Gold and Return
After practicing under Leon's guidance, Rias wiped the faint sweat from her forehead and turned toward Selena with bright, competitive eyes.
"Senior Sister," she said eagerly, flame still flickering faintly around her fingertips, "why don't we have a round?"
She had just learned the Floral Hand Strike. Her blood was still hot. Sparring with Leon was like trying to move a mountain with bare hands. But Selena—
That was different.
Selena was strong, yes.
But not unreachable.
With their realms suppressed to a similar level, the gap between them wasn't vast. The real difference lay in experience. Selena had trained longer in the Amethyst Mist Sword and possessed deeper combat comprehension.
Selena looked at her calmly. The breeze lifted her silver hair, the pale sash at her waist fluttering softly.
"Alright," she said without hesitation. "Come."
Leon stood to the side.
And once again—
He was forgotten.
