That day, the representatives of Hagun Academy were unable to train successfully.
The appearance of Edelweiss not only disrupted everyone's hearts but also the sword aura she emitted affected everyone's minds and spirits.
Witnessing the sword aura of the world's strongest swordsman and being baptized by it is no laughing matter.
If not careful, these yet-to-mature student knights could be utterly crushed, leading to discouragement, depression, and loss of confidence, making it impossible for them to fight as knights ever again. This is not an unlikely scenario.
However, if one can endure such a baptism and firm up their resolve, they will definitely be able to climb higher and advance towards the world's peak.
In other words, what Edelweiss did was similar to what Rozen did to Todo Touka before, showcasing the true pinnacle of strength and providing a goal for everyone to strive towards becoming the strongest.
Those who cannot endure this baptism are destined never to reach the peak.
And those who can endure it are bound to improve themselves and achieve something significant.
This was Edelweiss's first lesson to everyone as an instructor.
So, everyone needed time to think carefully and deeply feel before they could find the answers they sought.
Among the crowd, only Ikki, Stella, and Touka were not affected, immediately igniting determination in their eyes.
After all, these three had already undergone similar baptisms. By now, they could not possibly lose confidence due to the pressure of sword aura and be unable to tread the path of the strong.
But if it was only these three, the training naturally would not proceed.
Therefore, Rozen decided on the spot.
"Let's call it a day. Everyone, return to your rooms, settle your luggage, and think carefully about your knighthood. Tomorrow, we will regroup here."
Rozen instructed everyone.
Edelweiss had no objections, as she had already anticipated that the outcome of her actions would be like this. The rest had no objections either, and under the care of Ikki, Stella, and Touka, everyone returned to their rooms in a daze.
Watching the students' backs, Edelweiss had some feelings.
"Kurogane Ikki, Stella Vermillion, Todo Touka, those three are indeed excellent."
Edelweiss praised the three who endured her sword aura and immediately firmed their resolve.
However, Edelweiss did not know...
"Only three?"
Rozen's eyes flickered as he stared at one of the many students returning to their rooms.
Perhaps only Rozen knew that not only Ikki, Stella, and Touka endured Edelweiss's sword aura just now.
There was another person who showed a different kind of nervousness, contemplation, and unease towards Edelweiss's appearance, completely withstanding Edelweiss's sword aura without falling until suddenly collapsing after a pause, which was very unnatural.
In other words, among the student knights of Hagun Academy, there was one person pretending.
Pretending to collapse under Edelweiss's sword aura.
If they hadn't pretended...
"Maybe the person who could continue standing under Edel's sword aura wouldn't just be Ikki."
Rozen thought so.
Why did that person do this?
Rozen hadn't figured it out yet.
But...
"This is not something to think about now."
Currently, Rozen should only think about one thing.
That is, just as Stella said, to give an explanation to the woman who has accompanied him for eight years.
…
Night soon fell.
As a facility located in the deep mountains, in the darkness, only the lights of the training dormitory illuminated the surroundings.
The forest was pitch black, without the sounds of birds or beasts, but with the sound of insects.
Fireflies flew in the grass, providing a negligible glimmer of light in the darkness.
At a certain distance from the training dormitory, there was a waterfall.
The waterfall was neither large nor small, clearly visible from the mountain path, and was a well-known scenic spot in the area.
At this moment, a white-haired valkyrie stood by the waterfall.
In her hand, she summoned a Testament, her Device, holding it firmly.
Edelweiss closed her eyes, her body emitting an almost imperceptible magical power.
After a while, Edelweiss suddenly opened her eyes.
"Boom!"
A loud roar suddenly erupted.
It was the sound of the waterfall in front of Edelweiss being cut off.
The mighty waterfall that cascaded endlessly was abruptly severed, as if it had been cut off, causing the falling water to hang in the air.
Such a slash, whether in speed, power, or technique, was unparalleled in the world and incredibly terrifying.
However, the truly terrifying part was that the perpetrator of all this seemed to be standing there quietly as if she had never swung her sword, her sword tip naturally hanging down, her posture extremely natural.
Just now, Edelweiss had cut off the waterfall with just a sword aura.
Her swordsmanship was terrifyingly high.
In this situation...
"Why do I feel your strength becomes more terrifying every time I see you?"
A somewhat helpless voice came from behind Edelweiss.
Edelweiss was not surprised but replied naturally, as if knowing the person would appear.
"Because I don't want to lose a second time. To avoid regret, I must become stronger and stronger."
Edelweiss gave such an answer.
To this...
"With your current strength, you're probably even stronger than the so-called top three of the three major forces, right?"
The newcomer gave such an evaluation.
Edelweiss responded.
"In terms of strength, I'm indeed higher now, but the gap isn't big enough to give me a hundred percent chance of winning."
This statement elicited an exasperated reply.
"No kidding, the opponents are those three. I wouldn't dare say I have a hundred percent chance either."
The newcomer said so.
However...
"That is if you don't unlock the seal in your body like last time when you faced them or use the secret technique that unfolds the Blood Wings like when you fought me, greatly increasing your magical power, right?"
Edelweiss straightforwardly revealed the meaning behind the newcomer's words.
"Moreover, your strength has definitely improved now, hasn't it?"
Saying this, Edelweiss finally turned her head and looked behind.
There...
"It's alright."
Rozen walked slowly, his hands behind his head, coming in front of Edelweiss.
Their gazes met again.
Within, endless words were exchanged.