/Disclaimer:I do not own Toaru or Danmachi/
It was the day before the expedition.
The sun had yet to rise, but Lefiya was already at the training grounds, her magic staff in hand. The chilly morning air turned her breaths into faint wisps of mist. She took a deep breath, savoring the stillness of the morning, before gripping her staff tightly as a reminder of her resolve.
Beside her, Elfy yawned widely, arms crossed over her chest, looking as though she regretted agreeing to tag along. She absentmindedly kicked a small pebble underfoot, her eyes still bleary from lack of sleep.
"Are you sure I need to be here?" Elfy muttered, rubbing sleepy eyes, her voice dripping with lethargy.
Lefiya rotated her wrist lightly, testing the balance of the staff in her hand. Good—it was as steady as ever. "You said you wanted to know what I've been up to."
"Yeah, sure, but I didn't think it'd start this early." Elfy sighed but still assisted Lefiya by standing nearby, observing and ready to help if needed.
Lefiya began her exercise: maintaining balance while performing tumbling spins without letting the staff slip from her grasp. She recited incantations as she moved, training her reflexes, though she didn't actually activate any magic. This drill was part of advice from the Mad Wizard—er, no, her teacher. Lefiya knew her balance and reaction speed were lacking, and she was determined to improve.
Her golden hair flowed with each motion, glinting faintly in the dim light of dawn. Every spin demanded intense focus, her muscles tensing to maintain equilibrium.
Elfy crossed her arms, tilting her head as she assessed. "I don't see the point in tumbling and chanting without casting anything."
"That's a secret! You'll find out soon enough."
"Another secret, huh," Elfy mumbled, but her eyes remained fixed on Lefiya's movements. She could see the seriousness and determination in every gesture her friend made.
Lefiya suddenly stopped, turning to Elfy with a radiant smile. "Alright, I'll spill it. I've mastered concurrent chanting."
"Oh... That's amazing!"
Lefiya resumed her practice, saying nothing as she counted silently. Three, two, one...
"WHAT???"
"Ta-da! Keep it a secret, okay?" She winked playfully.
Elfy stared at Lefiya, dumbfounded. Her mind swirled with questions. Who was this? Where was the real Lefiya? How did she end up like this?
"Hey! I know what you're thinking, Elfy," Lefiya said while continuing her tumbling to maintain balance. She'd just wanted to try a cheesy line for fun. After all, her teachers often did that sort of thing unintentionally. But it wasn't as cool as she'd hoped.
"Don't pull those kinds of jokes again," Elfy shuddered at the thought of a cheerful Lefiya spouting lame puns. What a nightmare.
"So when did you master concurrent chanting?"
"About two days ago." With Filvis's help, she'd managed to perfect this advanced technique. Now, she was spending her precious time reinforcing it with movement. To simulate vine practice, she'd used a rope with a hooked end to latch onto branches and tumble.
"Ouch!" She landed on her rear again, accompanied by her roommate's stifled giggles.
"Hmph."
"Hahaha."
Lefiya continued her practice, responding mid-spin, "Balance and reflexes are crucial! If I lose my footing in battle, I won't be able to cast quickly."
Elfy watched closely, then remarked, "Are you wearing shorts?"
"Yeah. I didn't exactly want to flash my underwear while tumbling." After yesterday's advice from her teacher, she'd grabbed a pair of shorts to wear. Today, before meeting Aiz, she planned to visit a shop and order some standard combat gear.
Elfy squinted, then giggled. "And here I thought you were just trying to show off."
"What's there to show off about this?"
"Hmm... Wearing shorts, huh. You're kinda like Loki, aren't you?"
Lefiya nearly lost her balance.
Throughout the session, Elfy acted as a physical support, helping Lefiya check her posture and balance by nudging her lightly from different angles to create unexpected scenarios. When Lefiya wobbled, Elfy quickly grabbed her shoulder, preventing a faceplant.
"Well, well, looks like I'm doing something pretty important, huh?" Elfy grinned, though in reality, she mostly just stood there, occasionally lending a hand to keep Lefiya from eating dirt.
"Thanks!" Lefiya panted, launching into another round of practice.
As the sun climbed higher, the bell from Twilight Manor rang, signaling breakfast. The two headed back together, stepping into the bustling dining hall of the Loki Familia.
Twilight Manor, home of the Loki Familia.
That morning, the large dining room was lively. Many family members had pulled up chairs, greeting each other as the clatter of cutlery and plates echoed through the vast space. They filled their stomachs with smiles and cheerful laughter. Unless it was an emergency, the entire familia ate breakfast together—a rule set by Loki.
Today, Aiz was absent as usual over the past week, but Lefiya didn't mind much. She quickly found a seat next to Elfy. They linked arms and sat down together. However, today Lefiya barely joined the noisy chatter around her. Her mind was entirely focused on the small notebook open before her. It was positioned so Elfy could see it too, but the dense scribbles and sketches inside seemed like an indecipherable code to her.
Lefiya picked up the notebook, poring over her notes: "First, the broom formula naturally tends to move forward, so slowing down or stopping is harder than accelerating and flying fast." Reading this, Lefiya suddenly understood why she'd found controlling the broom so difficult on her first night of flight training. "I still don't fully remember the end of that day..." she thought, quickly brushing aside the hazy memory to keep reading.
