Eyyy, Chapter 8 is here once again.
And once again, that's about it.
Kay bye.
XXX
"Then, it's decided." The Pallum in the room stated more than asked. Besides him the other individuals within the room were his Goddess, Loki and the other Executives of their Familia. It was a regular meeting of the Loki Familia, regarding their standing, logistics, members, matters of interest, Quests assigned to them and so on.
While Finn and Loki had the final say in all Familia related matters, it was just as important for the other Executives to know exactly what was going to happen. And now, after roughly one hour of briefing and discussions, it was time for the final matter at hand."Loki?"
"Yes, yes, I'll see what I can do." The Goddess nodded with a wave of her hand. "I'll make him agree to this. It's not even going to be that hard. Someone go and bring him here."
"I'll go, I'll go!" Tiona raised her hand, and was out of the room in a dash before anyone could say otherwise.
"Just so you know, I'm still against it." The perpetually irked Werewolf voiced. "Runt's only going to slow us down."
"You're only saying that because he could kick your ass." The older twin wisecracked, a smirk on her face. It was funny to her because she knew her words were true: if the boy could defeat Ais in a spar, then Bete was not impossible, either.
"Say that again if you dare, you Dumbazon!" The Werewolf yelled as one fist slammed into the table. Tione, in response, only made a come at me gesture with her finger.
"Now, now." The Captain interrupted the two before things could escalate. "Bete, you need to have more trust in our members. It is my belief that this decision will not be proves wrong."
"Tsk. Anything happens, it's on your ass." The Werewolf tsked, leaning back into his seat, this being his way of informing he was out of the discussion.
"Still, I only ever get to see him train." Loki voiced. "Is he really that amazing?"
"I wonder about that…" Finn said playfully, looking towards Ais. "Ais, your thought?"
The golden haired girl in question looked downwards, at the floor beneath her. A moment later, she looked back at the Goddess and simply nodded.
"...Well, if you really say so…"
A moment later the door slammed open and Tiona walked inside, Fuzen under her arm like a sack of potatoes. In his hand he still held the drawn practice sword, and it didn't took long for the other Executives to understand she had simply kidnapped Fuzen from his training without any sort of explanation. "I brought him!"
"More like kidnapped, looks like…" Her twin muttered.
"So…" Fuzen, now back on his two feet, looked around the room at the Executives sitting at the U-shaped table, the boy standing in front of them all. "What is this about, if I may inquire?"
"We have something to tell you." Finn informed. "First, how much do you know about Guild Quests?"
"I have no knowledge of them beyond what the name implies." The boy replied.
"...As you may know, the Dungeon is under the jurisdiction of the Guild, which overseers and manages the Monster threat which is the Dungeon. As such, it is also within the Guild's right to assign important Quests to either individual or groups of Familia."
"...I see." He nodded, though he did not seem any more interested than before. "Sort of like the Quest I did a while back, Captain?"
"No really." Riveria informed next, and Fuzen automatically looked to his side, not brave enough to look directly at the High Elf.
The trauma was too fresh.
"The Quest back then had been extended to us through the Guild, however it was the Dian Cecht Familia who was the Quest giver. As such, though it is not advised to do so one can turn down one such Quest. However, those assigned directly by the Guild cannot be turned down, least you wish to risk your Familia getting banished from the city."
"I see." He nodded again.
"And as it so happens, we, the Loki Familia, have received a Quest from the Guild."
"I see. Can I go now?" Fuzen nodded.
"...I am not done yet, Fuzen." Finn informed, his smile just a notch smaller than before.
"I do not see how this has anything to do with me. If it is a Quest given by the Guild, it must require experienced Adventurers to take care of it. I am the strongest individual in the room, however I am also the least experienced in Dungeon-related matters. As such, I do not see how this Quest has anything to do with me. Find someone else." Fuzen downright rejected anything the Captain was about to ask of him. Unfortunately, the only ones amused by his words were Bete and Tiona.
I wasted enough time with that punishment and Alf-sama's...lectures. I can't waste anymore time, I need to train.
"Sorry, Fuzen-kun~, but this time around, I agree with Finn." Loki spoke next. "You see, I really want you to go on the next expedition~ You'll do it for me, won't you?" She asked with a smile and Fuzen simply stared at her for a couple of second before looking back at Finn.
"...What is this Quest about?"
"It's mostly a cleaning Quest." The Pallum informed. "As you may know, not many Familia within the city have the manpower or strong enough individuals to enter the Deep Floor, which start at the 37th Floor. At the moment, the only ones strong enough to go into the Deep Floors are us, Loki Familia, then Freya, Ganesha, Ishtar, and three other Familia. However, we Loki Familia have the second highest member count among the formerly mentioned, and as such, the Guild often turns to us."
"What is a cleaning Quest?"
"I was just getting to that. As I mentioned previously, only a few Familia within Orario can do expeditions into the Deep Floors, however this also means that these Floors are less frequented by us Adventurers. Monsters can reach alarming numbers there as a result, and it is not unheard of for them to make their way into the Lower and Middle Floors in these large groups. It is not common, mind you, but it has happened before, resulting in the deaths of many low-Level Adventurers. The Guild wants to avoid that ever happening again, and so regularly gives out Quests for Familia like ours to decrease the number of Monsters there."
"I see. So this Quest requires of us, Loki Familia, to form a party and head into the Deep Floor?"
"Indeed." Finn nodded. "And I have talked with Loki regarding you. I'm going to be honest with you, Fuzen: I know that your mysterious power and Sword Style are the real deal. The fact that you can win spars against the Level 5 Tiona and Ais is a testimony of this. However…" He crossed his arms on the table, maintaining eye contact with the boy in front of him. "You have not done anything for the Familia, even though you have joined almost a year ago."
"…"
"Be honest: if I hadn't insisted to Loki to send you on the Quest under Aki a while ago, would you have offered to go?"
"No."
