At the break of dawn, the young girl greets them with a shocking announcement. They all stared at the small figure who is giving them strict instructions on their new routines while they are stationed in Limes Temple.
They all assumed to live a carefree life when the Divine Lord assigned them to this desolated parts of the Realm. They are mere reserves and not used to getting intensive training.
How come this little girl is making their lives complicated?
"Is she the same innocent girl we met last night? Why is she so intense today?"
"Don't ask me. I came with you."
The three battalions left under her command are the Dragon Squad led by Aryen, the Aerial Squad led by Persea, and the Beast Squad led by Reone.
Each unit consists of five hundred Mystics. Everyone was in their human forms, and only traces of their ancestry is visible.
At first, they resisted her authority to the point of suspecting her intention and assumes she plans to oust the Divine Lord. Why create a much powerful force than the main troops under the Divine Lord's command?
The young girl just sat and observed them for half a day, listening to their concerns and grievances. She understood their reasons and doubts.
Still, she doesn't plan to give in and continue to insist on her plans.
"I know you don't fully trust me, but I am only doing this for your welfare. Why are you rejecting the chance of improvement and doubting my intentions?" her voice is gentle but powerful.
The courtyard is silent as they listen, but still, nobody is accepting her. Realizing it's no use negotiating rationally, she finally challenges them head-on.
"Fine. If you can defeat me, I will no longer force you to follow this course. I don't mind if you send representatives or you will attack all at once. I honestly prefer the latter."
Her expression became slightly sinister as she smiles, mischievously at everyone. For a child, she started to intimidate everyone.
"You can do whatever you like as long as you can manage to defeat me. It's an excellent deal. Take it, and then I'll be out of your hair in no time once you manage to defeat me." She casually said to them.
They can't believe this little girl's overconfidence. She is only a fraction in age and size, yet she has dared challenged three fierce Mystic Battalions.
'Is she looking down at us? The little girl dares to challenge three Mystic army units alone?'
Some even snorted volunteering themselves while others hesitantly agree to join as they feel anxious about the situation.
They can't oppose the little girl's command. Still, they ended up in a debate if they should take her seriously. They feel degraded getting orders from a child.
She once again broke her silence. She is somewhat trying to provoke them, in a way.
"I am seriously not going easy on each one of you. So put forth a valiant effort. Please don't disappoint me." she said.
The Flare Lion and Captain of the Temple Guards, Jairu, stood beside this little girl. He is tall, a husky built, with a pair of majestic amber eyes Mystic.
His blazing red shoulder-length hair resembles flames with streaks of gold that shimmers in the sun.
"Little Miss. Is this really necessary?" he whispered to her.
"What do you think?" she innocently smiles at him.
He wanted everyone to stop provoking her further as he knew they would only experience the bitter taste of defeat. He observes the girl who is watching everyone with a sinister look.
He feels sorry for these poor soldiers' souls and happy for not being in her line of sight at the moment. He could only gulp in resignation and just decided to watch how everything will unfold instead.
It's a breezy warm day as she lazily lounges and awaits their decision. She has given them so many advantages already, and she is confident they will unsuspectingly fall into her hands.
She can only smile cunningly towards their direction.
Not long, they finally decided to accept her challenge as a bright smile forms in her face. Seeing her cold smile makes them feel as if they've fallen into a sinister plot to take them all down.
A slight chill ran into their spines as if they should all expect their imminent doom.
Little Eu is emitting such a threatening aura. They wanted to retreat, but they had already accepted the challenge.
They move out to the nearby meadow as she sets up a battlefield simulation formation. This way, they can move freely using their abilities during the entire session.
"Since this is a simulation, you'll be transported away from the battlefield once you virtually die. If you even manage to touch my sleeve, I will consider it a defeat. What do you say? Sounds easy, don't you think? All the advantages to you."
She is in a white dress with long butterfly sleeves. They beautifully flutter in the wind and as she moves her arms.
They all thought she would be at a disadvantage as they felt somehow relieved.
She starts braiding her long blonde hair to prepare herself for battle while hiding a mischievous smile plastered across her face.