The instructions in the notebook were clearly categorized, from the simplest concepts Lefiya could easily visualize—"Adjust flight direction by shifting the angle of the broom's head and tail. To slow down, shift your weight to the front of the broom"—to more complex techniques requiring imagination and finesse—"Controlled spin technique. Emergency braking and sudden acceleration—use your whole body to force the broom to stop, then immediately spring forward, like kicking off the air. Straight-line flight mobility: accelerate quickly, decelerate sharply before turning, to keep the turn tight and maintain directional control. Finally, midair disengagement: release the broom, then use magic to summon it back."
While Lefiya was utterly absorbed in her world of flight techniques, Elfy proved herself an exemplary roommate, fielding curious questions from other familia members on her behalf.
"Yes, yes... I'm not really sure either..." Elfy replied tactfully, ensuring no one suspected Lefiya's intense focus. She'd become a shield against all inquiries.
What a fantastic roommate. Thanks a ton, Elfy!
"Hey! I know what you're thinking, Lefiya."
...
Her golden ponytail spilled down her back as she dodged. Deep beneath the surface, sealed off from the sky, her voice rang out, echoing off the Dungeon's walls. Swords flew at her relentlessly, but she never faltered. Staff gripped tightly, Lefiya stepped, dodged, and evaded the ceaseless attacks of the golden-haired, golden-eyed swordswoman, exploiting every opening she could find, deflecting strikes with her staff.
But there was a slight difference from before—she was no longer forced into a position where she had to take a hit. Her body was a little more agile, dodging sword strikes she couldn't have avoided before with graceful movements. She focused on every attack, her vision wide open, mentally mapping the next move to ensure her incantations remained unbroken.
"Shoot, sniper of the fairies. Penetrate, arrow of absolute accuracy."
Deep within, she could hear the words of her many teachers. The unyielding spirit of a tree and the chanting techniques she'd learned from Riveria. Filvis's concurrent casting had helped her master it. And Accelerator...
A glowing magic circle flared beneath her feet, skipping several basic steps of gathering magical energy.
"What a great mage needs is a strong intellect, a solid ideology, and firm principles. You can unleash your full power if you truly know what you're doing."
He'd taught her breathing techniques to gather extra mana from her surroundings while moving, along with control and reasoning only he understood. In a dance, she completed her magic circle amidst her opponent's blades.
"Arcs Ray!"
In just three seconds from the circle's formation to its ignition, a brilliant arrow of light shot forth. Aiz, caught off guard but still deft, stepped out of its path as it screamed past to explode against the Dungeon wall. Debris scattered like smoke rising from the deep crater it left. The damage was immense—far greater than before—proof that her magical power had grown through training.
"Whoa..."
Aiz let out a soft murmur of awe as both stared at the wall. The elven mage herself only smiled faintly.
"Impressive, Lefiya. This is new. You chanted and cast one and a half times faster than before. Is this thanks to that 'Mad Wizard' you mentioned?"
Aiz said with a hint of envy in her tone. Lefiya laughed awkwardly.
"Not quite. It's thanks to everyone's help, really. The credit isn't just one person's..." She wouldn't have mastered this skill without any one of her teachers. It was all the result of sparring with Aiz and Filvis, and Riveria's guidance. They were the women who'd supported her as she fought desperately to keep up.
And finally, the Mad Wizard who'd guided her meticulously in both spirit and magic. Magical knowledge unknown to others, spells unseen in Orario. A mighty mage she couldn't yet reach. But one day, she'd fulfill that promise.
Seeing Lefiya lost in thought made Aiz feel even more unsettled.
"He seems really important to you, huh?"
"Yes. He's that kind of person. But please don't misunderstand—Aiz, Filvis, and Riveria are just as important to me." Lefiya grew increasingly flustered with each word.
"Thanks." Hearing this, Aiz smiled with relief.
"Even Aiz..." Lefiya's face grew redder.
"Hm?"
"It's nothing!" Lefiya quickly waved off any romantic implications.
"Miss Aiz... I've worked so hard to be able to support you and the others on this expedition," she explained, clutching her staff to her chest as she met her mentor's gaze. She didn't want to waste what Aiz and the others had done for her or hold them back.
She wanted to help and make a difference.
"I know." Aiz nodded at the elf's bold declaration of resolve. Lefiya could see her own conviction mirrored in those golden eyes. Then, at last, her lips parted. Today was the day before the expedition, so this would be her final training day. "How about tomorrow's expedition? Why don't we head back early?"
However, as Aiz suggested they leave the Dungeon training room, Lefiya's head snapped up, interjecting with another idea.
"Actually, I... I'd like to refine things a bit more on my own."
"Alright... That's fine. Just don't push yourself too hard, okay?"
Aiz replied, not pressing further. She excused herself from the room, almost as if sensing something in the elf's demeanor, leaving Lefiya alone amidst the glowing walls and ceiling. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. Then, she began performing again, staff gripped between both hands, radiant magic circles flaring around her. Checking her movements, she unleashed electric storms at imaginary monsters.
"Multiple single magic circles are enough to damage Level 2 monsters. Good thing they barely drain the mind. Perfect for distractions."
She dove back into practice. Using vines and a black cloth, she ventured deeper into the Dungeon, testing combinations with various evasion scenarios. As long as time allowed, she reviewed and drilled repeatedly.
"...I should head back,"
Lefiya muttered hours later, pulling a pocket watch from her clothes to check the time. It was getting late. Snapping it shut decisively, she stepped toward the exit, pausing just before the door to glance back at the room where she'd spent countless hours training over the past few days. I've learned so much here, she thought with a faint smile. This would be the last time she left.
