, a small gesture to acknowledge their strength. Of the twins still fought with their weapons inside their scabbard, it means that Squad Lewis were still far from strong.

Devin fought with Sofia, Rain and Yuri against Andrei while Morris was with Margaux, Kagura and Rodney against Andrew. They had to balance their power wisely.

Since Devin tilted the power balance, he had to team up with Yuri and the two of the weaker ones of each of their divisions, Sofia and Rain. Morris's team had a power balance, teaming up with the stronger ones to help alleviate their lack of Devin's power.

Each member of Squad Lewis fulfilled their role well. The front lines, Devin and Morris kept the focus of their enemy to themselves while the others synched to their rhythm.

Their plan was to throw away the enemy's strength with Yuri and Morris's power, Kagura and Rain would provide opening along with the stealth division to let their main attacker in. It was working. The twins were having a rough time to fight against the stealth and speed divisions and their defenses had deteriorated.

Something's wrong. Devin thought.

Is this the strength of a Top Exorcist?

As he continued their plan, the twins' defense had completely fallen. They were panting and they held their swords down in frustration.

"Now!" Devin yelled. The main attackers dashed forward to attack. He was about to slash his sword when a grinning Andrew. "W-What?"

The twins had switched places. Andrew pushed him away and he landed a few meters back.

"But you were tired..." Devin paused after feeling a tingling sensation.

Several figures arrived at the scene before he could comprehend what the feelin was. Franco stared at Devin before disappearing from his spot and appeared in front of the small boy.

"What will you do now, Leader?"