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"Yuto, I'll do anything you say."
"Alright," Yuto smiled and replied.
Ais had been the one seeking help, after all. Paying a price for a reward didn't strike her as unfair. In fact, she felt a quiet relief that the boy agreed. With her reserved personality, she wouldn't have known how to repay the favor otherwise.
Despite being cherished by her Familia's patron god Loki and deputy leader Riveria, Ais had seen her share of humanity's darker side. Yuto's offer of an "equivalent exchange" was, to her, an adventurer since childhood, a rare taste of fairness.
"Great. Then start by massaging my shoulders."
"Eh?"
Ais blinked, caught off guard. She hadn't expected such a blunt demand. Her wide, innocent eyes fixed on him like a startled woodland creature. That pure expression, paired with her delicate, breathtaking beauty, could melt anyone's heart.
Her soft, cotton-like hands pressed gently against his shoulders, kneading with an awkward but endearing touch. Ais clearly had no clue how to gauge her strength; it was sometimes too firm, sometimes too light. Yet the faint, refreshing scent wafting from her as the breeze stirred her hair was enough to make Yuto savor the moment.
"Hmm, not bad. Now my legs."
"…"
Without a word, she obeyed, sinking to a half-kneel. Her luminous golden eyes flicked up at him briefly before she resumed, her fingers pressing into his thighs with a tender yet steady force.
Who in this world could claim the privilege of the legendary Sword Princess serving them like this? The sheer exclusivity of it made Yuto's eyes narrow in smug satisfaction.
Ais might seem aloof and untouchable, but Yuto, thanks to his knowledge of the original Danmachi story knew better. She was simpler than she let on. Day-to-day, her face barely shifted, projecting a cool, silent aura. But spend time with her, and it became clear: Ais wasn't distant, she just struggled to voice her thoughts. Like a guileless little rabbit, she warmed up to anyone who approached her with patience.
After a good ten minutes of this simple massage, Yuto rose, content. "You want to get stronger, don't you?"
"Mm." Ais nodded, her bright gaze brimming with determination.
"I can teach you swordsmanship, magic, even that trick of vanishing from sight I showed you earlier."
"!!"
Her face lit up instantly, joy blooming across it like an ice lotus unfurling in the frost; stunningly radiant.
"If you're in, I'll swing by the Loki Familia every morning to train you. Sounds good?"
"As for the price… just keep up this little massage routine daily."
For a heartbeat, Ais's dazed expression faltered, a flicker of conflict crossing her features. "Is that… really enough? It doesn't feel fair…"
"No worries. The 'price' is whatever I feel like it is." Yuto grinned. "And to me, you're worth it."
Stepping closer, he ran a hand through her silky golden hair. Seeing no resistance, he gave her marshmallow-soft cheek a light pinch.
"T-thank you…"
Her whisper of gratitude was so faint it nearly dissolved into the forest air. Though this shy girl wasn't one for grand displays, she wasn't naive. The scant effort of a massage paled beside the priceless skills Yuto offered. This wasn't an even trade and she knew it.
"Mm…"
As he waved goodbye and turned to leave, Ais stared after him, her brows knitting in quiet distress.
"Favors… have to be repaid."
…..
That night, the Sword Princess returned alone to the Loki Familia's base. After washing up, she tapped softly on the door to Riveria's room.
Knock, knock, knock…
"Hm? Who's there this late?"
Clad in a silk nightgown, the green-haired elf lounged against her bedside table, a book in hand. Puzzled, she set it aside and opened the door.
"Riveria."
The moment it swung wide, Ais stepped in with familiar ease. Given their bond, this was hardly surprising.
When Ais joined the Loki Familia at seven, Riveria had been the one to escort her to the Guild for registration, even guiding her through a half-day Dungeon dive. Later, Captain Finn named Riveria her mentor, entrusting her with Ais's care. Loki, ever the jester, dubbed her "Mommy", a title Riveria bristled at when it came to her age but secretly didn't mind.
As Ais grew, she stopped clinging to Riveria like she once had, even moving to her own room. So tonight, seeing the girl she'd raised seek her out again stirred a long-dormant maternal warmth in the Nine Magic Princess.
"Ais, is something wrong?" Riveria's voice softened with concern.
"…"
Ais shook her head. Instead, she took Riveria's slender hand and, under the elf's bemused stare, placed it atop her own head.
"?"
"…"
"Not talking, huh? Hehe, then let me give you a hug."
Having watched Ais grow up, Riveria knew her quirks well. She didn't press further, simply ruffling Ais's smooth golden locks with her graceful, pale fingers.
But she missed the subtle blink of Ais's golden eyes, a flicker of confusion crossing her face.
'Why does my heart race when Yuto does this… but not with Riveria?'
When it came to romance, this innocent girl was still a complete beginner.
…..
The next morning dawned over the Loki Familia's residence. A faint white glow edged the horizon as the crimson sun climbed slowly from the east, chasing away the night's chill with its radiant warmth.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The sharp ring of clashing blades erupted from the training yard, loud enough to rouse even the Amazon sisters in their distant quarters.