"Maybe I stayed a bit too long..." Lefiya mused before departing the western room on the fifth floor of the Dungeon and hurrying back to the surface. Reflecting on how eagerly she'd memorized Aiz's words, she returned to the main route of the floor, now bustling with others. She ascended the upper levels, taking down a stray monster or two and passing a fair number of her comrades along the way. Moving through the Onset Road—the wide passage on the first floor—she climbed the spiral staircase to the vast pit leading to the surface, emerging at the ground level of Babel Tower. She was about to pass through the gate into the sprawling Central Park when she encountered a familiar face.
"Ah!"
"Ah!"
Their short exclamations overlapped as their eyes met. She saw those unforgettable crimson eyes and pristine snow-white hair, like a rabbit's (quite unlike someone perpetually grumpy). He carried an enormous backpack over his shoulder and stood beside a young werewolf girl with long gray-brown hair. One of his adventuring companions, perhaps? Returning from the Dungeon, no doubt—he looked utterly exhausted. But upon encountering Lefiya, both paused. The werewolf girl eyed them curiously as other adventurers bustled around them.
She'd completely forgotten about him over the past few days, caught up in her rigorous training schedule and excitement. Seeing him now brought everything back about that practice session. She nearly unleashed her frustration on him but quickly calmed herself. Phew—she couldn't do that here. Raising a slender finger, she pointed at the bewildered boy.
"I won't lose. No way!" She refused to stop here; if she did, she'd always fall short of him.
"I'll surpass you!" She wanted to reach that person's heights and go even further.
The boy just stood there, confused.
"Uh... Good luck."
But Lefiya didn't hear him—she was already running off. Out the gate, into the park, as the puzzled werewolf girl's and her companion's eyes bored into her back. The faith she held for tomorrow's expedition, the resolve she'd declared to that boy, and the promise to that person—clutching those feelings tightly, she dashed through the square bathed in red. In and out, weaving through the crowd, she raced toward the blazing red of the sunset without looking back.
...
Beneath a sky tinged with the darkening hues of dusk, Lefiya strolled leisurely along the cobblestone path leading back to Twilight Manor after an exhausting training session. A gentle breeze brushed past, carrying the faint chill of the descending night. As she rounded a quiet street corner, a figure emerged from the shadows of an alley.
The man wore a long, dark cloak that seemed to swallow all the light around it. Slung over his shoulder was a large staff, with a heavy, dangling sack swaying with each step. His disheveled black hair only added to his unkempt, carefree appearance.
Lefiya immediately recognized this troublesome figure—Wander, the notorious thief she'd come to know. She frowned but still approached, nodding in greeting with a slightly irritated tone:
"You again, Wander."
Wander grinned mischievously, shrugging as if unbothered. "Don't be so uptight, kid. Just a chance encounter, that's all."
Lefiya crossed her arms, not entirely convinced by his words. Still, she had a reason to thank him. "Anyway... about that ring from last time, thanks."
"Oh, that? No big deal. Consider it a gift from an old friend." Wander winked, then tilted his head, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "By the way, how about we do something fun?"
Lefiya's brow furrowed with suspicion. "What kind of 'fun'?"
"Oh, come on, don't look at me like that. How can you be so distrustful of people?"
"..."
"Ahem... Back to the point."
Wander leaned against the wall, arms crossed, his tone suggesting he was stating the obvious. "Qliphap and Accelerator both gave you gifts before the expedition, right? I want to pitch in too." As he spoke, he pulled a steaming jagamarukun from his sleeve and took a bite. Was that stolen too?
"Here's the thing—have you ever thought about attacking from above?"
Lefiya shook her head. She was still perfecting her techniques and hadn't managed to activate the broom yet, so she hadn't considered it.
"With a flying broom, aside from magic, you could drop bombs on enemies—boosting damage while optimizing your magic use."
Lefiya pondered. It didn't sound like a bad idea. A bit of alchemical weaponry could save her a significant amount of mana in combat. The fighting style seemed familiar, though—like something she'd seen someone do before.
'Wasn't it someone from Hermes Familia?'
"But I haven't learned how to craft items or studied alchemy." With the expedition looming, she'd ruled out subjects she couldn't master in time.
"Don't worry, I'll handle that part." She stared at him for a moment. She wasn't sure whether to trust a talented mage with a penchant for thievery. After some thought, she sighed—well, he'd been reliable enough with his word so far.
"Fine!"
"Awesome! Go! Go! Go! GO!"
Sighing at the situation, she decided to follow him toward the slums. After all, there was only one place they both knew would work right now.
The two arrived at the alchemy room within the Mad Wizard's experimental lab. Wander and Lefiya stepped into the laboratory, filled with large cauldrons, mortars, ladles, and rows of neatly arranged bottles and tools on shelves. The air carried the scent of herbs and some indescribable odors. Lefiya called out for Irena as usual, but no one answered. She frowned. Lately, Irena seemed preoccupied with something.
Lefiya began preparing the necessary tools while Wander headed to the small library in the room, scanning the bookshelves for alchemy records. His fingers glided over the spines, his sharp eyes searching for the right formula. 'Lefiya has wide-area fire-based attack magic... so a fire-enhancing solution with melting properties and high explosiveness would be ideal.' After some deliberation, he pulled out a few alchemy books, flipping through them for the recipe he needed.
'Eh, whatever, I'll just grab one!' Tossing the books onto the table, he picked one at random and dashed back into the lab.
