After casually greeting his uncle, aunt, and the maid, who were all stunned by his sudden appearance, Lioro stepped out of the house and made his way through the city streets toward the Magician's Guild.
He entered the guild hall, drawing a few curious glances, and approached the counter.
"You don't have an identification spell?" he asked plainly.
The guild employee, a middle-aged man with thinning hair and deep smile lines, gave Lioro a helpless expression. "Sir, there's no such thing as an identification spell. If you're referring to identifying magical items, we can assist—but we usually call in an expert specialized in that specific field."
Lioro frowned, brows tightening.
'So no instant identification magic... Maybe someone like Fluder from the Empire might have developed something similar at higher levels,' he thought.
Without another word, Lioro turned and left the guild. Once outside, he found a secluded alley, confirmed no one was watching, and teleported away in a blink of light.
He reappeared inside the dwarven mountain forge.
His sudden arrival startled several dwarves, causing one to drop a hammer with a loud clang. But the moment they recognized him, the mood shifted drastically.
"Divine Forgemaster is back!"
"Our savior returns!"
"I'll be using your forge for a while," Lioro said, brushing past them. "Don't disturb me. Also—have someone secure the draconic alloy samples and the obsidian crystal essence."
"Y-Yes, sir!"
Without another word, Lioro entered the heart of the forge, sealed the heavy stone doors behind him, and began preparations for crafting his new equipment—gear forged from the remains of the Black Dragon he had slain.
—
Meanwhile, in Orario…
In the courtyard behind the Hestia Familia home, while everyone was doing a little morning exercise.
It was Yorichii's idea, saying he wanted to get an understanding of the new members strengths befire delving into the dungeon.
Mikasa stood beside Elsa quitely watching the newcomers pick up wooden swords from the rack and start swinging them.
Looking down at Mikasa, Elsa asked with a smile on her face.
"Did you sleep well last night?"
Mikasa raised her head then nodded.
"Goddess Hestia slept with me."
The image of Hestia hugging her tightly passed through her mind.
It felt warm, reminding her of her mother's touch.
Elsa raised her hand and silently patted Mikasa's head.
On the ground the newcomers have started showing their skills.
Farlan swung the wooden sword in his hand with a calm look on his face, his hands moving steadily showing his years of experience.
Isobel was more immature, her movement was rough but she had the spirit, especially her courage.
Bell looked at them with shinning eyes, feeling a bubbling excitment inside him thinking about how they will be fighting together with him in the dungeon from now.
Yorichii silently watched them, evaluating their skills and thinking of ways to helping them improve.
Suddenly he felt a movement behind him, turning around, Yorichii saw Levi standing there.
His arms were crossed, and his expression was unreadable, save for the thin sliver of tension in his narrowed eyes.
"Let's fight," Levi said, his tone direct but not hostile.
Yorichii blinked in confusion.
He was about to decline politely, but then paused when he saw the intensity in Levi's gaze.
Yorichii had sensed it since yesterday: hostility. Not the cold-blooded kind, but something emotional and personal. He didn't understand the source, but he respected Levi's will. If this was the way to communicate, then so be it.
Perhaps after a little spar, he will be able to understand his new junior better.
After a moment of quiet, Yorichii gave a small nod.
"Alright."
They made their way to the backyard training ground in silence. As they passed the storage shed, Levi tossed Yorichii a wooden sword. Yorichii caught it mid-air and gave it a casual twirl.
On the side, the other members of the familia looked up, intrigued.
"What are they doing?" Elsa asked in curiosity.
"It looks like a spar.....," said Farlan, wondering what Levi was up to.
Isobel looked at the scene with shining eyes.
Tsuare stood quietly beside them, her hands clasped in front of her, eyes full of concern.
Bell's eyes lit up, thinking he will get to see Yorichii's moves again.
—
Levi got in position. Low, aggressive. His stance was tight, and his grip firm on the wooden sword.
Yorichii, by contrast, stood upright, one hand resting lightly on the hilt, relaxed like still water.
"Begin," Levi muttered, then rushed forth.
The wooden blade sliced through the air with precision and speed.
Thwack!
Yorichii's calmly moved his sword, deflecting the blow with perfect timing.
Levi struck again, this time with a flurry of controlled swings: upward arcs, horizontal sweeps, and tight thrusts aimed at joints and pressure points.
But Yorichii didn't budge. His feet stayed rooted, and his body only moved in the smallest increments—just enough to redirect or deflect each attack.
Clack! Thump! Swish!
To the onlookers, it felt like a dance of shadows and echoes. Levi's offense was fierce and unrelenting, but it was like swinging against mist.
Every time he struck, Yorichii was already there, waiting, predicting, countering.
Levi narrowed his eyes, pouring more strength into his strikes.
Yorichii remained calm. "Don't just swing. Focus your breathing."
Levi remained calm and launched another aggressive combo. His blade blurred, muscles tightening with exertion.
Crack!
Yorichii flicked his wrist—and Levi's sword was knocked slightly off course. A faint stumble followed.
Yet even then, Yorichii didn't capitalize. He simply reset, ready for the next strike.
Sweat now dripped from Levi's brow. His breaths grew ragged. He attacked once more, a high slash—
Thock!
Yorichii parried and gently turned his blade to rest against Levi's exposed chest.
Checkmate.
Levi stood still for a second... then slowly stepped back.
Clatter.
He dropped the wooden sword into the grass.
"I give up," he muttered.
The reason he sparred was to understand the difference between himself and a level two adventurer.
Now, he did.
If even a level two was this strong, what about level three, level four… and beyond?
