Chapter 91: Akira’s Victory

Loki let out a long sigh, her expression a mixture of curiosity and helplessness, as she asked once more, "So, what exactly is that kid doing here?" Just as her words trailed off, Riveria raised a graceful hand, motioning for silence. "Ah—wait a moment." She said, her sharp gaze narrowing, "Something new seems to be happening over there." Her words brought Loki to a speechless pause. "Where is my dignity as a goddess..." Loki muttered to herself, her face etched with theatrical sorrow. Let us shift our attention back to the battlefield where the clash of youth and talent unfolded—Akira and Ais, locked in a duel that had captured every spectator's attention. Ais drew in a deep breath, her chest rising and falling as she worked to calm her labored breathing—evidence of the intense exertion just moments prior. At the same time, the Desperate in her hands began to glow with a deep emerald hue, the magical light pulsating as if imbued with a will of its own. With a sudden gust, a powerful whirlwind surged into existence, coiling around her blade like a living serpent of wind. "Hah!" With a sharp cry, Ais swung her arm forward, slashing twice through the air at lightning speed. In an instant, two wind blades, each more than two meters long, burst forth from her sword, spiraling and crossing mid-air as they tore toward Akira with frightening speed and precision. Akira's smile lit up with dazzling brilliance, and he laughed as if enjoying a private joke. "Ais, you actually dare use the techniques I personally taught you... to attack me?" His voice brimmed with pride and mischief—his words cryptic to anyone unfamiliar with their past training. As he spoke, Akira tightened his grip around the sword known as [Oath of Justice], and a gleaming silver light began to radiate from the blade. The brilliance intensified, converging like a storm about to erupt. Within moments, a formidable silver vortex took shape, swirling around the sword with a hum that reverberated through the air. Akira's eyes gleamed with exhilaration as he raised his voice in declaration: "Then let me show you the move you're about to train next!" Before the echo of his words could fade, Akira raised his sword and thrust it forward with both hands, channeling the gathered energy into a roaring blast. The silver storm exploded from the sword like an awakened beast, howling through the field as it crashed directly into the incoming wind blades. With a deafening boom, the twin blades of wind were instantly shattered, their spinning force disintegrating into thousands of scattered breezes that vanished into the surrounding air. Yet, that was merely the beginning. The silver storm, undeterred by its initial collision, pressed forward with relentless force, continuing its advance toward Ais like a tide that would not recede. Momentarily startled by the sheer momentum, Ais found herself unable to react—but only for an instant. As a seasoned adventurer, her instincts surged to life. Without hesitation, she began chanting. The air around her was immediately drawn into the forming vortex, amplifying the power she could summon. Then, with a swift leap, Ais ascended into the air, her form light and agile like a swallow in flight. She narrowly evaded Akira's strike, her figure slipping just above the wrath of the silver storm. The storm tore through the space beneath her, sweeping with such force that it kicked up dust and debris like a cyclone. The resulting wind howled across the area, sending hair and cloaks flapping wildly in its wake. The earth below, once flat and solid, had now become a battlefield scarred with trenches and ridges, carved by the devastating aftermath of the attack. As Ais marvelled at the sheer destructive power of the technique, Akira had already closed the distance between them. Wind curled around him, propelling his body forward in a flash. In the next second, he appeared right before Ais and, with a casual but decisive gesture, reached out and gently tapped her forehead with a single finger. "I win." He announced, his tone neither arrogant nor mocking—just honest. "I lost..." Ais murmured, frustration etched across her face. Her body lowered slowly, finally settling onto the ground beside Akira's. Around them, a thunderous applause erupted. The three seasoned adventurers and the single goddess who had watched the entire duel stepped forward, applauding as they walked toward the two. Finn raised his hand high, calling out to the spectators, "Alright, all of you! Don't just stand around. Get back to work—we still have duties to tend to." Hearing their captain's command, the gathered Familia members reluctantly dispersed, though their faces were still filled with awe. Among them, Raul—later known as the Super Ordinary Man—turned to the Noble Cat Anakitty beside him with wonder in his voice. "That was incredible... Is that adventurer really the one they call Morning Star? He actually managed to defeat Ais while still at LV 2?" Anakitty didn't hesitate. She nodded earnestly and replied in a serious tone, "Yes. He's undoubtedly powerful." Then she muttered under her breath, "As expected... what Loki-sama says can't be trusted." Meanwhile, Loki—who had by now heard Finn's retelling and finally grasped the whole situation—suddenly let out an enormous sneeze, catching everyone around her off guard. Akira blinked, then asked in a genuinely curious tone, "Loki-sama, can gods catch colds too?" At first, Loki chuckled at the question, then sniffled and rubbed her red nose with a scowl. "Hah! Of course we can! Ever since our Arcanums were sealed, we've been no different from you little brats in the lower world. We still get sick. We still feel hunger." Akira tilted his head thoughtfully and said, "Astraea-sama never mentioned that. I suppose when winter comes or during harsh weather, we'll have to make sure she dresses warmly." The moment those words left his lips, Loki dramatically opened her arms and threw herself at the Elf Princess standing nearby, wrapping her in an exaggerated hug. Tears streamed down her face as she wailed, "Wuwuwu... Riveria, did you hear that!? This is how a child should care for their goddess! Can't you show me a little bit of that affection for once!?" "Ouch!" Riveria, who was calmly focused on casting healing magic on Akira and Ais, couldn't take it anymore. Without even breaking concentration, she turned her staff and gave Loki a sharp tap on the head. "Loki, stop causing trouble! Don't interrupt my spellcasting. Stand still and don't get in my way!" Akira had just opened his mouth to insist that he wasn't injured, but seeing the scene play out before him, he wisely chose to keep silent. Like a well-trained child, he sat obediently next to Ais and allowed Riveria's healing magic to take effect. The soft green glow of the magic spread through his body, soothing his battered muscles and easing the fatigue from his bones. It was as if he had been submerged in a rejuvenating hot spring. Even Ais's expression visibly relaxed. Riveria's magic had a way of calming more than just the body—it quieted the heart. "Come to think of it." Riveria began casually, still tending to the healing. "Isn't your Familia preparing for an expedition? I thought you'd be swamped with all sorts of tedious matters, yet you've already dealt with everything?" Still rubbing the fresh bump on her head, Loki squinted suspiciously at Akira and muttered to herself, "And at a time like this, you even have the strength and motivation to duel with my adorable Ais? You're something else, kid..." (End of Chapter) Read 40 Advanced Chapters on patreon.com/astralicity