Chapter 15: First-Class Adventurers
Loki Familia's Base, Twilight Manor's Entrance.
Today, there was a lively atmosphere in this particular place, unlike anything seen in the past two days.
One after another, members of the Familia, who were originally stationed in the manor, showed excitement and enthusiasm not seen before. They cheered and leaped with joy, welcoming a group of people.
As Riezel descended from the tall tower and reached the entrance, the group was surrounded by the stationed Familia members, exuding happy and relaxed smiles, creating a warm atmosphere.
His vision almost instantly locked onto the leaders of this group.
There, several individuals stood out prominently among their peers, catching his eye.
"Finally back!"
The energetic cheers came from a girl with wheat-colored skin, dressed in a dancer-like fashion. She wore a cloth covering only her upper body, with a long wraparound skirt around her waist, exposing her belly button and graceful figure without hesitation.
"Tiona, you're so noisy."
The one scolding the lively girl with wheat-colored skin was another girl, almost identical to the lively girl in everything except for waist-length hair and some body proportions. They looked like they were cut from the same mold.
"Dammit, how many times have you shouted since coming in?"
Beside them, a young Beastman with animal ears, tail, and facial tattoos, looking like a rebellious gangster, shook his head in disbelief while wearing an annoyed expression.
The Amazoness twins and the Werewolf youth, positioned conspicuously, engaged in a playful argument.
However, the three individuals standing next to these three were even more imposing.
They formed a trio of Pallum, Elf, and Dwarf.
Pallum, shorter and smaller than anyone present, with a childlike appearance.
An Elf with emerald long hair and a white robe, holding a silver staff, with long pointed ears and extraordinary beauty.
A robust Dwarf, clad in thick armor, slightly taller than the Pallum but shorter than the Elf, visibly muscular.
These three individuals, as if guarding something, smiled at everyone, radiating a benevolent feeling.
Riezel's vision swept over these three, but shortly afterward, it seemed as if something had irresistibly attracted his attention, and his gaze uncontrollably lingered on the last person's body.
However, before he could thoroughly observe this person, a loud voice interrupted him, breaking into this warm gathering.
"I missed you so muuuuuuch—!!!"
Loki, shouting like a child, rushed out, heading towards the leading group. No, more accurately, she was charging towards the figure who had captured Riezel's attention.
"AIS~!!!"
Like an uncle seeing a beloved niece, Loki screamed strangely and pounced on the figure.
The entire crowd witnessed this.
They saw the scene where the gentle long golden hair suddenly moved.
*BOOM!*
Accompanied by an explosive sound, the long golden-haired figure sidestepped, delivering a punch to Loki's stomach.
"GAH!"
Loki immediately made a muffled cry, expelling all the air from her lungs, and collapsed in front of the golden-haired figure.
"...I'm back, Loki."
A voice devoid of any excitement or hesitation emanated from the golden-haired figure's mouth.
The clear and pleasant voice revealed that the long golden-haired figure was undoubtedly a young and beautiful girl.
And indeed, that was the case.
The girl standing in front of the fallen Loki still retained a hint of childishness in her appearance. She seemed quite young, her slender body adorned in a light azure outfit. Her skin was delicate and smooth, with remarkably well-defined features. Her beauty easily rivaled that of Elf and Goddess.
She had a pair of eyes that matched her hair color, subtly radiating a transparent glow. A mysterious aura surrounded her entire being as if she had stepped out of a painting, appearing almost unrealistically beautiful.
The only downside was the lack of expression on her exquisite face, resembling a doll and giving off a sense of detachment.
Confronted with this excessively beautiful doll-like girl, Loki could only manage to lift her face with difficulty.
"Your skills have improved again, Ais..." Loki forced a smile uglier than crying.
"Well, Loki, serves you right, I guess?" Tiona, the lively Amazoness girl, approached with her face full of delight at Loki's misfortune.
"We're tired, Loki. Can you not bother us right now? Let us rest well, okay?"
Another Amazoness girl, who seemed more mature than the lively one, appeared while sighing.
"Tch."
The Werewolf youth also wore an impatient expression, showing no respect for the Goddess.
However, there was no uncomfortable atmosphere between the two sides. Instead, there was a natural sense of harmony, indicating a not just good but excellent relationship—one where they could interact without reservation or hesitation.
