"If you're really set on learning, I can teach you once you join the Familia," Yone said.
His swordsmanship, learned in the Ionia dojo, had no restrictions on passing it down. Since the girl before him genuinely seemed eager to learn, he had no objection to teaching her. After all, she was still young. If she found it unsuitable, she could always change paths later. For now, learning the basics would give her confidence when facing similar foes in the future.
"Great! Thank you, Master!" Tiona exclaimed.
"I didn't agree to be your master," Yone corrected her.
"Hey, you said you'd teach me swordsmanship! What else is that if not being a master?" Tiona retorted, trailing closely behind him, clearly not intending to leave.
Yone sighed. "Fine, call me whatever you want," he muttered, giving up on the discussion.
He clearly wasn't adept at dealing with such enthusiastic children. Meanwhile, Tione, who had been observing from a distance, noticed her sister seemed to have completely forgotten about her.
'Why do I feel like an outsider?'
As Yone resumed his tasks, Sett, standing by the gate, watched the little girl following him with suspicion.
The situation seemed odd. The playful girl from earlier had suddenly become attached to this stoic man. What was going on here? Had he missed some important development?
"Did you… capture this little girl's heart?" Sett asked, his tone teasing.
Before Yone could respond, Tiona, her temper already flaring, exploded.
"Captured? What do you mean 'captured'! You guys really can't stop saying ridiculous things!" she snapped, looking as though she might explode.
Sett, utterly confused, couldn't understand why Yone seemed to have earned this kind of treatment so quickly. Was this ice cube, distant man really so attractive that a young girl became attached to him within less than an hour?
"It's just two moves, and this happens," Yone explained flatly, perhaps trying to salvage some of his image.
"Really just two moves?" Sett raised an eyebrow, skeptical.
Yone chose to ignore the teasing. He simply walked past Sett, his face expressionless. That brief explanation had been his most sincere attempt to explain the situation.
Tiona and Tione hurried to catch up, both feeling a bit out of place in this new environment. Despite having decided to join the family, everything still felt unfamiliar, and having someone they knew nearby made them feel more secure. Compared to Sett's more lively and approachable demeanor, Yone's aloofness made him seem like the safer choice to stick with.
"Are you sure you don't want me to take you to the family's residence? I really should be going," Sett said, his tone somewhat annoyed.
"Hmph, I'm going shopping with my master!" Tiona replied with a mischievous grin, sticking her tongue out.
Over time, Yone briefly introduced the family's structure to the two sisters. As they gradually got to know the members, Tiona's bright personality began to show more clearly.
By the time evening approached, the family began to bustle with activity. Those who had attended the Monster Festival returned in droves.
The two sisters, who had been tasked with guarding the gate alongside Yone, used this opportunity to meet most of the family members. Yone occasionally provided brief introductions as curious family members stopped by to greet them, intrigued by the unfamiliar faces at the gate.
After spending a little over an hour at the Familia, both sisters could feel the relaxed, carefree atmosphere that defined the family. It was exactly what they had hoped for—and even better than expected.
'We've definitely come to the right place!' they thought. 'That guy Sett did well bringing us here.'
Finally, as the sky began to darken, Sol's figure appeared in the distance.
Loki, who had been waiting for hours, felt her legs go numb. Seeing Sol walk toward her was more exciting than seeing a beautiful woman.
Sol, pretending not to notice Loki standing in his way, grabbed the two girls beside him and picked up his pace.
"Hey! We've been waiting for ages, and you just pretend not to see us!" Loki shouted, frustrated.
As Sol moved closer to the door, the sunlight blocked his way forward. Now he couldn't pretend to ignore them.
"So troublesome," Sol muttered. "I don't remember inviting you. What are you doing at my door?"
"It's not our fault, your kid couldn't make a decision, so he left us stuck outside!" Loki shot back.
"What's the problem? Is my family's home a tourist attraction now? Do you think I should invite you in?" Sol asked impatiently.
"Tsk. The two kids we were interested in were kidnapped by yours, so we're here to pick them up," Loki complained.
"So, you think that just because you like someone, they have to join your Familia? When's the last time your Familia recruited anyone just because you gave them a passing glance?" Sol retorted with a smirk, clearly enjoying the banter.
Riveria immediately realized Sol was referring to Tiona and Tione. She quickly pieced together that Sol had ensured they joined their Familia even before Loki could approach them at the Monster Festival. It seemed Sett had pulled it off.
Now, as long as those two remained within the gates of Sol's Familia, neither Loki nor Freya would be able to claim them.
"You bastard," Loki hissed. "You stole the kids we had our eyes on first!"
"Tch. I said it first!" Sol replied smugly. "If someone wants to join my Familia, it's because my charm is simply greater than yours, you flat-chested little thing!"
"Damn you! You didn't even show up, but still have the nerve to claim you were the one who called dibs first!" Loki shouted, her face turning red with fury.
"Isn't that obvious? My Familia's the best. No need for me, the main god, to step in. The kids come on their own!" Sol said proudly, his expression self-satisfied.
Loki stomped her feet in frustration. Not only had Sol stolen the children, but he'd also managed to insult her in the process.
"Alright, enough of this. I'm heading back. I'm exhausted from walking around the Monster Festival all day," Sol said, ready to leave.
With that, Sol casually draped his arm around Haruhime's shoulders. Her chest swaying back and forth with each step.
Loki's pervert eyes followed the movement of Sol's arm, her gaze lingering on those two majestic mountains.
"Who's this fox girl? Where did you find all these cute children?" she exclaimed, her tone full of envy.
The girl seemed talented and exuded a charm far beyond her years. Loki was sure this one would grow up to be a formidable woman in the future!