Aiden was already beginning to scheme. He wanted to center his combat style around [Alpha Inforce] and develop a true finishing move of his own.
Just like Bell's Holy Fire Heroic Slash and Ais's Lil Rafaga, that was the unique, exclusive romance of being an adventurer.
"If I run into her again..."
The image of the red-haired girl who had fought him to a bitter, mutually destructive stalemate surfaced in his mind. He clenched his fists, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. "I definitely won't end up looking that pathetic."
Now armed with [Alpha Inforce], he possessed absolute certainty that he could decisively execute her while paying a much smaller price.
This was the qualitative leap brought about by a "Skill." No wonder the adventurers of Orario pursued skills and magic with such madness. The Gods calling them "miracles of the lower world" couldn't be any more fitting.
.....
That evening, when Robin and the others returned to the Familia headquarters, they were greeted by an exceptionally highly-spirited Goddess, looking as if she were standing center-stage under the spotlight.
"My dear children, welcome home!"
Standing in the middle of the living room, Furina threw her arms wide open, striking a highly dramatic pose with sparkling eyes.
"To celebrate everyone's safe return, and to reward the outstanding contributions you've made to the Familia, I, the great Water God Focalors, have decided—right here, right now, to hold a grand and solemn... status update ceremony for everyone!"
No sooner had the words left her mouth than she dragged everyone into her room without taking no for an answer. She excitedly fetched her divine blood and parchment, ready to commence her "great work."
"First up is our Vice-Captain, my most elegant diva—Robin."
Furina locked her gaze onto Robin. As the divine blood dripped and the Falna on Robin's back emitted a soft glow, Furina's eyes instantly lit up.
"Ohoho! What astonishing growth! Your Magic has already reached Rank S. You can rank up to Level 3 at any time!"
"Next up is our combat sweetheart, Tifa." Furina turned to Tifa, eyes brimming with anticipation.
As expected, Tifa's growth was quite rapid. Despite having just leveled up to Level 2 recently, her Agility and Magic—her fastest-growing stats—had already hit Rank F.
"And now, our healing angel, Hya-baby." Furina giggled, pouncing onto Hyacine's back. "Although you spend most of your time offering rear support, I've seen all the hard work you've put in."
Hyacine's progression mirrored Tifa's; her most proficient stat, Magic, had steadily crossed the threshold into Rank F.
"Next, our indestructible Saint, Jeanne."
When Furina saw Jeanne's updated status, she inhaled sharply, exaggerating her shock. "Endurance... Rank SS?! Exactly how many hits did you take out there?!"
Thanks to her [Saint] skill, Jeanne's endurance growth was already absurd. Furthermore, due to repeatedly casting her magic, her Magic stat had reached Rank A, which was equally appalling.
Finally, it was Daphne and Cassandra's turn.
Upon seeing the gratifying increase in their stats, genuine joy blossomed on their faces. This was leaps and bounds better than their days in the Apollo Familia, where busting their backs for a whole month would barely net them a hundred points across the board.
However, compared to the likes of Robin and the rest, their growth was nothing to write home about. At least, Furina found it quite ordinary.
Accustomed to the hyper-speed progression of Aiden's core team, suddenly seeing the growth rate of normal people like Daphne and Cassandra created an immediate and stark contrast.
And this was with the amplification of Robin's skill. Without it, their stat growth would be pitifully slow.
This was the difference in caliber.
To put it into perspective, if Robin's [Tonal Resonance] skill allowed Tifa, Jeanne, and the others to gain 50 stat points a day, Daphne and Cassandra might only gain 5.
It was an insurmountable gulf in innate talent—much like how Ais reached Level 2 in just one year, while other adventurers needed several years or even longer. Skill amplifications merely accelerated the leveling process; they couldn't bridge the absolute disparity between geniuses and ordinary people.
Still, Daphne and Cassandra were already more than satisfied.
At this rate, they would reach the requirements to level up to Level 3 very soon. As for the necessary Great Feat, with Robin's borderline-cheat skill [The Family], they didn't have to worry about lacking high-quality Excelia.
Just being able to join the Focalors Familia was already the greatest blessing of their lives.
