On the third day of training, the final morning, I asked Aiz to use the "wind" as a personal favor. She accepted my request with a smile.
I wanted to feel at least a bit of Aiz's strength and understand how far apart we still were.
It was a selfish request on my part.
And, as expected, I was completely defeated.
"Are you alright?"
"It's—i-it's terrible…"
Aiz, worried about me, lowered her voice while I lay on the ground, gasping for breath, unable to even form words properly from exhaustion. It was a rather pitiful scene.
The distance between us was enormous.
I was still very far behind.
However, that distance wasn't discouraging enough to make me lose hope.
I understood. I realized that from now on, I could run forward with even more determination.
This time, to be able to catch up to that back which still seemed so far away.
"Truly, you've grown stronger…"
As she reached out her hand to help me up, Aiz spoke those words.
Even when I looked up, the glow of the dawn behind her made it impossible to see the expression on her face.
But I felt a faint smile in her voice.
"You've improved your skills, found your strengths… so instead of rushing headfirst…"
Since the second day, I had started to notice it.
Just as I wanted to become stronger, Aiz was also trying to be a good teacher. She was making an effort in many ways.
Even though she once told me she wasn't good with words, she struggled to find the right ones to teach me, to guide me.
I felt grateful, guilty, and above all, happy about it.
"Think about how you can make your opponent fight on your terms… Try to consider that."
"Yes!"
I responded enthusiastically to Aiz's teaching, taking her hand and standing up. I also thanked her for everything.
"Thank you for everything, Aiz-san. Your expedition starts today, right?"
"Yes."
"Please be careful. Come back safe and sound…"
I knew it was inappropriate to speak like that to the most powerful guild in the city, but still, I felt the need to say it.
Just like that time on the 18th floor, in the underground paradise of the Labyrinth, I conveyed my concern.
Aiz narrowed her eyes and nodded softly.
"Let's train together again sometime."
"...!"
"When I train with you, Bell, I discover a lot too."
"Yes!"
I held back the urge to jump for joy and eagerly accepted Aiz's proposal.
It goes without saying that I couldn't help but wear a big smile.
"Well then... until next time."
Aiz turned and walked toward the city exit.
I watched her for a moment, shaking off the wave of nostalgia that overwhelmed me, then turned around myself.
Next time, I'll be stronger.
With that determination in my heart, I took one step, then another, and began to run.
I will go too.
Just like Aiz and the others, toward a true "adventure."
When I returned to the mansion, I took a shower, and while the still sleepy god asked me to update my status, I put on the combat uniform that Master Leon had specified. I also disguised myself with a wig and a cloak to avoid suspicion in the city.
Trying to leave through the back door unnoticed, the god suddenly rushed toward me.
"God, what's going on?!"
"I almost completely forgot…! Take this with you!"
With his messy hair flying, the god handed me a heavy package wrapped in white cloth.
Inside the package were a large sword and a red dagger.
"Is this Welf's work?"
"Yes, I asked Welf-kun to prepare it for you."
As I blinked repeatedly, a faint tension settled over me.
The sword was a masterpiece unlike anything I had ever seen before, and the dagger was a magical weapon—not just any magical weapon, but a "Crozzo Magic" blade.
This was such powerful equipment that it made me wonder what kind of challenge awaited me.
The god hadn't revealed anything to me until now. But unable to hold back, I finally asked:
"Bell-kun, what you're about to experience will, I believe, be something necessary for you."
Hestia-sama, with her all-seeing gaze, spoke those words.
"I admit it bothers me a little that everything seems to be going according to Baldr and the others' plans... but deep down, my feelings are the same as theirs."
To my surprise, she continued speaking with sincerity.
— "It's not good for me to tell you what will happen, or what Leon-kun is thinking. I also believe it's better not to."
— "…"
— "I want you to see it with your own eyes, to feel it for yourself."
With complete honesty, Hestia-sama shared her thoughts with me.
Given that, there was only one response I could give.
— "Understood. I'm leaving now!"
Without hesitation, I prepared to set out.
If the god who has guided me this far says so, then there is no room for doubt. Even if something incredibly difficult awaits me, I will trust her words and face it head-on.
With a smile on my face, I took the weapons that had been handed to me and left the mansion, waving goodbye until Hestia-sama was no longer in sight.
— "Hey, over here, over here!"
With dawn breaking, I proceeded along the almost deserted main street, heading northeast out of the city.
Since the city gates were closed as a precaution against espionage related to the "Festival of Urban Competitions Orariopiad," Hestia-sama had requested help in advance from the Hermes Familia.
The Hermes Familia is one of the few families permitted to freely enter and leave the city (or so they say).
Thanks to Lulu, a dog-girl from that family, I nervously passed through the gate inspection without being stopped.
After thanking Lulu and the others for their help, I made my way to the foot of the Beor Mountains, which stretch north of the city.
Following the directions on the map that came with Baldur-sama's letter, I headed toward the mark shaped like an X. Then,
— "Ah, Rapi-kun!"
"—Nina? What are you doing here?"
In front of an abandoned log cabin that seemed to be the designated meeting spot, I found Nina dressed in the same red and white combat uniform as mine.
She carried her main weapon, a staff, along with a large backpack that gave her the look of a seasoned traveler.
As I marveled at her appearance,
"I was the one who called her. I asked for her help with this matter."
"Leon-sensei..."
A figure with leonine hair calmly explained, though my voice trembled slightly upon seeing him.
He wasn't wearing the usual formal black teacher's uniform, but gleaming silver armor, with a longsword sheathed at his side.
The cloak billowing from his armor completed the image of a true knight.
Holding my breath as I took in his imposing presence, Leon-sensei smiled and said,
"It's time to depart. Our long-awaited 'fieldwork outdoors' begins now."