Let's set aside whatever secret discussions Finn and the others were having in private.
On Lumine's side, after her mock battle with Ais, the others, who had been spectating, witnessed a skill that left them all deeply shaken.
There was no doubt. Though the Sword Princess's swordsmanship was her own self-taught my style, it had been forged through years of life-and-death combat.
Yet even against Ais Wallenstein, praised by gods themselves as Orario's strongest female swordswoman, Lumine displayed dueling prowess not the least bit inferior.
Of course, they were only exchanging blows, not testing raw strength.
Realistically, if Ais got serious, I wouldn't stand a chance.
After all, even if Lumine's basic ability stats had reached the extreme limit of Level 2, the gap between that and Level 5 was simply too vast.
Not to mention, Ais wasn't just any Level 5.
Ever since her ascension from Level 4 over two years ago, her Dexterity and Agility had both broken into A-rank, over 800 points each. Her Strength and Endurance were above 500. And thanks to her spirit bloodline, her Magic was nearly S-rank.
Combined with her Skills and Magic, in extreme cases, Ais could even fight monsters comparable to a Level 8 adventurer.
The Black Wind Avenger, for example.
Skill: [Avenger Princess]
When fighting monsters, attack power is greatly amplified.
Against dragon-type monsters, all attributes receive extraordinary boosts.
Amplification grows based on the depth of hatred.
Back when she was just a nine-year-old girl, during the infamous Week of Death, Ais, at only Level 3, held off a black dragon-like monster equal to Level 6 strength. She nearly sacrificed her own consciousness to kill it alone.
Because of that childhood trauma, her hatred for black dragons reached its absolute peak, stacking every possible buff she could get.
This was why, when Loki once privately met with Freya, she had asked:
"Do those Twins really have a higher chance of slaying the Black Dragon than Ais?"
The truth was, Orario had no shortage of adventurers capable of challenging beyond their level.
Take Lefiya, for example. Despite her meek appearance, with her Skill [Elf Chant], she could double the power of her offensive magic, allowing her to unleash attacks on par with a Level 5 while still only Level 3.
Jumping two levels.
And Ais, under the right extreme conditions, could jump three.
In the future, a certain red-eyed rabbit boy with a cheat-like Skill [Hero's Wish] would also manage a one-hit strike that leapt three levels.
These people were the absolute top tier.
For now,
"Lumine, you're amazing!" Tiona clenched her fists, eyes sparkling with excitement. She tilted her head curiously.
"That trick where you just wave your hand and a sword appears, is that Magic? It looks so fun~!"
Meanwhile,
"Not only is she an adventurer with terrifying natural talent, but she can also make special dishes that rival elixirs in recovery effect. And now, her swordsmanship matches Ais's as well… Sigh."
Tione, watching the two golden-haired girls dart and clash across the grass, rubbed her forehead with a wry smile.
"To be honest, I feel crushed."
Not that I blame her. Even Renjiro himself often feels crushed by… himself.
Anyway,
When Lumine revealed sword skills that weren't inferior to her own, Ais, the stoic doll-like girl, was indeed surprised, but felt no jealousy.
Instead, her normally expressionless lips curved ever so slightly upward.
If I can train with Lumine often… I'll definitely grow stronger.
It was exactly because Lumine could read that thought that she suddenly asked,
"Want to speed up the pace a little?"
"Mm?"
As they broke apart briefly in the courtyard, Ais tilted her head in confusion.
Lumine's lips curled into a mysterious smile. She gave her answer through action.
"Ais, you're essentially a magic swordswoman, right?"
She leveled the sword at her side. As she spoke, faint green wind-element motes swirled around her.
"Funny. So am I."
In truth, an adventurer's personal information, especially their Skills and Magic, was highly classified. Even the Guild had no authority to pry.
That was why the Guild relied only on records submitted by adventurers themselves, like the Twin Stars' unbelievable feat records, for example.
And now,
"T-That's Miss Ais's…"
"No, not quite the same."
At the sight of Lumine calling upon wind-element power, Lefiya gasped, only for the more experienced Tione to shake her head firmly.
"That's not Ais's Ariel. It looks similar, but the essence is completely different."
"Correct. As Miss Tione said, this is a move I developed myself, inspired by Ais's Magic."
Lumine, wind still curling around her, clenched her left fist lightly, explaining with calm frankness:
"It's only a half-finished prototype, unstable while active. But… it's battle-ready."
No doubt, this was Renjiro's latest technique, devised using the [Brilliant Diamond] Skill of the Traveler twins, applying wind-element power in a new way.
Well, he's always full of ideas.
Borrowed from countless fantasy stories and odd powers, some whimsical, some pseudo-scientific, they could all be recreated through elemental force.
Of course, since his base level was only Lv.1, the twins could only use Wind right now. So development speed was limited.
But even so,
"She can mimic Ais's Magic?"
Tiona's eyes widened.
"I thought only Lefiya could do something like that…"
There was a tiny pinch of envy in her tone. The same feeling as wondering why everyone else's bust size is bigger, though, honestly, not quite as bitter.
As for Tione,
"Terrifying adventurer talent, special cooking, swordsmanship… and now Magic too…?"
Seriously, just how 'all-rounder' are you supposed to be?!
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