Chapter Twenty-One

Muichiro nodded. The fight had been intense, the clash of their strengths leaving its mark on the very earth beneath them.

As the dust settled, Demeter stepped forward, her expression a mixture of approval and satisfaction. "Muichiro, you've proven yourself today. You have my blessing to venture further into the dungeon. Your strength is undeniable."

'I see now why his swordsmanship is at C...he might be even better with the sword than the sword princess herself.'

Meanwhile, Adrian laid down on the floor covered in dirt, his breath haggard while his muscles ached from the pain.' Where the hell did Demeter-sama find this monster.'

Adrian looked at Muichiro's back, with a face of admiration and shock. He couldn't believe that he actually lost to a level one newbie, this should have been impossible, and yet...

For some strange reason at that moment, the image of the strongest adventurer in Orario came to mind.

'No what the hell am I thinking, the kid is nowhere near that monster in beast skin...but maybe...just maybe a new monster would be emerging within Orario once again.

A smile graced his lips.' Looks like things aren't going to be so boring around here anymore, haha.'

...

With the test concluded, Muichiro's routine continued. He spent time in the garden with Betty, assisting her in tending to the crops, while she taught him the ropes.

No matter if he was an adventurer, as long as he was part of the Demeter familia, he needed to know these types of things.

The day progressed, and Muichiro found himself in the library, his curiosity leading him to explore the written histories of Orario.

Demeter joined him, her presence a soothing presence as they read in silence. Occasionally, she shared anecdotes and insights, her words offering a deeper understanding of the world's history.

As the sun began to set, Demeter suggested they retire for the evening. Muichiro closed the book he had been reading, his mind processing the knowledge he had gained.

They left the library, walking side by side in the quiet halls of the estate.

Demeter paused, turning to Muichiro with a warm smile. "Muichiro, I hope you've enjoyed your second day with us."

He met her gaze, his expression serene. "Yes, I have." He said not really knowing the feeling of Joy, but he responded in the way he thought others would.

She chuckled softly, her eyes reflecting a mix of amusement and fondness. "I'm glad to hear that."

As they reached Demeter's room, she gestured for Muichiro to enter first. "You can use the bathroom to get ready for bed," she said, her voice gentle.

Muichiro nodded in acknowledgement and headed towards the bathroom. He washed his face and teeth, his movements methodical.

Once he was done, he returned to the bedroom, where Demeter had already changed into her sleepwear.

This time, she wore a yellow wool onesie that gave her a cosy appearance. Muichiro's gaze flickered briefly, registering the change in her attire.

He changed into his shorts and sat on the bed, his eyes focused on the empty space before him.

As Demeter joined him, she noticed his contemplative expression. "Everything alright, Muichiro?"

He nodded, his gaze meeting hers briefly. "Yes."

Demeter chuckled softly, her eyes warm as she patted the space beside her on the bed. "Come on, Muichiro. Let's get some rest."

Muichiro obliged, lying down on the bed and settling in beside Demeter. He turned off the magic stone lamps, enveloping the room in a gentle darkness. It was a peaceful silence that enveloped them, a comfort in their shared presence.

As Muichiro closed his eyes, he felt the weight of the day's activities catch up to him. His thoughts drifted, reflecting on the experiences and interactions that had marked his second day in the Demeter Familia.

And as he drifted into slumber, Demeter's soothing presence by his side, he felt a sense of quiet contentment.

In the embrace of the night, Muichiro's journey continued, one day at a time, his path intertwined with the enigmatic world of Orario.

....

The next day dawned with a gentle radiance, casting a golden hue over the Demeter Familia estate.

Muichiro woke up with the same calm resolve, his movements measured and precise as he went about his morning routine.

As he dressed in his familiar haori and mesh, he glanced at the empty bed beside him, a fleeting reminder of Demeter's presence.

Exiting the room, he found a simple breakfast waiting for him, and he ate in quiet contemplation.

