Nighttime.
Inside the castle's training ground, although it was already time for nightly rest and only a few soldiers were patrolling nearby, three figures walked in from the door and headed straight for the largest open space.
Leading them was a blue-white haired girl who looked like a child. Although she appeared very cute, she carried an indescribable majesty. Following behind her were two completely different beautiful girls.
"I didn't expect your recovery speed to be so fast; you've already healed by evening... It seems you are very talented, Dux Frigium!"
"As Caesar said, I will do my best to train you. Be prepared, Blue Fish."
"As you command, I will work hard, Lord Caesar, Lord Hysilens!"
The people entering the training ground were Cerydra, Hysilens, and Esdeath, and the purpose of coming here was to test Esdeath's power.
A few hours ago, to verify her hypothesis, Cerydra had Esdeath drink golden blood that did not belong to this world.
Despite going through many twists and turns, in the very end, Cerydra's goal was achieved. A local Golden Descendants had appeared in the world of akame ga kill—namely, Esdeath!
What happened next surprised even Cerydra. The blood vessels in Esdeath's body had clearly been completely destroyed by the golden blood a few hours ago.
But as time passed, Esdeath's body actually displayed an extremely powerful recovery ability, returning to a perfectly intact state in just a few hours, and even becoming stronger than before.
To test the strength of this brand-new Golden Descendants, Cerydra brought Hysilens and Esdeath directly to the spacious training ground.
"I will be watching from the side. You two go ahead and fight!"
Cerydra stepped back to the sidelines and began to observe the upcoming battle as a spectator, while Hysilens and Esdeath stood ten meters apart, ready to strike at any moment.
"Yes, please keep your eyes on me!"
Esdeath didn't know how strong she currently was, but since Lord Cerydra was watching from the side, she certainly couldn't lose face.
Even if her opponent was the powerful Hysilens!
"Start!"
As Cerydra's voice rang out, Esdeath immediately charged forward, but the moment she took a step, she felt an unprecedented power surge into her body.
Boom—!
With one step, she left visible cracks on the ground, and Esdeath's body shot out like a cannonball, with a speed that surprised even herself.
Without a doubt, Esdeath had become stronger.
Compared to her former self, she was more than dozens of times stronger.
But even so, facing the person in front of her, Esdeath was still as powerless as a baby.
The rapier in her hand was clearly pointed straight at the opponent's forehead, but Hysilens seemed to have anticipated it all and blocked it with her own sword.
I've clearly become stronger, so why has the gap between me and Lord Hysilens grown wider?
This question flashed through her mind, but she quickly found the answer... Her former self was simply too weak to even witness Lord Hysilens's true strength.
Now, after becoming a Golden Descendants, Esdeath could finally catch a small glimpse of Hysilens's power, but even so, the gap between them remained vast.
If this weren't a test but a death match, Esdeath could even imagine the sight of her own head falling to the ground.
But I am still growing, and there is still room for improvement!
Let Lord Hysilens and Lord Cerydra see my everything!
Esdeath was from a northern minority tribe and was not skilled in using longswords; she was better suited for daggers.
After all, when facing Danger Beasts in the snow, Esdeath more often chose to launch a sneak attack followed by a killing blow!
As for that future wide-open fighting style of smashing people with giant ice spheres, that only began after she obtained her Teigu.
So, seeing that the sword wasn't playing its intended role, Esdeath unhesitatingly threw it away and then crouched on the ground like a feline...
Whoosh—!
In an instant, Esdeath vanished from her spot. Just as she used to ambush Danger Beasts, she no longer chose a frontal assault but attacked from a corner where the opponent couldn't see.
But in the next second, Hysilens turned her head and caught Esdeath's ambushing palm with her left hand.
"Dux Frigium, is this the extent of your attack? Is the improvement the golden blood brought you... only in physical stats?"
Whether it was Hysilens, who was currently fighting Esdeath, or Cerydra, who was watching from a distance, both frowned almost simultaneously.
If it was only an improvement in physical stats, then what use was such a Golden Descendants? She wouldn't even be as good as a Teigu from the Empire!
What Cerydra hoped to see was a Golden Descendants with special abilities, not a brute who only relied on physical strength.
And Esdeath, seemingly sensing Cerydra's dissatisfaction, let her gaze become sharp.
"No, my power is more than just this!"
Esdeath didn't panic because Hysilens caught her; instead, she took the opportunity to wrap her legs around Hysilens's left arm, attempting to use her weight to pull Hysilens down.
But Esdeath seemed to have forgotten that Hysilens's other hand was still free, and that hand was holding a lethal longsword.
With almost no hesitation, Hysilens swung her sword at Esdeath. However, just as the blade was about to touch her, an anomaly appeared on Esdeath's body.
A chill surged out of Esdeath's body at this moment, not only leaving a layer of defensive hard ice on the surface of her skin but also causing Hysilens's sword swing to become sluggish.
Taking advantage of this opening, Esdeath relaxed her body and performed a backflip to distance herself from Hysilens, for her goal had already been achieved!
"Indeed, not bad at all!"
Hysilens did not pursue her, instead focusing her entire attention on her left hand—the one Esdeath had been clinging to just moments ago.
Though only a few seconds had passed, Hysilens's hand had completely turned into an ice sculpture, making it incredibly difficult to move.
"Is this the power to control ice?"
It was hard to imagine that after becoming a Golden Descendants, Esdeath had actually gained a power similar to her future Teigu.
Cerydra felt a sense of irony; even though she had changed the plot beyond recognition, everything happening to Esdeath seemed to be telling her... that fate never truly changes!
Even though Esdeath had become a Golden Descendants, she was still Esdeath!