1,000,000

"Would you please train me?"

Ais bowed respectfully, her golden locks slipping past her ears.

Contrary to the composed expression she wore, her heart was currently in a state of great trepidation.

No matter how one looked at it, the rapid growth of that rookie adventurer had to be related to this "natural phenomenon" standing before her—the very person even Loki feared.

"Eh!?"

Bell and Lefiya let out a cry of surprise almost simultaneously.

Neither of them had expected the Lv.5 Sword Princess to ask Thor for special training.

"Oh?"

Thor himself, however, let out a soft sound of surprise.

A flicker of astonishment crossed his eyes, immediately replaced by a deeper sense of curiosity.

What surprised him was not Ais's formidable status, but her trust and willingness.

He knew clearly that his current strength could only be described as feeble.

As he was now, he was by no means the kind of existence that top-tier adventurers would flock to for guidance.

"I want to become stronger," Ais said, maintaining her bow, her voice tinged with nervousness. "I am willing to pay any fee."

She knew how abrupt and unreasonable this request sounded, coming amidst the ruins after a fierce battle in the Dungeon.

But she had her reasons for needing to grow stronger.

She had a premonition that if she missed this opportunity, she would likely never find such a perfect moment again in her life.

This might be her only chance to break through her limits and reach a higher peak.

Thor looked at the respectful Sword Princess with great interest.

He habitually rubbed his chin, falling into a brief moment of contemplation.

A moment later, he raised his hand; without touching Ais, he shifted his intent slightly.

Whoosh—

A gentle breeze swirled out of thin air, carrying the dust from the ground as it swirled, perfectly cradling Ais's arms to help her straighten her bent posture.

"Raise your head, Miss Ais." Thor's voice was calm, his tone appreciative. "You need not bow for this."

"You saved us yesterday, and even generously gifted us the precious Minotaur Magic Stone. We have yet to thank you for that kindness."

His words paused for a moment as he weighed some invisible causality.

"Good deeds beget good karma. Since you have this wish, helping you become stronger is merely a matter of convenience for me."

Ais could not hide the surprise in her eyes.

She had not expected such a return for the small favor she had done yesterday.

She had assumed she would have to pay a heavy price or even beg repeatedly to have a sliver of a chance, yet she never imagined the other party would agree so crisply and cleanly.

"Are you truly certain?" Ais's voice carried a rare trace of hesitation and uncertainty; she almost thought she had misheard and couldn't help but confirm again.

The opportunity had come so suddenly and so easily that it left her feeling somewhat at a loss.

"Naturally." Thor nodded slightly. "However, I can only provide you with seven days of special training."

Although it was only seven days, she was already deeply grateful to receive Thor's help.

Just then, Lefiya, who had been nervously watching the development of the situation, felt her heart tighten as if gripped by an invisible hand.

That Lord Thor was an existence even the deity Loki held in awe; if she could receive his guidance, Miss Ais's strength would surely advance by leaps and bounds.

She might even break through to the Lv.6 she hadn't reached in three years.

She should have been happy for Ais.

But the thought that she might be falling further and further behind the senior she admired made her feel incredibly anxious!

I must become stronger too, so I can catch up to Miss Ais's footsteps and become a partner who can fight alongside her! I cannot hesitate any longer!

She took a deep breath and stepped forward abruptly, her clear voice trembling with urgency:

"P-please wait!" Lefiya gripped the straps of her backpack tightly. Summoning all the courage she possessed, she shouted toward Thor: "C-could you please provide me with special training as well? I beg you!"

Hearing this, Thor turned his gaze toward the elven girl who had suddenly popped up.

He shook his head with elegance but firm resolve, saying regretfully: "My apologies. I am willing to help Ais because of her kind deeds yesterday. As for helping others... I have no intention of taking on students on a large scale for the time being."

This wasn't a public classroom; he wasn't going to teach just anyone who asked.