"Lefiya! You ready yet?"
"Not yet. Come help me!"
"On my way!"
They quickly got to work. Lefiya skimmed the list of ingredients, her blue eyes darting over each line, carefully memorizing the key components.
"Purified spring water—we've got over a dozen vials, so plenty to spare," Lefiya muttered, checking the stock in a small wooden box on the shelf. She nodded, satisfied, and continued. "Firebell, an herb that boosts heat and accelerates combustion. Bloodthorn, preserved in animal blood, stabilizes the solution." She paused, her hand hesitating as it touched the jar of bloodthorn, her brow furrowing. Honestly, it didn't sit well with her as an elf, but she'd harvested magic stones from monster corpses plenty of times—this shouldn't be an issue.
"Uh, you can use the tongs over there."
"Oh, right!" Wait, she hadn't said anything—how did he know?
"It's all over your face."
"..."
Lefiya resumed her inventory, her voice softening as she read the next item. "Boombloom, dangerous, highly explosive on contact with fire or strong impact." Suddenly, Wander shouted from behind, his voice brimming with excitement:
"BOOMBLOOM! This'll be fun!"
Lefiya flinched, nearly dropping the Boombloom jar in her hand. She whipped around, her pointed ears trembling with anger, her sharp gaze piercing him.
"Wander!"
"Yo!"
"If you startle me again on purpose, I won't hold back! You know how dangerous this stuff is!"
Wander just laughed, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Relax, Lefiya, chill! I was just lightening the mood. We'll be careful, right?"
Lefiya huffed, shooting him one last glare before returning to the list. "Lava root, only grows in volcanoes, rare," she said, still mildly annoyed. She picked up the single glowing red root preserved in a yellow solution from the shelf. Just one in the entire stock—hopefully enough. "Flameweed, this seaweed might be rare, but it's not hard to spot. It glows faintly, even underwater, and the water around it is noticeably warmer." Lefiya paused, resting her chin in her hand. An ingredient she'd never heard of. Maybe it came from somewhere out at sea?
She turned to Wander, frowning cautiously. "Is this really okay?"
Wander smirked, his confidence unshaken. "It's fine. We just need to test it first." He stepped closer to the lab table, reviewing the ingredients and recipe again, then added, "Besides, we're not inventing a new formula or concocting some mystical brew. All we're doing is following the steps."
Wander watched as Lefiya lit the magic stone lamps around the room, their pale blue glow illuminating her focused expression. "Ooh!" he exclaimed, nodding in approval.
"Let's get started, then," Lefiya said, her tone softening slightly. She pulled a heat-resistant ceramic alchemy flask from the shelf and got to work.
Pouring 200ml of purified water into the flask, Lefiya measured each drop meticulously for precision. She placed it on the burner, adjusting the flame so the solution gradually heated to 60°C, activating the initial chemical reactions.
"Wander, pass me the Firebell extract," Lefiya said, keeping her stirring spoon steady.
Wander grabbed the Firebell vial from the shelf and handed it over. "50 grams, right?"
"Yep," Lefiya nodded, taking the vial and carefully measuring out 50 grams of Firebell extract, adding it slowly to the solution. She stirred in a steady spiral, clockwise, her movements slow and rhythmic. "You have to stir it right, or the reaction won't be even," she murmured.
"You're really thorough," Wander observed, arms crossed as he watched. "But does it have to be that slow?"
Lefiya glanced at him, not pausing. "If you want this whole room to blow up, go ahead and rush it."
Wander chuckled softly, saying nothing more. Lefiya continued, gently adding 20 grams of bloodthorn to the mix. "This needs slow stirring to maintain stability," she said evenly, her hand never stopping. A faint, dry, nauseating smell wafted from the bloodthorn, making her grimace. The book hadn't mentioned this!
"Ugh... This stuff stinks."
"But you're doing great," Wander encouraged, his voice trailing off. "How's an adventurer scared of a little smell?"
"What?"
"Nothing :)"
Lefiya sighed, adding 10 grams of lava root extract and sprinkling it into the mixture. Next up was Boombloom. She took a deep breath and looked at Wander. "Four pinches of Boombloom. Due to its extreme sensitivity, this has to be done at the last moment, when the components have reached optimal interaction. Step back a bit. And no more jokes!"
Wander whistled, retreating a few steps. "Careful, I don't wanna get blown up."
"You think I do?" Lefiya retorted, a hint of tension in her voice. She delicately sprinkled four pinches of Boombloom into the mixture, each motion as gentle as if she feared dropping a single grain. Once done, she swiftly added three teaspoons of flameweed oil, stirring lightly one final time to ensure perfect blending without triggering an early reaction.
"Done," Lefiya exhaled, setting the spoon down. "Now we let it cool, then pour it into secure vials and seal them with an alchemical coating."
Wander nodded, grabbing some safety vials from the shelf and handing them over. "Nice work. Time to test it."
Lefiya took a few drops of the solution for a test, dripping them onto the lab counter. She prepared a small magic circle infused with magic stone powder nearby. "Get ready to run," she said, glancing at Wander. She lit the fuse and dashed away with him. When the fuse burned down, a fierce flame erupted instantly, its heat strong enough to melt part of the stone counter.
"Holy—!" Wander exclaimed, eyes gleaming. "This is powerful!"
Lefiya swallowed, keeping her safety concerns to herself. "It'll be a useful weapon in the dungeon, at least," she muttered under her breath, barely audible.
