(Riven POV – West Main Street)
The moment I spot the approaching trio, I know that our peace has officially clocked out.
First, there's Loki, goddess of the Loki Familia. Slender and slightly taller than average at around 165cm, she walks with a cocky, almost lazy confidence. Her red ponytail bounces with every step, and her equally red eyes remain half-lidded in their usual permanent squint. But her most defining trait, at least by popular consensus, is—
"Flat chest!" Hestia blurts, snapping out of her initial shock. She clutches my arm possessively, pressing it snugly into her chest with a pout. "We're on a date! So go away, you flat chested Goddess!"
Loki's teasing smirk twitches, clearly wounded by the jab. "Oi! What did you just call me, you stumpy little raccoon?!" She barks, storming toward us with the grace of a feral goblin.
"I said flat chest, loud and clear!" Hestia repeats triumphantly, a mocking grin on her face. "Would 'washboard' be more accurate? I'm open to corrections."
'All well and good to roast your rival.' I sigh internally. 'But do you really have to do it while gluing yourself to my arm?'
While the two goddesses are priming for another round of vicious insults, I shift my attention to Loki's entourage.
To Loki's left is Riveria Ljos Alf—high elf, first-class adventurer, and someone who gives off a perpetual aura of "I'm too old for this nonsense." She's tall and graceful, her waist-length jade hair flowing behind her smoothly like a waterfall. Dressed in her familiar green outfit and white cloak, she walks just a step behind Loki, her expression a blend of patience and please-don't-drag-me-into-this exhaustion.
On Loki's right is Ais Wallenstein—slightly shorter than her goddess, but carrying just as much presence. Her long golden-blonde hair and golden eyes stand out in the crowd. She's clad in her usual white one-piece dress with gold lining. She quietly munches on a jagamarukun, completely ignoring—or oblivious—the chaos unfolding beside her.
'Okay.' I admit to myself, giving them one last glance. 'They're both quite beautiful. No wonder the entire city drools over this Familia.'
That's just my analysis, with no particular feelings attached. It'd take much more than beauty to charm me.
Then I feel a sharp pinch on my side. I glance down to find Hestia glaring up at me with puffed cheeks and suspicious eyes.
"What's wrong, Goddess?" I ask, doing my best to keep my voice innocent.
"You were staring." She accuses me as her lips form a dissatisfied pout.
"They're famous." I reply smoothly, my voice both calm and honest. "I was just curious."
Her eyes narrow for a moment as she uses her lie detection, then she relaxes and lets it go with a huff. "Fine… But only because I know you're telling the truth."
And of course, Loki's not done.
"Even your date likes my girls more than you." She snickers, grinning at me through her ever-squinting gaze. Then she jabs a finger toward my chest. "But don't get any ideas! My Ais is off-limits, got it?"
'Who said anything about Ais? I'm just trying to make it through this conversation.'
"Hey! Don't talk to Riven like that!" Hestia steps forward protectively, breaking her death grip on my arm.
With the goddesses now squaring off, I respectfully take a step back.
'Who am I, a humble mortal, to interfere in divine squabbles?'
Loki smirks, clearly entertained. "Or what, shrimp? You gonna headbutt my knees?"
"I'll teach you a thing or two about manners!" Hestia retorts, puffing out her chest proudly. "Though I'm worried the lesson might slide right off that cliff you call a chest."
Loki physically recoils, like she physically suffered damage. "Y-you little—! That doesn't even make sense!"
With a shriek, Loki lunges forward and grabs Hestia's cheeks, stretching them outward like dough. "Take that back, you pint-sized punk!"
"Let go of me, you mosquito!" Hestia flails like a furious toddler, swinging her arms uselessly as Loki keeps her just out of reach with her longer limbs.
The whole scene is… surprisingly entertaining.
"I take it you're enjoying the show?" A calm voice says beside me.
I glance over to see Riveria, arms folded, eyebrow ever so slightly raised.
"Me? Never." I say with mock dignity. "It would be unthinkable to derive amusement from such divine discourse. I'm merely observing my goddess with humility and respect."
Riveria stares at me for a long moment.
"…That's certainly one way to put it." She says dryly.
I give her a solemn nod. "Truly, I'm a victim here. I want to help my Goddess, but it'd be rude to do so… don't you feel the same way?" I ask seriously.
She closes her eyes and exhales slowly. "Of course."
'Heh. Checkmate.' I think, keeping my face serious. 'Can't have you end the show prematurely. You're way too responsible to let me have fun.'
My gaze drifts lazily towards Ais.
Not because I want to—but because she's staring at me.
