"You finally graduated from here!"
"This is really wonderful, Alise!"
Looking at Alise as if she had been reborn, Elise offered her sincere congratulations.
After a full month of relentless tempering, Alise had finally begun to look the part. At the very least, she would no longer be beaten senseless by the monsters of the first five floors the moment she entered the Dungeon.
At the same time, Elise felt a trace of relief. Her training had finally produced results. It seemed that this method truly was extremely helpful for improving someone else's status values. No wonder Freya had once used it as a bargaining chip.
However, when those words reached Alise's ears, they carried an entirely different meaning...
This woman... she doesn't plan on continuing to torture me, does she?
Alise's entire body trembled as memories of everything Elise had done to her over the past month resurfaced.
"Hm? What's wrong?"
With her sharp perception, Elise immediately sensed the change in Alise.
"Are your previous injuries not fully healed yet?"
"Don't worry, I'll treat you right now!"
As she spoke, white light already began to flicker in Elise's hand, causing Alise's eyelids to twitch uncontrollably.
"N-No need!"
"I'm just excited!"
"Thank you very much for your guidance during this time, Sen—Captain!"
Alise hurriedly refused. The healing was indeed effective, but every time that light shone on her, she couldn't help feeling like she was about to get beaten again...
"Then without further delay, today we'll head to the Dungeon!"
"Go! Go! Go!"
"Our heroic journey is finally setting sail!"
Pointing toward the towering Babel, Alise instantly swept away all her earlier gloom.
That caught Elise's attention.
Oh?
It seemed Alise possessed rather strong emotional control.
Then she would take her down there for some proper practice.
...
"Today is your first time entering the Dungeon, right?"
As Elise led Alise inside, her entire demeanor grew noticeably more serious.
Alise couldn't quite see the change, but after spending so much time together, she could sense that something in the air had shifted.
"Yes, Captain. Until now, you've kept dragging me into special training in the training room. I finally get to come to the Dungeon for once..."
"But I did all that to strengthen you. Compared to before, your current strength is worlds apart."
"That's true... I've grown much stronger. I really must thank you for cultivating me." Alise still felt a lingering fear. "But... could you maybe not use that method anymore?"
"If others find out, our Familia might never recruit new members in the future."
Alise had already resolved herself. Since she had joined the Astraea Familia, she would remain loyal to it no matter what.
In the future, she would surely fight for justice.
But she still hoped they could recruit a few more members.
Otherwise, how could she possibly endure Elise's training all by herself?
Since she was already aboard this pirate ship, retreat was no longer an option. But that didn't stop her from wanting to drag a few teammates on board as well.
If there were more people, some of Elise's attention would surely be divided. Then things would definitely become much easier.
After hearing Alise's words, Elise paused.
That... actually did seem possible.
There were indeed cases where people feared joining a Familia because they were worried about internal misconduct.
In the next instant, Elise suddenly turned her head. Though the blindfold concealed her eyes, Alise could still feel that she was staring directly at her.
An indescribable sense of danger blared wildly in her mind.
"Alise."
Elise's voice was as gentle as ever—perhaps even softer than usual.
But to Alise's ears, it sounded like a death sentence.
"Y-Yes, Captain?"
Acting on instinct, Alise took two steps back.
"You wouldn't casually spread rumors about matters inside our Familia... would you?"
"After all, internal affairs are confidential."
"If outsiders learn about confidential matters, the punishment is very severe."
Whoa.
That was a threat, wasn't it?
If she dared say anything carelessly, she might not see tomorrow's sun...
Driven by instinct, Alise nodded frantically.
At the same time, a question kept echoing in her mind.
Our Familia...
Isn't it supposed to be a righteous Familia?
Did I really join the right one?
"Oh, and there's one more thing you need to remember."
With a flash of light, a blade formed from holy radiance appeared in Elise's hand.
Holding the sword, she slowly walked toward Alise, once again making her feel an overwhelming threat.
"C-Captain... what are you doing?"
Her feet were already retreating uncontrollably.
Elise paid no attention to her movement and simply continued forward with the sword in hand.
"Of course I'm about to teach you some knowledge related to the Dungeon."
"After all, the Dungeon is extremely dangerous. If you're careless for even a moment, you could lose your life."
No, no, no!
You're the most dangerous one here!
The Dungeon isn't even half as terrifying as you!
Was she planning to continue that training from the Familia grounds inside the Dungeon as well?
Even Alise couldn't help but think so, because Elise was already charging at her with the sword!
Alise quickly spun around—only to find that the path ahead was not clear.
Instead, two glowing red eyes stared back at her.
What was that...?
A monster?
Before Alise could react, a streak of light moved first.
Slash—
Golden radiance flashed past. Several monsters were cleanly severed in an instant, their magic stones dropping out for reasons she didn't even understand.
"This is the first lesson I'm teaching you in the Dungeon. Make sure you remember it well."
After sheathing the holy sword, Elise turned to look at the still-dazed Alise.
Her already crimson hair and clothing had been further dyed red by the monsters' blood.
"The moment we enter the Dungeon, we are already in danger. Even on the first floor, monsters will continuously spawn. Further down, there are countless traps waiting."
"So you must remain cautious. Stay alert at all times. Keep a few extra thoughts in mind."
"A monster might already be standing right behind you, watching."
After finishing her explanation, Elise picked up the magic stones from the ground and handed them to Alise.
"For now, you'll act as a supporter. The magic stone fragments are your responsibility."
Alise sat on the ground, staring blankly at the scene. Only after a long while did she finally respond.
"Captain, I understand. I'll do my job as a supporter properly."
Everything that had just happened proved one thing.
She, Alise, was still far too immature.
She hadn't even noticed a monster circling behind her.
Just as Elise had said.
This was the Dungeon—a place filled with danger at every turn.
And she was not vigilant enough.
If this continued, she really would lose her life.