After confirming its effectiveness, they began mass-producing the alchemical solution. "Careful with this! Careful with that!" Lefiya reminded herself as she worked, measuring ingredients with painstaking precision, not daring to slack for even a second.
While Lefiya was engrossed, Wander quietly slipped a suspicious small object from his pocket. When she wasn't looking, he dropped it into the solution and stirred lightly, letting it dissolve without a trace.
"Hey, Wander, did you just put something in there?" Lefiya suddenly asked, her sharp gaze locking onto him, her hand pausing mid-stir.
"Huh? What? Put what in?" Wander replied nonchalantly, stirring a small cauldron as if nothing had happened.
"..." Lefiya silently glared at him, suspicion in her eyes, but she didn't press further.
After hours of diligent work, as the sky outside turned pitch black, they finally completed five vials of the alchemical solution. "Done!" Lefiya sighed in relief, wiping sweat from her brow. She carefully inspected each vial, ensuring no mistakes before sealing them with sturdy alchemical coatings.
"All good! Thankfully, these casings are designed to withstand heavy impact," she murmured, recalling an earlier test. She'd once smashed a hammer onto a force-absorbing plate with a fragile egg beneath it. The egg hadn't cracked at all—impressive results. Satisfied with the casings' safety, Lefiya tucked the five vials into her bag, then turned to Wander with a softer tone. "Anyway, thanks for helping me."
"No biggie, kid. I'll even help you clean up," Wander replied, flashing a wide grin. He swiftly gathered the tools and leftover ingredient jars from the table.
Lefiya narrowed her eyes at Wander. He'd been oddly... off today. She couldn't pinpoint what was wrong, but her keen elven instincts kept buzzing. Yet Wander seemed oblivious to her scrutiny, continuing to tidy up while softly whistling a cheerful tune. Lefiya sighed, shaking her head. "Fine," she told herself, then simply said, "I'm heading out. See you later."
With that, she turned and left, her footsteps light on the path back to Twilight Manor. Though still mildly annoyed with Wander's odd behavior during the crafting session, she couldn't deny the joy bubbling within her—he'd genuinely helped a lot. She'd completed these alchemical vials, a valuable asset for tomorrow's expedition. A small smile curved her lips, and her steps grew lighter, blending into the moonlit stillness of the quiet road.
But then she stopped abruptly, her pointed ears twitching. "Something felt off about the whole crafting session today," she muttered, racking her brain for what was amiss. The more she thought, the less she could pin it down. Finally, she shrugged. "Oh well, it's done now." Smiling again, she resumed walking, her mood as bright as before.
Meanwhile, back in the now-empty lab, Wander stood alone. He quietly pulled a small object from his pocket: a blood-red eye, slick with black ooze, gruesome enough to make anyone shudder. Holding it up, he examined it under the faint glow of the magic stone lamp, then smirked, his voice dripping with intent: "This is gonna be explosive... Hahaha..."
His laughter echoed through the silent space.
"Hahah... Ah... cough...cough... Damn it... Choked on my own spit. Talk about bad luck."
Well, choking on saliva is pretty unfortunate.
...
"Lefiya, I'm heading out first!"
"Alright, got it! I'll be there soon!" Lefiya hurriedly turned back to prepare as her roommate stepped out the door. Facing the mirror, she began brushing her long golden hair, holding a silver hairpin between her teeth to free her hands until she could tie it into her usual ponytail.
She glanced at her reflection for a moment and touched the mirror. Nothing happened.
"..."
She wasn't sure why she'd done that.
Once everything was in order, she checked herself in the mirror again and nodded lightly. "Good!"
Rising from the chair, with her staff Forest's Teardrop at her side, she looked down at her open palm. As if testing the magical strength bestowed upon her by others, she clenched her hand into a small fist. Then, lifting her head, she strapped her broom to her back, slung her magic pouch over her shoulder, and stepped out the door.
...
"Ah! Damn it!" They were outside in the manor's garden, loading up large items, supplies, and other materials.
The lower-ranking members of the familia were gathering everything from tents and spare armor to over thirty types of weapons (including a magic sword) they'd bring on the expedition, inspecting and organizing them accordingly.
Everyone, whether they wanted to or not, was buzzing with nervous excitement about the big day. Amid the chatter, Raul, the one tasked with guiding the familia members, spotted Bete emerging from the tower's entrance. His silver gauntlets and metallic boots gleamed under the sunlight.
"G-Good morning!" Raul took the initiative to greet the werewolf, clearly the most jittery among the other top-tier adventurers.
"What, you lot aren't enjoying your precious time?!" Bete shot back at both Raul and the surrounding comrades.
They visibly shrank back. Bete was already a figure of awe and fear among the lower ranks, and Raul could feel sweat beading on his temples as he forced a laugh. "A-ha-ha-ha." Still, the truth was, Bete wasn't acting much different from usual before the big expedition—oddly calm, in fact.
"Aiz and the others aren't here yet?"
"N-No, sir! I got word that Tiona and her sister are currently eating breakfast in the dining hall, but it seems Aiz is still in her room," Raul continued, pushing forward despite the shrinking crowd around him.
Bete paused. "Really? She's not gonna eat? That damn woman..." he muttered, cursing under his breath as he turned and headed back the way he'd come. Raul wasn't sure if the werewolf was off to grab food or check on Aiz, but either way, watching Bete walk off, Raul found himself thinking the strangest thing.
What a nice guy.
