Only Metria saw through Rhode's little thoughts and pouted, a bit jealous.
This bad guy! He must be thinking about cute Spirits!
Rhode wouldn't care that much about that Black Dragon!
Unless… it was a female dragon.
After an unknown amount of time, as everyone chatted about Dungeon information, Metria leaned against Alfia's shoulder and fell soundly asleep.
She even drooled a little, muttering things like "Rhode… bad guy… likes…" in her sleep.
Alfia's eyelids twitched wildly, and she clenched her fist slightly.
Her innocent little rabbit had been taken; if it were anyone else, she would definitely rush up and give them a good beating!
But this young man…
Not only could she not beat him, but he was also her sworn liege, and the great benefactor who saved her and her sister…
She could do nothing.
Extremely frustrated, Alfia fumed for a moment, then made a major decision!
—Since it's come to this, let's go to sleep first.
So, this small meeting temporarily ended.
Rhode, annoyed, sent Chardo away, telling him to find his own place to stay.
The guy even cast a resentful look at Rhode, as if accusing him of differential treatment.
Rhode naturally chose to ignore him; he didn't want a man living in his garden.
Nor did he need to worry about him having nowhere to stay; these guys had plenty of money.
Alfia had accumulated at least 4 billion Valis, making her a veritable small-time rich woman.
Empress Regina casually picked an empty room to stay in.
Alfia, on the other hand, stayed with Metria.
It wasn't that Alfia was guarding against Rod; it was purely because she hadn't seen her sister in ten years, and she missed her terribly, not wanting to be separated for even a moment.
Moreover... if Rod truly wanted that.
Although her sister's body was as healthy as ever, it didn't look like she could withstand it, did it?
She would have to personally step in and be ready to take over at any time.
Ever since she stepped into this female-only garrison, she had already understood Rod's thoughts and personality.
Although a little embarrassed and annoyed, she had no regrets in her heart.
If she had to choose one man in the world she could be attracted to, it would probably only be this young man who completely outclassed her.
And she also agreed with the saying that the strong should possess everything.
The next day.
Suzuki Jun, with a beaming smile, gathered the first-tier girls of the Hestia Familia.
These were either types who already possessed extraordinary combat power, such as Ke Luoyi and Runova.
Or they were members with excellent combat potential, such as Daphne, several Amazonians, and so on.
"Why are we gathered again? Are we going to attack some short-sighted Familia again?"
"No, I bet Lord Rod is finally going to declare war on those Dark Faction hiding in the gutters!"
"I think it's going to be a morning silver party, meow!"
"Tabitha, shut up!"
The girls laughed and played, full of energy.
"It seems everyone is in high spirits."
Suzuki Jun's smile grew even brighter.
"The Master attaches great importance to the institutionalized training of the Familia, and has been thinking for a long time about how to efficiently and quickly train everyone in a systematic way."
"And fortunately, just yesterday, the Master finally found a suitable instructor for everyone."
"Starting today, in addition to daily tasks, all of you will spend half a day receiving her training."
Runova had just returned from her morning training, an indifferent expression on her face.
She shook off the sawdust clinging to her gauntlets, the steel knuckles making a grating, crunching sound.
"I don't need it, do I? I don't think an instructor whose level is lower than mine can teach me anything."
"I'd rather spend this time completing more tasks."
The skills required for fighting monsters are naturally different from those for fighting people.
During these days leading expeditions to the Dungeon, she naturally realized that she needed to improve, and thus had become quite diligent recently.
Ke Luoyi twirled a strand of hair at her temple with the tip of her dagger, her slender tail swaying lazily behind her.
"Yes, meow, after all, I don't think any woman in Orario today who could be invited over would be qualified to teach us, meow~"
They all knew Rod's habits.
Since she would be brought before them, she would certainly be one of their own, and definitely a girl.
And the most powerful girls in Orario today already belonged to others, and at least for now, could not be lured away.
Moreover, she would have to teach corresponding techniques based on everyone's fighting styles here, so it could only be an entry-level instructor, no matter how they thought about it.
After all, how could there be a girl who was proficient in various fighting styles, had a high level, and could still be lured over?
Suzuki Jun pushed up her glasses, a glint flashing in her eyes.
"The Master had already anticipated your reactions, so he specifically instructed."
"No matter what means are used, if anyone can defeat that instructor, not only can they skip training, but they will also be rewarded with an additional 100,000 contribution points!"
As soon as these words were spoken, all the girls' breathing quickened for a moment.
One hundred thousand contribution points!
That was an astronomical sum they would have to work overtime for years to earn!
