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Shirou woke up with his eyes still half-closed, yawning and stretching his slightly stiff body. As his awareness returned, his thoughts immediately drifted to the previous night—the victory party for the Hestia Familia. That night had been full of laughter, delicious food, and warm celebrations with friends. The joy of their hard-earned triumph was still fresh in his mind.
After lying in bed for a few minutes, Shirou finally got up. He stretched his body and took a deep breath to shake off the lingering fatigue. He then headed straight to the bathroom to refresh himself. The cold water in the morning instantly woke him up fully, and a fresh feeling filled him as he prepared to start the new day.
After his bath, Shirou donned his usual tunic, paired with simple trousers. Though his appearance remained modest, Shirou felt ready for the day. Without wasting time, he left his room and made his way to one of his favorite spots in Twilight Manor—a small, hidden shed in the corner of the garden.
That shed had become his regular place for practicing and sharing Magecraft knowledge with someone who greatly appreciated his teachings. And, like on previous days, when Shirou arrived, Riveria was already there waiting. The high elf sat gracefully in a chair, a gentle smile on her face as she saw Shirou approach.
Riveria's eyes sparkled with interest and enthusiasm, eager to absorb every lesson in Magecraft that Shirou had to offer. Though she was one of the strongest mages in Orario, Riveria valued Shirou's teachings about Magecraft, a form of magic from a different world. And Shirou, with his skills and experience, always enjoyed sharing that knowledge.
"Good morning, Shirou," Riveria greeted him softly, but there was a hidden excitement in her voice. "It seems we can begin whenever you're ready," she added, looking at Shirou with anticipation.
Shirou nodded, pleased to see Riveria's unwavering eagerness to learn. With a small smile, he prepared to start their training session, continuing their journey of mastering the art of Magecraft.
Shirou began the morning session by asking Riveria about her progress with the Reinforcement technique. "How's your training going, Riveria? Have you made any progress with Reinforcement?" he asked, genuinely curious.
Riveria nodded eagerly, reporting her training results. "I've been practicing in my room every day," she said. "I've managed to apply Reinforcement to various objects around me." Though the technique was new to her, her intensive practice was starting to pay off.
Shirou smiled proudly at her progress. "That's amazing," he praised. "You're learning quickly, Riveria. I'd love to see how you do it now." Shirou was always impressed by Riveria's dedication, knowing just how great the potential she possessed.
Hearing Shirou's praise, Riveria's heart fluttered. The man she secretly admired had complimented her efforts, making her even more motivated. With confidence, she decided to demonstrate her ability. "Alright, I'll show you," Riveria said, sitting up straighter. She then chose the chair she was sitting on as the object for Reinforcement.
Riveria closed her eyes for a moment, focusing her mind. She visualized the flow of prana like a seed growing into a large tree, a visualization technique Shirou had taught her. Slowly, she activated her magic circuits, feeling the flow of prana within her body before channeling it through her hand into the chair she was seated on.
Though her prana flowed slower than Shirou's, he could see how the prana she channeled began to fill the chair completely. Within a few seconds, the chair was imbued with strong Reinforcement energy, signaling Riveria's successful mastery of the technique.
Riveria smiled broadly, awaiting Shirou's reaction. She felt proud and satisfied with her training, hoping for more praise from Shirou.
Shirou observed Riveria's work and realized how hard she had been working. "Incredible, Riveria. You've been training hard, and the results are clear. Your Reinforcement is very stable," he said, full of admiration.
Riveria's elf ears turned red from hearing his praise, and they twitched slightly, reflecting her happiness. Compliments from Shirou made her feel that all her hard work had been worthwhile. Her feelings for him grew stronger, but she maintained her composure, even though her heart was racing.
Seeing the significant progress Riveria had made with Reinforcement, Shirou felt it was the perfect moment to push her further. "Riveria, it seems you've mastered Reinforcement well. How about trying to combine it with your magic?" Shirou gently suggested, hoping the idea would elevate their training to the next level.
