The season has already entered spring.
The greenery in the Twilight Manor gradually blooms with the rich colours of spring. A gentle breeze blows, causing the leaves to rustle, and the pure sensation of nature fills the air.
Eiji, who was advised by Airmid to avoid strenuous activities for two days, had no choice but to temporarily put aside his morning jog and training, focusing entirely on rest.
In the morning courtyard.
Eiji could only watch as Ais practiced her swordsmanship in front of him, unleashing a continuous storm of sword strikes with the ferocity of a tempest. The strength of a Level 5 was indeed no joke, as she could swing her sword dozens of times in an instant.
He was itching to try out his newfound strength after levelling up, but after glancing down at the bandages wrapped around his body, he reluctantly gave up on the idea for the sake of his health, watching enviously as Ais practiced with vigour.
"Wait, the speed of that last strike was off. It needs to be slower. Don't let your body's instincts take over."
Eiji suddenly spoke up, causing Ais's sword speed to falter.
"...This sword technique is really difficult."
Ais slightly lowered her eyelids, showing a hint of frustration.
Several days had passed under Eiji's guidance, but she still hadn't mastered this sword technique. Despite practicing diligently every day, she kept making mistakes.
"Don't rush it. It's hard to go against your body's instincts. Be patient."
Eiji comforted her.
It's natural for it to be difficult.
After all, this was an unfinished sword technique, still in its early stages of creation. Eiji was using Ais to refine and improve the technique.
"And don't neglect your meditation. The more anxious you are, the harder it will be to master."
Eiji added.
"I understand."
Ais nodded slightly, her expression obedient.
Under Eiji's guidance, her swordsmanship had indeed improved.
Stare—!
Stare—!
From both sides of the fountain, two intense gazes were directed at them.
The sources of these gazes were a white-haired wolf-man and a black-haired Amazoness. Almost every morning when Eiji and Ais practiced together, these two would appear, staring at them with either fierce or resentful eyes.
"Eiji, I want to learn swordsmanship too!"
"Don't be silly."
Tiona couldn't help but rush forward, making a request to learn swordsmanship, only to be met with Eiji's kind but firm refusal, leaving her looking dejected.
"Grrr!"
From behind the fountain came the sound of the wolf-man grinding his teeth.
His dissatisfaction was probably reaching its limit, and he might explode at any moment.
***
"Then it's settled."
After breakfast, Eiji walked out of Finn's office, looking quite pleased.
Just moments ago, Finn had agreed to his request to join the expedition team.
After Eiji defeated Goliath, the previous conditions were nullified, and Eiji had also reported his level-up to Finn, who allowed him to pass unconditionally.
In high spirits, Eiji returned to his room, grabbed a sack of money, donned a black cloak, and left the Twilight Manor.
Since he was joining the expedition, he needed to prepare thoroughly.
Potions like Elixirs were a given, and he also needed to stock up on weapons and armour.
Eiji's previous weapons and armour had been destroyed in the battle with Goliath, so he needed to buy new sets. The Hephaestus Familia was likely busy at the moment, so he decided to head to the Tower of Babel to buy ready-made equipment.
"Oh right, I need to report my level to the Guild."
Halfway there, Eiji changed direction and headed to the Pantheon in the northwest street.
Wealth not shown off is like walking at night in fine clothes.
This saying means that if you don't show off, life loses its flavour.
***
"Whaaaat?! You've reached Level 2?!"
As expected, when Eiji revealed the news, Misha's loud voice echoed throughout the Guild headquarters.
"That's right."
Eiji replied modestly, playing it cool.
In reality, he was feeling quite smug, silently cheering for more praise.
It wasn't that he was arrogant, but his levelling speed had shattered records. Ais had taken a year, while he had only taken twenty days—a difference of over ten times.
Misha, trembling, brought over the registration form for Eiji to update his level and the floor he had reached. Upon seeing that he had reached the 18th floor, Misha was once again thrown into disarray.
"Then I'll be going."
Eiji left the Guild headquarters with the satisfaction of a successful show-off.
It took a while for Misha to regain her composure, quickly informing the supervisor, who then escalated the matter to the Guild Master.
Soon after, the reputation of the strongest newcomer spread like a storm through Orario.
However, Eiji was unaware of this for the time being.
He had just entered the Tower of Babel.
Walking through the arched entrance, Eiji didn't head to the central hole in the first-floor lobby. Instead, he went to the staircase by the tower wall and climbed to the upper levels of the Tower of Babel.
The Tower of Babel was a facility under the Guild's jurisdiction.
To provide convenience for adventurers, the Guild had built many public facilities here.
For example, the first-floor lobby was surrounded by hundreds of shower rooms, allowing blood-stained adventurers to clean up before leaving, so as not to affect the city's appearance.
The second floor housed simple dining areas and treatment rooms, while the third floor had several exchange counters identical to those in the Guild headquarters, used for exchanging magic stones and dropped items.
Only from the fourth floor upward were the shops rented out to other Familias.
Taking the staircase to the third floor, Eiji found several magic stone-powered elevators in the corner. He took one up to the fourth floor, where the Hephaestus Familia's shop was located.
"So expensive!"
Walking into a random shop, Eiji glanced at a red dagger prominently displayed on the most eye-catching shelf.
Ten million Valis!
He could indeed feel a sharp aura emanating from the dagger, but he hadn't expected it to cost ten million! This was definitely top-tier equipment in Orario, something only Level 5 adventurers could afford!
"It's probably just a showpiece."
Eiji thought to himself, then walked into the shop.
When he came out, he was carrying a wooden box on his back.
Inside lay a complete set of silver-white light armour, sturdy yet lightweight, classified as second-tier equipment in Orario, worth over five million Valis—typical gear for Level 4 adventurers.
For the expedition, he was going all out!
Money comes and goes, and Valis could only be used in this world anyway. Good steel should be used for the blade.
To be honest, having just received a hundred million Valis, he didn't feel much pain spending it now.
After buying the armour, Eiji planned to purchase two katana. Since they were just for show, the requirements weren't high—they just needed to match the style and weight of his Bling Blade.
After wandering around the fourth floor for a while without finding anything he liked, Eiji decided to head up to the higher levels.
"Ah~!"
At the corner of the staircase.
In a moment of carelessness, Eiji collided with another cloaked passerby.
Eiji was fine, but the other person let out a cry and fell to the ground.
The cloak slipped off her, revealing a cascade of silver hair.
***
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