Allowing a Level 1 newcomer to join the expedition was almost like a joke.
"When selecting members for the expedition, aside from necessary personnel like combat and support roles, the only factor I consider is whether the members need to accumulate great feats. However, I've heard that you've been levelling in the middle floors with Lefiya and Line, so accumulating great feats shouldn't be difficult for you, right?"
Great feats could be obtained in a team. For example, the Loki Familia's expeditions, which delve at least to the 50th floor and beyond, would undoubtedly count as a great feat for 90% of adventurers.
As long as one could follow the main force of the Loki Familia into the dungeon, the great feats needed for levelling up would be almost fully accumulated.
For the sake of his familia members' levelling progress, Finn would only allow those who urgently needed great feats to join the expedition group, outside of the usual lineup.
"To put it bluntly, I might become a burden if I tag along, right?"
Eiji didn't beat around the bush and directly voiced Finn's concern.
"...Well, yes, that's true."
Finn spread his hands.
He hadn't intended to say it so bluntly, as he wanted to preserve his comrade's dignity, but he hadn't expected Eiji to bring it up himself.
Eiji's combat skills were indeed strong, but his overall capabilities were still lacking. Unfortunately, during an expedition, what was needed more than combat skills was raw strength.
Because expeditions were team battles, facing hordes of monsters, fighting individually was completely ineffective. The team had to unite and fight as one to deal with the monsters.
"If I can level up before the expedition starts, can you take me along?"
Immediately after, Eiji proposed a condition that nearly made Finn's jaw drop.
"What? Level up?"
Finn was stunned.
"If I remember correctly, you've only been here for about 20 days, right? Have you already reached your limit?"
Even if he had been levelling in the middle floors, this speed was beyond reason.
To put it into perspective, the fastest record for levelling from Level 1 to Level 2 in Orario was about a year, a record set by the Sword Princess, Ais. Finn couldn't have misremembered.
But now, after only 20 days, Eiji was already reaching the threshold for levelling up?
"According to Loki, I'm indeed ready to level up at any time, but she advised me to keep training until I reach my limit."
Hearing this, Finn fell into deep thought.
If Loki herself said so, then it was likely true.
Logically, Finn did hold Eiji in high regard and believed he could break Ais's record. However, in his estimation, even at the fastest, it would take two to three months. Twenty days… was simply too extraordinary.
"Alright then."
After pondering for a long time, Finn raised his head, his expression turning serious.
"I can give you a promise, but the condition will change. If, before the expedition starts, you can hold your own against Raul… no, if you can last two minutes against him, I'll agree to let you join the expedition group."
Raul Nord, that spiky-haired, simple-minded guy.
A top-tier Level 4, very close to Level 5, and one of the strongest in the Loki Familia outside of the executives.
"...Alright."
Eiji thought for a moment, didn't haggle further, and agreed outright.
Lasting two minutes against Raul? After levelling up, he was confident he could do it.
***
Early morning.
Clang!
The sound of clashing steel echoed continuously from the courtyard, assaulting the eardrums of anyone nearby.
A golden-haired girl with the looks of a goddess and a black-haired boy so handsome that even gods would feel ashamed were currently engaged in a fierce battle in the open space of the courtyard.
The tip of the rapier and the blade of the katana clashed repeatedly amidst gusts of wind that sliced through the air, their movements so fast they were almost invisible to the naked eye.
Ais's swordsmanship style was like a relentless storm, both fierce and breathtakingly beautiful. In her hands, even combat seemed to transform into an art.
But Eiji surpassed her.
His swordplay was equally like a storm, its ferocity seemingly even surpassing Ais's. The way he wielded his sword was like a dance, filled with a mesmerizing beauty.
Clang—clang!
With the sound of a block, Ais instinctively took a step back, her grip on her sword almost faltering. She quickly tightened her hold to stabilize it.
"...I lost."
Ais looked at her sword-holding hand, then slightly lowered her eyelids, announcing her defeat with a hint of dejection.
In that last exchange, Eiji could have disarmed her.
She had instinctively used strength beyond Level 1 to keep hold of her sword.
But the initial agreement when they started sparring was to rely solely on swordsmanship, not physical strength, so she had indeed lost.
"Compared to yesterday, there's one less flaw in your swordsmanship. That's good progress."
"...It's nothing compared to you."
Despite Eiji's praise, Ais couldn't feel happy.
Because Eiji had been using her swordsmanship.
He hadn't used his own style but had instead learned her techniques during their spar and then used them to defeat her.
To Ais, this skill was nothing short of miraculous.
"Can't you teach me your swordsmanship?"
Ais raised her head, looking at Eiji with a mix of reluctance and longing.
She knew her request was abrupt, but it also showed just how much she admired and desired Eiji's swordsmanship.
"It's not that I can't teach you, but teaching you might actually do more harm than good."
Eiji shook his head.
"Your swordsmanship has already developed its own style. If I rashly try to change your approach, it'll only leave you confused and lost, unable to master either style."
Of course.
If she had Eiji's unreasonable talent for swordsmanship, it wouldn't be a problem. Unfortunately, Ais didn't possess such talent, so she had to take things step by step.
Ais's raised eyelids drooped again.
Her shoulders slumped slightly, showing her dejection.
"You don't need to be so discouraged… I can teach you the sword techniques I've created, but how much you can learn will depend on you."
Eiji was slightly speechless but, after some thought, made the offer.
"Really?"
Ais's eyes lit up, and the world seemed to regain its colour. Her earlier dejection vanished in an instant.
"Really."
Eiji nodded.
Such an easy-to-read girl.
Her facial expressions were subtle, often giving off a cold impression, but once you got to know her, you'd realize she just wasn't good at expressing her thoughts.
Whenever her emotions fluctuated, she would react very plainly, with everything written on her face. She was incredibly easy to understand.
Like a simple little animal.
Sometimes Eiji wondered if he were to pat her head, would Ais rub against his hand like a pet?
***
Hey readers!
Want to read ahead? 📖 Join my Patreon for early access to 30+ advance chapters! Your support helps me write more and bring the story to you faster.
🔹patreon.com/aarvan🔹