When their foreheads parted, the image in Loki's mind shattered like glass.
So it really does require a strong enough connection with Tsuna to pass through the World Bubble… even if it's only a fleeting thought.
Loki finally understood—if she ever wanted to escape this world, she'd need Tsunayoshi Sawada's help.
"How was it?"
"Clearer than I expected," Loki replied, eyes still sharp with curiosity. "A high mountain plateau… a half-petrified tent… and a mark you can barely see with the naked eye."
"Huh?"
As Loki summarized what she saw, Tsuna frowned slightly.
"Miss Loki, other than the tent—didn't you notice anything else?"
"You mean signs? Like… traces of people?"
"Exactly. Were there any?"
At his prompt, Loki's eyes widened in realization. "No. None at all."
"The surroundings were… pristine. No footprints, no signs of anyone being there. Completely untouched."
"That's weird."
Tsuna didn't buy it—not for a second. There was no way his old man wouldn't have checked that place out.
He'd been gone for nearly a month. There had to have been an investigation—his last location should've been torn apart for clues. So why was there nothing?
"My old man's the tenth-generation boss of a mafia family. No matter what, he'd be keeping tabs on me."
"But for me to have vanished this long, and for there to be no signs of a search? That's just not normal."
"Then it's a matter of time," Loki said immediately.
"Time?"
"Worlds don't just differ in structure. Their flow of time can vary too."
"Some worlds move faster, while in comparison, others are practically frozen. What you're dealing with is most likely a difference in time flow."
Time flow disparity…
Tsuna understood that concept all too well.
After all, he'd just created something similar to the Room of Spirit and Time.
Given how complex the relationships between worlds were, the explanation made perfect sense.
"In that case," Loki said with a grin, "you don't have to worry about having been gone too long."
That reassurance actually eased Tsuna's tension a little—but it raised a new worry instead.
"Then I just hope time here runs slower. Otherwise, if I suddenly come back taller by a couple of heads, my mom won't even recognize me."
Loki laughed. "That's something normal people might worry about—but not you."
"I still don't fully understand the secret behind you, but I'm sure your lifespan won't be as short as an ordinary person's."
"You can't tell now, but in a few years, you'll see it."
"Huh?"
Tsuna blinked, stunned. Immortality had crossed his mind before, but hearing Loki say it out loud hit differently.
He hadn't changed races. He hadn't cultivated divine power. He was just an adventurer with a bit of help from his 'system'.
"You're spacing out again." Loki smirked. "Don't overthink it."
"With your abilities, you can already do plenty. But before you try to break the world's rules, make sure you've got the strength to back it up."
"You know what I mean."
Loki didn't need to spell it out. Tsuna understood perfectly—it was the same warning she once gave Bete.
"Don't worry, Miss Loki," Tsuna said seriously. "I know that better than anyone."
"Good."
Loki wasn't worried about him losing control. Tsuna wasn't the kind to recklessly reach beyond his grasp.
"So stop stressing over everything. Just focus on growing stronger."
She gave him a look that was both stern and maternal.
"But you really should tone it down a little. Your body hasn't even finished developing yet, and you're already using such brutal training methods. At least consider whether you can handle it physically."
For Tsuna's current condition, pushing himself in the densest part of the pressure barrier was way too much.
Loki hadn't stopped him before because she'd wanted him to experience his hunger for strength firsthand—but there wouldn't be a second time.
She had no intention of forcing Tsuna's growth. She'd already seen what happened when someone like Ais pushed too far, too fast.
And she wouldn't let that happen again.
Tsuna listened silently, nodding. Truthfully, he'd already realized his mistake the moment he stepped into that space.
He'd only trained his body for seven years—he wasn't anywhere near the level of a Level 3 or 4 Adventurer. The high-pressure environment had nearly crushed him, both physically and mentally.
"…I understand."
Tsuna took a deep breath. "My body's not ready for that kind of strain. From now on, I'll stick to using the Gravity Bracelet for steady, timed training outside."
"That's better."
Loki nodded, satisfied. At least he wouldn't become another Ais.
One prodigy like her was enough. This special boy of hers needed to walk his own path.
"Good. Now, let's move on—there are three more things we need to discuss."
"First, after your Level Up, I helped pick your Development Ability. When that happened, your magic—previously unreadable—finally revealed itself."
"My Development Ability?" Tsuna blinked. "Miss Loki, you never mentioned that before."
"That's because your Development Ability was unique. If there had been options, I would've asked for your input."
"Unique?" He frowned. "I only got one?"
Loki grinned. "And it fits you perfectly. It's basically a key that unlocked your magic. After your Level Up and that choice, your magic finally showed its true form—just like its name."
"The Dying Will Flame."