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Ethan didn't speak as Ais Wallenstein stepped forward, her golden eyes locking with his. There was no hostility in her gaze—only curiosity. She wasn't smiling, nor was she glaring. She simply… observed.
"You're Ethan, right?" she asked softly.
"…Yeah." His tone was calm, but his heart beat faster. He didn't expect her to speak to him first.
"You're the one who fought that special Minotaur. Alone," she added.
Behind them, Hestia and Loki were already nose-to-nose, voices rising like bickering children.
"Why don't you crawl back to whatever hole you came from, you damn twig!"
"Still short and still jealous, huh? I'm not the one clinging to a boy like a parasite!"
"WHAT DID YOU SAY, YOU BOOBLESS TOMATO?!"
"YOU WANNA GO, LUMPY CHIHUAHUA?!"
Ethan winced slightly at the sound but kept his focus on Ais.
"Yeah. That was me," he said. "Wasn't much of a choice. It just happened."
"You were reckless," she said plainly.
"…I know."
"But you lived," she added.
Their eyes met again. There was a flicker of something in her gaze—respect, maybe. Or perhaps just acknowledgment. It wasn't easy to impress Ais Wallenstein, and Ethan wasn't trying to. That was likely what caught her attention.
"You improved," she continued. "Your movements. I watched them."
"You saw?"
Ais nodded slowly. "You were raw. But you adapted. Quick thinking, too."
He scratched the back of his head, a little embarrassed. "I didn't think anyone really noticed."
"I did."
He blinked. Her tone was so even, but her words were sincere. It wasn't flattery. It wasn't mockery.
It was… recognition.
Before he could reply, Hestia shrieked, "STOP CALLING ME LOLI, YOU GENDERLESS DRINKING DEMON!"
Loki cackled, "Aw, come on, it's a nickname of love!"
Ethan sighed and turned back to Ais, who looked… unaffected by the chaos.
"…Is this normal for you?" he asked.
"Yes."
"…I'm so sorry."
She blinked—then the faintest, faintest smile crept onto her lips.
Before either of them could speak further, there was a loud crash from the door.
All heads turned.
A man clad in a black cloak stood there, his aura oozing malice. A Guild seal burned crimson on his shoulder—an enforcer.
He locked eyes with Ethan.
"Ethan, of Hestia Familia. You're coming with me."
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