Chapter 71 - Teaching

With a sigh, Riveria closed her eyes while saying

"Ethan, I guess we can start our quick lesson on magic before training..."

Hearing her, he saw Ais release his arm while staring at Riveria.

"I won't tell you anything regarding Elves magic as you can surely understand It would mean betray my race. So I can start talking about Magic Power"

Sighing, she reopened her eyes whilst Ethan focused entirely on her.

"Magic Power, or mana as we call it, is what allows us to use magic, or to be specific, to give power to spells, making them ready for use. To transform the Magic Power in a spell, we normally need a chant that variates based on the magic itself. The longest the chant, the more Magic power it will receive, that means spells with a longer chant are generally stronger..."

Now looking like a real Sensei, Riveria stared at him to check if he was listening. Finding that he was, she had the hint of a smile on her face before returning on what she was saying

"Now, to talk about your magic, it's a rare type of magic, which doesn't require a chant but still is powerful enough to.."

"Powerful enough to defeat hordes of level 3 with a single attack. It isn't a magic that has a heavy price to pay too, so that's why I had doubts about its origin. Talking about this, normally every magic is associated with a legend, and that's where the magic takes form."

Understanding what she was saying, Ethan thought about her words while she continued her speech

"I wanted to research your magic because finding the legend it's originated from can help you improve your own understanding of it, even though it isn't that much, you'll still find it better. By the way, I will tell you one last thing. If you reach a certain threshold of instability with your magic, it's better not to chant it as it would cause an Ignis Fatuus"

Knowing what it was, Ethan nodded while thanking her for the lesson on magic. Even though he could've asked Light to buy him a book regarding the subject, Ethan knew it wasn't wise to spend all his points on theory, at least not if he has someone like Riveria that can explain to him.

Sighing, Riveria saw Ais return where Lefiya went to spectate whilst he said

"I think we should start our training..what do you say?"

With this question, she returned her focus on Ethan with small smile. Understanding she was of the same idea, Ethan entered a battle-ready state.

"Let me see what you can do against me.. Ethan"

Boosting his body, he wanted to try using [Avian] now.

Seeing the two ready to attack themselves, Lefiya was somehow afraid of them both. Even though they weren't directing their gazes on her, she still felt it.

'Riveria w-won't be harsh with him..right?'

She thought this, but in reality, the situation was different. Expecting her to defend against his [Avian] like the first time, Ethan was ready to use Instantaneous Movements but, what took him by surprise was the fact that Riveria was already in front of him. With a hit from her staff, she threw him away without a care in the world.

Surprised by her action, he stared at her whilst his unquestioned question was directly answered by her.

"Did you think I would just take your hit with my [Via Shilheim]? Remember that I'm stronger than you, and that I can fight in close combat as well. I may be not that skilled at it, but it's enough to beat you"

Sighing in his mind, he got up while the pain accompanied him as always.

'I even used my defence to block her hit but all I got was my bone broken. I don't even know if she used all her strength to hit me..the difference is even bigger than I thought'

Imagining their difference as big as a mountain, he understood it was likely the case. Shaking his head to remain calm, he answered

"I didn't expect you to start attacking me, but I guess it's fine.."

"The difference in level can't be filled so easily. Even though you can defeat many level 3 at the same time, that means you're skilled to fight against a lot of enemies with parameters similar to yours, but against just one powerful person all you can do is try to evade or being thrown away."

He knew she was right, but it wasn't something he wanted to accept. Looking down for a moment, he replied

"Is there a way... to fill this gap?"

Expecting this answer, she nodded while approaching him slowly.

"You need to become stronger, that's basically how you can feel that gap. I can't say it will be easy, but even compared to the others you start with a huge advantage, so you just have to train hard..and I'll help you with that"

With this answer from her, he understood he had to get up. Even though he didn't use his previous [Avian], Ethan understood there had to be a cooldown. Feeling his arm return to normal, he used [Avian] again before dodging Riveria's blow..

---

Seeing how easily Ethan was thrown away, Lefiya was slightly surprised as she didn't expect such a behavior from her..

Turning to look at Ais, she saw her slightly scared. Shocked, she asked

"A-Ais..? Why you seem so afraid of her?"

Looking at her, she answered

"I...Riveria is...scary...when she has to train..someone."

Hearing this, Lefiya looked at the 'fight'. Seeing Ethan being thrown away again, she returned her focus to stare at Ais.

"D-Do you think she will k-kill him!?"

Shaking her head, she added

"No..but.."

Seeing her reaction, she was even more worried than when he was fighting against Tiona.

'I hope he'll be f-fine..'

Thinking this, she decided it was better to stare at the fight, mainly because she was afraid of Riveria as well.

'The only thing I can do is pray for h-his well-being...'

---

After an hour, the situation was still the same. With Ethan panting for air, Riveria stared at him, ready to use her staff again.

She was about to continue but, she was stopped by a well-known voice that made her presence known to everyone.

"Can you stop your training for a moment? I need to talk to you!"

Looking at the training grounds, Loki saw that Hestia was still here, with her familia member. Sighing, she added

"Chibi! What are you doing here? you have to participate in the Denatus!"

Hearing Loki calling her Chibi, Hestia was already ready to argue with her, but, upon hearing the 'Denatus', her expression shifted from angry to shocked.

