Chapter 19 - Syr Flova. (Patreon)

Still lying on the ground with a wound on his shoulder, Rui let out a laugh.

"Hahaha, it's impossible to defeat you, Ais," he said.

Ais walked over and pointed her sword at him. After doing so, she said,

"Well, the goal isn't to defeat me, but to learn from me."

"Actually, my goal is to defeat you."

"..."

Ais was speechless for a moment before replying,

"You'll have to train a lot more and become much stronger for that to be possible."

"Don't worry. I'm sure I'll be able to do that soon."

Rui was confident. The system he had received was incredibly overpowered, so he would be able to become as strong as Ais in no time. At least, that's what he believed.

Of course, Ais didn't take his words too seriously. She held out her hand and helped Rui to his feet.

After standing up, Rui let out a long sigh before accepting a bottle of water from Ais. After taking a sip, he also picked up a wooden sword just like hers.

"Don't you want to rest for a while before we continue?"

Hearing Ais's question, Rui felt like she was underestimating him.

"I don't need to rest. You can attack whenever you want."

Ais could clearly see that he was exhausted, but since he insisted, she thought,

'I have to take this seriously.'

She walked to the center of the training field, just as Rui did.

Before they started, Rui said,

"Please go a little easy on me."

He might be an idiot, but he wasn't that much of one. He knew he wouldn't last long if Ais fought with her full strength.

"So you are tired."

"I didn't say that."

Rui smiled.

Ais smiled as well.

"Here I come."

She attacked using only half of her strength, and Rui managed to block her sword—something he had rarely been able to do before. Ais's eyes widened.

'He's improving.'

Even when she wasn't using her full strength, Rui had never been able to keep up with her movements. Now, he was managing to do so.

'He's gotten stronger.'

But Ais noticed something else.

It wasn't just because of the training. Rui's status had definitely increased.

'And by a lot.'

Ais smiled. She had always believed Rui could start growing stronger again.

She was curious to see what would happen from now on.

If he continued improving at the same pace as before, he would surely be able to catch up to her before long.

Ais was looking forward to seeing that happen.

She liked having strong companions by her side.

####

Almost an hour passed before the training finally came to an end.

Rui lay on the ground, breathing heavily and covered in injuries. Fortunately, his wounds healed quickly.

There was a wide smile on his face because the moment his training with Ais ended, he received a new notification from the system.

[You have acquired the skill "Swordsman LV1"]

He had obtained a new skill.

His heart was racing with excitement.

He hadn't known it was possible to gain a new skill simply by pushing himself. He had assumed he would only receive new skills by having sex with a goddess or something like that.

Ais walked over and asked,

"You're smiling an awful lot for someone who just got beaten up."

"If you keep saying things like that, I'm going to get sad."

"It was just a joke."

"I know. I was joking too. Thanks, Ais."

"Hm?"

"Thanks for training with me. I'm learning a lot from you. My progress has been even better than I expected."

"Yes. You're improving very quickly. You can keep up with my movements now."

"Not always... You're really fast."

"Did your goddess update your Falna?"

"Where did that question come from all of a sudden?"

"Because you're definitely stronger now. Did your status increase by a lot?"

Ais hadn't had the chance to ask earlier.

Hearing her question, Rui answered honestly and admitted that his status had increased significantly.

"I don't know. I've been killing a lot more monsters than before, so that's probably why, right?"

"Well, the more you fight, the more excelia you'll receive. You started putting in the effort again, and you're being rewarded for it. I hope you keep working hard. I'll continue supporting you."

"I'm happy to hear that."

Rui stood up and dusted off his clothes.

"I think I'd better head back to my room and take a shower. Want to go grab something to eat afterward?"

"Now?"

"Yeah. After we clean up. My treat."

"All right. I'll go tell Tiona and Tione."

Rui wanted to tell Ais not to invite Tiona and Tione because he wanted to go alone with her, but he couldn't bring himself to say it.

####

POV: Rui

Outside the mansion, I waited for Ais, Tiona, and Tione.

Several members of the Familia walked past me.

They greeted me with great respect.

I still couldn't get used to it.

I simply returned their greetings with the same respect.

After they walked away, Ais finally appeared.

Contrary to what I had expected, she was wearing her usual outfit, including her armor. She was also carrying her sword, making it look like she was heading into the Dungeon.

'She's alone.'

"Aren't Tiona and Tione coming?" I asked.

"Tiona isn't feeling very well, and Tione is taking care of her."

"I see."

In the end, everything worked out exactly as I had hoped.

I walked beside Ais toward the Hostess of Fertility.

"Why are you wearing your armor? Are you planning to go into the Dungeon today?"

"I like dressing like this."

"I see."

After that, we fell silent.

The atmosphere became rather awkward.

I wasn't sure what to talk about, and Ais wasn't the type to start conversations.

Eventually, we reached the entrance to the Hostess of Fertility.

"Hm?"

I noticed someone outside sweeping the entrance.

It was Syr Flova.

I couldn't take my eyes off her, and our gazes met.

When that happened, she smiled at me.

It was a strange smile—one that immediately made me suspicious.

Knowing the original story, there was no way I couldn't be suspicious.

Ais noticed I was staring at Syr and asked,

"What is it?"

"It's nothing," I replied.

We walked past Syr and entered the restaurant.

I had the impression that I heard her say something, but I couldn't make out exactly what it was.