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

"'Wanting to gain power,' right... I'm not in a position to judge others, but that child's desire was so naive that it made me worry for her. It was heartbreaking to see."

Finn leaned back, pressing his weight onto the chair, his eyebrows drooping sadly.

Then, as if he had just remembered something, he asked her, "But then again,"

"I really admire your ability to bring her back from the dungeon so successfully, Rivera. She was acting like she was going to fight to the last drop of her strength. Was it because of that cute missing tooth?"

"No, she hasn't even used up all her strength yet... her weapon broke first. That's why she'll obey."

"What? Even though it's a guild supply, this little adventurer broke it in just half a day..."

This reminded Rivera, who took out the short sword hanging at her waist—the "Child's Sword" that Ais had entrusted to her for safekeeping. Drawing it from its scabbard, she could see the entire blade was gone; Grace took the weapon, examining it intently with obvious astonishment.

"She defeated the monster with a single blow... I'm not exaggerating, she literally blasted it into pieces. That's something a Level 1 adventurer shouldn't be able to do."

"Could it be... that 'skill'?"

"I can't think of any other possibilities."

Loki opened his eyes slightly, and Riveria nodded in response.

"That was a truly terrifying 'skill'... and also a 'chain' that dragged that child into the abyss of death."

Defeating too many monsters would attract more enemies and lead to her death. And she wouldn't care about her injured body.

Rivera closed her eyelids, recalling what had happened in the underground city, and told Loki this.

Seeing her emerald eyes, Loki and the others sighed with worry.

"I really can't tell her about 'magic' now..."

"Yes. Even if you have a powerful 'weapon,' if the user is not skilled, you will only die young."

Loki didn't tell the little girl about the "magic" displayed in her [ability stats]. Because once she came into contact with that powerful force, the little girl would undoubtedly struggle to continue fighting. Grace looked down at the broken short sword, as if superimposing something onto the broken blade, echoing Loki's words.

"First, you have to learn the technique of controlling 'skills'... the 'mind' that can govern emotions. What that child needs to train now is not the body, but the mind."

Upon hearing Riveria's precise explanation of the current countermeasures, Finn, Grace, and Loki all nodded in agreement.

"Yes, that's the most urgent thing. Rather than the right mindset for adventurers, it's more about combat methods or all the related knowledge? And then there's the so-called 'manners.' We need to find someone to teach her."

"A teacher, right? But who's suitable...?"

"..."

"..."

"..."

The office was completely silent; all eyes, except for Riveria's, were fixed on her.

The mage, feeling the silent gaze, raised his face, looking visibly embarrassed.

"Wait... do you want me to do this?"

"Unfortunately, from the perspective of the leader, I can't spend all my time with just one member. Besides, I also have to deal with the issues of the dark faction. Of course, I plan to check on her whenever I have time."

"At least my title is vice commander! Why can't Grace do the same?!"

"I've had to deal with some troublesome mandatory missions for quite some time now. Besides, to be frank, I don't know how to deal with girls that age. You're all girls, so Ais must feel more comfortable."

"That's so irresponsible...!"

"Besides, Rivera, didn't you volunteer to take care of Ais today? Your maternal instincts must have been greatly stimulated, right??"

Finn and Grace shrugged, while Loki wore a mocking, malicious grin.

"Don't talk nonsense, Loki!"

"This is a great opportunity! Riveria is finally going to be a mom!"

"I am not married!"

"I know, I know, I understand you're using the age of a long-lived race (the Elf royal family) to gloss over the fact that you're already practically an old maid."

"snort!!"

"Eek ah--!?"

The staff, swung even more fiercely than the little sister's (Ais's), struck Loki's calf directly, and a horrible, shrill scream erupted once more.

Rivera glared at the god rolling on the ground, her face flushed. Seeing them like this, Finn and Grace both gave wry smiles.

"Joking aside, I also think you are the right person, Riveria."

"Finn...you overestimate me. How could I possibly take care of girls of a different race..."

"Then I'll say it this way. This is the commander's order."

Finn told her that there was a hint of playfulness in his last sentence.

"Ais has become a member of the Familia. Now that we've welcomed her in, we adults must treat her with a sense of responsibility and affection. Especially the latter, we must treat her no less than that girl's real family."

"..."

"Of course, I also think you'll need to put in more effort, but we'll also provide assistance in that regard and will definitely not push all the responsibility onto you."

"Well, to put it simply, companions (familia) include all of that."

Finn smiled gently, and Grace beside her gave her a hearty smile in return.

Finally, Loki cried out, "It hurts so much!" and stood up while touching his foot and with tears in his eyes.

"I think this is necessary for Riveria too. Considering that more young people will join our [Family] in the future, you can experience what it's like to be a mother."

Rivera first looked very troubled, and then she collapsed from exhaustion.

She showed a resigned expression, but as if to make a last stand, she turned her face away, her cheeks flushed, refusing to look at Finn and the others' smiles.

"Who are you calling the mother (mom)...?"

*

Thump!

Several heavy books were placed on the table with a clatter.

"...What are you trying to do?"

Seeing the mountain of books in front of her, Ais put on a very suspicious expression.

After her initial exploration of the dungeon, it was the second day. After having breakfast, Ais was semi-forcibly taken to Riveria's private room.

Even Ais, who wasn't particularly interested in other races at the moment, could tell that this place was an elf's room, because many things were made of wood. Only the ceiling lamps were different in design; other things, like the simple little bed next to it, or the table with a stack of parchment that seemed to be related to the faction, had magic stone lamps shaped like flowers or fruits.

