At night, as their blades clashed, Mikhail said, "Liebe, come! Don't hold back!"
"You really think you can beat me with this level of power? With this much, you can't protect anything! Give me your all!"
As they continued to clash, Liebe said, "Demonics!" But nothing happened; he couldn't awaken it. Liebe said, "Huhhhh? What happened? Why is it not working?" As he continued to clash, Liebe tried and finally, Arteos said, "No."
Liebe said, "Huhhh? What?"
Mikhail said, "That should be sufficient for today. You certainly have grown, but still nothing to the 25. I doubt you are even halfway there."
Liebe said, "Damn it! Why? Why can't I do it?"
Mikhail said, "Want to try again another day?" As he vanished into thin air, Liebe said, "Damn it! Even after training so much, she is still so strong."
As he was waiting for Eldrie at the castle entrance, Eldrie arrived. Liebe said, "Why are you grinning so much?"
Eldrie said, "Sorry, Lord. It's just I had a pleasant time."
Liebe said, "Ok then, good to know."
Eldrie said, "But Lord, what happened? Why are you so bruised and dirty?"
Liebe said, "Long story, but I got carried away and underestimated the kids and, well, you know."
Eldrie said, "Please don't consider them so weak just because they are 5."
Liebe said, "I know, I know."
As Gelda made a portal, they returned to their suite in the empire. After returning, Liebe said, "Has everyone returned yet?"
Gelda said, "Yes, and Alysa returned around 8:30 PM and went to bed."
Liebe said, "Ok then."
Gelda said, "Please have some dinner before bed."
Liebe said, "I'm not hungry since I had dinner at the castle."
Gelda said, "Understood. And please allow me to tend to your wounds."
Liebe said, "No need, I can heal them with my darkness."
Gelda said, "Understood. And good night, Lord."
Liebe said, "Good night."
And then the next day, Licht and Liebe again went to the Abyssal Zone, and today they made it to 5.5 km.
Licht said, "Understanding Rampage or Afterglow yet?"
Liebe said, "Somehow, no."
Licht said, "Same here."
Liebe said, "At least we are saving money on Fang and Titan's food."
Licht said, "Yeah, could be worse. But these giant ants are kinda just lame."
Liebe said, "Well, it's 6 PM, time to head back."
Licht said, "Yeah, staying here at night seems kinda dangerous, even at 5.5 km."
And after they returned, Gelda said, "Lord Liebe, your mother has told me to inform you to sit down and have a conversation with Arteos. And then she called for you and asked you to come to her room at 7 PM."
Liebe said, "Understood."
And as he sat down, in his mind he said, "Arteos."
Arteos said, "What is it, human?"
Liebe said, "Dude, why are you mad?"
Arteos said, "After your devil racism, you ask me why I'm mad? And you are apologizing after so long just because you needed my power?"
Liebe said, "Yeah, my bad, little dude. Sorry, I was a little busy."
Arteos said, "A little busy? A little busy with what? Sleeping around? And do not call me little dude!"
Liebe said, "Ok, how about tiny dude?"
Arteos said, "No! Do not name me!"
Liebe said, "Like I said, I'm sorry. How about 'big dude who is small in size'?"
Arteos said, "Do not make me go there and beat you myself, Faust."
Liebe said, "Fine, fine, sorry."
Arteos said, "Much better. Now bow before me, Faust."
Liebe said, "Now that's a bit much, tiny dude."
Arteos said, "Fine, human."
And after that, Liebe went to Lilith's room. As he knocked on the door, he stated, "It's me, Mother."
Lilith said, "Come in."
After Liebe entered, Lilith said, "Now sit down."
Liebe said, "You called for me, Mother?"
Lilith said, "Yes, I did. Basically, Arteos complained to me that, well, you have been taking part in devil racism. And he also stated he will not be helping you until you apologized for the hurtful phrasing."
Liebe said, "Well, what can I say? During that fight, I may have gone a bit overboard."
Lilith said, "Ok then, apologize to him. He may be a devil, but he is quite a sensitive little dude."
Liebe said, "Yeah, I know. And I apologized. And, well, he wasn't fond of the name 'little dude'."
