In DanMachi, I Was Targeted by Freya from the Start! Chapter 38

"Mm. I found you a teacher. Go see him tomorrow and learn from him."

"A teacher?"

"That's right. At this stage, you're strong. Your ability scores aren't low, and you don't lack skills or magic. But your combat experience is far too lacking, so you need a teacher to guide you in how to fight."

Hearing Freya's words, Cao Ye did not argue and simply nodded.

He knew his own situation. Just as Freya had said, he did not really know any fighting techniques. In other words, his fighting style was the most primitive kind—relying on instinct and intuition.

It was not much of an issue at this stage, but in the future, it would become one of his weaknesses.

"Um, Lady Freya, who is this teacher of mine? Ottar? Allen? Or someone else in the Familia?"

"None of them. Finn from the Loki Familia, whom we met at the banquet before. He's also the captain of the Loki Familia."

"Who? Finn?"

"That's right. What, are you dissatisfied?"

"It's not that I'm dissatisfied. I just didn't expect you, Lady Freya, to find me a teacher from another Familia."

Looking at Freya, Cao Ye was somewhat confused. This goddess, whose possessiveness was off the charts, was actually allowing a member of her Familia to study in someone else's Familia.

"Ottar and the others aren't suited to teaching you, and no one else is appropriate either."

"Uh..."

Cao Ye did not believe Freya's reason in the slightest.

There was not a single person in the enormous Freya Familia who could teach him? No one would believe that if it got out. There was probably some other reason, but she simply did not want to tell him.

Cao Ye had no objections to that. Compared to those dangerous "potential enemies" within his own Familia, Finn was absolutely a good choice.

"Should I go to the Loki Familia tomorrow, or will Finn come here?"

"You can go to the Loki Familia tomorrow. I've already discussed everything with Loki. How much you can learn from him will depend on you."

"Got it~"

Cao Ye was actually quite curious about the Loki Familia.

When he had first transmigrated here, the Loki Familia had been his first choice. As one of Orario's two kings, its members were as close as family. It had absolutely been the best option.

But "fate" was truly a wondrous thing. Things did not always develop the way one wanted.

The next day, Cao Ye got up early. It was his first time visiting the Loki Familia, and he was looking forward to it a little.

After washing up and changing into clean clothes, Cao Ye left Babel Tower and headed for the Loki Familia's base, Twilight Manor.

Twilight Manor was located between District One and District Eight, on North Street directly opposite Central Plaza.

It stood directly across from the Freya Familia's base—one on South Street and the other on North Street.

"Wow~"

When he reached the outskirts of Twilight Manor, Cao Ye could not help but sigh in admiration.

To occupy such a vast territory in Orario's bustling district—no wonder they were one of Orario's two strongest Familias.

Still, it was rather amusing. He had never even visited the Freya Familia's base, yet he had come to the Loki Familia first.

"Who are you?"

A guard at the entrance looked at Cao Ye and asked.

"I'm Cao Ye of the Freya Familia. I'm here to see Captain Finn. Please inform him."

"Someone from the Freya Familia is here to see our captain?"

"Yes. My goddess has already discussed it with Goddess Loki."

"Please wait a moment~"

After giving Cao Ye a look, one of the guards ran inside to report it, while the other remained on watch.

A few minutes later, the guard returned, accompanied by the Loki Familia's captain, Finn.

It had to be said that the differences between races were truly enormous. He was clearly a middle-aged man in his forties, yet he looked like a young boy. As expected of a Pallum.

"Cao Ye, we meet again."

"Captain Finn, I'll be troubling you this time."

"It's no trouble. Come in."

Under Finn's lead, Cao Ye entered the Loki Familia's base. The guards at the gate watched him with puzzled expressions, curious as to what someone from the Freya Familia was doing there.

"Cao Ye, Loki and I have discussed it. For the next month, I'll set aside three hours every morning to teach you. What do you think?"

"You're the teacher, and I'm the student. Naturally, you decide the lesson hours."

"Don't say that. There's no teacher or student here. It's just a friendly exchange."

He did not dare acknowledge this "teacher-student relationship." After all, no one could say how long the two Familias would remain "peaceful." It was better to be cautious.

Cao Ye did not say much in response. He had only mentioned it in passing.

Finn led him to the training grounds. Since it was still early, no one else was there.

"Cao Ye, what weapons are you used to using?"

"Short swords and long swords, I suppose~"

He currently had two weapons: the Level Two weapon Black Sword given to him by Freya, and the Special Grade Cursed Tool Inverted Spear of Heaven that he had obtained from a draw.

Finn nodded. Though he used a spear, he was no stranger to short swords and long swords. There were quite a few people in his Familia who used them as well.

"Then let me first see what your strength and skill level are like."

