Lass quickly rushed to the royal training grounds to find Magi. Before he could even enter the area, he was confronted by two familiar looking guards.

"Yo isn't this the kid from yesterday in the arena? The guy who fought the boss?"

"Yea that's him! Hey buddy what's your deal here? This area is off limits for you and especially your two little friends! Now get lost!", the guard with the bandaged hand said.

"Pipe down assholes he's with me. Now you two get lost before I remove that shiny armor off ya, starting with your heads...I mean helmets.", Magi angrily addressed the two guards.

"Y-Yes yes ma'am! I mean boss!", both of them saluted and ran away.

"Well I'm glad to see you're such a good boss around these parts...definitely have your way with commanding and words.", Lass scoffed.

"Of course I do! Now stop with the complements and get your butt in that ring kiddo. We're starting right away!"

"Of course you'd take that as a complement wo-", his words where stopped by Magi throwing him in the ring.

Magi then proceeded to throw a couple of weapons at Lass before taking off her armor and taking out a sword similar to what she had with her in the arena.

"Enough with this kid! Show me what you've got!"

"That went from a 3 to a 10 pretty quickly.", Lass calmly said as he blocked an incoming hit.

"Shut up and focus! These training grounds are created based on skill and skill alone. A seal magic is placed so that auras, magic abilities and anything of the sort is unable to be used. So fight with what ya got on you!", she said as she charged at Lass.

They then began a series of blocking and trading blows but in between every hit they where also conversing with each other.

"Heh. Not bad for someone who says he doesn't know how to fight!", she screamed between her slashes.

"Also not bad for a being with upmost hatred for the world. Really, your fighting style and language doesn't support your title of 'Sentinel' in the slightest.", he looked at her with pity.

"My my someone sure switched to Prince Charming.", she said as she shoved Lass backwards. "Like I said kiddo. My fighting style and way of life mean shit in front of the 'Sentinel' title. It's just a title. Not going to affect me in any way, it's mostly there to discriminate if anything.", she shrugged.

"Hmm. I'll take it. Now let's continue.", he took his stance back.

"I'm not gonna lie kid, sometimes I really want to shoot you. But then again this probably wouldn't do much.", she angrily said.

"Guns are simple weapons. You think I'd back down if I so happened to see one?"

"Be careful kid. Guns are used because some people just can't use Obsulyte. Each sword made for the army is like most melee type weaponry and on the right hand can be far more dangerous than guns...it was made with intent to be used as a catalyst by magic users. But that doesn't mean that guns won't kill you. So just keep away from such things will ya?", she worryingly said.

"What are you my teacher or my long lost mother?", he let out a sigh.

"Both eager to fight and naïve to it, huh? I've seen enough. Drop that thing down...I want to see him."

"Hah. There's more to this magic aura, isn't there?"

"You're quick to catch the ques on things like this aren't ya? Don't worry, it won't hurt. But I want to see it.", Magi waved her hand.

In an instant, the voice inside Lass's head started to swiftly take over.

"Magi. What a displeasure it is to see you again.", 'Lass' scoffed.

"Was about to say the same Mellistar. So you haven't changed after all this time, huh?"

"Unlike the likes of you, royalty and a pure bloodline is meant to be retained. And such retention occurs throughout the harshest of erosions of time.", Mellistar said as he looked at his nails, toying around with the training sword.

"Is that so? Why am I still standing then? Had you 'retained' yourself, you would have assaulted me without a second doubt. Yet despite all you say, you have more than changed...you care for him don't you?", Magi looked past Mellistar's harsh character.

"Hah. If you had the slightest form of evidence to back up the onslaught of bullshit that comes out of your mouth, I could at least spare another moment of gracing you with my audience."

"Oh, is that so? Well then...allow me.", Magi took a step back and folded her arms. "Lass is still pure, naïve, innocent, righteous and above all...absolutely clueless. Exactly how Glady and I left him like, to protect him back then. Now please do tell me Melli...how is it that he retained all that, despite what you used to previously do?"

"Why you insolent, insignificant, idiotic peasant! You by no means have the authority to question my actions and their reasoning. Mark my words. I only do this because of my mutual benefit, nothing more, nothing less. Had I decided to make your final days come by for you and your petty friends...I'd have long ago given you a ride to hell!", Mellistar angrily yelled back.

"Hah. Despite your words...despite what you do. You two are so different, yet so the same. Hell...both some scared kids, crying in the dark. I'm...I'm so sorry...", she said as she held back her tears.

"I...hmph! Insignificant shit I don't have to deal with. Remember my words, and bear them close. You will be spared today, given my bigger plans. But if I see you again...", Mellistar menacingly said, giving control back to Lass.

