A topic during training

Evening had fallen over Orario, and orange-red sunlight washed over the training ground near the Adventurers Guild.

Bell was drenched in sweat, his shortsword striking the wooden dummy before him again and again. Though his movements were fluid, he always felt something was missing. He gritted his teeth and assumed a defensive stance once more.

"Your movements are too stiff."

The familiar voice came from beside him. Bell turned to see Ais standing there in lightweight training clothes, her sword in hand. The sunlight cast a soft glow over her golden hair, making her look like a warrior out of a myth.

"Miss Ais!" Bell immediately straightened up, a hint of embarrassment appearing on his face.

Ais nodded and walked over to him. "You've been... training hard today."

"Because I want to get stronger!" Bell tightened his grip on his shortsword, his voice full of determination. "That's the only way I can protect the people who are important to me."

Ais looked at him, a flicker of approval in her eyes. She drew her sword and stood opposite Bell. "Then let me see your resolve."

Bell took a deep breath, steadied his breathing, and charged at Ais. Shortsword met longsword with a crisp metallic clash.

The training continued for nearly half an hour. Though Bell gave it his all, he still struggled to break through Ais's defense. Ais, meanwhile, fought with ease, every swing of her sword perfectly precise and backed by overwhelming strength.

"Pant... pant... Miss Ais, you really are strong..." Bell braced his hands on his knees, gasping for breath.

Ais looked at the sweat-soaked Bell and withdrew her longsword. "Your speed has improved, but your movements still aren't smooth enough. Try to be more flexible next time. Don't rely too much on momentum."

Bell nodded vigorously, then hesitated before speaking. "Miss Ais, may I ask you a question?"

"Hmm?" Ais tilted her head and looked at him.

"Have you... seen anyone unusual in Orario lately?" Bell asked cautiously.

Ais pondered for a moment, then said slowly, "Yes. I saw a very strange person in a tavern."

Bell was taken aback and immediately pressed her. "Strange? What kind of person?"

"He had black hair and wore very ordinary clothes, but there was something unusual about his gaze," Ais said quietly, her voice tinged with recollection. "That day, he sat alone in a corner. Hardly anyone in the tavern noticed him, but I could tell... he was watching everyone."

"Watching everyone...?" Bell repeated, frowning slightly.

Ais nodded and continued, "Also, there was a... very strange aura around him."

"An aura?" Bell grew even more curious.

"Yes. That feeling... it was like a monster's." Ais's tone remained calm, but her gaze was unusually serious. "Still, he showed no hostility, so I didn't ask any further."

Bell fell silent for a while after hearing that. He couldn't help recalling the goddess Hestia's description of that person—calm, confident, and unwilling to join a familia. Could this person really be different from an ordinary adventurer?

"Miss Ais, do you think... he might be dangerous?" Bell asked tentatively.

Ais shook her head. "I'm not sure. But the impression he gave me... he didn't seem like an ordinary person."

Bell nodded, the mysterious black-haired newcomer weighing even more heavily on his mind.

"If you get a chance to meet him, you can observe his behavior." Ais put away her longsword and turned to look into the distance. "But be careful."

"I understand!" Bell nodded vigorously and tightened his grip on his shortsword.

Ais glanced at him and smiled faintly. "Keep it up, Bell."

The orange-red sunlight gradually gave way to deep purple, and the wind swept away the lingering summer warmth from the training ground. Bell watched Ais walk away and silently resolved that, if he saw the newcomer again, he would uncover his secret—whether he was friend or foe.