Blossoming Potential

"Hey, Althea, I want my new sword," Ais asked her sister in a meek manner, though her face lacked any expression.

Meanwhile, an elf with jade hair, tried to ease her growing headache by rubbing her temples and interjected, "Althea, could you please explain what she's talking about?"

As soon as Althea and Ais returned from the dungeon, they were immediately summoned to the office, which now resembled an impromptu lecture hall.

Despite Althea's attempts to conceal Ais's injuries with healing magic, the bloodstains on her sister's armor served as undeniable evidence. Riveria, the vice captain elf, became visibly upset after hearing a summary of the situation from Gareth.

However, Gareth himself seemed unfazed by the tension in the room.

Letting out a sigh, Althea responded to Riveria's question with a combination of wit and responsibility. "Well, you see... I promised Ais a new sword if she followed my instructions."

Riveria's expression hardened as she fixed her gaze on the blonde girl. "And did she actually follow your instructions?"

"Well... to some extent, but we're still working on it," Althea admitted hesitantly, well aware of Ais's less-than-ideal compliance.

"That's not enough, Althea. Your sister's recent behavior is completely unacceptable," Riveria's words carried disappointment and concern, with frustration lingering in the air.

Ais couldn't bear seeing her sister shouldering all the blame, so she quickly rushed to her defense. Her voice was sharp with a mix of defiance and worry as she spoke up.

"No, it's not fair to put all the blame on Althea! She's doing her best!" Ais exclaimed, challenging the elf woman's reproach.

Riveria's gaze sharpened as she redirected her stern look towards the other girl. Her narrowed eyes conveyed disappointment. Ais felt a shiver run down her spine, but she stood her ground, refusing to back down.

"And as for you, Ais," Riveria's voice carried a sharp edge, emphasizing her point. "You need to take better care of yourself! You can't always rely on your sister to constantly watch over you!"

Interrupting Riveria's scolding, Ais summoned her courage to voice her original request. "More importantly, I need a new sword—"

Riveria promptly cut her off, her tone filled with exasperation. "What do you mean, 'more importantly'? I won't let that slide so easily. You must understand the importance of personal responsibility, young lady."

The cycle began anew, with Gareth wearing a wearied expression as he observed the scene unfolding.

Finn, having finished his paperwork, wore his characteristic wry smile while sensing the tension in the air.

Meanwhile, Loki was currently absent, attending to another pressing matter, leaving Riveria to bear the brunt of the scolding.

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Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Althea took a deep breath, determined to defuse the tension and find a resolution.

"Riveria, I genuinely understand your concerns, and I want you to know that I'm taking this matter very seriously," Althea responded, blending sincerity with her lighthearted nature. "Yes, Ais has been acting recklessly, but I will do everything in my power to help her understand the significance of her safety."

The elf woman shook her head, her expression unwavering. "Words alone won't be enough, Althea. Your sister's negligence of her own well-being is a substantial issue."

Althea nodded empathetically, fully acknowledging the elf woman's worries. "I hear you, Riveria. I take full responsibility for Ais's actions, and I promise I will go to great lengths to help her comprehend the importance of her safety."

Hearing the girl's reasoning, Riveria's stern demeanor softened slightly, revealing her underlying concern. "It's not just about her safety, Althea. Your sister is also neglecting her overall health. She constantly pushes herself to the limit, and it deeply worries me."

Althea absorbed the elf woman's words, her tone remaining sincere. "I understand, Riveria. I will address her health as well. Ais's well-being is just as crucial as her safety, and I will prioritize helping her understand that."

After the conversation with Riveria, Althea turned her attention to Ais, who was pouting angrily and avoiding eye contact.

Seeing this, she couldn't help but offer a wry smile. Approaching her sister with a gentle demeanor, she understood Ais's stubbornness.

"Ais, please listen," Althea began softly, attempting to break through her sister's defenses. "I know you're strong and capable, but it is incredibly important for you to take care of yourself. Your safety and health matter to me, and I need you to understand that."