"The hell?", Lass said as he grabbed his head. "What did you do now? Make me grow a tail?"

"No, not for now. Yo kid, drop that stick will ya? I have two gifts to give you."

Lass dropped the sword Magi had given him and she then came up to him and pulled out his amulet, putting it around his neck. And after that, a shattered Excelsior.

"Damn...it's completely destroyed..."

"You don't need to worry. This thing is but a miniature version of the real thing. Think of it as a rial' version of things to come. Training wheels of sort.", Magi laughed.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?", Lass replied.

"This shrimp sword is a mere shadow of the real Excelsior. The normal sword is not that much of a sword as it is a claymore. Furthemore...it amplifies your already busted powers. Not manipulate them like this. And believe me, there is a very clear difference between 'manipulation' and 'amplification'. Hopefully you don't blow your sorry ass to oblivion with the real thing."

"Then why would I receive this instead? What's the reason for a 'trial' and not the real thing off the get-go?"

"No idea. Maybe you getting used to it before you took on the real thing and blew all of us to hell?", she replied with sarcasm. "Last time you ever wielded that piece of shit you almost...", she whispered.

"What was that?"

"Nothing, nevermind. Now focus...I don't want you to attack but only block. Shall you do it correctly we will proceed."

"'Become a punching bag' is what you wanted to say?"

"Pretty much.", Magi shrugged.

"God bless...", he sighed. "Fine. Trusting you is taking a gamble between life and death at this point."

"Just shut up and do it kid."

Lass then took his stance and Magi began attacking furiously. He was blocking most of the onslaught, but just couldn't block every single hit and she managed to hit him full force after mere seconds.

"Gyah...so fast.", he said, crawling on the ground.

"Hmph. You're still afraid. That little stick you've got there will be the death of you, I swear. However not all hope is gone yet, since ya seem to have gotten the basics down...but in the future try to look in the enemy's eyes not their sword."

"Thanks for the advice...but that lance you had. How can it create all this? Training equipment and weapons? It's nothing compared to the minerals I know, every clash has a different sound to it. It amplifies everything way too much. You can even use your powers despite the neutralization field...and don't think I didn't notice you using them in between every move."

"You sure are smart aren't ya? The Flower of Resurrection is one of the many divine relics that can be used by the gods and their servants. The other present relic at the moment is this mini Excelsior which, tho a divine relic can't be by Sentinels, rather than the one it chooses to wield it. And lemme tell ya, throughout the ages that sword has chosen so many different things including wizards and martial artists who didn't even care to pull it out of its case.", Magi shrugged.

"So you've been hunting down champions for a while...how do I kno-", his words where cut by Magi's reassuring words.

"No, I'm not going to kill you, I'm through my whole track and kill for the gods phase. Nevertheless I can see that you're formidable enough for the others. That way I'll allow you to leave Reingard and go look for them if you wanna."

"Allow me? Since when the hell did you think I'd let someone like you to stop me?", Lass scoffed.

"Because I said so you lil shit.", she angrily replied. "I basically only wanted to see some 'fruits of labor' from a certain someone. Now I know I was both wrong and lost the bet...", she smiled.

"Can't you just tell me up front that throwing curve balls all the time? For real...", he facepalmed.

"Pass. Whatever you wanna find you'll find it on your own. Not like there's a lot of us left to tell you anyway..."

"Does that mean that the other sentinels have deviated the gods as well?"

"Not exactly. Some are like me and some are still assholes. If they're still alive that is."

"So what's the difference between the two?"

"The difference being that I'll just beat the hell out of you while the others will just beat you to death! Got that?!", she smacked Lass in the head.

"God damn ok I get it! Now what?", Lass said as he patted his head.

"Up until now you and I have done nothing more than training. The others won't be as nice. Anyway, we're gonna meet again tonight at the party so make sure to put on your good clothes and bring Risa with you cause I wanna have a word with her too."

Before they could end it for the day Ikarisa jumped in out of nowhere and latched herself onto Lass.

"Lass! Found you! We still haven't prepared for the party yet Senpai! Come on we've gotta go!", Ikarisa chuckled.

"Risa, the party is in like 12 hours from now, so what's the rush? Besides we only need a dress and formals for me."

"No-no I can't have that! We're meeting the king himself we've gotta look our very best, Senpai!", she put on an angry face.

"I think that the presence of what's pretty much his creator is more impactful than his own.

"You know, the girls got a point. You two should head down to Wyvern Avenue, I heard they've got some recently opened clothe shops there you might find what you're looking for."

"I don't know whether I should like or hate you.", Lass sighed.

