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Trouble at the Front Door The person who had just arrived at the small food stall was none other than Miss Aiz, the very person Kai had previously wanted to network with.
As the star player of the Loki Familia, getting into her good graces would have practically guaranteed his entry into their ranks.
Unfortunately, back when Kai actually needed her, the Sword Princess was nowhere to be found.
“Just got back from the Dungeon.
I was hungry, so I came over.” “Good work out there.
Here, have an extra original-flavor Jagamaru-kun on the house to fill you up.” “Thank you.” Aiz’s reaction was as flat and stoic as ever, but Kai saw through the young woman’s true nature in a single glance.
This girl…
seems a little bit airheaded.
If he had run into her back then, he might have actually been able to bluff his way into her good graces, but there was no need for that anymore.
Kai casually tossed his empty Jagamaru-kun wrapper into a nearby trash bin and prepared to leave.
He planned to head back to the Familia to clean up a bit, then do some physical training.
Even though he definitively couldn’t enter the Dungeon in his current state, he could still manage a jog or something light.
As she waited for her food, Aiz stared unblinkingly at Kai’s retreating back.
Even after he vanished down the street, she didn’t avert her gaze, though her expression remained completely neutral, making it impossible to guess what she was thinking.
“Is something wrong, Miss Aiz?” Lefiya, Aiz’s ultimate fangirl, was naturally shadowing her.
Having closely monitored Aiz’s every move, she instantly followed her line of sight, but found absolutely nothing out of the ordinary.
“That person’s weapon…
it was strange.
It looked as though the steel was naturally formed that way, rather than being forged.
And the text engraved on the blade wasn’t the continent’s common language, nor was it Sacred Text.” “Eh?
Was it a high-level adventurer’s weapon?
But that person didn’t look very strong.
Could he be a second-generation rookie from a major Familia?” “No…
judging by the way the sword was positioned on his back and his walking posture, he hasn’t undergone any formal training.
And if I recall correctly, the direction he headed toward is a ruined district.
There aren’t any major Familias stationed there.” “Wow, Miss Aiz, you’re so observant!” However, Aiz kept one final thought to herself.
For some inexplicable reason, she felt a burning urge to draw her sword and challenge Kai.
Even though he looked incredibly weak, something about him inexplicably stoked her will to fight.
At that moment, Aiz’s Jagamaru-kuns were ready.
As the stall owner handed them over, the straightforward little elf Lefiya immediately started asking questions.
Even though she suffered from severe social anxiety, she could instantly switch to extreme extrovert mode if it meant helping the socially inept Aiz.
“Boss, are you familiar with that customer from earlier?” “You mean Kai, Miss Lefiya?
That kid’s a good guy.
He’s a member of the Hestia Familia now.
He actually used to do part-time work for your Loki Familia, but it seems Lady Loki had no intention of letting him join.” “The Hestia Familia?
Isn’t that the goddess Loki is always complaining about?
But Loki said she was freeloading at the Hephaestus Familia and didn’t have any Familia members of her own.” “Hahaha, it’s a funny coincidence.
Not too long ago, that Kai kid came to me saying no Familia would take him in.
I happened to remember Lady Hestia, so I brought him over to her, and she was more than happy to accept him.” “Boss, do you know where the Hestia Familia is located?” “Miss Aiz, if I remember correctly, they’re currently staying at a church in the ruined district.” “A church.
I’ll remember that.
Thank you.” ….
It was quite a coincidence.
Even though Aiz and Lefiya knew the general location, neither of them had ever been to the ruined district before, resulting in them wandering in circles for quite a while before finally locating the area’s sole church.
While they were wandering, Kai had just finished washing the mattress covers.
Just as he carried a wooden bucket outside to set up a drying rack, Aiz and Lefiya arrived.
Seeing her target, Aiz approached without a shred of hesitation.
The closer she got to Kai, the stronger her urge to draw her sword became.
It felt exactly like the instinctual reaction of encountering a dangerous monster in the Dungeon.
“Will you spar with me?” Kai stared blankly at the Sword Princess, who had shown up on his doorstep demanding a fight out of nowhere.
Are you sure you thought about what you just said?
You, a Lv.5, want to spar with me, a Lv.1?
Are you kidding me?!
Kai obviously recognized this incredibly famous Sword Princess of Orario.
She was a core member of the Loki Familia, one of the strongest factions in the city, possessing immense power and a beauty that even the gods praised.
Kai rapidly racked his brain, trying to figure out if he had somehow offended her.
Why else would she show up at his front door looking for a fight?
“Miss Sword Princess, I’m merely a Lv.1 adventurer.
I don’t think there’s any need for us to spar.
Did I offend you somewhere?” “…” Aiz said nothing, just staring straight at Kai.
It made his scalp tingle.
Am I really not getting out of this beating today?
“Miss Aiz, what are you thinking?!” Seeing the situation escalate, Lefiya hurriedly grabbed Aiz from behind and tried to drag her away.
But obviously, a mage’s physical strength was no match for a warrior’s.
The current scene consisted of Lefiya’s face turning beet red from exertion while Aiz remained completely immovable, her eyes locked intensely onto Kai.
“…Miss Sword Princess, even if you want to hit me, at least give me a reason.” “I just…
feel that you are very strong.
I want to become stronger, so I want to spar with you.” “I’m just a Lv.1.
You’re probably sensing things wrong.” Aiz fell silent again.
Kai was finally able to confirm the impression he had at the Jagamaru-kun stall.
This girl really was a bit airheaded—and incredibly stubborn!
“I understand.
I’ll fight you, but please control your strength.
I still have to go to the Dungeon tomorrow.” “Okay!” Seeing Kai agree, Aiz finally stopped staring unblinkingly at him.
Honestly, being locked in Aiz’s sights had made Kai feel completely uncomfortable.
She truly lived up to her reputation as a First-Tier Adventurer; her sheer oppressive presence was suffocating.
“Can you wait for me to hang up these bedsheets first?
I’ll spar with you once I’m done hanging the laundry.” “Okay.
I’ll help you.” “I’ll help too, Miss Aiz!” With two extra pairs of hands, the bedsheets were quickly strung up on the poles.
Seeing Aiz’s eyes tracking his every single move, Kai could only sigh in defeat.
He returned to the basement, brought up the standard Rhodes Island longsword, and walked with Aiz and Lefiya to a nearby clearing.
“Please go easy on me.” Kai had already accepted his fate.
Right now, he wasn’t the omnipotent Alatreon who could summon storms and command the elements in Terra.
He was just one of thousands of total rookies in Orario.
Facing the illustrious Sword Princess, his only option was to roll over, take his beating, and get it over with.