Is it wrong to try to meet someone in a dungeon?

Seeing Rivera's hesitant look, Loki gave her an "OK" sign.

"Although it will take a while, I have a brilliant plan. To be honest, I really don't want Lefia to go to 'idiots'... but let's make good use of this opportunity."

After making his boastful promise, the main god of Rivilia and the others spoke as if issuing a divine decree:

"One month from now, I will appoint Lefia as the 'Recruiter' for the 'School District'."

Side Story: Sword Oratoria 13 Chapter 2 - The Nostalgic School Building

Lefia continues to improve herself.

Aside from the days Bert was away on business or training, Rafia received Bert's training every single day without fail. Furthermore, after numerous pleas, Bert finally agreed to let Rafia accompany him on a trip to explore the dungeon, only to have the Amazonian Lina suddenly appear out of nowhere.

"A new rival has appeared out of nowhere!? I didn't expect there to be an ambush here too!? And you even changed your hairstyle and outfit – you're clearly trying to seduce Bert Roca! Hmph – you won't steal the man I've set my sights on!!"

Faced with Lina's incredibly excited attitude, Lefia was so frightened that she leaned back.

Then Lina was kicked away by Bert, but she seemed very happy while screaming.

"I'm so sorry to have disturbed your time together." Refia reflected on her rash actions and apologized obediently, but Bert punched her on the head with considerable force, making her eyes well up with tears.

When not training with Bert, Lefia would immerse herself in "magic" training.

Whenever Lefia eagerly sought guidance from her master, Riveria, Riveria would close her eyes as if trying to suppress the urge to sigh, admonishing her against overtraining with reasons such as "You should rest now," "You're overusing your mental energy," and "Your Lv.4 ability value can certainly withstand being pushed, but you still need to know when to stop."

Of course, Rivera would still diligently guide Lefia, and the lessons she imparted based on her own experience were undoubtedly invaluable. However, Rivera, who had always been very strict in her guidance, was now adopting a less-than-ideal teaching method, which Lefia found quite perplexing. Lefia vehemently insisted that she hadn't forced Lefia, even producing her daily journal to prove that she had rested when she needed to. For Lefia, this might be the first time she had defied royalty (Rivera).

Rivera said to Lefia as if offering some guidance:

"Lefia, you are 'you,' just as no one else can become you, you also cannot become anyone else."

Lefia couldn't understand what Riveria was trying to say.

Since Lefia couldn't ignore the instructions given by Riveria, who was both her mentor and royalty, she had no choice but to obediently increase her rest time, but at the same time, she also increased the intensity of her training accordingly. Riveria sighed again upon learning this.

Time flies—

As Lefia spent each day to the fullest, feeling as if the battles to conquer the artificial labyrinth (Xornos) were a thing of the past, the labyrinth city ushered in the season of the "Two Great Festivals".

Lefia arranged a "mini-expedition" into the dungeon, as if trying to escape the "Elegia" festival. This wasn't because she had already said goodbye to her irreplaceable best friend, "The Ugly Girl," but because she felt she couldn't mourn anyone now. Or perhaps it was to avoid stopping herself, so she subconsciously avoided things that would immerse her in sadness.

Lefia had planned to go alone, but the female members of the group, led by Elfie and Alicia, followed her. Lefia felt very sorry for them, having taken away their annual opportunity to commemorate their deceased loved ones. Seeing Lefia's guilty expression, Elfie simply smiled and said, "Next time, you can treat me to grape cream-flavored potato balls!"

Alicia also said, "If there's anything you'd rather not discuss with Lady Riveria, you can tell me." Seeing her by her side as a senior member of the same race made Lefia feel even more ashamed.

"Lefia".

"……yes."

"You can make mistakes however you want."

"...?"

"When you are about to go astray, we will guide you back to the right path."

—Because this is what is called a "family retinue".

Alicia suddenly said something like that. Lefia's eyes widened in surprise at first, then she silently sat down next to Alicia, leaning her body against the other's shoulder. Even Lefia herself was baffled as to why she would do this. Her sister, whom she considered like an older sister, simply stroked Lefia's short hair gently.

The subsequent "Goddess Festival" was also celebrated in a similar manner.

Although she eventually got a day off, Lefia then diligently engaged in combat training under the guise of an expedition to the dungeon.

When she came to her senses, she learned that the Hestia Familia had once again engaged in a war game with others.

Moreover, their opponent is the Freya Familia.