"By the way, Lefiya's gear today looks kinda odd, doesn't it?"
...
Someone was lounging in a chair, holding a peculiar book.
The cover was made of a strange material—leather-like, yet unlike any known hide. It was pitch black, etched with ancient carvings that seemed almost accidental, born from the material's warping. It felt cold and slick to the touch, with faint impressions of writhing fingers and fleeting, screaming faces appearing momentarily. It pulsed in rhythm with the text inside. The characters, incomprehensible to any human language, swirled and twisted around the edges, emitting a faint, eerie glow as the man flipped through it.
He gently closed the book with one hand, and the shrieks within its pages instantly silenced, rendering it an ordinary, weathered tome.
"That bastard still hasn't contacted me." With a flick of his arm, the book vanished.
His stark white hair reflected the early morning light. He looked up and surveyed his room. It was a modern-style space dominated by wooden furniture, exuding warmth and tidiness. The living area was open, flowing into the kitchen. A large white sofa with brown throw pillows sat at the center, facing a screen in the living room.
The apartment welcomed plenty of natural light through large glass doors leading to a balcony, offering a view of a lush garden and the scenery beyond. Thin white curtains softened the light while keeping the space airy.
This was the entirety of his apartment's first floor—a design mimicking that old Spartan woman's place. Beside him, Qliphap had been asleep since yesterday, suggesting things were worse than he'd thought. Rubbing the head of the demon who'd become a part of him, Accelerator silently studied the apartment again, unsure why he occasionally did this.
Shaking his head with a sigh, he glanced at the neatly arranged tarot deck he'd created on the table. He frowned slightly, recalling last night.
"Tch... So ridiculous."
Yeah, that was ridiculous—he wasn't affected by nonsense like that. Picking up the deck, he closed his eyes for a moment, mulling over what he'd do today.
'I think today's the day of Loki Familia's expedition.' Going to the dungeon for cash now would be a hassle. Running into Loki Familia would be a pain in the ass. Maybe he'd review his research theories instead.
'That kid'll manage on her own.'
Not wanting to disturb Qliphap's sleep after she'd helped him test Specniff all night, he slipped on white gloves and left quietly. The morning light glinted off his hair as he stepped toward the wooden house where his lab awaited.
"... "
Now he was on Dungeon Level 1...
"Damn it!"
Good thing Qliphap wasn't here, or she'd tease him all day about this. He'd arrived pretty early, so only a few adventurers would likely be around at this hour. Since he was already here, he decided to take a stroll. Sighing, he descended to the lower floors.
"Hm?"
Accelerator sensed an echo reverberating through the level.
"That howl..."
It shouldn't be on these shallow floors. Without hesitation, he rushed downward—and at that moment...
Whoosh!
A sharp slash tore through the air, aimed straight at him from the side. Accelerator didn't bother with the attack, but a cold shiver ran down his spine.
'Eyes are watching me.'
Only one person could do that—that wench.
His sword cane materialized instantly, parrying the ferocious strike.
Boom!
A shockwave erupted, scattering stone dust in the clash. Before him stood a towering warrior, like a living boulder. Over two meters tall, with limbs as solid as steel and rippling muscles, he bore the upright ears of a boar, a mark of Boaz blood in his veins. His short, rust-colored hair framed matching eyes that studied him silently.
"King."
Accelerator flicked his sword cane, forcing the enemy back. The captain of Freya Familia—Ottar.
"I thought you were a warrior."
"I am... But if I didn't do this, I couldn't stop you."
Ottar observed him, his gaze sharp as a blade. He wasn't just sizing up muscle—irrelevant with falna—but analyzing stance, habits, every minute movement.
"With that body, you shouldn't be able to generate such power."
Accelerator watched silently as Ottar raised his sword into a guard stance.
"What makes you so sure?"
"Instinct."
"Right, you're a warrior, aren't you?" Accelerator remarked indifferently before whispering a single cold word:
"Ban."
Thick fog exploded outward, enveloping the room.
Vision vanished in an instant. A Tarot card appeared in his hand—Temperance, XIV. It symbolized balance and restraint. But reversed, it meant chaos, the breaking of order. And right now, he'd use it for the latter.
"Shatter." His blade pierced the card, slicing through an invisible void.
Clang!
Something snapped apart.
To someone who'd vaguely sensed his power, this was a steel-clad response drawing a line between them. A warning—to a certain goddess: "Don't mess with me."
Atop Babel Tower, the goddess watching the fight saw her screen fog over before shattering into pieces. She froze for a moment, then burst into delighted laughter.
"Oh, how fascinating, Accelerator."
Below, he didn't look back. A sword streaked toward him from behind—he caught it with one hand.
Bang!
The blade locked in his grip. Ottar immediately yanked it upward with force.
Clatter.
It didn't budge an inch.
The warrior reacted swiftly, abandoning the weapon and launching a powerful kick. But Accelerator's fist swung out to intercept—and the only one sent flying was Ottar.
Boom!
Accelerator hurled the sword back at supersonic speed.
Ottar didn't flinch.
He tilted his body slightly, catching the hilt midair with one hand. Without a moment's hesitation, he regained control of the blade. But when he looked up...
Accelerator had vanished into the mist.
...
Accelerator moved silently downward, his vector senses expanded, scanning the surrounding space. A group of people was rushing up to the higher floors, another figure trailing behind them, and below, an adventurer was battling a minotaur. That one was holding their own, so he didn't need to step in—besides, his wind could assist at any moment if needed.
