Chapter 66

Chapter 67: Did Someone Do Something They Shouldn’t Have?

Just as Izay had anticipated, Refia barely put up a struggle before being taken down by his magic.

And that was even after he deliberately toned down the magical effect.

But it did fit the stereotype of Magic Arts users being light and easy to knock over, which was within Izay’s expectations.

However, the half-elf’s willpower was exceptionally strong, causing quite the ruckus for about ten minutes.

After getting somewhat accustomed to this state, she managed to stagger downstairs to find Ais and the others.

Throughout the process, Izay followed closely like an overprotective father worried about his child taking her first steps.

Once they reached the ground floor, the two parted ways.

Izay prepared to head out to grab breakfast while Refia went to the rear courtyard of Twilight Manor to look for Ais and the others who were training there.

“Could the strange behavior of Ais and the others be related to that boy Izay?”

On the stone-paved corridor connecting the two towers of Twilight Manor, Loki leaned against the short wall and whispered softly.

Her eyes narrowed into slits, her expression serious.

Despite still having a bit of a headache from last night’s hangover, she was more concerned about why Ais, Tiona, and Tione below couldn’t walk steadily.

“Looks like it. Refia also seems rather off…”

Besides Loki, another elf quietly observed the scene below from the corridor.

Her smooth emerald green long hair and matching eyes gave her a slender figure, exuding enviable graceful curves with translucent white skin.

Having just finished breakfast and coincidentally passing by, Riviria was pulled here by Loki to observe the abnormal condition of Ais and the others.

She herself had a cold exterior but a warm interior, being very concerned about Ais’ situation—otherwise, she wouldn’t always be teased by Loki as “mama-san.”

“Damn Izay… How dare he make our Ais so weak at the knees, and with Tiona, Tione, and Refia, three beautiful girls together! What an envious… no, infuriating act! I won’t let him off today!”

Loki clenched her fists in anger, putting on a look of great indignation.

If one ignored the reason behind her indignation, it might actually be touching.

“Enough with your wild imagination already. They just seem to be undergoing some kind of training, though their conditions are a bit strange…”

Riviria clearly focused on different aspects than Loki.

She looked at the star maps glowing on the wrists of Ais and the other four, sensing continuous magical fluctuations emanating from them, deep in thought.

“Is it the effect of magic?”

On the other hand, Izay first visited his usual spot outside, greeted Ryu, and obtained a breakfast.

He then headed to the Guild Headquarters (Building), exchanged the magic stones from the previous wyvern hunt with the guild staff, and claimed the reward for completing the quest.

There was no need to worry about being suspected or anything.

The magic stones from “Enhanced Species” monsters seemed different from those dropped by regular monsters, and the guild had methods to identify them, so the process of claiming the quest reward went smoothly.

Fortunately, Izay didn’t encounter Eina when he went.

She seemed to have temporarily left her post due to some duties; otherwise, there would undoubtedly be a severe reprimand waiting for him.

After all, as a well-informed guild employee, Eina had definitely learned something about the circumstances surrounding the wyvern hunt from other adventurers over the past couple of days.

The main point, and what many adventurers witnessed firsthand, was that the wyvern was hunted alone by someone.

If Izay showed up with the magic stone to claim the quest reward and ran into this half-elf, the consequences would be unimaginable.

He wouldn’t be able to get away in less than a few hours.

What fun it was to deceive Eina earlier, but now he had to pay for his choices…

Fully aware of this, Izay decided it would be best not to visit the Guild Headquarters too often for the time being.

After receiving the quest reward, Izay stopped by Cadiante Healing Clinic on his way.

He purchased several more bottles of Spiritual Medicine.

As the saying goes, medicine may not be needed, but you can’t do without it.

Subsequently, Izay wandered around the city until just before noon when he returned to Twilight Manor.

Not long after returning to Twilight Manor, Raul, who had successfully麻痹ed himself and woke up after a nap, was ordered to find him.

“Izay, Loki and the captain seem to have something for you. Did you do something you shouldn’t have?”

As he spoke, Raul winked mischievously at him.

Izay blinked and asked in confusion:

“Huh??? Did I do something? Why does it feel like you’re hinting at something? It seems like you’re referring to something.”

“Cough cough… Nothing, if you didn’t do anything, then it’s fine. I’m just delivering a message. Alright, go see the captain. She was looking for you just now～”

Embarrassed, Raul’s attempt to fish for information failed, so he quickly changed the subject.

After finishing speaking, he left in a slightly flustered manner.

“…Why does it feel like my brother has something to hide? Is he thinking about something bad?”

Izay stared at his back for a moment, pondering.

But he didn’t dwell on it for too long, remembering the message delivered by the other party.

“Still, I should go see why the captain and Loki are looking for me. Although I’ve already guessed a little…”

In the reception room of Twilight Manor.

It was nearing noon, and many members had left the manor. However, the main deity of the faction, the three powerhouses, along with the officers, were gathered in the conversation room facing the passage.

The current situation inside the room was a bit unusual.

Two long sofas were occupied by Ais, Tiona, Tione, and Refia lying in disheveled positions. Finn and Gress found spots to sit nearby, while Bert leaned against the wall.

Meanwhile, Riviria and Loki seemed to be giving massages to Ais and the others?

Of course, Loki couldn’t help but grope around during the process.

Under normal circumstances, the four wouldn’t tolerate Loki’s actions.

But now… Due to the immense pressure from their practice, every part of their bodies was sore and weak, leaving them powerless to resist.

“What kind of magic is it that could do this to you guys?”

Seeing their pitiful state, Bert couldn’t help but ask out of curiosity.

Tiona, lying ungracefully on the sofa, rolled her eyes.

“Can’t you see our current state? Ouch… Loki, be gentler!”

“Ah, sorry, sorry, it wasn’t intentional～”

After some questioning, everyone present learned the reason why Ais and the others ended up like this.

Mainly because of Izay…

Or rather, because of Izay’s magic.

After Loki understood the matter, she took Ais and the others to update their ability values again.

Not to mention Refia the half-elf, Level 5 members Ais, Tiona, and Tione all experienced varying degrees of improvement in their five basic abilities after a morning of training.

The range was between 1 to 10, adding up to just a few dozen points.

But, this was only one morning!

“Magic that can accelerate the growth of ability values…”

Finn rested his chin on his hand, his gaze unusually serious.

“There’s no better choice than treating this as a confidential matter within the faction.”

Gress continued.

It was akin to how the neighboring [Isthar Familial Group] had apparently developed some sort of “secret weapon” in recent years and kept it absolutely secret.

Izay’s magic was an absolute “secret weapon” for [Loki Familia].

If other factions found out, it would surely cause a sensation.