"Mhm. I respect your strength. That is not a lie. However, as Captain, it is my duty to utilize the strength of our members for the betterment of our Familia. And so far...I cannot say you have contributed in any sort or way, except make use of your promise with Loki to train, meaning gaining something only for yourself."
"…"
"I'm not going to beat around the bush, Fuzen. I know that if I did, a disciplined person such as yourself with high standards would lose all respect for me: I asked Loki to have you join my expedition for this Quest, in order to rank your power. In order to know how to utilize it when the time arises." Finn stated, and a few moments of silence followed, all other Executives keeping out of the two-man discussing. Then, Fuzen turned to Loki once again.
"And it is your desire for me to join, Loki-sama?"
"Yep. Cuz I wanna see how far you can go." She nodded.
At the reply, Fuzen drew his sheathed practice sword from it's place at his hip, and sat down on the floor in a seiza sitting position, common for the Far East, his sword laid to his side. He bowed his head at the Goddess in a very formal way. "I have received Loki-sama's wish, and shall see it to completion."
"Wow, you guys should learn from little Fuzen over here~" Loki said playfully with a smile. "Now that's a proper way of showing respect for your Goddess."
"Take your drinking habits down a notch or ten, and maybe we would." Riveria reproached.
"However." Fuzen continued, drawing the attention to him once again. "I will have you, Captain Finn, share any possible shame to my Sword Style that may arise from this expedition."
"Hm? What do you mean?" The Captain asked, one eyebrow raised.
"...Yes, I have never shared this information about my Lightning Sword Style with you, have I?" Fuzen said, looking at the practice sword to his side. By now, Ais and the others were already leaning forward, their attention undivided. "The essence behind the Lightning Sword Style is to cut, and not to kill."
"...Do go on." Finn replied.
"All strikes executed with my sword must have only the desire to cut behind them, and not the desire to kill. In easier terms, I must never desire to kill my enemies, Monsters or humans, only to cut them. On the last Quest where I was assigned under Autumn-sama I have encountered this problem: because of the new Monsters I was not used to, my strikes had turned from cutting strikes to killing strikes, which at their core were executed from my own unconscious desire to not die against the unknown foe."
"...I see…"
"It had been a shameful awakening." Fuzen shook his head, frustrated at the mere reminder of that time. "However, there had been another emotion I felt at that time, which I interpreted wrongly at the time: fear."
"Fear?" Finn asked.
"Yes. I believed it was fear for my own life, however, something else happened on the day when I went to the 26th Floor, when you and the others came for me: I wasn't afraid."
"...What do you mean?"
"I have not been afraid, while I was on my own, fighting Monster I had never fought before. It is when I understood: the fear I felt previously was fear caused by my uncertainly if I could protect my party. It was still a weakness caused by my own lack of trust in my own training. Do not misunderstand: the Lighting Sword Style is the strongest. Nothing can defeat it, while in it's complete form. However, my own uncertainty if the state I had at the moment was enough to assure everyone's safety was what caused my fear."
"...I think I'm starting to see what you are saying." Finn nodded, having listened carefully to his Familia member. "You are afraid that being in a group, in a party, will cause you to fail your Sword Style."
"Indeed." Fuzen nodded. "I now know for certain that I am not afraid for my life when I am alone. However, the presence of my...Hmm…"
"Friends?" Tiona tried to find the word for him.
"Comrades?" Riveria was next.
Both times Fuzen shook his head. "Acquaintances. The presence of my acquaintances might cause my strikes to turn into killing strikes. Because I will choose the safety of the party over honouring my Sword Style to the bitter end. And that is why, I ask you, Captain Finn: are you ready to share the shame this expedition might bring to the Lighting Sword Style?"
The two stared at each other, both looking into the other's soul. After a couple of silent moments, Finn nodded. "I am ready. If my desire to have you join us brings shame upon your Sword Style in any way, then I shall share it."
"Understood. I thank Captain Finn for his understanding." Fuzen nodded again, even lower than before. "If it comes to it, I shall inform you exactly without lying."
"I know you will." Finn nodded. "However, I do have a question."
"I listen."
"You said that the main reason your strikes turned into killing strikes before was because you did not wish to die against the unknown foe before you. Is that not fear?"
"It is...not." Fuzen stated. "Fear is represented by the threat something might bring upon something. I felt fear for my party, for their safety, however my desire not to die comes from another reason, not fear."
"And that is?"
"...The individual you see before you is the only disciple of the Lighting Sword Style at the current moment in time." Fuzen informed, his gaze falling down on the floor before him. "If I were to die, my Sword Style would die with me. As such, my desire not to die comes from the thought that with death, I would be freed of the responsibility I asked to be entrusted with."
"Wait, what? So you're the only one in the whole world?" Tione asked this time, surprised at the new information Fuzen dropped.
"Indeed, Tione-sama."
"...I see. Thank you for answering my question. Nonetheless, I have trust in you and your skills, so I doubt you will encounter either shame or death on our expedition."
"I shall not take your trust lightly, Captain. Then, when do we depart?"
"In two days. Until then, you can continue your training."
"Then, I shall do so, Captain Finn." Fuzen nodded, and got up from his seiza sitting posture, bowing again to all individuals within the room before making for the door.
"...I want to apologize from now, if such a time comes when you decide to bring shame upon your Sword Style for our Familia members." Finn said just as Fuzen grasped the door handle, and he stopped, shaking his head.
It wasn't right for the Captain to apologize to him, even after he himself asked for him to share in the possible shame.
If I were stronger...If I were more skilled in the Lighting Sword Style...If...If...and more if. If only the if did not exist, then I would not need to ask Deimne-sama to share in the shame which would be caused only by my own lack of strength. Truly...this is shameful.
"...No."
"Hm?"
"You need not apologize, Captain Finn. Not to me. Not for anything." Fuzen shook his head. "Indeed, I will always choose the safety of my party over honouring my Sword Style. However…" Fuzen looked over his shoulder at the Captain, an unreadable expression on his face. "I would do so, reluctantly." The door closed and even though the room was now quiet, no one uttering one word, it was as if the words Fuzen spoke echoed within the closed walls.
