Chapter 283

Chapter 286: A Trustworthy Mentor-Student Bond Can Go Awry~ (Please Subscribe!)

A few days later, before dawn broke, Ais called Izay to accompany her to the Gubernue Familia to retrieve her repaired weapon.

As they were leaving the Gubernue Familia, the young girl suddenly felt a heavy weight press down on her head!

It was an overwhelming sensation!

Then she realized…

It was a debt of forty million Valis!

This visit to the Gubernue Familia wasn’t just about retrieving the “Sword of Despair” that had been sent for repair by the Gubernue Deity but also to apologize for breaking the substitute sword.

Since the substitute sword had been temporarily lent to Ais, it was only natural—she had to compensate for breaking it.

And the cost was forty million Valis.

The number “-40 Million” dropped directly onto Ais’s head, leaving the girl dazed and confused.

All she could mutter was how wonderful this situation was.

Now things were clear.

Among the Level 5 adventurers of the Loki Familia, only Izay and Riviria didn’t owe any debts due to weapons; everyone else had at least some… loans?

“The life of a Level 5 adventurer isn’t easy either~”

Realizing this issue, Izay placed his hands behind his head and sighed meaningfully.

“Hmm~!”

Ais rubbed her head, which still throbbed from the monetary blow, and nodded deeply in agreement.

However, soon noticing Izay’s persistent gaze, the girl tilted her head curiously.

“——”

No words were exchanged as the two stared at each other for a long moment. Golden and blue eyes reflected each other’s images, seemingly exchanging some unspoken message.

Ultimately, Ais was the first to break the stare.

Unable to calm her mind during their eye contact, she felt somewhat… awkward.

“Izay… why are you staring at me like that…” The girl asked hesitantly, her gaze wandering.

Izay grinned and explained, “Because you looked like a squirrel just now, so cute! I couldn’t help but look a little longer.”

A squirrel scratching its head, Q-version style.

And with golden fur too~

Hearing this, Ais’s cheeks turned slightly red, and her thoughts became chaotic.

While she might be naturally innocent, Ais certainly wasn’t lacking in emotions. Sometimes, the inner monologues of the young girl were quite rich, just not expressed outwardly.

For some reason, the word “cute” sounded different when said by Loki compared to Izay, evoking two entirely distinct feelings.

Completely calm versus inexplicably bashful.

If one had to describe it, that would be the difference.

Unclear as to what caused such a disparity, Ais, whose heart was filled with shyness, unconsciously quickened her pace.

“I-Izay… let’s hurry back. Breakfast time is almost over…”

“There’s still some time before breakfast~”

“Then let’s go practice in the morning…”

Anyway, she wanted to escape this situation. That’s what the girl thought.

Slightly sensing her unease, Izay’s heart began to ripple.

If anyone could see, they’d notice two floating words on the water surface—”Bad Intentions.”

Someone’s inner thoughts immediately turned mischievous. After all, it wasn’t every day that Ais showed signs of shyness, so this opportunity mustn’t be missed!

With a cunning smile, Izay pursued the girl who tried to flee.

An acidic smell seemed to waft through the air…

“How dare they?! Can Level 5 adventurers recklessly spread PDA without any humanity?!”

“Yeah, yeah! At least as Level 5 adventurers, can’t they consider the impact on public morale?”

On the streets, the sight of the boy and girl walking closely together, with the girl blushing shyly, was enough to drive even dogs mad!

Many adventurers who had intended to enjoy an early breakfast instantly lost their appetite.

As for those who had already eaten and were preparing to head to the dungeon, they regained a sense of fullness.

In the past, when their levels hadn’t caught up yet, if Ais and Izay walked together, influenced by the high popularity of the “Sword Maiden,” there might have been some sour comments about jealousy.

But now…

You two make such a perfect match, far better than us misfits. So please, walk faster and stop showing off your affection here!

—That’s how it was.

Two Level 5s were simply too formidable!

Besides, they were companions from the same Familia, enjoying proximity privileges… Rumors had it that the news of the “Sword Maiden” being taken had already spread among the adventurers’ circles.

Probably because Ais and Izay often appeared together, leading to such conclusions.

……

Unaware of the unrelated adventurers’ thoughts, Ais and Izay naturally paid no attention.

Finally returning to the Twilight Manor, Ais felt a fleeting sense of relief.

Stepping out of the mode of being alone with Izay or returning to a familiar environment, the girl seemed to recover her composure significantly.

Thoughts about whether to temporarily skip morning training resurfaced.

However, the morning training partner wasn’t Izay but Refia.

As for Izay… he was watching the two girls train from a nearby bench.

“Oh? Am I being excluded?”

A teasing voice suddenly echoed beside him. Turning his head, he saw Riviria passing by with a book in hand.

“Teacher… your words hurt…”

“Hmm? Are they wrong? Isn’t that exactly how it looks right now?”

Approaching slowly, Riviria leaned against the backrest of the bench, revealing an expression that seemed to see through everything.

Izay shrugged, “Of course they’re wrong, Teacher. Your student here is the type everyone loves~ How could I be disliked?”

Riviria rolled her eyes irritably.

“Who brags about themselves like that?”

As she spoke, Riviria subconsciously pondered for a moment.

Then, her intention to say more halted abruptly.

Hmm? Come to think of it, it really seems true!?

Not only the companions within the Familia but also the Goddess, tavern staff, healers, guild clerks, and others—whether inside or outside the Familia, Izay seemed to get along well with everyone.

There was even a time when Riviria saw Izay chatting animatedly with a traveler-dressed deity.

What he said… seemed plausible?

Just maybe exaggerated a bit?

Ishtar: RNM What about me? Ignoring me, huh?!

Not noticing Riviria’s brief pause, Izay leaned his head back, getting closer to Riviria’s waist, his tone exasperated.

“Then according to Teacher, is there someone like you who mocks their own student? What about our reliable mentor-student bond?”

Upon hearing this, Riviria lowered her eyelids, holding the book tightly to her chest with one hand while placing the other on Izay’s face nearby, pinching it.

“A mentor-student bond wouldn’t allow you to speak to your teacher like that.”

“…”

With his face being pinched, Izay found himself momentarily speechless.

Or rather, unwilling to talk in this state.

He felt somewhat uncomfortable inside.

Indeed, Riviria’s delicate touch was pleasant, cool and soft, but could she stop pinching his face already?

Let me tell you… continuing like this will definitely corrupt our mentor-student bond!

Riviria: Coincidentally, I agree! (Referring to the手感 – hand feel)