After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Finn crossed his arms, smiled, and asked with curiosity, "Alright, let's stop chatting and get back to business. Roland, did you come to find us for something specific?"
"You'll know when you see it." Roland stood up and walked to a clear space. From his [Backpack], he took out the remaining bags of Fire Stones—the other bags had been taken by Lyra, who seemed to intend to use them for making bombs.
Before Finn and the others could ponder what kind of heaven-defying magic allowed him to pull things out of the void—and since he could take items out, he must be able to store them too—Roland opened one of the bags and took out a familiar object.
The three leaned in for a closer look, and their expressions changed instantly. Finn asked hurriedly, "How do you have so many Fire Stones? You should know that piling this many together is extremely dangerous."
"That's why I came to you to handle this matter. The Dark Faction might be collecting these Fire Stones." Roland began to explain, recounting how he accepted Tsubaki's commission and went to investigate the 24th Floor of the Dungeon.
Looking at the piles of Fire Stones flickering with an eerie red light, Finn fell into deep thought.
He recalled the intelligence he possessed regarding the dangerous Dark Faction (Evilus) and their known behavioral patterns.
After careful consideration, Finn finally broke the silence. "Hmm... Judging from the current situation, it is indeed very likely the work of the Dark Faction. I will immediately arrange for personnel to investigate whether anyone has been purchasing large quantities of Fire Stones recently."
Standing aside, Riveria sighed softly upon hearing this. Rubbing her forehead, she said worriedly, "Sigh, what a bunch of lunatics! It looks like we're going to be busy again. I wonder how much trouble is waiting for us to solve later."
At this, the straightforward Gareth crossed his arms, frowned, and agreed, "Isn't that the truth! If we don't act quickly and let those detestable guys get their hands on bombs made from so many Fire Stones—powerful enough to rival magic—just thinking about it gives me the creeps."
While waiting for the three to finish their discussion, Roland spoke up first, "Miss Riveria, I plan to have a duel with Ais at the training grounds. That shouldn't be a problem, right?"
After all, Roland was just a young man with little experience in the world, far from being a team leader or a high-ranking figure.
Therefore, matters such as dispatching personnel for investigation should naturally be left to professionals.
All he could do was eliminate those guilty of heinous crimes and save lives that were in dire straits.
Hearing Roland's request, Riveria looked puzzled and responded softly, "Hmm? That's not a problem, but... although I know you aren't an ordinary adventurer, Roland, will you really be okay facing Ais, who is Level 3?"
Meanwhile, Finn and Gareth looked at Roland with appreciation in their eyes.
To them, a truly outstanding adventurer should have the courage to face opponents stronger than themselves.
Although, at this moment, they were actually still unaware of the young man's true strength.
"It'll be fine. I'm not as weak as you imagine," Roland said confidently, adding, "Even if Ais uses her full strength without holding back, it won't be a big problem for me."
The challenger isn't me, but you, Ais!
"Isn't that great? Riveria, let us witness the prowess of Orario's fastest-leveling rookie, [Morning Star]," Finn clapped his hands in approval. He had always been looking forward to seeing Roland's strength.
Roland looked at Ais, smiled, and said, "Let's go then, Ais."
"Mn! I will definitely win," Ais said excitedly, clenching her fists tightly, a fierce light of competitiveness flashing in her golden eyes.
During the few days Roland patiently taught her how to use magic, Ais had harbored an expectation—to have a hearty duel with Roland.
Now, that long-awaited moment had finally arrived.
Riveria shook her head helplessly, looking as if she had a headache. "You lot really are unrepentant battle maniacs."
However, having said that, she knew very well that with her abilities, even if someone got hurt in the duel, she could heal them instantly.
So, since everyone was looking forward to this match, there was no harm in it.
...
"Begin!"
With Finn's loud command, the atmosphere instantly became tense.
Roland and Ais rushed toward each other like two storms, moving with lightning speed. Their weapons traced sharp arcs in the air, accompanied by the sound of breaking wind.
When Roland's single-handed sword collided violently with Ais's cold-gleaming Desperate, a loud clhalng rang out.
The two weapons locked against each other, grinding violently, emitting a tooth-aching metallic screech and spraying dazzling sparks.
However, in that brief moment of contact, a sense of confusion surged in Ais's heart.
She felt as if the rapier in her hand had struck an incredibly hard, immovable piece of Adamantite. No matter how much force she applied, she couldn't cut into it even a fraction.
After a stalemate of only a few seconds, Ais felt her strength failing her. She had to retreat several steps in succession to barely stabilize herself.
