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「 Okay Apollo, where do we start? 」 (Amelia)

『 Now that I think about it, this kind of brings back memories. I can't stop thinking about the first time Olivia and I arrived in Fortitudo, although now it doesn't feel as nice as it did at first. 』

Looking at Apollo, Amelia anticipated an answer since, according to him, using a soul binding contract was the easiest way to attempt at unlocking half of Xenatra's power.

『 Although I believe in young Amelia, she may not be able to complete the trials, even though she's gotten much stronger than when I first saw her. 』 (Apollo)

「 Well young Amelia, as I'm sure that my former disciple, Noah, has told you, a trial must be completed in order for you to be permitted a soul binding contract. 」

「 A Trial? 」 (Amelia)

「 Sorry Amelia forgot to mention this earlier. In Fortitudo, before you form a soul-bonding contract, you must complete a specific trial from the respective god that's giving it to you. For me, it'll be Apollo, but if I recall correctly, your trial will be given to you by Death. 」 (Noah)

『 He remembered all of that, but he didn't remember how Energia works? So much for a "foggy memory". 』 (Amelia)

「 Young Noah is indeed correct, your trial will be entirely dependent on your soul-bonding contractor so each person's trial may be different. 」 (Apollo)

There were a few seconds of silence after Apollo's statement, as the five of them exchanged eye contact.

「 So Carter, what do you think about this? 」(Amelia)

「 It's your call, if this is really what you want, you should at least get knowledge of what you're getting into.」 (Carter)

『 I know Amelia, she's not a genius, but I expect her to know about situations without going in "Guns Blazing". She'll be okay as long as she knows what she's getting herself into. 』

「So that's it? 」 (Amelia)

Amelia and her brother both nodded at one another before Amelia turned to her mother, Death. The only thing that was on Amelia and Noah's mind is what would they have to do and who was going first.

「 So..um Mo—Death, what exactly is my trial? 」 (Amelia)

『 Dammit Amelia, she's acting like a d.i.c.k. Mom probably won't be affected by this, but the least she could do is have the courtesy to call Death mother or mom, even mama would work. 』(Carter)

Although she didn't show it physically, Death was secretly heartbroken. Her only daughter didn't even recognize her enough as a parent to say "mom", but she didn't want a pity party so she acted as if she was unaffected.

「 Well, Amelia I'll have you prove yourself in divine combat against one of my own personal disciples. It'll be the perfect opportunity to show everyone what Apollo has taught you. 」 (Death)

「 You have disciples too? 」 (Amelia)

「 Well, most certainly. I have a total of four but you'll only have to defeat one in order to prove yourself. 」

「 And what happens if I get hurt or even...」

Amelia glares at death, not finishing her sentence but getting her message across while silence fills the atmosphere.

「 Amelia, if you do happen to die..」 (Death)

A grim awkwardness basked in the atmosphere.

「 Then that's the end of your trial, you fail and that's where your adventure comes to a close. 」 (Death)

Amelia turns her head towards Noah, mugging him ever so seriously.

「 So Noah, what are my chances of surviving a battle against a student of Death? 」 (Amelia)

『 Shit, the way Death is speaking makes it seem as if she's going to fight HER. If she does, then there's no way Amelia can survive. She's strong, but Death's student, at least the one I know of, her hybrid powers are unbeatable. I'd even go so far as to say she's just as strong as Olivia if not stronger 』 (Noah)

「 Amelia, I don't think you should do it. 」

「 Answer my question, Noah. 」 (Amelia)

Beads of sweat rolled down Noah's face, his palms became sweaty, but he mustered an answer.

「 None, I don't think you can beat her. Yes you're strong but— 」 (Noah)

「 I came here to stop the destruction of the world and bring Olivia home. Even if I die, I'll crawl back from the graves to finish this because I can't sleep knowing that that's who people believe Olivia is. I'm gonna save her and I'm stopping this. 」(Amelia)

「 Then I guess there's no point in me trying to convince you. 」

Noah swung his head down as he sighed in disbelief. Amelia made a final turn towards Death, inhaling and then exhaling in an attempt to clear her mind.

「 So who exactly is this student and how soon can I begin the trial? 」 (Amelia)

「 Well...」 (Death)

Footsteps.

『 Someone's getting close, I can feel their body temperature, almost like it's right behind me. If I turn around—』 (Amelia)

Before Amelia could turn she felt a cold hand touch her shoulder as a warm breath graced her nape.

「 Hi there, Amelia. 」 (???)

The pressure in the atmosphere became a great one, beads of sweat and almost streams started flowing from Amelia's pores. She couldn't tell if she was scared or outright in disbelief.

『 What the hell?! I couldn't even turn around quick enough and she was at least two or three meters away, so how did she make it here before I could turn around? I don't know if she's as dangerous as the others are making her out to be, but she's almost as fast as Olivia, it's bone-chilling. She could've killed me if she wanted.』 (Amelia)

「 Well, are you going to turn around? It's rude to not speak to others who are speaking to you. 」(???)

Hesitating with every degree she turned, Amelia slowly rotated her body, shaking as if she had a cold. This was a new experience to her, an emotion she had never experienced before, it was fear. For the first time in her life, this is the first time she had experienced such a sensation, even though it be unpleasant.

『 Wait...I...I'm shaking. Am I scared? No, that can't be it...right? Why does this person put so much pressure on me and I haven't even seen her face. Does her presence just make people this way? Is that why they didn't want me to go through with this? Dammit, I'm knee-deep in my own shit. 』(Amelia)