"Ohhhhhhh!!!"
With a high-pitched cheer, Alise pounced forward and lifted Akira up with both hands, spinning him around like a top.
She excalimed with excitement, "Too strong! Too powerful! Akira, your magic is absolutely insane! Are you really just a half-elf?!"
"R-Right… Wait, is it really just magic?"
Celty, the green-haired elf girl, leaned in with urgency, her eyes wide with disbelief.
"Why can you cast such powerful spells without any chant or inscription?! And that weapon—what is that? Is it magic too?!"
"Celty, calm down! You're too excited." Asta grabbed her sleeve, trying to reel her in.
"Wow, if that kind of magic hit me, I'd be toast for sure." Noin quipped with a nervous laugh.
"It looks like our future expeditions just gained a powerful new asset." Ryana murmured to Lyra beside her.
"Indeed."
Lyra nodded with calm approval. "I never imagined such power from someone at just Level 1. This will definitely bring a stronger sense of security—whether in the dungeon or out enforcing order."
Akira said, "C-Captain… could you please let me down now?"
Akira looked helplessly at the people surrounding him, all staring with eyes that sparkled like stars. His soul was about to escape his body.
Kaguya strolled up and sighed, arms crossed. She said, "Alright, you airheaded captain. Didn't you notice Akira's about to pass out from being swung like a rag doll? Let him go already."
"Ah—oops."
Alise blinked and finally set Akira down, though she still clung to him. Without warning, she pulled his head close and pressed it against her armored chest.
"Alise, please—if you keep doing this, I can't explain anything properly…"
Akira groaned, his head throbbing more from impact than embarrassment. Only then did Alise finally release him.
Akira took a moment to breathe, then began explaining, "Magic doesn't have to be chant-based. My spells simply convert mana into elemental force. It's not that the magic is powerful on its own—it's me who's powerful. That's why I don't need to chant. I just push out more magic power."
He then pointed to his staff and said, "As for the weapon, it's a result of my own skill. I have an inventory ability—a backpack skill, basically. It has a limit of thirty slots."
"Wait, what do you mean by a thirty-slot limit?" Someone asked curiously.
Akira cleared the doubt, "I mean exactly that. If I carry thirty weapons, that maxes out the backpack. One item per slot."
"Ohhh, that's super handy. I'm jealous!" The girls around him responded in unison.
Akira placed his hands on his hips, basking in the praise.
He continued, "But wait, there's more! What if—just hypothetically—we put all thirty weapons inside one container? That entire container would only take up one slot. Imagine the possibilities."
Silence fell.
Even Astraea herself blinked in surprise, clearly taken aback. Then, slowly, she smiled at Akira, giving him a soft nod filled with quiet approval.
"…That means, from now on, we can shove anything into Akira's body as long as it's grouped together?" Lyra muttered with amazement.
"Exactly."
Kaguya added, her voice low, "He's not just a combat force—he's a full-blown mobile supply depot. With him on expeditions, we can carry more provisions than ever before."
Ryuu said thoughtfully, "No wonder Astraea-sama chose to keep this skill hidden."
"If word of it got out, Akira would be in serious danger. Now I'm even more curious about his other two skills."
"I'm sure Astraea-sama will tell us when the time is right." Alisee said as she leaned over playfully, hands clasped behind her back.
"Akira wouldn't reveal this unless he trusted us."
"Indeed." Astraea said, stepping forward to defuse the growing curiosity.
"Akira is heading into the dungeon today. Let's not overwhelm him with questions."
"Okay!" ×7
Kaguya promptly grabbed Akira by the collar and said, "Alright, kid. Let's talk about that duel earlier."
"Eh? What about it?"
"What do you mean by changing your weapon? Are your current ones not working out? And what happened to being a mage?"
"What's wrong with that?"
Akira crossed his arms defiantly and said, "Can't a mage use a sword too? There's even a term for it—magic swordsman! And besides, it confuses the enemy."
He grinned slyly and added, "They'll think I'm a plain old swordsman—then boom, surprise magic! Or they'll think I'm a magic swordsman, but I'm actually a full caster. Genius, right?"
"…Forget it."
Kaguya sighed and shook her head. "You're impossible. Anyway, if you ever need advice, just come ask us. We'll teach you properly."
"Besides—"
Knock! Knock!
A knock on the door interrupted Kaguya mid-sentence.
Neze went over to opened it. Then, a girl with silver-gray hair and bright blue eyes entered, accompanied by a tall woman with dark blue hair. Several masked individuals followed behind them.
"Ah, it's the Ganesha Familia." Someone noted.
Alise's eyes lit up with recognition. She stepped forward and asked, "Adi? Shakti? What brings you two here? Did something happen nearby?"
Shakti scanned the room quickly. Seeing that everyone in the Astraea Familia was safe, she relaxed—until her gaze landed on Akira, the lone male half-elf. Her brow furrowed slightly.
She greeted formally, "Good morning, Astraea-sama. Everyone."
"We received a report from nearby residents about an explosion at your base. Some thought it might be an attack from Evilus, so we came to investigate. But it looks like there's no danger."
"Ryuu, Alise—morning! I'm here to hang out!" Adi waved energetically, clearly unconcerned.
Alise rubbed the back of her head and let out an awkward laugh.
She said, "Ahahaha… Sorry about that. Two overly enthusiastic members of ours caused a little noise during their duel. Our bad, Shakti."
"Good morning. Apologies for the trouble." Ryuu added with a solemn nod.
"I see. Well, I'm relieved it wasn't anything serious."
Shakti's gaze returned to Akira and she said, "Is he your new recruit?"
She extended a hand and said, "I'm Shakti Varma, captain of the Ganesha Familia. If you need anything, feel free to rely on us."
Akira shook his hand politely and said, "I'm Akira, uh… yeah, the newest member of the Astraea Familia. Feel free to call on me, too."
"Yay! My turn!"
Adi suddenly leaped forward, full of energy.
"I'm Adi Varma, the cool and righteous little sister of Shakti! I'm also Level 3, like Ryuu and the others! Ta-daaa!"
Surrounded by unfamiliar faces, Akira straightened up, his tone stiff.
"Ah… Hello. I'm Akira."
"Hey! What's with the cold response? Why are you being so formal with me?" Adi puffed her cheeks.
"No?" Akira replied with genuine confusion.
Ryuu stepped forward and whispered to Adi, "Sorry. He's a little shy when there are too many strangers around."
"Ahh, got it." Adi nodded with understanding.
Suddenly, Akira clapped his hands as if recalling something urgent.
He said, "Ah—my dungeon time's almost up! I'll see you all tonight. Thank you for everything!"
He waved behind him while speed-walking out the door. "Sorry for causing a fuss!"
And just like that, he was gone.
"Pfft… Hahaha!" Alise laughed heartily.
"Sorry, sorry. That kid's just shy around people he doesn't know. But he's lively when he's with us. He's a good kid. Ridiculously talented."
Shakti nodded. She didn't say much, but her sharp gaze softened as she observed the lively familia.
"…Congratulation."
She said eventually, "You've found another worthy comrade. If there's nothing else, we'll take our leave. Alise, everyone—stay safe."
"Take care!" The girls called out as the Ganesha group departed.