Soon, Asfi and I were walking out of the Traveler's Inn. Thankfully, we did not encounter Lydia or Hermes. Otherwise, a lot of my time with Asfi would have been wasted.
Asfi was walking beside me. She was wearing her usual combat clothes. I was hoping to see her in more casual clothes. But it is understandable that she would wear combat gear since the Evilius members were still running around. One more reason to eliminate them.
"So, you will be going to the dungeon with Astraea familia members starting tomorrow, huh?" Asfi asked as we walked through the busy street of Orario towards the Haphateous familia shops.
"Yeah, since everyone in the familia is busy, as they are taking turns going to expenditure in the dungeon. So I asked Alise and others if I could join them."
She nodded approvingly. "Smart thinking. Going alone is foolish when you have capable allies available, especially ones as reliable as the Astraea Familia."
As we rounded a corner, I nearly collided with another pedestrian. Both of us stepped aside in that awkward dance of mutual avoidance, and I found myself face-to-face with emerald hair glimmering in the sunlight. And the same emerald eyes meeting mine.
"Arin? And Asfi as well." Riviera said and noticed Asfi, as well, her tone held a note of pleasant surprise.
"Riveria, it is good seeing you here." Asfi greeted her.
"Indeed. But where might you two be headed?" Riveria's curiosity was evident, though her tone remained characteristically composed.
"I was going to the Hephaestus familia shop to get a new sword for myself. Since, as you know, I broke it during the raid. And I thought of inviting Asfi since she has been an adventurer for longer than I." I explained.
"Hm? Are you not going to tell her that you claimed it to be a date?" Oh crap. Asfi said with a smirk, intending to put me on the spot. Which it did since Riveria raised an elegant eyebrow.
"A date?" Riviera asked.
"Y-yes, a date," I stammered, feeling heat creep up my neck. "You know, the innocent kind between a student and teacher." The words tasted like ash even as they left my mouth.
"I see." Riveria's pause stretched just long enough to make me squirm. "If that's the case, why wasn't I invited? I am also your teacher, am I not?"
My hastily constructed excuse had dug a hole so deep I couldn't even bury myself in it. "W-well, you know I was planning to. Yes, I was definitely going to invite you."
"Pfft! Hehe!" The sound of barely contained laughter from both women made me realize I'd been thoroughly outmaneuvered. Their amusement bubbled over until they were both openly laughing at my expense.
"Relax, Arin. We were just having some fun with you," Riveria managed between chuckles.
Did these women not know how it felt for me to be questioned like that?
Despite the spike of annoyance at being the target of their prank, watching them laugh together like that made it impossible to maintain any real anger. Still, I wasn't about to let this slide. "I'll have my revenge on both of you," I declared with an exaggerated huff.
"Oh? A challenge?" Riveria's eyes sparkled with mischief. "In that case, we look forward to seeing what scheme you devise."
A mischievous idea suddenly struck me, and I felt a slow smile spread across my face. "Actually, Riveria-sensei, since we're all here together, why don't you join us? After all, as my teacher who has a lot of experience in the dungeon, your expertise on weapons would be invaluable."
"That sounds reasonable," she replied, though I caught the slight wariness in her eyes.
"Perfect. And since you mentioned being my teacher too, I suppose this makes it a date with both of my beautiful senseis," I said with exaggerated innocence, watching as both their faces turned various shades of red.
"A-Arin!" Asfi sputtered, clearly flustered.
"That's not—I didn't mean—" Riveria stammered, her usual composure cracking.
"What's wrong? You both seemed so confident a moment ago," I said with a victorious grin. "Don't tell me my respected teachers are getting shy over a simple student-teacher outing?"
The tables had turned, and judging by their embarrassed expressions, round one of my revenge was already complete. The rest would have to wait for another opportunity.
"Y-You're quite the strategist when you want to be," Riveria managed to say after clearing her throat, though the pink tinge to her cheeks betrayed her flustered state.
