After returning to the Loki Familia, Ais gave Finn a full report of everything she had seen and heard on the twenty-seventh floor.
"...He used an ice spell and froze the entire lake."
Ais's voice was calm, but there was a gravity in it she could not fully conceal.
"Then he fought Amphisbaena and successfully killed it."
Finn's brows knitted tightly together.
"You're certain that magic was Riveria's?"
Ais nodded.
"I'm sure."
She paused.
"Lefiya can confirm it too."
Finn fell silent.
He turned to look at Riveria, who was seated nearby.
Riveria's expression was equally grave.
The fact that Genichi had used Alfia's magic was already a huge question in itself.
And now he had used Riveria's magic as well -
what did that mean?
Did it mean that boy had some kind of ability that allowed him to learn other people's magic?
Or did it mean there was an even deeper secret hidden behind him?
Either possibility was enough to keep Finn from staying calm.
"Riveria."
When he spoke, there was a rare urgency in his voice.
"Go to the Demeter Familia yourself and find out what exactly is going on."
He paused.
"I had planned to make contact gradually, but there's no need for that anymore."
Riveria nodded.
"All right. I'll go now."
She rose and walked toward the door.
When she reached it, she suddenly stopped and looked back at Ais and Lefiya.
"Ais. Lefiya."
She paused.
"The two of you are coming with me."
Ais nodded without the slightest hesitation.
Lefiya, however, looked a little nervous.
"I'm going too?"
Riveria nodded.
"You're a witness. I need your testimony."
Lefiya took a deep breath and nodded.
"All right."
The three of them turned and headed toward the Demeter Familia.
Finn watched their departing backs, a complicated light flickering through his blue eyes.
He hoped that boy could give them a reasonable explanation.
Otherwise...
this was going to become troublesome.
At the Demeter Familia estate.
Inside Genichi's room.
He had just returned from the Dungeon and was preparing to rest for a bit before setting out again.
But before he could even lie down, Demeter's voice came from outside the door.
"Genichi, someone's here to see you."
Genichi's brow twitched slightly.
Someone was here to see him?
In all of Orario, besides Demeter and Ryu Lion, who else would come looking for him?
He stood up and opened the door.
Then he froze.
Standing outside were three people.
Riveria Ljos Alf.
Ais Wallenstein.
Lefiya Viridis.
The Loki Familia's Nine Hell, Sword Princess, and Thousand Elf.
Genichi's pupils contracted slightly.
But very quickly, his expression returned to calm.
"What is it?"
His voice was cold and flat, without any emotion.
Riveria looked at him, a complicated feeling flickering in her emerald eyes.
"May we come in and talk?"
She paused.
"There are some things I want to ask you."
Genichi was silent for a moment, then stepped aside.
"Come in."
Inside the room.
Genichi sat in a chair, calmly looking at the three people across from him.
Riveria sat opposite him, while Ais and Lefiya stood behind her.
The atmosphere was somewhat heavy.
Riveria was the first to break the silence.
"Mr. Genichi..."
She paused.
"I'll ask directly."
Genichi nodded.
"Go ahead."
"Today, on the twenty-seventh floor of the Dungeon, you used an ice spell to freeze the entire lake, correct?"
A slight change passed through Genichi's expression.
How did they know?
Had they seen it?
"Yes."
He did not deny it.
Riveria's gaze grew sharper.
"That spell was my Ecstasy - Fimbulwinter."
She looked straight into Genichi's eyes.
"I want to know where you learned that magic."
Genichi was silent for a moment.
Then he slowly spoke.
"That concerns my personal affairs -"
He paused.
"I refuse to answer."
Riveria's brows drew together slightly.
She had not expected Genichi to refuse so decisively.
"Mr. Genichi, you should understand how important this matter is."
Her tone became more serious.
"That magic is unique to me, and yet you used it. That alone goes against common sense."
"I have a duty to determine whether there is some hidden risk behind this."
She paused.
"So I hope you can give me an explanation."
Genichi looked at her, and those black eyes did not waver in the slightest.
"I understand your position."
His voice was calm.
"But I have my own position as well."
"The source of that magic involves a personal secret. I have no obligation to disclose it to anyone."
Riveria fell silent.
She looked at Genichi, a complicated emotion flickering through her emerald eyes.
This boy was responding to her questioning with silence.
"And what if I say..."
She spoke slowly.
"That this is an inquiry from the Loki Familia?"
Genichi's brow shifted slightly.
"An inquiry from the Loki Familia?"
"Yes."
Riveria nodded.
"You should understand the Loki Familia's standing in Orario. If we believe someone's actions may pose a threat to Orario, we have the right to conduct an investigation, and Ais is already looking into the matter."
She paused.
"The fact that you used my magic has already drawn our serious attention. If you refuse to cooperate, we may be forced to take further measures."
Genichi fell silent.
Riveria's words were already bordering on a threat. [015103118飞卢031573161]
Yet his face remained expressionless.
"Further measures?"
His voice stayed calm.
"For example? Arrest me and interrogate me?"
Riveria did not answer.
Genichi smiled slightly.
It was a faint smile, but there was something impossible to read in it.
"Lady Riveria, since you want my cooperation in your investigation..."
He paused.
"I'm not some lamb waiting to be butchered."
He stood, walked to the window, and looked out at Orario, bathed in sunlight.
"The source of that magic is my personal secret. I have the right to remain silent."
Riveria met his gaze.
Silence spread between them.
After a long while -
Riveria gave a soft sigh.
"I understand."
She stood and walked toward the door.
When she reached it, she suddenly stopped and looked back at Genichi.
"Mr. Genichi."
"Yes?"
"If you change your mind, you can come to me anytime."
She paused.
"The doors of the Loki Familia will always remain open to you."
Genichi was silent for a moment, then gave a slight nod.
"I'll consider it."
Riveria pushed the door open and walked out.
Ais and Lefiya followed behind her.
The room was left with only Genichi.
He stood by the window, watching the three figures gradually disappear into the distance, thoughts surging through his mind.
The Loki Familia.
They had already set their sights on him.
That was not a good thing.
But...
he had no other choice.
There was no way he could tell anyone where those spells came from.
Letting the secret of his magic leak out would be even more dangerous than being targeted by the Loki Familia.
(End of Chapter)
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