Chapter 25 - Happiness and Frustrations
Next morning, Hermes came up with a twist to the power transfer idea. He suggested testing the level boosting concept with a team of level boosters that will boost fighters who are practicing. The boosters should be lower level so the power transfer would be more meaningful to their stats. The fighters should be higher level but be fighting someone higher level than they are. Since Hestia just did Haruhime's update, so the stats are known and the plan was immediately put into action.
Thus Mikoto and Lili joined Haruhime in the level-boosting team. After boosting, Bell, Tione and Tiona battled with higher level fighters in Finn, Gareth and Ottar. For good measure, Riveria and Lefiya would be launching attacks at them at the same time. Finally, Wiene and Ais would also be launching attacks from the air. Before they started, Mikoto and Lili went to get an update from Hestia so their starting points are also known.
With all the activity, the practice was held far from the secret headquarters. The practice was much more strenous than the previous days, and Bell, Tione and Tiona were overwhelmed with each requiring several lap pillows. Amid also had to provide perform healing several times. The end of the practice was punctuated with Bell's argonaut firebolt to the sky, which brought down lots of feathers and several seared gooses for dinner.
When the practice team returned to headquarters, Tsubaki had finished enough thin metal pieces for the entire core team, and she will be making more for additional defenders. Tomorrow, she will travel back to her familia home to teach the skills to other smiths. They are going into mass production. Welf continued to charge the armor sets, as he is only able to charge about 2 sets per day. Hephaestus was also really frustrated researching options for magic weapons to attack Revis who is really magic resistant.
At the end of the day, Bell and Ais decided to enjoy the lap pillowing in her room. This was more practical because they can change into pajamas so they can sleep more comfortably when Ais refuse to let go.
The next day, the practice was conducted in the same fashion. Mikoto, Lili and Haruhime provided the level boosting. Post-boost, Bell, Tione and Tiona then fought against Finn, Gareth and Ottar while simultaneously under bombardment by magic attacks from Riveria and Lefiya as well as attacks from Wiene and Ais. Bell, in particular, showed substantial improvement and only required 1 lap pillow from Ais. Unfortunately, Tione and Tiona still received multiple lap pillows from Finn and Bete who performed their duty. After Bell's argonaut firebolt at the end of practice, Bell, Haruhime, Mikoto and Lili went to get their updates from Hestia.
After more maternal nurturing from Hestia, Bell's update showed slight improvement at 50% from level 7 while Mikoto and Lili showed slight improvement. Mikoto was at 95% away from level 5 while Lili was 97% away from level 4. The big news was Haruhime. With her improvement, she was only 3% away from level 4.
The other members continued their tasks. Tsubaki decided to stay in Orario to oversee the mass production. Welf continued to charge the armor sets. Hephaestus continued to research options for magic weapons to attack Revis.
That evening, while Bell again gave Ais her nightly lap pillow, they laughed about the insane progress that everyone is making. Ais suggested that the fox demon will soon emerge from Bell's stomach like in her favorite manga. At the same time, there was a loud and exciting game of cards involving Tiona, Tione, Lefiya, Bete, Mikoto, Welf, Wiene and Lili.
The next day, the goal of the practice was to take Haruhime the rest of the way to level 4. Thus, the same exact practice was held before sending Haruhime to see Hestia. Without any surprise, Haruhime made it to level 4 at the end of the day.
There was a celebration but there would be a lot of work to figure out the benefits from Haruhime's leveling. The other members also made progress. After returning from Orario, Tsubaki was able to join in the celebration bringing back mass produced armor parts. Welf also came out of the forge for the celebration. He was in a mood to celebrate since he finished charging the armor sets he had. However, he fainted when Tsubaki gave him more thin metal layers to charge for the rest of the Freya familia's armor. Hephaestus was also in a celebratory mood as she finally figured out a way to fight Revis who is really resistant to magic. When asked about it, she said it would involve Wiene...
Near the end of the celebration, Riveria took Ais outside the cafeteria and asked Ais if she and Bell will make it official? When Ais looked puzzled, Riveria reminded her of what everyone saw that morning when Ais' room door was left opened. Ais quickly explained to Riveria that she gets really sleepy after lap pillow and cannot let go of Bell while she is sleepy, so Bell has to stay still while Ais sleeps... With that, Riveria was first shocked but then enjoyed the best laugh she has had since she teased Ais when Bell ran away from her lap pillow. Steamed, Ais chased Riveria around the headquarters, with Riveria complaining that she is too old to be chased like that...