Watching Bell crash to the ground after yet another series of futile charges, Shirou couldn't help but reflect.
Bell's attacks were completely devoid of logic or reason; he hadn't even considered tactics before rushing in.
He was just an ordinary adventurer, raised by the wilds.
Come to think of it, if not for Ais's training in the original story, Goddess Freya would probably have had Ottar teach Bell how to fight.
No—perhaps she might have asked Ryu to train Bell through Syr or Mia.
One way or another, Freya would have made sure he matured.
As Bell was sent flying again, Shirou sighed helplessly. "This training is going to take a long time…"
It was different from the way Ais had trained Bell in the original story.
Ais had sought to instill in him the combat mindset of an adventurer through real battle, helping him process information mid-fight and capitalize on his strengths.
Shirou, however, intended to teach him the art of the dagger, focusing on building his fundamental skills.
Of course, both could be practiced simultaneously, and the fact that Shirou and Ais were training him together was precisely for that purpose.
In the original story, Ais had also wanted to teach Bell dagger techniques, but she didn't know them herself. On top of that, she hadn't wanted the rest of her Familia to find out.
That had limited her ability to train Bell.
Now, with Shirou here, she could finally realize that wish.
Watching Shirou as he observed the bout between Ais and Bell, Lefiya, feeling a touch jealous, pointed at him and said:
"Brother, you're forgetting about me!"
"Huh? Sorry, sorry!"
Realizing what she meant, Shirou quickly apologized. "I'm sorry, Lefiya. I know you so well that I was focused on Bell. Forgive me."
"It's fine. I know it's your duty."
Though she had been a little envious at first, Lefiya quickly composed herself at Shirou's apology.
"So, how do you plan to train me?" she asked.
"I want to develop you into a more versatile adventurer," Shirou replied.
"More versatile?" Lefiya repeated, intrigued.
"That's right." Shirou nodded slightly and explained his thoughts.
"With the magic of the Fairy Ring, you are without a doubt Orario's greatest magical talent. Your future won't stop at Level 5 or 6. But that's still far off."
"The reason is that dungeon exploration hasn't gone deep enough yet. It's simply not possible for adventurers to reach Level 7 right now."
Currently in Orario, only Ottar of the Freya Familia had reached Level 7, and he had already peaked at that tier.
As one of the most powerful figures of the same generation as Loki Familia's top three, Ottar's achievement in reaching Level 7 was extraordinary.
He had accomplished it through a solo expedition to the 49th Floor, where he fought the Floor Boss alone.
Not only did he deal severe damage to the boss, but he also escaped unharmed, returning safely to the surface.
That feat had finally allowed him to break into Level 7.
If another Level 6 adventurer attempted the same, perhaps they could inflict heavy damage and survive.
But making a round trip in a solo expedition? Impossible.
Ottar managed it only because he possessed abilities that gave him an overwhelming edge.
Others simply did not.
If anyone in the Loki Familia had the highest potential to reach Level 7 under the current circumstances, it would likely be Ais.
With her Avenger skill, she could potentially achieve Level 7 by slaying the 49th Floor Boss on her own at the peak of Level 6.
That, however, was something even Ottar could not do.
Thus, given the current depth of dungeon exploration, aside from a few exceptions, almost no one met the requirements for Level 7.
Figures like Riveria, Finn, and Gareth had been at Level 6 for a long time already.
In many ways, Level 7 was the practical endpoint for most adventurers.
Before the rise of the Loki and Freya Familias, the Zeus and Hera Familias had reigned supreme in Orario for decades.
And even then, their top adventurers were primarily Level 7.
Moreover, the Zeus Familia had once produced two Level 8s.
The Hera Familia, on the other hand, had no Level 8s—but did boast a single Level 9.
Therefore, even if Lefiya were to reach Level 6, she would still end up in the same position as Riveria: unable to advance further.
It would be better to use that time to refine her skills and become more versatile.
Of course, that versatility must be built upon her foundation of magic.
After all, for Lefiya, magic remained her primary means of attack.
But Lefiya was an elf, and for elves, spending decades accumulating knowledge was never an issue.
"I see!" After hearing Shirou's analysis, Lefiya finally understood why Riveria, despite her strength, had not reached Level 7.
Indeed, as a mage, Riveria was fated to advance alongside the main fighting force.
And the current environment wasn't suited for her advancement.
Exploring the deeper floors required waiting for the leaders of the Loki Familia to mature further.
Even then, each level of the dungeon demanded enormous effort.
Sometimes expeditions had to be halted for inexplicable reasons.
Even the Loki Familia could only mount seven or eight major expeditions per year.
Thinking about it, it might take years just to encounter the right monster.
"So, what should I do now?" Lefiya asked.
Looking at her seriously, Shirou smiled. "Start with weapon skills and parallel chanting."
"You've finally entered the stage of parallel chanting, but you're still not proficient. You need to hone it further. When you spar with Ais, you'll use parallel chanting to match her. And I'll be teaching you weapon skills now," Shirou explained.
"For the time being, let's start with swordsmanship," he concluded.
When he thought of mages wielding swords, Shirou couldn't help but recall a certain fellow from The Lord of the Rings.
At the same time, he remembered the magi of the Type-Moon world.
Shirou sighed softly. "A mage who can't fight in close combat isn't a good mage."
After all, wasn't the Wise King Gilgamesh a master of magecraft? And wasn't King Solomon the King of Mages? Yet both were also formidable in close combat.
Even Riveria, besides her magic, was a master of the bow.
Truly, magecraft could not reach its heights without some secondary disciplines.
Thinking this, Shirou gazed at Lefiya with renewed determination.
He would never allow Lefiya to stray from her path to becoming the strongest mage.
Never!
---
(End of this chapter)
"Hmph. If you really want to be useful, then entertain me, try to throw those pathetic power stones at me. Let's see if even your insolence can amuse a king."