Is it wrong to try to meet someone in a dungeon?

This policy is not only to promote the growth of the Loki Familia, but also to fulfill the long-awaited wish of giving birth to a "hero." Whether it's adventurers exploring dungeons, the Loki Familia launching expeditions, or Lefia wanting to hone her skills, they are all interconnected.

The same applies to the previously mentioned "reason for Orario's existence".

While the gods, with their penchant for spectacle, were partly fueling the movement, the promotion of "War Games" served two purposes: besides suppressing "resistance" that could harm towns, it also aimed to encourage competition among the Familias to grow stronger. At least, Lefia had come to see it that way.

When Lefia witnessed the Amazons fighting amongst themselves in the battlegrounds of Tyr Scylla—the Kali Familia—she found their actions horrifying, but it was nothing compared to what Orario was doing. After all, Orario was, in a sense, also engaging in "poisonous cultivation."

Even if it contains the intricate intentions of the gods, it can all be called the process by which Orario, the "land of promises," nurtures the "next generation of heroes."

"That's why adventurers must be fully prepared. If they are defeated... it's as if all hope for the lower realm will perish. At least I personally believe that 'next time' may be humanity's last chance."

The lecture hall was completely silent.

The students listened intently in complete silence, not daring to miss a single word Lefia said.

"Speaking from the perspective of an adventurer (me) might lead to misunderstandings, but I still have to say it. I hope that everyone here will stop being an 'outsider' and become one of the 'parties involved'."

Lefia offered her own answer to the question.

"Even if Orario does defeat the 'Black Dragon,' it's still inappropriate for the whole world to entrust this burden entirely to Orario. Everyone should 'help and support each other.' Since entering the age of gods, people have gradually overcome racial barriers, and this is our most powerful weapon."

Lefia recalled everything that had happened up to this point.

[Family] Join forces to challenge the unknown (dungeon).

Adventurers transcend factional barriers to conquer the roaring man-made labyrinth (Knossos).

The silhouettes of first-level adventurers like Ais, who possessed "heroic qualifications," guided those who lacked the qualifications forward, transforming into an incomparably powerful torrent of force.

Lefia was convinced that one of the correct answers was that this spectacle was on a world-class scale.

"I am still working hard to improve myself, but I urge everyone not to stand aside. Let us all join hands to fulfill the aspirations of the entire lower realm—that's all I wanted to share. This lecture is now over."

Lefia, standing on the podium, placed one hand on her chest, concluding the lecture with an elven salute.

The students responded with thunderous applause.

"You've shown the qualities of a 'mentor'."

The excitement in the lecture hall lingered, with students still discussing the topic in their seats. It was then that Leon, who had come to greet them, said this to Lefia.

"It seems that you, like Yarisa, possess the qualities to become a teacher."

"Teacher, you flatter me... I am just an adventurer."

"That's right, Professor Leon! Just because I'm always by your side and have become qualified to be your right-hand man, you said something that sounded like a confession...!"

"Yaris, the teacher didn't say that..."

Lefia was dumbfounded as she watched Alyssa, who was shyly twisting her body and squealing with her hands covering her flushed cheeks after misinterpreting Leon's meaning. At the same time, she thought to herself that she had indeed grown up.

When her business trip to the "school district" is over, Lefia returns to the Loki Familia to continue her life of being mentored. However, if she adopts the mentor's perspective, she should be able to understand the mentor's message more quickly and deeply, and in which direction the mentor hopes she will improve.

In addition, explaining the key points to the students also provided Rafia with an opportunity to "learn".

She can translate actions she usually takes subconsciously or intuitively into language.

Explain by reflecting on your own actions.

For advanced adventurers who tend to rely on instinct, this experience can serve as a "review" and "preview" of various tactics. Within the Loki Familia, Finn and Riveria are probably the most adept at this. Through this experience, Lefia can apply this knowledge to future battles.

One should not be content with the position of being "guided." That would be such a waste.

Rafia felt as if she had become wiser.

Thinking about it, I'm really realistic. I was so dissatisfied with this arrangement back then, but now I can sincerely thank the Lord God (Loki).

Just then—

Lefia, who was backstage, heard screams coming from the lecture hall.

"Senior Lefia is so cool!"

"Right, right! That's really true! Maybe it's because she's an elf~"

"Should I say that my senior is both beautiful and dignified...? It's hard to believe she's only a second-level adventurer!"

"So admirable!"

Girls, I can hear your conversations perfectly clearly from here.

Please don't underestimate the five senses of a Level 2 adventurer.

Leon smiled kindly at Lefia, whose face was flushed with embarrassment, while Alyssa covered her mouth with her hand and chuckled.

"A spirit like myself is truly unworthy of such praise..."

"Lefia, excessive modesty will only make people dislike you, and being subjective will lead to unhappiness for yourself and others."

Lefia was completely speechless.

In Lefia's common sense, only first-level adventurers like Ais are worthy of praise.

However, by the standards of people like Arisa who operate outside of Orario, Lefia is already an exceptionally outstanding individual.

Neither side is wrong; both sides have their reasons.

Among the teachers hailed as the "strongest force in the school district"—and uniquely regarded as the "top force"—Leon fully understood what Lefia meant and said to her:

"Just accept the praise frankly, Lefia. Fair evaluation is indispensable on your path to growth."