Family.
Riezel observed this scene before him, seeing the scene that seemed somewhat distant and foreign to him.
At this moment, the trio that had been watching from the sidelines approached.
"We're back, Loki."
The Elf lady—or more precisely, the High Elf lady, regal like a queen, spoke in a serious yet slightly warm tone towards Loki.
"Get up quickly, don't lie down."
The Dwarf uncle cheerfully pulled Loki up, looking as if he were effortlessly lifting a doll.
Finally, the shortest person in the group, with hair-like sheaves of wheat and lake-like azure eyes, approached with an appearance more youthful than anyone else present, the Pallum.
"The expedition has ended smoothly with no casualties, but the gains aren't noteworthy. I'll explain the details later. For now, let everyone take a good bath and rest, Loki."
With an unexpectedly mature tone, the Pallum reported to Loki.
"No problem!" Loki suddenly grinned like nothing happened, addressing the group. "Well then, everyone, good job and rest well!"
""Yes!""
The returning members responded one after another.
"Those who stayed, bring in the spoils we brought back." The Pallum, in a matter-of-fact tone, instructed the people around.
"Yes, Captain!"
The remaining members immediately went to help with moving things.
Only Riezel remained standing in place, watching the group entering Twilight Manor with laughter and conversation, his gaze fixed on the three top executives throughout.
Not only Riezel, but the rest of the Familia members, whether those staying at the base or those on the expedition, looked at the three top executives with admiration and affection.
It was only natural.
After all, those three individuals were the pinnacle of Loki Familia, the backbone of this Familia.
They were powerful.
They were renowned worldwide.
Among the adventurers engaged in labyrinth exploration, all adventurers were categorized into 'High-Class Adventurers' and 'Low-Class Adventurers' based on their level.
Low-Class Adventurers referred to adventurers at Level 1, while High-Class Adventurers was the title given to adventurers who had experienced a level up, reaching Level 2 and above.
High-Class Adventurer was further divided into 'Third-Class Adventurer', 'Second-Class Adventurer', and 'First-Class Adventurer'.
Adventurers at Level 2 were considered Third-Class Adventurers.
Adventurers at Level 3 and Level 4 were classified as Second-Class Adventurers.
Adventurers at Level 5 and above were recognized as First-Class Adventurers.
Generally, if a Familia had a third-class adventurer, it was considered to have gained some status in Orario, stepping out of the realm of a small Familia.
Therefore, if a Familia had a first-class adventurer, it held significant influence in Orario.
A Familia with multiple first-class adventurers could be considered one of the top Familia in Orario and even worldwide.
Loki Familia, precisely one of these top Familia, stood as one of the most prominent.
Tiona Hiryute, Level 5, Amazoness, Loki Familia's Executive, bearing the alias—Crusher.
Tione Hiryute, Level 5, Amazoness, Loki Familia's Executive, bearing the alias—Jormungand.
Bete Loga, Level 5, Werewolf, Loki Familia's Executive, bearing the alias—Vanargand.
These three were the Amazoness twin sisters and the Werewolf youth who initiated the conversation earlier. They were the first-class adventurers within Loki Familia.
The other trio had even more impressive backgrounds.
Finn Deimne, Level 6, Pallum's Hero, Loki Familia's Captain and Top Executive, bearing the alias—Braver.
Riveria Ljos Alf, Level 6, a High Elf and Elven Royalty, Loki Familia's Vice-Captain and Top Executive, Orario's strongest mage, bearing the alias—Nine Hell.
Gareth Landrock, Level 6, Dwarf's Warrior, Loki Familia's Top Executive, bearing the alias—Elgarm.
These three were the strongest members of Loki Familia, leading the Familia from its early days to its current glory, all Level 6, a rarity in all of Orario.
As for the last person...
Riezel once again turned his gaze toward the doll-like girl walking among the group, a bit silent and reserved.
"Ais Wallenstein, Level 5, Loki Familia's Executive, the strongest swordswoman, bearing the alias—Sword Princess..."
His few whispered words faded away like the wind.
"Um?"
The golden-haired girl about to enter the tall tower seemed to have heard something, turned her head, and looked in Riezel's direction.
Their eyes met in an instant.
At that moment, in their eyes, it seemed as if there was only each other.
