For his future, Tsuna chose steady growth over unstable shortcuts. Step by step, building a solid foundation—that was the most pragmatic way to get stronger.
Ais Wallenstein might have been obsessed with power, but even her strength had to grow gradually. Besides, by the time the "story" had yet to even begin, she'd already reached Level 5. That alone was proof of her talent and relentless effort. Especially since not long after the story started, she climbed to Level 6—way earlier than most Adventurers ever could.
But Ais didn't see it that way. She always carried that burning sense of urgency, the desire to get stronger faster.
That night, after being scolded and lectured by Riveria for half the day, her sore muscles finally began to recover. The downside was the number of stick marks now decorating her backside. They were dark and deep—and judging by her limping, Riveria hadn't held back much at all.
"Loki, update my Status."
This girl really doesn't learn. Loki sighed as she watched Ais strip off her top and sit with her back to her. The moment her sore rear touched the bed, she'd spring right back up again, wincing in pain. If it hurts that bad, just lie down properly! But no, she just couldn't stay still. Loki couldn't do anything about this stubborn kid.
"Ais, you should know when to stop. Riveria actually went easy on you this time. You realize that, right?"
Went easy?
The moment that thought crossed her mind, Ais's face went pale. She remembered how close she'd been to fainting during Riveria's "treatment" earlier that morning. Easy? Not even close. Just thinking about the pain in her butt made cold sweat run down her spine. Sure, this punishment was technically lighter than last time, but somehow Riveria had felt even scarier this time around.
"I'll be careful."
Taking a deep breath, Ais forced down her fear of Riveria. What mattered more right now was how much her Status had improved.
You're definitely just ignoring everything I said, huh. Loki sighed again. If only this kid weren't so fixated on growing stronger so fast. A total brat. Still, she couldn't help but think of Tsuna. At least that boy wasn't like Ais.
Strength: I12 → I40
Endurance: I7 → H50
Dexterity: H23 → H42
Agility: H43 → H68
Magic: I78 → I79
"Oh-ho~"
Loki raised a brow, surprised. Just a week ago, Ais had gotten her Status updated. Under normal circumstances, she shouldn't have been able to grow this much without entering the Dungeon. But the numbers didn't lie—her Status had skyrocketed.
"Your Strength and Endurance jumped a lot. That's more than ten trips to the Dungeon would've given you. Dexterity and Agility went up nicely too. All that in a single day? Guess those monsters Tsuna made really are useful."
"Grew… a lot?" Ais's heart started to race as she listened.
"See for yourself. You've been waiting for this, haven't you?"
Ais quickly grabbed the paper Loki handed her. Her eyes widened the moment she saw her new stats. Her breathing quickened—so much growth?
Aside from Magic, all four of her other abilities had increased by double digits or more. She remembered that toward the end of Level 4, even fighting deep in the Dungeon barely earned her single-digit gains. Yet this time, she'd achieved in one day what used to take two or even three weeks.
"Feels like your growth rate's pretty amazing this time, huh?"
"Yeah."
"Then think about how that happened. You spent the whole night running that overload device Tsuna made for you. You know, the one meant to push your limits? He told me himself—keeping that thing on all night could kill you. You've got guts, Ais."
…Crap.
Ais froze. Loki's tone was different from usual—no teasing, no lewd undertones, just pure amusement. That was bad. Very bad. Because when Loki sounded like this, it meant she was actually angry.
Loki was usually an easygoing goddess, sure, with her fair share of pervy old-man energy. But that was when she was in control. What was truly terrifying was this Loki—the one who smiled and joked in that mocking tone. That Loki was far scarier than any expressionless one.
"Ais."
Here it comes. Ais trembled at the sound of her name.
"If you ever pull something like this again, I'll have Finn assign you to house duty for half a year. You'll stay home and train nowhere. Everything you're so obsessed with—I'll make sure you can't touch it. Got it?"
"H-half a year!?"
Ais felt her mind go blank. That punishment hit harder than any of Riveria's beatings ever could.
For someone desperate to keep growing, being locked up at home for six months was hell itself. No Dungeon, no battles, no progress—just confinement. The thought alone made her blood run cold.
"Did you hear me, Ais?"
"!?"
Loki's voice was dripping with a sweet, almost playful tone—but Ais could feel the chill crawl down her spine. She nodded automatically, like a wind-up doll.
"Understood."
"Good. Because if you hadn't, I'd really have to keep you locked up—and when that happens, I'll say this now: don't cry."
Ais was already on the verge of tears, shaking her head desperately.
"I won't… I promise I won't…"
Even if she got Riveria mad again, she couldn't risk being stuck at home. Ais was absolutely certain of that. She also knew that if Loki really confined her for half a year, she'd be completely cut off from Tsuna too—and that was something she definitely couldn't accept.
"Good. You can go now."
Ais quickly pulled her shirt back on and bolted from Loki's room faster than she ever had from a monster. Loki watched her go and smirked.
"Brats like her… sometimes they just need a little scare."
After giving that stubborn, power-obsessed kid a lesson, Loki finally found herself with nothing to do. Sitting around was boring anyway.
"Eh, whatever. Guess I'll go find Tsuna."