Riveria, surprised but intrigued, realized she had never considered such a combination before. "I've never tried that," she replied, pondering the possibilities Shirou had just opened up. Her eyes sparkled with curiosity and determination. "I'd like to try it now."
Shirou, with a calm smile, nodded. "Start by using Reinforcement on your magic staff," he advised. "It will enhance the effects of your spells."
Riveria agreed, feeling confident with Shirou's suggestion. She took her magic staff, Magna Alfs, which had always been her reliable companion in battles and magical rituals. Following Shirou's guidance, Riveria began channeling prana into the staff, performing Reinforcement with full concentration. The staff glowed softly as the prana flowed through its surface.
After finishing the Reinforcement on her staff, Riveria felt her power increase. She decided to move on to the next step—casting one of her spells. "I'll try Veil Breath, a protective spell that enhances Physical and Magic Resistance," Riveria said confidently. She planned to cast the spell not only on herself but also on Shirou.
Shirou watched Riveria attentively, observing her every move. He could see the seriousness and dedication in each step Riveria took, making him more certain that this elf had immense potential in Magecraft.
Riveria began chanting her spell. "Assemble, breath of the land—my name is Alf," she spoke in a calm but powerful voice. A jade-green Magic Circle appeared beneath her feet, glowing with a gentle light. Shirou could feel the energy gathering, knowing the spell would soon produce strong protection.
However, before finishing her incantation, a new idea struck Riveria. Suddenly, she decided to try something she had never done before—using Reinforcement on the Magic Circle itself. She began channeling prana into the magic circle beneath her, strengthening the foundation of her spell with the energy she had just learned. The circle glowed even brighter, signaling the added power from the Reinforcement.
After strengthening the magic circle, Riveria finished her incantation. "Veil Breath," she said confidently. A green aura immediately enveloped both her and Shirou, creating a powerful shield. The effect of Veil Breath felt stronger than usual, and Shirou could sense an increase in both his Physical and Magic Resistance.
The protective aura surrounding them both enhanced their bodies and abilities, impressing Shirou with the results of this combined technique. He smiled, satisfied to see how their training had led to something so remarkable.
With curiosity, Shirou looked at Riveria, who had just completed her spell. The green aura of Veil Breath still surrounded them, providing strong protection. "How does it compare, Riveria?" he asked in a calm yet attentive tone. "Is there a difference between this spell and the one without Reinforcement?"
For Riveria, though, Shirou's voice sounded like a distant whisper. She was lost in her thoughts, amazed by how rapidly and significantly her magic had progressed. The effects of her Magecraft training with Shirou had unlocked new potential that she once thought was impossible to achieve.
Riveria had long felt stuck at Level 6. Though she was known as one of the greatest mages in Orario, earning the title "Nine Hells" for mastering nine different spells, she hadn't felt any real progress in her abilities for a long time. Her magic had stagnated, and despite continuous practice, no significant improvement had come.
However, everything began to change when she met Shirou. With his patience and persistence, Shirou introduced her to the concept of Magecraft, which was completely different from the magic in Orario. Through continuous practice, Shirou helped her rediscover the potential she once believed had reached its limit.
Still in awe, Riveria gazed at Shirou. In the dim light of the shed, illuminated only by the faint glow of Veil Breath, Shirou's face looked different. The green aura surrounding them added a certain beauty to his face, making him appear even more attractive in Riveria's eyes. Her heart raced as she realized just how deeply she felt for him. For a long time, she had admired Shirou, but now, under the light of the spell, Shirou seemed so enchanting, making her heart flutter.
Shirou, who had not received a response from Riveria, was a bit confused. He looked at her with concern. "Riveria?" he called again, this time more clearly, trying to catch the attention of the seemingly daydreaming elf.
Riveria, snapped out of her thoughts, was startled by his voice. Her face flushed instantly, and she stammered as she tried to answer Shirou's question. "Ah... yes, of course. Sorry... I was just thinking about something else," she said, a bit embarrassed, trying to hide her nervousness.
She averted her gaze for a moment, attempting to regain her focus. "The spell... feels stronger. With Reinforcement, it seems much more stable and responsive," she added quickly, trying to provide a more technical answer, though her mind was still grappling with the emotions stirring inside her.