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Chapter 16: Uncanny Resemblance
Riezel's figure had a feature somewhat similar to Ais.
That was the faint, transparent glow in their eyes.
Even though his eyes were purely black, completely different from Ais's dazzling gold, others couldn't see any similarities. However, when they stared at each other, if a third person was observing them carefully, they would be surprised to discover an uncanny resemblance in their eyes.
Both had a hint of transparent radiance.
Both had a touch of indifference.
Both also carried a determination imperceptible to outsiders.
Riezel and Ais found themselves momentarily stunned when their eyes met for the first time. They discovered that the gaze of the other resembled their own, creating a strange sensation of seeing another version of themselves, like looking into a mirror and seeing their own eyes reflected.
This peculiar feeling held them in a prolonged gaze, seemingly forgetting the people around them and neglecting to avert their eyes, lost in a wordless connection.
Eventually, Riezel was the first to break free from this strange state. Under Ais's gaze, he nodded in acknowledgment, then turned around to join other members, assisting in transporting the spoils brought back by the expedition party.
Ais watched Riezel silently, her transparent golden eyes flashing slightly.
"Miss Ais?"
A voice suddenly brought her back to reality.
It was an Elf girl standing behind Ais, more like a follower than a companion. She tied her chestnut-colored long hair into a lengthy ponytail that hung down her back. With pointed ears peeking through a strand of hair on either side of her face, she looked younger than Ais but possessed a breathtakingly beautiful face.
"Lefiya..."
Ais, realizing the Elf's presence, subconsciously said her name.
"Yes!" Lefiya repeatedly nodded. Somewhat uncertain, she asked timidly. "What were you looking at?"
"I..." Ais was about to answer but was interrupted by another girl who had pounced on her back.
"I saw it!"
With such a lively voice, precisely another executive of Loki Familia, a Level 5 first-class adventurer, and Ais's peer, the Amazoness Tiona.
"Ais was just looking at a boy! Heehee!" Tiona teased first, then looked towards Riezel, puzzled. "By the way, who's that boy? We haven't seen him before, right?"
"Idiot." Tione, seemingly drawn into the conversation, crossed her arms, glanced at the busy Riezel with no interest, and spoke without any enthusiasm. "Since he's someone we haven't seen before, he's either a newly joined rookie or not from our Familia."
"Bu-But he's helping with the lifting..." Lefiya couldn't help but glance at Riezel a few times and murmur. "Since he's helping and inside our base, he must be a rookie, right?"
"Ohh! So that's how it is!" Tiona looked like she had just realized something. "A rookie, and a male at that! Umu, umu! Loki hasn't recruited a male into the Familia for who knows how long."
"Don't you notice the revolting behavior Loki's got going on? She's all about those cute and pretty girls, isn't she?" Tione rolled her eyes. "But Ais, you're actually paying attention to a rookie, and what's more, he's a dude. That's pretty unusual."
On the side, Lefiya nodded vigorously, staring at Riezel's figure, and for some unknown reason, with a slightly vicious expression.
Ais, unaware of this, remained silent amid the continuous verbal onslaught. Her gaze continued to follow Riezel's back, lost in thought.
This scene made the Amazoness twin sisters exchange a knowing glance.
"Hmm... It's really my first time seeing her like this..." Tione expressed surprise, then added with a snicker. "Could it be that our doll princess has finally reached puberty?"
"If everyone knew, it would definitely be interesting, yeah?" Tiona said innocently, then added with a mischievous grin. "Especially Loki and Bete."
Her words smoothly caught the attention of those who were curious.
"Oy, foolish Amazoness, what are you saying about me again?!" Bete glared at Tiona.
"Bleeh bleeh bleeh!" Tiona stuck her tongue out at him. "Not telling you, just figure it out yourself! Hmph!"
"This moron..." Bete looked visibly displeased.
Just as the two were about to quarrel, Gareth, breaking away from the conversation between Finn and Loki, shouted at everyone.
"Don't play around there! Hurry up and go in for a bath and sleep! People are waiting in line behind to use the bathroom!"
The admonition finally quieted everyone down, and they quickly entered the manor, making use of the time to clean up and rest.
Only Ais remained standing in place, causing Riveria to approach slowly.
"What happened, Ais?"
