As Ais came up on the training circle. My enhanced sense picked up some conversation between other members which cleared the question I have about her level since she looked older than she should have been at this time.
" –Is he seriously going to fight Ais-san–"
" – Even if he is a High Human fighting against a level-4 is fool errand–"
So she is Lvl-4 as of now huh. The moment Ais raised the still sheathed Desperate the very air in the training ground seemed to change.. I could feel the weight of her presence—this was a Level 4 adventurer, one of the strongest people in all of Orario, and even holding back, she represented a level of danger I had never faced. It will for sure be a tough fight. But I also want to know to what length my adaptability and growth skill can go.
"Remember." Riveria said her tone tinged with concern. "This is a test, not a death match."
I took my stance, feeling my Adaptation ability working overtime as it tried to process the threat before me. Every instinct screamed that I was facing something far beyond my current capabilities.
And Ais finally made her move.
There was no telegraphing, no wasted motion—one moment she was across the circle, the next her blade was whistling through the air where my head had been. My Enhanced reflexes, sharpened by my previous fights, were the only reason I somehow managed to lean back in time.
Ais didn't pause. Her follow-up came immediately, a thrust aimed at my center that would have ended the fight instantly if it connected. I twisted desperately, feeling the Sheath's point part the fabric of my shirt as it passed by my rib cage.
*Incredible,* Riveria thought. *She's holding back significantly, but he's actually keeping up with her initial strikes.*
Ais blade work was poetry in motion—each strike flowing seamlessly into the next, creating patterns of attack that left me with split-second windows to react. My Adaptation ability was learning frantically, but she was adapting too, adjusting her techniques as she read my responses. I must say even though I had already known that she would be very strong. But knowing it and experiencing first hand are two different things.
*He's not just dodging randomly,* observed Gareth, the dwarf warrior who had appeared among the crowd. *Looking at his positioning—he's actually learning her patterns mid-fight.*
*But it won't be enough.*
A horizontal slash forced me to duck, and I seized the opening to step inside her guard. For a moment, we were close enough that I could see the focused intensity in those golden eyes, could smell the faint scent of wind clung to her.
My hand shot forward in what should have been a finishing move—
.
.
IF I was facing a normal adventurer.
My hand only to find empty air as Ais flowed backward like water, her rapier coming up in a guard position that somehow managed to look both relaxed and absolutely deadly.
"You are fast,"She said, her voice carrying a note of genuine surprise. "And you learn quickly. But—"
She vanished.
My instinct screamed a warning as I threw myself sideways, feeling the displaced air as her sword carved through the space I had occupied a moment before. I rolled, came up in a crouch, and found Ais already repositioning for her next attack.
"Now that's what I call moving!" Loki called out, her earlier playfulness replaced by genuine interest. "But Ais-tan is just getting warmed up!"
The next exchange was brutal in its efficiency. Ais pressed her advantage, her blade work becoming more complex as she tested the limits of my ability to adapt. I found Myself being pushed steadily backward, My defense becoming more desperate with each passing second they crumbled more and more.
A feint high followed by a cut low nearly took my legs out from under me. I leaped back, but Ais was already there, her rapier's point stopping just short of my throat.
For a heartbeat, we were frozen in that position—her sheathed blade at my neck, my eyes locked with hers. In those golden depths, I saw not just the satisfaction of victory, but genuine curiosity.
"You didn't give up," she said softly, lowering her weapon. "Even when you knew you couldn't win, But you kept Learning, kept trying to find an opening."
I straightened slowly, I was very aware of how close I had come to serious injury. " I could not allow myself to give up." That was the truth, it's not that i dont wanted to give up. But as I am now and the future that I know will come to pass. If i had given up now then i wouldn't be able to preserve in those conditions that will be way worse than this. Besides, it was also a good opportunity to know where I stand in my current strength level.
Something flickered in Ais's expression—surprise, perhaps, or recognition. Before she could respond, Loki's voice cut through the moment.
"Well, well, well! That was more entertaining than I expected!" The goddess vaulted into the sparring circle, her narrow eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "Arin-kun, you just went several rounds with a Level 4 and managed to not get skewered. That's impressive for someone without a blessing."
"He was learning her fighting style in real-time," Riveria added, Coming Towards as well. "His adaptation rate is remarkable—almost supernatural."
"That's because it is supernatural," Loki grinned. "High Human racial traits I presume, combined with what I suspect are some very interesting innate abilities. So, Arin-kun, ready to make it official?"
I could only nod, as I was still catching my breath from the intense bout. "I'm ready."
