Expedition(2)

/Disclaimer:I do not own Toaru or Danmachi/

Deep within the forest, the tent settlement buzzed with quiet tension.

Accelerator sat across from three figures, each a legend among Orario's most renowned adventurers. A petite blond boy faced him directly, exuding a calm authority. Behind him stood a green-haired elf, her demeanor serious and refined, and a burly dwarf, solid as a stone fortress.

Finn Deimne, leader of the Loki Familia. Riveria Ljos Alf, Orario's most powerful mage. Gareth Landrock, the unyielding dwarven warrior.

"Well, well, looks like we meet again, Accelerator! A pleasure to see you," Finn said, extending a hand in greeting.

"Likewise," Accelerator replied with a slight nod, unbothered by formalities.

Finn leaned back, his sharp eyes glinting. "Aiz gave me a brief rundown of your situation, but I didn't expect your little group to end up in our camp."

"Caught me by surprise too," Accelerator said casually, his tone relaxed. "Seems the Sword Princess was more worried about those kids than I thought." He closed his eyes, ignoring the subtle glances Aiz had thrown at the rabbit-like boy when he'd hauled all three kids over his shoulder with magic, like sacks of potatoes.

"Sounds like that rookie kid is a friend of Aiz's," Finn mused, stretching his shoulders. "But let's get to the point, shall we?" He leaned forward, his expression sharpening. "I've got a rough idea of what happened, but I want to hear it straight from you. In return, I'll fill you in on our side. Call it an info exchange."

"Fair enough," Accelerator said, launching into his tale with his usual nonchalance. He recounted how he'd been roped into babysitting the brats, how he'd decided to let them handle their expedition without meddling, only for the dungeon's floor to "unexpectedly" collapse. In the end, the kids had made it to the 18th floor, and when they were about to get flattened by a Goliath, he'd stepped in.

"Bit of a harsh approach, eh?" Gareth chuckled, stroking his beard. "But not bad! Letting the kids struggle through the Dungeon's trials builds character, hahaha!"

"Gareth," Riveria cut in, her voice sharp and reprimanding. "This isn't a tavern chat. Mind your tongue."

Accelerator shrugged, unfazed. "I didn't do much." He reached for his thermos, pouring a cup of coffee, its rich aroma wafting through the air. This conversation was going to drag on—might as well enjoy a decent drink. "The kids got through the deep floors on their own steam, first try. I just watched it all go down."

Finn rubbed his hands together, processing the details. "So, you're saying you helped them fend off the Goliath and took it down?"

"Yup," Accelerator replied curtly, tossing a glowing magic stone toward Finn. The blond caught it deftly, inspecting its shimmering surface before tossing it back.

"Alright, our turn," Finn said, launching into their situation. He explained their expedition, how their return journey had gone south after an ambush by venomous worms. Many of Loki Familia's adventurers—save for higher-ranking members like Aiz—had been poisoned. Most couldn't even move.

With their healing supplies nearly depleted from the expedition, they had no way to treat everyone. As a group, they were stuck.

"We sent Bete, our fastest member, to the surface to grab antidotes," Finn continued. "If we're lucky, he'll be back by tomorrow. Until then, we're grounded here."

It seemed Bete had set out for supplies just before the kids reached the 18th floor. They must've missed him, Accelerator figured, since they'd taken the holes instead of the usual routes. After hearing the full story, he cut to the chase with his proposal.

"Sorry for any trouble, but I'd like the kids to stay here and be looked after at your camp. We're not exactly familiar with this place, so having some help would be nice." He was playing the negotiator now, securing benefits for his little group. After all, he was their overseer for now—and it was a chance to sharpen his weaker skills.

Finn nodded, though a flicker of concern crossed his face. "We're short on supplies, especially food. We'll share what we can, but it's not much."

Accelerator silently appreciated their generosity. Despite their own members suffering from poison, Loki Familia was still willing to share their camp and care for his group. He had no complaints. "I'm grateful. In return, if you need it, I can help treat your sick. I know a few recovery spells."

Finn paused, exchanging glances with Riveria and Gareth. "We appreciate the offer, but we'll need to discuss it further. That said, I'd be glad if you'd join our healers to check on the critical cases."

Accelerator gave a slight nod. He understood their caution—a stranger meddling in their Familia's affairs was bound to raise suspicion. He didn't mind being watched. Finn continued, outlining Loki Familia's planned departure and assigning tents for Accelerator's group to rest in, keeping the conversation flowing smoothly.

"Oh, and what about you?" Riveria interjected suddenly, her sharp green eyes locking onto him. "You've only talked about the kids."

"I can handle myself," Accelerator said, adjusting his black coat and gripping the silver cane at his side. He stood, ready to leave. "If that's all, I'll take my leave."

"Wait," Finn called, his tone calm but laced with intent. Accelerator turned, his gaze indifferent. "One last thing. Are you the one who's been teaching magic to Lefiya these past few weeks... Mad Wizard?"

Accelerator met Finn's stare, unsurprised. Rumors spread fast, and the "Mad Wizard" nickname the kids had slapped on him didn't exactly help him blend in. Lefiya tossing the name around didn't help either—if she'd just called him Accelerator, fewer people might've made the connection. No point hiding it now. He smirked.

"That's me."

...

At the tent encampment nestled in the dense forest of the 18th floor, Aiz guided Accelerator through muddy paths, the faint glow of magic stones twinkling on the crystalline treetops above. The earlier meeting with Finn had gone smoothly enough—Finn had merely thanked him for training the kid before bidding him farewell. Everything was fine, except for the green-haired elf glaring at him with barely concealed irritation and the Sword Princess occasionally shooting him odd looks after learning he'd been teaching Lefiya magic. Whatever. Not my problem, Accelerator thought.

Aiz moved swiftly, her golden hair swaying lightly, then paused before a young woman. "This is Line, one of our support members," Aiz said, her voice calm and composed. "She'll guide you from here. I'll leave you two to it." With a slight nod to Accelerator, she turned and vanished into the maze of tents, but not before casting one last peculiar glance his way.

Line Arshe—a girl with long black hair tied in a ponytail, deep brown eyes, and pale skin betraying her exhaustion—offered a polite, strained smile. She wore a light brown support outfit with white trim, adorned with small pouches and straps, her thin-framed glasses slipping slightly down her nose.

"Hello," her voice came out almost a whisper. "I'm Line Arshe. Nice to meet you. Thank you for coming to help..."

Accelerator gave a curt nod, his crimson eyes scanning the area. Scattered across the pale green grass and inside the white canvas tents were adventurers and smiths, some groaning, others unconscious. Many trembled uncontrollably, faint purple marks spreading from their veins—a clear sign of potent venom.

Line lowered her gaze, sighing. "This is the critical ward... Most of them are low-level adventurers, not part of Loki Familia, so they're lower priority. We've run out of healing items. The venom from those deep-floor worms... it eats away from the inside, weakening their organs. Without holy potions, they'll..."

Before she could finish, Accelerator approached a nearby patient—a young male adventurer, body convulsing, eyes wide and vacant. He extended a hand, fingertips brushing the man's forehead. In an instant, finely tuned vectors of energy coursed through the patient's body. With medical knowledge rivaling a modern doctor, Accelerator traced the venom's path through the bloodstream, neutralizing and purging it.

As wisps of purple vapor seeped from the man's body, Accelerator opened an empty vial, deftly manipulating the vectors to siphon the toxic mist inside. The young adventurer's convulsions ceased, his breathing steadied, and his face relaxed.

But... dozens more lay in similar states around them. Saving one at a time was too slow. At this rate, many would die. A cleansing water spell might help, but his elemental magic was only mid-tier, suited for scratches and broken bones, not toxins.

Line watched, eyes wide. "How... how did you do that? Are you a mage?"

Accelerator gave a brief nod. "I know some healing spells."

Her face lit up, nodding eagerly. "That's amazing! We desperately need help. These people were poisoned by deep-floor worms—the venom attacks the body, weakening organs. The other supporters and I are trying with herbs and healing magic, but it's not fast or strong enough. This venom can only be cured by elixirs or Orario's saint. If you can ease their pain, we'd be so grateful!"

Accelerator remained silent, his cold gaze unwavering. I don't want to show too much, he thought, but decided this level was fine. A single Tarot card slipped discreetly from his sleeve, hidden from prying eyes. The cards didn't seem to come from any spatial pouch or armlet but materialized as if from his very being. The III—The Empress, symbol of abundance and physical healing, appeared in his hand. For venom attacking the flesh, this card would suffice.

He raised the card, lips murmuring softly:

"The Empress, nurturer of all. Heal this broken world."

The card dissolved in a shimmer of light. Then—

Accelerator's body shuddered violently.

As if the spell demanded a steep price, his skin tore open—blood spurted from his hands, chest, and shoulders, pooling on the ground in a crimson puddle. Line screamed in horror.

