The Ultimate Lich King of the Multiverse

2/5

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When Yoru said that, Riveria gently shook her head.

"That's not true. Power is power—it's yours. Maybe it didn't come from your own hard work, but it flows through your blood. It was passed down to you from your parents, your ancestors. That makes it yours. There's no reason to feel lost because of it."

Holding Yoru's hands gently, Riveria smiled softly.

"A power that belongs to me… huh?"

"As a mage, physical endurance is necessary, but it doesn't have to be excessive. As long as you're not panting after a short walk or a chant, you're fine."

"That means physical training doesn't need to be intense. What you really need right now is to learn how to properly control your mana—to put your true power to use."

"It's already getting late, so let's start the real training tomorrow morning. Ais will help you with physical conditioning and teach you some sword skills. I'll be in charge of your magic training."

Seeing Riveria's serious and strict expression, Yoru couldn't help but nod under her stern aura.

"And also… during training, you're not allowed to do anything weird. Got it? If you do, I won't be happy as your teacher."

"Weird things… like what?"

Looking at Riveria's cute expression, Yoru's nerves relaxed again, and he laughed as he gently grasped the finger she was pointing at him with.

"You know exactly what I mean. If you piss me off, I'm not teaching you anything."

Riveria smacked his hand away in mock anger and stepped closer, her finger nearly poking his face.

Yoru grabbed her wrist and gently pulled her toward him—this time kissing her even more boldly than before. Ais, standing off to the side, witnessed everything clearly.

With a little tongue click, Ais quickly turned her head away. Her face turned red as she listened to Riveria's startled yelp and resistance.

"Hah… you really are a mage—your Strength stat is definitely on the lower side."

Breathing lightly after the deep kiss, Yoru chuckled.

"You bastard… you total bastard!"

Riveria's face turned red like a ripe tomato as she pounded lightly on Yoru's chest in embarrassment. As a dignified and elegant elf, she didn't even have enough vocabulary to curse him properly.

"If being a bastard gets me the girl I like, I don't mind at all."

"Don't say 'get the girl'… it sounds awful, like I'm just some kind of object."

Riveria pouted in embarrassment at his teasing, her voice filled with playful scolding.

"Um… should I leave for a while?"

Watching Yoru and Riveria flirt without a care in the world, Ais finally asked with a slightly exasperated tone.

"Cough, cough… let's head back together. It's time to go home anyway."

Riveria cleared her throat and quickly stood up, regaining her composure as she addressed Ais seriously.

"Well then… see you tomorrow."

"Mhm. See you tomorrow."

Yoru nodded as he watched Ais and Riveria walk away. By now, the sun had fully disappeared beyond the horizon.

"It's night already…"

He muttered to himself and smiled faintly.

"My relationship with Riveria has gotten even closer. And now… I know how she really feels."

She didn't reject him because she disliked him… but because of the rules.

The rules set by the gods?

With that thought echoing in his mind, Yoru let out a quiet sigh. A sharp glint of icy blue flickered across his right eye.

If that's the case… then he would simply destroy those rules and create his own.

"Even though you returned early, why is it that you two only got back just now, after everyone else?"

As Ais and Riveria entered, Loki stood up from the sofa and stretched before approaching them.

She looked at the two of them with a puzzled expression. After all, the expedition squad they had accompanied had already returned much earlier, yet the two girls were only now arriving—long after nightfall.

"We were… held up by something," Riveria replied calmly.

Loki squinted suspiciously, her eyes sharp with curiosity.

"I say… Ais-chan, Riveria-chan… you two didn't happen to—"

She deliberately dragged out her words, her gaze full of suspicion. Riveria began to feel nervous under her stare. Ais, on the other hand, remained as expressionless and carefree as ever, completely unfazed by Loki's pressure.

"You two didn't sneak off for a secret date, did you?!"

"Loki-sama… please don't say weird things."

Riveria sighed and covered her face with her hand. She should've known better than to expect Loki to say anything serious.

"Well, I mean… didn't you? Oh, and I heard! You actually defeated a Floor Boss on your own! That's amazing! As expected of my beloved Ais-chan!"

"You're too close."

Ais simply pushed Loki's face away expressionlessly.

"Come on, let's update your status already!"

"…Alright."

"Hehe~ It's been too long since I've touched Ais-chan's soft skin!"

"If you try anything funny, I will cut you."

"Eek—seriously?!"

Loki panicked slightly at Ais's deadpan threat, then placed a hand on her shoulder as the two of them left the room together. Riveria exhaled in relief—she was genuinely afraid that their goddess might have discovered what happened between her and Yoru.

"Ahhh! As expected of my Ais-chan! You made it to Level 6!"

Loki's joyous cry echoed from the inner room.

Riveria smiled faintly.

Congratulations, Ais. This brings you even closer to that path you've always sought.

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