Lefiya Viridis.
According to Riveria, she is her chosen successor, possessing formidable magical abilities. She can move freely around the 10th to 20th floors without much trouble, unless she encounters a floor boss.
Her magical prowess is astonishing, earning Riveria's high praise. She has been described as having the potential to "surpass me if she grows properly," making her a mage of extraordinary talent.
However, she is still too inexperienced.
To help her master a technique called "Parallel Chanting," Riveria plans to have Eiji take her to train around the 10th to 20th floors.
"Sure thing."
Eiji nodded readily.
Mages are often powerful artillery units, and their attacks are particularly effective against the magic-emitting dog-like monsters on the 13th floor. Having her as a companion is more than welcome.
"Lefiya."
"Yes, um... please take care of me!"
At Riveria's signal, the golden-haired elf stepped forward, bowing shyly to Eiji.
"I plan to enter the dungeon early tomorrow morning. Let's meet at the entrance then."
"O-Okay!"
Lefiya's face flushed red, her eyes darting around, unsure where to look, too embarrassed to meet Eiji's gaze.
Lefiya Viridis!
You need to pull yourself together! You admire Miss Aiz! Don't be swayed by a man's charm!
In a corner of her heart, a tiny Lefiya kept cheering herself on.
"Well, I'll take my leave now."
Riveria mentioned that she still had some things to teach Lefiya and left with the girl, who still couldn't face Eiji directly.
Before leaving, Riveria glanced seemingly casually at a distant corner, where a glimpse of golden hair could be seen.
A certain golden-haired girl was hiding behind the wall, her golden eyes watching from afar, seemingly wanting to come over and greet them.
"Lefiya is quite cute, isn't she?"
Tiona approached, her tone tinged with jealousy.
"?"
Eiji slowly typed out a question mark.
Seeing Tiona's displeased expression, Eiji thought for a moment and gradually understood the situation.
"Heh, you're quite cute too."
Eiji's eyes softened, his tone becoming gentle.
At that moment, he seemed to radiate a shoujo manga-like aura, his eyes sparkling, his entire being glowing.
"Pfft!"
In an instant, Tiona felt as if an arrow had pierced her heart. Her face grew hot, her legs weakened, and her strength seemed to drain away.
Who am I?
Where am I?
What just happened?
For a moment, Tiona felt her sense of reality completely disoriented, unsure of what year it was.
"I plan to go out to prepare for tomorrow's exploration. Can you come with me?"
Eiji didn't notice Tiona's unusual state, thinking she was just standing still. He inwardly praised how easy it was to handle an Amazoness, then continued with a smile.
"Ah... um, yes yes yes! I'll go! I'll go, I'll go, I'll go!"
It took Tiona a while to regain her senses, her eyes burning with enthusiasm, eagerly replying as if afraid he might change his mind.
"Let's go then."
Eiji put away his weapon and left the courtyard with Tiona.
After they left.
Ais emerged from the corner, staring blankly in the direction they had gone.
A gentle breeze blew, swaying her golden hair, but she remained oblivious, standing silently, lost in thought.
***
Bringing Tiona along was like having a guide intimately familiar with Orario.
"Airmid! Give me a dozen of your best recovery potions!"
Northwest Street.
Due to the presence of the Guild headquarters, this street had almost become an adventurer's street. Both sides were lined with large shops selling items, weapons, and equipment, with no street vendors in sight.
Tiona led Eiji into an item shop on Northwest Street, its sign bearing the words "Dian Cecht Familia."
As Eiji entered, he noticed a large number of test tubes on the counter. There were red stamina recovery potions, ultramarine high-grade recovery potions, and many other coloured potions.
At the far end of the counter was a crystal bottle containing a rainbow-coloured potion, appearing mysterious and valuable.
"Oh, you're here."
Greeting them was a girl with doll-like delicate features.
She had silky silver-white hair, and her light purple eyes shimmered with a dreamlike glow. She wore a white-based Familia uniform reminiscent of a doctor, though her legs were clad in white over-the-knee boots, making her seem less like a doctor... or perhaps more like one in certain films.
"The Loki Familia's expedition hasn't started yet, has it?"
She approached the counter, retrieving a dozen ultramarine test tubes from the glass window and handing them to Tiona, her voice low and calm.
"Nope! The next expedition is in twenty days! But I'm not here for expedition supplies this time!"
Though Tiona was usually energetic, today she was exceptionally spirited.
Eiji nodded inwardly.
As expected of me, achieving what others cannot.
"A dozen high-grade recovery potions, totalling 300,000 Valis."
Before Eiji could reach for his wallet, Tiona had already paid and handed the high-grade recovery potions to him with a grin.
"Do you have any potions that restore magic power here?"
Eiji didn't stand on ceremony, knowing that a Level 5's wealth was likely beyond his imagination, so he accepted them readily and then asked the silver-haired girl, Airmid.
"You mean mental recovery potions, right?"
Airmid raised an eyebrow slightly, her expression gradually understanding as she retrieved a dozen orange potions from the window.
"Magic power refers to mental power, so replenishing mental power restores magic. This dozen totals 100,000 Valis."
Good grief.
It's practically robbery. No wonder the medical business is so lucrative!
Potions come in many types. For example, ordinary recovery potions only restore stamina and are the cheapest, costing 500 Valis. Then there are mental recovery potions, which, as the name suggests, restore magic power equivalent to mental power, costing at least 7,000 to 8,000 Valis each. Finally, high-grade recovery potions not only restore stamina but also treat various injuries, from stopping bleeding to mending broken bones, making them extremely valuable, costing tens of thousands each.
"What kind of potion is that?"
Eiji's gaze shifted to the rainbow-coloured potion in the crystal bottle at the far end of the counter, prompting him to ask Airmid.
"Elixir."
Airmid followed his gaze and explained, "It can heal any injury, from damaged organs to shattered bones... Even someone on the brink of death can be saved with one bottle. It also cures poison, paralysis, and other abnormal statuses."
What an incredible potion!
Eiji's eyes lit up.
"500,000 Valis per bottle."
"I'll take it!"
Tiona was incredibly generous, like a wealthy patron.
"Do you have enough money?"
"Don't worry, I have millions in reserve!"
"Hey, I find you even cuter now!"
"Hehehe!"
***
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