The mansion of the Duke of Alberto in the kingdom of Sinfonia. At the training facility behind it, Lilia Alberto, her best friends Sieglinde and Renamaria were training.

While changing the combination, play a number of simulation games, and after some repetition, hold a reflection meeting with the three of them while taking a break.

"... even so, Zeke is getting stronger and stronger." The results of the special training have been achieved. "

"Yes, thanks to Chrome-sama and Hunfu-sama, I can feel the growth myself." Little by little, I feel like I'm steadily moving forward. "

Sieglinde's abilities have grown dramatically thanks to Chrome Aina's recent regular instruction and training with Hunfu.

It used to be at a level that didn't reach the title level, but now it's quite stronger than it was at that time, and now it's at a level that might reach the title level.

"On the contrary, Luna seems to be in a bad way." Somehow, it's harder than usual... are you feeling sick? "

Oh, no, I was struggling with the challenge.

In contrast to Sieglinde, who was in good shape, Luna Maria's movements lacked precision, and Lilia and Sieglinde, who knew Luna Maria well, seemed to be in much worse shape than usual.

Listening to Renamaria answer Sieglinde's question with a bitter smile, Lilia asked with a strange expression.

"Is that a challenge?"

"Yeah, well, to put it simply, like Zeke, I've been giving you a bit of guidance, and the challenges that have been presented are very difficult."

"Hmm, what kind of challenge is that?"

”... if I just briefly say it, it's 'to keep thinking'...”

Yeah?

Lilia and Sieglinde tilted their necks to Luna Maria's words, but Luna Maria didn't seem to want to speak any more, and continued to chat as she casually dodged their questions.

Lenamaria did not live in Lilia's mansion, but was on her way home after working hours to travel from home.

I usually headed straight to my house, but now it's once a month... on the day I got my appointment, I was supposed to go to my mentor.

One card delivered in a special way has a location written on it, and Luna Maria goes to the designated spot through the back road.

When I reached the designated place, it was surrounded by mysterious silence, and the dimness combined with the creepy atmosphere.

A single card flies to Luna Maria, who breathes in disdain for the atmosphere. Not so fast that Luna Maria grabbed the card and immediately heard her voice.

"... how many patterns did you imagine just now?"

15...... That's right.

“Not quite. Make sure you can think of at least 10,000 things before you grab a card.”

From the shadows at the end of the alley, Alice reveals herself.

"How about that? The challenge... well, you couldn't move as usual, could you?"

“Yes, to be honest, I couldn't move at all. It's a difficult thing to keep thinking about....."

"Well, that's what I thought at first." Rather, I think it will be for a few years. But keep thinking. Your opponent's next attack, your options, your surroundings... keep thinking without stopping. At first, you won't be able to move well... but if you keep doing that, you'll eventually be able to connect your thoughts like a flash. Thinking can overtake action. ”

Speaking in a light tone, Alice continued her words as she retrieved the card Luna Maria had in her hand.

“When that happens, increase the type of thoughts you have this time. Think of all possibilities in all your actions, including the possibility of zero comma percent or less, which is impossible. Then, your thinking power will increase to a region that can be called Future Prediction. At that time, you will be from the weak to the strong."

"Yes, it's a shame that Lili and Zeke just left me there."

"Very well. Now, let me show you a little movement... I've given you a few instructions, and I think you know that, but I'm not as gentle as Kuro-san, so I need to concentrate... I'm going to get hurt."

While saying that, Alice flicked her fingers and moved from the alley to a vast space where there was nothing due to the spatial isolation barrier. In the meantime, Luna Maria quietly took up a position of surprise... and suddenly asked as if she had come up with it.

"By the way, I didn't hear that... why did the Phantom King want to train me?"

"Well, Lilia is getting stronger and stronger by herself, and since Sieg has been instructed by Kuro-san, it's also because it's pathetic to be late, but... well, above all, I feel like you're the most... similar to me, so I wanted to bake you a bit."

While saying that, Alice smiled lightly. Luna Maria, struggling with her own challenges, felt like she was once a weakling, smiling somehow...