Rayish
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Chapter 86
🕑 Added 2025-01-07 17:00:58 +0000 UTCAs usual, the kitchen that morning was filled with activity as Lefiya and Shirou cleaned up the kitchen and dining area after preparing breakfast for the Loki Familia members. Lefiya deftly wiped down the tables, while Shirou busied himself washing the cooking utensils. However, this morning felt a little different. Lefiya's idol, Aiz, unexpectedly joined them. With skilled hands, Aiz swept the floor, occasionally adjusting chairs that had been slightly displaced.
"Thank you so much for helping, Aiz," Lefiya said with a small smile, glancing admiringly at the Sword Princess, who didn't seem uncomfortable doing such domestic chores.
Aiz turned her head and gave a slight nod. "It's no problem. I also helped Shirou yesterday while you were at training," she replied in her calm tone.
Lefiya looked a bit surprised, her eyes widening. "Really? Shirou, why didn't you tell me about that yesterday?" she asked in a slightly playful tone, though her curiosity was genuine.
Shirou busy wiping a kitchen knife, offered a faint smile. "It didn't seem necessary to mention. Aiz just wanted to lend a hand, that's all," he said casually without looking away from his task.
Meanwhile, Aiz glanced at Shirou and said, "By the way, Shirou… could we continue yesterday's training later? I still haven't managed to avoid three slashes of your Tsubame Gaeshi." Her tone was serious, reflecting her strong determination.
Shirou paused for a moment, then looked at Aiz, still holding a towel in his hand. "Of course, I don't mind. But we might not be able to train for too long since I also want to check the forge with Lefiya later," he replied, his words simple but indicative of his organized plans.
Aiz nodded in agreement. "That's fine. After training, I'll probably head straight to the dungeon," she said, adding her plan for the day.
Hearing their conversation, Lefiya eagerly raised her hand. "In that case, can I watch your training later, Aiz? I'd love to see you practice!" she exclaimed enthusiastically, her face lighting up with anticipation.
Aiz looked at Lefiya briefly before giving a small nod. "Sure, if that's what you want," she replied, but it was enough to make Lefiya happy.
Lefiya beamed, clearly thrilled with the answer. She returned to her work, wiping the tables with renewed enthusiasm. Meanwhile, Shirou merely offered a faint smile as he continued sweeping, feeling content with the harmonious atmosphere among the three of them that morning.
Once they finished cleaning the kitchen and dining area, Shirou, Lefiya, and Aiz walked together toward the training building located at the edge of the Manor. That morning, the fresh air surrounded them, with dew slowly evaporating under the rising sunlight. The atmosphere was relaxed but filled with anticipation, especially from Aiz, who seemed a little more talkative than usual.
"After yesterday's training, my Dexterity and Endurance stats went up by a few points," Aiz said calmly but with a touch of satisfaction, her eyes sparkling slightly as she glanced at Shirou.
Shirou smiled warmly at this. "That's great, Aiz. I'm glad to know our training paid off," he said as they walked side by side.
However, Lefiya, walking on Shirou's other side, quickly added in a slightly corrective tone, "Shirou, I think you don't fully understand how significant that is. Given how quickly you level up, you probably don't feel it, but for a Level 6 adventurer like Aiz, even increasing a single point in stats is extremely difficult."
Shirou tilted his head slightly, looking at Lefiya with curiosity. "Really? How difficult is it, Lefiya?"
Lefiya nodded confidently and explained with an eager tone, "For Level 6 adventurers, most monsters that provide significant excelia are found on very deep floors. Without a major expedition or special challenges, it's nearly impossible to raise their stats."
Shirou recalled their previous expedition to the 59th floor with the Loki Familia, which had taken over a month. He nodded in understanding. "Ah, that makes sense. Reaching floors that deep is no easy feat."
Aiz listened quietly, though she seemed to appreciate the attention from her two companions. They continued their light-hearted conversation and enjoyed the bright morning atmosphere until they finally reached the training building. With steady steps, the three entered, ready to continue their training and face new challenges that day.
Inside the spacious training hall, Aiz and Shirou headed straight to the center of the arena, surrounded by polished wooden floors. The morning sunlight streaming through the tall windows reflected off the floor, creating a serious yet calm atmosphere. Meanwhile, Lefiya quickly found a chair at the edge of the arena. She chose a spot strategic enough to observe their every move, hoping that today's training wouldn't end like yesterday's.