Not lazily or by accident—her stare is sharp, deliberate, and full of silent intent.
Her expression is neutral, blank even, but her eyes are dissecting me.
'What the hell… I didn't even do anything.' I grumble internally. 'How did I even catch her attention?'
Ais is famously indifferent. She probably doesn't even see most people, much less focus on them. Which means if she's interested, it's because something's wrong. Not necessarily because I did something bad.
This kind of interest that means I've accidentally done something impressive. And knowing her, she'll want to spar. Or maybe she'll just ask politely?
'Unless… maybe she thinks I'm handsome?' I muse narcissistically, not believing it for a second. 'But she did think was cute because he reminded her of a bunny. Only difference is that my eyes are blue.'
[Answer: It is highly improbable that the individual Ais Wallenstein is observing you due to your physical appearance.]
'…Thanks, Great Sage. That really helps with my self-esteem, but I've got to remain humble. '
I shift subtly. 'Then what did I do?'
[Answer: Martial arts knowledge is continuously being uploaded and integrated into your motor pathways. This has altered your posture, reflex conditioning, gait, and breathing rhythm. These subconscious changes have likely been detected.]
That… makes me pause.
'Wait. Breathing?'
I focus on it for the first time in ages… and yeah. I'm breathing in a weird but steady and controlled rhythm. Every inhale hits the diaphragm with precision, and every exhale is drawn out with precise control.
'This is… Total Concentration Breathing: Constant from Demon Slayer?'
[Answer: Affirmative. The breathing style is optimized for neural clarity, cellular oxygenation, and inproved physical prowess.]
'You couldn't tell me that I was now walking around like this?' I think in exasperation.
[Answer: Instructions were followed, uploading martial knowledge to you mind. No training was required as Falna enhanced your body sufficiently to utilise the breathing style directly. Would you like to be notified of each martial arts acquired? Currently 2031 martial arts have been optimised.]
My lip almost twitches.
'We're gonna have a long talk about every single thing you've fiddled with later… but good job.' I grin internally.
Now that I'm aware, I notice it. What I previously just took as a relaxed stance is actually combat ready. I've been operating in a state of latent combat readiness, even while casually strolling with Hestia.
The entire conversation takes less than a second. But when I lock eyes with Ais again, I realize I've made a big mistake.
I'm definitely on her radar.
'Fuck my life.'
(Ais POV – West Main Street)
I watch him carefully.
'Riven.' That was his name.
He stands calmly, watching the goddesses fight. He looks relaxed, but there's more to it. It's almost like a predator pretending to be prey to lure in its real meal.
'He's strong.'
I can't say how I know it. His aura isn't powerful, and his presence is unassuming. But somehow, beneath it all, there's a sense of incongruity. A small sense of danger that I don't feel when I look at others.
Extremely well controlled strength. So much so, it seems almost absent.
I take another bite of my Jagamarukun, chewing slowly without breaking eye contact.
There's something odd about him.
I try to feel it out — the sense of his "container." His Falna. It's… strange.
'Stronger than a level 1, but not a level 2?'
He's holding something back. Or something is different about the way his strength is developing.
It's not just about raw stats. The way he moves… everything from his stance, and even his breathing is precise.
'It's not due to Falna.' I conclude.
And if it makes him stronger…
I want it.
Even as Loki and Hestia yell at each other in the background, I don't look away.
He moves like… better than a fighter. His stance shifts between casual and poised, like he could enter combat without changing his footing.
He talks with Riveria, and even then… something's off. It's like he's constantly ready to attack mid-conversation.
Then, finally, he notices me.
Our eyes lock.
And for a second, the world seems to freeze. He tenses… barely, before relaxing again. It was so minute, a normal person might not have noticed it even if they knew in advance.
But I saw it.
The way he instantly became battle ready, before instantly shifting back.
He's aware of my gaze. And now, he's watching me too.
I tilt my head and study him more openly. Something about him is worth uncovering. I just don't know what it is yet. What makes him different…
'What makes him strong?'
Riveria steps beside me, having noticed my gaze.
"What's wrong, Ais?" She asks gently.
I don't answer. I just take another bite of my Jagamarukun, never taking my eyes off the mystery in front of me.
"Let's fight." I say softly, and the world seems to freeze.
(Riven POV – West Main Street)
I stare at Ais with a deadpan expression.
'I knew this would happen...' I sigh internally. 'At least she didn't draw a sword and strike first.'
Before I can even process her intense stare, Loki—who'd been taking rapid-fire emotional damage from Hestia's jiggling assault—snaps out of it. She releases Hestia with a gasp, eyes wide in horror.
