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

"Hmm—but it's quite interesting."

"Huh—. What—? Did Ais say something—!"

Tiona and the others stopped arguing and all ran over.

Upon hearing Ais's question, they each reacted differently.

"Ais, why are you suddenly asking this? What happened—?"

"When you said you were teaching adventurers something, you meant adventurers of a lower level than yourself, right?"

"Spending time hanging out with nobodies is a waste of time, okay? Stop overthinking things."

Everyone formed a circle around Ais, who was hugging her knees, and Ais asked again:

"What will you do?"

"If it were me, I would ask him to meditate constantly. It all starts with understanding yourself."

"I'll take him with me to the dungeon—practice makes perfect!"

"They'll probably practice sparring. In short, they can only be perfected through rigorous training; you can't become anything without hard work."

"Tione, I think what you're saying isn't just a metaphor—?"

After the group of women each expressed their opinions, Bert twisted the corners of his mouth and snorted loudly through his nose.

"Don't make me repeat myself. A nobody is a nobody. As long as a nobody is still a nobody, whatever he does is in vain."

"...Bert can be quite philosophical sometimes."

"No way—he's just showing off—"

"Believe it or not, I'll bite you to death, you filthy woman...!"

"Comparatively speaking, the strong cannot find any meaning in relying solely on their strength... I never expected to learn a lesson from Bert."

"Old woman, even you are talking nonsense!"

Ais watched as their discussion veered further and further away, then turned to Finn, who was left standing to the side.

Where's Finn?

"Hmm—well, each individual needs different nurturing, so it might be a bit difficult to come up with a fixed teaching method."

Finn's small frame sank into the sofa, his fingers resting on his chin.

He countered Ais's question:

"Why would Ais ask such a question? My answer may change depending on how you respond."

"……I……"

The reason for asking the question is very simple.

Because he was thinking about how to guide that boy.

Six days have passed since she volunteered to be Bell's teacher. At first, she only wanted to explore the secrets of his "growth," but now she spends all her time thinking about how to hone him and help him improve.

Ais couldn't pinpoint the source of her enthusiasm for the training course, but she was undeniably moved by Bell's single-minded dedication.

On the bright side, the boy is very sincere.

The only redeeming quality of Ais's teachings was their strictness, but he diligently practiced them repeatedly, enduring all sorts of hardships while still learning from them.

He had no doubts, or to put it bluntly, he was stubborn; his only thought was to practice diligently, which is why he learned quickly.

He wasn't exceptionally gifted; he simply learned quickly. He compensated for his lack of efficiency with his sincere and honest simplicity.

So Ais has been racking her brains these past few days. She wants to answer Bell's question, and she wants to repay the boy's kindness.

Only during this period was I his teacher (model).

(If Finn finds out...)

But no matter what, she couldn't let her relationship with Belle be exposed.

In addition, last night, she was attacked by a mysterious group—though, when it comes to such powerful individuals, she only wanted to consider one possibility—because she had left the Familia alone.

To avoid arousing suspicion about her relationship with Bell, including the details of the attackers, she kept quiet.

"...Probably because of curiosity."

"...Okay. Well then, let me think about it. This might be a bit extreme, but..."

Finn's golden hair swayed.

He paused for a moment, then told her his opinion.

"What do adventurers need when they are forced to take risks? I think that's what it means to educate an adventurer."

Ais silently accepted the other person's answer and finally said thank you.

Finn shrugged and calmly got up.

"I hope you'll avoid making any rash moves, but this is also a good opportunity for Ais. I won't stop you from establishing connections with other factions for now. Although I'm not confident I can play dumb, I won't tell Loki."

"..."

"However, you mustn't do anything that could put you in danger. That's the only thing I need to remind you of."

"Please," Finn smiled at her and left the meeting room, Ais watching his figure disappear into the distance.

As expected, nothing could be kept from Rivera and that little captain, she thought indifferently.

"But, but, Ais seems really happy lately."

"……happy?"

Tiona left Riveria's circle and said this to Ais out of the blue, and Ais asked her a question in return.

Seeing her puzzled look, Tiona nodded.

"Before Ais went to the dungeon, she was either spacing out or maintaining her weapons. But lately you've been muttering to yourself a lot, so it's obvious you're having a hard time thinking about something."

Seeing the golden eyes staring blankly at her, Tiona smiled at her.

"Lately, Ais has been thinking about all sorts of things. Sometimes she seems to come up with some ideas and looks eager to try them out. She looks so happy."