Slipping past those ahead without revealing his presence, Accelerator approached the room where the fight was unfolding.
"Gaahhh!"
A white-haired, red-eyed boy was struggling to dodge the massive monster's attacks. At a glance, he resembled a rabbit. Accelerator observed indifferently—this was the kid he'd once helped at the tavern.
Even without deep knowledge of Falna, he could see the boy's progress. He'd improved far too quickly compared to what Accelerator had sensed before.
"Ban, keep watch until it's over. When it's done, head back to the tavern. Only step in if things get truly bad." So, he wouldn't interfere further.
The mass of mist trembled faintly, then rapidly expanded, forming thin threads that encircled the room. Without another word, Accelerator turned and left.
"You're not staying to watch?"
A deep voice sounded from behind. Accelerator glanced lightly over his shoulder—Ottar had appeared, stepping out from the shadows.
"No need. I'm not an adventurer."
"Understood."
Accelerator silently studied the warrior for a moment, then spoke abruptly.
"Let me ask you something. Has that monster you created killed anyone yet?"
"Only those who deserved it."
A curt, emotionless reply. Accelerator nodded and continued walking. This wasn't something he could meddle in. But before he slipped out of sight, Ottar the Warlord spoke again, his voice low.
"I can't beat you."
After just a brief clash, the warrior's instincts had warned him. Even with all his strength, he couldn't defeat this seemingly frail figure.
Accelerator gave a faint smirk.
"It's just a matter of compatibility."
He walked off, pulling The Hermit card from his sleeve and casting a spell. In an instant, his presence vanished—as if he'd never been there.
He moved swiftly to the upper floors, where Loki Familia's expedition was underway. Orario's top adventurers—Finn, Riveria, Aiz, Bete, Cyclop, and the Amazon twins—were leading the formation. Accelerator passed through them like a breeze, undetected by any, not even Riveria.
He pressed forward, but then his gaze settled on another figure.
A man with spiky black hair, average build, and an utterly unremarkable face. A second-rate adventurer—boring and ordinary enough to go unnoticed. Yet that very ordinariness stood out as abnormal among the exceptional people around him. Accelerator watched him briefly, then moved on.
"Hm?"
The black-haired man suddenly turned, sensing something. Nothing was there. He shook his head and faced forward again.
Accelerator continued, reaching the second large group led by Gareth. And there, he found who he was looking for.
An elf with soft golden hair and deep blue eyes—Lefiya Viridis. She was chatting with a friend, holding her magic staff, a broom strapped to her back—likely being teased about something again.
He approached without a sound. When he was just a short distance away, he lightly touched Lefiya's shoulder, leaning close to her ear and whispering in a low voice.
"Move forward. Reach your star."
Lefiya jolted, whipping around to her right. No one was there.
"What's wrong, Lefiya?"
She blinked, bewildered. Someone had definitely touched her, and that voice... it couldn't have been an illusion. She looked around, but there was nothing. A faint chill brushed the back of her neck, yet she only smiled softly.
"No... it's nothing."
...
The camp setup was a noisy affair.
Orders barked here and there, boots hurrying to carry them out. Iron stakes were driven into the ground and secured with ropes as tents sprang up one by one.
They'd reached the fiftieth floor of the Dungeon.
Loki Familia was busy establishing camp at a safe, monster-free spot—a large-scale rest area between legs of their journey. Per the plan, the two groups that had met up on the eighteenth floor earlier were now descending together, including this fiftieth floor.
The vast forest around them was cloaked in gray, as if dusted with volcanic ash from a recent eruption. Crystal-clear blue streams branched like veins through the towering trees, and above them, dozens—perhaps hundreds—of massive stalactite-like stone pillars hung down, glowing faintly with phosphorescent light.
The spot Loki Familia chose for their base camp was atop a giant rock overlooking the ashen forest.
In the hazy twilight, magic stone lanterns swayed atop tents and supply stacks, a lively bustle distinct from the usual daily grind.
Inside a tent, Lefiya stared at the broom that still wouldn't budge. She gazed at it, lost in thought about what had happened days ago.
The one who'd placed a hand on her shoulder and urged her forward could only be one person. There was only one mage in the world she knew capable of such a feat. The broom hadn't responded to her yet, but that didn't matter right now. Smiling, she slung it over her shoulder and stepped out of the tent.
...
After setting up camp, the members of Loki Familia gathered to share dinner. Forming a large circle around the campfire in the center of the tents, they served themselves their meal as they had done many times throughout the expedition. The food was hearty—a gesture of gratitude and morale-boosting for the members who'd made it to the fiftieth floor. It included luxuries like mruit and other dried fruits and meats grown in the Dungeon, alongside soup from a massive pot.
Even the high-ranking smiths from Hephaistos Familia joined the noisy dining circle. "Why's everyone been acting so weird through these past fifty floors?" While a few sentries patrolled the perimeter, Tsubaki plopped down in front of Aiz and the others, her mouth still smeared with dried meat and a bowl of soup in hand. It turned out the High Smiths under her command were strong enough to need no protection. Gracefully dodging occasional surprise attacks with various martial arts, they calmly followed Loki Familia's orders, unfazed even by Irregulars.
Tsubaki sometimes even wandered off from the group when she spotted rare monsters, hoping to snag their drop items, effortlessly smashing the poor creatures to bits with her tachi. She'd only stopped after ignoring so many warnings that Riveria finally whacked her with her staff. Regardless, despite everything, the group had reached the fiftieth floor without losing a single person, including the High Smiths.
