[Loki Familia's base, Twilight Manor]
"Raul, you're finally back, why so late?" The black-haired cat girl narrowed her eyes, "Could it be, you went to the pleasure district again?"
The girl's name is Anakitty Autumn, a second-tier adventurer recently promoted to Lv.4, a core member of the Loki Familia's second team, usually affectionately called "Aki" by her companions.
She joined the Loki Familia around the same time as Raul, so she assists Raul, who is the commander of the second team. Aki's physical and mental strength are top-tier among Lv.4 adventurers, her fighting style is elegant and fierce, earning her the title of [Noble Cat].
It's worth mentioning that Aki values responsibility and discipline highly. She can't stand the overly casual nature of her fellow cat girls and has even trained herself to stop adding "nya" at the end of her sentences.
"No way!" Raul cried out in injustice. "I just took a detour to the 'Hostess of Fertility' tavern for dinner."
Having heard passersby repeatedly say, "I really want to eat the stew at the 'Hostess of Fertility'." Raul couldn't help but crave it too. Moreover, he encountered something good at the tavern—he was hit on by a cute waitress.
He couldn't help but boast about many of his adventures, receiving admiring looks from the cute waitress...' Ah, could it be that my [Superior Man] spring has finally arrived?'
"Tch, you look like you're daydreaming, you must have gone to the pleasure district after all." Aki crossed her arms and coldly accused.
Raul couldn't help but retort, "I said I didn't, and going to the pleasure district wouldn't take this little time, 'ordering' alone would take longer than this."
"Oh, so you know the pleasure district so well, Raul." The girl's expression grew colder, "Why don't you explain what 'ordering' means first."
"Uh... this..." The man who realized he had misspoken stammered.
The cat girl shook her head, "What an idiot... The captain is looking for you, hurry to the office."
"Oh, okay, thanks, Aki."
Raul followed Aki, and the two arrived at the captain's office.
"Oh, Raul is back, this mission was hard on you, Aki, find a seat first." The golden-haired pallum man put down the documents in his hand and spoke in a gentle tone.
Although he looks like a young boy, he is actually the captain of the Loki Familia, relied upon by all members.
Finn Deimne, a first-tier adventurer with Lv.6 strength, known as the [Braver], his actual age far exceeds his appearance. He has been active in Orario for decades, a "senior" whose body has been modified by the blessing of the gods and the racial traits of pallums, maintaining the appearance of a legal shota.
Also in the room was another woman.
Tall, with emerald green hair tied into a ponytail reaching her waist, eyes of the same color, pointed ears, and a beauty that even gods would envy. She wore green clothes with yellow borders, a white cloak, black tights, and brown boots.
Loki Familia's vice-captain, a member of the elven royal family, the strongest mage in Orario, an adventurer with LV.6 strength, Riveria Ljos Alf title [Nine Hell].
Excluding the dwarf warrior [Elgram] Gareth Landrock who is currently training in the dungeon, two of the three giants of Loki Familia are waiting for Raul's report.
They are concerned about the situation of the elven genius girl mage. For Finn, Lefiya is a future pillar of the familia he has high hopes for, and for Riveria, Lefiya is her important disciple.
Raul has a clear understanding of his task and reports in detail all the specifics of Lefiya's first dungeon adventure after joining Loki Familia.
"I see, reducing Lefiya's fear of monsters through 'adaptation' and 'habituation'... That boy has proposed a good method." Finn nodded.
Riveria was somewhat worried, "But this feels like treating the symptoms rather than the root cause... I hope Lefiya can have the courage to face her fears directly, rather than relying on others' protection."
Although mages are protected roles in a team, anything can happen in the dungeon, and no one can guarantee that there will always be reliable vanguards in front.
"It's better than doing nothing." Finn said, "Be optimistic, I believe in that child, she has the potential to overcome it."
"Just like Ais, who also caused us a lot of trouble before, hasn't she grown into a good child now?"
However, it was better not to mention it, as soon as "Ais" was mentioned, Riveria's face immediately darkened, "No, that little rascal Ais is still causing us trouble!"
"During the last expedition, she lost her mind when encountering a strengthened dragon-type monster, rushed down without listening to orders, almost causing a disaster, forcing the expedition to end early."
Because Ais rushed too fast, other high-level adventurers had to follow, causing the team to become disjointed, and as a result, the expedition's supplies were wiped out by monsters that happened to spawn at the rear.
Fortunately, [Elgram] Gareth was stationed at the rear, and there were no casualties.
Although in the end, Ais killed the strengthened dragon monster and obtained extremely rare high-level magic stones and drops, these gains still could not make up for the losses. This expedition can be considered a total loss, and such a severe loss of control undoubtedly provoked Riveria's anger.
