Leaving the God's Room, the first thing Shirou saw was a familiar figure.
Golden hair.
An exquisitely calm face.
Standing by the window, bathed in the evening breeze, the golden-haired girl quietly watched him.
Their eyes met.
"Ais? Why are you here?" Shirou asked. "Didn't you update your Blessing yesterday?"
"I saw you enter the God's Room," Ais replied. "So I waited."
She lifted a hand and brushed her long hair aside.
Her voice was steady, her expression unchanged. As usual, it was difficult to read any clear emotion from her face.
"You waited for me?" Shirou asked. "Is there something you need?"
"Just curious."
"Curious about your current stats."
Leaving the window, Ais walked over lightly. There was a faint hint of expectation in her gaze.
She wanted to know how fast Shirou had grown.
"Basic stats?" Shirou chuckled softly, as if it were nothing special. "Coincidentally, I also have something to ask you."
"?"
Ais tilted her head slightly.
"My abilities have reached their limit," Shirou said. "I'm preparing to attempt my great achievement and go on an adventure."
He looked at her directly.
"Are you willing to come with me and protect me?"
"...Reached the limit?"
For the first time, Ais's eyes widened noticeably.
Only a month had passed.
And he had already reached the peak of LV.2?
Even knowing how abnormal Shirou's growth rate was, this speed still exceeded her expectations.
But the surprise lasted only a moment.
She nodded firmly.
"I understand."
"Then it's settled," Shirou said. "See you tomorrow morning at the Familia's main gate."
With that, he bid farewell and returned to his room to make his final preparations.
-
Inside the Loki Familia's women's bathhouse.
Ais was submerged in the hot water, with only her face exposed. Her gaze was unfocused, staring quietly ahead.
Around her, the lively voices of Tiona and Tione echoed through the bathhouse.
"Hey, hey, Tione," Tiona said excitedly, splashing water everywhere, "do you know how much my stats have gone up recently? A full few dozen points! Usually, even a whole expedition doesn't give that much!"
"Mine went up about the same," Tione replied. "The method Shirou came up with really works."
Her mood was clearly just as good.
"Right? Shirou really is a genius."
"Hey-Ais!"
"...Ais?"
There was no response.
Only then did Tiona and Tione notice that Ais was lost in thought.
Tione quietly moved closer and wrapped an arm around her, measuring her with an impish grin.
"Spring fever?"
On the other side, Tiona leaned in too, smiling mischievously.
"Come on, tell us. Who is our Sword Princess thinking about?"
"Thinking about who?"
Ais pushed Tione away, then looked at Tiona with a puzzled expression.
Then she answered seriously.
"Thinking about Shirou."
"What?!"
Tiona shot upright from the water.
"Ais, did you fall for Shirou? You're actually thinking about him all the time?!"
Her voice echoed through the bathhouse.
At once, the other women subtly leaned in, ears perked.
The previously noisy bathhouse went quiet.
"I met Shirou outside the God's Room today," Ais continued calmly. "He said his stats reached their limit. He asked me to accompany him on an adventure tomorrow."
"..."
For a moment, the listening crowd froze.
Then-
"EH?!!!"
-
Early the next morning, at dawn.
Shirou had already packed his luggage.
According to the Guild, the Floor Boss of the Seventeenth Floor was scheduled to revive today. To prevent it from being hunted by others first, leaving early was the only option.
He put on his light armor, adjusted his backpack, and turned in front of the mirror.
"...Not bad."
"As expected of me. Handsome."
After a brief moment of self-appreciation, Shirou left his room and headed toward the Familia's main gate.
He had been preparing for today ever since his last Blessing update.
By now, every piece of equipment had been replaced.
What he wore was the peak of second-tier gear.
Even the spare shortsword on his back was an exquisitely forged blade. If sold in Hephaestus's shop, it would easily cost ten million Valis or more.
Money wasn't an issue.
Since Shirou began forging second-tier equipment, orders within the Familia had never stopped.
As one of Orario's two strongest Familias, the Loki Familia's weapon consumption was enormous.
And Shirou's prices were far cheaper than the market, while matching the quality.
Internal pricing.
That alone kept orders flowing nonstop.
It was also one of the main reasons his forging skills advanced so quickly.
Walking through the quiet courtyard, Shirou found his thoughts drifting.
"I wonder if Ais is already there."
Turning the corner-
He stopped.
Almost all of the Loki Familia's elites were gathered at the main gate.
"...Is there an event today?" Shirou muttered. "Why don't I know about this?"
Spotting the three executives, he hurried over.
"Finn-senpai. Riveria-senpai. Gareth-senpai," Shirou asked, "is something happening today?"
The surrounding Familia members burst into laughter.
The sound made Shirou's scalp tingle.
That uneasy feeling grew stronger.
Finn smiled and patted Shirou on the shoulder.
"Relax. No one's excluding you."
"We're here to cheer you on."
"...Cheer me on?"
Shirou felt a bit dizzy.
He still couldn't understand how the news had spread so fast.
Overnight, the entire Familia knew.
He turned and looked at Ais.
She met his gaze and said apologetically, "Yesterday in the bathhouse... I accidentally told Tiona."
"And then everyone knew."
Of course.
That big mouth.
Shirou sighed helplessly, then smiled wryly.
"Then I'll be counting on everyone."
"Ohhh!"
The cheers only grew louder.
His personal adventure had somehow turned into a full Familia event.
Glancing around, Shirou realized that almost everyone was present.
"If everyone's coming," he asked, "what about the Familia? Won't it get robbed?"
Riveria laughed lightly.
"It's fine. We're the Loki Familia. Who would dare?"
"Besides, Loki-sama is still here."
Hearing that, Shirou nodded.
"Loki-sama really is dependable."
The surrounding crowd chuckled.
Lefiya leaned close and whispered, "Loki-sama originally wanted to come too, but Riveria-sama tied her up and left her in the hall to guard the entrance."
...Incredible.
Truly worthy of being the Loki Familia's 'mom.'
She actually dared to do that.
Seeing everyone assembled, Finn stepped forward and raised his voice.
"Everyone!"
"Today is the adventure of our Familia's genius member-Shirou!"
"He will challenge the LV.4 Floor Boss, Goliath, as a LV.2 adventurer!"
"This is a heroic feat straight out of legend!"
"A myth to be remembered through the ages!"
"Let us witness it with our own eyes!"
"Loki Familia-move out!"
"Oh!"
----More Bonus Chapters!!!!
Every 300 power stones = 1 Bonus Chapter