Riveria maintained her solemn tone, but her gaze toward Ais was gentler than toward anyone else, not like looking at a junior in the Familia but more like looking at her own daughter.
"...Nothing."
Ais chose not to voice her feelings, nor did she look again at the busy Riezel. After a slight acknowledgment, she turned and walked away.
Riveria watched Ais's back with a hint of compassion in her eyes, shortly afterward shifting her gaze to Riezel's figure.
'A rookie...?' Riveria pondered.
No one knew that everything happening here was being observed by Loki, who was paying careful attention.
'So, they discovered that kid's presence so quickly, ehh?' Loki observed calmly, feeling oddly pleased.
"Loki?" Finn, who was conversing with Loki, looked at the suddenly silent Goddess and called her name.
"Sorry, sorry, got slightly absent-minded~" Loki snapped back to reality, giving a casual laugh. "You guys go handle your own things, rest a bit, and we'll talk about anything important tonight."
"Okay." Finn nodded. "I'll go in first. We can deal with the spoils tomorrow."
"Go ahead." Loki waved her hand, dismissing her Familia Captain.
After the members of the expedition left, Loki grinned and shouted in Riezel's direction.
"Kiddo, come back early tonight, don't make too much trouble, okay!"
The shout from behind made Riezel pause for a moment. He knew Loki was fulfilling the promise from last night, introducing him to his 'mentor' for magic.
"I know!"
Riezel could only suppress the somewhat restless thoughts in his mind and abandon the plan to delve deeper into the dungeon today.
===
Time flies by quickly.
As the day darkened once again, Orario welcomed back adventurers returning safely from the dungeon, along with the common folk finishing their day's work.
It seemed like only at this time people would disregard their identities and racial differences, mingling together on the lively and relaxed streets.
This atmosphere was undoubtedly the most intense in Twilight Manor today.
Perhaps it was because everyone from the expedition party had returned, Loki Familia became much livelier than the past two days, and the atmosphere was quite vibrant.
After great rest, numerous members who returned from the expedition finally shook off the fatigue of consecutive battles. They shed their equipment and immersed themselves in the relaxed and pleasant atmosphere of the Familia.
Normally, at this time, the Familia would begin settling the gains from the expedition. Even Finn as the captain, considering the hardships of the expedition, empathized with the members and decided to handle the spoils tomorrow, dealing with things other than spoils at this moment was still tolerable.
For example, many Familia members were eager to update their status with Loki, to see how much they had grown this time and if they could accumulate valuable Excelia for a level up.
Unfortunately, Loki seemed to have no mood to handle this today. Playing the role of a whimsical Goddess, she postponed the tasks to update everyone's status.
"Let's talk about it in a couple of days!"
Loki left that sentence for the helpless Familia members, who had no choice but to comply.
After the expedition, the main task for the Familia was handling the spoils. There were few other tasks to complete, allowing everyone to enjoy a rare period of leisure before the next expedition. Hence, many were not in a hurry.
In this situation, all the executives of the Familia gathered in Loki's divine room.
"It seems like everyone has rested well." Loki looked at the state of mind of her children and nodded in satisfaction.
However, Bete seemed a bit unhappy about this.
"What's up? Why'd you call us all here out of the blue?"
He seemed to be complaining that the Goddess disrupted his plans. But his eyes kept drifting towards Ais, his tail wagging back and forth, proving his words were insincere.
"To call us all here suddenly is indeed rare." Tiona said while holding onto Ais's arm affectionately which made Bete secretly annoyed.
"I thought you would only call Captain for a talk." Tione crossed her arms. "I don't mind though, as long as Captain is there, I'll be there."
Finn could only show a face full of helplessness as he heard Tione's statement.
Riveria shook her head and sat beside Ais, waiting quietly for Loki to speak.
"Why did you call all the executives here?" Gareth stroked his long beard, looking at Loki and making an inquiry.
Throughout, Ais made no movements or sounds and stayed silent.
Loki, with hands on her hips, proudly spoke.
"No worries! I just want to introduce a troublesome brat to everyone."
Upon hearing that, everyone was momentarily stunned.
""Introduce someone?""
They were all even more confused.
Who could make their Goddess, who usually had no proper manner, treat affairs so seriously? What's more, she gathered all the executives just to introduce someone?
Everyone present looked at each other, curiosity building up.
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