In the middle of the arena, Shirou extended his hand, and a soft prana glow appeared. In an instant, he projected the Monohoshi Zao sword into his hand. The weapon looked elegant and exuded a captivating aura, despite its simple design. On the other side, Aiz prepared with her short sword, her face reflecting unshakable determination. She stood in a ready stance, her feet slightly apart, her eyes focused on Shirou.
From the sidelines, Lefiya couldn't hide her concern. She bit her lower lip, remembering the Raikiri sword Shirou had shown her, and finally called out, "Shirou! Are you sure you won't hurt Aiz?"
Shirou turned to Lefiya and gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry. I've modified the Monohoshi Zao with Alteration magecraft. The blade is now dull, so there won't be any sharp cuts, just maybe a few bruises if it hits."
Hearing his explanation, Lefiya slowly nodded, though her concern wasn't entirely gone. Her thoughts drifted back to yesterday when she saw bruises on Aiz after their training. "Dull or not, it still hurts," she muttered softly, though loud enough for Shirou to hear.
Shirou chuckled lightly at Lefiya's comment, then refocused on Aiz. He looked at the golden-haired girl seriously. "Aiz, are you ready?"
Aiz nodded, her eyes filled with fighting spirit. "I'm ready. This time, I'll avoid all three strikes of Tsubame Gaeshi." Her tone was resolute, showing her unwavering determination to achieve her goal this time.
"Alright," Shirou said as he took his stance, Monohoshi Zao raised level with his eyes. "Let's begin."
Lefiya could only sit tensely in her chair, her hands clenched tightly on her lap. Her eyes darted back and forth between Shirou and Aiz, waiting anxiously to see how the training would unfold.
Shirou assumed a ready position, the long Monohoshi Zao gleaming under the morning sunlight streaming through the training hall windows. With precise movement, he raised the nodachi, his body appearing seamlessly integrated with the weapon. "Aiz, I'll use Tsubame Gaeshi this time," he said, his tone calm but firm.
Aiz, standing across from him, gave a brief nod. Cold sweat trickled down her temple—not from fear, but from intense focus as she prepared to face the attack she had encountered before. She regulated her breathing, her body moving lightly like a leaf in the wind, ready to counter the high-speed triple strikes.
Shirou moved. In an instant, his nodachi sliced toward Aiz in a motion nearly invisible to the untrained eye. Three slashes appeared simultaneously—one descending from above, one sweeping from the right side, and another slashing upward from the lower left, creating the illusion of strikes coming from all directions.
Aiz moved swiftly, her reflexes operating at their peak. The first slash from above was deflected with her short sword, the metallic clang echoing across the arena. The second slash swept from the right, and with agile precision, she spun her body, dodging the strike by a hair's breadth. However, the third slash, coming from the lower left, was too fast. Her sword couldn't intercept it in time, and the dull blade struck her thigh, forcing her to step back.
"Ugh..." Aiz bit her lip to endure the pain, a bruise beginning to form where she had been struck. Yet, she showed no weakness. "Again!" she said firmly, her gaze still brimming with determination.
From the edge of the arena, Lefiya couldn't hide her amazement. Her eyes widened as she watched Shirou's incredible swordsmanship. "That... that was amazing," she murmured. But her admiration was mixed with worry as she saw Aiz get hurt. "Aiz! Are you okay?" Lefiya shouted with concern.
Aiz glanced at her and gave a faint smile. "I'm fine, Lefiya. It's just a bruise," she said calmly. Deep inside, however, Aiz held a profound respect for both Shirou and her past opponents. She recalled Revis, the formidable fighter half-monster, who had managed to evade two of the three Tsubame Gaeshi slashes during their first encounter with the technique.
"I have to do better," Aiz muttered to herself as she resumed her stance. "Shirou, one more time. I need to evade them all."
Shirou gave a slight smile, raising his nodachi once more. "Alright, but don't push yourself too hard. Focus on your movements."
Lefiya could only watch from the sidelines, her heart filled with admiration for Shirou and a deep hope that Aiz wouldn't get more seriously injured. "Aiz is incredible, but Shirou... he's something else," Lefiya murmured, her cheeks tinged slightly red.
