On the first day of the simulated combat exercise, after receiving instructions, everyone organized into various small teams according to commands, positioning themselves at different locations within the area based on the coordinates of the impending monsters. Due to the potential negative interference caused by overlapping songs, to ensure that only one diva team could radiate at a particular location, the entire combat team was arranged in multiple concentric circles, forming multiple defensive lines.
The team where Kimoon and Sheryl belonged took on the primary responsibility of combating monsters at the innermost first defensive line. There were a total of four teams stationed at the first line, guarding the east, south, west, and north respectively. Due to the large number of monsters, it might not be possible to eliminate all of them at the first line, so subsequent defensive lines like the second and third would gradually come into play.
Due to the limitation in the number of songstresses, they were distributed across the first and second defensive lines. There were four teams at the first line and eight teams at the second. The naming of each team was determined by the defensive line number and the team's position. The team at the northernmost edge of each defensive line was designated as Team One, and the rest were numbered clockwise. Kimoon's team was positioned at the southern end of the first defensive line, hence also known as Team Three of Line One.
The outermost third defensive line consisted of several mobile teams. These teams didn't have fixed positions and would flexibly move to where there were monsters to engage in combat. As the battle progressed, teams from the first and second lines would also spread outwards to various locations to engage in combat with remaining monsters. Kikyo, Zui Ai, and Chikane would also join the battlefield in the later stages, using their formidable powers to annihilate the monsters.
Team Three of Line One, besides Kimoon and Sheryl, also included three other members: Zhan Lan, the Miko responsible for maintaining protective barriers; Fei Hong, the Miko specializing in long-range archery attacks; and Qing Long, the swordsman who engaged monsters in close combat with his light sword, delivering the final blow. Zhan Lan and Fei Hong were personal attendants to Kikyo and Zui Ai respectively, similar in age to the two princesses. They were selected at a young age for their intelligence and good conduct to serve these two esteemed princesses of the Kingdom of Light, and were among the top magical talents in the palace. Qing Long, likewise, was among the elite, serving as one of King Feng Mo's personal guards, with formidable combat skills at the top level. The other three teams at the first defensive line were also composed of such exceptional talents, making the overall combat prowess of each team evenly matched.
The relationship between Fei Hong, Zhan Lan, and Qing Long was as intimate as that between Kikyo, Zui Ai, and Feng Mo, marked by mutual trust and seamless cooperation from numerous battles fought side by side. Due to her noble status, Sheryl often frequented the royal palace and participated in important royal events, thus having some interactions with the three. On the other hand, Kimoon, being a stranger, initially cooperated with these four individuals. Kimoon wasn't adept at, nor inclined to, establishing connections with others, hence only interacted with them when necessary. She approached the battle as a job, considering the other four as temporary work partners.
Sheryl had already heard of Kimoon's name from Yoko and had studied her music, greatly admiring her. The other three knew Kimoon's true identity but were unaware of the specific reasons why she was excluded by the royal family. Each of them was deeply loyal to their respective masters, adhering to their duties. They had all received special instructions to ensure the safety of the two songstresses at all costs. Therefore, they treated Kimoon with the same priority as Sheryl, making the protection of both songstresses their primary mission during the battle.
With the simulated battle officially underway, as the transformed monsters continuously emerged from the center of the circle and dispersed in various directions, the teams at the first defensive line deployed protective barriers one after another, while the songstresses began singing aloud within them.
Since this was the first simulated battle and the simulated monsters were as terrifying as real ones, to prevent the songstresses from feeling frightened, all teams at the first defensive line except Team Three of Line One adopted a method of choir singing within the teams to weaken the monsters. Kimoon and Sheryl, two confident and proud songstresses in their music, had already agreed to take turns singing to confront the monsters.
First, the experienced Sheryl, with queenly demeanor, began singing her new song against the monsters. The monsters in the front rows soon slowed down upon hearing Sheryl's singing and eventually stopped their movements; while those in the back rows started using various long-range attacks on the protective barriers. Zhan Lan effortlessly maintained the protective barriers; Fei Hong either eliminated some monsters with her arrows or inflicted severe injuries on others; and Qing Long plunged into the front row of monsters, using his dominant and fierce light sword to eliminate several monsters in the front.
After Sheryl finished her song, Kimoon began singing.
This simulated battle held significant meaning, thus all members of the royal family of the Kingdom of Light were present, including Shizuru. Kimoon knew Shizuru was observing everything and that Zui Ai was also present. She harbored a desire for "revenge" driving her to compose this song and sing it in front of everyone:
"Pleasure is sweet, love makes one fragile. Fate decrees, love and hate entwined."
"You said you have dreams, so you had to let me go."
"Oh, when you sleep deeply at night, do you dream of something?"
"My body still burns at your touch, yet I can't feel fulfilled. I've resolved to forget it, but your gaze is always captivating."
"The longing for you lingers. Even if I can foresee the end, I'm still willing to be a moth to the flame."
The above lyrics were directed at Shizuru.
"Grant me illusions only to shatter them quickly."
"Grant me life only to squander it mercilessly."
"See my madness, see me kill without blinking."
"See me bloom, see me heartbroken and torn."
The above lyrics were directed at Zui Ai.
"Trampled by destiny, the North Star is burning."
"Until it burns out, I'll fight against this unjust fate with the humblest dreams."
The above lyrics were directed at the royals who toyed with her destiny.
As the song ended, Shizuru, Zui Ai, and others listened, their thoughts inscrutable, leaving others unable to gauge their true emotions.
Kimoon emerged from her immersion in the musical world, her face showing a subtle disdainful smirk. She then stepped aside, allowing Sheryl to take the stage again.
After a long while, the battle finally ended.
The simulated combat exercise achieved the expected combat effectiveness, reassuring everyone. However, they were well aware that real battles would be even more brutal and intense, often accompanied by unpredictable challenges and tests. Therefore, they couldn't afford to be complacent due to this brief victory.
At that moment, a large red warning appeared in the sky above the Martial Souls Palace: a teleportation array of exotic monsters detected!