"I learned from the best," I replied with a satisfied smirk, enjoying how the dynamic had shifted. "Now then, shall we proceed to this 'triple date' at the Hephaestus Familia?"
"It's not a triple date!" both women protested simultaneously, which only made me grin wider.
As we made our way through the bustling streets of Orario, I couldn't help but notice the stares we were attracting. Having two of the most renowned beauties in the city flanking me was certainly drawing attention.
"By the way, where were you going, Riveria? I did not see Alicia or Lefiya accompany you either."
"I was just returning after putting an order for the supplies we would need in the dungeon. And I wanted some alone time, so I did not tell Alicia and Lefiya about it."
"Oh, did I disturb your alone time, Riveria?" I asked since I did not intend to do that. Riviera already has way less chance to wander alone since all the elf girls are constantly hovering around her.
"No, I was starting to get bored, and besides, it gave me a chance to talk with Asfi as well as a fellow teacher, and as a friend, I have a lot to talk about with her." Riveria said, looking at Asfi. "So, Asfi, how is his training progressing?"
Asfi looked at me for a moment. "Well… he can be reckless sometimes."
"Ah, that he certainly is." They nodded in perfect agreement, as if this were an established fact.
"Hey! I do not consider myself as someone reckless." I protested. I feel like they are just doing it simply to get back at me for embarrassing them.
"Oh, how about when you tried to put magic in your veins? Do you know how close you were to damaging your body semi-permanently?"
"And when you tried to push through so much magic in that pen that it became an explosive?"
"Th-That's called innovation," I said weakly.
"No, that was plain recklessness," they said in unison, their synchronized response somehow making it sting more.
"But hey, I was only reckless like that because I know both of you will keep me safe." The words were true—their presence gave me the confidence to push boundaries I wouldn't dare approach alone.
They fell silent for a moment, then released identical sighs.
"You certainly have a way with words," Asfi observed.
"No, I have a way with truth."
"Sure, sure." And with that dismissive response, they returned to their conversation as if I hadn't spoken.
"But yes, even if he is reckless, he's also incredibly hardworking," Asfi told Riveria.
"That's true. He doesn't give up easily. In a way, he's more stubborn than his initial impression suggests."
Man, I am getting a little embarrassed now. Being praised is kind of a weakness of mine. And they both seem to notice it as well.
"Oh? Arin, you're turning red," Riveria observed with a half-smile that suggested she was preparing for another round of teasing.
Before they could launch their offensive, I spotted the entrance to the lift and quickened my pace. "Both of you, hurry up."
They seemed to grant me a temporary reprieve from their teasing as we boarded the lift together.
.
.
.
After getting off the lift, we made our way towards the weapon shop. I pushed open the familiar door and was greeted by the sight of Tsubaki, the dark-skinned woman with the distinctive eye patch, rising from her chair with characteristic enthusiasm.
"Oh! Arin, you're back so soon—" She stopped mid-sentence as she noticed Asfi and Riveria entering behind me, her expression shifting to one of impressed amusement.
"Hoo... Arin, I must say you're quite the impressive fellow. First, the Sword Princess, now Perseus, and even the Nine Hells. Who's next, the Gale Wind?" She burst into laughter at her own observation.
"No, it is nothing like that." yet. " They came with me to help me choose a good sword.
"Hm? But you just bought one, did you not? Did you break it already? I do not mean to doubt, but you do know how to use a sword, right?" She asked me which is justified. Since I already broke two decently good swords.
"Yeah, I do know how to use a sword. It's just that the opponent I always end up fighting are way above my weight class."
"That's.. troublesome."
"Tell me about it." I sighed. But, I can't complain too much, since fighting them makes me stronger faster as well.
"By the way, how is that research progressing with the sword we discussed?"
"Are you talking about that sword you mentioned that can conduct magic?" Asfi, I asked since I told her about the general idea before.
"Yeah. So, how is it going, Tsubaki?" Tsubaki's shoulder visibly dropped.