XXX
"Wait...what?" The girl asked as she clutched her staff closer to her. She wasn't...unhappy, per say, about what her mentor just told her, however…
"I said on the next expedition in two days, you and Fuzen will be grouped together." Her mentor, Riveria, whom the girl respected beyond what words could describe, stated again. "This is Finn's decision, as well as mine."
"But…" Lefiya replied, unsure how to form her sentence. Again, she wasn't unhappy, but the two of them quite literally only spoke twice or thrice. "I only talked with him a couple of times. For an expedition like this, isn't this a bit too...half-hearted?"
"Lefiya. What is the duty of a mage within a party?" Riveria asked.
"Well...to support and protect everyone with Magic."
"Indeed." The High Elf nodded. "And how can you do so?"
"By trusting in your comrades to protect you-...Oh. Ohhh….I see…" The novice mage finally understood what her mentor was trying to say and nodded. "You want me to learn how to trust people I've never fought with before?"
"Yes, among other things. Finn also wishes to see how well Fuzen himself can work with a mage." Riveria informed. It had been a rather long decision the three pillars of Loki Familia, meaning Finn, Gareth and herself had to make after the regular meeting.
The expedition needed to be a success, as it was requested by the Guild, however it was just as important to teach the younger members as well. Most of the people going on the expedition already knew how to work with each other, however Fuzen didn't.
This was his first expedition, as well as the first time he would step foot inside the Deep Floor.
As he was a Level 2 Adventurer, normally he would be assigned to a Supporter role, however Finn decided to have him act as both the vanguard as well as support during the expedition: vanguard from the 25th up until the 35th Floor, and then support to the mages from the 36th Floor and beyond.
It was a risky move to say the least: if the vanguard fell or got breached then the whole party was at risk. Likewise, if the people in charge of defending the mages screwed up, their main heavy hitters would be at risk. However, Finn couldn't help but be curious: how well would the boy who can defeat the Sword Princess in a duel fare against the Dungeon, starting from the Deep Floors?
"...Anyway." Riveria began, trying to shake away the smirking Finn and his excitement from her mind. "That's how it is. The main members this time around will be: me, Finn, Bete, Ais, Fuzen, Anakitty, Alicia, Elfy and then you. We are tasked with clearing the way for the other members who will accompany us."
At the sound of that Lefiya tensed up.
She was not yet quite confident that her Magic would be of any use at her current level. "Unfortunately, we also cannot afford to bring all our heavy hitters with us for an expedition of this scale, so Gareth and the twins will stay behind. The Guild is quite persistent about always having enough manpower at hand should something happen to Orario."
"I-I understand, Lady Riveria. I take it I will be placed in the back lines again?"
"...No." Riveria shook her head, and that gesture alone managed to make Lefiya's heart almost jump out of her chest. "I spoke with Finn, and decided that it's time for you to take a more pro-active role within our Familia formation. You, Alicia and Elfy will make up the main magical arsenal on this expedition. I shall stay with the back lines and assert your performance."
Ohhh...L-Lady Riveria w-will watch me! I-I fell like I'm going to vom-
"Lefiya." A hand rested on her shoulder and brought the elf girl back from her inner thoughts. Looking up, she noticed Riveria's emerald eyes drilling into her very soul. It was not a harsh gaze, instead it was quite reassuring: her mentor was looking into her thoughts without the use of words, and would find the problem at the core. That's the impression Riveria made on Lefiya at that moment. "...What is the most necessary aspect of a mage?"
"...T-The ability to focus…"
"Yes. Then, why are you not focused?" The High Elf asked, managing to make Lefiya freeze in place.
Why am I unfocused? What is the reason behind it? Doubt? Do I doubt my abilities, even after all the months Lady Riveria herself spent training me…? No, that's not it.
"I...do not know." She answered, having reached a deadlock. All she could hope for now was that her mentor could provide some sort of guidance so that she would not be this unfocused on the expedition in two days.
With a hand rubbing her chin, Riveria simply gazed at Lefiya for a couple of long, long seconds, which were not easy for the younger Elf girl to withstand. Then, the High Elf simply nodded. "I get it now, the reason you are unfocused."
"E-Eh, you do, Lady Riveria?"
"Indeed. There are two reasons. The first is one which all mages encounter, and only you can overcome it yourself: doubt in your own Magic. Doubt that your Magic will not count when it matters most."
"…"
"Then, the second...is slightly less orthodox." Riveria shrugged and turned on her heels, making her way out of the Mansion with a gesture for Lefiya to follow her. "Let's go."
"E-Eh, where?"
"To confront your second reason for why you are unfocused."
XXX
He had not expected this turn of events.
An expedition of which he was part of. The boy did not exactly feel anything out of the ordinary upon hearing of this. If he felt anything, it was a slight annoyance that said expedition would interfere with his training and that in return simply showed he was still too immature.
He had made a promise with Loki, in which he could use his own time as he saw fit, meaning training his Lightning Sword Style. He made good use of his freedom and trained hard for nigh eleven months. Now, however, the time had come for his Goddess to make use of her end of the bargain: to call upon him whenever she so wished. The fact that he was even the tiniest bit annoyed at the fair exchange truly shamed him, greatly so even.
He had continued the same routine without being interrupted by anyone around him, and he had grown accustomed to the treatment.
I am still untempered. Such thoughts are unfit of a Disciple and the Successor of the Lightning Sword Style.
At the current moment Fuzen was meditating in a seiza posture in his usual training spot, to the left side of the Mansion's garden, near the trees and a bench. He needed to collect his thoughts: he was not affected by the sudden request to head to Floors yet unexplored by him. The last few trips into the Dungeon showed him how effective the Lightning Sword Style had been even upon encountering new foes. Fuzen had no doubt he could cut the Monsters down there. His training so far would not fail him.