Levi truly understood the weight of a Falna.
Seeing Levi fall silent, Yorichii lowered his blade and looked at him with the calm patience of an older brother.
"You're fast, and your instincts are sharp," he said gently. "But you commit too fully to each strike. You don't leave yourself room to adjust mid-flow. Try breathing in rhythm with your movements, and watch your opponent's center, not just their weapon. Let the flow guide your blade."
Levi looked up at him quietly.
Apart from his unusually tall height, which annoyed him, he could tell that Yorichii was a genuinely good person.
Taking his advice to heart, Levi gave him a long, deep look. Then, without saying a word, he turned and walked away.
Yorichii blinked, confused, wondering in his mind.
'...Did I say something wrong?'
He had just wanted to give a few friendly pointers, but it seemed not to have worked out.
It seemed the newcomers still hated him.
On the sidelines, the rest of the group looked at each other.
Farlan let out a small sigh. It seemed Levi's bad habit was causing a misunderstanding again.
"B-brother Levi lost…" Isobel muttered in a shocked voice, watching the one-sided match.
She couldn't help but look at Yorichii with a newfound sense of respect.
Bell quietly replayed the entire fight in his mind, committing it to memory, trying to learn all he could.
While everyone was distracted in their own thoughts, Ninya quietly left the training ground and followed after Levi.
Stepping onto the wooden porch, Levi stopped and looked at his hand.
Yorichii's advice kept ringing in his mind.
Unknowingly, his Ackerman blood stirred. His predecessors' instincts and experience began to fill the gaps in his technique.
It was a slow but steady process.
Just from a simple spar, he had already started improving.
Sensing movement behind him, Levi turned his head and saw the simple-looking girl with dark brown hair.
'Her name… was Ninya?'
Levi looked at her in silence.
Before Lioro left, he had specifically told him one thing: take care of his sisters and Elsa if they ever got into trouble.
Seeing Levi staring at her, Ninya's heart beat faster. She quickly lowered her head, flustered and embarrassed.
Levi raised an eyebrow.
"What's wrong?"
"That…" Ninya took a deep breath and clenched her palms before looking him in the eye.
"Mr. Yorichii is strong, but you also fought amazingly! So don't be sad!"
For a moment, silence filled the air.
Then—
"Huh?" Levi let out a confused sound.
What the hell was this woman talking about?
—
Later, the Hestia Familia prepared to head into the dungeon.
Their team consisted of Yorichii, Bell, Elsa, Levi, Farlan, and Isobel.
A six-member party, almost all warriors. Fortunately, they had already discussed roles beforehand.
Farlan carried a medium-sized shield made of wood and metal, along with a short sword. He had chosen to use a shield after Yorichii's suggestion.
Isobel had a bow and arrows strapped to her back, with a short sword on her hip. After seeing her instincts in battle, Yorichii had advised her to try archery.
After only a few practices, Isobel was surprised to find she actually had a knack for it and loudly thanked Yorichii in excitement.
Just like them, Yorichii had also suggested Levi try dual-wielding.
And surprisingly, Levi had listened.
Seeing the two swords hanging by Levi's side, Yorichii gave a silent nod.
It seemed his relationship with the new member was slowly improving.
"Tsk." Levi turned his head away after catching Yorichii's gaze.
Yorichii simply stared.
"Everyone, let's go to the dungeon!" Bell called out excitedly, walking at the front of the group with large strides.
As they neared the dungeon entrance, a familiar figure appeared in their path—a young woman with short silver hair holding a lunch basket.
"Yorichii-san, Bell, Elsa… good morning!" Syr said with a bright smile as she stepped forward.
"Good morning, Syr-san," Bell replied cheerfully.
"Good morning," Yorichii added in his usual calm tone.
"Hello, Syr-san," Elsa said politely.
Syr smiled at their reactions, then her gaze shifted toward Levi and the others.
"Yorichii-san, who are they?" she asked curiously.
"These are our new members."
"New members?"
"Yes."
Syr's eyes widened for a moment. Then, without hesitation, she secretly activated her ability and looked at their souls.
Her gaze first landed on Farlan.
Ordinary.
Then she looked at Isobel.
Hmm… a bit better, purer than average. Still far below someone like Yorichii, Bell, or Elsa.
Finally, her gaze reached Levi.
She had low expectations after the last two.
But the moment she saw him—
Syr, no, Freya, clenched her fingers tightly around her lunchbox.
Another pure soul.
Damn it!
Is Hestia really the Virgin Goddess? Or is she secretly the Goddess of Luck?
Barely hiding her growing jealousy, Syr greeted the group.
"Hello, I'm Syr."
"Hey, Syr! I'm Isobel!" Isobel stepped forward and smiled brightly.
Meanwhile, Levi and Farlan exchanged a silent glance.
With years of underworld experience, they could sense it immediately—this woman was hiding her true nature.
She had fooled Yorichii and the others, but not them. Seeing through masks like hers was second nature.
"Yorichii-san, you told me about your captain before… is he not here today?" Syr asked, still smiling.
"Our captain is busy with other matters."
"I see! I'd love to meet him if possible," she said with expectant eyes.
"If the opportunity arises," Yorichii replied, a bit hesitantly, remembering Lioro's clear suspicion toward Syr.
"Is there a problem?" Syr asked, noticing the slight shift in his tone.
"It's nothing."
"Okay…" Syr said, finally letting it go.
After handing the lunchbox to Yorichii, she turned around and walked off.
Watching her rapidly retreating back, Yorichii tilted his head in confusion.
Why was Syr in such a hurry today?
-------
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