Riveria paused for a moment before continuing her explanation. "Honestly, I can't tell exactly how much Veil Breath's strength has increased with Reinforcement. After all, it's a buff-type spell that enhances defense, not a direct attack."
Shirou smiled and made a joke. "Well, we're not going to try hitting each other just to test how much it improves physical resistance, right?" he said in a teasing tone.
Riveria chuckled softly, pleased by Shirou's humor. However, an idea suddenly popped into her mind. "How about we try this in the Dungeon?" she suggested enthusiastically. "I could use my attack spells there, and we could see how Reinforcement affects the power of my magic."
Intrigued by the idea, Shirou immediately agreed. "That's a great idea. I could be your supporter in the Dungeon. That way, you can focus on your magic without worrying about anything else," he offered with a calm smile.
Riveria, knowing that Shirou rarely displayed his strength in public, was pleased by his offer. Only members of the Loki Familia knew that Shirou had reached Level 4 in a very short time. To the outside world, Shirou appeared as a low-key supporter, though in reality, he was very strong.
Excited, Riveria agreed to Shirou's suggestion. "Alright, let's try it in the Dungeon," she replied enthusiastically. However, deep down, she felt more than just excitement about testing her magic. There was quiet happiness about the opportunity to spend more time with Shirou, even if it was just for training.
Behind her professional demeanor, Riveria couldn't hide her delight. To her, this felt like a chance to "go on a date" with Shirou, even though it was under the pretext of testing their magic in the Dungeon. Every moment with Shirou felt precious, and she was secretly thrilled to have a reason to be alone with the man she liked.
Riveria knew their early morning training session was nearing its end, and she could sense that their time together would soon be over. With curiosity and a hint of hope, she asked, "Shirou, could we go to the Dungeon right after this to test my magic?"
Shirou, looking slightly awkward, rubbed the back of his neck with a sheepish smile. "Sorry, Riveria, but I already have plans with someone else today," he answered politely, unaware of what Riveria was feeling.
Inside, a small pang of jealousy began to grow in Riveria's heart. She tried hard to keep her voice calm, even as her heart started to race. "Who are you meeting today, Shirou?" she asked softly, though in her mind she was convinced it must be a woman.
Shirou, unaware of Riveria's hidden feelings, casually replied, "I'm meeting my friends from the Hostess of Fertility."
Riveria, feeling a twinge of jealousy, bit her lip softly. Her mind began to fill with images of the beautiful women who worked there. With a slightly bitter tone, she asked with a faint smile, "Is it Ryuu? Syr? Or maybe Anya or Chloe? They're all very beautiful, aren't they?"
Shirou, without thinking much, innocently answered, "I'm going with all of them."
The jealousy that had been bubbling in Riveria's heart turned into confusion. She began to wonder if Shirou was dating all the lovely waitresses from the Hostess of Fertility at the same time, imagining him surrounded by them like a harem. Her feelings grew more complicated.
Shirou, noticing the confusion on Riveria's face, quickly clarified. "Actually, Ryuu is treating us all to go shopping for clothes, and I was invited too. That's all," he said with a smile, trying to ease the situation.
Riveria, who had initially been filled with anxiety, let out a long sigh of relief. "Oh, it's just that," she said quietly, feeling relieved that it wasn't the romantic date she had imagined. Still, a small feeling of disappointment lingered. She too wished for the chance to go shopping with Shirou, but just the two of them.
Shirou and Riveria walked side by side toward the Loki Familia mansion after finishing their morning training. The sun was beginning to rise, and a cool atmosphere enveloped their journey. Although their conversation was relaxed, there was a warmth in their togetherness. As they neared the mansion, Riveria felt this was the right time to make their next plan.
"So, when do you think we should go to the Dungeon to test my magic?" Riveria asked curiously.
Shirou thought for a moment before making a suggestion. "How about tomorrow at dawn? We can go right after training like today." The idea made sense—at dawn, the Dungeon was still relatively empty of other adventurers, allowing them to focus more on their training.
