The Loki Familia's compound wasn't as large as Ganesha's—just a decent-sized estate—but it did have a training ground.
After all, for newbies still at Level 1, it was far better to be trained by seniors within the familia than to grind away in the Dungeon. Not only was it safer, but they could also learn plenty of combat skills.
But Alice had never seen a training ground before—not in Orario, and not in any of her memories from Gensokyo either.
This was her first time.
The training area took up most of the Loki Familia's backyard, with marble flooring that seemed incredibly sturdy. Along the walls were crude practice weapons—spears and blades alike—all of them blunt and unsharpened.
They even looked a bit rusty. If someone got wounded by weapons like these, there was a pretty good chance they'd end up with tetanus.
Without a high-grade potion or a strong antidote, they'd be done for.
'Was the Loki Familia's training always this life-and-death? No wonder they're one of the top familias in Orario.'
Alice couldn't help but feel impressed by that kind of dedication.
"It's pretty spacious," Alice remarked, curiously looking around before turning to Lefiya. "But it doesn't seem like anyone's here right now."
The training ground did look large, but as she and Lefiya made their way through the backyard, they hadn't run into a single person.
Naturally, the training field was empty except for the two of them.
"Well… everyone's usually off making money in the Dungeon," Lefiya explained. "Besides, the Dungeon is better for training than this place. No matter what kind of fighting style you use, you don't have to worry about wrecking your surroundings down there."
"Even if you only stick to the first couple of floors, as long as there's a Level 2 adventurer around, they can handle the monsters. The training is more effective that way, too."
So it wasn't at all like Alice had imagined—no one actually trained here regularly.
"Alright, guess I was wrong," Alice said with a helpless shake of her head. She looked back at Lefiya.
"But since we're already here, why not have a little spar? I'll hold back so we don't damage anything."
As she spoke, a spell card appeared in her hand, which she tossed lightly onto the ground.
Spell Card-[Basic Barrier]
A simple magical barrier—one of the foundational spells in the Seven Elements system. Though Alice could easily cast it without preparation, spell cards were just more convenient.
A pale golden barrier instantly enveloped the training ground.
The sudden change made Lefiya jump, but soon her eyes sparkled with excitement as she stared at Alice.
"Alice-chan! What was that card you just threw?"
It was like she'd stumbled upon the secret behind Alice's ability to cast magic without chanting. Those delicate-looking crystal cards had to be the key.
"Hm? This?" Alice produced another crystalline card in her hand.
"Yeah, that!" Lefiya nodded eagerly.
Alice smiled. "This is called a spell card. It's a really handy ability—you can seal your magic inside it. The best part is how easy it is to use."
"But it has obvious weaknesses. All the attack patterns and magical trajectories are fixed, so it's easy for opponents to catch on."
"Plus, making them consumes quite a bit of magic. But if you want to learn, Lefiya, I can teach you how to make them."
Lefiya's face lit up. "Really? You'd teach me?"
"Of course. It's not some big secret," Alice replied with a light smile. "I'll show you how to make spell cards later. But for now, Lefiya, how about you experience what it's like to be on the receiving end?"
"Spell Card—Basic Rays!"
With that, Alice flung the card straight at Lefiya.
The moment it left her hand, the card shattered, transforming into six beams of magical energy that shot toward Lefiya.
"Wha—?!" Caught off guard by the sudden attack, Lefiya yelped—but she was, after all, a Level 3 adventurer.
As soon as the beams shot forth, she threw herself sideways onto the ground.
In the Dungeon, elegance didn't matter. What mattered was escaping enemy attacks and staying alive—no matter how awkward or ungraceful the dodge might look.
Staying alive was what made you stronger. Survival was the only thing that truly mattered down there.
As a promising magical artillery unit, Lefiya was usually well-protected by her familia members in the Dungeon.
Truth be told, even at Level 3, she was probably the only adventurer who still bit her tongue while chanting spells when facing monsters.
Though she was destined to become a mobile magical battery with devastating firepower…
And with her teammates shielding her, all she had to do was stand back and unleash spell after spell…
Still.
Riveria, another high-output mage, was also exceptionally skilled in close-quarters combat.
But Lefiya's melee abilities? Well, if we're being honest, she was only really good at one thing: dodging.
Alice's Basic Rays missed Lefiya and struck the barrier she had just erected.
Meanwhile, Lefiya quickly regained her posture, raised her staff, and focused warily on Alice.
Even if she tended to freeze up and bite her tongue when facing monsters…
Here in her own familia's home, facing Alice—who was very much not a monster—Lefiya remained calm and began her chant.
"Unleash, luminous arrows! Sacred bow of the fairy trees—I am the archer of mastery!"
As Lefiya chanted, magical energy steadily gathered around her.
Watching closely, Alice's eyes gleamed with interest. This was her first time truly observing magic from this world.
The magical fluctuations around Lefiya were intense. Alice could sense that the spell she was preparing was powerful—if she finished chanting and released it successfully, it would likely rival Alice's own strongest magical attacks.
However.
"You're too slow." Alice lifted her hand, and a golden magic circle instantly appeared beneath Lefiya's feet. The temperature within it rose sharply.
"Petite Flare." This time, Alice didn't use a spell card—she cast the magic directly, aiming it right at Lefiya.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
20+ advanced chaps on my patreon.
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.