Chapter 254: The story of Ais
Tsukasa listened to Ais's story without saying anything, and frankly, he must admit her story was unusual.
Ais told how she lived happily with her father and mother. She had a happy childhood, and she was also being doted by her parents. She thought such a life would continue, but who would have thought that she would lose her happy life and her parents.
Everything started when the One-Eyed Black Dragon, which was one of the monsters that were part of the Three Great Quests, appeared and destroyed her hometown.
Her mother was taken by the One-Eyed Black Dragon, and her father left her, so he could save her mother.
Being left alone, Ais didn't know what to do, and she could only cry before she came and joined the Loki Familia. However, crying wouldn't give her anything, and she knew what she had to do was get stronger, so she could defeat the One-Eyed Black Dragon and save her mother. It was also the reason why she was obsessed with getting stronger.
Listening to Ais's story, Tsukasa was in silence for a moment, but his mind ran at high speed. He was quite dumbfounded when he heard Ais's story and knew it might be her first time talking about her life to someone.
Frankly, hearing her reason, Tsukasa understood why Ais was so obsessed with getting stronger, and from her story, he could also imagine what kind of blood and tears she had shed in her life, especially when he heard how she became a Level 2 adventurer with just a year of time.
While his record might have beaten Ais, Tsukasa knew after his night lesson with Riveria how hard it was for one to promote their levels. So when he compared his reason and Ais's reason to become stronger, he sighed helplessly.
Still, what Tsukasa didn't understand was how Ais could join the Loki Familia?
While the Loki Familia is famous now, it wasn't so in the past. It wasn't until Finn, Riveria, and Gareth appeared that this Familia became stronger. Along with the death of the Hera Familia and the Zeus Familia, the Loki Familia grew together with the Freya Familia and became the strongest Familia in the Orario.
However, what he wanted to say wasn't this.
What he wanted to say was the fact that the story of the One-Eyed Black Dragon was similar to the story that happened 1,000 years ago. He had heard this story from Riveria before, but Ais's story was similar to this story.
It was also because of this that Tsukasa wondered how Ais could be living 1,000 years ago?
Tsukasa had read many mangas and read many stories, so he wondered whether Ais was sent to the future, so she could escape from the One-Eyed Black Dragon. It might be possible, but he didn't really want to make speculation until he understood everything. Still, he wondered whether there was magic that was able to send someone to the future.
While Tsukasa was interested, he had either a clue or a way to learn it, so right now, it was better not to think too much and focus on his swordsmanship and other things he could learn in this world.
Also, there was one thing that he needed to do.
After Ais ended her story, she didn't say anything and was in silence for a while, waiting for his response. She lowered her head since her heart was in a mess with the feeling that she couldn't become stronger, at how she was defeated by Tsukasa, and the confusion about what she should do.
The people who peeked at them were curious about their conversation, but they couldn't do anything since they could only peek at them from a distance. Closer, they would be found out,, and it would be a disaster if they were known.
However, her mind suddenly turned white, blank, and she couldn't think of anything when she felt her head being gently patted.
Ais was dumbfounded by this feeling since it felt warm and comfortable, but it also made her embarrassed since she knew the one who had patted her head.
Not only Ais, but everyone could also look at Ais with dumbfounded, and envy since they also wanted to be patted by Tsukasa.
"You have worked hard."
"....."
Ais opened her mouth before she closed it again. She wanted to bawl somehow, but she forced herself, so he didn't since she didn't want to appear weak. However, those words hit straight into her heart.
Ais might appear as a perfect and strong adventurer. It was also the reason why she could gain the epithet of the "Sword Princess." However, deep inside, she was just a little girl who was scared and insecure. She hid everything deep inside her armor, forcing herself, so she could become stronger.
The others also treated her so, and they respected her for being strong.
Tsukasa was the first person who said those words to her.
Ais wasn't good at expressing herself, so she was in a daze, but her face turned crimson red.
"Well, Ais, I am not sure to say this, but if your parents are here. Instead of hoping you to give them revenge, I think they want your happiness," Tsukasa said softly.
"I..." Ais was in a daze and blinked her eyes.
"However, I won't say that you should stop with your revenge. It's just that your life shouldn't be just about revenge." Tsukasa thought for a moment and asked, "Have you thought about love?"
"Love?" Ais was dumbfounded.
"Well, love is a double-edged sword. You can become stronger from it, and you can become weaker because of it." As for his case, Tsukasa died because of it.
"...Love can make me stronger?" Ais asked curiously.
"It should be." Tsukasa looked at Ais curiously and asked, "Do you have someone you love?"
Ais looked at Tsukasa for a while and blushed before she shook her head furiously while wondering why her heart was pounding so fast.
"....."
Tsukasa was in silence before he said, "Well, let's not think about love first. Let me help you to become stronger. Can you continue?"
Ais nodded without hesitation. "Yes."
Looking at her eager expression, Tsukasa nodded with a satisfied expression since it had always been so good to teach a good student. "Come on."
The two quickly did their spar again.
However, while Ais fought, the words that Tsukasa said before started to resurface again.
Love.
Ais wasn't sure what kind of feeling it was, but one thing was for sure, she knew it should be the feeling that her father and mother felt at that time. It should also be her mother's feeling toward her, but she had never thought this feeling was able to be placed on someone other than her parents.
Ais stared at Tsukasa for a moment before her head was slammed with the handle of the sword.
"Focus," Tsukasa said flatly.
"...."
Ais grumbled while rubbing her head, but she didn't feel angry, only stuck out her tongue cutely.
Tsukasa showed a helpless expression, which made Ais smile somehow.
'If it's love?'
Ais shook her head and took a deep breath. Right now, she has to become a Level 6 as soon as possible. 'By then...' It might not be bad to learn what love was.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
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