Once more, Issei was back in the dungeon doing his dungeon diving. However, he wasn't alone. The Sword Princess, Ais Wallenstein has been following the entire time.
Issei didn't mind her tagging along. He found Ais' presence quite calming. Although, the girl wouldn't stop staring at him at every turn.
Nonetheless, Issei continued his descent into the dungeon.
While Issei was not having any problem, Ais, on the other hand, was quite shocked. The monsters in the dungeon seemed to be actively hunting Issei.
From the situation alone, Ais was able to deduce that the reason for the irregular monsters was Issei. How it was possible? Ais didn't have a clue, and she wasn't going to ask. After all, the number of monsters was helping her get stronger. The amount of Excelia and the quality of the Excelia Ais was receiving were more than usual.
Ais looked at Issei with a look of curiosity. The longer she stayed with Issei, the more she wants to know about him.
…
Outside the dungeon, Hephaestus got the approval of Ouranos to allow her to wield her Arcanum. However, she would only be permitted to do so in a limited space.
Therefore, before Hephaestus could use her Arcanum, she needs to get a venue that she could use for her duel with Issei, but that was not her concern. She could always use one of her biggest forges.
The entire day, she was running around with her most trusted person all over Orario.
"Hephaestus-sama! Why are you dragging me everywhere?!" asked Tsubaki. They've been to almost all over Orario! That was an exaggeration.
"You don't understand, Tsubaki! I can feel it! That man, Issei. He is special. I don't know why, but I can feel that if I don't give it my all, I would lose!" said Hephaestus. For the longest time, there was never a single person that made her feel challenged.
"Do you believe that? I mean, I saw weapons he said that he created, but they were weapons you can create with ease," said Tsubaki. She didn't think as highly of Issei as Hephaestus does. She can tell Issei was amazing, but not in the same way that Hephaestus does.
"Ha-ha-ha! That's where you're wrong, Tsubaki. The weapons may look amazing with their design and Aura, but that was not the impressive part. The weapons themselves are insanely powerful. A single glance is all I needed to know that those weapons are far superior to the weapons made by Crozzo Blood. You have no idea how much power those weapons are hiding," said Hephaestus. To her, a weapon's capability will be revealed immediately.
…
Inside the dungeon, Floor 25.
Issei-II was struggling. He didn't know what to do. He has tried everything, but he couldn't descend a single floor.
[Oy! Partner! What do you mean you tried everything? I'm pretty sure that you haven't tried not being a pervert yet!] said Ddraig. He was annoyed at his host. After meeting Issei, he felt that he got the short end of the stick, even if the other Issei was a monster, he would have preferred that over the man he is with now.
"Never!" shouted Issei-II. He was breathing heavily as he has recently been running away from one of the monsters in the dungeon.
[You are hopeless! If I was the other Issei, I would have left you long ago] said Ddraig. He sighed at his partner's pathetic sight.
A Harpy then found Issei-II's hiding spot.
When Issei-II saw the Harpy, the first thing that went to his head is its boobs.
"He-he! Oppai!" shouted Issei-II.
As Issei-II ogled the Harpy, he was attacked.
[Oy! You idiot! Get out of there, now!] Shouted Ddraig. If it wasn't for him, Issei-II would have his head impaled by the Harpy's talons.
Issei-II ran for his life.
…
In a training area, Issei and Ais were facing each other.
Issei finally conceded to Ais and decided to train her in swordsmanship, but he won't be training her in the Sun Breathing.
Cling! Clang! Bang! Cling!
Loud sounds of swords clashing can be heard throughout Twilight Manor.
That's right, Issei and Ais were in the twilight Manor.
Riveria, Tiona and Bete watched the fight before them.
Last time, Issei didn't bother to use his sword skills against Ais. Therefore, the Loki Familia didn't know if Issei was any good with a sword.
Sure, he was strong, but is he qualified to teach Ais to wield a sword? That was a question that has been going in the head of Loki and the others.
Weird really. Tiona reminded them that Issei saved their asses in the Dungeon with his amazing sword skills.
Loki ignored Tiona's claims and wanted to see it for herself. When she did, she stormed off since she knew Ais wouldn't stop training with Issei. She was jealous that he was taking the time of her favourite child.
"Riveria, do you think Loki-sama is going to do something stupid against Issei?" asked Tiona. She was worried that Loki would retaliate for Issei taking a lot of Ais' time. Even if Ais is the one taking Issei's time.
"Possibly, but I don't think so since she knows how crazy powerful Issei is with magic," said Riveria. She observed Issei and felt a sense of frustration. In her mind, the words of Issei were still lingering.
Tiona saw the way Riveria's face scrunch up.
"Are you okay, Riveria-san?" asked Tiona. She wasn't very good at reading the mood.
"I'm fine. Just a bit peeved at that man's words. I've been thinking about it since last night, but I couldn't find an answer as to how he can use more magic than possible. I mean, I don't even know how I can use nine magic," said Riveria. She wants to find out. Her curiosity wouldn't allow her to let go of such a fascinating discovery.
Tiona, Riveria and Bete continued to watch the fight between Issei and Ais.
Bang! Ais was tossed a few metres away after being hit by Issei's sword swing.
"Again! Don't merely attack me. Observe, Analyse, Predict! You need to be able to anticipate the changes in your opponent's movement. You're not the only one that can change your pattern as you fight!" said Issei. If he is going to train Ais, then he was not going to do so half-heartedly.
Ais stood up and continued to attack Issei. She was getting better, but the process is slow.
Ais is used to fighting only monsters from the Dungeon, but not Humans or beings that can think.
Plus, there is the ability of hers, Avenger. It allows her to get stronger when fighting monsters. It isn't useful against people.
"Too slow! And you're putting too much strength on each strike! You need to hold back in case you miss your attack," said Issei. Following through with one's attack is great, but to use all your strength to it? That's not good. What would happen if your attack missed? You wouldn't be able to stop your attack and you'd be vulnerable.
The training between Issei and Ais lasted longer than they thought it would.
Nonetheless, Loki-No-Boobs was still being suspicious as she was not back from wherever she went.
…
"Hephaestus! I'm telling you! That man is trying to steal Ais away from me!" said a drunk Loki. She took another sip of her mug.
"Earlier! You should have seen the way he looked at her! I can tell! He is after my Ais!" said Loki. She was frustrated.
"I don't think that's what's happening. I think it's all in your head," said Hephaestus. Her eyes twitched at Loki's words. She felt jealous.
"By the way. Why do you seem like you're busy with something?" asked Loki. She still hasn't stopped drinking.
"Because I am busy," said Hephaestus. She was training her blacksmithing skills to go against Issei.
"I'm going to beat him! My pride as the Goddess of Blacksmithing is on the line! Although, if I think about it, I don't seem to care about my pride as the Goddess of Blacksmith…If anything, I just want to see how amazing I am," said Hephaestus. She could care less about her so-called pride as a Goddess. She just wanted to act cool in front of Issei.
"Huh? Who are you talking about? And why are you blushing like a teenage girl?" asked Loki. She can see the difference between a blush and the redness caused by the heat.
"I don't know what you're talking about. However, the person I'm talking about is Hyoudou Issei. He showed me some of his work, and they rival mine in Heaven. I've asked Ouranos for permission to use my Arcanum, and I'm going to have a Blacksmithing duel against him!" said Hephaestus. She hammered the metal in front of her.
Loki's eyes twitched. Again! It was Hyoudou Issei!