"In terms of control difficulty," Riveria said, resting her chin on her hand, "Mist seems to be the hardest to handle."
"Sun, Storm, Rain, Thunder, and Cloud all lend themselves to direct combat. But Mist… it demands precision—subtlety. It's not about strength, it's about deception."
She smiled faintly, eyes glinting with curiosity. "And just as you said, its offensive power is the lowest. But for someone like me—a mage who fights from the rear—this attribute is ideal."
Her analysis was sharp and to the point.
If she could cast illusions, veil herself in mist, or even manipulate enemy senses while chanting—her battlefield survivability and offensive potential would increase dramatically.
That alone made her realize why Tsunayoshi had placed her last.
She nodded in understanding. "Yes… this suits me perfectly."
Tsunayoshi chuckled. "I thought you'd say that."
Riveria's fingers brushed her staff. "Being able to cloak myself while reciting spells… it would change everything."
Then, her tone turned thoughtful. "Tsunayoshi, can attributes be chosen freely?"
He shook his head immediately. "No. The attribute of one's flame comes from their body's inner rhythm—a unique wavelength tied to personality and emotion. Different internal frequencies produce different flame types."
He gestured with one hand as if mapping invisible currents.
"For example, take Tiona and Tione. They're honest, straightforward, always charging ahead without hesitation. That boldness—sometimes reckless, sometimes pure—that's the external reflection of Sun and Storm."
As he explained, his eyes shifted toward Ais. His expression softened, but there was a trace of concern.
"If I had to guess," he said, "Ais would awaken Storm as well."
Riveria didn't argue. With Ais's fiery personality and unwavering drive, it was an obvious match.
She could already imagine the chaos that would follow once the girl gained that kind of destructive energy.
Then, her gaze slid toward Alicia and Kaguya.
"Tsunayoshi," she asked, "what about these two? Which attributes would you expect them to awaken?"
He rubbed his chin, thinking carefully.
"That's… tricky," he admitted. "I don't know them as well as I should. After I rescued the Astraea girls, things got hectic, and I never really spent much time observing them closely."
Still, after a moment's consideration, he pointed toward Alicia.
"Based on feeling alone—Alicia would suit Sun or Storm. Either would make sense. She's the captain of Astraea Familia, a front-line leader—her temperament matches both the radiance of Sun and the destructive intensity of Storm."
Then he turned toward Kaguya. "As for Miss Kaguya—you're calm, analytical, but sharp underneath the surface. Always smiling, but with a sword's edge beneath that mask. I'd say Rain suits you best."
With that, he produced thirteen rings once again—each glowing faintly with inner flame—and set them down before the two women.
"My guesses might not be perfect," he said. "So—why not test them?"
Alicia and Kaguya exchanged a glance before nodding in agreement.
Alicia reached for a radiant, ornate ring—the Mare Ring.
Kaguya, in contrast, picked a simple, battle-worn one—the Vongola Ring.
"…Wait," Kaguya murmured, counting. "Why is one missing?"
Tsunayoshi smiled wryly. "That one's on Lady Loki's hand. She insisted on keeping it—and knowing her, she wouldn't allow anyone else to wear a matching ring. So I didn't recreate it."
Alicia blinked, realization dawning. "Now that you mention it… Loki-sama has been wearing a ring lately. I thought it was just jewelry."
"Exactly," Tsunayoshi replied. "That ring is one of the catalysts—she awakened an incredibly rare attribute: Sky. From what I know, very few people in history have managed it. It requires someone with immense tolerance and empathy."
He paused, then smiled. "Honestly, I think your goddess Astraea could awaken it too. Her compassion is remarkable."
Alicia immediately straightened up, her face glowing with pride. "Of course! Lady Astraea's kindness surpasses all! No one could compare!"
Riveria exhaled, shaking her head. "Loki truly is like a child sometimes. The moment she gets a new toy, she refuses to share it."
Still, her tone carried more fondness than frustration.
At least Loki's mischief was harmless.
The others simply chuckled. In the end, a goddess acting spoiled was far from the worst thing they had to deal with.
"Alright," Riveria said, bringing the topic back. "So how do we actually test the attribute?"
"It's simple," Tsunayoshi answered.
He extended both hands forward. "Place your hands on mine. I'll channel the Dying Will Flame into your bodies—it will resonate with your internal wavelength and awaken the attribute sleeping inside you."
He looked at their rings. "When the resonance triggers, the flame matching your attribute will ignite on the ring."
Alicia and Kaguya nodded firmly and placed their hands atop his.
The room quieted.
Soft streams of flame energy flowed from Tsunayoshi's palms—gentle at first, then warm, then overwhelming.
A low hum filled the air.
And then—
Alicia's ring flared with a deep crimson light. The air crackled around her as sparks erupted, fierce and wild.
"Storm," Tsunayoshi murmured with a smile. "Just as I thought."
At the same time, Kaguya's ring shimmered blue. The aura around her softened, the room's tension dissolving into a calm, steady rhythm.
"Rain."
Both women stared at their flames—alive, pulsing with their heartbeat.
Tsunayoshi stepped back, satisfied. "As expected, both of you manifested single attributes. But that's just the beginning. Once you learn to harmonize your flames—you'll see what they're truly capable of."
Riveria, watching quietly, smiled faintly. "It seems your Familia will soon have more than just front-line strength. You're creating something entirely new."
"Not just me," Tsunayoshi said, glancing at them all. "Us."
The rings still burned softly—red and blue, side by side—like twin beacons lighting the path toward the next era of adventurers.
(End of Chapter)
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