Hearing her sister's reasoning, Ais stubbornly crossed her arms, denying it. "I'm fine, Althea. I don't need you constantly worrying about me."

Althea, recognizing her sister's stubbornness, needed to find a way to connect with her. "How about we make a deal? If you promise to prioritize your safety and well-being, I will make sure you get the new sword you wanted. But I need you to trust me."

Hesitating for a moment, Ais eventually relented with a meek voice. "Okay... I trust you, Althea."

Althea's smile grew more genuine, reinforcing their bond. "That's my girl. I promise you won't regret this. Ensuring your strength and well-being is absolutely worth it."

Having successfully convinced Ais, the three individuals in the room—Finn, Gareth, and Riveria—were taken aback. Even Finn, the captain, couldn't help but be impressed by Althea's persuasive approach.

Finn, the captain, decided to dismiss the two sisters and calmly told them they could leave. "You two may go now. But remember, Althea, you have a responsibility to ensure Ais's safety and well-being. Don't let us down."

Althea and Ais both complied, expressing their gratitude before exiting the room.

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As the two sisters left, a moment of quiet settled in the room. Finn, Riveria, and Gareth exchanged glances, impressed by the remarkable change they had just witnessed in Althea.

Finn broke the silence, initiating a discussion about Althea with Riveria and Gareth. "Did you notice how Althea handled the situation? Her persuasive skills were impressive, to say the least."

Gareth chimed in, his tone filled with admiration. "Indeed, Captain. Althea has grown so much. She has always been quippish and sharp, but now she's also matured and responsible. It's remarkable to witness."

Riveria added her perspective, her voice reflecting a mixture of surprise and pride. "I must admit, I didn't expect Althea to handle the situation with such finesse. She has developed into quite the leader."

The three of them engaged in a deeper discussion, focusing on the advantages Althea's wind and healing magic would bring to their future expeditions.

Finn remarked, a sense of admiration in his voice, "Althea's wind magic has proven to be invaluable, providing us with tactical advantages and aiding our navigation through treacherous areas. And her healing magic? It's a game-changer. We cannot underestimate the significance of having such a skilled healer among us."

Gareth nodded in agreement, his admiration evident. "Indeed, her healing magic is extraordinary. It has the potential to rescue us from dire situations and expedite our recovery. Althea's growth in that aspect is truly remarkable."

However, Riveria furrowed her brow, puzzled by something she had noticed. "I can't help but wonder, though. Althea seems to possess more than three magic slots, which is typically exclusive for us elves. How is it possible for a human to achieve that?"

Finn smiled wryly and leaned forward, picking up Althea's status paper from his desk. He handed it to Riveria. "You overlooked something, my dear Riveria. Take a look."

Riveria widened her eyes as she studied the status paper. After a moment of contemplation, she muttered, "Of course... How could I not see this?"

Curiosity piqued, Gareth leaned in to inquire. "What is it, Captain?"

Finn's voice held a hint of excitement. "Althea possesses a very intriguing skill, Gareth. It's called Arcanum Aeternum. It enhances her magical affinity and dedication, allowing her to unlock additional magic slots as she deepens her commitment to the arcane arts."

Riveria's surprise was evident as she absorbed the information. "That explains it. Althea's potential goes beyond what we initially assumed."

The room fell silent again, the three of them pondering Althea's mysterious potential. It was clear that she held abilities beyond what they initially thought.

Breaking the silence, Finn turned to Gareth with a curious expression. "Gareth, out of curiosity, how many times did Althea use her magic today?"

Gareth couldn't help but wear a wry smile as he responded to the captain's question. "She had used her magic at least a hundred times, Captain. It was quite a sight to witness the depth of her mana pool."

"I knew it," Finn exclaimed, his tone tinged with surprise. "This confirms that Althea's mana is even greater than I had imagined. Her potential is truly remarkable."

The discussion about Althea's growth and capabilities left them all in awe, filled with anticipation for the future with her by their side.

The possibilities seemed endless, and they couldn't wait to embark on new adventures with the young magician. With her strategic mind, growing magical prowess, and untapped potential, Althea was becoming an invaluable member of their team.