After arranging the duel with Hajime, Alex returned to the floor of the labyrinth he originally left him on with the kick rabbits, electric wolves, and claw bears. He wanted to train his Haki even more, and wanted to see if he could use what he really wanted when he got the ability. Lauren said that the ability to use Haki only gave them access to use it regardless of what world they were in, this meant that he could train in both observation and armament Haki, but that didn't necessarily mean he could use the third type, conquerors Haki. He intended to spend the next week trying to access it, and if he could training it. Alex had barely entered the floor, when a white ball of fur flew at him accompanied by what sounded like a shrill scream.
"IYAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!"
As the kick rabbit flew at him, Alex watched it as if it was going in slow motion, as he looked it in try eyes and focused his intent on it. He didn't use his pressure or aura, and stared the rabbit down as it approached him. As he didn't know the way to actually use this type of Haki, he could only keep trying with various methods until either he gave up or one of the methods succeeded.
He only stopped focusing on the rabbit as its attack connected with a dark point on his body. Since Alex also dabbled in armament Haki it simply bounced off, before turning around and trying again. Alex let it attack him a few more times as he repeatedly tried to use Haki on it, without success. Eventually the rabbit started to realize this opponent was above it, and tried to flee when it's twentieth attack didn't do anymore damage than its first. Alex sighed at his lack of success, and killed the rabbit for its resources before moving onto the next monster.
He then closed his eyes and focused to sense where the other monsters were, and could see several life forms throughout the current level. Alex smiled at the progress his observation Haki was making, and made his way to the next rabbit he sensed.
This was how he spent most of his time the next five days, returning to this floor and trying to exercise his Haki on the monsters here. On the fifth day, just two days before the duel wth Hajime, Alex was starting to think he didn't have the conquerors Haki. He decided to finish out the day however, and was glad he did in the end. As what seemed like the hundredth kick rabbit he faced that week charged him, he focused his intent like he had several times before. This time however he felt the attack weaken somewhat after it hit him, and the rabbit didn't seem stable on its feet once it landed. Alex continued watching, not daring to believe he managed it, until the rabbit collapsed on the cave floor. As several thoughts rushed through his head, Lauren's voiced announced,
'Congratulations, now you just need to keep training it until entire armies wouldn't be able to stand against you, well not that they could anyways.' With her acknowledgment Alex knew he did it, and felt a rush of excitement. He then moved onto the next monster he could sense, as he spent the rest of the day leaving a trail of passed out monsters behind him.
***
The day before Alex's fight against Hajime, Grayfia returned to Asora to collect a list he wanted made. It was the order for those that wished to challenge the labyrinth. Now that Hajime had completed it, Alex declared the place open for any who wanted to try it, and unsurprisingly Vali's name was the first one on the list. His team consisted of himself, Bikou, Arthur, Le Fey, and Elaine, since Alex didn't want anyone to challenge it alone. She then entered the room where most of the girls were, and saw them gathered together discussing plans and thoughts when they could enter and see the new world for themselves.
"I for one can't wait to see what kinds of swordsman there are in this world, since it has monsters and knights then there must be several capable warriors to fight!" Xenovia declared loudly, while Asia said,
"I heard there's different kinds of healing spells in this world too, I want to try and study them to become a better healer." Valerie nodded at Asia's words, and continued,
"There's also the age of gods magic Alex told us about, regeneration and spirit magic, at least if I learn those I won't need to rely on the holy grail anymore." Several of the girls agreed with Valerie's words, since the grail would cause the user to go mad if used too often, she would be lucky to have an alternate ability to use instead. Gabriel then spoke up,
"I just wish that the God of this world was more like the holy father, I hope that when this is over we can spread his word and help here people have a better faith!" Irina got teary eyed and continued off her words,
"Indeed! These lost souls will surely lead better lives if they knew of the love of the lord!" The rest of the girls sent lukewarm gazes at the two angels, as they all considered the very real possibility that they followed Alex mostly for this reason. However someone soon exited the conversation, as Gabriel seemed to flee the room with sudden urgency on her face. Curious, Grayfia followed her and was swiftly joined by Yasaka. They soon arrived at Gabriel's destination, her room, and entered to hear Gabriel vomiting in the bathroom.
Though there was nothing overly suspicious in her behavior, the two mothers instantly formed a theory, as Gabriel had been completely fine until she got up. They had both been on the lookout for any signs among the girls for a while now, and seeing what just happened sent up flags to both of them. As the archangel left the bathroom, she was surprised by the visitors she didn't hear come in.
"I'm sorry, I was feeling a little under the weather and didn't hear you come in, did either of you need something?" Grayfia nodded alongside Yasaka, and said,
"I'm going to be right back, there's something we need to check." She then left Yasaka and Gabriel alone in the room, before returning a moment later with something in her hand. When Gabriel saw it she turned completely pale, as Grayfia held out the pregnancy test and said,
"Can you check for us Gabriel?" The archangel already knew it would say positive, and looked towards Yasaka for help, but the kitsune also gestured towards the test. Understanding she wasn't going to get out of this, Gabriel accepted the test and returned to the bathroom. She reemerged a few moments later, and displayed the positive reading to both women. There was a small intake of breath, but Grayfia noticed that Gabriel didn't seem surprised, and asked,
"You already knew didn't you?" Gabriel nodded, and almost explained what happened, until she remembered it was supposed to be a secret. Grayfia noticed this, and narrowed her eyes before asking,
"Does Alex know?" Gabriel simply nodded again, feeling like a child that did something bad even though she was the oldest one there. Yasaka started laughing slightly, and said,
"You're scaring her Grayfia, it's enough for the moment that they both know about it, but it will need to be discussed in the near future. In truth Gabriel I'm actually quite jealous of you, I don't think I'd be able to bear it if I didn't already have Kunou." Grayfia didn't say anything, filled with intentions to discuss this with Alex when she returned to the hideout, as an afterthought she also agreed with Yasaka. She had secretly been taking contraceptives after each time she was with Alex, as she wasn't sure yet about having another child with another man so soon after being left behind by Sirzechs, but with this incident she started thinking maybe she should stop. She then left the room with a small smile on her face as she thought of Millicas with a little brother or sister.