Shirou steadied his Monohoshi Zao, his expression focused. "Alright, Aiz. I'm using Tsubame Gaeshi again. Get ready," he said as he prepared his technique. The aura around him grew serious as if even the air itself paused to observe.
Aiz tightened her grip on her short sword, her body tense but her eyes radiating resolve. Shirou surged forward, his movements almost imperceptible. Three slashes swept out simultaneously, creating an illusion of attacks from all angles.
Aiz moved quickly, her body spinning gracefully like a dance of blades. The first slash from above was dodged with a small leap. The second slash from the right was deflected accurately, the sound of clashing metal resonating through the hall. But the final slash, from the lower left, was too close. Despite her effort to evade, the edge of the strike grazed her arm.
Lefiya, who had been holding her breath throughout the exchange, exhaled sharply when the final slash connected. "So close, Aiz! You almost had it!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with a mix of admiration and encouragement.
Aiz wiped the graze on her arm, showing no sign of disappointment. Instead, she smiled faintly. "I understand now. One more time, Shirou. This will be the last," she said with a tone of conviction.
Shirou's faint smile returned at her request. "Alright, Aiz. Get ready," he replied as he adjusted his stance once again.
Aiz bowed her head slightly in respect before taking a defensive stance. In an instant, Shirou surged forward, unleashing Tsubame Gaeshi once more.
This time, however, Aiz did not just defend. She moved earlier, reading the rhythm of Shirou's attacks with extraordinary precision. The first strike she blocked with her sword, the sound of clashing metal filling the room once more. The second strike she evaded with a swift step backward, and the third strike, coming from below, she bypassed with a dazzling spinning motion.
When the dust in the arena settled, Aiz stood tall without a single injury. A satisfied smile appeared on her lips. "I did it," she said calmly, though her voice carried a sense of pride.
Lefiya, who had been watching the moment, jumped out of her seat with enthusiasm. "Aiz! You did it!" she exclaimed, running toward Aiz. Without hesitation, she hugged Aiz tightly, her face glowing with happiness. "I knew you could do it, Aiz!"
Aiz gave a small smile, slightly surprised by the embrace, but she didn't reject it. Meanwhile, Shirou lowered his sword, letting it fade into prana, and smiled warmly, pleased with his friend's achievement. "Well done, Aiz. I knew you could do it," he said appreciatively.
Aiz nodded, her breathing still slightly heavy, but her eyes shone with satisfaction. "Thank you, Shirou. It's all thanks to your training," she said as she gently patted Lefiya's head while still holding her.
Lefiya, still nestled in Aiz's embrace, looked up curiously. "Aiz, why didn't you use your wind magic to evade Tsubame Gaeshi earlier? Wouldn't that have been much easier?" she asked, her tone filled with curiosity.
Aiz gave a small nod, her gaze turning toward Shirou before replying. "I deliberately didn't use it. It's part of my training," she explained calmly. "Revis, our nemesis, was able to dodge two out of three strikes without using magic. If I don't train my physical abilities, I'll never be able to fight her on equal terms."
The mention of Revis made Lefiya freeze. Memories of battling that formidable opponent flooded her mind. Her heart pounded faster, realizing how seriously Aiz was working to become stronger. "Aiz... Are you doing all this just to become stronger?" Lefiya asked, her voice tinged with concern.
Aiz gave a faint smile, then gently released Lefiya from her embrace. "I have to, Lefiya. Otherwise, I won't be able to protect all of us," she said sincerely before turning her attention to Shirou. "By the way, Shirou, do you have any other weapons I can use for training? Something that might help me refine my techniques?"
Shirou stroked his chin, pondering for a moment. Several weapon names crossed his mind, but he quickly realized they were all too dangerous for training. "I don't think there's a weapon safe enough for us to use here," he finally admitted with slight regret.
Aiz didn't seem disappointed. Instead, she proposed another idea. "In that case, how about we spar? I'm sure I can learn a lot from you, even if your level is two tiers below mine," she suggested with a confident look.
Shirou chuckled softly, then nodded. "Alright, I don't mind. But later, after I finish my business learning about forging."
Lefiya, who had been listening intently, raised her thumb and puffed out her chest with confidence. "When it comes to forging, leave it to me! I know just the place," she said enthusiastically, eager to contribute.
