Tiona, always energetic, bent down with a grin and started helping Kenji pick up the scattered magic crystals.
"Hestia Familia?"
Finn's brows lifted in surprise.
"I thought Hestia didn't have any Familia members yet."
Riveria, Tione, and the rest of the Loki Familia exchanged glances.
Hestia and Loki were infamous rivals, always bickering whenever they met.
For Hestia to suddenly have a Familia—and for it to be this strong—was unexpected.
Finn rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Could it be…?"
---
Kenji, now finished collecting the last crystal, nodded casually.
"Yeah, I just arrived in Orario recently. Met Hestia by chance and became her first Familia member."
Silence.
For a brief moment, everyone just stared at him.
Then—
"Brother Kenji, you're joking, right?"
Tiona blinked, her expression skeptical.
Tione crossed her arms. "You're telling us… you're Level 1?"
Finn, who had already suspected this, exhaled.
Even knowing it was possible, he still found it hard to believe.
An adventurer at Level 1 moving with such power, speed, and skill?
Impossible.
And yet—Kenji stood before them.
Ais, silent as always, stared at him intently—her golden eyes filled with a strange glint.
Kenji, seeing their reactions, only smirked.
He didn't explain further.
Let them think what they wanted.
---
After a moment, Finn finally sighed and shook his head.
"Alright, let's head back. It's getting late."
Tiona brightened up immediately.
"Kenji! Come with us!"
Riveria and Finn nodded in agreement.
"If you'd like, you can leave with us. The surface is safer in a group."
Kenji glanced at the two heavy bags of magic crystals he was carrying.
It made sense.
Hestia was probably waiting for him, and he had no more space for loot.
With a small chuckle, he adjusted his grip on the bags.
"Alright. I'll tag along."
---
As they made their way back to the surface, Kenji quickly realized something—
Tiona and Tione were way too curious.
"Brother Kenji, you sure you're human?"
Tiona poked at his arm.
"You sure you don't have dragon or giant blood? I mean—look at you!"
Tione, with a teasing smirk, grabbed his shoulder.
"Seriously. How are you this strong at Level 0?"
The two Amazon sisters ignored all personal space, inspecting Kenji like he was some rare creature.
Kenji sighed.
He wasn't exactly against this kind of attention, but—it was exhausting.
"Tiona. Tione. That's enough."
Finn, seeing Kenji's awkward expression, finally stepped in.
The sisters pouted, but ultimately let go of him—though their curious stares didn't stop.
Kenji exhaled in relief.
"Finally… peace."
---
The group emerged from the dungeon, stepping into the open plaza at the surface.
Finn turned to Kenji, offering a friendly smile.
"It was nice meeting you, Kenji. We have to return to our Familia to report this expedition."
He gave a slight nod. "But if you ever need anything, come find us."
Riveria also nodded politely.
Tiona and Tione, as expected, weren't so reserved.
"Don't forget us, Brother Kenji!"
Tiona waved enthusiastically, her smile wide and bright.
Kenji chuckled.
"Yeah. I won't."
But just as Finn and the others turned to leave—
Ais suddenly stepped forward.
Kenji blinked.
"Hm?"
Ais stared at him intensely.
Then—
"Why are you so strong?"
Her voice was soft, but firm.
Finn and the others paused, looking back.
"Ais?"
Her golden eyes did not waver.
Kenji felt her determination.
Ais—someone who obsessed over strength, who pushed herself harder than anyone—
She wasn't just curious.
She wanted to know.
Kenji scratched his head. "Training."
Ais frowned slightly. "How?"
Finn, sensing where this was going, stepped forward.
"Ais, that's a private matter. Not everyone shares their training methods."
Kenji, however, smiled.
"It's fine."
He turned to Ais, his expression serious.
"I do have a method to get stronger. It's not a secret."
Ais's eyes widened slightly.
Kenji continued.
"If you're interested, come find me at the Hestia Familia. I'll teach you."
Silence.
Finn, Riveria, and the others exchanged surprised glances.
Sharing training methods was rare—it was like revealing your greatest weapon.
And yet—Kenji offered it freely.
Ais's fingers tightened around her sword.
She nodded. "I will."
Then—
"Brother Kenji, you're playing favorites!"
Tiona's voice rang out, full of mock betrayal.
She pouted, arms crossed.
"We helped you pick up magic crystals, and you ignored us. But the moment Ais asks, you offer to train her?!"
Tione smirked. "Oh? Do you like Ais, Kenji?"
Kenji groaned.
"Not this again…"
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