"What's happening to you?!"

But from that very blood, tender saplings sprouted, their vibrant green leaves spreading outward.

Each leaf glowed, vibrating with a wordless melody, blanketing the ward. As they touched each patient, the purple venom vanished under waves of pure energy. Skin regained its color, convulsions stopped—a transformation and healing far surpassing even the combined might of Orario's saintly spells.

When the light faded, Accelerator stood, blood-soaked but unyielding, his crimson eyes as cold as ever. His magic couldn't heal himself.

He frowned, muttering inwardly: The effect was stronger than I expected. Did the card amplify itself? He'd only meant to stabilize the critical cases, not purge the venom entirely.

A sharp pain stabbed through his chest, nearly bringing him to his knees—the spell's backlash, worse than before. Blood surged to his throat, but he gritted his teeth, using vector manipulation to force it back down.

My own magic... and I still don't fully understand it, he cursed silently. Another voice echoed in his mind.

"Master! You know why the card hurts you!" Qliphah's voice rang with worry through their telepathic link.

He paused, then replied calmly, "I'm fine. You know this level of damage is more beneficial than harmful to me."

A noise snapped him back to reality. Line, trembling, rushed toward him, nearly tripping in her panic.

"You're hurt so badly! Why did a healing spell do this to you? Is it a backlash?"

"Can't die from this," Accelerator said, lips curling faintly as if it were no big deal. "My marrow will just make more blood. Hand me some bandages."

"Y-Yes, right away!" Line, with her seasoned healer's instincts, fumbled for a roll of bandages from her medical pouch and handed it over.

Accelerator silently wrapped the wounds on his hands, using his ability to stem the bleeding from his other injuries. He spoke up: "The patients here are better now. They need rest. Check on them."

"Of course!" Line nodded, her eyes still wide with awe and concern. "Thank you... truly. You saved them. But are you sure you're okay? Those wounds..."

"I'm fine," Accelerator cut her off, voice firm. Gripping his silver cane and adjusting his black coat, he turned to leave. "I'm heading out."

"Wait!" Line called after him. "What's your name?"

He paused, glancing over his shoulder, crimson eyes piercing through her. "Accelerator—Mad Wizard." Then he walked off, his tall, lean figure fading into the dim glow of the forest.

...

After leaving the patients' camp, Accelerator treaded silently along the uneven stone path, where faint glimmers from crystal shards hidden beneath pale moss flickered like distant stars. The light filtered through dense foliage, scattering specks of emerald glow that danced in the hazy air, creating a surreal, almost dreamlike scene. The quiet was so profound that each step seemed to carry weight, echoing softly in the stillness.

As he neared the edge of the forest, he paused. His hand tightened slightly around the silver cane at his side.

"...Come out. I know you're there."

The air stirred faintly. From behind a gnarled, ancient tree, a graceful figure emerged. Long emerald hair cascaded like a shimmering stream, swaying gently in the early summer breeze. She wore a green mage's robe adorned with a white cloak, its gold-and-silver embroidery catching the forest's dim light. Her deep green eyes, sharp as an ancient lake, radiated wisdom and an unyielding dignity.

Riveria Ljos Alf. Orario's mightiest mage, the elven princess.

Accelerator glanced at her, his crimson eyes devoid of warmth or hostility—just a chilling emptiness. His voice cut through the air like unrefined steel:

"So... what brings the lofty elven princess here?"

She stepped toward him, her movements light as a breeze over grass. Her tone was measured, carrying the weight of duty.

"The patients... are they alright?"

His brow twitched slightly, his gaze flickering for a moment.

"They'll live. Need a few days' rest, though." He looked away. "At least you'll save a few precious potions for next time."

A brief silence settled between them. Riveria nodded, her usually stern expression softening slightly. Her voice lowered, as if weighing her next words carefully.

"I was watching. That magic you used... it's unlike any system I've ever encountered. And... the price you paid to cast it..."

Her eyes drifted to his right hand, where bloodstained bandages clung to his skin.

The wounds didn't bother him. Physical pain had long ceased to faze him. The deeper cuts had already been sealed through vector manipulation, his circulatory system recalibrated, cellular regeneration accelerated. He was fine. As for her question...

"None of your business," he replied coldly. "And I doubt that's why you tracked me down."

He paused, his piercing gaze cutting through her regal facade.

"Is this about... Lefiya?"

Riveria let out a long breath, as if she'd been waiting for him to ask.

"Yes. During the expedition, she ran into trouble. I don't know the details... only that while chanting a spell, she suddenly froze, bled, and collapsed."

Her words were vague, carefully filtered—clearly bound by Loki Familia's code of secrecy. But Accelerator didn't care about their politics or restrictions.

"This might help you understand," she said, producing a small object from her cloak—a charred amulet—and handed it to him.

He took it, his expression darkening. It was a talisman crafted from the leaves of the Spirit Tree—a gift from Qliphah to Lefiya. Now, it was nothing but a brittle, ashen remnant.

"Burned to a crisp?" he muttered.

"I found it in Lefiya's pocket," Riveria said. "I'm not sure what it is, but I suspected... it's tied to you."

He studied the amulet closely. The energy that once pulsed within it had been incinerated from the core. No physical cracks, no signs of external attack. The leaf was blackened entirely by a force the talisman couldn't withstand.

"Master," Qliphah's voice echoed in his mind, "the amulet wasn't destroyed by a physical blow."

A thought sparked in his mind.

The talisman was designed to shield Lefiya's mind. Yet it had been obliterated entirely—what could have pierced that barrier? And why without a trace?

"Do you know what happened?" Riveria asked, her voice quieter now.

Accelerator shook his head slightly. He traced the scorched energy remnants, searching for any lingering clues. Nothing. No foreign magic, no residual spell effects, no signs of a struggle. Just an eerie void, as if everything at the point of contact had been erased from existence.

Tch... There's a theory, he thought. But it's too dangerous to confirm.

"I can't conclude anything yet," he said, his eyes sharp as steel. "I need to see Lefiya in person."

He paused, glancing at Riveria, a faint softness breaking through his icy gaze.

"Alright. She's currently—"

A piercing scream shattered the somber air:

"Hngggggggggggaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh?!"

Accelerator turned toward the sound, his eyes narrowing slightly. Then, in a dry tone, he remarked, "Sounds like she's doing fine."

Riveria rubbed her forehead, shaking her head. "Yes... Lefiya fully recovered yesterday."

"Tough to look after?" he asked, half-joking, half-serious.

"Not really. She's well-behaved... except when she gets overly excited."

"Which happens, what, a dozen times a day?"

"That's... not inaccurate," Riveria admitted, a faint chuckle escaping her lips.

She extended her hand, mirroring Finn's earlier gesture.

"Riveria Ljos Alf."

"Accelerator."

In those few exchanged words, a quiet understanding seemed to form between them. Riveria tilted her head, her eyes glinting with rare curiosity.

"You know, I'm rather intrigued by you, Mad Wizard. If you don't mind... could we talk a bit more?"

He shrugged, already moving toward the source of the scream.

"If it's on the way to see the kid—sure."

...

Lefiya let out a heavy sigh, struggling to keep her composure as she helped prepare dinner at the main camp. The savory aroma of roasted vegetables and simmering stew wafted through the forest air, but her mood was far from as pleasant. Just moments ago, she'd been scolded by a few members for screaming too loudly in the camp—a breach of discipline, they'd called it. Yet, the mere thought of that white-haired, inhuman figure sent a surge of frustration boiling up her throat.

Around the campfire, several Loki Familia members chattered animatedly, their conversation revolving around none other than the "white-haired intruder" who'd appeared in their midst.

"That white-haired punk!"

"Daring to steal our Aiz!"

"He makes my blood boil!"

"She's never paid attention to any of us like that, not once!"

"He probably doesn't know a damn thing about us!"

"Our beautiful Sword Princess should be watching us from afar, not him!"

The complaints rolled on, filling the camp with a prickly atmosphere. One by one, they aired their grievances with little tact.

Surrounded by the negativity, Lefiya's patience finally snapped, her pent-up irritation sharpening into a single, pointed jab.

"Yeah... all white-haired guys are just the worst."

Her words weren't just idle agreement. They crystallized every ounce of her frustration—the humiliation of Bete's mockery, the resentment of Aiz's doting on Bell, and the grueling, terrifying training sessions under the Mad Wizard.

"Hmm, not a bad line, kid," one of the adventurers chuckled.

"Right?" Lefiya turned to the others, expecting a chorus of agreement.

But nothing came. Not a single response. The air turned frigid, as if the warmth of the 18th floor's forest had been sucked dry in an instant. A faint breeze rustled through, and Lefiya felt a piercing gaze boring into her back.