"I will be honest with my current ability, I can't make a sword like that. I can make a sword with Durandal properties, which can conduct magic. But not a sword that will be tied to you."
"I see..." I'd expected as much. The fact that she could even combine those characteristics was already remarkable. Asking for something approaching divine creation was too tall an order for any mortal smith.
"But," Tsubaki smiled widely. "I asked Lady Hapatheous, and she agreed to help. Saying that it's an interesting concept."
"Really!" With one of the best blacksmiths among mortals and a goddess of smithing working together, my sword is going to be an amazing work.
"Yeah, I did." All of us turned towards the new voice. And saw Goddess Hephaestus herself. Entering the shop.
"Lady Hapatheous! Why are you here?" Tsubaki asked, clearly surprised.
"Well, I heard the news that the High Human who has that interesting idea is here. So I came to say hello as well." Hephaestus nodded towards Riveria and Asfi as they bowed towards her first, and walked towards me.
She was a beautiful woman, with an appearance that suggested her to be in her mid to late 20s, with her fiery red hair like flames bouncing with her every step. An eye patch covering her eye like Tsubaki. But it did not diminish her beauty in any way. I must say these goddesses' beauty is really worthy of their title as gods.
Though their beauty did not stir my heart like Riveria and others do. It was the same with Loki and even with Astraea, who is famous for her beauty as well.
"Hello, it is nice to meet you, goddess." I gave a slight bow as well. I intend to make a good impression since she is going to help forge my blade.
"The pleasure is mine, Arin. Please, feel free to use my name." She smiled warmly. "I must say, you have a truly innovative concept for a sword."
"Thank you." I simply said.
"So, is it possible to make a sword like that?" Riveria and Asfi, who have been silently observing until now, entered the conversation as well.
"Of course. Though it will take some time to get all the material."
"What type of material do you need? Maybe I can help."
Hephaestus' eyes widened slightly. "Perseus? And why would you do that? Are you two close?" She asked. Hephaestus questioning Asfi is understandable since given Asfi's reputation for maintaining distance from most people.
"I am teaching him magic item creation. And we will do missions together in the future as well. So it is better if he has good gear."
"Hmm… so you can create magic items as well. You are full of surprises, aren't you?"
"Yeah, I hear that a lot."
"Do you mind if I choose a sword for myself now? I am doing a dungeon dive tomorrow."
"Of course not, go ahead. I will discuss with Perseus about things needed for making that sword." I nodded. I need to thank Asfi later. I thought as Riveria and I walked deeper into the shop.
"Do you have a blacksmith in mind whose weapon you will choose? Or are you going randomly?" Riveria asked. I hesitated a little before answering.
"I do have a blacksmith in mind. It was the sword made by him that I used in the raid as well. His name is… Welf Crozzo."
"I see." Riveria just said that. She does not seem upset.
"What? Did you think I would ask you not to use equipment made by him?"
"Yeah. I was thinking that you would be a little upset at the very least."
"I can understand why you'd think that. But I don't concern myself with such things. As long as those weapons help keep you safe, it matters little to me who forged them."
I was really happy to hear her say that. "Thank you." That was all I was able to say.
She gave a gentle nod and started looking for a good sword with me. After a little digging, I was able to find a sword made by Welf Crozzo. I saw that Riveria also picked up a pair of daggers.
"You know how to use daggers as well?" She looked up at me.
"Yeah, even if I am a magic user. It is necessary for me to know how to fight in close combat. I know martial arts as well." Wow! She's a badass.
.
.
.
After my weapons shopping, I invited both Riveria and Asfi to a cafe, the same one Anakitty took us to after my first dungeon dive.
"This cafe has a lovely atmosphere," Asfi observed.
"Right. And the food and drinks are decent as well." Riviera said as she took a sip of tea.
"I am glad you both like it." I need to ask Anakitty for more places like this.
We spent some time talking with each other. A warmth surrounded my heart as I looked at them talking with a smile on their faces. I was able to tell that my presence was changing this world slowly but surely.