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CA : 107 Motivator
🕑 Added 2025-01-24 16:00:07 +0000 UTCOn the 27th underground floor, monsters spawned endlessly, only to be swiftly obliterated by a figure surrounded by swirling wind.
That figure, moving like a phantom among the monsters, wielded a sword imbued with the power of wind. She struck with thrusts, spun with sweeping slashes, and with each attack, this petite figure would shout a single phrase:
“Hasagi!”
After every two attacks, she unleashed a terrifying tornado that rampaged in a straight line through the dungeon, only stopping when it collided with a wall or dissipated.
This figure was none other than Ais, who had grasped the "joy" of battle.
However, while she had learned part of the "joy," she had yet to fully master it. Something still felt missing.
As she faced the constantly spawning monsters, Ais effortlessly vanquished them with her wind-wrapped sword. The devastating tornadoes she summoned every two strikes were practically a tool for clearing the weaker enemies. Any monster caught in them was shredded instantly, leaving no survivors.
During this time, Ais even mastered the powerful Wind Wall technique. This ability manifested when the monsters spawned and collectively launched ranged attacks at her. She instinctively understood how to conjure the defensive skill.
But there was one skill she could not grasp: Last Breath.
Why?
Because the map had no white lines!
Last Breath, a finishing move that required the enemy to be airborne or forcibly displaced, was something Ais simply couldn’t activate!
She could feel a powerful technique just within reach, but no matter what she tried, it eluded her. She was missing something essential, but she had no idea what it was. This growing frustration only made her swing her sword more fiercely against the monsters, but it was no use.
Ais’s relentless battle on the 27th floor lasted half a day, but she still could not master the ultimate skill.
Frustrated, she cleared out the remaining monsters and turned to Altair for guidance.
“Altair, can you tell me what exactly I’m missing to unlock that feeling?”
“I know, but I can’t tell you.”
Should I tell her she’s missing five white lines?
“But don’t worry. The reason you can’t comprehend it yet is that the ultimate skill requires a powerful opponent to awaken. These monsters aren’t challenging enough to push you. Once you encounter a truly formidable foe, you’ll naturally understand it.”
“A powerful enemy... I see.”
Ais nodded, giving up on further questioning. The information she had already gleaned from Altair was more than enough. This Gale Swordsmanship allowed her to wield the power of wind without activating her magic, delivering incredibly strong offensive and defensive techniques. She was satisfied with her progress. As for the ultimate move, she would discover it on her own.
Altair wasn’t worried in the slightest about Ais unlocking Last Breath. He had already bestowed Gale Swordsmanship upon her, effectively turning her into a female version of Yasuo. It was only a matter of time before she used Last Breath.
All Ais needed now was to solo a floor boss.
“Well then, Miss Ais’s issue has been resolved. Now it’s Miss Lefiya’s turn.”
“Huh? Me?” Lefiya exclaimed in surprise.
Lefiya hadn’t expected that she’d have her own tasks to handle. When Loki had instructed her to accompany Ais and team up with Altair in the dungeon, she thought she was just there to support Ais. She had been quite happy about it, too.
“Well then, Miss Ais, take a break now. You can let your facial wounds heal a bit. It’s Miss Lefiya’s turn next,” Altair said.
“Understood,” Ais nodded at Altair, then stepped aside to rest, standing behind him and watching Lefiya.
“Huh? You mean I’m supposed to fight the monsters on this floor by myself?”
“That’s correct. Miss Lefiya, you’ll be facing the monsters here alone.”
“This is the 27th floor!”
“Yes, it is.”
“I’m a Level 3 mage!”
“That’s true.”
“Since you already know that, why are you asking me to fight the monsters here alone?!”
Lefiya was visibly upset.
As everyone knew, mages had high attack power but fragile defenses. Their role in an adventurer’s party was to provide long-range, area-of-effect damage from the rear. No mage would charge into the front lines to duel monsters alone.
Especially in Lefiya’s case—her attack power was high, but her defenses were extremely frail. Sending her into direct combat without protection was practically asking her to get herself killed.
But Altair wasn’t interested in her protests. After all, this elf was a prodigious mage in this world, with unique abilities that enhanced her attack magic and enabled dual casting. She could cast a second spell while maintaining the magic circle of the first, a feat impossible for most mages in the world of Orario.
In this world, mages could typically only cast one spell at a time due to a shared cooldown system, much like skills in an MMORPG. But Lefiya’s abilities allowed her to bypass that limitation entirely, enabling her to chain spells consecutively.
This extraordinary talent was why Lefiya was so highly regarded by Loki Familia. With enough time, she would undoubtedly become a renowned archmage in Orario and inherit the title of Nine Hells within the familia.
However, her personality was the problem. When Altair had first reviewed her character, he thought she should have been named Tohsaka, as she had a tendency to crumble at critical moments. Not having that surname felt like a waste.
Thus, Altair’s training for Lefiya focused on ensuring she wouldn’t falter when it mattered most. He knew a simple way to unlock her potential.
As Lefiya fumed, Altair walked over to Ais, leaned close to her ear, and whispered something, covering his mouth with his hand. Lefiya, watching this, grew increasingly confused.
Then, under Lefiya’s puzzled gaze, Ais nodded at Altair and approached Lefiya. Without warning, Ais cupped Lefiya’s face in her hands.
“Wha—? Miss Ais!” Lefiya exclaimed, her eyes wide as Ais leaned in close.
“Lefiya, you can do it. I believe in you,” Ais said softly, their faces mere inches apart.
After her words of encouragement, Ais even stood on tiptoe and kissed Lefiya lightly on the forehead.
This move had been taught to her by Altair, who had explained that it was specifically tailored to motivate Lefiya and make her stronger.
Eager to grow stronger herself, Ais naturally agreed, wanting her companion to improve as well. For the innocent Ais, this close and affectionate gesture was simply a way of encouragement. But she had no idea just how impactful it was for Lefiya.
For Lefiya, the kiss was electrifying. Her vision turned pink, her adrenaline spiked, and she gripped her staff tightly as she shouted, “Yes! I won’t let you down, Miss Ais!”
Without hesitation, she turned and charged deeper into the dungeon with unwavering determination.
This was Altair’s method: if you wanted Lefiya to push herself, you just had to send in Ais. Ais was Lefiya’s ultimate motivator.