Ultimately, Bell Craney and his teammates even won the victory, but Lefia didn't feel much about it.

"Right."

This incident only had this much of an impact on her—

Yeah, right. It was definitely a lie.

"What?"

"How is this going?"

"Wait, I didn't lose to him!"

"Even though we didn't lose, let's still increase the number of times we explore the dungeon..."

"Lv.5…………………………………………………………………………"

This, on the contrary, ignited Lefia's fighting spirit, and she even continued to improve the quality and quantity of her training (Ais and the others, who were originally celebrating the boy's victory, were now filled with resentment towards Bell).

Lefia couldn't help but feel that the crimson fighting spirit that had already ignited against her formidable rival had now transformed into a restrained yet even hotter blue flame.

She began to be strict with herself, never allowing herself to slack off in the slightest.

As the days went by, Lefia felt she was gradually getting closer to her ideal self. Each time she trained with Bert, she felt herself becoming more and more like the person she imagined. Once she caught up with her ideal self, Lefia would immediately update her goals. Initially, she focused only on "defense" and "evasion" in "parallel chanting," but later she added elements of "attack" and "counterattack." She became able to confidently swing her sword at Bert. Although the result was always a sarcastic remark like "You're a hundred years too early," and she was attacked countless times in return.

Even so, Lefia had to learn the "parallel chanting" that comprised attack, defense, movement, and evasion. She gradually transformed from a "magic swordsman primarily focused on magic" into a "magic swordsman primarily focused on swordsmanship." Her talent in magic was vastly different from her melee abilities; being a member of a magical race, her "magical power" aptitude would continuously improve as long as she practiced daily. Therefore, she told herself that this was good, convinced herself that this was for the best, all so that she would not only be able to protect herself but also have the capacity to help others.

Rafia noticed she had lost a little weight, so she started paying attention to her diet. Even so, she lost even more weight. So she began actively eating meat dishes that she didn't usually like due to her race, and as a result, her breasts grew larger. It's truly puzzling.

Lefia knew that Ais and the others were worried about her. And compared to the past, she had become less likely to interact with them. Lefia didn't reject them; she would still eat with them, but her "clingy" behavior towards Ais and the others had definitely decreased. Reflecting on her past, it seemed that the word "dependence" could be replaced with it.

In short, Lefia felt it was time for her to "leave the nest".

However, Ais and the others don't seem to think so.

"Lefia... don't you think you've been... overworking yourself lately...?"

Ais finally made up her mind to start a conversation with Lefia.

"I don't think Miss Ais is in a position to criticize me."

This is how she answered.

Ais was stunned and froze on the spot. "Didn't Miss Ais also get up early this morning to practice her sword?" Tiona and Tione, who were listening to her say this, nodded repeatedly in agreement. Ais looked even more dejected.

This made Lefia realize that she had spoken a bit too harshly, but thanks to this, she was able to continue to work hard.

And so, two months passed since the death of his friend.

We are gradually entering a season where we can feel the atmosphere of winter.

Just then, Loki found Raphia.

*

"Appoint me as the 'school district's' family recruiter?"

Lefia stared wide-eyed in surprise when she was called into the office inside the building.

With Finn, Riveria, and Grace also present, Loki, sitting opposite him, smiled and replied, "That's right!"

"After all, Lefia, you're a graduate of the 'district'! If we want to poach outstanding students from this arrogant and domineering educational institution, there's no one else but you! And you're the only one who understands the inside story of both sides!"

"That might be true..."

Also known as the "school district" of the mobile educational institution, it is expected to return to the labyrinth city (Orario) in three days.

The return of the "school district" also signifies the approaching period when various "families" will be recruiting outstanding students into their groups.

Orario refers to this period as "Recruiting Familias".

The school district will also cooperate by having representatives from each family come to hold factional briefings and conduct promotional activities.

This not only ensures Orario has access to top talent, but also provides students with more career paths, making it a mutually beneficial arrangement. Therefore, it has continued since the inception of the "School District"—in fact, the main reason for creating the "School District" was to concentrate talent from all over the world in the Labyrinth City—

Within this system, clans commissioned by the "school district" can send members to reside permanently—the so-called "clan recruiters." By engaging in in-depth interactions with students, they can promote their own faction. Although the "school district" primarily bases its recruitment on the fact that "many students have expressed a desire to join your clan," larger clans have a greater chance of being eligible for this system.

