Danmachi: God of Heroes

Veldrin opened his eyes slowly, feeling the stiffness in his body, but without the weight of unbearable pain. His arm still felt strange, with a slight tingling running through his skin, but when he tried to move his fingers, he found he had mobility. He wasn't fully recovered yet, but it wasn't a serious injury either.

He took a deep breath and sat up, noticing the dim light coming through the window. The atmosphere was calm, a stark difference from the chaos of the previous night. He looked around, recognizing the room as the Familia headquarters.

He rested his feet on the floor, stretching his muscles with a slight pop in his back. He'd slept more than usual, but not enough to feel completely refreshed.

As he tried to clear his thoughts, a sound in the room caught his attention.

Xander entered the room with firm steps, his expression serious, none of its usual casualness. Seeing Veldrin awake, he let out a small sigh of relief, but his gaze remained sharp.

"Are you still in one piece?" he asked, his tone intended to be light, but concern seeped into his voice.

Veldrin, still sitting up in bed, moved his injured arm slightly, feeling the numbness and pain that still lingered. "I'm not dead, if that's what you're asking."

Xander crossed his arms, bowing his head. "That doesn't answer my question."

Veldrin snorted, leaning back against the headboard. "I survived, that's enough."

Xander was silent for a few seconds, watching him closely. "I don't like seeing you like this."

Veldrin raised an eyebrow. "Just like that."

Xander nodded at his arm. "Hurt, with that annoyed expression… I know you hate being in this position."

Veldrin looked away. "It's not the first time."

Xander let out a soft sigh and pulled a potion from his jacket, handing it to her. "Drink this. I don't know if it will help at all, but at least it will make you feel a little better."

Veldrin took it without argument and drank the contents.

Xander leaned against the wall, crossing his arms. "When you can move without feeling like your arm is about to be ripped off, come to the living room. We need to talk."

With that, Xander turned and walked out of the room, leaving him alone with his thoughts.

Veldrin took a moment to get to his feet, still feeling the stiffness in his arm, but he didn't let that stop him. It wasn't the first time he'd found himself in this state after a battle.

She walked out of the room with purposeful steps and headed into the living room, where she found Xander sitting with his elbows on the table, his fingers interlaced in front of his face. His expression was serious, as he pondered something in his mind.

Veldrin wasted no time. He stopped in front of him and spoke firmly. "Update me."

Xander looked up, gauging her tone, but he showed no surprise. He nodded and straightened in his chair.

Veldrin Lightstorm

Level 2 (+)

Strength: D545 → S957 Endurance: D581 →S964 Dexterity: E492 → A898 Agility: C509 → A869 Magic: F344 → A899

Xander let out a soft sigh, but didn't argue. He sat down next to Veldrin and took out the needle to begin updating his status.

The silence in the room was only broken by their controlled breathing. It didn't take Xander long to complete the process, but when his gaze scanned the new stats table, his eyebrow raised in surprise.

"…Well, that explains a few things."

Veldrin took the sheet of paper Xander handed him, his eyes quickly scanning the numbers. His stat boost was staggering. Every single one of his attributes had skyrocketed to levels he never would have imagined reaching in such a short time. And most importantly… I could level up.

"All this for a single fight," Veldrin murmured, his tone emotionless.

"That 'single combat' was against Alfia." Xander leaned an elbow on the table and looked at him seriously. "Don't underestimate what you accomplished, Veldrin. Most adventurers would have died there."

Veldrin didn't respond immediately. His gaze remained fixed on the numbers, but his mind was on the fight. On how useless he'd felt. On how he'd been a burden to Riveria and Gareth. 

On how he'd luckily survived.

He gripped the blade a little tighter.

Veldrin looked up from his blade and toward Xander. His silver eyes were determined.

"Raise my level."

Xander exhaled slowly.

"Veldrin, you just fought Alfia, you almost froze your arm, and now—"

"Don't make me repeat it."

Veldrin's tone was firm, but not aggressive. It wasn't a request, it was a decision.

Xander stared at him silently for a few seconds. He knew that look well. He wasn't going to change his mind.

"…Good."

He took the needle and touched Veldrin's back again, beginning the process. Seconds passed, and when the change was complete, Xander leaned back slightly, studying the new stats chart closely.

Veldrin Lightstorm

Level 3

Strength: I0 Endurance: I0 Dexterity: I0 Agility: I0 Magic: I0

Magic:

Mana Burn: Chant-free magic. Sends out a beam of negative energy that burns 30% of the target's mind, dealing damage proportional to the mind removed. Requires a Magic stat other than 10. Immolation: Chantless magic. Generates a large layer of flame around the user, consuming mind while active.