"I-I-I forgot! I forgot!! The Denatus!!"

Getting up, she ran towards Loki while she had a mischievous smile on her face

"You can come like this, I am sure the other Gods wouldn't mind your appearance at all!"

Hearing her answer, Hestia's eyes widened

"Is it true? Can I come like this?"

Being asked this question, Loki's smile shifted in an annoyed one

"I was teasing you! Obviously you can't come like this, you need a dress! You are lucky that I came to inform my members that in 1 hour and half I'll go to the event.. "

Shaking her head, she understood that she had no other choice. Ready to run at home, she was about to go before Ethan stopped her.

"Wait..Hestia!"

Hearing him calling her, she turned and replied

"Ethan.. I need to go!"

Shaking his head, he added

"I...have a dress in my storage"

Whilst saying this, he opened the shop. Buying the first night dress he saw.

-----

[Damsel's Dress]

Rank: A

Abilities: Beauty Enhance(A), Waterproof(C), Size Adjustment(B).

This dress was made by an expert tailor from a foreign record. With his scepticism for details, the tailor managed to create a real work of art with the few materials available to him in the realization of it. The dress covers only a small portion of the shoulders and flows down into a fancy plunging neckline. It's a close fit which emphasizes the b.r.e.a.s.ts in an elegant and dignified manner.

The sleeves are a tight, but comfortable fit from top to bottom, allowing for enough movement while still looking stylish.

---

Hearing him saying he had a night dress in his storage, Hestia immediately looked at him with a surprised expression.

'A dress? Why would he...'

Thinking about the few reasons for him to have the dress, she came to a conclusion. Staring at Ais, she had a somewhat sad smile on her face while turning her focus on Ethan.

"I have a dress at home..."

Shaking his head, he approached her while the dress appeared in his hands. Seeing the red-coloured dress, she was shocked by its beauty. Staring at him, she understood that she couldn't say anything more to him. Conflicted, she didn't want to cause troubles to him but, seeing him smiling, she understood it was impossible to make him change idea. Taking the dress from his hands, she muttered

"Sorry if I ruined your surprise..."

With this, she went towards Loki with a proud smile.

"See? Now I have the dress, so I'll come with you!"

Putting more empathy in her last word, Loki stared at Ethan while he was thinking about her words with a confused expression on his face. Sighing, she decided to surrender, but...

"Listen to me! I will bring you with me, but if you make me look bad, I'll pull those cheeks of yours until they change colour"

Even though she wanted to argue, Hestia remained silent while Riveria decided to intrude.

"Hestia-sama, allow me to help you find a room to change.."

Hearing Riveria, Lefiya decided to come along, mainly because she understood that Hestia somehow knew about the dress..

'I.. I want to know. That dress is so beautiful.. Was it..a p-present for Ais!?'

Looking at Ais with the corner of her eyes, she saw her emotionless expression unchanged from the events that occurred. With a sigh of relief, she decided she could leave her alone for a bit..

"I..Can I c-come too..?"

Hearing the two girls offering to help her, Hestia nodded with a smile on her face whilst Lili decided to just follow her goddess without add anything.

Ethan instead, decided to return to Ais while she stared at Hestia, heading towards the rooms for guests..

'I somehow managed to pull it off. If they question me I can say I bought it before going to the Hostess of Fertility when I found Lili being attacked by the Adventurer..'

Having miraculously this excuse, Ethan knew he had to reconcile with Ais now, also because he could feel a pinch of her jealousy leaking out of her body.

'I don't know when..but I think I can more or less understand her emotions..even if her face shows me nothing..Is this how love works..?'

Even though Loki wanted to ask something to him, the atmosphere between the two made it impossible for her to come close. Deciding to let them do as they pleased, she returned in her own room, even though she was angry by how the situation developed.

'It's so irritating! Everyone ignored me...but..now that I think about it, when did he buy that dress..? One of the evenings when they came back late?..'

Asking this question to herself, she decided to ask him when it was time as he decided to bring Ais somewhere to stay alone...

---

(I have a discord server. discord.gg/cpVr5X8 If you enter it, you can choose one of Ethan's future powers from the pool I created, but that's not all! On the server, you can see the reference on some things that will be present in the story! Right now you can freely see some things like the [Twin's Digimon] and [The Devoted Heart].)

(If you want to support me w ww.pat reon.com/watashiwavdesu)

(A/N: If you want to ask why Riveria decided to help Hestia find a room to change instead of asking for the dress or something similar, I'll answer here. Basically, she understood as well that the atmosphere was becoming heavy because everyone other then Ethan thought the dress was a present for Ais but, out of kindness, he gave it to Hestia. It was the only plausible option for her, not being aware of the nature of the system. For this, Riveria immediately decided to move to another place to discuss it. As for Ais, she's just jealous that Ethan gifted such a beautiful dress to Hestia..)

(Alternate Titles: "Ethan vs Riveria, epic fight, Ethan thrown around but still epic fight.", "they all have a better impression of him now, even if it wasn't his intention improving it...", "Angry Loki, Jealous Ais, Scared Lefiya, Happy yet Sad Hestia. And then, there's Riveria, who just wanted to train Ethan...")