46 Riveria.
It's been a couple of weeks since the last time Hephie and I had our talk— but that isn't important at the moment.
*Swoosh*
I tilted my head, evading a mean sword thrust; surely aimed right at my eye.
"Damn, kiddo, you sure don't hold back..."
The person in front of me had no other response besides a grunt and another thrust heading for my temple this time.
*Clang*
Sparks were generated due to the cross of two swords.
It seems she was no longer willing to go for a contest of strength as usual. This time, opting to try redirecting the blow somehow with her airborne superiority.
Although, she wasn't successful.
"Hmm, good."I said between breaths, "You finally learned to use your brain a little." I grinned. "At least we're getting somewhere..."
"I mean, it only took you a week to finally use your brain. Here's to hoping you can manage to hit me in the next century." I sarcastically said.
That seemed to get the response that I wanted out of her.
The girl was simply too competitive. I honestly can't remember the times she fell down and got up just this morning session; her no-longer shining blond hair was proof of that— it was filled with mud and other debris. But her eyes never lose their shine.
Despite the trash-talking, I made her endure daily, she was truly talented.
She just needed someone to polish her, and not babysit her instead.
I grimaced, remembering how the entire Loki Familia was treating her like some oversized mascot.
The kinds of people like little Aiz relished and vastly improved under unsure odds; I was one as well.
"Ariel," she shouted.
I sighed," Really Aiz, th—"
*Vroom*
I swallowed my words when I felt a pang of pain on my cheek. The body of little Aiz appeared behind me; she was slowly dropping to the ground, and a smug smile tugged her face when she saw my reaction.
No matter how much it irked me to see that smug smile, I decided to not be a dick about it. I rushed to hold her off from falling face-down. She deserved at least that much.
"You did good, kid. That was just a tiny bit impressive."
I was definitely NOT sour that she managed to land a hit on me, and lost the bet.
Yep. I was not.
"I know," she said. There was an uncharismatic cheekiness to her voice.
*Twitch*
The corners of my mouth twitched hearing that response. There was a moment when I reflected on whether to let her eat the dirt or not.
I think my expression somehow reflected my inner thoughts because her expression immediately flattened out after.
However, that didn't matter much… She passed out right in my arms.
"Geez, going out with a bang. The kid got a knack for drama." I muttered.
"And whose fault do you think it is?" a smooth, and melodic voice entered my ears. It was someone that I hung around quite a lot these couple of weeks.
" And Look who is it that graced lowly me by her presence." I paused for dramatic effect. "Princess Riveria Ljos Alf."
The tall, jade haired elf cringed," I told you many times to not call me that."
"My apologies, your royal highness." I grinned looking at her, slightly bowing my head. "This humble servant seeks your pardon."
Her poker face was unbreakable, save for the very light pink shade on her cheeks. It was always a pleasure to see that usually composed face fall apart.
It seems I was the only one that thought that because the staff she had on was directed at me. The magic stones shone; I had a feeling she might actually shoot out the magic.
I held my hands up in mock surrender.
Not that she could actually injure me...
Nonetheless, I decided to stop any acts to further embarrass her— for now.
"Anyway, what are you here for?" I inquired. She slowly dropped her staff, sensing I wasn't joking around anymore.
Riveria didn't say anything other than a gesture to the little Aiz knocked out cold in my arms.
"Ken. I know she is the one that asked you to train her, but isn't that too far?" she bickered.
'Says the one that literally chained and dropped her in a river to swim…'
I looked at the passed out Aiz in my arms. She's definitely still traumatised by that.
Otherwise, from what I observed, they just need to train her hard for a small window, and she'd be fully satisfied. Aiz is just a slightly special kid.
That way she wouldn't even need to sneak into the dungeon behind their backs.
"Nah, don't worry about it. She's a tough cookie. Besides, I always heal her up when we finish our training." I reassured her.
"And I still haven't seen you use that 'healing' magic of yours. Are you sure you can actually heal?" she questioned, a mocking tone in her voice.
'One of the oldest tricks in the book.... She really thought she'd get me with that. You're not about to finesse me like that.'
"Nuh-uh, you're not getting me with that, miss princess." I grinned.
I put a hand on my chin, "How about a date?" I suggested.
She confusedly looked at me.
I nodded," Yes, a date."
"Does her highness not know what dates are?" I joked.
She huffed," Of course, I know what dates are, you imbecile."
"Careful there... Your royal self is seeping through."
She didn't look that impressed.
If one thing I learned this last week about her when she would pick up little Aiz was that she was an absolute magic nut-case.
Behind that facade of coldness rested a nerd— a big nerd. It needn't be said, but I planned to perfectly use it to my advantage.
Everything is fair in love and war, baby.
Although, it wouldn't be easy. But that way, the results would be sweeter.
I started weaving a tale about the phantasmal, magical date we would be having.
Her eyes literally shined, and there was metaphorical drool coming off her mouth… One more push is all that was needed. I had things under control.
*Rustle*
She only stopped when little Aiz turned slightly in her sleep.
I grimaced. 'Really kid? You had to do that?'
That was a cock block if I've ever seen one.
Riveria coughed, her expression flattened out again. Although she couldn't hide the embarrassed blush on her face.
"You can't tempt me, you evil man."
'I don't know about that... You looked pretty tempted to me.'
"Besides, Loki tells me you already have lady Hephaestus as a partner."
I hummed, "That I do, that I do."
She popped a confused eyebrow but didn't comment further.
As I was handing her the legal ownership of the cute loli, I heard her question, "Why are you doing so much for our Aiz?"
I paused for a few seconds, "She just seemed a bit sad to me, and I thought I'd help her?" I just shrugged off at the end.
She looked at me weirdly," Helping an enemy Familia?"
"Meh."
"Not if that Familia has you, princess." I winked at her as I went my merry way.
Rivera stayed there, a conflicted expression riddled her face.
'What an interesting individual...' she muttered under her breath.
-------------------------
[Akagi Ken]
Level:5
HP: 4980-->7700
MP: 2490-->3850
STR: 122-->138
VIT: 123-->140
DEX: 124-->140
WIS: 123-->138
Unallocated Stat points: 156
Valis: ~10mil
-Strength: E420
-Endurance: D530
-Dexterity: D580
-Agility: D580
-Magic: E410
Skills: Gamers Mind - Gamers Body - Instinct - Mind's Eye (True) - Mage - Mystery- MasterSmith- One-Handed Sword Mastery - Rejuvenation - Shapeshifting - Mixing- HeadPatting- Luck- Endless Libido- Battle continuation- Mana Burst.
Magic: Ele magic - Non-Ele magic - Inventory- Space-Time magic.
[MasterSwordsman: Lv5-->Lv9.]
[MasterElementalist: Lv2-->Lv7]
[Dark/Holy ArchMage: Lv1-->Lv6.]
[Space-Time Magic: Lv100.]-->[SpacialTemporal Archmage: Lv3]
[MasterSmithing: Lv10-->lv14.]
[Alchemy: Lv49.]-->[MasterAlchemist: Lv1]
[Headpatting: lv46]-->[Headpatting: Lv100]
If you feel like supporting me, have any ideas or want to read advanced chapters ahead: patron.com/MunirSM
