People often say: when you focus on something, time always seems to pass quickly.
For the past few days, Renjiro (Aether) had spent less time with Lumine. Instead, he was running daily to Welf's private forging workshop.
Guess I really am getting into forging.
His proficiency in the basics steadily improved.
Meanwhile, Lumine had temporarily moved into the Twilight Manor. Though technically, letting a non-Familia member stay overnight was against regulations… well, let's just say the Queen of Teyvat knew how to bend rules.
Even Finn, the captain, though unsure of the reasoning, couldn't resist Loki's cajoling, and Tiona's urging, so he reluctantly arranged a temporary guest room for Lumine.
And not just anywhere, her room was right near Ais and the others.
This meant… well, instead of talking about "easier to monitor," let's just say every night, the girls gathered in Lumine's room for little parties.
There, Lumine would tell stories, fantastic tales no one in Orario had ever heard before. Everyone listened with wide-eyed wonder.
Especially Tiona, the cheerful "angel." As a child, she'd been inspired out of a dark time by hero tales. To this day, she still loved hearing such stories.
But Orario's own tales were… lacking. The classics she'd already heard multiple times. The rest? Boring knockoffs, poorly written, some even blatant re-skins.
So one night,
"Lumine, I really think you could make a side job out of this~" Tiona said excitedly.
"Your stories are so interesting! If you published them, I bet they'd sell like crazy in Orario, maybe even worldwide!"
But Lumine only smiled faintly.
"These stories aren't mine. I don't have the right to decide whether to publish them."
In truth, it was Renjiro speaking through her. He despised plagiarists.
Sure, passing off Earth's classics would feel amazing. Being admired from a height that isn't mine, without effort or originality… how could that not be intoxicating?
But is that really "mine"?
Just slapping your name on someone else's work, then excusing it with I stand on the shoulders of giants because you can't be caught?
No. Renjiro couldn't accept that.
So Lumine concluded simply:
"I'll keep telling them to you, but making money off them wouldn't be right."
The others respected her decision. After all, as long as their curiosity was satisfied, they didn't need more.
And so, in this warm atmosphere…
When not telling stories, Lumine sparred in mock battles with Ais, Tiona, and Tione. They often trained in the Twilight Manor's garden, and sometimes other Familia members stopped by to watch, careful not to interrupt.
The onlookers were always familiar faces, like:
Anakitty Autumn,
Line Arshe,
Alicia Forestlight,
Elfy Colette,
…Yes, all women. Huh. Wonder why that is? Never mind.
They watched, learned, and gained experience, something both the Loki Familia's Three Captains and Loki herself encouraged.
Lumine had given her consent as well.
Before long, her skills and strength gained broad recognition. She even built friendships across the Familia, until people nearly forgot… she came from the Freya Familia.
Scary how fast things change.
And Lumine gained something too.
She'd been working on a new technique, based on Ais's Ariel. With the prototype right before her eyes, she wasn't about to miss the chance to learn.
Even Ais, and the Three Captains, approved, a clear case of you help me, I help you.
So, with Ais's help (though the emotionless girl was a terrible teacher), Lumine managed to perfect her new move just in time. She even figured out how to bend light with compressed wind, making her weapon flicker and blur.
Playfully, she named it:
"Pseudo · Wind King Barrier."
And so, three days passed.
The day of the Loki Familia's official Expedition finally arrived.
================
Unlike casual Dungeon dives, an Expedition was something else entirely.
When a god registered a Familia, the Guild always asked:
"What type of Familia are you establishing?"
For example:
The Hephaestus Familia or Goibniu Familia were Forging Support.
The Dian Cecht Familia or Miach Familia were Potion Support.
Such support Familias faced lengthy procedures and heavy Guild fees.
The only exception: Dungeon-Exploration Familias.
Both of Orario's top powers, Freya Familia and Loki Familia, were of this type.
Renjiro knew: for a Familia that declared itself a Dungeon-Exploration Familia, registration was far easier, and Guild taxes much lower.
The Guild was clearly encouraging more Familias to delve deeper into the Dungeon.
But the catch was:
"When a Familia reaches a D-rank, it must conduct Expeditions."
Just like Adventurers had Level values, Familias had Ranks. D-rank meant: at least one member of Level 4.
Naturally, both Freya and Loki Familia not only met but far exceeded this requirement. Thus, both had quotas for Expeditions.
For the Freya Familia, the quota was usually handled by the Four Flame-Warriors and the Black Knight. The Pallum quadruplets, incidentally, had been trying to meet the Twin Stars, but their duties delayed them.
Even Freya had admitted her Familia wasn't the best environment for Renjiro's growth. So she arranged for him and Lumine to join Loki Familia's Expedition, like a mother enrolling her child in an elite tutoring class.
================
Now,
"Is everyone assembled?"
"Yes, all present."
In front of Babel Tower, in the central plaza, dozens of Loki Familia members stood ready in formation.
Renjiro (Aether) and Lumine stood in the first row, alongside the core members. Thanks to Lumine's recent efforts and their "honored guest" status, no one objected.
Even those in the back smiled, eager to march with the Twin Stars.
Finn stepped forward.
"Since everyone is here, listen well." His voice carried strong authority.
"Our ultimate goal this Expedition is the same as always: reach the Familia's deepest recorded domain, the 59th Floor."
"To avoid chaos in the Upper Floors, the host will divide into three groups.
I will lead the first.
Riveria will command the second.
Gareth will lead the third."
"We'll regroup on the 18th Floor, then push straight into the Deep Floors."
"Understood?"
"Yes, sir!"
Dozens of voices answered as one.
"Good. Move out according to last night's assignments."
At Finn's command, the great host split into three.
Renjiro and Lumine were placed in Group Two, under Riveria's command.
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