"Ah, this..." Finn scratched his head, "Well, Lefiya's problem is still smaller than Ais's..."
"Without my consent, Ais is forbidden from entering the deep layers of the dungeon, no, not even the lower layers." Riveria said, "During this time, let her take Lefiya to 'habituate' to the dungeon monsters, following the approach of that child from Hostess of Fertility."
"Will Lefiya join the second team later?" Aki asked, according to her level, Lefiya, who is Lv.1, after reaching Lv.2 might join the second team, which is under her and Raul's command.
"No, she will directly join the first team, that child has a special talent, capable of unleashing firepower comparable to a first-class adventurer at Lv.3." Finn said, "We will need her strength in future expeditions."
"Then—" Finn changed the topic: "I am somewhat interested in that child from Hostess of Fertility, named 'Shirou Emiya', right?"
"Right, that boy, he is really amazing." Raul praised.
Finn narrowed his eyes, he could sense that Raul's attitude was not just an elder's appreciation for a junior, but also carried a hint of genuine respect for a strong individual.
Many people think that [High Novice] is a man lacking talent, but Finn understands that this second team leader he appointed has unique talents, especially in the field of command, Raul has special insights and abilities.
He may not be able to be as comprehensive and in control as Finn, but Raul's characteristic is: he can always immediately identify the most important person in the team under the current environment, and then do his best to create space for them to perform, wholeheartedly, without complaint.
Clearly aware of his lack of talent, and accepting this fact, sincerely serving those with ability, in Finn's view, this itself is a remarkable trait.
"Projection magic, powerful archery, and 'miraculous' swordsmanship..." Finn pondered, "Raul, specifically, how do you view his combat power and potential."
"Although he is only a newcomer, his combat power is already close to Lv.2, just like Miss Ais back then. In terms of sword skills alone, he is even above Ais." Raul said seriously, "I think his potential is not inferior to Miss Ais."
"Potential equal to Ais, and even stronger sword skills... What an incredible evaluation—" Finn said, "In that case, let Lefiya maintain a good relationship with him, our familia might need his assistance in the future."
"That child probably has [Rare Skills], and possibly more than one." Riveria analyzed calmly,"Just like Ais, Lefiya, and the others."
For ordinary adventurers, having one [Magic] or [Skill] is already remarkable, let alone [Rare Skills] and [Unique Skills], which are beyond imagination.
However, for top familia executives like Finn, [Rare Skills] are not rare anymore, except for [High Novice], who doesn't have a bunch of special abilities?
Finn has two magics, five skills, six development abilities; Riveria has nine magics, two skills, five development abilities... Once geniuses themselves, they are already accustomed to the existence of geniuses.
"Unfortunately, he is from other familia. He is out of our reach..." Finn couldn't help but sigh, "Ais, Lefiya, and this Shirou, terrifying newcomers keep emerging, it feels like I'm falling behind the times."
Riveria: "You are already an 'old man'."
"Riveria, we are adventurers of the same period..." Finn said.
"Unfortunately, by the time you are old with no teeth and can't walk, only reminiscing about the past, I might still be at the forefront of expeditions."
"Is this the advantage of being an elf? It's really cheating."
Riveria chuckled, "Just kidding, by the time you and Gareth are too old to be adventers, Ais and the others will have grown up, I will probably take advantage of my youth to travel the world."
Finn shook his head helplessly, "Your elves' definition of 'youth' has always been so hard to understand."
"By the way, about that child's 'swordsmanship', do not reveal it to Ais." He looked at Raul.
"With Ais's personality, if she knew about this, she would definitely cause trouble." Finn rubbed his temples.
[The Sword Princess] Ais Wallenstein has a pathological pursuit of strength improvement. If she knew that the boy from Hostess of Fertility might have stronger swordsmanship than her, she would definitely do something very rude.
Like demanding a swordsmanship duel, asking for his methods of becoming stronger, or even begging him to teach her swordsmanship.
Affecting Loki Familia's reputation is a small matter, but if it affects the relationship with Hostess of Fertility, it would be terrible.
It's no secret that Hostess of fertility is the underbelly of Freya familia lead by Familia's former captain, Mia Grand.
Raul scratched his head,"That, should we also inform Lefiya?"
Finn's expression froze for a moment, then he felt a pain in his thumb.
This is his talent, his right thumb hurts when he foresees something bad.
Finn smiled wryly, "It's probably too late, Riveria, please keep Ais in check..."
Riveria held her forehead, "Sigh, understood."
[The Sword Princess] Ais Wallenstein, Lv.4, is in the most rebellious period, at the tender age of twelve.
Suddenly Raul remember something and said, "By the way, That newbie Emiya Shirou, seems to be a falna-less adventurer."
"""WHAT!!!""" Finn, Riveria and Aki exclaimed in surprise.