Lilith said, "I also have been wondering why is that? At least here when he manifests, he is tiny."
Liebe said, "I know, right?"
Lilith said, "One way or another, it's comforting to know it's taken care of. And Geno wanted to talk to you."
Liebe said, "Ok then, I will be off then."
Lilith said, "Ok then, meet him tomorrow."
And then Liebe said, "Gelda, teleport me to the capital."
Gelda said, "Ok."
Eldrie said, "Wait, Lord, I'm going too."
Liebe said, "Ok, but why? Why are you dressed up?"
Eldrie said, "Long story, but it's for some personal affairs."
Gelda said, "Right now, I'm invested."
Eldrie said, "I will explain later."
Liebe said, "Ok then."
As they went to the castle, Eldrie said, "Well, Lord, I'm off now. And if you need anything, just call me."
Liebe said, "Of course."
As he went inside, he went to Astreous's quarters. He knocked. Astreous said, "Who is it?"
Liebe said, "It's me, Liebe, Uncle."
Astreous said, "Come in, come in."
As Liebe entered, Astreous said, "Young Liebe, come in." Astreous said, "Liebe, please sit down."
Liebe said, "Ok." As he sat down, Astreous said, "Young Liebe, this is my wife, Lucille."
Liebe said, "Hello, Ma'am."
Lucille said, "Hello, Liebe. I have heard so much about you."
Princess Aina said, "It's Liebe!" As she was holding the baby, Guilford said, "Liebe, the baby has been sleeping ever since we got here."
Lucille said, "Aina has been my little helper ever since the baby was born. And thanks to your name, he is Astrea."
Liebe said, "You guys actually took my name seriously?"
Astreous said, "Of course! It was such a great suggestion. The name Astrea, named after the goddess of justice."
Aina said, "Everyone, quiet down! Otherwise you will wake Astrea up."
Liebe said, "Sorry, Princess."
Guilford said, "But I'm bored. All the baby does is sleep."
Astreous said, "Trust me, you don't know how much of a blessing that is."
Liebe said, "Somehow, I can understand."
As Astrea woke up and began to cry, and later that night, Liebe sensed Mikhail again. As he saw Mikhail singing to Aina, Liebe said, "Princess, it's time for bed."
And after putting Princess Aina to bed, Liebe said, "Mikhail, let's go for another round."
Mikhail said, "As long as the moon is up, I don't mind entertaining you. So, how far did you make it into the Abyssal Zone?"
Liebe said, "5.5 km."
As they fought, their blades clashed. While fighting her, Liebe could only think, It's been 3 years, yet she is still so good. How? It doesn't look like her skills have diminished at all.
Mikhail said, "Come at me with your all!"
Liebe said, "Now! Dark X-Attribute Steel Magic: Demonics!" As his skin changed colors, he grew horns, wings, and a tail.
Mikhail said, "Looks like you have been holding back on me. Now, come at me!"
As they fought, Mikhail said, "Now that's the taste! Good to see you haven't forgotten."
Liebe said, "Not yet! Not yet!"
After his training session, Liebe was on the ground. Mikhail said, "Patch yourself up. You did good enough. You really have grown." As she vanished again.
After the training, he went to Astreous's office. Astreous told Liebe to visit him after his activities. As Liebe knocked on the door, Astreous said, "Come in." Liebe entered and sat down.
Astreous said, "How is everything?"
Liebe said, "Ok, I suppose."
Astreous said, "I heard that you defeated a Supreme Devil in Hallelujah Island."
Liebe said, "Yeah, that's true."
Astreous said, "I know it's impressive. It looks like the ripples of a helpless boy have turned into tsunamis that are even shaking the empire itself."
Liebe said, "Please don't tease me like that, Uncle."
Astreous said, "Of course not. But about your blood reports, after checking it, we discovered your magic skill."
Liebe said, "What is it? I didn't know what mine was, frankly. After seeing Alysa, Elizabeth, and Licht awaken theirs, I kinda assumed I would end up not awakening mine."
Astreous said, "Indeed, those three have strong skills, but yours is strong, Liebe."
Liebe said, "What is it?"
Astreous said, "It is known as Vanadis Eilífa Áin."