After everyone's agreement, they started the halfhearted assault that caused them at least fifty soldiers with just a lazy wave of her hand.
They can't simply explain what occurred before them. They've only seen her stand and gracefully wave her hand as they witness the infamous seven-layered elemental spell.
She could only sigh as she said in a very disappointed voice, "You are not taking me seriously. Do you want me to prove how serious I am?"
The three commanders observe everything from the sky. They saw her cast a powerful spell with a wave of her hand emitting seven-layered elemental magic causing fifty men to fall in one clean swoop.
If she intends to end it quickly, she could cast it on a broader range and engulf everyone. She is magnanimous by only sweeping fifty men from the lot.
Or was she?
She does plan to drag the battle further.
"This girl is not joking. We underestimated her. How come this little girl is so powerful?"
They are simply awestruck as they face and experience this girl's capabilities. They are starting to doubt they can manage to overpower her with numbers alone.
"You spoke too soon. Your men are just mindless barbarians falling for such tricks. I'll send my airborne troops. Let's observe how well she will fare."
Noticing the aerial attack, she taps her toes to cast her new flight spell. She draws her sword and transforms it into a staff. She easily maneuvers and dodges from their attacks.
She just learned it yesterday and found the situation as an opportunity to practice.
They are finally taking her seriously. Her lips curve in satisfaction, and her graceful movements are simply spellbinding.
Sadly, their efforts are not enough...
This eight-year-old girl is unbelievably skillful. She is truly a force to be reckoned with.
Who can tell this little girl is inexperienced on the battlefield? She is obviously playing them all this time.
Beast rampages are mere use of brute strength, and she doesn't find them challenging. Her movements are fluid and precise.
They fall one by one as she efficiently counters all their attacks.
Aerial, sneak, frontal, magic. Name it, and she found ways to counter them all. Even if they started well-coordinated attacks, all they can manage is close their distance by ten steps.
All their efforts ended up in vain as she anticipates their every movement.
Not long, one thousand five hundred Mystics fell in her hands. The three leaders were perplexed by the result. How can they easily fall against a little child?
They all thought it was over, and the cold blade tapping their shoulder caught them off guard. Little Eu's innocent smile is the last thing they saw before getting transported with their men.
The young girl slowly descended before them sitting with legs crossed. Her head lazily supported by her hand.
Everyone was caught off guard, leaving them with surprise expression. How can a pint-sized child trounce them?
Then again, how can they underestimate their opponent so casually?
She can't help looking at them with disdain. She can't keep her disappointment after failing her expectations.
"Did you honestly took me seriously? I barely even break a sweat. Are you satisfied with your performance? I doubt you could protect the Lord or his Domain. What if a hundred of me attacks? You can't ever guard yourselves with one." She sighs as she asked with a tint of disappointment.
She can't help herself to voice her frustrations as everyone remained silent. She flicked her sleeves as she released them from their magical prison.
Soon after, the whole battlefield simulation formation also collapsed and revealed the vast familiar meadows.
"I want you all to master these skills in three months. Captain Jairu will supervise your training and improvements from now on. No complaints! You can return to your mundane lives if you disagree. I don't mind, but not here where I am in charge." she said in an authoritative voice.
She hands the scrolls to the commanding officers. Her determination to put them in this training course has rendered them speechless.
She has subdued them fair and square, so they decided to resign their fates to her. They simply don't want another beating from a little girl.
"Let us do it again sometimes. It was fun." she finally changed tone and said.
Her amethyst eyes glisten as she innocently eyes everyone and left. She is happy as she hums a tune on her way out.
Everyone's face is ashen as they all thought and have secret agreements that they will never provoke the Little girl again. They will only follow her to avoid that kind, frightening scenario.
They can't help notice the little girl's intimidating aura as the battle commence. They should refrain from underestimating their opponents in the future as the thought of experiencing it again made them shiver.
Jairu can only shake his head as if he could read what is on everyone's minds. Yes, he understands what they've experienced.
He and his temple guards also experience that exact scenario three years ago...