However…
The others. Can I help them with the mediocre Skills I have gained so far…? The path of the Lightning Sword Style is an isolated, solitary one. I do know I can use it for myself, but can I use it for others-? He shook his head as soon as the thought was formed in his mind. This was not the way. No, there is no can or cannot. There is only do or do not. And I…
He looked over at his Raiju no Yoki laying on the bench a distance away from him.
It was time.
He was not yet worthy of that sword, but he would use it. Not for himself, but for the safety of the others. His Mistress would agree. He knew she would.
He hoped so...
"...I will do it. I will help the others, to the bitter end. There is no other way."
He would use the Lightning Sword Style, but not only for himself. Like the time he was in the same party as Anakitty, but this time he would make no more mistakes: he would cut, he would not kill.
After all, the Captain's words still weighted heavily on his mind.
You have not done anything for the Familia.
Had he really been so consumed by his own desires that he failed to be thankful for the hand that fed him? Was that the sort of person he was underneath it all?
Fuzen was...troubled, by the words his Captain said.
So troubled, in fact, he could not even train, thus the reason why he meditated when it was, in actuality, time for sword practice. He needed to gather his thoughts, to think of the best way of action, go over mental battles, think about-
"Fuzen." He heard a familiar voice and it was by pure, sheer willpower he did not get up and start running away the moment he realized whom it belonged to.
"...Alf-sama." He nodded as he noticed Riveria making her way towards him, her young apprentice behind her. Fuzen felt his muscles tense. The torture she had him go through was still fresh in his mind.
Please, no more mathematics. I can't handle any more Arithmetic, Vectors, Differential Calculus, Linear Algebra and Number theory. Please no more mathematics. Please no more mathematics. Please no more-
"I am in need of your skills, Fuzen."
"...Thank the Gods above…" He sighed, relieved to hear she had not come to torture him anymore. One might think being forced to solve mathematical problems was not that harsh of a torture. Of course, it wasn't...that is, if you weren't forced to do it six hours a day with High Elf royalty breathing down your neck, and doing….unspeakable t-things to your precious swords every time you made a mistake.
My swords can no longer handle being hit with rocks with simple, Level 6 brute force. Please no more...No more, they are crying! The blade! It's going to get nicked! My swords!
One hyperventilation later, Fuzen managed to calm himself and raised to his feet, bowing deeper than necessary to the Executive. "What might you mean by in need of my skills, Alf-sama?"
"Well, it's a bit complicated." Riveria stated, looking over to Lefiya.
"...Might it have something to do with Viridis-sama?"
"Yes. I'll be frank about it: could you perhaps help Lefiya learn how to meditate more efficiently?"
The question was sudden, if nothing else.
Naturally, Fuzen knew that meditation was important, not just for fighting but also for self development. It is why he never went one day without meditating. However, helping a mage… "I...don't believe I am the best person for this job, Alf-sama. While I do know the importance of focusing one's mind, the way I go about it mostly fits people who need to fight up close. With that said, is Alf-sama not better suited to help Viridis-sama in this particular matter? You are mentor and pupil, if I remember correctly."
"We are. However, I believe that this time around, your help would be more productive than mine."
"Hmm…" Fuzen closed his eyes and thought on the request. It wasn't really outside his ability to do, however he had doubts it would really be helpful. "I do not know what a mage goes through when inside the Dungeon. All I know for sure, after listening to you, Alf-sama, is that a mage needs absolute focus in order to not become a liability, correct?"
"Indeed." Riveria nodded, amazed he still remembered that. She had only once told him about a mage's requirements once, shortly after he joined the Familia. "I have watched you during your training from time to time. The level of meditation which you use is already far above the ordinary mage's. I want you to try and help Lefiya, share your technique with her if possible."
"...And what about you, Viridis-sama? Would you be prepared to learn from me?"
Lefiya flinched at the question. She did not dislike Fuzen or anything of that sort. However, their interaction had been minimal, and she knew nothing about him. Still, even so, her own mentor believed he could help her. And lastly…
The boy who could defeat Ais in a duel...Can I learn anything from him? About him? About how he could do such a feat?
With her mind set, Lefiya nodded. "Yes, please! If you will!"
"...I understand. Then, despite the fact that I have never taught anyone anything, I shall do my best to teach you about focusing one's mind. Please, sit down." He gestured, going himself into a seiza sitting position. Lefiya nodded, and sat down as well, her staff laid on the grass to her side. "Alf-sama, what about you?"
"I will just observe from a distance. Then, I leave it to you." Riveria stated and walked a couple of steps back. Fuzen simply nodded and focused back on Lefiya.
"Then, tell me: what do you do exactly during your meditations?"
"Uhh...I focus on my Chants, and try to imagine how long the Spell would take to complete…"
"...I see. As I am not a mage myself, I cannot, unfortunately, say whatever doing that is good or not. However, what about your emotions? Your wishes? Your fear? Distractions? Your worries? And most importantly, your weaknesses? Do you not meditate on them?"
"W-Wait, what?" Lefiya asked, confused. Why would someone meditate on their weaknesses? Would focusing your mind on your strengths not be more productive?
"You believe that meditating on your negative sides is wrong?"
"U-Uh, no, but…"
"Viridis-sama, honesty."
"H-Huh?"
"Honesty. The sort of meditation I practice cannot be used unless the individual is being honest to himself. As such, please try to be honest when answering my questions. If you are unsure, then just say the first thing which comes to your mind. That is usually as close to being honest as you can get without actively trying." Fuzen explained, keeping the eye contact alive. Lefiya, on her end, was just trying her best to not look away.
His gaze is way too intense! Is this really a ten year old?!
"O-Okay."
"Then, do you believe that meditating on your negative sides is wrong?"
"N-Not wrong. But, isn't actively focusing on your strengths more important for growth?"
"...Viridis-sama."
"Y-Yes?"
"What is your greatest strength?"
"Huh?...Well, my Magic." The girl answered.
"I see. Then, what is it that interferes with your Magic? Is it still your own Magic?" He asked after a moment, and Lefiya simply stared at him.
