In a corner not far from the central courtyard, a human youth and an elven girl stood staring each other down. One look was enough to tell that their relationship was anything but friendly.
Of course, Leon personally held no grudge against Lefiya. Although his current physical age was only one year older than hers, his soul was far more experienced; he wasn't about to get worked up over a little girl's attitude.
The hostility and displeasure in Lefiya's eyes didn't provoke Leon's anger. Instead, they made him feel somewhat amused.
"Hiding away to admire someone else's hard work?" Leon said pointedly. "That's a rather unique way of 'admiring.' It's much more avant-garde than the elves I know."
The girl's face instantly flushed.
It wasn't out of bashfulness, but pure irritation.
"Yo—You... do you think everyone is as thick-skinned as you? Just casually walking up to Miss Ais and talking to her! You really have some nerve!" Lefiya spoke with a mix of indignation and envy. "That's Miss Ais we're talking about! Normally, wouldn't you be afraid or at least worried about disturbing her?"
"Is that so?" Leon crossed his arms, looking down at Lefiya thanks to his height advantage. "So that's why you can only lurk in the shadows and peek at her?"
"I told you! I wasn't peeking!" Lefiya's face grew even redder. Her voice rose as she shouted, "I—If you hadn't shown up, I was just about to find a chance to go talk to her!"
"Then should I wish you success?" Leon said playfully. "Or do you want me to help you? We could always negotiate, you know."
For some reason, every time he saw the elven girl lose her cool, Leon couldn't resist the urge to tease her.
In the eyes of others, Leon was a diligent worker who was exceptionally polite to his seniors in the Familia. In reality, he wasn't nearly that straight-laced.
He was actually quite a "fun-seeker" and followed his own pace, rarely letting himself suffer for the sake of appearances.
Had he been born into a wealthy or noble family, he certainly would have chosen to be a hedonistic heir, doing as he pleased—his favorite pastime would likely involve indulging in wine and surrounding himself with beautiful girls, living like an immortal.
But he wasn't. He was well aware that his current self lacked the power to act willfully, which was exactly why he worked so hard.
This wasn't about hiding his true nature; it was about accumulating the capital to eventually realize his desires.
Knowing he couldn't afford to be reckless now, Leon was willing to put in desperate effort to grow stronger until the day he could truly let loose.
Thus, he treated the seniors in the Familia who were stronger than him with a degree of respect, while simultaneously absorbing their experience and learning their skills. This naturally created the public image of a hardworking, polite youth.
However, that politeness didn't extend much to this little girl—who was a year younger and had disliked him from the start because of Ais. With her, he only felt the urge to tease her about her peculiar "hobby."
Perhaps that was why the elven girl was always so unfriendly toward him.
Regardless, Lefiya simply couldn't stand the sight of Leon.
"I don't need your help!" Lefiya clenched her small fists and snapped, "I've known Miss Ais longer than you! I know her better than you do! Why on earth would I need your help?"
"Truly?" Leon raised an eyebrow and suddenly smiled. "I happen to know quite a few of Ais's little secrets. Don't tell me you aren't interested?"
Lefiya's beautiful face froze.
"If you knew these little secrets, it would surely be easier to start a conversation with her and get closer, right?" Leon's voice was full of temptation, like a devil leading someone astray. He whispered, "Do you really not want to know?"
Lefiya was visibly wavering.
"Miss Ais's little secrets... getting closer to Miss Ais..."
The look in the girl's eyes became chaotic. She looked like she desperately wanted the information but didn't want to compromise with her "rival."
"Wh—Why would you know Miss Ais's secrets anyway?"
Lefiya could only try to regain the initiative by pointing an accusatory finger at him.
Unfortunately, Leon wasn't even slightly intimidated by this blustering paper tiger.
"Well, since I'm so thick-skinned, I'm not afraid of disturbing her and I'm brave enough to just walk up and talk," Leon said with a grin. "Someone as bold as me naturally hears things from Ais that others don't."
Hearing this, Lefiya felt a surge of indignation.
"Do you think saying that will make me jealous?!"
