"I can't believe this. Are all of them item holders?" As Belicia took in the incredible scene in front of her, she could not help but ask, the astonishment in her voice reflecting the state of her mind.
Among the individuals on the training ground, dressed in mismatched but all-black attire, she recognized familiar faces. Some of them were even people she had known since she was a child, people who lived in the slums and were considered social outcasts. Nevertheless, at this point, they were diligently training with the focus and harmony of professional martial artists.
As their hands were concealed by gloves or black fabric, it was difficult to determine whether or not they were item holders at first glance. However, considering the techniques they were utilizing, it was hard to imagine them as ordinary slum dwellers.
"Unfortunately, not everyone has been fortunate enough to receive the Master's special attention, so many are still not item holders. But our captains are working tirelessly to train them, and it won't be long before they awaken," the short-haired girl explained, her voice filled with gratitude and pride.
Those who had been present during Raydon's demonstrations and had received his teachings were able to awaken as item holders more quickly than those who had not. Their understanding of the fundamentals was deeper, which enabled them to speed up the process of becoming proficient in the techniques. Clearly, the short-haired girl was one of the lucky ones who had been privileged to witness Raydon's guidance.
However, as more refugees from different regions joined their group, there were still those who had never encountered Raydon. Because Dan and the others were now in charge of their training, their advancement was slowed.
'High-rank item holders possess abilities beyond my wildest imagination,' Belicia murmured absentmindedly.
If what the young woman with the short hair claimed was true, then it indicated that those individuals who were fortunate enough to receive personal instruction from their supposed master could become proficient in the techniques in an unfathomably short period of time. This phenomenon was beyond Belicia's ability to understand, and it left her feeling awestruck.
''Sister Belicia? ''
Belicia was completely distracted from her thoughts as she was watching the incredible training scene when all of a sudden, she heard a voice that she was familiar with.
''Dan? '' Belicia was startled when she turned her head in the direction of the voice and saw the figure with fiery hair and sharp eyes walking towards her. He was dressed in an all-black outfit that stood out from the others, resembling a remarkable item set.
''First captain. '' The short-haired girl bowed respectfully, addressing Dan with reverence.
''Welcome back. '' Dan gave the girl a slight nod of the head before speaking to Belicia with a faint smile on his face.
''Are you really Dan? ''
Despite the fact that it was abundantly clear that the individual in question was Dan, Belicia could not help but wonder if he was in fact the same Dan that she had known ever since she was a child. His outward appearance had not changed, but there had been a discernible shift in the manner in which he carried himself.
Dan also appeared to have gained a few inches in height, and his once friendly and youthful expression had been replaced by a cool and collected demeanor. His crimson-rimmed eyes exuded an air of unshakeable self-assurance and authority that was completely new.
In addition to this, Belicia perceived a higher level of mastery in Dan's every step, one that exceeded even that of the girl with the short hair. If she turned her head away from him for even a second, it seemed as though he would vanish from her line of sight completely.
'How could he undergo such a drastic change? ' Belicia was once again taken aback.
She was certain that Dan had become an item holder, and although she didn't know his rank or level, she understood that he wouldn't be an easy opponent if they were to engage in combat, considering the disparity in their respective techniques.
''Sister Belicia is back? ''
Another voice caught Belicia's attention as she observed Dan intently.
''Karan? '' This time, it was Karan, with his blond hair, dressed in mismatched black clothing, but adorned with a few noticeable pieces of magic equipment.
''Haha, I bet you're shocked to see us like this, right? Well, you managed to surprise us too with your secret, so I suppose we're even now. '' Despite his typically composed demeanor, Karan couldn't contain his delight as he chuckled with genuine joy upon seeing Belicia.
''Ah, yes. I'm sorry. '' Apologetically, Belicia said.
It was no surprise to Belicia that they had discovered her secret of being a battle maid, thanks to Tika, who had arrived earlier, as she immediately understood what Karan meant by his remark.
'That bitch again. I would have preferred to tell them myself,' Belicia thought, her anger simmering. She felt guilty that they had learned the truth in this way.
''Don't worry, we understand why you kept it a secret,'' Dan reassured her, attempting to put her at ease.
After their encounter with Tika and Raydon's revelation about the existence of the illegal item market, they embarked on an extensive research journey, delving into various families and organizations. They wanted to acquire an in-depth comprehension of the matter at hand as their primary objective. As a result of their diligent efforts, they were able to gather detailed information about the concept of battle maids, as mentioned by Tika.
In addition, as a result of their research and the fact that they were now a part of the community of item holders, they had become aware of the intense conflicts that frequently occurred between item holders. They considered it quite normal for Belicia to conceal her true identity as a battle maid in order to protect them—something they themselves would have likely done in her position.
''Still...'' Belicia realized that Dan was trying to console her, but it didn't completely alleviate her sense of guilt.
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