Wait, what? Magic interfering with Magic?
What does that even mean?
My greatest strength...is Magic.
So then, what does interfere with my Magic?
…
…
…Oh...Ohhhhh…
"...I'm an idiot, right?" The elf girl asked, ashamed of herself that she needed that much time to understand what his question meant.
Fuzen simply looked to the side with his eyes. "...Self-reflection is the first step on the path to improvement."
"Just say you think I'm an idiot, damn it!"
"...I believe that would be rude." Fuzen shook his head.
Ahh...the junior from my Familia is making fun of me...Even worse, it's because I gave him a reason to…
"I see that you already doubt yourself just because of that single mistake. That...is not acceptable."
"H-huh?"
"You cannot allow yourself to be so easily shaken."
"...I know. But…" She hesitated on speaking any further. She hardly knew the boy before her, so naturally, she could not exactly bring herself to speak so freely to him. However…
He is the boy who can defeat the Ais I admire. Then, should I not use this rare opportunity to learn from him? Maybe, just maybe, I can become a little stronger…
"...Say, Fuzen. Have you heard that we two are going to be paired up on the upcoming Expedition?"
"Oh? No, I did not know." Fuzen stated.
"I-I see. T-Then, do you...trust me?"
"I do." He replied without hesitation.
"E-Eh? But, we've never fought together before. How can you trust me?"
"I see." Fuzen nodded. "Then, would you prefer if I did, in fact, not trust you?"
"What? No. I want you to trust me."
"Then there is no problem, correct? You want me to trust you, and I do, indeed, trust you. Is that not all there is to it?"
"It's...not." Lefiya shook her head. His thinking pattern was not wrong, but it was not right, either. She couldn't let him trust her so freely. She might do a mistake, and his trust in him could get him hurt. She couldn't allow that. "I'm...I'm clumsy. During fights, I easily get distracted, and I cannot chant properly, and my Magic gets cancelled because of that, and Riveria always has to step in and use her Magic because I just can't seem to be able to fire a Spell when the fight begins. I'm...a failure…"
"I see." Fuzen nodded, not fazed by Lefiya downgrading herself. "In other words, there is no problem."
She stared at him for longer than a couple of seconds, mouth agape. "You...did listen to what I just said, right?"
"I did. And like I said, there is no problem, at least, from my understanding. Viridis-sama, are you, mayhaps, a Disciple of the Lightning Sword Style?"
"Sword Style...? N-No, I'm not."
"Then, you do not walk an isolated path, unlike me. You can allow yourself help from others, and you can allow yourself to make mistakes." He stated with a nod. "But I see now. Viridis-sama seems to have a problem with trusting her own skills and worth. I agreed to help you meditate only, however if you so desire, I can help you with that problem of yours. At least, partially."
"You can?" She asked, surprised at the sudden offer. He didn't doubt his words, interestingly enough, however she just couldn't understand how he could help her. Even Riveria was having problems getting Lefiya's clumsiness out of the way.
"I do not propose something unless I believe it will bear fruit." He said without flinching, his confidence almost like an external, visible aspect. "However, I doubt the two days we have at our disposal will be enough to make any sort of real difference. However, if you decide to continue doing what I am about to teach you after this expedition, I have no doubt that you will improve."
"Are you...are you serious?"
"I will say it again, and hopefully for the last time: I do not say or propose anything I think will not work. In the end, it all depends on your own determination and will to see it through, but I can at the very least show you how to become...better."
"...Then, please do!" Lefiya exclaimed. If whatever he could teach her would allow her to become stronger, to take one step closer towards her idol, then she would reach out for it.
"I understand. However, I do need to warn you: it will be hard. And you will get physically hurt. Is that acceptable for you?"
"Yes! If I can become stronger, then...I'll do it!"
"Mhm." He nodded, pleased with her determination. "Then for now, I will help you meditate more efficiently, and then show you how to become stronger. Lastly, the expedition is right around the corner, in two days, so I want you to use that opportunity to make as many mistakes as possible."
"I understand-...Wait what?"
"Mistakes. Make them. As many as possible, as often as possible." He stated again.
"But...but isn't the goal behind this training for me not to make mistakes?" She asked in return, and he simply stared at her blankly.
"...Viridis-sama. You cannot become stronger over the course of two days. It seems you have not understood the meaning behind my words: You said we two specifically are paired up together, correct?"
"Uh, yes."
"Then, that is even more reason why you should use this golden opportunity to make mistakes. By that, I mean trying out new...forms. Chant while sitting, or while running. Try to focus your Mind, which Mages use if I remember correctly, while having your eyes closed, or while not talking at all. That is what I mean: during this expedition, use the opportunity to try out every single thing you can think off. Explore to your heart's content. Note down what works and what doesn't."
"B-But, that means...I'll get in everyone's way!" Lefiya almost yelled at the unreasonable words. Sure, trying out new things was useful, but during an expedition? "Fuzen, isn't that a bit too...thoughtless?"
"It is...not." He stated. "It seems you have forgotten the most important reason as to why I asked you to make mistakes. Can you guess what it is?"
"Well...No."
"We two are paired together." He stated as he pointed between the two of them. "That means you are allowed to lean on me as much as you wish. Make as many mistakes as you want, and use them to learn. Mayhaps you will come to try out something which will become the standard of your future actions. Even if you don't, making mistakes will allow you to avoid them in the future. It will allow you to know your strengths and weaknesses better. So feel free to try out anything, and make even a thousand mistakes." He told her, then looked over at his sword, and nodded, before looking back to her. "Whatever you succeed or fail, I will cover for all of your mistakes."
"…! What...do you mean?"
"Let me make this clear, before we start training: this expedition will be a success. We will go into the Dungeon, kill the monsters, and return without so much as a single death or injury. As such, I ask of you to simply focus on getting stronger and learn as much as you can. This time, and this time only, you need not worry about anything else. Why? Because from the moment Captain Finn decided to have me be part of the Expedition, our success had been cemented. I will make sure of it."