Slowly, she turned. Standing there was a tall, lean man with snow-white hair, accompanied by none other than Riveria—the revered elven mage every elf looked up to. And worse, those crimson eyes... they belonged to Accelerator.

"Hiyahhh!"

A startled shriek tore from her throat as she flung the basket of provisions skyward. Vegetables and dried meat scattered, but in an instant, a strange gust swirled around her, gently guiding the basket and its contents back into place, as if they'd never fallen.

Her eyes darted to the culprit. White hair, red eyes—similar to that boy in the tent, but the aura radiating from this man was unmistakably different. She nearly screamed again but caught herself, remembering her agreement with her mentor. Clearing her throat, she steadied herself and faced the white-haired figure.

"Who... who are you? Why are you in our camp?"

Terrible acting.

Awful pretense.

So clumsy it's obvious they know each other.

The surrounding adventurers quickly pieced it together, especially noting Lefiya's over-the-top reaction. Besides, a man escorted into camp by Lady Riveria couldn't possibly be some shady unknown.

"Did you tell Lefiya to act like that every time she sees you?" one of them teased.

"Nope. She does it on her own," Accelerator replied dryly.

Lefiya stood there, feeling like an utter fool as the exchange unfolded. What?! Riveria, the future queen of the elven royal family, is chatting with my teacher, the Mad Wizard, about ME?! She wanted nothing more than to vanish from existence, but first, she had a burning question.

"You... you two know each other?"

Riveria and Accelerator exchanged a glance, then shrugged in unison.

"Nope."

"Just met recently."

"But..." Lefiya stammered, pointing at Accelerator. "Then what about... what about..."

Before she could press further, Aki stepped forward, placing a hand on her shoulder and speaking for the group.

"Lady Riveria, could you introduce us to the person you brought here?"

"Oh, my apologies," Riveria said with a faint smile. "This is Accelerator. He's overseeing the expedition for the kids we're sheltering. He's also the mage secretly teaching Lefiya magic."

"Whoa!" A wave of gasps rippled through the camp, with several eyes turning to Lefiya, who shrank under the attention, her cheeks burning.

Riveria continued, "He's here today to request our help for his group. In return, he's assisting with our injured."

"Is that... okay?" someone asked.

"Rest assured, I vouch for him," Riveria replied firmly.

"But... the patient ward isn't here," another pointed out.

"Oh, but there's one patient right here," Riveria said with a sly wink.

Accelerator stepped closer to Lefiya. She flinched instinctively.

"W-What's going on?!"

Without a word, he grasped her cheeks, pulling her panicked face close to his.

"Wait! What are you doing?!" Lefiya flailed, but his grip held firm, his crimson eyes boring into hers.

"Hold still. Look into my eyes."

She froze, words catching in her throat. Under Qliphah's watchful presence nearby, Lefiya complied silently. A long moment passed. Then Accelerator released her, frowning.

"What did you just do?!" she yelped, leaping back and clutching herself protectively. It felt like her very soul had been rummaged through—not pleasant in the slightest.

But Accelerator ignored her, turning to Riveria. "She's fine now. No need to worry."

"Do you know what caused her collapse?" Riveria asked.

"Just overexertion," he said curtly. Riveria nodded, understanding not to press further.

"I'll head to the other patients now. Any issues?" Accelerator asked.

"None at all," Riveria replied.

With that, he turned and left, leaving Lefiya dazed and confused. But the chill down her spine returned as the camp's eyes locked onto her, glinting with curiosity and intrigue. Feeling the weight of their stares, she scrambled for an escape.

"Uh... I'll just leave the food basket here, okay? Everyone..."

Lefiya forced a shaky smile, backing away as she stammered, "I-I've got nurse duties to attend to, gotta go!"

Without waiting for a response, she spun on her heels and bolted from the camp, the sound of muffled chuckles trailing behind her.

...

Beneath the crystalline canopy of the 18th floor, the soft glow of magic stones bathed the medical tents in a gentle light, reminiscent of a winter's dusk.

"Hmph..." A faint breeze carried the scent of herbs and the warm steam rising from simmering potion pots.

Accelerator moved slowly along the row of tents, his crimson eyes scanning the faces resting beneath canvas covers. Some slept deeply, their breathing steady, their skin no longer marred by purple venom stains. Others, though still weak, propped themselves against tree trunks, able to open their eyes, sip water, and exchange quiet words.

The Empress's magic had healed nearly all their wounds. But Accelerator knew better—magic was never absolute. It could patch up a body, but it couldn't replace natural recovery. These patients still needed monitoring for lingering toxins or secondary reactions.

Light footsteps approached from behind.

Lefiya had returned, clutching a small basket brimming with salves and vials of enchanted water. Her face was still flushed, though her eyes had regained some calm. Just minutes ago, she'd screamed at him, demanding to know what he was doing here—despite him already explaining. Still, this encounter was pure coincidence. Who'd have thought someone with his personality would end up babysitting a bunch of kids?

"What do you need me to do first?" she asked.

Accelerator didn't turn. "Check the patients on the left side of the camp. Anyone still showing symptoms—muscle tremors, vomiting, dizziness—report back to me."

She nodded. "Got it."

They split up to work. Lefiya moved from patient to patient, inspecting for signs of lingering damage. From what she could tell, most seemed stable, though she wasn't exactly an expert in the field.

Meanwhile, Accelerator placed a hand on each patient's chest, closing his eyes to sense the flow of blood beneath their skin. His vectors, like delicate threads, probed every cell, tracing the stability of veins and organ tissue. With his modern medical knowledge and unique ability, he was a doctor who needed no tools.

"Most of them are fine now, Sensei," Lefiya reported softly.

Accelerator gave a slight nod. Once they finished, the two stood at the camp's edge, gazing back at the scene.

Patients who had once groaned and writhed now rested peacefully under the tent's soft lamplight. A few had begun talking again, and here and there, faint laughter drifted from those strong enough to jest. The breeze rustled through the leaves, carrying the warm scent of salves and herbs.

"Hm." Accelerator settled against a large tree, his hands lightly gripping his silver cane, his eyes fixed on the tents. Though he didn't say it, a small part of him—barely noticeable—felt a quiet relief.

Lefiya hesitated, then sat nearby. She glanced at him, her eyes wavering with uncertainty before she spoke, trying to sound casual.

"Um... Sensei. Are you joining us for dinner tonight?"

"No." His reply was swift, sharp, and cold as ice.

But Lefiya wasn't one to give up easily. A week of training under him had taught her one thing: the less he reacted, the more persistent she had to be.

"Come on, Sensei~" she said, tilting her head with deliberate charm.

"No means no."

...

"Cheers!"

The circle of adventurers gathered around the mound, resembling a grand campfire, where magic stones cast a faint, ethereal glow as they raised their cups in a toast. And so, the modest feast began.

They sat in the wide clearing at the heart of the base camp. "Night" had fallen over the Dungeon; the magic crystals studding the towering ceiling above the sheltering canopy remained still and silent. Except... tonight, they had a few new visitors.

Dinner was much like the previous night's, with one key difference: this time, Aiz had brought Bell and his new companions—a young blacksmith and a short-haired girl who'd recovered enough to walk.

Laughter and chatter filled the air, mingling with the aroma of steaming soup, creating a rare sense of warmth in the perilous depths. Loki Familia, alongside the small group from Hephaistos Familia, known for their forging expertise, savored their meal and drinks under the lazy flutter of the Trickster's flag.

The meal was simple: a handful of rice seasoned with the last pinches of salt and a tangy fruit stew—all devoured before being washed down with cool, pristine river water chilled by ice magic. Bit by bit, the food seeped into their weary, expedition-worn bodies.

Crafting such a meal from their dwindling supplies was no small feat. But the smiles blooming across the faces around the circle proved it was worth every effort.

...All except one.

A lone elf girl sat quietly at the circle's edge. Lefiya hadn't touched her soup or fruit. In her hand was only a cup of fermented fruit juice, her gaze fixed on a group not far off—where Bell Cranel and his companions were laughing and chatting.

It wasn't jealousy. But seeing Tiona, Tione, and even those closest to her now gathered around Bell, a faint pang of unease gnawed at her chest.

"If you want to join them, just go."

A lazy male voice broke her thoughts. Accelerator sat beside her, sipping coffee while petting Qliphah, the black cat who swished her tail contentedly after finishing her share. He'd been dragged here by Lefiya. How pathetic...

"No... that's not it. I don't want to join them."

Lefiya's voice was soft, like the night breeze blending into the camp's warm atmosphere, her eyes still glued to the group in the distance.

"That place," she murmured, was where the firelight illuminated familiar faces: Tiona, Tione, even Aiz... all laughing alongside Bell Cranel—or Cranell, or whatever his name was—the boy who'd somehow become the natural center of attention for the girls.

She wasn't jealous... or so she told herself.