Lefiya shouted loudly, but her large, beautiful eyes were already shimmering with tears. She might as well have written "Yes, I'm incredibly jealous" across her forehead.
"I didn't do it to make you jealous," Leon said with a half-smile. "I just wanted to build a good relationship with Miss Ais so I can properly repay her later."
His exaggeratedly innocent tone made Lefiya want to jump up and punch him in the face.
To be able to make a generally kind and social elf this angry was a testament to Leon's talent.
If Lefiya knew modern slang, she would have certainly called him out for his "green tea" act.
"Don't get cocky! I'll definitely get closer to Miss Ais too!"
The teary-eyed, furious elven girl made a solemn vow, if only to stop him from looking so smug.
"I'll be looking forward to it then."
Leon knew when to quit while he was ahead to avoid a literal beating.
There was no helping it; this delicate elven girl was a Level 3 high-tier adventurer. She was far stronger than Leon, who had only just received his Falna and hadn't even had a single status update.
Even if she was a mage serving as a back-line support—meaning her physical stats weren't as high as a front-line warrior—a Level 3 was still a Level 3. No matter how frail she looked, she was a powerhouse who could easily crush an ordinary man's skull with a single slap.
If he truly pushed her over the edge and she started chanting magic at him, it would be game over.
"I won't go say hi to Ais today. If she asks about me, just tell her I went to the Dungeon."
Leon instinctively reached out to pat the girl's head, but to prevent her from snapping his wrist, he stopped himself from such a suicidal move.
He simply waved at Lefiya and prepared to leave.
"To the Dungeon?"
Lefiya blinked, only then remembering that he had received his blessing and was officially a member, no longer a mere trainee.
This wasn't a secret. A new member joining was a significant event for the Loki Familia, and the news had spread completely by yesterday.
Thinking about how the person in front of her was now an adventurer capable of entering the Dungeon alone, Lefiya couldn't help but feel a shift in her thoughts.
She was a kind-hearted person at core, and she admired those who could explore the Dungeon solo because she knew she couldn't do it herself.
Despite being Level 3, her role as a back-line mage required protection; she had always relied on others. Without someone to guard her, she didn't even have the courage to face monsters alone.
If a monster rushed her, her mind would go blank with panic, making it impossible to even complete a chant.
This was Lefiya's flaw, and it was something she desperately needed to overcome.
Because she feared facing monsters alone, she naturally held a sliver of respect for those who dared to face them head-on.
Why did Lefiya admire Ais?
It was because Ais was both beautiful and powerful, always fearlessly charging into the fray, swinging her sword with a calm face against endless waves of enemies.
That fearlessness and powerful beauty were exactly what attracted Lefiya.
And now, Leon had become another person who could earn a bit of her respect.
For any adventurer brave enough to enter the Dungeon and face monsters, Lefiya felt a sense of reverence. Even if that person was a lower level than her, like Leon.
Seeing Leon's back as he walked away, Lefiya called out almost impulsively.
"Um... be careful out there."
Her voice sounded a bit sulky, but the concern reached Leon's ears regardless.
"If you get hurt, Miss Ais will be unhappy."
It wasn't a very straightforward way of putting it, but the warning made Leon pause. The corners of his mouth curled into a slight smile.
She was a kind soul after all. Even a "rival" could stir her deep-seated kindness, making it impossible for her to watch a comrade go off on a dangerous venture without a word.
This was exactly why Leon couldn't stop himself from teasing her. If she had been truly spiteful or malicious, he wouldn't have bothered interacting with her at all.
"I'll be careful."
Leon turned back, waved at Lefiya once more, and said, "I'm off."
With that, he walked away without looking back.
Lefiya watched him leave until his figure disappeared. Only then did she pat her cheeks to psych herself up.
"No, I have to work hard too! I can't slack off!"
If even Leon was working this hard, what excuse did she have?
"I'll go ask Lady Riveria to give me some magic tutoring!"
With that thought, Lefiya ran off.
She had completely forgotten that her original plan was to talk to her idol.
Nearby, the idol in question watched the fleeing Lefiya with a look of pure confusion.
"Lefiya... when did she get here?"
Today, as always, the sword princess was quite airheaded.
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