The events of the previous days seemed to blend together and today held new challenges and opportunities, and Muichiro was ready to face them head-on.

Demeter's voice broke the silence as she entered the room, her attire casual yet elegant. "Good morning, Muichiro. I hope you slept well."

Muichiro nodded in response, acknowledging her with a calm expression. "Yes, thank you."

With breakfast concluded, Demeter informed him that they would be heading to the Guild to register his level status.

Muichiro stood, his katana at his side, ready for the day ahead. Together, they left the estate and made their way to the streets of Orario.

The Guild's entrance was bustling with adventurers, each with their own agendas and goals.

Muichiro's presence attracted curious glances, but he remained calm. Demeter led the way as they approached the counter, where a Guild staff member greeted them.

"Good morning Demeter-sama," the staff member said with a smile. "How can I assist you today?"

Demeter spoke up, her voice carrying an air of authority. "We're here to register a new member of my Familia and provide his level status."

The staff member nodded and motioned for them to step closer to the counter. "Certainly. Please provide the adventurer's name and his current level."

"Muichiro," Demeter answered, her gaze shifting towards Muichiro.

"Level 1," Muichiro added, his tone calm and resolute.

The staff member nodded and she went to the back to find Muichiro's documents. After some searching she finallyfound them and came back" Thank you. Your registration is complete."

As they stepped away from the counter, Demeter turned to Muichiro with a smile. "Congratulations on officially becoming a member of my familia."

Muichiro nodded in acknowledgement, his demeanour unchanged. "Thank you."

With their business at the Guild concluded, Demeter suggested that Muichiro continue his exploration of the dungeon.

He agreed with a nod, and they parted ways at the Guild's entrance. Demeter's smile was warm as she bid him farewell, her words carrying a sense of encouragement.

"Take care, Muichiro. I'll see you at the Manor."

Muichiro watched her walk away before turning towards the direction of Babel, the entrance to the dungeon that held both challenges and opportunities.

He entered the dungeon, his footsteps echoing in the dimly lit corridor.

As he descended the spiral staircase, a sense of familiarity settled over him. The first and second floors were his chosen destination for the day, an opportunity to further acquaint himself with the labyrinth's depths.

The air grew cooler as he reached the first floor, the gentle breeze a reminder of the mysteries that lay ahead.

The walls of the dungeon were adorned with blue colouring, and the presence of monsters was palpable. Muichiro unsheathed his katana, his stance poised and ready. Goblins and Kobolds emerged from the shadows, their eyes fixed on the lone adventurer.

The clashes of steel and the echoes of his breathing filled the air as Muichiro engaged in battles with the dungeon's inhabitants.

His Wind Breathing techniques allowed him to move with swiftness and precision, and his strikes were calculated to maximize efficiency. The monsters fell one by one, their bodies dissolving into particles of light.

Hours passed, the battles merging into a blur of motion and adrenaline. The walls grew darker, the air more stifling. Muichiro's focus remained unbroken, his calm facade belying the intensity of his efforts. The monsters were relentless, but he was unyielding.

Finally, as the darkness seemed to reach its peak, Muichiro emerged from the dungeon's depths. His clothes were pristine, but his skin was covered in dirt.

Muichiro stepped into the bustling streets of Orario once again, his expression unchanged.

The second dungeon dive was just him getting used to the layout, and not getting lost. Now he was confident that he could go deeper next time...Maybe he'll visit the eighth or ninth floor in his third dive.

For now, he would just head back to the Guild and exchange all the magic stones he had collected for Valis.

.....

As Muichiro walked through the bustling streets of Orario, his senses attuned to the rhythm of the city, he stumbled upon a distressing scene.

In a dimly lit alleyway, three burly adventurers were surrounding a figure much smaller than them.

At first glance, it seemed like a defenceless child was being targeted, but as Muichiro's keen perception kicked in, he realized it was a Pallum—a diminutive humanoid race that looked like children but were actually just small people.