"See it clearly?"
After dealing with the Minotaur, Alice walked back, sword in hand.
"So amazing." Ais spoke earnestly to Alice.
Ais wasn't a fool. While a bit airheaded at times, her talent for combat was immense. Alice's attacks just now had all used her own mana, not the power of the wind. Yet, she had laid everything out for Ais, showing her exactly how to use and train her own wind magic.
The path to getting stronger was now laid bare before her. All that was left was her own effort.
And so.
Ais took two slight steps back and bowed deeply to Alice.
"Thank you for your guidance," Ais said with utmost seriousness.
"No, no, it was nothing really, don't mention it!" Seeing Ais's solemn demeanor, Alice actually became a little embarrassed.
Ais lifted her head and looked at Alice, silent.
Alice, her cheeks slightly flushed, also didn't know what to say.
The two gazed at each other, the scene beautiful and tranquil.
Just then, Lefiya, who had been practicing mana control not far away, suddenly let out a loud shout, shattering the slightly awkward atmosphere between Alice and Ais.
"Waaahhh!! Why are there so many Minotaurs all of a sudden!!"
Lefiya yelled as she ran.
Chasing after her were several Minotaurs, snarling and waving their claws, looking utterly terrifying.
Seeing Lefiya's predicament, both Alice and Ais smiled.
"Lefiya! Go on, defeat them! Use your magic!"
"Ehhh!!!!" Hearing Alice's voice, Lefiya cried out again, shouting incredulously, "How is that possible! These Minotaurs are nothing like the Orcs upstairs! If I take even one hit, I'll be badly hurt!"
As a mage, even though Lefiya was Level 3, her physical prowess was far below that of a warrior, and she wasn't clad in heavy armor. So, if a Minotaur actually landed a blow on her, a Level 3 Lefiya wouldn't fare much better than a Level 2 adventurer.
"You can do it~~~" Alice called out loudly to Lefiya. "It's the perfect chance to shorten your magic chant. Don't worry, we absolutely won't lift a finger until you're just about to be defeated!"
Alice's words made the currently fleeing Lefiya's face fall. The previous chant modification had been very successful, but success there didn't mean she could shorten the chant now.
"Alice, you devil!" Lefiya felt like crying but had no tears.
Still, deep down, she didn't harbor much resentment. She knew Alice was doing this for her benefit, and her safety wasn't truly in jeopardy. Lefiya was clear that if she were really in danger, Alice and Ais would definitely step in.
So... did she really have to try shortening the chant now? Even the modified chant was still so difficult to incant!
She glanced back at the Minotaurs hot on her heels, and her face turned pale. Compared to the Orcs on the 10th floor, the Minotaurs of the 16th floor were much faster. While Lefiya was quick herself, she wasn't much faster than the Minotaurs on this floor. The distance between them was closing fast.
Just then, Alice's voice rang out again.
"Go for it, Lefiya! If you don't act now, you'll be caught!"
"Shut uuup!!" Lefiya shouted back angrily.
"Ara, ara, being disliked now? Well then, Ais and I just won't save you. We're going to the 17th floor to see the Dungeon Boss. Once you've handled things here, come find us there." Alice's merciless words struck Lefiya with despair.
"Wait! Alice! Lady Alice! Please, save me!!" Lefiya cried out in a panic.
But there was no response from Alice.
"No way... they really left?" Lefiya's face was a mask of disbelief.
Looking back at the rapidly approaching Minotaurs, the fear in Lefiya's heart grew heavier. But at the same time, a spark of anger ignited within her because of Alice's words. And as she ran, that spark began to burn, growing more and more intense.
"Rah!!!! I'm mad now!!!"
Lefiya yelled.
Her feet moved even faster, putting some distance between her and the pursuing Minotaurs. Once she had created a gap, she spun around and, with breathless fury, shouted:
"Volley Fire Lance! Use the most intense flames to burn these monsters to ash!!"
As her voice echoed, a crimson magic circle instantly unfolded behind her.
Streaks of fire shot out from the circle, launching towards the Minotaurs.
However, Lefiya's magic this time didn't display the same power it had against the Orcs earlier. The streaks of flame were like weak embers, landing on the Minotaurs' bodies. They set the beasts' fur ablaze, causing some degree of burns, but beyond that, Lefiya's magic caused no real harm.
Worse, the pain from the burns only made the Minotaurs more frenzied, their eyes glaring at Lefiya with increased ferocity.
Seeing this, Lefiya's face instantly turned white, her mind going blank.
And at that very moment.
Ais's voice sounded by Lefiya's ear.
"You did well, Lefiya." A very familiar figure darted past her.
"Make sure to remember that feeling, okay? Don't go back to being timid later," Alice said, standing beside Lefiya in a comforting tone. "It doesn't matter if the magic's power was small. Shortening the chant was a success. Next is practice—training so you can manifest the image of your magic with mana under any circumstances."
Looking at Alice beside her and Ais, who had charged into the pack of monsters to deal with the Minotaurs, Lefiya felt something wet at the corner of her eye.
And then...
"Waaahhh!! Alice!!! It was so scary!!"
Lefiya threw herself into Alice's arms, bawling.
"I really thought you'd abandoned me!!"
Being hugged so suddenly, Alice was startled for a moment. But upon hearing Lefiya's sobs, her expression softened. She gently patted Lefiya's back, comforting her.
"Don't worry, we were always here."
--+--
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.
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If you guys wanna check it out.