XXX
He was irked, and to no one's real surprise.
The time for the expedition had come, and they were on their way to their destination: the Deep Floors. The expedition force numbered forty-two, just a little bit over one third of the Familia's members.
Their goal would be to go as far as the 39th Floor, which was a safe point like the 18th Floor before it. On that Floor, their expedition force would make camp and then an elite group would go as far as the 45th Floor to exterminate Monsters. The whole expedition would take roughly six days: two days to reach Floor 39, two days to exterminate Monsters and another two days for the way back.
It was just a cleaning Quest, after all, and the reason why Finn did not bring his Familia's full might with him. Nonetheless, forty-two was still an incredible number, mostly so because they consisted of only Level 2's and higher. This was already a force which could destroy a large number of smaller Familia without much trouble.
At the current moment, the expedition force just passed the 30th Floor and were steadily moving forward. Like the Water City before it, the 30th Floor was humid and cave-like, with many paths leading to dead-ends and Monster-infested holes. Until a few Floors ago, the irked man had been part of the middle lines, in order to allow the Level 2's and 3's of the Familia to fight and gain Excelia from the Monsters at their Level. However, with the 30th Floor came his time to be part of the vanguard of the expedition, alongside Ais and then, the reason for his annoyance.
...That runt's pissing me off. Bete thought as he looked over to Fuzen, walking to his left.
The way towards the 39th Floor would take a while longer, as the deeper the Floor, the larger it was and the longer the way to the next Floor would take. Finn decided that he wanted the Quest over with so that the Familia could focus on more important matters, and so starting at the current Floor they would stop their rotation and abandon the Excelia gain roaster.
From now on, speed was important, and as such the vanguard members had been chosen based on their speed: Ais in the centre, Bete on the right and Fuzen on the left, with another line of members of Level 3 or 4 between the main vanguard and the rest of the expedition.
His role was simple enough: take care of any Monsters in the way in order to allow the main expedition quick passage without interruption, the same as the rest of the vanguard.
So, with that said, he did not understand why the runt had been assigned this role alongside him and Ais.
He was only Level 2.
Granted, he had been present when the runt half killed the Monster Rex Amphisbaena on his own, but that could easily be explained by Skills or Abilities. So then, what if his Skills or Abilities did not have the same effect on common Monsters? He tried to persuade Finn out of letting a brat be part of the vanguard, but that damn Pallum ignored his words. Bete still remembered the look in Finn's eyes, like a treasure hunter looking upon some sort of rare gem he found.
That damn Pallum is out of his mind. Bete thought to himself. He had been the Captain of the Vidar Familia in the past and he knew what a Captain responsibilities were. However, even if a Familia gained a promising member, to assign a God damned Level 2 as part of the vanguard beyond the 20th Floor was idiotic.
Naturally, as the senior of the damned runt, he watched him closely for any mistakes so he could have his ass sent back into the rear guard. However, though the runt had been part of the forward group ever since the 25th Floor, he did not make any mistakes. He kept tight formation, he watched the flank assigned to him with an eagle-like stare, he never jumped on too far ahead and he cut down all enemies in his path with a single strike of his sword.
And that is why Bete was annoyed.
Just make a damned mistake already so I can send your damned ass in the rear guard, you pint sized brat! Bete thought as he watched Fuzen closely, always from the corner of his eye.
He knew well enough how this story would go: some promising member was given an important role, they would do well for a while but then, when crap would hit the fan, he would lose his focus and either die or get someone else killed.
It's always the same with those damned weaklings. One after another, they all die in the end. That's why weaklings should learn their damned place and stay back, behind the strong.
He tsked and returned his focus on the path ahead.
Ais was walking just a few steps ahead of him and the runt, in a spear-like formation. She was the fastest of the three when using her Magic, so she was best suited for that position.
Not before long they arrived in a larger cave-like room, and naturally, it was filled with Monsters: a horde of Bloodsaurus, red dinosaur-like Monsters who usually reached five meters of height. Bete did a quick count: there were twenty-eight of the damned Monsters, most of them in the middle and left side of the room. His flank had the least number, so he would quickly take care of them and then head over to help the weakling.
All three members of the vanguard jumped forward at once, meeting the charging attacks of the Monster horde. Neither Ais nor Bete felt the need to use their Magic: the numbers were not all too bad, and the path they just came from was narrow. The second vanguard group could cover it even if somehow a Monster slipped past them.
He jumped off again and his leg met the dinosaur's face. He heard the satisfying sound of the Monster's neck breaking and snapping from the force, and the Monster fell down to the ground. He landed back down, and jumped towards his next target. There were only seven on his flank, so he did not need long to kill the crap out of them.
He landed down again after killing the last of the Monsters, and quickly looked behind him.
What about the weakling? To his surprise, however, Fuzen was already done clearing his area and was helping Ais kill the last of the Monsters down the centre.
"...Tsk."Bete showed his hands back inside his pockets, and waited for the Supporters to gather the Magic Stones from the defeated Monsters. Within the next two minutes, the group was back on track not having slowed down at all as the main force arrived at the large room only after the Monsters were taken care of.
"...Is there something you would like to tell me, Loga-sama? You have been staring at me for a while now." Fuzen finally broke the ice, looking over at his senior.
"...I'm just going to make this clear right now, runt: the moment you make a single mistake, I'm sending your ass back to the main group, whatever Finn agrees or not." Bete stated neutrally, keeping his eyes on the path ahead.
"I see. I understand."
"Tsk. What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing. I was just glad that is all there is to it."
"Huh?"
"I am not going to make any mistakes, so I was simply relieved that said matter is all Loga-sama wished to relay to me."
"...Yep. You piss me off, royally. That cocky confidence, more so than anything else. Weaklings like you should know their place." He shot back, just the tiniest bit angrier than before.