"Ugh… why's it so noisy out there?"
Tione, the elder Amazon sharing the room, rubbed sleepy eyes and yawned lazily. She reached to pat her sister's head, only to find Tiona, the usual late riser, already dressed and ready to bolt out the door.
"Tiona, what's with you today? We just got back from an expedition, these are rest days! Why's a lazy cat like you not sleeping in?"
Tione's lingering drowsiness evaporated as she sat up, eyeing her sister's odd behavior.
"Hehe… guess who's outside, sis?" Tiona spun around with a sly grin, striking a goofy pose.
"Who?" Curiosity piqued, Tione leaned in.
"I spotted Yuto out there, he is training with Ais in our sparring yard! And wow, they're looking real cozy."
"What, seriously?!"
Tione's eyes widened. Already fond of Yuto, she leapt up and scrambled into her clothes. It wasn't just jealousy over Ais, the sisters were genuinely baffled. Since her debut, the Sword Princess had never been tied to a single romantic rumor. Yet here she was, getting chummy with a boy she'd just met?
'Something's fishy. Really fishy!'
Exchanging a glance, the pair dashed out, only to find a crowd of Familia members already pressed against the high windows, buzzing with gossip. A certain orange-haired elf girl among them stared down at the training pair, muttering pitifully, "Yuto's a jerk… stealing Miss Ais away…"
…..
"Too slow. At this pace, your blade won't reach the enemy's throat before they've already predicted your strike."
"Your magic's timing is off… Don't hold back against me. Hesitation only hastens your loss."
The relentless clash of steel rang out, sharp and fierce. Swords met in a flurry, whipping up gusts of wind around them.
In the sparring yard, the cool, golden-haired beauty faced off against a youth whose divine looks and noble air seemed almost otherworldly. As the Sword Princess, Ais's skill with a blade was unmatched. Bolstered by magic, her lithe form moved like a fleeting shadow, each swing slicing the air with deadly precision. Silver flashes danced at blinding speed.
Yet even at her peak, she couldn't beat Yuto. Armed with just a wooden sword, he struck with pinpoint accuracy, targeting the weakest points in her assault.
Having inherited the spirit bases of Senji Muramasa and Artoria Pendragon, Yuto wielded their iconic styles with mastery. Artoria's elegant, fluid swordplay flowed seamlessly into rapid strikes. Muramasa's brutal, forceful cuts tested Ais's stamina, her slender frame trembling under their weight.
Two distinct yet devastating techniques left the sword-obsessed princess reeling. Since the spar began, she hadn't landed a single blow.
Clang!
With a sudden, swift clash, Ais buckled. Yuto disarmed her effortlessly, her sword sailing through the air.
Clatter…
It hit the ground with a crisp echo. Ais stared at her fallen blade, a wave of despair washing over her.
"I lost."
She'd thrown everything into her defense, yet he'd still stripped her weapon away. In a real fight, that was a death sentence, a truth she knew all too well.
Though her expression stayed blank, Yuto caught the defeat in her downcast eyes and slumping shoulders. His overwhelming skill had nearly shattered her spirit.
"You did well. Each round, you're lasting longer," he said, retrieving her sword and handing it back with a warm smile. "Failure's not shameful. Losing your fire is."
"Today, I'll teach you the art of stealth strikes. Listen up: when hiding yourself, the key is blending into your surroundings. In that state, your mind must be still as water…"
Yuto explained patiently, guiding her hands or tweaking her stance as needed. When he stepped behind her to demonstrate a swing, their closeness felt almost tender; intimate, even.
From the Familia's upper floors, Loki, Riveria, Finn, and Gareth watched it all unfold.
"Riveria, Ais is our Familia's princess! Sure, her sword skills are skyrocketing with that kid's help, but he's gonna steal her away at this rate!" Loki's voice spiked with rare urgency. "We can't let him snag our little Ais! Mommy Riveria, do something!"
"She's not my kid!" Riveria shot the trickster goddess a sharp glare. "And by human standards, I'm still plenty young."
Despite her protests, the poised elf quietly cherished the "mommy" label.
'So, last night when Ais came to me all distracted… was it because of him?' Ignoring Loki's antics, she hurried to the window for a better look.
Yuto's beauty outshone even the elves, his strength dwarfed most adventurers. A guy like that never lacked admirers. Riveria knew if this kept up, the naive Ais might fall hard.
Having raised her like a daughter, she couldn't help but fret. Yuto wasn't some saint, his ease with women screamed trouble. Letting him get too close could end badly.
"Why not talk to him yourself, Riveria?" Finn suggested, noting her unease. "This Yuto's an enigma: unknown origins, insane power, and flawless swordsmanship. A little caution wouldn't hurt."
"Yeah, yeah!" Loki nodded eagerly, dumping the task on her.
"Fine. I've been curious about him anyway. I'll feel him out," Riveria agreed, her resolve hardening as she prepared to confront the mysterious youth.
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