Quickly downing her cup of light wine, she held it out to the Mad Wizard for a refill. He shook his head but grabbed the bottle of what the high-class adventurers called "Dungeon's Finest Fruit Wine" and poured her another.

He sighed at the situation. He knew she was prone to self-doubt, but not to this extent. Perhaps it was that very insecurity that led her to seek his mentorship, setting this whole mess in motion. Fate, huh? What a joke.

Then, with her cheeks now flushed, Lefiya turned to him and blurted, "Do... do you find it impressive?"

"Huh? What?"

"That kid... he took down a Minotaur at Level 1."

Her voice carried a quiet, simmering frustration as she overheard the others excitedly recount Bell's feat—slaying a Minotaur at Level 1. Meanwhile, she... she'd only managed the same at Level 3. She knew it was like comparing apples to oranges. Mages were different from adventurers. Rearguard fighters weren't frontline warriors.

But still, she couldn't stop herself—not when she and Bell Cranel were both students of Aiz.

Then, from across the camp, more chatter about "S-rank stats" soured her mood further.

"And... all his stats are S-rank, you know. What do you think?"

Accelerator studied her flushed face, noting how tightly she clutched her cup of fermented juice. She's starting to get drunk. Terrible tolerance, yet she keeps drinking.

"Dunno. Didn't see the fight," he replied, his tone as indifferent as if discussing the weather. He took a sip of coffee, his eyes drifting to the fire. "But I'd guess the kid's got his own strengths. No need to compare yourself to others."

Truth be told, he was impressed by Bell Cranel, but only mildly. He didn't care much about the boy.

His gaze shifted to Lefiya beside him—someone whose fate he, an outsider, had inadvertently altered. Staying near that chaotic mess wasn't something anyone should do, yet he found himself worrying about her more than he'd like.

A rare softness crept into his voice, catching Lefiya off guard.

"He... he..." Her flushed cheeks stretched into a wide, goofy grin. "So... you'll be my teacher only, right?"

The words slipped out, likely spurred by the wine muddling her thoughts. He paused, then gave a slight nod.

"Yeah. From the start, it's always been that way."

Lefiya's smile lit up, her face glowing like tiny stars swirling around her.

"...Because taking on another student like you would be a pain in the ass."

Accelerator smirked after the jab, but a nagging feeling prickled at him—someone was watching from across the camp. Golden eyes locked onto them, sipping wine slowly.

Lefiya's face fell, her cheeks puffing out in a pout as she swatted at him with both hands. He barely reacted—she was drunk, after all. Qliphah, the little black cat, stretched lazily, indifferent to the human drama. But the intense gaze fixed on them grew sharper.

Trouble's coming, Accelerator thought.

"Mad Wizard."

A new voice cut through from across the camp.

In an instant, the air in the camp seemed to tighten under an invisible pressure.

Aiz Wallenstein stood there, her golden hair gleaming under the magic stone's light, her eyes locked onto Accelerator.

The laughter and chatter stopped dead. Every gaze turned to her, drawn by the gravity of something about to unfold. "I... want to challenge you."

"...Huh?"

Accelerator looked up from his coffee, his face betraying unfiltered annoyance.

"For what now?"

"To claim the right to be Lefiya's mentor."

Silence. Absolute silence.

A few chopsticks clattered to the ground. Tiona and Tione's faces froze. Bell nearly choked, utterly lost. The Hephaistos Familia members stopped chewing, eyes wide. Everyone waited to see what would happen next.

"I teach magic. My lessons don't overlap with what you teach Lefiya," Accelerator said, shrugging as if to dismiss the topic. To him, the girl before him was nothing but a walking hassle. He had no interest in fighting over something so trivial.

"But Lefiya... is important," Aiz said, her voice quieter but resolute.

"She's right here. You can talk to her yourself." He glanced at Lefiya, who was drunkenly chugging wine straight from the bottle.

"Sigh... Tomorrow morning, you can talk." He snatched the bottle from her hands and pushed her away from it. Lefiya reached for it, whining, "Ugh... gimme it back..."

"And besides," Aiz continued, "I want a chance to fight you."

He met her gaze, unflinching, and saw no trace of hesitation in her eyes.

"...Damn it, what a pain," he muttered, setting the bottle aside.

Lefiya, still half-dazed from the wine, looked back and forth between them with a comical, confused expression, oblivious to how she'd become the prize in this brewing conflict.

"Fine." Accelerator stood, brushing off his cloak and turning to leave. "Tomorrow morning. One match."

The camp erupted in shocked murmurs. As the chatter exploded, Lefiya, face red as a tomato, buried it in her hands, mumbling, "This is a dream... right...?"

No one answered. But a new voice, dripping with obnoxious cheer, cut through the din.

"Oh, sounds like I missed quite the event, didn't I?"

The voice belonged to a certain god—one irritating enough to make even a wanderer like Accelerator want to throttle him. "Sorry to interrupt. Mind if I join the fun?"

...

The faint rustle of leaves accompanied the Tarot card as it slid smoothly across the back of Accelerator's hand, dancing deftly between his fingers. Perched atop a tree, he toyed with the card while gazing at the surreal landscape of the 18th floor. Then, with a flick, he turned it over to inspect it.

This was the "future" Tarot card Lefiya had divined for him. He'd kept it unread for a while, knowing full well what it would show. After wielding this magic for some time, he'd already foreseen his own fate.

"Tch... just as I thought." The card was utterly blank. No image, no symbol—just an empty void, like a black sun looming at the end of every path he walked. And perhaps... Lefiya was entangled in it too.

The thought of her being caught up in this mess irritated him. He stared at the card, then snapped his fingers. Its surface shimmered, slowly revealing its original form—Judgement. But that no longer mattered. The meaning of "future" had vanished.

"Hm..."

Someone was approaching. Instantly, he halted, the card vanishing into his sleeve with a practiced sleight of hand.

"So, you're up here."

A polite voice interrupted his solitude, gentle yet carrying an undeniable air of authority. The precise enunciation and subtle cadence painted the image of a refined smile behind each syllable. The figure lightly touched the brim of his feathered hat, bowing with graceful courtesy.

Accelerator didn't turn, offering only a curt, emotionless response:

"What do you want, Hermes?"

"Oh, come now, Accelerator, don't be so cold. Our relationship isn't that bad, is it?"

Ignoring the playful tone, Accelerator cut to the chase.

"You know I'm here watching the kids. Yet you dragged yourself and another goddess down here... So, what's your game, Hermes?"

Hermes paused for a fleeting moment, then flashed a grin, as if the question itself was what he'd been waiting for. His orange eyes gleamed with a sharpness that belied his usual laid-back demeanor, locking onto Accelerator with unmasked excitement.

"Well... just some minor business here and there," Hermes said, stepping forward with a rhythm that felt like a dance to an unheard melody. "But to sum it up, I'm here to witness the birth of a new era."

He gazed into the distance, where rare magic stone glimmers twinkled like fallen stars in the night, where life and death pulsed in the Dungeon's rhythm. His voice grew quieter but no less clear:

"So... I'd appreciate it if you didn't interfere with my plans while I'm here. In exchange—"

Accelerator cut him off, his tone as icy as ever.

"My job is to supervise and report. As long as you don't do anything dangerous, I won't get involved."

Hermes' smile widened, clearly pleased.

"Oh, thank you kindly for that. You know, I heard—somewhere up on the surface—there's another entrance to this great Dungeon, beyond the Babel gate... Sound familiar?"

Accelerator didn't respond. He knew Hermes was baiting him to dig deeper. The god, unfazed by the silence, was used to one-sided conversations.

"And I hear you're dueling the Sword Princess tomorrow? Think I'll see something interesting from that?"

More silence.

Hermes sighed, scratching his head with exaggerated awkwardness.

"Hm, guess that's not too important to you, huh..."

He turned as if to leave but paused mid-step.

"By the way... I heard you're searching for something unbreakable." It wasn't surprising that the god of travel could gather intel from across the city, especially since Accelerator had deliberately left a few breadcrumbs. "An indestructible item surpassing anything in genkai. So, what if I told you I know of a place holding divine materials from tenkai?"

Silence. A cold breeze whispered through the trees.

This time, Accelerator turned, his crimson eyes slicing into Hermes like a blade.

"...Speak."

...

The "night" on the 18th floor had ended. The faint glow from magic stones embedded high in the crystalline canopy bathed the Dungeon in a soft, gentle hue, painting a warm "morning" in this sunless world.

Though no true sun rose, the most serene floor of the labyrinth stirred with an unprecedented liveliness. Ever since Hestia's group joined Loki Familia's camp the previous night, the place had grown exponentially more crowded and chaotic. But the real commotion came this morning—when rumors of a duel between the Sword Princess and a mysterious mage, said to be Lefiya's mentor, spread through the camp like wildfire.