"Indeed, I am weak. I am nowhere near grasping the true potential of the Lightning Sword Style." Fuzen nodded, looking over at Raiju no Yoki fastened at his hip. So far, he had only used his chisa katana, but he had no doubt the time would come for the sword entrusted to him to be drawn. "However, it is because I am aware of this that I also know my limits. This Quest is not outside my ability to complete. You need not worry about me."
"...Tsk, as if I'm concerned about any of you weaklings!" Bete shot back with a dismissing wave of his hand. "Go get yourself killed for all I care."
"That will not happen, but I understand. I shall simply cut down anything in our path."
...Truly, you piss me off, runt. So confident and sure of yourself because of some Sword Style bullshit. Still, maybe, just maybe, you won't actually die. We'll see about that, though. You weaklings always dream big and die forgotten in some stupid hole.
With a single thought back to his past, Bete simply hunched even more and walked on.
He had enough of the brat.
He would simply focus on his task.
XXX
It was finally time.
They had arrived at the 39th Floor, and their temporary camp was set up. Finn nodded and took a walk around the camp. Their pace was good, and they arrived faster than he originally anticipated. This meant they could take their time to exterminate the Monsters. More Monsters killed meant more income for their Familia, and that was always appreciated.
Seeing how this was a Quest given by the Guild itself, they would offer better prices for the Magic Stones of the Monsters Loki Familia killed, as much as twenty percent more per Magic Stone. This was one of the reasons Finn was looking forward to seeing this Quest completed.
We've been in the red for a while now, I want us to get out of this financial crisis and focus more on full-scale Expeditions…
Still, he couldn't let their financial status get the better of him, especially now being in the Dungeon. He shook his head and the thought dispersed from his mind. He looked around at the members he had hand-picked: not one showed signs of exhaustion or uncertainty. He was proud of them.
Especially…
"[You are an expert of the bow-] Guh!" Lefiya fell on her butt, and her chant was once again interrupted. From the corner of his eye, he saw this scene at least seven times since the camp had been placed.
"Again." Fuzen said, withdrawing his sheathed sword which was pressing on Lefiya's abdomen.
Ever since they arrived on the 39th Floor he had practiced with her. Finn asked Riveria what that was all about, and she explained to him that she herself asked the eastern boy to help her apprentice learn how to focus and meditate.
And help he did: after changing from his position with the vanguard after the 35th Floor, Fuzen did an amazing job of protecting Lefiya while she chanted her Spells. After all, the number of Monsters had increased exponentially the deeper they went, and Magic became necessary in order to keep to their schedule.
Riveria herself wished to sit back and let her apprentice take over as the mage of the expedition, and Fuzen had been guarding her fiercely. A bit too fiercely, in fact. Finn knew that the young girl had a slight problem with keeping calm once the fight began, and it was not rare for her to lose focus and for her Spells to disperse into thin air once her mind was clouded.
However, on this expedition, she had done extremely well and her Spells had not been interrupted even once, despite being targeted by many Monsters. Was it because she had build trust with her body guard, Fuzen, or was it simply the short training she did under him? Finn didn't know exactly, but he guessed he would find out in due time.
...Still, I wonder why she was sitting down in a yoga position earlier when casting her Spells…
As for what they did at the moment, Finn could only guess it was some sort of training for Lefiya to keep chanting even when disturbances came within her comfort zone. Thus why Fuzen was hitting her with his sheathed sword, pushing her away or throwing light objects in her face, like his pouch and a backpack he grabbed from somewhere.
The Elf girl stood again, took her stance, closed her eyes and began chanting again. "[Unleashed streak of light, bow limbs of the holy tree. You are an expert-] Argh!" Mid chant, Fuzen threw the backpack into her abdomen, and the girl hunched over, gasping for air.
"Again."
"[...Unleashed streak of light-]" He hit her thigh, but she continued. "[bow limbs of the holy-]" enduring another hit on her shoulder with a hiss of pain, Lefiya continued. "[tree. You are an-]" he threw the weightless pouch in her face, but she continued. "[expert of the bow. Shoot, sniper of the-] Gaah!" When Fuzen pushed her back with the blunt end of his scabbard, she lost focus and her Spell cancelled out.
"Again. Eyes open. Dodge the attacks, do not block them. Begin." Both took their stances again and continued their training. Lefiya did her best to dodge the attacks with minimal movements in order for her Spell to not get cancelled out.
Good. Finn nodded at the sight, acknowledging his Familia members hard work at getting stronger. Very good. Keep at it, you two. Knowing he should not intervene, Finn moved on and made his way towards the tent acting as the Executives meeting place. He still needed to go over some things before the elite group was to go deeper.
XXX
She side-stepped, and with a forward thrust, the Monster dispersed into ash, as did the countless before him. By now they had reached the 42th Floor. Overall, the expedition went on as planned: the main group focused on the 40th Floor, with Riveria, Anakitty and Elfy staying back, while the elite group, which was made up of Finn, Bete, Ais, Lefiya, Alicia and Fuzen moved on, their end goal the 45th Floor.
Ais herself was assigned, once again, the forward position of their group while Finn was staying behind ready to jump in where needed. Bete himself was assigned the right flank, while Fuzen and Alicia were to protect Lefiya while she chanted her Spells.
It was a small group, but with one Level 6, two Level 5, one Level 4 and one Level 2 mage who could wipe out dozens of Monsters with a single spell, it was enough, even if these were the Deep Floors.
Not to mention…
...He's...too good… Ais thought to herself as the last Monster before her was slain, and she looked over to the left flank. Alicia and Lefiya were standing a distance away while Fuzen was further up slaying the enemies at record speed, with a single slash each.
These were Monsters from the 42th Floor, called Aswangs: ugly, grey humanoid Monsters that walked on all four, their midriff closer resembling a spider's than a humans. They were big, roughly four meters in length, and their arms were especially dangerous, capable of striking at an Adventurer from as far as three and a half meters away, cutting them down with their sharp, knife-like fingers.
Usually, even high class Level 3 Adventurers would have a rough time, especially the close combatants, as their reach could never match that of an Aswang. However, the eastern boy could do it.