Aiz smiled slightly, then nodded at both Lefiya and Shirou. "In that case, I won't disturb you. I'll head to the Dungeon for now. Forging isn't my area of expertise, and I don't want to waste your time," she said before turning and walking out of the training arena.
As Aiz left, Lefiya looked at Shirou with a bright smile. "Are you ready to see the best forge in this manor?" she asked excitedly, making Shirou smile slightly at her enthusiasm. "Of course, Lefiya. I'll leave the guidance to you," he replied, and the two of them began preparing to head to their next destination.
Exiting the physical training building, Lefiya walked cheerfully beside Shirou, leading him toward the back of the Manor. The cool morning air and soft sunlight added comfort to their journey. Lefiya seemed lively, explaining the directions in detail.
As they walked, Shirou turned to her and asked, "Lefiya, did you also train in that physical training building when you first joined the Loki Familia?"
Lefiya shook her head with a small smile. "Not often, Shirou. I mostly trained in the magic training building. When I joined the Loki Familia, I was already at level two, so my focus was more on magic than physical strength."
Shirou pondered for a moment before saying, "So that means you were part of another Familia before joining Loki Familia, right?"
Hearing this, Lefiya nodded enthusiastically. "Exactly! When I was little, I left the Wishe Forest to join the School District. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life!"
"School District?" Shirou repeated curiously. The term brought back memories of his time at Homurahara High School. "What was your school like?"
Lefiya's face lit up, and she began explaining excitedly. "My school was unique! It was a massive ship that sailed the seas, traveling around the world. There, we learned to develop our abilities. Monsters aren't only in the Dungeon, Shirou. Out there, there are so many things we need to learn to survive."
Shirou listened in awe. "So your school was like... a world-traveling academy? That must've been an incredible experience."
Lefiya nodded, her eyes sparkling, then glanced at Shirou. "What about your school, Shirou? What was your place of learning like?"
Shirou gave a small smile, reminiscing about his peaceful school days. "My school was much simpler compared to yours. It was just an ordinary school. We studied general subjects like math, physics, biology, history, and other things."
Lefiya rolled her eyes upon hearing that. "Ugh, just hearing the names of those subjects gives me a headache," she muttered playfully, making Shirou chuckle.
"Well, it might sound complicated, but it's quite interesting if you enjoy it," Shirou replied lightly.
Lefiya blushed slightly and smiled. "I think I'm more suited to learning about magic or world history than those formulas," she said, continuing their walk as they approached their destination.
After walking for a while, Lefiya and Shirou finally arrived in front of a small building tucked away in the back corner of the Loki Familia Manor. The building looked quiet and neglected. Its peeling paint, dusty windows, and creaky wooden door suggested it hadn't been used in a long time. Lefiya glanced at Shirou somewhat awkwardly. "Here it is, the best forge in the Loki Familia," she said with a sheepish smile, trying to sound confident.
Shirou stared at the building for a moment, then gave a faint smile. "Thanks for showing me this place, Lefiya," he said softly. He then stepped forward and carefully opened the door. A long creak sounded as it swung open, and dust rose into the air, causing both of them to cough lightly.
Inside, the forge turned out to be quite spacious. Large work tables were scattered around, some covered with worn cloth. Wooden shelves lining the walls were filled with rusty tools, and a large furnace in the center of the room stood cold, clearly unused for years. The floor was littered with metal scraps and layers of ash, giving the place an atmosphere far from ideal for smithing.
Shirou stepped in, observing the room with a serious expression. "This is a good place. It just needs a bit of restoration," he said optimistically. Snapping his fingers, he projected cleaning tools like brooms, cloths, and buckets to start tidying up the space.
As he was about to begin, Lefiya suddenly grabbed one of the brooms from Shirou's projection. "I'll help too!" she exclaimed enthusiastically.
Shirou turned to her, slightly surprised. "That's not necessary, Lefiya. You've already helped a lot by showing me this place. Let me handle the rest. You can just take a break," he said gently, hoping she would listen.
But Lefiya shook her head firmly. "Have you forgotten?" she asked, looking at Shirou with determined eyes. "I'm the second Faker, right? I'll keep helping the first Faker no matter what!"
Shirou was momentarily silent before giving a small smile, touched by her sincerity. "Alright then, I'll leave one corner of the room to you, Second Faker," he replied teasingly. The two of them then began working together, cleaning the long-abandoned forge and preparing it to be a functional workspace once more.