A silver staff leaned against a shelf; beside it, a vase held delicate, pure white flowers, while a larger, transparent bottle cultivated tender leaves and shrubs, both likely originating from the elven realm. Other shelves held not only magical potions (spirit-restoring elixirs) but also neatly arranged beautiful gems—spare magic gems. Even though the room was mostly filled with books and shelves, it exuded an air of elegance, likely a reflection of the room's owner's character.

In the spacious room that one couldn't help but admire, Ais, who was called to sit down in a chair, looked up at Riveria standing beside her.

"Starting today, I'm going to build your foundational knowledge. Simply put, it's about studying."

"study……?"

"That's right. Not just knowledge about mazes, I'll slowly teach you 'skills,' 'magic,' or the right mindset for an adventurer."

"...I don't need it. Let me fight."

"Idiot, how can you become stronger if you don't understand the essence of combat? If you want to pursue power, you must first understand the vast amount of 'unknowns' and enrich your cultivation."

Ais glared at Rivera and made a request, but Rivera rejected it without hesitation.

Ais didn't know how to get along with this elven royalty. Although Ais had just joined the group and wasn't used to the entire Loki Familia yet, feeling out of place, she was the one who troubled Ais the most.

Although they had only known each other for a short time, her attitude was inexplicably condescending and she was incredibly long-winded. Ais knew a similar elf, but this woman named Riveria was far more talkative. The dark memories of Ais's younger days—though only two or three years ago for her—of being lectured by that elf to the point of tears on several occasions, resurfaced in her mind.

Just as Ai was making no attempt to hide her resentful expression...

"Haha, Miss Ais doesn't like studying, huh?!"

Besides Ais, there was another guest in the room: Loki. She was skillfully stacking cards at the opposite table, smiling at Ais. Loki was there to check on Rivera's first day as a teacher, but Ais had no way of knowing any of this.

Ais almost cried out, but quickly swallowed it back.

Loki was absolutely right, but Ais kept a straight face and refused to reply.

"Ais, you must possess the 'Heart of the Great Tree,' which is indispensable for us mages. I want you to cultivate a spirit that is unshaken by anything. A fighting style that relies on 'skills' like yesterday will inevitably lead to your self-destruction sooner or later."

Rivera spoke eloquently in her beautiful voice, offering advice to Ais.

—However, to Ais, the elf's silvery voice now sounded like nothing more than noise.

What is she saying?

What's the point of saying all this?

I couldn't understand a word of it.

Ais had already said she didn't want to study anymore. She just wanted to get her new weapon and fight. That was the quickest way to become stronger, what else could she do? Who did this elf think she was? All she did was force Ais to do things she didn't like, making Ais annoyed and furious.

The escalating discontent grew larger and larger, leading to even greater frustration.

Unable to completely suppress her growing discomfort, Ais swayed slightly and couldn't help but lower her head.

"Just pretend you're being tricked, Ais, why don't you give it a try? Besides, receiving guidance from such a beautiful elf who stays by your side all the time must be quite enjoyable, right? Hehehe, a cute little girl and a beautiful tutor... this combination has a unique charm~. Hey, Rivera, could you please wear some glasses?"

"What nonsense are you spouting, you god?"

Loki and Riveria chatted idly by themselves, while Ais shuddered beside them, her irritation finally reaching its limit.

"...much prettier than you."

Then, she let out a barely audible murmur.

Rivera and the others turned their eyes and saw Ais suddenly raise her head, glaring at them as she cursed:

"Old lady!"

She said these words loudly in front of Riveria.

"………………………………"

"Alas!"

Upon seeing the Elven King's profile instantly lose its expression, Loki couldn't help but let out a heartfelt scream.

Riveria narrowed her eyes quickly.

Ais didn't notice that she had completely changed, and was still glaring at her with rebellious eyes—when a tightly clenched fist, moving so fast that it was invisible to the naked eye, slammed down from above.

The next instant, boom!

"!?!?!?!"

Iron fist sanctions.

The fist struck Ais's head with tremendous force, causing her so much pain that she couldn't even speak.

The terrifying force of the impact shot straight up to the little bottom sitting on the chair.

She fully experienced the sensation of the whole world... no, the violent shaking of the contents of her head.

"It seems... the first thing I need to teach you is how to show respect to your elders."

Loki, pressing his hands against Ais's head as she groaned in agony, felt a chill run down his spine upon hearing the cold voice emanating from beside him. He was so startled that he couldn't utter his usual jokes.

The little girl cautiously raised her head and saw the elven royalty with fierce eyes. "Eek!" she screamed in terror.

"I'm warning you now: any words or actions that lack discretion will be severely punished. Remember that."

Being looked down upon by the elven royalty with their icy expressions and chilling gazes, Ais felt an intense fear for the first time, and at the same time realized the difference in their combat strength.

If I were the "goblin" that I slew down one after another yesterday, my opponent would be the "Monster Rex," who even my father said was "incredibly strong"...!

"Now that you're starting to study, pick up your pen. From this moment on, you must write everything I say down in your notebook and in your heart."

"...!?"

"Ouch—" Loki covered his face with his hands, right in front of her...

Ais trembled all over as she obediently listened to the teachings of the elven royal family.

*

Then, the next day...

Ais gave up early on the second day and escaped from Riveria's lecture.

"Where have you been, Ais?! Show yourself!"