Tsunayoshi had already thought it through.
"Next, I'll start with Finn and Gareth."
"Oh? Not Riveria first?"
"No. Finn and Gareth are a better fit to begin with. I can already imagine what kind of Flames suit them. For Riveria, I'm guessing Rain and Mist. Rain is fine, but I'm not great at building Mist. So I'll move Finn and Gareth up, and Riveria after."
From his own specialties, Tsunayoshi preferred to begin with Finn and Gareth.
Loki understood his power well enough, and the pace of spreading it had to follow his lead. She would simply back him.
"What about Ais?"
"Ais is focused on parameters and combat experience right now. She isn't in the headspace to take on a new power system. My first choices are people who either aren't in a rush to raise parameters, or have already hit their limits but haven't yet secured the feat to level up."
"By that standard, it's basically Tiona, Tione, Finn, Gareth, Riveria, and Bete. Ais should come after them."
From the beginning, he hadn't placed Ais among the first to receive the Flames—not out of bias, but out of need. Ais's position naturally shifted down the list.
"Once we finish with our side, I want to move on to Alise's group."
Loki could already tell that meant no news for Ais in the short term, but she agreed with the allocation. Ais was already Level 5, and what she needed wasn't another power type but sharper polish on herself. In practice, she was already doing exactly that—raising parameters daily and hitting the Challenge Space once a week to push against stronger monsters for experience.
With a life that full, Ais wouldn't be distracted. Putting her later wasn't a problem. When the front of the line was done and she'd finished honing herself, it would naturally be her turn.
Loki couldn't help a private laugh. Ais-tan, this time you just ran too far ahead. That's all.
She patted Tsunayoshi's thigh.
"This plan is good. Ais has plenty to do. When she's done polishing and has free time, we'll give her something new—better than letting her get restless."
Keeping Ais's schedule tight was also how Loki kept her own calendar free. When Ais started to brood over strength, redirection worked best; otherwise she'd vanish into the Dungeon. Well—that was the past. Now, Ais would choose to soak in the Training Space.
"I'll speak with Astraea," Loki added. "We're strengthening her kids; she won't say no. Whatever you want to do—go for it."
She wasn't going to pry about the rest of the familia. If Tsunayoshi had slotted the front line, the back line would follow in time. And she agreed with his caution: not every child would be suited to receive the power.
Tsunayoshi looked down at Loki, then picked up two rings of different styles and held them out.
"Loki, which type do you like?"
"Mm… similar to the ones Tiona and Tione wear?" She took the two rings, studied them, and chose the plainer of the pair. "This one suits me."
She slipped it on.
"So? Testing whether I can receive it?"
"No test needed."
He took her right hand, and in the next instant orange-gold fire bloomed on the ring.
"The special gift of the Sky is acceptance. If anyone qualifies, it's you."
Watching the fire wreath her finger, Loki froze for a heartbeat, then smiled—wide and unrestrained.
"What a wonderfully malicious joke," she purred. "If the heavens heard, they'd laugh themselves sick—especially that little shorty."
After the grin, a quiet beat. She squeezed the hand still holding hers, asking him to pull her up. When he did, she wrapped him in a hug, cheek brushing cheek.
"Bold of you, handing me a ring," she murmured. "But your luck's good. I'm in a fine mood—and I like this one."
"From now on, I'll consider this ring my property. So you're not allowed to put the same ring on anyone else. Got it?"
For once, Tsunayoshi heard stark possessiveness in Loki's voice. Before he could answer, she lifted the other ring—the one with spread wings and an orange gem set inside.
"For 'tests,' we'll use this one. No one else wears my ring."
Then she glanced at the still-bewildered boy, eyes dancing.
"If you wear it yourself, I'll allow it."
"Uh… right."
The weight of what she was saying took a second to land. It felt… heavier than the words alone.
(End of Chapter)
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