[138] : Mika Meets Ais Wallenstein!

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"A decisive battle?"

"That's hardly reassuring news!"

Somber expressions filled the room. No one felt optimistic about the impending confrontation.

"Shakti, for the foreseeable future, maintaining order in Orario will fall upon your shoulders."

"Why? What's happening?!" Shakti asked urgently, startled by Finn's words.

"Don't worry, we're simply shifting the battlefield outside of Orario," Finn explained seriously. "I don't believe the dark faction relocated outside the city just to evade us. In my opinion, it's a strategic move."

"They're likely plotting something outside Orario. Therefore, the Loki and Freya Familias will focus our efforts beyond the city walls."

"As for within Orario, we must entrust that responsibility to you."

"Understood!" Shakti nodded resolutely, fully aware of the gravity of the situation.

While this was her usual duty, they no longer had the Loki and Freya Familias to rely on for support.

"Don't worry, we're here for you!"

Seeing Shakti's increasingly worried expression, Mika placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"Relax. Both the Yahweh Familia and the girls of the Astraea Familia will stand by your side."

"Yes!" Shakti nodded gratefully, touched by his words.

"Hey, hey, while we can't provide the same level of support as before, we're not completely abandoning Orario!"

"Whether we like it or not, the Guild wouldn't allow every Level 6 adventurer to leave the city."

"So, Riveria will remain in Orario, and Allen will stay behind from the Freya Familia."

"While they won't participate in your everyday operations, they will undoubtedly join forces with you in times of crisis."

"I see!" Shakti breathed a sigh of relief.

Riveria and Allen, the vice-captains of the Loki and Freya Familias, staying behind to protect the city was a reasonable arrangement.

"That's good!"

"It seems Shakti is under a lot of pressure," Mika chuckled.

"Well, it is a bit overwhelming," Shakti admitted, wiping a bead of sweat from her brow.

"Hahaha!" Mika, Finn, and Gareth burst into laughter.

It was rare to see the usually stoic Shakti display such vulnerability.

"What are you laughing about?"

Hearing a familiar voice, Mika turned around with a smile. "Weren't you with Riveria, Mellie?"

As soon as Mika mentioned Riveria, Merlin quickly joined the group.

"Look behind me!" Mellie said mysteriously.

Intrigued, Mika, Finn, Gareth, and Shakti turned to look behind Mellie.

Their gazes met with a pair of intense, focused eyes.

"It's the Sword Princess!" Shakti exclaimed.

Unlike Shakti, Finn and Gareth stiffened upon meeting Ais's gaze.

"Apologies, I have something to attend to. I'll be going now," Finn said hurriedly.

"Me too!" Gareth echoed, quickly following Finn.

"Actually, I have some matters to attend to as well." Seeing their reactions, Shakti quickly excused herself and departed.

In the blink of an eye, only Mika and Mellie remained.

"What's going on?" Mika whispered to Mellie, feeling the intensity of Ais's gaze on his back.

"She's been staring at me ever since she arrived, but she hasn't said a word. I have no idea what she's thinking."

"Didn't you ask Riveria?"

"I did, but she just looked troubled and didn't say anything," Mellie replied softly.

"I see. I think I understand what's happening," Mika said with a slight nod.

He might not know much about other members of the Loki Familia, but he knew Ais quite well.

After all, she was one of his waifus from his past life!

Ais Wallenstein!

A human with the blood of a Spirit flowing through her veins.

Some speculated that she was a descendant of humans from millennia ago.

Her parents had perished in the battle against the Black Dragon, and she had been trapped somewhere until Riveria and the Loki Familia found her and brought her back to Orario.

Therefore, she harbored an intense hatred for the Black Dragon.

This hatred was reflected in her skill: Avenger.

Avenger: Greatly increases attack power against all monsters, and tremendously increases attack power against dragons. The effect is amplified based on the level of hatred.

This skill allowed Ais to defeat monsters far above her level.

In the original story, she single-handedly defeated a Level 6 Boss as a Level 5 adventurer, a feat even Ottar couldn't accomplish.

In addition to Avenger, Ais possessed the magic "Ariel," inherited from her wind Spirit bloodline.

This magic was incredibly powerful.

With these two abilities, Ais progressed rapidly, leveling up at a rate of one level per year.

Yet, she was never satisfied, always striving for greater strength.

In the future, trapped at Level 5 for several years, this desire would reach its peak.

This was why she would be drawn to Bell Cranel, who progressed at an astonishing rate.

Mika believed that Ais's intense gaze upon Mellie and him stemmed from the same desire for strength.

After all, in the eyes of Orario's adventurers, Mika, Mellie, and Airmid were considered prodigies who surpassed even Ais.

But Mika disagreed.

He believed Ais's talent was comparable to theirs. 

The difference in their progression was due to the Familias they had joined.

With that thought, Mika turned and waved to Ais.

Seeing her delighted expression, a bold idea suddenly sparked in Mika's mind. 

---

Mika waved to Ais in the distance, and she quickly ran over to him and Mellie.