"Step right up! Place your bets, place your bets! Just one gold coin or ten magic stones for a chance to strike it rich!" Hermes' voice rang out with infectious excitement, jolting the drowsy crowd awake. "Who will emerge victorious in this clash? Aiz Wallenstein, Orario's Level 6 Sword Princess, or the enigmatic figure with the peculiar name—Accelerator, the Mad Wizard?"

Before the god stood a makeshift betting table cobbled together from logs, draped in a silver-blue cloth. Two handwritten signs adorned it: Aiz Wallenstein – Sword Princess and Accelerator – Mad Wizard. The crowd buzzed, their eyes gleaming with curiosity.

"But how are we supposed to watch the fight? Gods can't use their powers in the Dungeon, right?" a skeptical adventurer called out, eyeing Hermes warily.

"Hahaha, no need to worry!" Hermes laughed heartily, activating a rectangular device on the ground. Instantly, dozens of small winged orbs shot into the air, scattering across the sky. With another press of a button, vibrant 3D holographic screens materialized, woven from intricate beams of light.

"This is Asfi's latest invention!" Hermes proclaimed proudly, drawing admiring glances toward her. "It lets everyone watch the duel live, right here. But to see it, you've gotta place a bet first! One gold coin for a front-row view of Aiz in action—what a steal, right?"

The crowd erupted in excitement, shoving and jostling to place their bets. A single gold coin was nothing compared to the chance to witness the Sword Princess fight—even if they lost, it'd be worth it! And how could Aiz possibly lose?

Nearby, Asfi stood with arms crossed, sighing in exasperation at the chaos. She muttered under her breath, "My invention? As if I made that!" Though annoyed, she didn't bother arguing—there were bigger concerns.

"Lord Hermes, the odds are heavily skewed toward Aiz. No one's betting on the Mad Wizard! If Aiz wins, we'll lose a fortune!" Asfi said, her voice tinged with worry.

Hermes turned, flashing a cryptic smile. "Oh, Asfi, you know as well as I do—that won't happen."

"Ha..." Asfi could only silently pray for her friend Aiz's safety in this duel.

"Hey, Asfi, enough with the sighing!" Hermes suddenly chimed in, shoving a stack of flyers into her hands. "Take these to Rivira. With that betting-crazed crowd, we'll rake in a fortune!"

Asfi took the flyers, letting out another weary sigh before trudging off, her heart heavy with unease.

...

The Loki Familia camp was abuzz with excitement. Rumors spread like wildfire, and every warrior, supporter, and member—new or veteran—crowded together to catch a glimpse. Whispers filled the air: Who's this guy fighting Aiz? Has anyone heard of him before? What's his level?

"It's so lively around here," remarked Bell, standing with Welf and Lily, Hestia's small crew, as they absorbed the news of the duel.

"Yeah, it's easily the biggest surprise from last night," Welf added. "By the way, where's the Takemikazuchi Familia?"

"Oh, they headed to Rivira to do some sightseeing and pick up supplies if needed," Lily replied. The trio glanced at the animated Loki Familia members, all converging in one direction.

"Who'd have thought our expedition guide would end up fighting the Sword Princess?" Bell mused. They wandered through the bustling camp, drawn by the infectious energy radiating from every corner, gravitating toward the clamor of betting in the distance.

"Step right up, everyone!"

It seemed Hermes was personally running a betting game, beckoning the crowd with enthusiasm. His eyes swept the area, landing on Bell's group. Seizing the opportunity, Hermes approached with a sly grin.

"Well, well, Bell Cranel! Didn't expect to see you here!"

"Uh, I'm just..." Bell began, but Hermes cut him off.

"Since you're here, why not place a bet?"

"Er..." Bell faltered, caught off guard by the god's relentless energy.

Welf quickly stepped in front of Hermes, shielding Bell, while Lily shook her head.

"We... don't have any money," she muttered.

"No worries, no worries!" Hermes waved dismissively. "Just one magic stone, Bell! Think of it as a little fun, a chance to pick a side. No big deal!"

"No problem at all!" he repeated, his tone coaxing. "One magic stone, Bell. It's simple! I just want to see who you'll root for. Think of it as cheering for your favorite!"

Bell swallowed hard, glancing at his friends. Lily sighed.

"It's just one stone. Might as well have some fun."

"Pick whoever you want, Bell," Welf encouraged.

Spurred by his friends, Bell studied the betting board with the two names, hesitating. Finally, he made his choice.

...

"Huh?!"

That was Lefiya's state of mind at this very moment.

After sobering up, she found herself bombarded with questions from everyone around her. Who's this Mad Wizard guy? What are his abilities? What Familia is he from? Overwhelmed, she could only blurt out, "Wait, what's actually going on?!"

"Don't you know? Your teacher agreed to a duel with our Aiz last night!"

"What?!"

The Mad Wizard accepted a challenge from Aiz? How could something so impossible actually happen? And why were they fighting?

Confusion swirled in her mind, but she firmly refused to spill any details about him. Seeing her resolve, the Loki Familia members stopped pressing and gradually dispersed.

"Phew..." Lefiya sighed in relief. Though she was eager to find out what was happening, as a mid-tier member, she had duties to attend to.

Her role involved handling menial tasks around the camp, fitting her lower rank in the hierarchy. She'd prepared heaps of food yesterday, so today's workload was noticeably lighter. Still, that didn't mean she could slack off. This morning, she was assigned a three-hour nursing shift to care for the injured.

As she passed through the bustling camp, she caught sight of a petite figure with... an unmistakably exaggerated chest—a sight that shouldn't have been here.

"Huh? Goddess Hestia?"

Hearing her name, the goddess turned.

"Lefiya? You're here too?"

"Yes, I'm with Loki Familia. But... why are you here? I thought gods weren't allowed in the Dungeon. And... you seem a bit different."

"Oh, I was so worried about my kids that I sneaked down here. Besides, I've hidden my divine aura, so the Dungeon can't detect me."

Divine aura—the telltale sign that marked a god to the mortals of Gekai.

Hestia's kids... Lefiya's mind raced, piecing together last night's events. She reached a conclusion: "You mean Bell Cranel's group."

"Oh, you know them?"

Of course she did. That brazen, cheeky boy who somehow got Aiz to escort him everywhere and even train with him. She wanted to thwart his wicked schemes.

Huff, huff... Calm down, Lefiya. Calm down. The adorable Goddess Hestia was standing right here. She couldn't let her ugly, jealous side show.

"Yes, I saw them at the feast last night. What are you doing now, Goddess?"

She deftly changed the subject, her tone carefully composed to hide her inner turmoil.

"Everyone woke up early and left, so I'm looking for Bell. What about you?"

"Oh, I was about to start my camp duties."

"Hey, Lefiya," Aki called as she passed by. "Line says you can take a break today—no need for nursing duties. You've been working hard these past few days."

"But..."

"Your teacher already checked on the patients. They're all fine. The rest of us in the Familia will handle things." With that, Aki hurried off with a basket of laundry.

"Your teacher's pretty amazing, huh?" Hestia remarked.

Lefiya paused, then smiled softly. "Yeah."

She silently thanked her teacher before turning to the goddess. "So, how about a walk around the camp, Goddess Hestia?"

"Sounds good!"

The two strolled off, chatting about old adventures, Hestia's antics after finding a market stall, and even Wander's personality, whom Lefiya had met before. From a distance, lively calls caught their attention.

"Sounds like Hermes is running a betting game," Hestia noted. They saw a crowd flocking to the betting table, some even from Rivira. Exchanging a glance, they shared a silent agreement and headed toward the commotion.

Hermes spotted them immediately, rushing over. "Well, well, Hestia! And this is...?"

"I'm Lefiya Viridis, mage of Loki Familia," Lefiya introduced herself.

Hermes' eyes lit up. "Lefiya? The Mad Wizard's student?"

"Yes," she nodded.

"Didn't expect you two to know each other!" Hermes exclaimed, pointing to the betting table. "So, care to place a bet?"

"Sorry, I'm looking for Bell. Have you seen him?" Hestia asked.

"Oh, he went that way."

"Alright, see you!" Hestia waved goodbye to Lefiya and hurried off, leaving her alone. Hermes turned to Lefiya with a mischievous grin.

"Oh, I've got some things to do..." Lefiya tried to slip away, but Hermes grabbed her arm.

"Hey, let go! I don't have any money!"

"No worries!" Hermes pressed a gold coin into her hand. "This one's on me. Honestly, I just want to see who a fine lady like you will pick. You know, a certain boy who joined the betting earlier disappointed me with his choice. So I'm curious—what'll you choose?"

