"That incident… what incident?"
Arthas tilted his head, confused by Ais's words.
Had he done something to Ais? He didn't think so.
"You've forgotten? Or did you think it was insignificant?"
Ais pouted slightly. Seeing her cute expression, Arthas scratched his head helplessly.
"I still can't remember doing anything that would make you want to challenge me."
"Are you refusing my challenge?"
Ais tilted her head.
"I'm definitely no match for you. What's the point?"
Arthas said; Ais shook her head.
"No way. You're strong enough to be my opponent. I challenge you to overcome my fear of your frost; otherwise, I can't become a true Level 6."
Ais said seriously, surprising Riveria.
Ais still feared Arthas's frost? When had this fear developed? Was it their first meeting?
Riveria, who hadn't experienced Arthas's frost firsthand, couldn't understand, but thinking of Bete, she had some insight.
After nearly dying, Bete had changed. The usually talkative adventurer was now silent, training relentlessly.
This change might be good, but it was still concerning.
"Overcome your fear…"
Arthas looked troubled. He knew what his frost meant; it was a power he couldn't control, a power he didn't want to use.
A power he couldn't control wasn't truly his. He didn't want to use it against his friends; he might hurt them.
Arthas looked at Ais seriously.
"Ais, we're friends, right?"
"Eh?"
Ais nodded vigorously.
"Of course, we're friends."
"Because we're friends, I can't accept your request. A friendly spar is fine, but fighting you with a power I can't control… if I hurt you, I'll feel terrible."
Arthas said, smiling wryly, spreading his hands.
"It's a powerful force, but it's not entirely mine."
"So… it's a racial ability?" Riveria, knowledgeable about magic, suggested.
Such a terrifying racial ability… is he a demigod?
Staring at Arthas curiously, Riveria asked,
"Arthas, what kind of blood flows in you?"
"What kind of blood?"
Arthas paused, then shook his head.
"I don't know… I don't know where I came from, my parents… nothing."
Arthas said, looking bitter. He thought he'd forgotten, but it had been brought up again.
He still cared; who he was, where he belonged—how could he not care?
Even if he integrated into this world, he was still an outsider.
"Sorry, I brought up a painful topic."
Riveria apologized.
"It's okay… because it's Riveria. This is something I needed to tell you."
Arthas said softly, making Riveria twitch her mouth.
He never misses a chance to tease her.
Riveria sighed; she might find it disgusting from someone else, but with Arthas, it was more like indulgence and helplessness.
Like an elder's indulgence towards a child; Riveria often acted maternally in her Familia.
If Riveria knew her indulgence fueled his infatuation, she'd be helpless.
"What about the impact on me? You're responsible for my psychological trauma; I might not improve."
Ais's fighting spirit lessened, but she still glared at Arthas resentfully, making him uncomfortable.
Your words make sense, but why do they sound so strange?
"Let's leave. It's not good to talk in the Dungeon."
Riveria said; Arthas and Ais nodded; they headed to the surface.
They chatted about recent events. Hearing that the Loki Familia was embarking on another expedition in ten days, Arthas felt dejected.
"Busy…"
"We're Orario's strongest Familia. We must lead the way."
Riveria said softly, her charm captivating Arthas.
Oh no… this feeling. I want… to take Riveria away.
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