"Shut it.", Ikarisa said with a mean look at Magi.

The entire atmosphere suddenly shifted as Ikarisa hatefully looked at Magi, who returned the words with full understatement.

"Alright. I'll back off...", Magi calmly said as she took a step back.

"Good.", Ikarisa replied.

"She does have a mean side after all doesn't she?", Lass was surprise.

"Alright, lets go! I'm getting there first, see ya later!"

"Wait for me, dammit! Oh man I don't think I'm ever gonna get used to this.", he facepalmed.

"Don't sweat it, here's 250k. These shops are quite expensive and you can't appear just like that in front of Haty like that! By the way these are not mine but they're out of the tournament reward."

"Haty? You gave the king a god damn nickname?"

"Yea, why not? Me and him got a lil bit of history! Now you might wanna run cause I can see Risa has gained quite some distance."

Lass then noticed the distance the little goddess had gained and started running like a madman behind her to make sure she didn't get herself into trouble yet again.

"I can't believe it he actually recalls some moves. You crazy old man. I also can't believe you actually did it...maybe this kid will be the salvation for our sins. I myself have a long way to go...I'll set the record straight, Glade. Like I told you then.", Magi lifted her eyes off Lass and Ikarisa, looking at the azure sky. "Once this shit is dealt with. One day...we can all smile together again."

Lass finally managed to catch up to Ikarisa who was going left and right looking at all the shops. By the time he was there she had cleared almost half the shops which was surprising for someone of her size to be so fast.

"So...found what you where looking for?", Lass said as he panted.

"Not exactly, all these dresses are so plain and simple...but I did see that one shop..."

She then again ran from him and went into a shop where he chased after her. Entering the shop Lass could see some dresses in display. Cheapest dress he could find was 100k Gulbits, which was absurd to someone like Lass. Nevertheless, he still wished to make her happy.

"Holy hell, is this what fashion feels like? I could by either a wardrobe or a house with all these pricetags...", he started to sweat.

But coming in he could see Ikarisa had already grabbed a couple and started trying them out. He didn't know if it was magic or not but she seemed to be fitting into every single one of those dresses and it only kept getting better. But with that came the increase in prices...150k...200k...all the way to 400k Merits.

"C-Can't say Risa. You look amazing in all of them, but are you sure those are the ones you want?"

"Oh...I don't know then.", she blushed.

He then realized he made a stupid move for him to say that because the little goddess most definitely had realized that money was an issue. But before he started to feel remorseful for said move the shopkeeper came in, who seemed to have gotten a grasp of what had happened.

"You know little lady...these dresses sure are nice but I can't think of any of them being absolutely perfect! Say have you got any good knowledge in tailoring? 'Cause I can give you this mega pack of items!", the shopkeeper happily said.

The shopkeeper then proceeded to show them a box full of feathers small earrings and more decorations for dresses along with a huge quantity of multiple glamorous looking fabrics.

"Woah! Yes I do have some tailoring abilities! And I'm sure Anya does too! How much is that?!", Ikarisa said with sparkling eyes.

"For you just 150k Merits! And for a bonus I can throw in this beautiful tuxedo for your friend here with a mega discount of 50k Merits! It's one of our better costumes made for special occasions, but nothing extremely flashy or anything to make you feel uncomfortable!", the shopkeeper put on a business smile.

"Perfect!", both Lass and Ikarisa said.

They then bought the pack and before they could exit the shop Lass turned around to the shopkeeper and gave her all the money he had left.

"Thanks a lot for everything. I know this wasn't the original price but this should cover it somewhat.", he whispered.

"Not a word kid keep them! Just remember to make that lady happy tonight will you? And if you will, please remember to extend my thanks and hello to Anya, alright.", she winked. "Thanks for all the work you did for Reingard Mr. Lass!", the shopkeeper happily waved goodbye.

With that Lass exited the shop holding his suit and went next to Ikarisa who shoved him back a bit.

"Nuh uh! You go to the hotel room, I'm going to Anya's! I have about 10 hours to work on this dress and I don't want you to see it! See you at the party!", she chuckled.

"You dummy. It's a party not a weddi-", he witnessed Ikarisa running to Anya's shop. "And she's gone. She eats like a behemoth and runs like a horse, yet her size supports none of that. At least I finally earned some alone time again.", he went up to the room.

At that moment Lass was just pleased that Ikarisa was happy with all the events that took place. One of the most odd ways to get ready for an ultra luxurious party, but he no doubt knew, it must had been worth the effort. And he just couldn't shake off his curiosity on how she's going to be in her custom dress. Deep inside he also knew that he would like it regardless...