Pre-war training has been ongoing for several days. The divas have completed forming their teams and have become accustomed to life within the palace.
On regular days, the divas participate in various training courses throughout the day, much like attending school.
These courses include a singing exchange session led by Yoko, team practice for the divas, spirit power training courses led by Kikyo and Zui Ai, and actual combat simulation drills.
The singing exchange session, as the name suggests, is a chance for the divas to advance their musical education together. Although the monsters that appear are different each time, after many battles, it has been discovered that the weakening effect of the same song on the continuously emerging monsters seems to be diminishing. Could it be that the monsters are passing down memories and developing immunity to the songs they have heard before? To prevent this, the divas need to frequently update their repertoire. Thus, Yoko, along with a group of lyricists and composers, tirelessly creates new songs for the divas to practice and perform. As a result, the divas need to regularly learn and master new pieces, maintaining a high intensity of work. Even top talents like Kimoon and Sheryl often take on the task of creating new songs themselves.
The team practice for the divas is where each diva team, under the guidance of specialists, practices their coordination. The divas in each team need to harmonize their combat songs and practice cooperating with each other in times of crisis. The main goal of this phase is to cultivate a tacit understanding within the diva teams.
Kimoon and Sheryl have formed a team. A few days before the official team announcements, Seju tells Kimoon the news while they are in bed.
Seju asks, "What do you think of Sheryl?"
"Her songs are all over outside the palace. She is truly an exceptional diva. And very beautiful." Kimoon honestly replies. Weekends are the divas' time off. Apart from the on-duty teams, the other divas can freely leave the palace and head outside. The previous weekend, Kimoon, not fond of the palace, disguises herself and aimlessly wanders the streets of the holy city. She notices Sheryl's posters and advertisements frequently projected onto the busy streets, and her songs played in the alleys and lanes. It seems Sheryl's status as a Songstress in the Kingdom of Light is similar to her own in the Kingdom of Purple. After listening to many of Sheryl's famous songs, Kimoon grows more fonder of her.
Seju looks at Kimoon with interest and says, "You will be in a team with her."
Hearing this, Kimoon feels a surge of joy within: Sheryl, I'd indeed like to work with you if given the chance.
The next day, Yoko calls Kimoon and Sheryl before her. Seeing these two proud students of hers, who are also rare musical talents among the divas, Yoko is intensely curious and excited about the sparks they can create together. Of course, their powerful combination is the result of discussions among the royal family.
"You both are among the top in singing abilities within the divas and can produce the greatest weakening effect on the monsters, rendering them completely incapacitated. Pairing you two together is because we have high hopes for you. We hope you can fight side by side, as the core team of the diva group, leading the others in the battle against the monsters."
Yoko turns to Sheryl, proudly continuing:
"In terms of spirit power, Sheryl's immense strength is enough to sustain a solid protective barrier."
Then Yoko turns to Kimoon:
"So, in the dire need to use spirit power, Kimoon, you just need to stay by Sheryl's side."
After speaking, Yoko takes Kimoon and Sheryl's hands and puts them together, signifying that the two will become close teammates, fighting together.
What Kimoon and Sheryl don't know is that initially, the royal family thought of having these two ace divas fight in separate teams. However, at the insistence of Kikyo and Zui Ai, everyone agrees to pair them together. For Kikyo and Zui Ai, pairing Kimoon and Sheryl is also driven by their personal motives. They hope that Kimoon can be as safe as possible in battle. Therefore, Sheryl, with her top-tier song power and strong spirit power, becomes their top choice to team up with Kimoon.
In the spirit power training course, all divas except Kimoon practice their spirit power under the guidance of Kikyo, Zui Ai, and their personal maids. Spirit power training first requires the practitioners to have a clear understanding of their own spirit power's characteristics, which is closely related to the long-term proficient use of spirit power. In the Fantasy Continent, due to advanced technology, most people seldom use spirit power, or only use a little for basic operations. Thus, under guidance, the divas gradually learn different spirit techniques. Among these, mastering the protective barrier is a must before going into battle.
Opening a protective barrier requires a large amount of spirit power. Typically, only Sublimation-level spirit power can independently open a basic protective barrier. With the use of noble artifacts or through cooperation, Initial Transformation and Condensation-level spirit powers can also open a protective barrier. Among the thirty-plus divas, Sheryl and Huo Yan possess Sublimation-level spirit power, enabling them to open protective barriers independently. Because Sheryl partners with Kimoon, who has no spirit power, the royal family specially equips her with the Lionheart Stone treasure. The Lionheart Stone, born from the purest flames of the Flame Abyss, can enhance the user's spirit power. Thus, Sheryl also possesses the ability to independently open a mid-level protective barrier.
Most other divas are at the Condensation level, with a few at the Initial Transformation level. Therefore, in actual combat simulation drills, divas with lower spirit power levels are usually paired with more protective Mikos and sorcerers, mainly responsible for weakening the monsters' abilities in battle. Divas with higher spirit power levels, on the other hand, are paired with fewer protectors and more offensive warriors, taking charge of annihilating enemies on the front lines. The team formed by Kimoon and Sheryl is at the very forefront of the entire team.
Other divas find Kimoon's lack of spirit power unbelievable but leave it at that. People on the Fantasy Continent seldom use spirit power, so most are indifferent to their own or others' spirit power levels.
Kimoon is the only diva allowed to skip the spirit power training course. "They probably don't want to see me either," Kimoon thinks to herself, feeling relieved yet somewhat melancholic and helpless. While others are training their spirit power, Kimoon occasionally stays in her room at the Moon Inviting Palace, sometimes goes to the singing room to create new songs, and occasionally wanders around the deserted areas of the palace.
One day, Kimoon follows her memory to her previous residence, the Fallen Sword Palace.