Sister's Academic Rebellion

It had been several minutes since our intense study session began under the watchful gaze of the formidable Riveria.

Oh, how her seriousness and strict demeanor sent shivers down my spine! She spared no effort in imparting her vast knowledge upon us.

With each passing moment, I delved deeper into the mysteries of the dungeons, as well as the intricacies of being an adventurer. Riveria was relentless in imparting her wisdom, sharing the do's and don'ts of navigating treacherous labyrinths.

"Always watch your step in the dungeons," she warned. "You never know what lies beneath your feet. One moment of carelessness can lead to a dire situation."

Glancing over at Ais, I noticed a growing restlessness in her. Her impatience and agitation were palpable, threatening to disrupt the serene atmosphere.

Leaning closer to her, I whispered in a hushed voice, "Hey, sis, remember, the great adventurers of history had to start somewhere. And I'm pretty sure they didn't become legends overnight. So, hang in there, my future sword princess!"

To my dismay, Riveria's piercing gaze turned towards me, her voice sharp as a blade. "Althea, pay attention. There will be no room for jesting."

Startled, I quickly straightened in my seat, offering a sheepish response. "Apologies, Riveria. I shall focus on the lesson at hand."

Riveria's expression softened, though her voice still held a hint of reprimand. "Remember, Althea, there is a time and place for humor. Now, let us continue."

Nervously nodding, I refocused my attention on the lesson at hand, my thoughts drifting to Riveria's strict demeanor.

While her teaching style left little room for lightheartedness, there was no denying the depth of knowledge she possessed.

Perhaps, within that unyielding exterior, was a teacher who genuinely wanted us to succeed.

*SLAM*

The sound of the door swinging open interrupted our intense session, and in sauntered the goddess of mischief herself, Loki.

"Hello, my darlings! How are my favorite little adventurers doing today?" Loki's voice carried a warmth and lightheartedness that instantly lifted our spirits. Her cheerful greeting filled the room, casting a brief respite from the scholarly atmosphere.

Riveria, with an air of annoyance, questioned Loki's unexpected intrusion. "And what brings you to my room, Loki?"

Loki, unfazed by Riveria's sternness, responded with a playful twinkle in her eyes, "Oh, Mama Riveria, don't be like that! I just wanted to check on Althea and Ais, see how they're progressing. Can't a goddess show some motherly love?"

Riveria, reluctantly acknowledging the goddess's presence, sighed and muttered, "Fine, but don't make a mess."

Amused by Loki's choice of words, I already decided to use "Mama Riveria" in the near future. The possibilities for mischief were simply quite tempting to resist.

As the goddess settled into the room, bringing her unique brand of unpredictable energy, I couldn't help but feel a glimmer of excitement amidst the strictness of our studies.

Little did I know that this unexpected visit would bring forth new adventures and shenanigans that would forever shape our journey.

-------------------------------------------

"Ahahaha! You hate studying, huh, Ais?" Loki's mischievous glint danced in her eyes as she skillfully constructed a towering house of cards on the other side of the desk.

"Ugh...." Ais gulped, her sullen expression a clear refusal to answer Loki's teasing.

"Come on, Loki, cut her some slack," I chimed in, defending Ais. "Besides, where did you even get those cards anyway?"

Loki, still chuckling, responded, "Oh, you know me, Althea. I always have a few tricks up my sleeve. These cards just happened to be one of them."

Before we could continue our conversation, Riveria swiftly intervened, her stern voice demanding our attention. "Althea, enough with the distractions. Pay attention."

With a playful tone, I replied, "Yes, Mama Riveria. I'm all ears!"

My attempt at lightening the mood earned me an angry glare from Riveria. Sheepishly, I chuckled while Loki couldn't help but laugh hysterically.

Resuming her lecture, Riveria delved into topics like the "Great Tree's Spirit," a crucial aspect for mages like herself. She explained its significance in helping Ais develop a steadfast state of mind, one that couldn't be swayed by external influences.

As the discussion carried on, I couldn't help but notice Ais's mounting frustration. Her body trembled slightly, and she hung her head in exasperation.

Sensing the tension, Loki chimed in, attempting to ease the atmosphere. "Come on, Ais, give Mama Riveria a chance. Think of it as having the privilege of having such beauty around you all the time as your mentor. By the way, Riveria, any chance you could put on a pair of glasses for me?"

Riveria's annoyance was palpable as she retorted, "Loki, I am not here for your amusement. My priority is to educate these two properly."

While Loki and Riveria engaged in their banter, Ais's irritation reached its breaking point. She abruptly looked up at Loki and Riveria, her face twisted in a furious glare.