"...Okay, I will try my best to improve that."

After hearing this answer, Lyon couldn't help but give a wry smile.

While battling her shyness, Lefia also felt that she had handled it quite well.

Whether mentoring students or giving a speech on stage, he performed better than expected.

Is this also the result of deciding to "change myself"? Lefia is not sure, but she can feel that she has grown, and she can't help but feel happy and proud.

But while receiving praise, something happened that caused Lefia a lot of trouble.

*

"Ughhhhhh...!!"

The day after the lecture concluded successfully.

While Lefia was compiling and guiding the "Seventh Squad," she was glared at angrily by someone.

It was Nano, her eyes brimming with tears, who uttered these words in a deep silence.

"Um... Nano? Did I do something to upset you?"

Despite the intense resentment in her eyes, the tearful look in her eyes was so endearing that it made her seem like a small animal making a threatening gesture, making one want to pat her on the head.

Even so, Lefia was still a little sad.

After all, she always used the term "senior sister" and followed her around like a little chick, making Lefia think that she and she were very close.

After Lefia asked her question cautiously, Nano burst into a tirade like a woman whose beloved had been taken away.

(Illustration 018)

"Senior Lefia is a vixen~!!"

“Huh?”

"I clearly told you not to seduce Luke!"

Correction: the word "as if" no longer applies to this situation; it is more like a girl whose love was stolen away.

Completely bewildered by the matter, Lefia let out a strange scream in fright.

"P-Please wait a minute, Nano, what are you saying...?"

“…”

"what?"

"Luke has fallen for Senior Lefia~!"

Faced with Nano shouting with her eyes closed, Lefia wore an expression of indescribable confusion.

"What?"

His appearance could be described as utterly bewildered.

Who fell in love with whom?

Seeing Lefia's stunned expression, Nano shouted even more angrily.

"Stop pretending, senior! Ever since the day Luke first entered the dungeon, the way he looks at you has changed! You're a little devil who knowingly does wrong and manipulates people's hearts!"

"Let me clarify first that I'm not playing anyone... Ah~ but... Luke has been acting a bit strange lately..."

Lefia always felt that Luke's attitude towards her was inexplicably distant.

Whenever Lefia felt her gaze turn around, Luke would blush and quickly look away, or he would stammer as if he wanted to say something. If Lefia smiled and asked him with concern, "Is something wrong?", Luke would blurt out, "N-nothing!" and turn his face away, so Lefia thought that he disliked her.

Lefia couldn't help but recall that it was from that time onward that Nano always stared at her like a vengeful spirit betrayed and killed by someone she cherished.

"Luke is completely infatuated with Senior Lefia! You're hopelessly infatuated!"

"No, that won't happen..."

"It's true! As my childhood friend, I can tell! Because Luke is a pathetic virgin, and the contrast between you being a senior and younger than him is something that fascinates him!!"

"That's a really blunt thing to say..."

I didn't expect Nano to be so sharp-tongued.

Seeing Nano, whose shoulders were heaving and who was panting heavily due to her emotional state, Lefia felt a headache coming on.

"...Even if that were true, I wouldn't reciprocate his feelings, so you can rest assured."

"This is still infuriating! Because Luke is just so handsome!!"

"So what am I supposed to do...?"

Seeing her junior getting furious no matter how she answered, Lefia felt extremely discouraged.

When Lefia, with nowhere to retreat, showed a helpless expression, Nano seemed to finally calm down. Her face was filled with sorrow as she slowly said:

"Even though Senior Lefia is only fifteen years old, she has already joined the Loki Familia and reached Level 4... Even if the sky were to fall, a clumsy little thing like me would never be able to beat you..."

"Nano..."

"Senior, you're so cool, beautiful, and dignified... It's only natural that Luke would admire you. Someone like you is what you call a 'noble elf,' and honestly, even I think so..."

After hearing the whisper, Rafia stopped reaching out her hand.

After hearing the words "noble spirit"—

Lefia suddenly realized.

The "questions" and "confusions" she had held until now have all been resolved, as if she could hear the voice of everything connecting.

Why were the students so agitated when they saw her? Why did she receive such incongruous descriptions as "dignified," "beautiful," and "handsome," which seemed completely out of place with the earlier comments about Rafia Viridis? Rafia finally understood.

What Nano and the others see through their present selves (Lefia) is—Philweis.

Lefia, unwilling to forget Philvis and imitating her fighting style, can never forget the shadow of this "noble elf." The reason Alyssa says Lefia has "matured" is undoubtedly because she continues to chase after Philvis's phantom.

Because otherwise, how could Lefia be described as a "pure elf"?

(This is ridiculous...)

Just as she (Lefia) admired Ais.

Just as she (Lefia) admired Phil Weiss.

She never imagined that anyone would admire Rafia Viridis.

It's ironic that one becomes admired by others simply because they lost someone important to them.

"...Don't worry, Nano. This kind of longing is just a temporary misunderstanding."

So, Rafia smiled self-deprecatingly and said this.

"what?"

"Once he finds out how useless I am... a really ugly elf, he'll definitely be disillusioned and wake up."

Lefia wanted to say the word "pathetic," but she refrained from doing so.

Because it was nothing more than her own self-loathing, which even made people impatient.