After Tsuna gave a simple explanation of the Dying Will Flame, Alicia and Aki were left completely dazed.
"Wait a second. This power—doesn't it sound like some kind of magic that doesn't require chanting?"
As a mage gifted in magic, Alicia immediately grasped the essence of what he was describing. But precisely because she understood, her throat went dry.
"!?"
Aki caught on just as quickly. Both their gazes locked on Tsuna.
"That's right," Tsuna confirmed. "Just as Miss Alicia has deduced. Once you've mastered the Dying Will Flame, it will manifest as a skill known as Dying Will Veins, becoming one of your own powers. This ability functions much like magic that requires no incantation. Riveria herself has already acknowledged its versatility."
That final line made both of their expressions sharpen with seriousness, their breathing quickening without them realizing it.
And the mention of Riveria's approval—there was no way Tsuna would invoke her name lightly. They both knew that much.
But what truly captured their focus was this opportunity he spoke of.
"Tsuna, I've got a question," Aki suddenly said, raising her hand.
"If both Alicia and I are being given this opportunity, does that mean Raul will have one too?"
Tsuna glanced at her, then shook his head slightly.
"Unfortunately, no. Raul was once a model of diligence, but that's no longer the case. His mind is… elsewhere now. Not that it's intentional."
"Eh?"
Aki blinked in disbelief. Raul, not a model of effort? That idea didn't sit right with her. She opened her mouth to argue—until Tsuna continued.
"Miss Aki, you and Miss Alicia often spend your time between the Training Space and the Challenge Space, correct? Tell me, have you seen Raul there recently?"
The two of them instinctively searched their memories—and their faces turned grim.
Their recollection wasn't poor enough to forget someone they saw often. They could easily recall other low-level Adventurers they frequently saw training. Even Bete and Tsuna's figures were common sights in those spaces.
But Raul… his presence had been rare, almost nonexistent lately.
"Wait—don't tell me Raul betrayed the Familia?" Aki blurted out in alarm.
"Eh, that's going a bit far," Tsuna chuckled dryly, waving off the thought. "He hasn't gone that far astray. It's just that his focus isn't on the Familia right now. After all, he's seventeen this year… and recently became a father. Naturally, his attention is on his child."
"…A father? Already!?" Aki's eyes went wide.
She knew Raul had a lover—a certain elf from the Ishtar Familia—but as far as she remembered, they'd only been seeing each other for about three months. How could he already have a child on the way?
Her eyes flicked sideways toward Alicia, and a mischievous idea popped into her head.
"Don't tell me that elf's one of those… reserved types."
A vein pulsed on Alicia's temple.
"Aki—could you not look at me when you say things like that?"
Especially that last phrase—"reserved type." Alicia could practically hear her name being implied.
"No, no, I wasn't talking about you, Alicia." Aki's face twitched, her forced smile betraying her embarrassment. Her awkward denial only made her guilt more obvious.
Alicia huffed and turned away with a dark expression, unwilling to dignify the topic any further.
Tsuna clapped his hands softly to bring them back on track.
"Miss Aki, let's refrain from discussing their private lives. It wouldn't be proper for us to gossip about such things."
Aki laughed weakly and dropped the subject.
"That's the situation with Raul," Tsuna continued. "Right now, his attention is devoted entirely to his child. I expect that even after the birth, it'll be some time before he can refocus on the Familia. Perhaps a year or two—or even longer."
His tone left no room for doubt.
Aki's smile faded completely. She understood perfectly what that meant: for the next few years, Raul would effectively vanish from the Familia's ranks.
Once, that wouldn't have been such a problem. After all, after reaching Level 4, further growth became painfully slow. Raising Status required time, and accumulating enough Excellia to Level Up could take years, even decades.
But things were different now.
With Tsuna's assistance, countless Adventurers had broken through barriers once thought unshakable.
As more members advanced and their results became visible, everyone realized something vital—effort did bear fruit.
Even those without natural talent for magic or skills could continue to grow stronger.
The Challenge Space, too, allowed Adventurers to face tougher monsters and gain invaluable combat experience, laying the foundation for future breakthroughs.
Under such favorable conditions, no one could afford to slack off.
To waste these opportunities would be the greatest insult imaginable.
And in this environment, losing even a single year—or two—could mean falling hopelessly behind.
Perhaps, in just a few years, the Familia's minimum strength would rise by an entire Level. When that day came, Level 4 wouldn't be rare—it would be the standard.
For someone like Raul, the cost of two lost years would be devastating.
Raul… sigh. Aki exhaled silently. She couldn't blame him for caring about his child, but missing these crucial years was a bitter waste.
"Now then," Tsuna said, his voice steady once more, "Miss Aki, Miss Alicia—are you ready to accept this?"
Both women immediately cast aside every stray thought. There was only one answer.
"Of course we accept."