"A week to come up with emergency countermeasures, huh."
Back in his room, Tsuna mulled over the task Loki had given him. He had seven days to prepare for the Dungeon expedition—mainly as support.
"The emergency plans have to focus on this Dungeon 'anomaly.' But what exactly is going on down there?"
It was his first time facing something like this. Even the upper floors were producing waves of monsters just from the aftershocks—he could hardly imagine what the lower floors looked like right now. Nothing in his memories covered this part of the story, either.
"I'll just have to plan based on what I do know."
He really couldn't recall anything about this specific event. No—more accurately, he'd never read this part. The author never wrote about a calm period four years before the main plot. Why would they? Writing about nothing happening would just be filler—and no editor would greenlight that kind of boring story.
Still, preparing support measures wasn't easy. Tsuna twirled his pen between his fingers, frowning in thought. Unlike front-line Adventurers, support roles had to consider far more variables.
Knock knock knock!
"Hey, rookie! We came to play!"
Tiona. Tsuna instantly recognized that cheerful voice.
Setting down his pen, he got up to open the door—and found not just Tiona, but Tione and Ais standing outside.
Right, Finn had ordered the Hiryute sisters to keep an eye on Ais, banning her from going to the Dungeon. The three of them usually moved together, so it made sense they'd show up like this. And if Tiona was here... she definitely had a reason.
"Good evening, Tiona."
"Evening~"
Her grin was as bright as ever—pure, energetic, the kind that made it impossible not to smile back. Yet, as always, Tsuna sensed something else behind that carefree expression.
Tiona glanced left and right, then leaned in close and whispered conspiratorially, "Rookie, you've been out all day. Don't tell me Mama dragged you off for more lessons?"
"Mama… you mean Riveria?"
That nickname made Tsuna laugh. Riveria's composed, responsible nature had earned her the "Mama" title inside the Familia—though she hated it, probably because it made her sound old.
"No, Riveria didn't drag me off for lectures. I went to the Dungeon with Finn."
"...?"
Ais's golden-green eyes went wide. She stared straight at him, her usually blank expression tinged with something sharp—almost sulky.
"Finn told me to stay home," she said flatly. "But he took you to the Dungeon? That's not fair."
Even with her expression barely changing, Tsuna could feel the sting of her displeasure and envy.
"Ais," Tione cut in, exasperated, "if you didn't rush ahead every time we went into the Dungeon, the captain wouldn't have banned you in the first place."
"Ugh…"
That single sentence hit her like a critical blow. Ais's shoulders slumped, her stubborn protest dying immediately. She knew she'd caused problems before… she just couldn't help herself sometimes.
"And if we let you loose again," Tione went on, "you'd probably go running wild down there. The captain's just trying to prevent a disaster. Besides, if you break the rules, he'll have Riveria 'remind' you what happens."
"!?"
Ais froze, going completely stiff. The memory of Riveria's last "lesson" must've resurfaced, judging by the way she flinched. Even her determination couldn't survive that image.
See? Riveria always worked best. Tione hid a satisfied smirk. No one scared Ais more effectively than the Familia's 'Mama.' Sure enough, the once-feisty Sword Princess was quiet now.
Turning back to Tsuna, Tione asked, "So, rookie, the captain took you down there to get you used to the environment?"
"That's part of it," Tsuna replied. "He also wanted to assess my initial growth—and figure out what areas I'm best suited for."
"Ah, that makes sense."
Tione nodded slightly, as if confirming her guess. But curiosity flickered in her eyes.
"How's your growth going, then? You don't need to give us the numbers—just what you're good at."
"There's actually quite a few areas," Tsuna said thoughtfully. "But my strongest one's Magic."
"Magic, huh. Figures."
Being able to create monsters through imagination definitely leaned toward magic. Tione gave an approving pat to his shoulder.
"Keep working hard, rookie. You're gonna become a key member of the Familia someday. But before that, you need to raise your level. Right now, you're someone who still needs protection. Until you've built enough strength, the captain won't let you enter the Dungeon alone. Once you level up, though, you'll be able to come with us to explore the deeper floors."
"I don't think that's a 'someday' thing."
"Eh?"
All three women blinked in surprise.
"I'm actually joining the upcoming expedition into the Dungeon."
"So soon?"
Tiona's eyes nearly popped out of her head.
"No way! Your power's useful even now, sure—but with Finn, Riveria, and Gareth around, I can't believe they'd let you join this early."
Tiona knew Tsuna's ability was overpowered enough to matter even at Level 1—but letting a rookie into a major expedition went against Finn's usual caution.
Could something have changed? A flicker of realization crossed her face.
"Wait… did something happen?"