To answer the blunt question from the black-clad half-dwarf girl, Tiona paused mid-bite to speak. "We saw this amazing adventurer on the way to the eighteenth floor. Haven't been able to sit still since!" "Oh? Who was it?" "O.Crell Banell?" "Ho-ho. I'll make a note of that." The weapon master jotted down the "amazing adventurer's" name despite Tiona's half-baked response. Meanwhile, Aiz sat beside them, quietly replenishing her nutrients. Lost in thought, she ate nothing but one of the ration blocks Lulune had given her.
"So, shall we start the final meeting?" Finn said, and the group, now finished eating, began their last checks. Everyone in the circle cleaned their utensils, ears perked to listen.
"As announced earlier, only a select few will proceed past the fifty-first floor. Everyone else, including Hephaistos Familia, will stay here to guard the camp." They couldn't bring anyone below a certain skill level, not even supporters. The larger the group, the more time and energy it took to issue commands. They needed a light, agile team, which was why only the familia's elite could venture into the uncharted depths. The rest of the crew would remain to protect the logistics camp, which would serve as a storage hub for the departing team.
"The party will include Riveria, Gareth." They wouldn't set out until tomorrow, after a full rest. After Finn listed the seven names joining the familia's leaders and elite—all top-tier members—the support members were called up. "As for the support team, those joining are Raul, Narfi, Alicia, Cruz, and Lefiya."
Lefiya, knowing she'd be included, quickly nodded in agreement, though she was among the Level 4 supporters despite being only a Level 3 elf. "By the way, Lefiya, what's that broom for?" "Uh... well... it's not doing anything right now."
"Then you should leave it in the tent." "Yes, sir." Lefiya slumped, quietly returning to the tent to stow the broom. That settled it quickly.
"For those staying at camp, if any new monster species appear nearby, use magic swords and spells to repel them from a distance. Don't let them near the camp. I'll leave you in charge, Aki." "Yes, sir!" Finn added that they needed to stay vigilant against caterpillar monsters and their acidic venom. The catgirl, given a leadership role unlike Raul's support position, stood to express her gratitude.
...
Lefiya sat alone in her tent, eyes closed, focusing on each breath as the Mad Wizard had taught her. She seemed calm. Her breathing was slow and steady, but her mind refused to settle. She needed to be ready for tomorrow. She had to be perfect. "..." Calm, my foot.
A restless tension gripped her, an invisible cord tightening around her stomach, refusing to let go. It hadn't bothered her at first, but as the time drew closer, the anxiety mounted. The more she thought about tomorrow, the more it piled up—especially since the flying broom still wouldn't respond to her summons. If it kept being uncooperative, maybe Finn was right—she should leave it behind.
"I can't fail. I absolutely can't fail. Not tomorrow." Her focus shattered, muttered curses spilling out, only adding to the pressure. Her body tensed, her heart pounding as if it might burst from her chest."Feeling a little nervous, huh?" Lefiya jumped. "Eep!"
Someone had just placed a hand on her shoulder.
She sprang up, spinning around in shock. "M-Miss Tione?! When—when did you get in here?!"
Tione shrugged, looking slightly puzzled by Lefiya's reaction. "I've been here for a while."
"O-Oh, um. What are you doing here?"
"Mmn, feeling restless." Tione answered lazily, running a hand through her long black hair. "I was gonna go swing a few punches to kill time like my idiot sister, but... the captain needs me here."
Lefiya blinked.
"And you? What are you up to?"
"I... I was just meditating... to make sure I don't mess up tomorrow." She lowered her head, her voice fading as anxiety surged. Would her magic work in those deep floors? Was she strong enough? She wasn't sure.
Tione sighed.She stepped forward, placing a hand on Lefiya's cheek, gently lifting her face.
"Huh?!"
"Lefiya."
"W-What is it?"
Lefiya's cheeks burned as she felt the warmth of the Amazon's hand.
"Remember what Aiz said? About the fifty-first floor? We'll protect you. So relax a little." Lefiya froze, her racing heart slowing. Tione's voice was a warm whisper, a comforting reassurance from an older sister.
"So what'll save us?"
"My magic."Lefiya replied, earning a satisfied smile from Tione.For a moment, Lefiya reached out and hugged Tione. Tione chuckled softly, wrapping her arms around her in return, patting her hair lightly. "T-That tickles!" Lefiya giggled, leaning back. The two lost their balance and tumbled to the ground with an embarrassed "Oof!" Golden and black hair mingled on the tent's floor mat, their eyes gazing up at the ceiling as giggles filled the air. For this brief moment, Lefiya could forget her worries about tomorrow.
"If you're still nervous, want me to sleep here with you?" "Are you sure?" "Of course! I can never sleep peacefully in my tent with Tiona babbling and tossing around nonstop!" Tione playfully bumped her forehead against Lefiya's, making the little elf laugh.
"By the way, why'd you bring that broom?" Lefiya blinked, then glanced at the broom propped in the tent's corner. "To fly."
"Huh?" Tione frowned. "How's a broom supposed to fly?"
Lefiya paused for a few seconds, then answered honestly.
"I don't know."
Tione stared at her, then burst out laughing.
"Oh gods, you're adorable."
Lefiya pouted. "Don't laugh!"
Tione only laughed harder, pulling the elf into a warm hug. For a fleeting moment, all her worries seemed to melt away.