Skills:

Incarnation (Demon Hunter): Through the altar of the elders, the body adapts to the history of the Demon Hunter. Manifestation of the Demon Hunter's Skills and Magic. Evasion: 15% chance that the enemy will miss with your attacks. Metamorphosis (Demon Transformation): Negative energy covers the entire body, increasing vitality. Attacks in this state are imbued with Chaos Fire, which ignores all forms of protection and armor.

Xander calmly scanned the sheet, his eyes scanning each line with an expression that fluctuated between interest and concern. His fingers gently tapped against the paper as he absorbed the information. Veldrin noticed the slight pause in his reading, the instant his attention settled on a particular skill.

The god didn't say anything immediately. He simply turned the sheet of paper over and passed it to Veldrin, who took it in his good hand and began to read.

It didn't take long to see what had caught Xander's eye.

Metamorphosis (Demon Transformation)

Veldrin frowned. He didn't remember manifesting anything like this before. Incarnation had granted him strange abilities before, but this one… This one was new. Different.

"Demon transformation…" he muttered, more to himself than to Xander.

The god, however, took the opportunity to speak.

"And the fire of chaos," he added in a tone that Veldrin couldn't immediately decipher.

She looked up, meeting Xander's serious expression.

"Do you know what it is?"

Xander crossed his arms, leaning against the desk thoughtfully.

"It's a type of damage," he explained. "Just like physical, piercing, or magical damage. But this is… different."

Veldrin waited without interrupting him.

"Chaos fire isn't an element in itself," Xander continued. "It's not fire as we know it. It's not fire magic or an elemental variant. It's more of a quality, a special property that certain attacks can have."

He paused before adding:

"It's usually obtained by extremely powerful beings or some extremely rare weapons. Its main characteristic is that it ignores any type of protection or armor. No matter how strong someone's defenses are, if the attack involves Chaos Fire, it just… hurts."

Veldrin clenched his jaw. He understood what Xander was saying, and he didn't quite like the meaning.

"Like divine fire?" he asked.

Xander nodded slowly.

"Yes. In fact, the divine fire that Hestia and Hephaestus guard in Tenkai is a type of chaos fire. But unlike chaos fire, divine fire has a more specific property: it can only be used by the gods or those they bless. Chaos fire, on the other hand… it simply exists. And now, apparently, you can generate it."

Veldrin looked again at the sheet in his hands.

He'd felt something different in his body when he'd leveled up, but he hadn't associated it with any particular skill. Now he understood why.

"Did this come about because of my fight with Alfia?"

Xander made an ambiguous gesture with his hand.

"It was probably the accumulation of everything you've been through up until now. Your fight with the infant dragon, your growth, the battle against Alfia… All of that left its mark on you."

Veldrin took a slow breath.

"So, this means that…"

Xander smiled slightly.

"That you now have something that few can obtain. Something that could make you extremely dangerous."

Veldrin didn't respond immediately. He just stared at the sheet of paper.

Veldrin opened the sheet again, reviewing the skills more closely. His eyes stopped at Mana Burn.

Something had changed.

He frowned and read the description more carefully. Previously, his magic would remove 15% of the enemy's mind. Now, that number had doubled.

"30%…" he muttered.

Xander raised an eyebrow. "Hm?"

Veldrin showed him the sheet and pointed to the line in question.

"Mana Burn. Previously, it only removed 15% of an enemy's mind. Now it's 30%."

Xander whistled softly. "That's… loud."

Veldrin closed his eyes for a moment, assessing the magnitude of the change. Burning Mana was already a dangerous spell, capable of stripping an enemy of their magical ability in an instant. But with this upgrade…

If he managed to connect, he could knock out almost any mage in one hit. Even someone with enormous mind reserves would suffer significant damage.

He took a deep breath, absorbing the information.

Between that and the fire of chaos, it was clear his growth hadn't just been in statistics. His entire arsenal had changed.

Xander looked at him with a mixture of curiosity and caution. "How do you feel about all this?" Veldrin clenched his jaw.

"…I have to try it."

Xander clicked his tongue. "Well, you'll just have to suck it up. We were called into an emergency meeting about yesterday's attack."

Veldrin barely had time to process those words when the door burst open.

Lili appeared in the entrance.

The pallum was pale, with dark circles under her eyes and a slight stumble in her steps. Although the arrow wound had been healed with a potion, moving so soon was not advisable.