"Excellent! Then let's go to my office." She said as she turned around and walked away, Without even waiting for me.
Okay , Now I have to ask someone for directions since I was brought to this training area so suddenly. I don't remember the way to her office.
Riveria must have noticed my troubled look.
"Everyone, you can go back and do your respective work, and Don't worry Arin. I will show you the way to the Loki office."
"Thank you, Riveria." I expressed my gratitude to Riveria, And all the people that were going back to their usual work,Stopped right at their tracks, staring back at us like they have seen a rare or an unusual sight.
"Don't mention it." Riveria answered and started walking, Ignoring everyone behind her. I also followed behind her. After waving my hand towards Ais as she waved back at me.
_____________________________________
"You said something about getting involved in an accident, Because of which you ended up here, in this world, correct?" Riveria asked suddenly.
"Yeah, I was just enjoying a cool night and the next moment I just found myself in some alley of this city." I answered with half truth.
"So how was it, your old world I mean." she asked, with her usual beautiful regal face, But I was able to notice small changes in her expressions now. It seems like my adaptability helps me not in battle but in other forms as well.
Looks like she was just curious about it. I know that Curiosity is one of her dominant traits, afterall she left her royal life behind because she was far too curious about the outside World. And even after decades of wandering the world her curiosity only got stronger.
And I did not mind indulging her and satisfying her curiosity. She is just too cute, with that expectant look in her eyes.
Though I am pretty sure if the others see her thay won't notice anything out of difference in her looks.
So I just told her a lot about my old World. And as I talked I could practically see her eyes shining. I am pretty sure now even other people will notice it.
Finally before long we were at Loki's Office.
*Knock knock*
"Loki we are coming in."
Riveria knocked on the door and opened it.
When we entered the office, I saw Loki jumping from her chair excitedly.
"Finally you are here! I was starting to think you might have runned away. But seeing Riveria with you it seems like you were busy cozing up with each other." She said in a teasing voice.
"Stop talking nonsense Loki! And Just do your job." Riveria said in a louder voice, Raising her fist, red hue appearing on her white cheeks,
"Hiiiiii!!! Sorry sorry i won't do it again." She said with trembling voice. But I am sure it's not the first time she pissed of Riveria.
"Anyway Arin-kun, you can lie on the bed and remove your shirt. It's necessary to give you the falna. Oh and Riveria do you want to remain here, since you are going to know about his status anyways. Arin-kun you don't mind right? Riveria is one of the executive and the vice-captain of the familia alongside her Finn and Gareth will know of your status as well."
"No, I will wait outside." Riveria said and left the office.
I guess she was still a little embarrassed because of Loki's words.
"Okay, let's get on with the business, it's the first time that I or any other god gives falna to a High Human. It feels like I am opening a surprise present."
"You know I am a living person and not some present?"
"Don't mind the small details. Now I will begin." she said and straddled my back, i can feel her soft butt on my lower back. And yeah I did not react like those embarrassed protagonists in those stories. Afterall i knew how to keep myself composed as I have worked in media production where people usually show some of their skins in ads and movies. If I was this easily flustered then I would not have been able to work for long in those places. Again it's not like Loki was not attractive, she just was not my type. Thought it would be a different story if it was Ryuu, Ais, Riveria or Asfi sitting like that on my back. As I was getting lost in my imagination I felt Loki move slightly, and I was able to see a warm light coming out of her hands. Which stopped after some time.
"Oh my! Oh my! Oh my! I knew it! you really do have some interesting stuff here." she said excitedly like a kid that got a new toy and put a type of paper on my back and a moment later removed the paper and leaned forward, practically lying down on me. And gave me the paper.
"Here you can see your status in this." I took the paper and looked at my status. After all, I was also curious.
[Arin]
Race : High Human
Age: 16
Level: 1
Strength I0
Endurance I0
Dexterity I0
Agility I0
Magic I0
Magic:
Initiate skills:
" Extreme Adaptability "
Rapidly improve the adaptability in whichever field the wielder engages in. Slightly boosts agility and dexterity during sustained fights.
"Extreme Growth"
Make it easier to grasp and understand whichever field the wielder put his effort in.
"Magic"
Making user capable of wielding magic.
"Amoris Pulse"
Allow those closer to the user in emotion to rapidly grow stronger. If the emotions are only from the wielder side the growth will only double for the target of those affection, if the affection is mutual the growth rate will quadruple. The bond can be of any type- familial love, romantic love etc. the effect will vary on the intensity of the emotions. The closer and stronger the bond is, the faster the growth will be.
"Development abilities"
None.