.....
Under the watch of a clear, cloudless sky, Aiden and Robin strolled side by side down the bustling, demi-human-filled West Main Street.
Today was a rare day off for the Focalors Familia. Everyone had just updated their statuses and were in peak condition, but the prolonged, high-intensity Dungeon diving ultimately accumulated an invisible fatigue. Consequently, Aiden waved his hand and granted everyone a well-deserved day off.
First thing in the morning, Hyacine excitedly ran off to find her new friend, the "Battlefield Saint" Airmid from the Dian Cecht Familia. It seemed the two top-tier healers were preparing to hold an academic seminar on the latest treatment methods and potion formulas.
Tifa, meanwhile, had been sought out bright and early by Yamato Mikoto of the Takemikazuchi Familia, who requested her help in conducting a high-intensity sparring session. The two girls hit it off immediately and enthusiastically headed straight for the training grounds.
As for Jeanne... she was forcibly dragged away by the Guild's Miss Eina under the guise of "remedial lessons on basic adventurer knowledge."
Recalling the teary-eyed, desperate SOS signals Jeanne was throwing his way right before she was hauled off, Aiden couldn't help but shake his head, silently mourning her for three seconds.
Lady Saint, you're on your own... may the heavens have mercy on your soul.
Daphne and Cassandra had taken up the role of Furina's bodyguards, accompanying her to a goddess-exclusive luxury bathhouse. Rumor had it that Demeter, the head of the Demeter Familia, had specifically invited Furina to a secret goddess tea party.
As a result, only Aiden and Robin were left.
Robin mentioned there was a place she wanted to visit, so Aiden naturally took up the role of her escort. After all, Robin's reputation as the "Saint of Battle Rhythm" was well known. There was no shortage of shady characters in Orario coveting her beauty and abilities; letting her wander around alone simply wasn't safe.
Walking down the wide streets, the warm sunshine washed over them. Robin comfortably narrowed her eyes, a contented smile playing on her lips.
"We... haven't really taken a walk together just the two of us like this before, have we?" Robin turned her head, speaking softly.
"Yeah. Sorry." Aiden's tone carried a hint of apology. "I've been dragging you all headfirst into the Dungeon this whole time. We've been in Orario for so long, and I haven't even taken you out to properly explore."
He was truly too eager to grow stronger. Ever since arriving in this Labyrinth City, the pace of their lives had been astonishingly fast—it was nothing but adventure after adventure. Following him, Robin and the others rarely had moments like this to just kick back and relax.
"Apologizing is too formal. I won't allow it."
Robin extended a slender finger, pressing it gently against Aiden's lips. Her lake-green eyes, looking like the clearest jewels under the sun, met his sapphire-blue ones.
"I understand your desire to get stronger. After all, you have to be strong to do the things you want to do. The prerequisite for the strong to aid the weak is to be strong yourself. I'm not against getting stronger... but I hope that, occasionally, you can relax a bit. If a bowstring is drawn too tight, it will snap eventually."
"Yeah. I'll listen to you." Aiden looked at her earnest expression and smiled, nodding.
"That's more like it."
Hearing his response, Robin bloomed an even more radiant smile. She playfully clasped her hands behind her back and began walking backward. Her skirt swayed gently with her movements, giving off an unexpectedly bright and youthful charm.
Bizarre fortune-telling stalls set up in back alleys, small flower shops run by unblessed demi-human girls, Jagamarukun stands tucked away in obscure corners no one would think of...
With most adventurers off exploring the Dungeon, their figures were a rare sight on the streets. Looking around at the diverse scenery dotting the street corners, Aiden deeply realized just how little he knew about the city of Orario.
The Labyrinth City was impossibly vast. From the industrial sectors to the entertainment districts, and the pleasure quarters he had only recently learned about, there were so many districts nestled within the massive city walls. He had been in Orario for over two months, but there were still far too many sights he had yet to see.
Thanks to the beautiful weather, their mood lifted as they leisurely strolled through the wide avenues and quiet alleyways.
Unfamiliar crowds, unfamiliar places, unfamiliar scents.
----
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