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My : https://[email protected]/AuAuMon
Danmachi : Mage's Infinite Journey (168 Chapters – Ongoing)
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The three spectators standing on the sidelines hadn't expected that in the very first round of the duel, the powerful Ais would fall into a disadvantage so quickly.
"His strength is actually greater than Ais, who is Level 3? Is he really a half-elf and not a dwarf?" Riveria exclaimed in astonishment.
Even the usually calm and composed Finn looked surprised, muttering to himself, "I thought his magic and skills were already enviable enough, but to think his physical capabilities are this strong too... Roland, you really are full of surprises."
"Here it comes," Gareth warned.
Roland suddenly stomped on the ground, cracking the rock beneath his feet. His agile body shot out like an arrow from a string, rushing toward Ais with astonishing speed.
The sharp sword in his hand traced a fierce arc in the air, creating a sharp whistling sound—Swoosh.
Like lightning tearing through the night sky, the sword struck heavily against Ais, who hurriedly raised her rapier to block.
Ais gripped Desperate tightly with both hands, feeling an overwhelming impact surge toward her. Although her own strength wasn't poor, she was still young and had a petite, light frame.
Under the impact of this powerful force, her body involuntarily tipped backward. She stumbled, almost losing her balance and falling to the ground.
Although she had estimated she might not be able to defeat Roland, she hadn't expected to be completely suppressed. But Ais didn't feel the slightest frustration. On the contrary, a strong sense of excitement quickly welled up deep inside her!
"So amazing, Roland," a flash of admiration crossed her mind.
Roland shouted to Ais, still wanting more, "Ais, use magic!"
Hearing this, Ais didn't stand on ceremony and chanted her magic in a low voice: "Awaken!"
[Ariel]—an ultra-short chant magic. It wrapped the user in wind, enhancing attack, defense, and speed, and granting short-distance flight capability.Suddenly, a gust of emerald green wind appeared out of nowhere without warning, surrounding Ais as if it possessed a life of its own.
The flow of air, visible to the naked eye, danced around her like a living entity. Her golden hair, blooming with a dazzling brilliance like gold dust, fluttered and undulated in the wind.
As Ais kicked off the ground with force, an explosive sound erupted, accompanied by a cloud of dust. Her figure vanished, gaining fierce acceleration from the wind enveloping her entire body.
At this moment, she was no longer merely a person but had truly transformed into a violent gale, rushing straight toward Roland with the force of a thunderbolt.
The wind at her starting point surged like tumultuous waves, stirring up layers of ripples in the air. With just a single step, Ais closed the distance between the two of them.
Everything in the world became blurred due to the blind spots created by her excessive speed. The world ahead was the only color in the chaotic blur.
Roland, holding his magnificent single-handed sword, was so clear in her eyes.
Ais, moving like the wind, slashed down suddenly from a high angle.
Clang—Clang, Clang, Clang...
The air seemed to be torn apart by the fierce strike, leaving behind trails of white traces—afterimages left by slashes that perfectly combined power and speed.
Their swords collided violently. Sparks flew in an instant, yet their movements didn't pause in the slightest. Almost immediately, they retracted their blades and slashed at each other again with even greater speed than before.
For a time, the flash of blades and shadows of swords crisscrossed. The surrounding air was shredded by the sharp sword qi, and even the rocks kicked up by their movements were sliced into finer dust.
Even the solid ground was not spared; deep and shallow sword marks appeared, crisscrossing the surface.
Under Ais's storm-like offensive, Roland withstood her attacks with reactions far exceeding those of ordinary people.
With a loud clang, both of them leaped back several steps in unison, earning a moment of respite.
Roland shook his slightly numb right hand, a wild smile appearing on his face. "That won't do at all, Ais. Your 'Wind' isn't this weak, is it?"
Hearing this, Ais frowned slightly. She pursed her lips gently, a flash of unwillingness crossing her eyes. Being unable to suppress Roland even after using magic made her feel restless.
"I didn't expect Roland to say something like that," Finn remarked in surprise.
"Even the look on his face has completely changed. It seems there are issues with both my education and Goddess Astraea's. Sigh," Riveria sighed, rubbing her forehead once again.
"Hahaha, it seems talented children all have this kind of personality," Gareth said, stroking his beard.
"So, what is the reason for this brat fighting with little Ais? And what is he doing here?" A question with a slightly strange accent suddenly came from behind the three of them.
"Yo, Loki, you're awake?" Finn said without turning his head.
"Of course. How could I sleep with all this noise? And I'm not the only one here; everyone is watching," Loki said grumpily, narrowing her eyes.
The three looked around and saw many Familia members gathered everywhere, watching the duel.