Teaching Bell was his duty, and agreeing to Ais was repaying a debt of gratitude.

If another one came along, would his plan to condense Stardust and recover his power ever continue?

"I... I can pay you a fee!" Lefiya shouted, almost desperate. "One million Valis! Just like Senior Ais, you only need to train me for seven days!"

"1 million Valis?"

This number rang clearly in Thor's ears.

His previously calm expression faltered, if only for a fraction of a second.

1 million Valis was certainly not an astronomical sum in Orario, the Labyrinth City known for its massive circulation of wealth.

After all, the Sword of Despair at Ais's waist was worth a staggering 99 million Valis.

However, for Thor, who was in urgent need of Magic Stone to condense Stardust and restore his strength, the weight of this 1 million Valis was entirely different.

1 million... if converted into Magic Stone...

Thor quickly calculated in his mind; it would be enough for him to condense about twenty Stardust!

His efficiency would increase significantly...

To call this money a timely gift would be an understatement.

1 million for seven days... while teaching Ais, keeping an eye on an extra elf girl seemed... not entirely unacceptable?

After all, resources were the foundation of everything.

The scales in his heart began to tilt, and the sense of detachment in his eyes quietly faded away.

However, just as Thor was about to nod and seal the deal—

Lefiya, watching Thor's silence, felt even more anxious.

She mistakenly thought he found the amount too low, and the immense psychological pressure left her nearly suffocated.

It's over! He must think 1 million is too little! For a great existence like him, people would probably pay 10 million Valis a day just to hire him as an instructor.

If I only offer 1 million a day, won't he think I'm insulting him?

But I... I only have this much...

She thought of her pitiful savings—all the money she had scraped together since leaving the School District and joining the Loki Familia, totaling only 8 million Valis.

Overwhelmed by panic, she hurriedly added, "I, I can pay a deposit of 3.5 million first! After the 7-day special training ends, I will immediately pay the remaining... 3.5 million Valis!"

"Hm?"

This time, even Thor was visibly stunned.

It wasn't 1 million for seven days, but... 1 million per day? A total of 7 million Valis?!

Before Thor could respond to this unexpectedly high reward, Lefiya was already so nervous she felt like she might faint. She gripped her backpack straps, her body trembling slightly, wailing in despair.

He must think I'm insulting him... It's over, he's walking over here!

Under Lefiya's terrified gaze, Thor walked toward her with an expressionless face.

Every step felt like it was landing on the tip of her heart.

Subconsciously, she wanted to bow and apologize: "I'm... I'm sorry, I still..."

However, the rest of her words stuck in her throat.

Thor stopped in front of her and raised his right hand. The anger or reprimand Lefiya had imagined never came.

Pat.

Thor placed a hand on Lefiya's shoulder, a look of appreciation instantly appearing on his face.

It was rare to find a girl so well-versed in the ways of the world.

One million Valis a day—what was there to hesitate about?

"Then, Miss Elf, tell me, what would you like to learn? Would you like to learn the area-of-effect magic Requiem, capable of sweeping across the entire battlefield in an instant?"

He spread one hand, demonstrating the magical ingenuity of the Deathsinger.

"Or perhaps the domain magic Glacial Storm, which shrouds the earth and freezes all things?"

His other hand swept through the air, bringing with it an invisible chill—the magic of the Freljord demigod who commanded ice storms.

"Or maybe... you seek the ultimate destruction? The Void ability Disintegration Ray, which can blast enemies into basic particles?"

"Eh???"

Lefiya was completely bewildered, her mind a blank slate, unable to keep up with this 180-degree turn in attitude.

Are things like Requiem and Disintegration Ray really things I can learn for 7 million Valis?

The massive contrast left her unable to react, and she could only let out a short, startled cry.

Standing to the side, Ais watched the scene quietly.

A flicker of surprise crossed her golden pupils.

This great existence before her... seemed to be quite short on money?