He could kill them.
...But...not as easy as usual. Ais was a swordswoman herself, and though she was quite aloof most of the time, her perceptive skills were unmatched during a fight. As such, she could tell: Fuzen did not have an easy time against the enemies. They were faster than him, and with his low Level 2 Vitality, one single hit could prove quite fatal.
Nonetheless, though he was not having an easy time like on the previous Floors he kept going, slipping through the attacks coming his way and closing the distance between him and his foe, ultimately relieving them of their heads.
"Fuzen, it's ready!" Alicia informed as she fired another three arrows into the three Monsters which slipped past him. The boy simply nodded, and using the Technique Ais knew was named Lightning Drive, he dashed out from the front lines into the back again.
"[Fusillade Fallarica!]" Lefiya finished her chant and unleashed her wide area attack magic upon the hordes of Aswangs, burning them all to a crisp. With that attack the enemy had been annihilated on this Floor, as they were just before the stairs down to the next Floor.
"Good work, everyone." Finn praised with a clap of his hands. "We're also doing well on time, so let's rest for ten minutes. Afterwards, we're going to keep pushing through until the 45th Floor. Still, don't forget that we are taking the same route tomorrow as well. Leave any Drop Items behind. As I said before this is just a surface cleaning in order to not get attacked back at camp. We are going to pick up all the Magic Stones and Drop Items tomorrow when the second support group will joins us."
Indeed, the reason their group was this small was because Finn wished to take two days time to clean the Floors. Today, they were still tired from the trip, so they only needed to kill off Monsters in order to avoid getting ambushed back at camp by hordes coming making their way up.
Ais nodded at Finn's words, and sheathed her rapier. She was not tired, but if Finn wanted them to rest briefly, she had to do so. After all, Lefiya was with them, and everyone knew using the kind of Spells the elf girl fired burned through a lot of stamina and Mind.
Bete could hear incoming enemies far better with his Beast Human hearing, so the Sword Princess decided to join up with Lefiya and Alicia. "Lefiya. Good work with your Spell." She complimented.
"O-Oh, thank you, Ais!"
"Mhm. You...got better at using Spells." Ais said, having noticed the girl's increased focus which she previously lacked.
"Y-Yes, it's slightly easier now. Uhh, I can't take all the credit, however."
"Hm?"
"U-Uh, Lady Riveria had me train." Lefiya stated, and looked to the side towards their youngest member. "With Fuzen. He has been helping me increase my focus during battle."
"Oh...I didn't know…" Ais informed. By now, most members of the expedition force noticed Fuzen train with Lefiya back at camp, however Ais herself was, as always, slightly out of touch with those kind of matters and didn't really pay attention to them.
"For real now, Ais?" The other Elf sighed. "They had been literally training back at camp. How did you not notice?"
"...Sorry…" Ais apologized and stared at the young swordsman. He was sitting down in a seiza position, eyes closed, probably focusing his mind. Ais had noticed the strain which came from the Monsters on this Floor, as the boy had been sweating during the battle, which he did not during earlier Floors. Still, his form never faltered, nor did his breathing. As far as she could tell, the boy simply needed to push himself harder against them, but overall as long as he remained the same as now there would be no problems. "Hm?"
"Fuzen." Finn called out as he approached the boy, spear resting on his shoulder. "How was it? Fighting on these Floors?"
"...Straining." Fuzen admitted with a nod. "But not impossible. The difficulty on these Floors is not beyond my skills, nor beyond the Lightning Sword Style." He opened his eyes, and drew his masterpiece of a sword out of it's scabbard, holding it with both hands in front of him.
Truly, Ais had never seen a blade like that: white as the snow, but with a yellow-coloured tempered line, which Ais had heard from Tsubaki of Hephaestus Familia was called a Hamon in the Far East, Fuzen's sword being in a Hitatsura pattern.
However, unlike a normal Hitatsura pattern Ais had seen on some other Far East katana, this one's was resembling a lightning bolt and the arcs discharging from the main line, all the way from the hilt to the tip, along the middle of the blade.
What a beautiful sword...Ais thought to herself. Indeed, even the best blacksmith in Orario, Tsubaki, had said the sword was a masterpiece among masterpieces because of how it had been forged. Ais didn't knew about the forging part, but visually it truly was beautiful.
"...My Sword Style can keep up with the Dungeon. I have not brought shame upon this blade, either. My Mistress...would be please, I believe." With a nod, he sheathed his sword again and rose to his feet. "However, I cannot say the same about my body."
"Hm?" Finn's brows raised in confusion.
"I train every day, so I know the limits of mine own mortal shell. Unfortunately, at my current level I need to push my muscles and senses to their limits in order to keep up with the Monsters here." Fuzen informed, crossing his arms, eyes glued to the Floor below him.
"So you're saying the Level 2 who can duel our Level 5's is reaching his limits down here?"
"...No." He shook his head. "I said that I need to push my limits at my current level."
"...I guess you're not talking about a Level-Up to Level 3, are you?" Finn asked in return, by now knowing that Fuzen's words were mostly not to be taken literally.
"Mhm." Fuzen simply nodded, not giving any further information on what he meant. Finn understood this and with a shrug, had the group move on ahead.
I believe it would be time to crystallize everything I have cultivated thus far since joining the Loki Familia. The eastern boy thought as he got back into his position within the formation. I'll need at least two...no, maybe three days for the ritual. I'll do it after we get back to the surface.
He had only done the ritual twice in eight years, and back then his Mistress and former God were present to help him through it. This time around, he was alone.
His success depended solely on him.
I wonder if my willpower will be sufficient to survive. What was that western saying, third time's the charm?...No, dying is not allowed. Even if I'm alone, I'll bear it all. I'm going to grasp the heavens, no matter what.
With a determined nod, Fuzen began to prepare himself mentally for the pain that was to come...
XXX
Damn I really love writing action scenes and changing the POV as much as possible.
