Declaring Her Claim

Riveria sighed and gazed out at the hazy moonlight beyond the window.

"But..." She paused for a moment, thinking it over. "Since he was willing to accept your request for special training, that means he approves of you to some extent. Maybe... you could approach this from a more direct angle?"

Ais blinked, clearly not understanding what she meant.

"For example..." Riveria furrowed her brow slightly, trying to explain it in a way Ais could understand. "Is there anything he usually needs? Or... does he have any particular habits or preferences?"

Ais thought hard about it.

Thor seemed to collect Magic Stones quite often, and... he also seemed to care a lot about compensation? Lefiya had paid seven million Valis for her chance at special training.

But she didn't have anywhere near as much savings as Lefiya.

She often broke her weapons, and she still had quite a few loans to pay off.

"Money..." she murmured, her tone troubled.

Riveria could see her struggling and gently patted her on the shoulder.

"If you can't help him financially, then do what you can." She paused. "For example, train even harder and show him that teaching you is worthwhile."

Train hard?

That didn't seem like it would solve the problem of how to express her gratitude.

Getting stronger through training was her own desire, not something she could offer Thor in return.

She was still troubled, her helplessness plain in her pale golden eyes.

Seeing that Ais was still at a loss, Riveria rested her chin on her hand, as if she'd thought of another approach.

"Perhaps... we could take a cue from Loki?"

Ais looked up, her eyes full of innocent confusion. "Take a cue from Loki?"

"Yes."

Riveria nodded, trying to explain this somewhat daring suggestion.

"After all, as far as we know, the god Loki is the one being who's come closest to Mr. Thor. Although, in front of him..."

She paused, remembering Loki's terrified, flustered expression.

"...the difference between them may be enormous. But as eternal beings, perhaps they have some desires in common? Maybe what Loki enjoys could also bring comfort to that being?"

What Loki enjoyed?

Ais's thoughts were very straightforward.

She began to recall what her own goddess pursued.

She liked drinking and collecting all kinds of fine liquor.

She was lecherous, liked harassing the female members of her Familia, and was always trying to peep at them or get handsy.

The thought naturally followed that chain of reasoning.

Almost unconsciously, Ais lowered her gaze to the white battle suit she wore, its curves outlined by the lamplight.

The outfit was far too revealing for her, but Loki had worn her down—and even threatened to send her back to Heaven if she refused to wear it—until she finally gave in.

So... was Riveria saying that Mr. Thor was like their goddess, Loki?

Ais raised her eyes to Riveria again. Her gaze was full of uncertainty and a bewildered question: Do I really have to do that?

But just as Riveria was about to explain, hurried footsteps came from the end of the hallway.

Lefiya had finished bathing and changed into comfortable clothes. A bulging pack, almost half as tall as she was, was strapped to her back.

She waved vigorously as she hurried over and called out brightly, "Miss Ais! I'm ready!"

Her greeting completely interrupted their conversation.

Ais's attention was drawn to the enormous pack.

It was stuffed to the brim and bulged out of shape. It looked heavy, too.

A hint of confusion flashed through her eyes.

Did they need to bring this much for the training camp?

Or had she packed too little?

She wasn't sure if she'd forgotten any important equipment.

Lefiya hurried over, her little face beaming with excitement, practically glowing.

"Miss Ais, can we leave now?" she asked eagerly, her voice brimming with anticipation.

Looking at Lefiya's excited expression, Ais didn't quite understand.

Lefiya seemed very enthusiastic about the night training—almost too enthusiastic.

She couldn't possibly know that Lefiya's heart was overflowing with joy.

Seven whole days!

She would get to stay in the same place as the Ais she admired and take part in the same nighttime training! What a precious opportunity! She had to make the most of it!

"Sorry, Lefiya," Ais said in her usual even tone. "I haven't packed yet."

She turned to Riveria, still troubled by the question she hadn't resolved. "I'll... think about what you said later."

Riveria had no intention of holding them up any longer. Seeing Ais's troubled expression, she offered the most practical advice, and the advice that best suited Ais's personality.

"If this is really bothering you, perhaps the simplest thing is to ask Mr. Thor himself. Tell him honestly what you're thinking and what's troubling you, then hear what he says."

The suggestion seemed to clear things up for Ais.

Just ask him directly?

That really was the simplest and most effective approach.

Some of the uncertainty in her eyes seemed to fade. She bowed slightly to Riveria. "Thank you, Riveria."

Without any further hesitation, she turned and headed for her room to pack the essentials.

Left behind, Lefiya watched Ais stride away, then looked at Riveria, completely bewildered.

What important thing had they been talking about just now? Why had the atmosphere felt so strange?

Lefiya blinked her clear green eyes, her little head full of big questions.

When the two of them had finished packing and arrived at Thor's residence, they had only just knocked when a cheerful, familiar female voice called from inside—

"Just a moment! I'll be right there!"

Lefiya blinked, thinking she must have misheard.

Ais tilted her head slightly, as if she had guessed who was inside.

The door creaked open, and warm light spilled out.

Standing in the doorway with a bright smile was Syr, a familiar face to them both.

"Good evening, Miss Ais, Miss Lefiya! Come on in!"

Syr's voice was full of warmth as she stepped aside to invite them in, as if she were the lady of the house.

Lefiya froze completely.

Why was Miss Syr here?! Wasn't she supposed to be working at the tavern?

Lefiya's gaze darted between Syr and the inside of the house, trying to make sense of the scene before her.

Almost without thinking, she asked, "Miss Syr, what are you doing here?"

Syr puffed out her cheeks, seemingly displeased by the question written all over Lefiya's face.

She lifted her chin slightly and made her announcement clearly, with a hint of emphasis.

"I'm a member of the Thor Familia, of course I'm here!"

She put special emphasis on the words "member of the Thor Familia," as if declaring her claim to them both.

Two women were going to stay at Thor's home. How could she possibly not come?

Training was training, but nothing else was allowed outside of training, okay~