"……is that so."

"Yes, Ais must be very happy."

This girl confidently told herself about feelings she herself couldn't even understand.

Ais gave her a small but delighted smile.

●

The surrounding noise seemed to come from afar.

His body was frozen in place, unable to move, his eyes fixed on a piece of paper held in his hands.

I muttered to myself blankly.

"LV.6..."

Holding the list of adventurers with numerous names arranged from top to bottom, I read aloud the update information recorded in the [Ais Wallenstein] column, and for quite some time I was in a daze.

"This is recent news. Just a while ago, the official announcement stated that Miss Wallenstein had [leveled up]..."

Miss Eina's words went in one ear and out the other.

The fact that the person I was desperately chasing had actually widened the gap to a point that made my eyes dizzy was quite a shock.

On my way back from exploring the dungeon, I stopped by the guild headquarters.

But it was only because I happened to see that person's "upgrade" report casually posted on the notice board in the lobby, a place I rarely have the chance to use, that I asked Miss Eina directly for clarification.

"I heard she single-handedly defeated the floor master in the 'Deeper' dungeon, which is even deeper than the lower levels..."

The floor owner is... "Monsterrex".

It is usually a large team of adventurers who challenge and conquer it, making it the boss among monsters.

Its size and power are unmatched by other monsters, and it is said to be the biggest obstacle to reaching the next floor in the dungeon.

If it's the floor masters who reside in the "deep layers," there are probably very few people among the [familias] in this city who can defeat them.

...That kind of being was defeated by just one person?

"Um, Bell. I don't think you'll listen to me, but I think it's best not to take this to heart. To defeat the floor master all by yourself, I've never even heard of such a thing. I think Miss Wallenstein... is rather special."

Miss Eina's statement is probably true.

Even so, I still couldn't stop my heart from sinking.

The scene in the back alley a few days ago flashed through my mind.

That person was in no way inferior to the city's strongmen, and he engaged in a vivid and intense sword fight.

Witnessing that battle on a completely different level, I deeply realized my own insignificance.

So far.

Too far.

How far apart are I from that person?

Can I really... reach the heights that must be my goal?

My heart was silently crushed bit by bit by the overwhelming reality.

"Bell...?"

"...Oh, I'm sorry, I was just lost in thought. I'll head home now."

Miss Eina leaned over to look at me with concern, and I gave a wry smile and simply bowed politely.

I told her that I would keep trying tomorrow, and at the same time, I was reminding myself.

I waved vigorously to Miss Eina, who was smiling with her eyebrows lowered, and left the guild headquarters.

(Although I tried to be brave, but...)

This is a huge blow.

A disheartened and dejected body seems poised to collapse at any moment.

I couldn't even sigh anymore. My head was hanging low as I slowly walked down the street.

As the last rays of twilight faded into the western sky, the city grew even more bustling and vibrant. Taverns welcomed a steady stream of guests, while unfamiliar elven bards played their harps along the roadside, their beautiful voices praising the adventurers of Orario.

He smiled at me as I stopped, and I, unsure what expression to wear, forced a smile, gave him the gold coins, and fled the scene. ...Strong and great, an adventurer of Orario, is that so?

Instead of heading straight back to headquarters, I made a special trip to Central Park. I squeezed into the crowd of adventurers returning from the dungeon, gazing at the Tower of Babel and the dungeon, before finally heading towards West Street.

I felt as if I had been left behind by the cheerful noise around me.

"—Mr. Bell!"

"what?"

The sudden call made me lift my face, which was looking down at the stone floor.

Looking up, I saw Miss Seele running towards me, her light gray hair swaying.

Ah, have we arrived near the "Abundant Mistress"...?

As I caught sight of the tall tavern, I thought absentmindedly... Suddenly, Miss Seele took my hand.

"Huh?"

"..."

Her hands, as white as milk, gripped mine tightly.

I stared wide-eyed, speechless, as Miss Seele silently gazed at the hand she held. It was as if she were saying, "I've got you," as if she were confirming the warmth in her hand.

Confused, I blushed more and more as Miss Seele looked up, her cheeks flushed with joy, and uttered these words to me:

"Mr. Bell, I've missed you so much...!"

"..."

Clang, clang, I kept washing dishes on the kitchen counter with the tap running.

In the tavern kitchen where the cat-people chefs were busy as bees, I quietly and attentively washed the dishes.