After dinner.
Outside the Gods' Chamber.
After greeting Ais, who had just come out, Shirou Emiya was urged inside by Loki.
"I heard about it, Shirou. You really stole the show during this expedition!"
"I only did what I could."
Sitting in the chair before Loki, Shirou Emiya removed his shirt and gazed at the door opposite him as he chatted with Loki.
"Hehe! Was stealing the hearts of our Familia girls also something you could do?"
Feeling the finger on his back stiffen, Shirou Emiya shuddered all over before saying helplessly, "That was all accidental!"
After hearing Shirou Emiya's answer, Loki did not respond. Instead, she began operating the Falna on his back.
And so, a silent atmosphere flowed through the Gods' Chamber.
"As expected of you. This rate of growth is truly astonishing."
Looking at the updated ability values on Shirou Emiya's back, Loki could not help clicking her tongue.
When Loki began speaking, Shirou Emiya's tense mood immediately relaxed considerably.
Noticing something strange about Shirou Emiya, Loki smacked his back hard in exasperation.
"You didn't think I was the sort of person who'd get mad just because other people like you, did you?"
After asking that, Loki saw Shirou Emiya actually wearing an expression that said That's exactly what I thought, and her anger began to flare.
"I do love these girls, but if they truly love each other, I won't stop them. However, if you really do have someone you like, you'd better not abandon her after starting things!"
"Don't worry. I have no plans to start a family or establish a career for the time being."
After putting his clothes back on, Shirou Emiya's mood had completely relaxed.
He was quite afraid Loki might make things difficult for him over this, but she was unexpectedly broad-minded. As expected, she was a relatively reliable goddess.
"No plans to start a family or establish a career yet?"
Seeing that Shirou Emiya had no designs on Ais or Lefia, Loki's thoughts immediately began to stir.
"Since you're so popular with girls, Shirou, you have to bring back a few more girls in the future! After all, your harem is my harem too!"
All right, I take back what I said earlier. This person really is unreliable!
Seeing Shirou Emiya glare at her unhappily, Loki gave an awkward laugh before hurriedly handing him the ability values in her hand.
[Name]: Shirou Emiya [Level]: LV.3 [Ability Values]: Strength: SS1067 | Endurance: S985 | Dexterity: SS1032 | Agility: S963 | Magic: SSS1199 [Development Abilities]: Smithing: G Mage: I [Magic]: "Unlimited Blade Works" [Skills]: "Hundred Refinements" "Clairvoyance" "Mind's Eye" "Magic Resistance" "Independent Action"
====================
Looking at the ability values in his hand, Shirou Emiya could not help stroking his chin as he pondered.
Aside from his basic ability values, no new skills or magic had appeared.
However, after this expedition, all of his basic ability values had already approached their limits.
His Magic had reached the SSS limit because he frequently used magic.
His Strength and Dexterity had also reached SS, nearing their limits, thanks to his frequent archery and close-quarters battles to evade enemy attacks.
Even his least-used Endurance and Agility had reached the S rank.
He estimated that in about another week, all his stats should reach their limits.
"I remember that your Great Deed has already crossed the threshold, Shirou. Doesn't that mean you'll reach LV.4 very soon? If so, you probably won't be far from LV.5 either!"
At this thought, Loki's mood became cheerful again.
She knew that before long, her Familia would have a powerful adventurer standing at the peak of Orario.
Recalling the two former LV.8s from the Zeus Familia and the LV.9 from the Hera Familia, Loki felt that Shirou would soon catch up to them.
When that happened, her Loki Familia would be the strongest Familia in Orario.
Hehe!
By then, we'll definitely be able to attract even more beautiful girls into our Familia.
After walking out of Loki's Gods' Chamber, Shirou Emiya saw Ais and Lefia waiting outside.
"What are you two doing here? Is Lefia going to update her ability values?"
"I was actually only accompanying Ais here!"
Upon hearing her older brother Shirou Emiya's question, Lefia immediately explained.
She had not really wanted to come so early, but Ais had asked at the dinner table whether she wanted to come, so she had followed her.
"Is that so? Then hurry inside!"
When Shirou Emiya arrived earlier, he had already seen Lefia standing to the side. He had been about to greet her, but Loki had suddenly called him inside.
"Good luck!"
"Yes!"
After watching Lefia hurry into the Gods' Chamber, Shirou Emiya and Ais moved to the side. The two of them were simply too conspicuous.
Seeing the troubled expression on Ais's face, Shirou Emiya naturally wanted to help shoulder her burden as her older brother.
Thus, Shirou Emiya asked, "What's wrong? Are you still upset about that boy escaping?"
"No. I'm just considering whether to level up or continue."
As she spoke, Ais handed the paper in her hand to Shirou Emiya.
[Name]: Ais Wallenstein [Level]: LV.5 [Ability Values]: Strength: B785 | Endurance: B747 | Dexterity: S925 | Agility: S922 | Magic: S987 [Development Abilities]: Hunter: G Abnormal Resistance: G Swordsman: I [Magic]: "Gale Dash" [Skills]: "Princess of Vengeance"
Looking at Ais's stats, Shirou Emiya was somewhat surprised. He had not expected the self-imposed restriction training method to work so well for Ais.
According to his memories, Ais's Strength and Endurance should currently have been D, while her remaining Dexterity, Agility, and Magic should all have been A.
Yet they had now become two Bs and three Ss. She was already qualified to level up.
Sensing the doubt in Shirou Emiya's eyes, Ais said calmly, "The method Shirou provided is very good. All my stats have improved considerably."
"So now I'm wondering whether I should level up directly or continue increasing my basic stats."
So that was it!
Shirou Emiya suddenly understood. Wasn't this the same thought he had? Raise his basic stats to their limits before increasing his level.
That way, he would gradually become stronger than adventurers of the same level.
After all, the increase brought by each level-up was based on one's previous stats.
Most people did not do this, however, because they lacked the potential and patience to raise every stat to its limit. Therefore, once their basic stats could no longer improve, they would level up.
Ais had thought this way because her basic stats had recently risen so quickly.
Looking at the troubled Ais, Shirou Emiya reached out, patted her head, and asked with a smile,
"Has Ais's goal become urgent?"
"No. It's still a long way off."
"Then is there an opponent you could defeat immediately after leveling up?"
"No. No such person exists."
"Then what are you in such a hurry for?"
"."
That was right. Even if she became LV.6 now, she would still be far from her goal. In that case, she might as well accumulate her strength slowly.
"I understand now!"
Looking at Ais's expression return to its usual calm, Shirou Emiya smiled and said, "Good. I'm glad you understand."
Feeling the wonderful sensation of his palm against Ais's silky hair, Shirou Emiya was just about to say something when a sudden shout came from the Gods' Chamber.
"Lefia reached LV.4!"
Before you continue