Veldrin frowned. "Lili."

Xander turned around, frowning. "What the hell do you think you're doing standing up?!"

Lili, however, ignored both reactions. She gripped the door frame and glared at Veldrin with determination.

"Lili will also go to the meeting."

Xander put a hand to his face and sighed in frustration. "No, you won't."

Lili clenched her fists. "Lili can go. It's okay."

Veldrin crossed his arms. "No, you're not okay."

"But-!"

Xander raised a hand to stop her. "No buts. You can barely stand without holding on to the door. Do you think you can go to a meeting in that state?"

Lili gritted her teeth. Her ears twitched in frustration. "Lili doesn't want to be left behind…"

Veldrin sighed. He knew that look. He knew that fear.

He leaned forward a little, to see her eyes better. "Do you want to go because you think you have something to prove?"

Lili did not respond immediately.

Xander looked at her seriously. "Lili, no one here doubts you. But if you fall in the middle of the meeting, we'll carry you like a sack of potatoes. And believe me, I will do it without hesitation."

The pallum grimaced, her cheeks reddening slightly.

"…Lili doesn't want to be a burden."

Veldrin shook his head. "You're not. But if you push yourself too hard and get worse, that would really waste us more time."

Lili bit her lip. She seemed ready to argue, but in the end, she looked down at the floor and murmured, "Lili… understands."

Xander nodded approvingly. "Good. Then go back to bed."

Lili growled softly and turned, walking slowly away. Veldrin watched her until she disappeared down the hallway.

Xander sighed. "That girl is going to give me a heart attack someday."

Veldrin crossed his arms. "If you don't die first, through some crazy act of yours."

Xander nudged him with a smirk. "Come on, let's go before we get any further delayed."

Xander looked at the door where Lili had left and frowned. "Is it okay to leave her alone?"

Veldrin didn't respond immediately. He'd thought about it too. After Evilus's attack, leaving Lili unprotected wasn't something he liked.

"…I Don't know."

Xander clicked his tongue. "I don't want to push her any further, but I also don't feel right leaving headquarters like this."

Veldrin sighed. "We can make sure traps are active before we leave. It's not perfect, but it's something."

Xander rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "And I'll tell Lili that if anything happens, she's to hide and wait. No more trying to face it alone."

Veldrin nodded. "Good idea."

Xander looked around the room one last time before heading for the exit. "Okay, let's go. The sooner we get this over with, the sooner we can get back."

Veldrin followed him silently, but he couldn't help but take one last look at the headquarters. Something inside him told him he didn't like this.

…

The Loki Familia headquarters was livelier than usual, though not in a festive sense. There was an air of tension hanging in the air as Veldrin and Xander walked through the main doors. The emergency meeting had already brought together several of Orario's most powerful Familias, and the presence of certain individuals made it clear that the situation was critical.

In the great hall, Finn stood beside Riveria and Gareth, his expression as serious as someone planning the next great battle. Loki, as always, wore that crooked smile, though his eyes betrayed a more calculating look.

But they weren't the only ones. The Astrea Familia was also present, and among them, Veldrin immediately noticed Ryuu and Alise, along with the other members. Lyra was there as well, although she still looked somewhat shaken by her injuries from the previous night.

The surprise came when they saw Ganesha, who wasn't alone, but accompanied by some of his captains. Although his jovial attitude attempted to ease the tension, no one seemed in the mood for jokes.

And then there was him.

In a corner, arms crossed, stood a presence that commanded respect just by being there: Ottar, the captain of the Freya Familia and the strongest adventurer in Orario. His presence alone weighed heavily on the air like a warning. If Freya was interested in this, it meant the problem was even bigger than everyone thought.

Xander straightened his coat and looked at Veldrin. "Well, this should be interesting."

Veldrin only grunted in response as the two approached Finn and the others. The meeting was about to begin.

When the meeting began, the first image projected onto the table was the priority of the moment: Alfia and Zald.

A thick silence fell over the room as everyone stared at the portraits of the two individuals in question.

Finn was the first to speak, his tone firm and calculating. "Alfia and Zald. Two names that should belong to the past… but who yesterday brutally reminded us that they're still here."

The expressions of those present varied. Some frowned, others clenched their fists in frustration.

Gareth exhaled heavily, his arm still raw from the battle. "We fought Alfia, all three of us… and it wasn't enough. We barely managed to make her think before attacking again."

