"So what should I do?"
After hearing Shirou's analysis, Ais's eyes filled with anticipation. Since Shirou's research into the Divine Blessing was so thorough, did he have a way to accelerate her growth?
Looking at Ais, whose eyes were full of expectation, Shirou stood up to refill their drinks, then continued, "Normally, if the external pressure is too small, then you need to increase the external pressure."
"But stronger enemies are in deeper parts of the Dungeon, making frequent delves difficult. So, you can only start with yourself."
"Start with myself?"
Lowering her head to look at her hands, Ais's eyes were filled with confusion.
"Since the enemies' strength cannot be increased, you need to find a way to lower your own strength. Through self-limitation, increase the danger level of enemies, and thus catalyze your own growth rate."
"However, this method can be dangerous. It's best if you only do this when you're with Tiona and the others, otherwise you could easily fall into danger."
"Self-limitation, huh?"
After hearing Shirou's advice, Ais finally had a vague understanding of her future direction for improvement. This was extremely important for her, who pursued strength.
Looking at the pensive Ais, Shirou said no more, letting her ponder it herself.
Self-limitation as a training method was already a common trope in other worlds. The most famous example should be Rock Lee from the Naruto world. During the Chunin Exams, after removing his weights, the soaring speed of Little Lee made him a true master of the self-limitation training method.
A more advanced example would be Son Goku continuously breaking through his own limits in the gravity chamber in Dragon Ball.
In the DanMachi world, this method hadn't appeared yet because of the unique nature of adventurers. Adventurers here preferred practical training over secluded cultivation, because with the Divine Blessing's catalysis, as long as they kept fighting, their basic stats would always rise.
Therefore, the top powerhouses of the various Familia were rarely young. For instance, in the Loki Familia, Finn, the Familia captain, was over 40 years old, while Ais? She was only 16.
So, how many people in all of Orario were as eager to improve their strength as she was?
"I want to be stronger!"
If other Familia adventurers heard this, they would surely think she was mocking them.
A calm atmosphere filled the room. The two, each lost in thought, drank from their cups and ate from their plates. For a moment, the atmosphere in the room became exceptionally warm.
But unfortunately, this atmosphere didn't last long before a scream shattered it.
"Ais-tan!"
The voice carried a deep despair that immediately evoked empathy from anyone who heard it.
Before Shirou could even empathize, the room door was kicked open from outside, and a figure instantly appeared in the room, screaming desperately.
"Ais-tan is mine! Even you, Shirou, can't take my Ais-tan away! Even if you take her body, her heart is still mine!"
"..."
"Eh?"
Looking at Ais and Shirou, who were sitting on opposite sides of the table, fully clothed, Loki fell into deep thought. But under the questioning gazes of the two, Loki became disoriented.
"Huh? Who just told me that Ais-tan and Shirou were being intimate?!"
Loki, too embarrassed to say anything, quickly asked towards the door, wanting to know which scoundrel dared to prank her.
"I never said Ais and Shirou were being intimate. I just said Ais went to Shirou's room; everything after that was your own imagination."
A voice from the crowd outside the door immediately interrupted Loki's attempt to shift blame, plunging her into despair.
Looking at the awkward, speechless Loki, and the dense crowd outside the door, Shirou sighed helplessly.
"Loki-sama, could you please fix the door for me?"
Glancing at the broken door lock, Shirou requested with a gentle smile.
"Yes!"
Frightened by Shirou's gentle smile, Loki immediately ran off to find tools.
"Not a single peaceful day, huh?"
Watching the crowd disappear with Loki, Shirou stood up and began to gather some tools.
"I'm going to the forge. How about you?"
"I'll go back to my room then."
Ais calmly stood up. The commotion Loki caused couldn't affect her at all; she was already used to it.
"Okay, then take these with you."
Packing some of the snacks he made for Ais, Shirou gently said, "If you run out, you can always come to my place to get more. I never lack these things."
"Mm!"
Ais's usually unchanging expression held a hint of a smile.
"Thank you, Shirou."
"It's nothing. We're comrades, after all."
Looking at the obedient Ais, Shirou instinctively reached out his hand to touch her head. But as soon as his hand extended, he felt a pang of regret. What if Ais got angry? He still vividly remembered Loki's miserable state.
Shirou quickly looked at Ais's expression. Seeing no signs of resistance, he felt relieved and continued to stroke her head.
For a moment, the atmosphere here became warm again.
"Ah! What was I even doing? How did I unconsciously treat Ais like my own sister?"
Remembering his actions just now, Shirou couldn't help but feel a little scared. If Ais had treated him the way she treated Loki at that moment, he would have been utterly mortified.
Fortunately, Ais didn't resist him.
Then Shirou recalled his actions in the Dungeon earlier, where he had also treated Lefiya like his younger sister. He couldn't help but reach out to stroke her head then too.
This left Shirou in deep thought. Could it be that I'm missing Miyu too much?
Surely not.
Lost in thought, Shirou walked towards his forge.
---
After a day's effort, Shirou's newly forged armor for Lefiya was complete. Unlike the previous modification of old armor, this set was specifically crafted by Shirou. Its dimensions perfectly fit Lefiya's body.
Furthermore, for weaponry, Lefiya's new weapon was changed to a long sword, similar to Ais's Despair Sword. For Lefiya, who idolized Ais, this should be quite a pleasant surprise.
"It's so beautiful!"
Donning the armor forged by Shirou and drawing the long sword hanging at her waist, Lefiya's heart was filled with endless joy.
After all, this set of armor and weapon was not only of excellent quality but also exquisitely beautiful. It perfectly aligned with the elves' aesthetics. For an elf renowned for her beauty, this was undoubtedly the best gift.
"Glad you're satisfied."
This set of armor was Shirou's peak work at the moment, fully showcasing his growth in forging during this period.
Perhaps due to the lingering elements of Senji Muramasa, Shirou's progress in forging was as swift as flight. Through Projection Magic, he learned the techniques and experience of other blacksmiths, coupled with his almost divine understanding, making Shirou unstoppable on the path of forging.
Lefiya's set of armor and weapon had already reached the level of Tier 2 weapons. Such weapons in Orario would cost at least several million Valis.
Unfortunately, Shirou currently had no reputation in the forging world, so his weapons couldn't be sold at their corresponding prices. But Shirou believed that his name would sooner or later resound throughout all of Orario.
--------More Bonus Chapters!!!!
Every 300 power stones = 1 Bonus Chapter