With those points, couldn't they buy whatever exciting skills they wanted from the shop?!
The girls, who had originally been obedient and compliant, now had a burning fighting spirit in their eyes.
Suzuki Jun saw this scene and secretly complained in her heart.
The Master is truly wicked...
She heard that the Apophis had even wanted to add a rule: if you lost, you'd owe 100,000 contribution points.
But this time, even the Master thought it was too much and didn't agree.
Runova's lips curved into an excited, ferocious grin.
"Then what are we waiting for? Bring her out! I want to give the newcomer a proper welcome ceremony!"
Ke Luoyi's cat eyes gleamed with a dangerous light, a morbid smile spreading across her lips.
"Although she's one of us, for the sake of contribution points, I can only say sorry, meow~"
All the girls also gripped their weapons, full of fighting spirit.
At this moment, they felt as if they could defeat any enemy!
With their determination ignited, they were invincible; no one could stop them from earning contribution points!
Suzuki Jun silently mourned for these ignorant souls for a few seconds.
Poor children, you have no idea what kind of hell you are about to face.
She stepped aside slightly.
"Then I'll leave it to you..."
A tall figure, with an inscrutable smile on her lips, slowly stepped into the training ground.
The next second, Runova shot out like a cannonball, her fist tearing through the air with a brutal force capable of shattering rocks, aiming directly for the newcomer's chest.
"Sorry, this is not personal."
Ke Luoyi had already skillfully used the walls, pillars, and chandeliers to bounce around at high speed, instantly appearing behind the opponent and striking her unguarded back with a dagger.
"Hehe, it's already over, meow~"
Ten minutes later.
Runova lay sprawled on the ground, her gaze clear as she looked up at the woman who was looking down at them.
"Instructor, you know, I've always respected you."
Ke Luoyi wasn't giggling anymore either.
"I apologize for not letting you use your full strength, meow~"
And the rest of the girls were even more scattered, embedded in the training ground walls in various strange poses, impossible to pry off.
The Hestia Familia's exclusive medical team arrived with a 'wee-woo, wee-woo' sound.
Aisha's limbs were almost twisted, her eyes still holding a lingering fear, as she helplessly said to Naza, who was treating her.
"Naza... stop with the weird sound effects. Just give me the healing potion, I feel like I'm about to ascend."
Naza lowered her head with an embarrassed smile and quickly opened the bottle.
"Lord Rod said it would make you feel more immersed."
Ilta, who had finally been pulled off the wall, was pale. This villain, long accustomed to fighting and killing, couldn't help but shed tears from the pain.
"Ow, ow, ow... I feel like my back is broken!"
Cassandra and Riene exchanged glances, both seeing the relief in each other's eyes.
Fortunately, they were support staff.
All the girls who participated in the battle, if not on the brink of death, were at least severely injured and dying.
This, however, provided a rare opportunity for the three healers to boost their stats.
Runova and Ke Luoyi had no visible injuries.
This wasn't because they were strong enough.
It was simply... that each of them had been mercilessly killed dozens of times.
Even with the immortal power of a demi-human, facing the opponent's absolute dominance in both skill and stats, the two couldn't help but feel despair.
Runova took a long time to recover before mustering the courage to look at the displeased woman in front of her and nervously asked.
"Um... Instructor, may I ask what level you are?"
Before the woman could speak, Suzuki Jun slowly walked out, a joyful smile identical to Rod's on her face.
"Oh, my apologies, I forgot to tell you..."
"This adult is the former captain of the Hera Familia, Regina, titled Empress, and her level is Lv.9, making her currently the highest-level human known!"
Runova gasped.
"Empress?!"
Ke Luoyi's tail instantly bristled.
"Lv.9?!"
"Eh—!!!"
All the girls in the room let out incredulous gasps, their hearts simultaneously filled with resentment towards Suzuki Jun.
Why didn't you say so earlier, you jerk!!!
If Suzuki Jun had an emotion value system, it would probably have exploded by now.
Although the girls could roughly guess that this instructor, favored by their Captain, must be very strong, they never expected her to be *this* strong!
It's important to know that the Danmachi World's leveling system isn't about gradually getting stronger just by following the steps.
To cross each level, one must achieve a great feat that surpasses their own limits.
Many high-level adventurers' basic abilities had already reached a bottleneck, with even their most outstanding abilities reaching S-rank, yet they were stuck on great feats, struggling between life and death.
And the higher the level, the more dangerous the great feat to overcome, so many adventurers choose to remain at their current level for safety.