Riveria kept her gaze lowered. It wasn't common to see her so silent, but the defeat had left an impact on her.

"And Zald…" Finn's voice hardened. "He faced Ottar and Allen… and the result was the same. They humiliated us, and then they let us go."

Everyone looked at Ottar, who stood with his arms crossed. He showed no reaction, but the mere fact that he was there, at a meeting like this, spoke volumes. If Zald had been able to put him in check, the situation was even more serious than anyone could have imagined.

"Why?" Xander broke the silence, leaning on the table. "If they're strong enough to take us out, why didn't they?"

Finn crossed his arms. "That's the key question."

No one had a clear answer, but one thing was certain: Alfia and Zald weren't just a problem, they were a threat that Orario didn't yet know how to handle.

The discussion moved on to the most crucial point: understanding Alfia and Zald's abilities. If they reappeared, they needed a clear strategy to deal with them.

Finn spoke, gently rapping his knuckles on the table. "The first thing is to analyze her strengths and weaknesses. We know that Alfia is an elite mage with devastating offensive capabilities. Her control over magic is absolute, and her power far surpasses that of any mage in Orario."

Riveria crossed her arms with a thoughtful expression. "It's true that 'Mana Burn' is a perfect spell against Alfia… but that doesn't mean Veldrin can beat her."

Finn, still processing the information, sighed. "With his Level 2 capabilities, Veldrin could have posed a threat if he worked with someone else, but—"

"It's not level 2."

Xander interrupted casually, as if he were commenting on something unimportant.

Finn frowned. "What?"

Xander smiled and nodded at Veldrin. "He's leveled up to level 3."

Silence fell suddenly over the room.

Riveria's eyes widened slightly, while Gareth crossed his arms with an incredulous expression.

Loki blinked several times before letting out a short laugh. "Wait, wait, what did you say?"

Xander just shrugged. "He leveled up again. Two weeks ago he was level 2. Now he's level 3."

The impact was reflected in everyone present.

Lyra of the Astrea Familia let out a hiss. "That's ridiculous."

Ottar, who had remained silent, turned his head slightly to get a better look at Veldrin.

Finn, after a moment, exhaled slowly. "That changes things."

The fact that Veldrin had leveled up twice in such a short period of time was a phenomenon that defied all logic. Leveling up not only required significant feats, but also exceptional personal development. And Veldrin had achieved it in a matter of weeks.

Veldrin, for his part, didn't react to the surprised looks. For him, the only thing that mattered was whether this brought him closer to being able to face Alfia and Zald.

Xander exhaled heavily, crossing his arms. "Veldrin gained a new ability after leveling up. One that allows him to pierce through Alfia's magical defenses." That immediately raised the tension in the room.

Riveria frowned. "Break through their magical defenses…? How is that possible?"

Xander shook his head. "I won't go into details, but it's a fact. However, even with that advantage, the physical difference between them is still abysmal."

Veldrin then spoke, his tone firm. "Alfia is ridiculously fast and strong. If I can't keep up with her, it doesn't matter if I have a way to damage her."

Finn nodded thoughtfully. "In other words, you have a weapon against her, but you can't use it effectively yet."

Xander clicked his tongue. "Exactly. So, for now, Veldrin alone isn't enough."

The room fell silent. They had discovered a potential weakness in Alfia, but they were still far from being able to exploit it.

Ottar spoke for the first time, his deep, steady voice echoing in the room. "Zald used magic during our fight. He was able to imbue his weapon with fire."

That caught everyone's attention. Riveria frowned. "Fire? How powerful was it?"

"Enough to damage even someone like me." Ottar didn't say this with pride or complaint, just as a matter of fact. "But that's not all. Before the fight started, he consumed something. I don't know what it was, but it seemed to prepare him for battle, boosting his stats."

Riveria frowned. "Did it increase his stats? How can you be sure of that?"

Ottar looked at her without hesitation. "Because that's his ability. Zald can grow stronger depending on what he consumes."

There was a tense silence in the room. Finn narrowed his eyes. "And how do you know that?"

Ottar held the pallum's gaze for a moment before calmly answering. "Does that matter?"

Finn sighed. "I guess not. The important thing is that if he has an ability like that, then his strength can increase depending on how well his food is prepared."

Xander clicked his tongue. "Tsk… As if it wasn't dangerous enough already."

Veldrin clenched his fists. Not only was he a former Zeus Familia executive, but he could become stronger with something as simple as eating. How powerful could he become if he had access to whatever he needed?

