With their blood boiling, Tione, Tiona, and Bete left intending to bash some monsters. What Kisuke said just let them realized that they're indeed declining and that isn't a very good sign for top Adventurers like them.
And since they want to talk alone, Riveria asked Lefiya to leave to get her duties done. With that, the only ones left in the spacious tent are Riveria, Ais, Kisuke, and Yoruichi.
As Yoruichi bandages Kisuke, Riveria asked Ais to get some drinks and snacks for all of them. When everything is ready, Kisuke took a sip on his drink, Ale, and said, "What can I do for you, Alf-san?"
Riveria wanted to ask a lot of things but she first pointed out something, "You still haven't told us how can we counteract this Time Stagnation."
"There are two ways, an easy one and a hard one. The easy one is to overpower its effects... Well frankly, as long you're strong enough, you always have a choice of overpowering everything."
Riveria knew that the easy method is impossible for them so she asked, "Then what's the hard one?"
"Setting up a space where it's harder to manipulate time. There are many ways to do it. From setting it up beforehand to carrying catalyst around for mobile usage. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages but one thing is a must. You need to have knowledge about how to set up one and learning it is pretty hard as you would need many prerequisite subjects before you could dive into making that space. After all, you'd want something that affects the very law of the world."
"...That's impossible for us." Riveria muttered as she gritted her teeth. She didn't even know it's possible to use magic that is outside of your own Falna, so how is she supposed to set one up? "Are there no other ways?"
"Barriers. But then again, you need to be strong enough and at least basic knowledge of time magic."
"Then how are we suppose to face that when we encounter it?" Riveria asked in frustration.
"Run. Escape. Retreat. Whatever you fancy. But if by some chance you wanted to fight or who have no choice but to fight, then fight using your all. Maybe with your willpower, a miracle can happen."
Riveria smiled wryly, "Willpower? If you don't have real power, then what's the point?"
Kisuke, however, just smiled happily, "Don't underestimate it. I've seen some people never giving up even in face of death and actually surpassing themselves in the process with a crazy smile on their faces."
Ais, who has been silent until now, muttered a word while clenching her fist, "...How?"
Kisuke, Yoruichi and Riveria looked at her and the former answered while rubbing his chin with his remain hand, "Hmm... There's really no concrete way how to do it as it's always up to you, but if you want some sort of advice, all I can tell you is, 'single-minded pursuit without losing sight of those around you.' On how you interpret it? It's up to you."
Hearing those words, Ais became lost in thought but before she could make a wrong decision, Kisuke continued, "However, never mistake your that willpower as your real power. You'll only get killed faster. Nothing beats the good ol' effective training regimen."
Riveria nodded at Kisuke's words and then she asked, "It's really hard to believe that someone could surpass themselves just because of single-minded pursuit. For the long years that I've been alive, I never saw someone like that. What sort of motivations can lead to that?"
Hearing her question, Kisuke and Yoruichi inadvertently laughed as they remember a certain someone.
"W-what's funny?"
"Ah... I'm sorry about that. We just remembered someone surpassing himself because of a very stupid reason, proving that as long as your willpower is strong enough, almost anything is possible."
"What sort of reason?" Riveria curiously asked while Ais also perked her ears up. She doesn't intend to miss anything that could potentially help her.
While chuckling, Kisuke proceeded to tell them the story, "There are these two guys and we'll call them Red and White.
"White is an enemy that Red could never contend with due to sheer difference in power. However, when the White guy threatened to shrink the Red guy's woman's breast, all hell broke loose."
Riveria and Ais thought that they're listening to a serious story, but they didn't expect it to be a vulgar one.
Despite this, however, Kisuke still continued, "In his desperation, however, Red guy came into an idea and that is to absorb a power that is diametrically opposite of what he has. Just by combining these powers, his body should have been exploded into pieces and died on the spot, but the determined guy just gritted his teeth endured all the stress his body is taking and successfully absorb the power. And with that, he pummeled the White guy into oblivion until he escapes... All of that for his beloved woman's boobs."
While Ais has a faint blush on her face, Riveria could only reply with a twitching mouth, "...T-that's really stupid."
"It is... But it's effective, nevertheless." Kisuke closed his eyes as he wondered what's happening on the other side right now.
Riveria went silent. If this is true, then she has to find her own motivation or goal, 'What is it again that I wanted to do?' She asked herself.
Ais, on the other hand, is still contemplating on Kisuke's word, 'Single-minded pursuit but not losing sight of those around you.' She already has a goal that she wanted to achieve no matter what, but she lost with 'not losing sight of those around you.'
After thinking for a bit, Riveria chose to set it aside first and asked what she wanted to ask in the first place, "About the magic which I can learn too... Can you please tell me more about it?"
"Regarding that... I can't really help you."
Riveria gritted her teeth and asked, "Why?"
"I'll be leaving Orario sooner or later," Kisuke answered simply.
If that's the case, then there's really nothing she can do as she can't follow him.
Seeing the beautiful Elf making a difficult expression and he can already properly move, Kisuke knew that it's already the right time, "However, there might be someone who can teach you some stuff."
Riveria's eyes widened in delight, "Really? Who?"
Seeing her expressions today, this is the first time Ais saw her so many faces in just a day.
"All I can tell you is that he's in Orario and will be staying for a while. It's up to you if you can find him." Kisuke then stood up and started walking towards the exit of the tent while picking up his sword while Yoruichi also did the same and picked up his severed arm.
Riveria also stood up in a hurry and chased them, "Wait! How can I find him within thousands of people!?"
Kisuke and Yoruichi didn't stop walking but Kisuke still answered her, "You already have a clue on how to find him."
"I... already have a clue?" Riveria stopped her steps as she suddenly recalled the other strange event that took place today, 'Right! Line cast magic without her usual incantation! And more than that, she changed and improved the effect of her magic!'
Before leaving for good, Kisuke turned around for one last time and faced Ais who is beside Riveria, "As for your time stasis problem, that guy can also help you to some degree. But remember, if you're going to ask him something, then get ready for his demands." Kisuke and Yoruichi then started running towards the stairs leading to the 38th floor, leaving the Loki Familia behind.
On the way, Yoruichi finally asked Kisuke, "What was that for?"
With a grin, Kisuke answered, "Customers that we can milk."
"Spare them a little bit, alright? They're good people. Though I don't care if you scam that dog to death."
"Don't worry, I won't milk them dry. It's a different story for that dog though..." Kisuke giggled before his expression turned serious, "And besides... Something about Ais Wallenstein is wrong."
"Wrong? What is it?"
"I don't know yet... But it's something dangerous that could actually threaten us..."
"So the reason why you wanted her to go to you is..."
"Right... To investigate that malevolent thing inside her."