MOCK BATTLE

All the servants, including Giselle, and the knights of the Leonardo Estate were all gathered by the training ground. They all were attracted by a rare sight like moths to a flame.

Each of them wanted to see what would soon transpire. An event unlike any other.

Standing on one end of the court was Evelyn, looking ever so composed and confident.

On the other end were Bryce and Hannah. Bryce was equipped with his sword and armor while Hannah with her magic staff, Lucerna.

"What's going on here? What are the Leonardo family doing on the training ground?" asked a knight.

"You've heard about Stonewall and Duke Shaughnessy's order, right?" said a butler.

"Yes! There're only 25 of us, knights, in this barony. So we've been wondering how we will be deployed. I'm guessing we'll all go to Stonewall since it's in our domain."

"Well, Mistress and Sire Leonardo were in a dilemma on what to do since they can't ignore the Duke's order either. But then Lady Evelyn proposed for the Mistress to stay in Guardia to guard the estate while the Sire to go join forces with the Duke's army." explained the butler.

"Then what about Stonewall?"

"Lady Evelyn said she, herself, would lead 20 of you to exterminate the gargoyles."

 All the knights there were dumbfounded by what they just heard.

"What nonsense is that?"

"Hey, have you forgotten that Lady Evelyn was the one who saved us all in the last pilgrimage?" said Giselle in her lady's defense.

"That was different! She was just simply casting a spell back then. We were lucky all the demons were gathered in one spot for her spell to kill them in one go. And remember, she passed out after casting it!"

"That's right! This time we'll be the one doing the hunting. We can't have a frail girl who has no combat experience like Lady Evelyn leading us!"

"Didn't you all see her exercising in the training ground?" asked Giselle again in Evelyn's defense.

"Of course! But then she cooped herself up in her room for days not long after that!"

"Bottom line is that both the Mistress and Sire shared the knights' opinion about Lady Evelyn." continued the butler from before. "And now they're having a mock battle. If Lady Evelyn could defeat both the Mistress and Sire Leonardo, then she would lead 20 knights to Stonewall and Sire Leonardo will go to Duke Shaughnessy with the rest 5 knights."

"Tch! This is a waste of time. Indulging a spoiled girl like this. We should've used this time to prepare a strategy to clear Stonewall."

The knights looked at the standoff between Evelyn and her parents in disappointment. While the servants, mostly Giselle, looked at them in worry.

"You can still change your mind, my daughter! We don't have to do this!"

"Listen to your father, darling! Please!"

"Then will you let me lead the extermination quest?" asked Evelyn.

That question angered the couple.

Bryce immediately drew his sword.

"You left us with no choice, daughter!"

"So did you, father."

Hannah readied her staff.

"Considering there're two of us against you, I should've lent you the Lucerna to even the odds. But if making you lose this battle will keep you safe, then I'm willing to be a coward, Evelyn!"

"It's okay, mother. Because I want you to fight me with all your strength now that your vessel has been unsealed."

Evelyn raised her hand, preparing to cast the shield spell.

"Remember, the battle starts once I casted the spell. Once we begin, don't hesitate to attack me since I won't be hurt in any way whatsoever."

Bryce and Hannah then assumed their formation.

Bryce stepped forward and assumed the vanguard role while Hannah on the back as the supporting role.

"How we're going to do this, my love?" asked Bryce.

"I'll attack her from long distance. You get closer and find an opening. And we'll put her in the cycle."

"Just like old times?"

"Just like old times."

[Holy Arts, Angel's Embrace First Form, Basic Shield]

White magic circles appeared on Hannah, Bryce, and Evelyn. They all were soon surrounded by white aura.

The shields had been casted. The battle officially began.

Hannah quickly raised her staff.

[Bara Arts, Levitation]

The spell made Hannah flew to the air, giving her a clear view of Evelyn, her target.

"(Gaining the higher ground to give yourself tactical advantage… Not bad, mother!)" thought Evelyn.

The Leonardo family head pointed the Lucerna forward towards Evelyn.

[Bara Arts, Fire Lance]

Five balls of fire formed around Hannah and they launched to the other end of the court.

Despite the assault coming at her, Evelyn stepped forward in a relaxed pace. Her hands were resting on the back of her hip like a carefree elderly person.

Just before the fire lances hit her, Evelyn waved her hand forward. A translucent shield appeared to intercept the attacks.

Knowing her assault failed, Hannah launched another attack.

[Bara Arts, Fire Lance] [Bara Arts, Earth Bolt]

Sharp projectiles made of earth and fire lances formed around Hannah and dashed toward Evelyn.

Once again, the young lady intercepted them with ease.

The earth projectiles created a cloud of dust upon impact against the shield, blurring Evelyn's environment.

"(Smokescreen? Mother knew I'd be able to shield against the fire lances. On her second attempt, she used fire lance spell again but mixed it up with earth bolt spell.)"

Evelyn examined the dust cloud around her.

"(She's baiting me to intercept her attack twice. All so that she could blind me and create an opening for her partner.)"

Suddenly Bryce appeared from the dust cloud and sprinted to Evelyn to close the distance between them. He readied his sword to strike her down.

Evelyn chuckled at her parents' strategy. She had expected this turn of event.

"(Since I've only been using magic this whole time, you thought I'm done for once you engage me in close-combat, father?)"

Bryce swung his sword towards Evelyn's neck. The lady quickly ducked, evading the slash.

Bryce kept going. He barraged Evelyn with slashes and pierces. Each and every one of them though was evaded by Evelyn with ease.

The spectating knights were in awe on what they were seeing.

"Amazing! To think Lady Evelyn could dodge all of Sir Leonardo's attack!"

"It doesn't seem like a fluke either! It's as if she knew what Master Bryce would do next."

"This scene reminds me of my duel with my sword instructor. He just kept easily dodging my attack without giving any counterattack as if he was just toying with me."

"Is this really the sickly Lady Evelyn we knew?"

Bryce attacked and attacked, but his blade couldn't scrape even the fabric of Evelyn's dress.

Even so, he didn't give up and kept pressuring Evelyn.

"(Good determination. Normal people would've given up after a few slashes. But father kept attacking me, not wanting to let me go. And I know why he's doing this.)"

Evelyn jumped back to gain some distance so she could cast a spell to pin down Bryce. But before Evelyn could get a chance to aim, she sensed another assault coming from behind her at rapid speed.

Evelyn flicked her hand to her back and formed a shield behind her. The shield intercepted a fire lance attack.

The young lady shifted her gaze toward the direction of the fire lance and discovered Hannah floating some distance away behind her.

Hannah's staff was pointed fire-ready at Evelyn.

"(Just like mother did in the beginning of the battle, father kept attacking me when his surprise attack failed. He put pressure on me so that I would try to break away from him. And once I do that, it created an opening for mother to attack.)"

Evelyn found herself trapped between her parents. Both were ready to attack their daughter.

The young lady grinned at this sight.

"(What interesting parents you two are.)"