Riveria nodded in agreement. "Alright, tomorrow morning," she said. However, within her heart, more complex feelings began to surface. As an elf of noble lineage, Riveria knew that if other elves discovered she, a member of the royal elf family, was going into the Dungeon alone with a human man—even for training—it could spark major gossip. Yet, she didn't care. To Riveria, Shirou was an important partner, and he played a crucial role as her supporter during their training.
The two finally arrived at the mansion. Upon entering, the mansion was already bustling with morning preparations. Riveria wisely suggested, "If we're going to the Dungeon, we should head straight to the 20th floor or below. The monsters there are more numerous, and the area is larger for me to practice my magic."
Shirou nodded in agreement. "That's a good idea," he replied before heading towards the kitchen. While Shirou started preparing breakfast, Riveria sat at the dining table, patiently waiting.
Riveria realized that she wasn't very skilled at cooking. Since childhood, in her palace within the forest of Alf, she had always been served by attendants who took care of all her needs, including meals. Cooking was not something taught to someone of noble status like herself. Even so, she had come to appreciate the effort others put into cooking, and no meal was more appreciated than the one Shirou prepared.
Riveria watched Shirou, who was busy in the kitchen, stirring pots and chopping ingredients with skill and dedication. A feeling was growing stronger in her heart—a fondness she had kept well hidden. She couldn't help but think that Shirou's cooking always tasted better than the finest meals she had enjoyed back in her palace.
As Riveria continued to gaze at Shirou with a soft smile on her face, she imagined how lucky she would be if she could enjoy Shirou's cooking every day. Not just because of the delicious food, but because their time together made these simple moments feel special. In her heart, Riveria thought, If only I could feel this happiness... forever.
Soon after Shirou began preparing breakfast, the dining room door opened, and Aiz entered with light steps. Her eyes immediately landed on the kitchen, where the delicious aroma was beginning to fill the room. Aiz, who always looked forward to Shirou's cooking, couldn't hide her excitement. "Breakfast is going to be delicious, as usual," she said cheerfully, sitting at the table, eager for the meal.
Lefiya appeared at the door shortly after, pouting a little when she saw that Shirou had started cooking without her. "Shirou, why didn't you wait for me?" she whined playfully. "I always help you in the kitchen." Lefiya felt upset because she wanted to assist from the start, as she usually did.
Shirou smiled gently and responded calmly, "Sorry, Lefiya. But I really appreciate your help. Without you, cooking would take much longer," he said sincerely. Even though he had started first, Shirou always valued Lefiya's presence and her collaboration with him in the kitchen.
Lefiya, now smiling again, quickly joined Shirou in the kitchen. They worked together in perfect rhythm as if they were accustomed to cooking side by side. Every move they made was in sync, making the cooking process faster and more efficient.
Meanwhile, at the dining table, Riveria watched the scene with a slightly heavy heart. She sighed softly as she observed Aiz and Lefiya. On the one hand, she knew that both Aiz and Lefiya seemed to like Shirou as much as she did. Aiz, with her rare smile, and Lefiya, with her cheerful attitude in the kitchen, both appeared very close to Shirou.
Riveria pondered for a moment. It was hard for her to imagine that she might have to compete with the girls she had mentored and cared for since they were young. Both Aiz and Lefiya were girls she had guided through their journeys, and now they possibly shared the same feelings for Shirou—the man Riveria quietly admired as well.
As Riveria remained lost in her thoughts, one by one, members of the Loki Familia began to gather at the dining table, waiting for the breakfast Shirou was preparing. Tiona and Tione arrived with wide smiles, while Finn and Gareth entered more calmly but clearly ready to enjoy the morning meal.
Riveria, still silent, glanced towards Shirou, who was busy in the kitchen with Lefiya. Although there was a warmth from seeing their closeness, she couldn't ignore the jealousy that arose, realizing that she wasn't the only one who admired him. But, as usual, Riveria maintained her composed and graceful demeanor, hiding the turmoil of emotions swirling inside her.