As the largest faction in Orario, the Loki Familia naturally attracts the largest number of students who wish to join.

"Leiman and the others always say, 'This is to bring the best students in the district to Orario!' and they keep urging me on."

Even if the students eventually join different "familias", as long as their interest is piqued, it can still effectively improve Orario's combat power.

In other words, the city management organization (guild) hopes to recruit outstanding talents, and more specifically, to increase the number of candidates for high-level adventurers.

(Indeed, the students in the "school district" are excellent... but I remember the Loki Familia wasn't particularly enthusiastic about this aspect, right? I also heard that Loki was quite resistant during the last Familia recruitment event...)

Lefia felt confused.

After all, Lefia was the first student recruited from the "school district" by the Loki Familia.

Back then, Lefia won the recommendation qualification with her excellent grades, successfully joining the largest faction in the city from an acceptance rate that was said to be only "one in eight hundred". It was even hailed as a great feat since the establishment of the "school district".

"However, if we're talking about who should represent the [Family] to move in, I think Miss Angel and Miss Alicia are more suitable than me."

"Actually, they were in charge of the previous recruitment of members. If we assign two more people to handle the same task, I'm worried they'll complain. And if we don't let others try, it will be troublesome if these two happen to be unavailable later."

Raphia's suggestion to flatly refuse the job was easily dismissed by Loki.

As for Finn and the others, being in leadership positions, even if it's to enhance the faction's strength, they ultimately cannot leave their posts for extended periods. Without them, the [Family] would struggle to function.

In contrast, the other officers... although this may offend Ais and the others, it can only be said that they are all unfit for the position.

The reason is that Ais is bad at speaking, Tiona and Tione are likely to cause trouble, and Bert is not even worth considering.

In this situation, the only candidates who could be chosen were Annakidi and Alicia, both members of the Second Army, who were known for their tact and diplomacy.

However, as Loki said, these two had served as Familia recruiters more than four years ago. They were the ones assigned to the "school district" during Lefia's school years.

"Oh, by the way, you're forbidden from exercising with Bert during this period, okay? Also, you're not allowed to go to the dungeon~"

The moment she heard these conditions, Lefia raised an eyebrow.

After seeing through the intentions of the main god and others, she immediately retorted with barbed words.

"Loki, I know my own body better than anyone. I haven't been pushing myself and I've been getting adequate rest, so please don't force me to work and restrict my freedom."

"That's not what I meant at all~ I just hope you can focus on your work as a family recruiter~ Since we're competing for students in the school district, please concentrate on this matter."

Lefia couldn't help but glare fiercely at the God who was blatantly lying.

But these words made sense, leaving Lefia with no way to refute them.

Since I've become a recruitment officer representing the [Family]—going there as a faction's "public relations" representative—I can't afford to be half-hearted. To complete the mission, I'll probably have to live in the "school district" for a while.

Loki must have planned this a long time ago.

Lefia finally understood that no matter how much she protested, her way out was blocked.

"The main point is, the way the innocent, young female students look at the graduates will definitely be amazing!! There might even be scenes of them shouting 'Onee-sama~!'—that's what happens when all the yuri flowers bloom! Hehehe!"

No one would call you that, and that kind of scenario would never happen.

Faced with Loki's undisguised wicked intentions, Lefia was dumbfounded and rolled her eyes at him.

Loki looked at Lefia, who was adopting this attitude, and a quiet smile appeared on his face.

Do you have a problem with that?

Of course there are.

Lefia felt she didn't have time to waste.

We must become stronger.

It was only after much difficulty that I finally felt that I had changed.

Although Lefia remained calm, the chief god (Loki) had already sensed her thoughts.

Even so, Loki still smiled slightly.

"But I will not accept any protests—this is God's command."

"Ugh...! Loki!"

Faced with the main god who was directly abusing his privileges, Lefia angrily stepped forward—

"I'm also asking you to take on this task, Lefia. Since the Familia suffered casualties in the recent battle, we hope to recruit talent from the 'School District' to make up for the lost fighting force. If there are any students with potential like you, we definitely can't miss them."

"Commander..."

"No matter what, I don't think you're some kind of genius elf! If that were the case, the 'school district' would be much better at nurturing talent than we are! Hahaha!"

Finn also humbled himself and made a request, while Grace burst into laughter to help ease the tension.

Lefia couldn't refuse Finn and the others' request.

So Lefia decided to accept her fate and resisted the urge to sigh.

Then she straightened her posture and began to speak.