A free bet? Why not? Win, and she'd make money; lose, and it cost her nothing. She eyed the betting table, quietly weighing the strengths of both fighters. Her teacher's mysterious, terrifying power—teleportation and unpredictable magic. But Aiz, with her godlike speed, was just as formidable. In a direct fight, a swordsman always had the edge over a mage who needed time to prepare. Plus, Aiz had once soloed Udaeus!

Wait, why am I thinking like this? Both were important to her—she shouldn't be choosing sides.

Hermes watched her for a moment before speaking. "Still undecided? See those two betting boxes? No need to tell me—just drop the gold coin in one of them."

Lefiya glanced at the boxes, then at the coin in her hand. She still couldn't decide. Or maybe I don't choose either? But if she did that, the god before her wouldn't let her off easily.

Fine, let fate decide. Both were dear to her, so she'd leave it to chance.

Closing her eyes, she held the coin up, murmuring, "Let fate guide me, let fate guide me." Then she flicked it. The coin arced slowly through the air, as if time itself paused under the crowd's watchful eyes. Some held their breath, waiting to see where it would land. It spun, clinked, and rolled in midair before gently settling into Accelerator – Mad Wizard's box.

Hermes burst into laughter. "Fantastic! We've got the only bet on the mysterious wizard! This is gonna be interesting!"

Lefiya's face flushed as she bowed her head. Eyes turned to her—surprised, amused, curious. Then Hermes said something cryptic:

"Let's see if the hero's luck can defy this inevitable fate."

...

A clearing had been carved out in the northern part of the forest, far from Loki Familia's camp and the bustling town of Rivira.

The crystals embedded in the ceiling cast a gentle glow, mimicking the soft light of a surface morning. The canopy above swayed lightly, scattering faint beams onto the damp, yielding earth below.

"What do you think of this duel, Finn?" Gareth asked, standing beside the Loki Familia leader, surrounded by curious members eager to gauge the mysterious mage's strength.

"You mean who'll win, don't you, Gareth?" Finn replied. "Honestly, I'm not sure. But this fight might give us a clearer picture of both their strengths."

...

Aiz Wallenstein's golden hair fluttered lightly in the breeze as she stepped into the center of the clearing. She stood calmly, awaiting her opponent. After a moment, the figure she'd been expecting finally appeared.

"Sorry, had to check on something before coming," Accelerator said, gripping his silver cane as he approached the clearing. He wore simple black attire, layered with a thick coat.

"I still think this duel is pointless, but you clearly don't realize how much of a hassle you're being."

Aiz's petite frame seemed to shrink slightly with guilt, and she felt a pang of remorse.

"I'm sorry... but I still want to fight you."

He raised an eyebrow, a flicker of surprise crossing his eyes before vanishing just as quickly.

A soft sigh escaped him, and he waved a hand as if conceding.

"Doesn't matter anymore," he said, his tone lighter. "But this is a duel, so I expect you to take it seriously."

From the sidelines, Riveria stepped forward, positioning herself between the two. Aiz drew her sword, letting the scabbard fall to the ground. Accelerator's grip on his silver cane tightened ever so slightly.

With her usual stern demeanor, Riveria glanced at both combatants—her gaze lingering on Aiz for a moment longer—before declaring in a clear voice:

"...Begin."

...

The moment the signal rang out—

Aiz vanished from the sight of most low-level adventurers. A horizontal slash tore through the air like lightning, but it struck only empty space. Accelerator tilted his body, stepping back just enough for the blade to graze the edge of his coat.

She didn't stop there. Using her momentum, Aiz unleashed an upward slash. But this time, he sidestepped to the right—a short, eerily precise movement—and the blade missed him again, leaving no mark.

Those two strikes were merely a prelude. Then, the Sword Princess's speed surged, no longer restrained.

A barrage of slashes rained down like a storm, each cut so sharp it seemed capable of slicing through the very air itself, as if to shatter everything in its path.

Accelerator retreated a step. With a subtle flick of his silver cane, he parried the slashes he couldn't dodge, using the cane's shaft to redirect the blade's trajectory, guiding Aiz's attacks off course. This fighting style... he learned it from Lefiya.

Dodging and weaving across the clearing, he wielded the cane like a sword—parrying, redirecting, deflecting, blocking—all with fluid precision.

Then, abruptly—

Boom!

He slammed the cane into the ground and flicked it upward.

A storm of dust erupted, shrouding the onlookers' and his opponent's vision in a thick haze. Aiz reacted instantly, slashing downward to unleash a shockwave that tore through the dust like a curtain ripped apart.

But... Accelerator was no longer where he stood. Instinct screamed at her. She spun—thrusting her sword backward.

Clang!

A sharp, dry sound echoed.

Her thrust... was intercepted by her own scabbard. Accelerator had perfectly guided her blade back into its sheath. In that split second, his entire body surged with accelerated motion, like a coiled spring unleashed.

Boom!

He stomped on the sword's hilt, wrenching it from her grasp—

And in one seamless motion, he spun, delivering a horizontal kick. Aiz raised her forearm to block, but the force sent her flying backward, crashing through a tree and landing in a soft thicket.

"...Ugh."

Aiz rose almost instantly, breathing heavily, her eyes locked on her opponent. Before her, the Mad Wizard lazily juggled her sword with a bored expression.

"Looks like you're still holding back, Sword Princess," he said, tossing the blade back to her.

"Get serious about this fight."

Aiz caught the sword, drawing it once more. Without a word, her gaze shifted—now sharper, more focused than before.

Accelerator watched silently, a faint smirk curling one corner of his mouth. No better chance to hone my swordsmanship... especially against the famed Sword Princess standing right here. He slowly unlatched the mechanism at the cane's handle. Click. A sleek silver blade slid out from the cane's shaft.

Now, both stood face-to-face, swords in hand, poised for the next act of their duel.

...

The earlier display—disarming the Sword Princess in a flash—left the onlookers in stunned silence.

"That was dirty, right?" someone muttered, but no one answered. The air seemed to freeze.

Though the Mad Wizard had used the dust to obscure his opponent's vision, in a real battle, no rules forbade such tactics. More than that, his calculated precision—luring Aiz to where she'd dropped her scabbard, appearing behind her in an instant to force a reflexive thrust, and then swiftly disarming her—demonstrated undeniable superiority and terrifying tactical brilliance. Most chilling of all... he'd done it without a shred of magic.

"He doesn't even seem like a mage," someone whispered.

Back in the duel, their swords now clashed and parried at blinding speeds, a whirlwind dance tearing through the clearing. No one had expected this from a battle between a mage and a swordmaster.

Though Aiz held the upper hand, relentlessly pushing the Mad Wizard back, she could never breach his defenses. His steps were like a dance across the ground, weaving through branches without a glance backward, leading Aiz through the forest's twists and turns. Using the trees and blind spots, the Mad Wizard mitigated the gap in their combat skills, launching dangerous counterattacks.

The spectators stood speechless, jaws dropped. Bell's group—Bell, Welf, and Lily—could hardly believe their eyes. They never imagined their guide could be this powerful.

Tione and Tiona, usually carefree, now wore rare, serious expressions. All eyes turned to Lefiya.

But seeing her stunned, flustered face, no one pressed her for answers.

Even Lefiya hadn't anticipated this.

She'd never seen her teacher wield a sword, nor witnessed his physical prowess at this level. During their training, he'd never fought her with full effort. But she wasn't entirely surprised—this was the Mad Wizard, after all.

"Sensei's still such a mystery," she sighed, only to be interrupted as a black blur darted toward her and leaped into her arms.

"Ahh... Qliphah, you're here too?" The cat nuzzled into her, purring contentedly.

"Meow..."

At another corner of the clearing, Finn, Gareth, and Riveria—the core trio of Loki Familia—observed in silence.

"Finn, did you notice?" Gareth asked, his eyes sharp as a honed blade.

"Yes," Finn nodded.

They'd spotted something odd in those movements. Technically, Aiz was clearly superior. The Mad Wizard's swordsmanship was clumsy, riddled with openings, like a novice gripping a blade for the first time. But... something was off.

Whenever Aiz's sword seemed to breach his fragile defenses, his blade would shift, accelerating with terrifying speed to deflect her attack.

"Some kind of skill that redirects and boosts speed?" Riveria murmured.

"Has to be," Finn said softly, his pale blue eyes fixed on the fight. "And more than that..."

"He's learning."

All three saw it. His initially awkward movements were growing smoother. His stance, grip, breathing, and slashes—all were evolving, bit by bit.

He wasn't just fighting. He was copying. Observing Aiz's techniques, analyzing them, and reshaping them into his own arsenal.

A mage... learning swordsmanship mid-battle and turning it into his own weapon. A random Loki Familia member watching the duel voiced what everyone felt:

"Goddamn monster."

...

Whoosh! A powerful slash obliterated the surrounding trees, but it missed its mark. Aiz paused, looking up at her opponent.