"A-Ais?" She croaks, visibly trembling.
Ais spares her a single glance. Then her focus returns to me.
Loki's mouth twitches. "What did you do to my Ais?!" She shrieks, pointing a shaky finger at me. "WHAT DID YOU DO?!"
She lunges at me in a panic, but Riveria grabs her by the back of the collar like a misbehaving dog. "Stay." she commands flatly.
'What did I do?' I resist the urge to roll my eyes. 'I was minding my business, enjoying a date with my goddess, when you lot showed up.'
Then Hestia saunters in front of the restrained goddess, claiming victory in this war. She puffs out her chest proudly—quite literally—and shoves my arm between her boobs again.
"Looks like even your girls like my date more than you." She says smugly.
Loki grits her teeth so hard I think I hear them crack. One more taunt and she might just explode.
I sigh again and look at Ais directly.
"No." I say simply, answering the unspoken question in her gaze.
Hestia beams like I just proposed. Riveria arches an eyebrow, unbothered. Ais… looks vaguely disappointed.
But Loki?
"HOW DARE YOU?!" She screeches, flailing violently in Riveria's grip. "You made Ais sad! YOU MONSTER!"
I blink. "You'd be mad either way, wouldn't you?"
"YES!" she screams. "HOW DARE YOU GET TO SPEND TIME WITH AIS?!"
I give Riveria a grateful nod as she tightens her hold on the rabid goddess. She sighs in response, long-suffering and resigned.
I turn back to Ais and explain patiently. "I'm just a level one. Fighting a level five would be—how should I put this—objectively a mistake."
Loki opens her mouth again—probably to yell something about me being a coward—but Riveria, quick as a whip, slaps her hand over it.
"Please stop." She says, utterly exhausted.
"That's why…" I continue, "I must decline. Respectfully. It wouldn't be much of a fight."
Ais studies me for a long, unreadable moment. Then—
"Can you train me?"
The world pauses. Even Loki forgets to struggle.
I blink. "...I'm just a level one adventurer."
"It's fine." Ais replies without hesitation.
"I've only been one for three days."
"It's fine." she repeats, calm and unwavering.
'Gods help me. She's serious. Nothing I say will get through to her.'
"Loki won't agree to this." I try, praying she'll take the out.
"I definitely don't agree!" Loki yells, breaking free momentarily—only to get muffled again by Riveria's hand before she can say more.
Riveria looks at Ais now, eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "Are you sure, Ais?"
Ais nods without blinking.
Riveria turns to me, offering a small, knowing smile. "If you're willing to train her, I'm sure Loki will come around."
Loki flails harder, betrayed on all fronts.
I glance toward my last hope of salvation.
'Hestia… I choose you!' I think dramatically, shooting her a silent plea.
"Even if I wanted to agree, I'd need my Goddess's permission." I say helplessly.
Loki's eyes widen, as she probably realises that was a lie, but she's gagged and can't expose me.
Hestia's grip on my arm tightens as she's suddenly mentioned. "Hmm?" She hums, looking up at me, then at the others. "I support whatever Riven decides." She beams.
'I chose wrong.'
Now the only thing stopping me… is me. Which, tragically, is the weakest excuse in this scenario.
I run the situation over in my mind.
On one hand, training Ais means constant physical danger, awkward interactions, and a relentless obsession with strength. On the other hand... refusing means Loki goes nuclear, and Ais stares at me like a kicked a puppy.
I sigh deeply.
'Why am I constantly forced into these situations?'
Still, I make my decision.
"Ais…" I sigh in defeat. "I'll train you."
*************
A/N: Hello Everyone. How are you all? If you've enjoyed the chapter and book thus far, please consider leaving me some comments, reviews, or powerstones. It really helps the book out.
So yeah, this is the chapter. I tried hard to be accurate to everyone's personality, as well as make it funny and interesting. Also introduced some of Riven's changes, like the breathing technique, and other martial arts.
So, he's agreed to train Ais, but he's still on a date, and is a busy person, but no, it won't be him giving her techniques from other anime for free (not until she's Waifu), so no worries. And he won't be doing it for free either. He'll charge Loki what's fair for what he teaches. Interaction with a Waifu, and getting paid, ain't that the dream?
Finally, we'll continue the date next chap, and be introduced to the next Waifu the chapter after probably.
Overall, I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Let me know if you laughed (I'm told I'm not funny, so prove everyone else wrong, including myself cause I agree with them).
You can also read 10 chapters ahead and support me at [email protected]/AMV_WEAKLY
That's all from me. Hope you enjoy the rest of the night (day?).