For the next few days, their routine was simple: either practicing swordsmanship or traveling to and from practice, then returning to the hotel.
Despite the repetitive routine, March 7th, Stelle, and Little Swarm found each day remarkably fulfilling.
They spent their days watching March 7th suffer through her grueling training, and their nights enjoying pajama parties back at the hotel. Each day felt more like a vacation than even the so-called "resort paradise" of Penacony.
Oh, and by the way... having thoroughly enjoyed watching March 7th's training sessions each day, Stelle, Little Swarm, and even March 7th herself completely forgot that Lumina's room only contained disposable pajamas and no other clothes.
This meant that after each shower, they were left wearing nothing but these pajamas.
However, the pajamas covered them completely, so no one seemed to mind.
Stelle, on the other hand, seemed particularly thrilled by this arrangement. During each night's pajama party, she would pull off some unexpectedly wild antics...
Oh, right, Lumina? She had undoubtedly forgotten to remind everyone to bring their own clothes.
Otherwise, given Lumina's mindless doting on beautiful girls, how could she possibly have refrained from warning them?
Time flew by in days filled with joy, and before they knew it, the day arrived for Yunli and Yanqing's first test of March 7th.
On the Xianzhou Luofu, in the rear garden of the Palace of Astrum, everyone gathered at the agreed-upon time.
"Today is the first test day," Yanqing announced without preamble. "The exam will primarily focus on assessing your foundational skills."
"And your opponent today, of course, will be Little Phan," Yunli said, crossing her arms and fixing her gaze on the Phantylia Kitten nestled in Lumina's arms.
"Did you hear that, Little Kitten? Remember to thoroughly assess March's fundamental skills," Lumina said with a smile, reaching out to stroke the Phantylia Kitten's head.
Though her tone and gestures were warm and affectionate, only the Phantylia Kitten knew that this was a thinly veiled threat, a stark warning.
Just as she had previously been forbidden from harming Yunli, this time she was merely a sparring partner and examiner, absolutely forbidden from hurting a single hair on March 7th's head. Otherwise...
"Alright, go on," Lumina said, releasing her grip on Phantylia Kitten's arm without further comment.
"..."
At her words, Phantylia Kitten reluctantly shuffled to an empty spot, her face a picture of resignation and discomfort as she waited for March 7th to join the fray.
This March 7th is even more useless than Yunli, Phantylia Kitten had already surmised.
This battle is going to be even harder...
Should I just make a run for it?
Phantylia Kitten eyed March 7th, who was still cheering her on, and the thought flashed through her mind.
But before it could take root, Phantylia Kitten crushed it.
Escape? With what?
Even at my full strength, I couldn't escape that wretched woman. How could I, now reduced to a mere fraction of my former self, stand a chance?
The only outcome of fleeing would be recapture by the wretched woman, followed by the resealing of the painstakingly undone portion of the seal.
So, I might as well cherish the present and forget about escaping.
After all, it's impossible. Besides making things more complicated, it would achieve nothing.
Endure... endure... endure...
Just endure a little longer. Once that wretched woman completely lets her guard down and fully unleashes her power...
Then... then I'll play the obedient little darling for a while longer. And when that wretched woman isn't paying attention, when she's laughing and giggling with the other beautiful girls, I'll use every last ounce of my strength to escape!
Having spent so much time with Lumina, the Phantylia Kitten had learned her weaknesses well.
Without a doubt, Lumina's greatest weakness was these beautiful girls.
In her eyes, beautiful girls outweighed everything else... So, by seizing the perfect moment, she would be forced to let the kitten go to preserve her image in front of them!
Then... then...
Ha ha ha! Ha ha ha! Ha ha ha!
"Has this child gone mad?" Lumina glanced at the Phantylia Kitten with feigned surprise, having overheard her entire plan. She wondered if something was wrong with her brain.
Hmm... Come to think of it, Heliobus doesn't seem to have much of a brain either...
Never mind then.