"Tiona, Tione, could you go find Alicia and Aki for me?"
"Eh? Alicia and Aki? What do you need them for?"
"Lately, I've been training with Bete, right? Over the past half month or so, those two have been spending a lot of time in both the Training Space and the Challenge Space. Bete noticed and recommended them to me. I plan to give them the opportunity to reach Level 5."
The two girls instinctively glanced at the rings on their fingers.
They both knew Alicia and Aki's situation. As fellow women and comrades, they had fought side by side before. In truth, not just the past half month—those two had been working hard for months now.
In the Challenge Space, they often saw the pair teaming up to face the black Goliath. Their goal of reaching Level 5 was obvious—they wanted to take that next step forward.
Besides, both of them had already reached Level 4, and now had what it took to touch that higher power.
"I'll go get them."
Tione volunteered without hesitation.
Tsuna nodded slightly, watching Tione leave.
The celebration banquet had already drawn to an end. The adventurers, full from food and drink, were starting to drift back to their rooms, ready to rest and prepare for tomorrow's training.
Yes—training.
In less than three months, three more members of the Loki Familia had reached Level 5. For anyone within the Familia, that was an enormous source of motivation.
It meant the Familia now had a clearer and more attainable path upward.
With enough effort, the rewards would follow.
And if there was one thing adventurers never lacked—it was effort.
What held them back before was not laziness, but the lack of visible results from that effort.
Now that the results were there, why would anyone stop? Their passion burned brighter than ever.
Moreover, they now had not only a space to train their Status but also another special space where they could face stronger monsters and even Floor Bosses—helping them gain combat experience and new chances for advancement.
Under such conditions, who would want to stop?
Who wasn't pushing themselves to their limits in this environment?
"Aki, how are you feeling today?"
Alicia sipped her drink, glancing at the catgirl beside her.
"Me? Same as usual. I'll walk it off, then head to the Training Space to loosen up a bit. What about you, Alicia?"
"I was thinking…" Alicia paused, debating whether to join Aki or go to the Training Space alone to raise her Status.
"Don't bother thinking. Just come with me."
Tione's sudden voice cut through their conversation.
"Tione?"
Both Alicia and Aki turned toward her, confused by the abrupt interruption.
"Just follow me. You'll find out soon enough."
The two exchanged a brief look, then nodded and rose to follow Tione out of the dining hall.
Outside, the three headed toward the residential area—but not toward Loki's quarters. Instead, they went in the opposite direction, to a quieter part of the compound where few people lived.
At one door, Tione raised her hand and knocked lightly.
Knock knock knock.
"Tsuna, I'm coming in."
After knocking, she pushed the door open and stepped inside.
Alicia and Aki followed close behind.
The moment they entered, they saw Loki sitting on the bed—and at the desk nearby, Tsuna.
They saw Loki often enough, but the man at the desk was someone they rarely met face-to-face.
Still, every adventurer in the Familia came into contact with the blessings he granted every day.
"Miss Alicia, Miss Aki."
Tsuna rose from his chair. The two girls instinctively straightened their posture when he called their names.
Seeing that reaction, Tsuna realized how much influence he held within the Familia.
After a brief thought, he got straight to the point.
"I asked Tione to bring you here because of Bete's recommendation."
"In the Familia, Bete believes that you two have the best chance of being the next to reach Level 5."
"Huh?"
Hearing that Bete had recommended them—and even held expectations for them—both girls were stunned.
In their eyes, Bete was the type who barked loud but had a soft heart. He rarely praised anyone directly, let alone make such a strong recommendation.
"Bete said something like that?" Aki asked skeptically.
"Of course he did," Tsuna replied calmly. "Bete doesn't hand out compliments, but he's sharp. His observations are reliable."
Aki's doubt was understandable; Bete wasn't known for this sort of thing. So Tsuna offered a brief explanation.
"These past weeks, I've been training closely with Bete. I've seen you both often in the Training Space and Challenge Space. Your efforts haven't gone unnoticed. Bete saw it too. That's why, after his own Level Up, he recommended you to me—hoping I could give you an opportunity to take your next step."
Hearing that, both Alicia and Aki couldn't remain calm any longer.
"Wait… what kind of opportunity do you mean?" Alicia asked, curiosity getting the better of her.
"An opportunity," Tsuna said evenly, "to increase your chances when challenging a Floor Boss—through one of three special means."
"Before you two, Tiona and Tione were the first to receive this power and prove its worth. Then Finn and Gareth, followed by Riveria—and just recently, Bete himself."
Tsuna listed the names one by one.
"Tiona, Tione, and Bete all carried this power into their battle against Amphisbaena and succeeded in crossing the threshold to Level 5."
With that, and the list of those who had already received such aid, Alicia and Aki instantly understood just how significant this "opportunity" was.
It was a chance that had helped others in the Familia defeat Floor Bosses—and even ascend to Level 5.
And with Finn, Gareth, Riveria, and now Bete among those who had received it, it was clear that this power had already reached the upper ranks of the Familia.
Now, at last, it was their turn.