Thud! Something hit the ground. It seemed the mage had tossed something down—a bomb? No, too blatant for a mine. Best to steer clear for now.

Accelerator perched on a branch, gazing down at her. They locked eyes, each sizing up the other. He sensed the branch was hollowed out by insects, forcing him to balance lightly with vector manipulation. This was the third time this had happened. Coincidence or some kind of fate manipulation? No matter—it made the fight less dull.

Aiz, too, reflected on their clash. Her sword had unleashed a relentless flurry of attacks, yet no matter what she did, she couldn't break through his defenses. Through the duel, she realized his strength and speed nearly matched hers, even as she gradually ramped up her pace. Still, her technique far surpassed his.

During the fight, she'd created openings and feints to lure him in, and he fell for them—but even then, his blade flashed like lightning, countering her attacks no matter how impossible the angle. Even if she was slow to catch on, she could tell he had some ability enabling this. And recently, she'd noticed something else, which was why she paused now.

"You're copying my fighting style," she said.

"I'd say it's more about turning the unknown into the known," he replied.

"You're still holding back."

"And so are you."

In her storied career, Aiz had faced countless powerful foes. But none—not one—could learn and fight with such calm precision in the heat of battle. Maybe except Finn.

Aiz readied herself but held back her magic for now, unwilling to use it until her opponent did. She tightened her grip on her sword, her golden eyes blazing with a new intensity. She was no longer fighting to prove herself, nor driven by pride or reputation.

She wanted to see this man's true nature.

And to do that, I have to push him.

...

"I can't just keep defending..." Accelerator muttered under his breath.

He could drag out this stalemate as long as he liked, but if his opponent was going all out while he just stood there, this game would get boring fast. Besides, he wanted to see her unleash that famed "Tempest."

Aiz charged, her sword slicing sharply from the side. Accelerator leaped back, his movements lightning-fast. His hand slipped beneath his cloak, drawing a sleek, black revolver that gleamed faintly in the dim light.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The deafening shots startled the crowd. Aiz halted her advance, raising her sword to block two bullets. The third grazed her arm, leaving a shallow, bleeding wound. Her superhuman adventurer physique kept the bullet from penetrating deeper. Accelerator smirked, tossing the revolver into the air. At the same time, he pulled two vials of chemicals from his coat and hurled them at Aiz.

She reacted instantly, slashing both vials to pieces. But that was exactly what he wanted. The mixture of Boombloom and bloodthorn collided, erupting into a massive red mist that engulfed the area. Seizing the moment, Accelerator leaped back, throwing a third vial. Simultaneously, he fired three precise shots at Aiz. Two blocked her path, forcing her to parry the ones aimed at her eyes and legs.

"Awaken," a soft voice murmured from within the mist, sensing the danger.

The final bullet struck the alchemical vial containing the ignition fluid.

"Jackpot!" Accelerator whispered. (I'm proud of you, Master!) Qliphah's voice echoed in his mind. He shouldn't have promised her that.

A colossal fireball erupted, spreading through the mist and triggering a shockwave that shook the entire space. Accelerator stood firm, reloading his revolver in seconds. He knew this fight was far from over.

Suddenly, a howling gust roared from the explosion's epicenter, dispersing the dust and aftershocks. "Tempest!" Aiz gripped her sword tightly, her body enveloped in a massive vortex of wind.

So her wind magic can generate its own air, Accelerator analyzed, raising a hand in a challenging gesture.

The storm surged toward him, carrying a destructive force.

...

The crowd stood transfixed, their earlier question—"Who is the Mad Wizard?"—long forgotten, replaced by awe at the unpredictable rhythm of the duel. From Aiz's initial dominance to the massive explosion triggered by his alchemical vials, the battlefield shifted constantly, captivating every onlooker.

For low-level adventurers, this spectacle surpassed any War Game they'd ever seen. Just one gold coin for this experience? An absolute steal!

Now, Aiz was cloaked in the blessing of the wind. Two steps, and she vanished into the vortex.

Nngh!

Her eyes widened as her opponent's blade met Desperate, but she didn't falter. Electricity coursed through her, and her next strike roared forth like a true storm.

They clashed head-on.

Aiz could scarcely believe what followed. Her enemy matched her every move, neutralizing her ferocious, whirlwind-like assaults. His sword didn't just block her storm—it absorbed it.

The runes etched along his blade glowed fiercely, greedily siphoning her magical wind and converting it into pure energy that flowed into the sword's core. Accelerator couldn't always reload magic stones into his sword-cane mid-battle, so this was the most efficient method.

Sensing something amiss, Aiz leaped back, redirecting her wind to avoid enveloping her blade, instead channeling it to enhance her arm and leg movements. She locked eyes with Accelerator.

He twirled his cane, feeling the abundant energy surging within—stronger than any refined magic stone he'd ever used. Though it was only a fraction of Aiz's power, what mattered was how it was wielded. A faint smile crossed his lips, like a child who'd just received a favorite toy. Eager to harness the blazing energy, he began to chant.

"Four elements of Aristotle, grant me dominion over this world!"

He snapped his fingers, and a thin mist enveloped him before dissipating. He decided against casting a spell immediately—pretending to chant was both cumbersome and inefficient. It wasn't his style. Pausing, he didn't act right away, instead glancing at a drone hovering above.

Perhaps Lefiya was watching this fight. In that case, he'd play the part of a true mage. Looking up at the floating surveillance device, he declared, "Lefiya, witness how a free mage fights!"

Politely waiting for him to finish, Aiz took his cue and resumed her attack. Each swing of her sword rang out like a fierce cry. Accelerator dodged and redirected, chanting as he moved: "Four elements form the world. Four fundamental forces shape all things. Three essences create humanity."

Finishing his incantation, he drew his revolver, firing six rapid shots to keep Aiz at bay, then slammed the tip of his sword into the ground. The surroundings blazed with light. A powerful surge of energy coursed through the Dungeon's veins, connecting six points around them—magic stones Accelerator had secretly placed while guiding Aiz in a wide circle, returning her to the center. He'd also cleverly disconnected his magic from the Dungeon, preventing it from detecting his actions.

"What? These energy lines... they're linked to what he set up earlier?" Aiz realized, stunned that she hadn't noticed his setup. Was it back then? The situation was dire—too late to stop this spell. She resolved to take down the mage before her immediately.

Assuming he couldn't absorb magic while chanting, Aiz held nothing back. She unleashed her trump card:

"Lil Lafarga!"

The wind roared ferociously. A divine gust surged toward Accelerator like a drill, tearing through space.

Rumble, rumble, rumble! He hastily raised his sword-cane's sheath to block. The devastating impact cratered the ground beneath him, and a massive explosion shook everything. Crack! The sheath shattered, the blade veered, slicing into his shoulder and dragging him through the trees behind.

But the spell didn't stop.

"Step across the abyss. Grasp the truth," a cold voice rang out behind Aiz.

She spun around, shocked. The Mad Wizard was still standing there. Then what was—

The figure before her dissolved like mist, revealing a simulacrum of mud and earth. It was a substitution spell the Mad Wizard had cast earlier. Aiz tried to pull her sword free, but the mud flowed and hardened, temporarily locking her blade.

"Let this land become my domain!" With those words, the Dungeon around them seemed to erupt. Trees and rocks shattered, floating into the air. Gravity inverted, space warped. A vast circular area glowed with crimson energy, sweeping Aiz into a vortex of earth and stone. Light faded, plunging her into darkness. When her senses returned, she found herself in a bizarre space: irregularly floating rocks, faint glowing Dungeon crystals, and swirling gray mist enveloping everything. It was still the Dungeon—she could tell from the objects drifting around, though their paths seemed erratic.

Accelerator stood atop an inverted rock, his clothes and hair unaffected by gravity, as if logic held no sway. He gave her a slight, courteous bow, the gesture elegant yet eerie.

"Sorry, I got a bit excited," he said, his crimson eyes locking onto hers. Seeing Aiz's seriousness, he wanted to test his limits with his elemental manipulation spells.

Aiz stared at the Mad Wizard. "Who are you?"

He spun his revolver, reloading it in a flash, then replied, "Hmph... You can call me an apprentice mage, a mystic, a monster, and the strongest Level 5." His identity would inevitably be revealed, especially with Fels's influence. So why not announce it now and steer the audience's perception? He smirked, his crimson eyes gleaming.

"I am Accelerator—the Mad Wizard." That was his identity in Orario, and it defined how he fought.

...

Distorted light, floating rocks, and swirling gray mist coiled like a nightmare. Aiz stood firm, her gaze icy, her hand gripping the hilt of her sword tightly as she surveyed the surreal space around her. After a moment, she concluded: though this land was strange, she could still move and fight as usual—perhaps even more nimbly, thanks to the floating terrain. But she knew things were never that simple.