The girls couldn't even imagine what terrifying great feats one would have to overcome to reach Lv.9!
Now, the strongest of the strong was going to be their instructor, didn't this mean... they too would have the opportunity to reach that realm?!
Upon realizing this possibility.
Awe, worship, excitement, ambition...
The girls' dao hearts, which had almost shattered, re-solidified.
Their eyes were burning with fervor as they stared at the woman who had just mercilessly crushed them!
Regina raised her eyebrows, the displeased expression on her face slowly fading.
"Seeing despair yet giving birth to hope... No wonder Rod chose you."
"Although you are currently worse than ants on the roadside, you barely possess a little commendable foolish courage."
The girls' expressions were subtle, but they couldn't refute her.
After all, if this was truly the former captain of the Hera Familia, who once dominated all of Orario, then their own strength indeed wouldn't catch her eye.
Sophia was silent for a long time, then suddenly spoke.
"Excuse me, Instructor, can I exchange for demi-human power like the two seniors?"
After the wish system was developed, Rod no longer actively provided demi-human power to newcomers, but instead put it up as a commodity.
It wasn't that he didn't care about these girls, or that he truly lacked those prayer points.
Instead, the Prayer System is based on contracts and the power of shadows, inherently containing several safety mechanisms.
When they encounter a life-threatening situation, it will automatically trigger, bringing them directly to Kamui Space.
Regina scanned the two incredibly well-behaved individuals lying on the ground, crossed her arms, and pondered for a moment, then shook her head.
"Before you reach Lv.3, do not exchange for that ability."
Demi-human power, Grace system, Prayer System.
When these three are combined, the original flaw of demi-humans losing their experience upon resurrection is perfectly compensated by the Prayer System's ability to upgrade at any time.
This means that this BUG-like mechanism allows anyone to quickly level up and master various combat skills through battles without fear of death!
This genius combination made Regina secretly admire it as well.
However, this seemingly perfect mechanism was not without its problems.
Facing the girls' puzzled gazes, Regina patiently explained.
"If you rely too much on demi-human power before your own combat style is formed, your potential will be capped, and your combat core will revolve around demi-human power."
In other words, this system can be used as a fallback, but it cannot be used for opportunistic gains in the early stages.
Of course, if one were training soldiers who simply didn't consider higher realms, then it wouldn't matter.
Upon hearing this, Sophia felt a bitter pang in her heart.
I'll have to be severely wounded and near death every day from now on...
But thinking of the young man she admired, Sophia's eyes became firm again.
"I understand, I will not shy away from pain!"
Regina rarely showed a look of appreciation.
"Good, feel the pain, face death, challenge fear. Only in this hellish cycle of torment can the seed to overcome despair be born."
"You are the ones Rod has chosen, can you do it?"
Upon hearing this, the girls all flushed and shouted loudly!
"Yes!!!"
"We definitely will!"
"Don't underestimate us, I'm the woman who's going to take down Lord Rod!"
Regina looked at the vibrant young girls, a nostalgic feeling in her eyes.
She herself had embarked on an adventure like this back then...
But they are stronger than me in that they had an inner pillar from the very beginning.
While everyone was healing, Anakitty heard that another adventurer had actually joined the Familia.
The other party was Metria's older sister, who had been pestered by Metria all morning and had reluctantly taken her to the Dungeon for an adventure.
She swayed her slender tail, blinking curiously.
"Is that companion also very strong?"
The girls also cast inquisitive glances.
Runova and Ke Luoyi had learned their lesson now and didn't say anything arrogant before understanding the situation.
Regina rested her chin on her hand, pondering for a moment.
"Let's just say... the possibility of any of you reaching my level purely through your own abilities, even if you spent your entire lives, is zero."
"Perhaps a select few might barely glimpse my back."
Ke Luoyi's cat ears drooped dejectedly, and she said weakly.
"Big Sister, please don't discourage us anymore nya~ If this continues, we'll be depressed nya~"
Regina chuckled and continued.
"However, that person... even if you spent hundreds of lifetimes relying on your own abilities, you wouldn't even see her shadow."
The room instantly fell silent.
Runova swallowed hard, raising her head with difficulty.
"Is she stronger than you?"
Regina's expression instantly turned a bit annoyed, and she let out a 'tsk'.
"She's not as good as me right now."
The girls had just breathed a sigh of relief, but then they heard her sigh helplessly: "But in a few days, I won't be her opponent."
Chardo and Alfia had stayed at the Lv.7 realm for far too long.
If it weren't for their broken bodies making them lose the motivation and ability to level up, they would have already been Lv.8 existences!