"Shut up, old hag!" Ais shouted, the words echoing through the room before a stunned silence followed.

As I turned to look at Riveria, I was met with a sight that horrified me. Her usually composed expression froze over in an instant, her eyes narrowing with intensity.

In the blink of an eye, her elf fist swung downward with formidable force.

BONK!

Ais's head collided with the iron fist, and the impact was so strong that she couldn't even respond. The impact had sent her into a bewildering haze, her vision swirling with utter confusion.

Riveria then turned her attention to me, her stern eyes fixed upon my trembling figure. "And what about you, Althea? Do you wish to join your sister in receiving punishment?"

Panic washed over me as I shook my head profusely, instinctively seeking refuge behind Loki for protection.

Not one to pass up an opportunity to complain, Loki grumbled, "Oi, Althea, don't use me as your personal meat shield!"

"Hey, I want to live, dammit!" I shouted, my voice stuttering in fear.

While cowering behind the goddess, a shiver ran down my spine, and I made a mental note never to provoke Riveria ever again. Her terrifying presence was not to be taken lightly.

------------------------------------------

And so, the day carried on with an air of fear and discipline, as Riveria continued her lecture with unwavering determination. Ais and I were held captive by her words, reluctantly absorbing the knowledge she imparted.

However, on the following day, Ais was nowhere to be found. I went to her room, only to discover it empty. Ah, the poor girl must have tried to escape from Riveria's lecture, and who could blame her?

As I roamed the halls, I unexpectedly crossed paths with Riveria herself, who seemed equally concerned about Ais's disappearance. She wasted no time in questioning me, her voice filled with urgency.

"Althea, have you seen Ais?" Riveria inquired, her voice filled with a mix of worry and authority.

With a respectful tone, I responded, "I'm sorry, Miss Riveria. I haven't seen her anywhere."

Understanding my response, Riveria issued a command, "Find her. Search the entire base for Ais. She can't have gone far."

Complying with her orders, I nodded and said, "Yes, Miss Riveria. I will search the base thoroughly."

As I wandered through the hallways, I called out to her, employing playful deception. "Ais, come out, come out wherever you are! Riveria wasn't that scary... well, maybe just a little."

Despite my efforts, there was no sign of Ais anywhere in the base. In fact, it seemed surprisingly empty today, with other Loki Familia members either off to the dungeon or attending to their own business.

Several minutes later, I felt a presence in the distance. I turned around and spotted someone sprinting on all fours—it was Ais.

A smile graced my lips as I whispered to myself, "Found you~"

Quietly trailing behind Ais, I watched as she disappeared into a room filled with bookshelves. Peeking through the crack of the door, I saw her hiding in a small gap at the corner, her head buried in her knees.

Feeling a pang of pity for her, I realized she must have been incredibly stressed by Riveria's lecture the day before.

Lost in my thoughts, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around to see a blonde prum standing behind me. It was Captain Finn.

Before Finn could utter a word, I swiftly placed my finger on my lips, signaling him to be quiet, and then pointed towards Ais. Understanding the situation, the prum took a discreet peek.

"I see..." he muttered, comprehending what was going on.

Quietly, Finn approached Ais, attempting to engage her in conversation. Startled, Ais tried to flee, but I blocked her path, preventing her escape. Panic flickered in her eyes as she desperately sought an exit.

Placing my hand gently on Ais's shoulder, I reassured her in a soft voice, "Don't worry, Ais. I won't tell Miss Riveria where you've been hiding."

Though still filled with anxiety, Ais began to calm down slightly. It was then that Finn directed his attention towards me, curiosity evident in his gaze.

"What's going on, Althea?" Finn inquired, his voice laced with concern.

I responded, "Captain Finn, Ais tried to escape from Miss Riveria's lecture. She hates studying and craves action."

"Ais, is what Althea said true?" Finn asked, his voice gentle yet firm.

Ais mustered up her courage and boldly declared, "Yes, I hate studying, and I want to fight!"

Finn seemed to grasp Ais's sentiments and made a decision. "Both of you, come with me," he said, his voice carrying a hint of authority.

Seeing her hesitation, I attempted to persuade her. "Come on, sis. Let's see where Captain Finn is going to take us. It might be something exciting!"

Ais reluctantly gave in and joined us. Together, Finn, Ais, and I walked in a certain direction, leaving me wondering where exactly Finn was leading us.

The anticipation of what awaited us mingled with a hint of trepidation, creating an exhilarating mix of emotions. Little did we know that this unexpected adventure would steer our destinies in new and extraordinary directions.