"Mika-senpai, Mellie-senpai," Ais greeted them respectfully.

"Senpai?" A smile touched Mika's lips at Ais's formal address.

Technically, both he and Mellie had become adventurers later than Ais.

However, Ais had been remarkably young when she started her adventuring career, just seven years old.

This meant that today, two years later, she was only nine.

Therefore, Ais addressed Mika and Mellie, who were older and higher-level, with the honorific "senpai."

"Good evening, Ais," Mika greeted her warmly. "You were watching us from the shadows. Is there something you wanted to say?"

"Yes," Ais replied with a firm nod.

Mika paused, observing Ais's serious expression. The current Ais was vastly different from the Ais of the future.

In the future, Ais projected an image of quiet innocence, almost aloof.

But now, she exuded the playful energy of a young child.

The current Ais was remarkably lively, so much so that it often caused Finn, Riveria, and the others considerable headaches.

"I want to know how to become stronger."

'I knew it!' Mika thought to himself.

This was likely the reason why Finn and the others seemed troubled.

After all, regardless of their methods, the secrets to the Yahweh Familia's rapid growth were highly confidential.

It was a matter of common sense not to pry into another Familia's secrets.

So, when Ais learned that Mika and his companions were progressing at an accelerated rate and suspected they had a unique training method, she naturally wanted to inquire about it.

She had expressed her desire to Finn and the others beforehand.

Clearly, they had been hesitant to ask, worried about potentially straining the relationship between their Familias.

Finn viewed the Yahweh Familia as a future pillar of Orario and a valuable ally. He didn't want to jeopardize their relationship over this matter.

However, Ais was determined, and upon seeing her approach Mika, Finn and Gareth quickly excused themselves, subtly signaling that they weren't involved in this conversation.

But Finn and Gareth hadn't anticipated Mika's reaction.

Looking at Ais, her eyes filled with anticipation, Mika considered taking her on as a student.

Unlike Finn, who subconsciously distanced himself due to their different Familia affiliations, Mika viewed all of Orario as a potential resource.

Thanks to his ability to traverse different worlds, Mika's strength was growing at an extraordinary rate.

He estimated that within a few years, he would likely reach the pinnacle of Falna's potential, Level 10.

At that point, he would effectively possess the physical capabilities of a god, though lacking their divine power and authority.

As for becoming a true god, Mika wasn't concerned.

While Danmachi world, with its powerful deities, presented a formidable challenge, there were countless worlds in the multiverse with even greater power levels.

Currently, Mika was limited by his Falna and his Familia.

However, once he surpassed the gods in strength, everything in this world would be at his disposal.

Even the strongest individuals from the various Familias, upon gaining access to the powers of other worlds, would shine even brighter.

Mika viewed Orario as his orchard, and as the orchardist, he naturally wanted to nourish the finest fruits.

"To think I've become an orchardist now."

Recalling his encounter with Hisoka, the "orchardist" from the Hunter x Hunter world, Mika chuckled softly.

"A way to become stronger? I do have one."

Ais's eyes lit up at Mika's words.

However, his next words dashed her hopes.

"But it's a Familia secret."

"I could..."

*I could switch Familias!* The words nearly escaped Ais's lips.

But she stopped herself.

As she was about to speak, memories of her time in the Loki Familia flooded her mind.

Riveria, Finn, Gareth, Loki…

Images of them caring for her flashed before her eyes.

She couldn't bring herself to utter the words.

"I guess I've become a part of the Loki Familia," she thought to herself, a hint of self-deprecation in her voice.

Having pushed herself relentlessly in her pursuit of strength, she couldn't abandon the Loki Familia now.

"You could what?" Mika asked with a playful smirk, having already discerned Ais's thoughts.

After all, her intentions were written all over her face.

"It's nothing," Ais mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper.

She turned and walked away slowly.

Having been a member of the Loki Familia for two years, she knew that if she couldn't join the Yahweh Familia, she wouldn't have access to their secrets.

It was an unspoken rule in Orario.

"I'll just have to push myself even harder. Maybe a miracle will happen," she thought to herself.

"Huh? Leaving already? Don't you want to learn how to become stronger?"

Mika's voice, calling out from behind her, stopped Ais in her tracks.

After a moment of stunned silence, she spun around.

"Senpai, do you want to teach me how to become stronger?!"

"But... I'm not a member of the Yahweh Familia!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with a mixture of hope and confusion.

"That's true, but there are different ways to teach within a Familia and outside of it."

Mika's face broke into a wide smile as he looked at Ais's eager expression.

"After all, Riveria didn't mind that Mellie wasn't a member of the Loki Familia. She wholeheartedly shared her knowledge of magic with her."

"I should repay that kindness, even if she might not care."

"But I must warn you, I won't teach you everything."

"Yes, I understand, Mika-sensei!"

Ais instantly recalled the interactions between Riveria and Mellie and, inspired, addressed Mika with the title "Sensei."

"Sensei?"

Although he had anticipated it, hearing the title still filled Mika with a sense of pride.

He had finally reached a point where he could mentor others.

The smile on his face widened.

...

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