Teaching according to aptitude required first understanding the other person's level.

And the best way to understand it was to experience it firsthand.

"Okay~"

Cao Ye drew a longsword from his waist. As for the Black Sword and the Inverted Spear of Heaven, they were both inside Imaginary Space. After all, this was not a real battle.

Finn smiled slightly and took a spear from a nearby rack.

Whoosh—

Without a word, Cao Ye attacked immediately, thrusting his sword at Finn.

Clang—

The battle-experienced Finn casually blocked Cao Ye's strike with his spear, then followed up with a thrust that forced Cao Ye back several steps.

But Cao Ye immediately resumed his attacks. Finn received them all and counterattacked in turn.

There were no flashy sword techniques or skills throughout the exchange, only pure clashes. However, the two were clearly not on the same level. Finn easily neutralized all of Cao Ye's attacks.

Lili's Gratitude!

Bang—

A crisp collision rang out. The next second, the longsword in Cao Ye's hand was knocked flying.

Having suddenly lost his weapon, Cao Ye did not even have time to react before Finn's spear tip was pressed against his throat. If this had been a real battle, he would probably already be dead.

Finn then lowered his spear, bringing the "test" to an end.

"Cao Ye, your strength, speed, and reaction time are all excellent, but your attacks are a little too direct."

"Hm?"

"Your fighting style was something you figured out bit by bit on your own, wasn't it?"

"Yes. I gradually improved through fighting monsters in the Dungeon."

Finn nodded, showing that he understood Cao Ye's situation.

Most ordinary people were like Cao Ye. Without systematic training, they could only grow and learn bit by bit through fighting monsters.

"If that's the case, then we'll need to start from the beginning."

"Okay~"

As a Level 1, having the chance to learn from a Level 6 was a rare opportunity. He did not know how Freya had managed it, but whatever he learned would be his own. How could Cao Ye possibly not take it seriously?

"First is how you strike. I may not be a swordsman, but I've encountered quite a few powerful swordsmen. Your..."

Finn's instruction began, and Cao Ye studied attentively.

The entire process went from theory at first to practical application afterward. Finn pointed out everything, then sparred with Cao Ye, allowing him to learn and improve bit by bit.

The whole process went very "smoothly." One was willing to teach, and the other was willing to learn.

"Hm? Is that the captain? But who's the other person?"

As time passed, the members of the Loki Familia gradually woke up.

When they saw Finn and Cao Ye on the training grounds, they could not help but feel puzzled.

Moreover, as the captain of the Familia, training newcomers was naturally not something Finn needed to do personally. That task was usually handled by Level 3 members.

"Anqi, what are you looking at?"

"The captain is on the training grounds fighting someone I don't recognize, and that person doesn't seem to be from our Familia~"

"Not from our Familia?"

This elf girl could not help but move closer, and then she saw the two people on the training grounds.

She did not know Cao Ye, nor had she heard of any newcomer joining the Familia. So where had this guy come from? To have the captain personally step in was not treatment just anyone could receive.

"Anqi, Alicia, what are you two looking at?"

An Amazon girl happened to come out. Seeing the two gathered by the window, she asked curiously.

"Tione, come look. Do you know that person?"

"That person? Who?"

Following Anqi's gaze, Tione saw Cao Ye and Finn on the training grounds.

She naturally knew of Cao Ye. It was not that she knew him personally, but because Loki and the others had investigated him before. As a core member of the Familia, she had naturally learned quite a bit about him.

"Cao Ye?"

"Hm? Cao Ye? What a strange name. Tione, do you know him?"

"I wouldn't say I know him, but I know of him. Isn't he from the Freya Familia? Why is he here with us so early in the morning?"

"From the Freya Familia?"

Now it was Anqi and Alicia's turn to be surprised. Someone from the Freya Familia was actually in the Loki Familia, and he was training with Finn on the grounds. It was far too strange.

On the other side of the Familia residence, Loki stood by a window, watching Cao Ye below.

As a goddess, she could sense that something existed within Cao Ye. However, with her divine power sealed, it was difficult for her to determine what it was.

Still, the fact that Freya valued him so highly already said something.

After all, Freya's "eye" was famous throughout Orario. And as Freya's old friend, Loki naturally knew just how extraordinary that "eye" was.

Smack—

One hand stopped Cao Ye's attack, and Finn felt that was enough for the day.

"Let's stop here for today, Cao Ye."

"Huh?"

Immersed in the process of improving, Cao Ye had not noticed time passing.

"It's getting late~"

"Alright. Thank you for today, Captain Finn."

"Just call me Finn. No wonder you caught Goddess Freya's eye. I'm starting to think that before long, I won't have anything left to teach you."

"I just got lucky~"

Finn looked at Cao Ye and sighed inwardly.