During these three months, it felt as if Su Lun had been kissed by the Goddess of Luck herself.
The monsters of the Dungeon seemed exceptionally generous toward him. While another person might slay a War Shadow and receive only a basic magic stone, Su Lun had a significantly higher probability of looting something far more valuable. Even rare species, which ordinary adventurers might not see in a lifetime, crossed his path with startling frequency.
After three months, the total value of the magic stones and rare materials he personally contributed to the Familia's treasury was equivalent to the annual income of several veteran Level 2 adventurers. This went a long way in alleviating the relatively tight financial situation of the Astraea Familia.
Of course, the prerequisite for all of this was his ability to survive and kill efficiently—something that relied on his ever-improving coordination with the team.
The next day, noon. The Dungeon, Eleventh Floor.
"Three Killer Ants on the left; two War Shadows lurking in the right wall. On the ceiling... tsk, another Badbather," Kaguya's voice rang out sharply through the formation. She pressed herself against a corner like a living shadow, her gaze piercing the gloom.
"Acknowledged. Alise, draw them from the front. Lyu, prepare for area suppression. Lyra, feint on the right flank. Su Lun, clear the left and the ceiling—watch your timing," Alise commanded calmly.
"Roger!"
Alise didn't hesitate for a second; her crimson figure shot out like an arrow. Lyu took her stance slightly behind her, chanting in a low voice: "Sky of the distant forest, now far away..."
Su Lun, positioned at the rear, constructed the spell models in his mind in an instant. He didn't choose second-tier magic, instead opting for a near-silent succession of quick-casts:
Magic Missile: Three orbs streaked out, accurately striking the joints of the Killer Ants on the left.
Mage Hand: An abrupt yank from above sent the Badbather tumbling down, completely off-balance.
Burning Hands — Metamagic: Distant Spell: A cone of flame swept out, engulfing both the falling bat and the War Shadow on the right.
The entire process took less than five seconds—clean and efficient. As the battle ended, magic stones and materials clattered to the ground.
"Your efficiency has improved again," Alise remarked as she checked the drops, looking over at Su Lun. "Your choice of spells and timing are starting to look more and more like Kaguya's."
"Hey, what do you mean 'like me'?" Kaguya glanced at Su Lun. "I'm not nearly as... fond of showing off."
"It's not showing off; it's optimizing output," Su Lun retorted with a straight face, using a Mage Hand to pull a distant magic stone toward him.
The kitchen of the Starlight Court was bathed in a warm, golden hue by the setting sun. Steam billowed through the air, carrying the scent of sizzling ginger and garlic mixed with the exotic spices Su Lun had brought with him.
"So, Captain, you're saying you took a direct hit from a Silverback Ape's rock just because you thought 'that pose looked more heroic'?" Su Lun flicked his wrist, sliding sliced meat into the wok. With a loud sizzle, the aroma of rendered fat and spices exploded into the room.
Leaning against the doorframe, Alise chuckled. "Dodging is so uninspired! Besides, my Seika No Saki skill gains a thirty percent power boost when I take a hit head-on!"
"And then you were lectured by Miss Lyu for ten minutes while she applied potions," Su Lun added mercilessly. "'Captain Alise, your bravery does not need to be proven through needless injury'... those were her exact words, if I recall correctly."
"Ugh... Lyu can be so strict sometimes," Alise wilted for a moment, but her eyes snapped wide an instant later. "What are we making today? It smells incredible!"
"Double-cooked pork, fish-flavored eggplant, and a clear vegetable soup."
In the dining room, everyone gathered around the long table. Under the warm lamplight, the colors of the food looked even more enticing: the glossy, reddish-brown double-cooked pork and the tender, aromatic fish-flavored eggplant sent up curls of steam.
"Mmm—!! This meat!" Alise practically buried her face in her bowl. "The fatty parts aren't greasy at all. This is perfect with rice!"
"The eggplant is cooked to perfection—the balance of sour, sweet, salty, and spicy is spot on," Lyu commented after a careful taste. The tips of her ears were slightly red; Su Lun had specifically toned down the spiciness to suit her palate.
"Fufu, Mr. Su Lun certainly has a grasp on everyone's tastes," Lyra said with a smirk, glancing at Kaguya. "Miss Kaguya, your portion has a much stronger char to it, doesn't it?"
Kaguya maintained a cool exterior. "...It's average." However, she immediately snatched the largest piece of pork belly from the plate.
The lights were warm, and the room was filled with laughter. Three months had long since washed away the initial awkwardness of being a stranger. Teasing the Captain for her recklessness and poking fun at the elven lady's seriousness had become the everyday scenery of the Starlight Court.
As dinner ended and Su Lun was washing the dishes, Kaguya leaned against the doorway. "Hey, Su Lun. The fifteenth floor tomorrow. There are new enhanced species."
"I know. I'll prioritize crowd-control spells," Su Lun dried his hands and looked back with a smile. "After all, I need to save enough energy to come back and make a midnight snack for certain stubborn seniors."
Kaguya glared at him and turned to leave, but the corner of her mouth twitched into the tiniest, almost invisible smile.
────────────────────────────────────────
My : https://p*tre*n.com/Noctra418
Danmachi: My Magic Style is Different from Yours (43 Chapters – Ongoing)
────────────────────────────────────────