Unpredictable—that was the word she'd use to describe him. He was nothing like a corrupted spirit, which wielded vast magic but used it crudely and maliciously, its only strength being overwhelming firepower. Nor was he like a typical mage, limited to three spells with long casting times. He was a mage with tactical cunning and versatile applications.

In other words, the opponent before her was unlike anything she'd faced before. He wielded magic like an artist with a brush—creative, fluid, unbound by convention.

He was, perhaps, the perfected version of Lefiya—the Thousand Elf—as Aiz imagined her. It was a bitter conclusion she reached while fighting him. He'd be a better teacher for Lefiya than she was. Yet Aiz couldn't abandon Lefiya, her student.

She wasn't sure why she reached that conclusion... but if Accelerator overheard her thoughts, his first reaction would surely be:

"Are you an idiot?"

Aiz locked eyes with Accelerator. He stood still, as if waiting for her to strike. He was giving her the first move—a display of confidence in his own power.

Aiz Wallenstein decided to seize the opportunity. Though not a brilliant strategist like Finn, she began calculating how to overcome the foe before her. Two options emerged: either overwhelm his reactions with her superior speed, leaving him no time to defend, or stall, waiting for his mind to tire from constant spellcasting. She chose what she excelled at first: speed.

A vortex of wind swirled around Aiz's body, moving like a dance of nature under her command. The airflow channeled to her feet and limbs, accelerating her movements smoothly, though she deliberately kept it from her sword. She lowered her stance, poised herself, and shot forward like a whirlwind.

Her speed surged. The wind made her steps light as a feather, swift as lightning. Aiz leaped onto the floating rocks, darting between them in the chaotic space, changing directions rapidly. Instead of charging head-on, she used her agility to approach from a blind spot, seeking the one gap where the mage was vulnerable.

Accelerator didn't pursue. Instead, he sheathed his sword, attempting to lock the safety mechanism—transforming it back into a cane, a tool better suited for handling magic.

Click-clack! A strange sound rang out—the lock jammed.

"Now this fate-manipulating nonsense is really getting annoying," Accelerator muttered under his breath.

He didn't want to use his Tarot card to negate the interference—not yet, at least. But he swore to himself: if he found whoever was behind this after the battle, they wouldn't get off with just a polite chat.

Meanwhile, elsewhere, Bell watched the battle unfold. Suddenly, a heavy malice clawed at his spine, chilling him to the core. His warrior instincts screamed a warning: Don't get noticed.

"Master Bell, are you alright?" Lily asked, concerned.

"I'm... fine. Thanks, Lily," Bell replied, forcing a calm demeanor.

Back on the battlefield, Accelerator sprang into action. He drew a vial of white powder from a pouch at his side, uncorked it, and spun in a circle. The powder scattered in a spiral orbit around him, forming a wide ring in the weightless space.

He swiftly traced a magical circle in the air and activated it. Flames erupted along the ring's edge. The fire didn't merely burn—it flowed along the powder like a crimson tide, forming a massive fiery circle that engulfed the entire area.

But it didn't stop there.

The flames began to transform, their properties rewritten. They "flowed"—no longer fire, but a molten liquid spreading across an invisible plane. Though the magical circle's core was fire, its edges and interior bore water sigils! The magical blaze swept through the space, melting everything it touched: floating rocks, glowing crystals—all dissolved in an instant.

A wide-area attack, unavoidable, guaranteed to hit the Sword Princess. It wasn't just meant to harm her but to obliterate the terrain she could use to hide or buy time.

Accelerator wouldn't let this battle drag on, not with only a third of his cane's energy remaining. Aiz, cloaked in her wind armor, charged through the sea of flames, aiming for him. He stomped the ground beneath him, flipping both himself and the terrain.

With a gesture, he clenched his fist, and the gray mist gathered around the vortex. Boom! Aiz's thrust shattered the ground into fragments. Accelerator leaped away, using the destructive force to break the rocks and escape the area. Opening his hand, he unleashed a blast of icy air. The fiery ring was swallowed by the mist, combining with the cold to form a massive cloud of toxic, acidic vapor that engulfed Aiz.

He hurled two more alchemical vials—one toward Aiz, one to the ground—while firing six shots in her direction. But Aiz's wind fortress tore through them all, bursting through the toxic cloud, reducing the bullets and vial to shards.

The debris was swept into the charged cloud, and faint sparks began to flicker, signaling an electromagnetic storm brewing. Aiz charged, convinced Accelerator couldn't absorb her magic while his cane was in its current form. This was her best chance to defeat him before he did something stranger. She unleashed her full power, letting the wind envelop her body and sword.

With a thunderous roar, she surged toward him.

At that moment, Accelerator touched the shattered rocks around him, melting them into lava that shot toward Aiz. She swung her sword, slicing through the molten projectiles, but the action slowed her for a split second.

He waved his hand, invoking an old ability he hadn't used in ages. The wind condensed into hundreds of solid spears. This was the Bomber Lancer ability of Kuroyoru Umidori. He had copied it with vector manipulation and enhanced it with his magic.

The properties aligned. Confirming his plan, he unleashed the spears in unison. The explosions roared like heavy artillery, shattering her wind barriers layer by layer. Aiz tried to defend desperately, but the explosive nature of the spears made it impossible to fully block; she could only push back to lessen the impact. Her sturdy wind fortress was bombarded by hundreds of piercing weapons, the overwhelming force hurling her backward. Aiz crashed into the Dungeon floor, her fist clawing the ground to maintain balance.

Accelerator didn't stop. He touched the ground, activating the alchemical vial he'd thrown earlier. The earth beneath Aiz turned into a bottomless mire, trying to drag her down. But her wind repelled the pull, allowing her to leap lightly onto the mud's surface.

She glared at his calm expression, realizing her stalling strategy might fail—she might exhaust her mind before he did.

Knowing she couldn't win like this, Aiz took a deep breath, channeling all her mental strength into one final strike. The wind howled, drawing the charged cloud above into a massive storm eye.

"This wind... will be my last!" She felt her mind draining, her muscles aching under Ariel's strain. Accelerator smirked, gesturing for her to attack.

Aiz charged. The whirlwind crushed the rocks and glowing crystals around her, plunging everything into darkness.

BOOM! She shot forward with a deafening explosion.

Poc! Desperate struck something—not the clang of metal, but a strange, elastic sound, like stabbing into thick liquid. Had the Mad Wizard dodged again? Suddenly, she felt her sword... bend? The unbreakable blade warped like rubber, her body and wind twisting unnaturally.

CRASH! BOOM! CRASH! Lightning from the electromagnetic storm above flashed, illuminating the scene briefly. Accelerator gripped Desperate with his right hand, spinning both it and Aiz, bending everything as if physical properties were distorted. Hidden beneath his sleeve was the Tarot card The Magician—symbol of will, action, and creation—dissolving into nothing.

Accelerator flung Aiz into the mire, simultaneously loading a special anti-magic bullet into his revolver with his other hand.

Clack!

He stomped the ground, his right hand tracing a symbol in the air. Zzt, zzt! Gray-black spikes erupted from the mire. Aiz quickly regained her balance, leaping to avoid the dark iron pillars. Uncertain of their properties, she hesitated to destroy them recklessly.

But the pillars sprouted branches, forcing her to dodge and destroy them simultaneously. It was too late—the dark iron had surrounded her.

BOOM! A lightning bolt struck, aimed directly at Aiz.

"Ahhhh..." She screamed in agony.

The dark iron resonated with the stormy air, creating a massive electric field that shocked her. The lightning—piercing her wind effortlessly—struck her, paralyzing her body temporarily.

He drew his sword again, energy surging from its tip. He swiftly etched a magical circle in the air, positioning it before his revolver's barrel. Accelerator fired, the bullet carrying the circle, hurtling toward Aiz. Unlike before, it sliced through her wind armor like butter, piercing her flesh.

Splurt! Her Level 6 physique stopped the bullet from penetrating deeply, but it still carved a hole in her arm, blood spurting out. The wound wasn't severe—if she removed the bullet, she'd recover quickly and keep fighting.

But Accelerator had achieved his goal: her wind armor began to solidify. Its properties altered, it hardened, locking her movements. Unable to adapt to the rapid changes, she was trapped in an invisible cage formed by her own magic. With her wind solidified like stone, the mire eagerly swallowed the mass, preventing even the slightest chance of escape.

BOOM! Lightning flashed again. The massive electromagnetic storm enveloped the entire barrier that had formed. He pointed at Aiz. The colossal storm above crashed down like a giant hammer.

And the lightning flared.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! Bolts from the storm struck simultaneously, forming a blinding pillar of light that tore through everything. The dazzling glow illuminated the entire space, shattering the barrier itself.

...

Author's Note: Melissa is absolutely stunning! Praise the Poor!

The next part will take quite a while to post since I plan to complete it first. I'm sorry for that.