The discussion about Alfia and Zald's abilities continued, breaking down every detail of their confrontations. Riveria explained how Alfia possessed overwhelming control over her magic, capable of unleashing massive spells without the need for lengthy chants, while Ottar reaffirmed that Zald, in addition to his firepower, had displayed speed and strength that surpassed even the strongest in Orario.

However, the topic couldn't be limited to them alone. Eventually, the Ganesha Familia took the floor, their leader speaking with his characteristic resonant voice, but this time with a more solemn tone.

"Evilus's attack left devastation throughout the city," one of his captains began. "There were multiple fires, destruction of buildings, and looting in several areas. The number of civilian deaths is estimated to exceed five hundred… and among the city's gods, nine were killed."

The room fell into a heavy silence. The death of a god was not a common occurrence. While their souls returned to the Tenkai, their murder meant the immediate dissolution of their families and the loss of all influence in Orario.

Riveria closed her eyes for a moment, as if processing the gravity of the situation. Finn clenched his fist. "What are the names of the fallen gods?"

Ganesha's captain reviewed his notes and began to read. "Of the slain gods, only Belenus and Zelus are known, the other gods... are unknown."

[These are Random names XD]

Murmurs spread through the room. Some names were familiar, others less so, but all represented an irreparable loss.

Xander crossed his arms, his expression serious. "This isn't just an attack. Evilus wants to dismantle Orario from the ground up."

Ganesha nodded. "Exactly. This wasn't just an act of violence, but a calculated attempt to weaken the structures that support the city. And the worst part is, we don't know if this was all… or if it was just the beginning."

The room remained silent, but not out of surprise. Everyone had already heard that message. The night before, when the battle ended and calm seemed to return, that voice echoed throughout the city.

It hadn't been a simple written message, nor a threat left on a wall. It was a declaration broadcast throughout the city, as if the voice of chaos itself had spoken directly into their minds.

"If anyone still had any doubts about Evilus's goals…" Finn said firmly. "I think this message made it pretty clear."

"Fucking madman," Gareth muttered, crossing his arms. "Declaring absolute evil… I never thought we'd see anything like that."

Loki leaned an elbow on the table and dropped her head into her hand. "In terms of style, I give it an eight. Not bad for someone who wants to destroy the world."

Riveria closed her eyes, ignoring the comment. "The important thing here isn't how he said it, but what he means. If he truly has the means to carry out his threat, Orario is in real danger."

Xander leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. "If last night was just the beginning, then this isn't going to end here."

Ottar nodded gravely. "Evilus has sent a clear message. And after what happened, we know it's not just empty words."

The meeting continued, but one thing was certain: Orario's true enemy had revealed himself, and the war was just beginning.

Veldrin left the room without saying a word. The discussion would continue for hours, analyzing strategies, assigning responsibilities, but he'd heard enough.

It wasn't that he didn't care, it was that he needed air.

He crossed the halls of the Loki Familia headquarters and found the training yard, an open space surrounded by stone walls, its floors marked by countless battles. At this hour, it was empty.

Perfect.

He exhaled slowly, stretching his arms. His body felt stronger, but his mind was overwhelmed. Everything that had happened… the attack, the fight against Alfia, Erebos's revelation, his own growth.

So many things in such a short time.

He stood there, in the middle of the courtyard, letting the breeze cool his thoughts.

Veldrin turned when he heard footsteps behind him. Ais was there, looking at him with those curious golden eyes. She was still a child, barely a budding adventurer, but her presence already carried a certain weight.

"Is it true?" he asked in a low voice, though with obvious interest.

Veldrin frowned. "What thing?"

"You leveled up again… you're now level 3."

Veldrin watched her for a moment. He didn't seem to doubt the information; he just wanted to confirm it with his own ears.

"Yes," he finally replied, crossing his arms. "That's true."

Ais looked at him with something akin to astonishment. "How did you get so strong?"

Veldrin sighed, his gaze shifting to the ground. "I'm not strong."

Ais blinked, clearly confused. "But you reached level 3 in such a short time…"

Veldrin shook his head. "And yet, Alfia humiliated me in the fight. I couldn't do anything against her. If I were strong, that wouldn't have happened."

Ais remained silent. Perhaps she had expected a different answer.

Ais stared at him for a moment, as if considering his words. Then, with a determined expression, she said, "Fight me."

Veldrin raised an eyebrow. "A duel?"

Ais nodded. "Yes… I want to see for myself how strong you are."

Veldrin watched her for a moment. He knew Ais was talented, even at such a young age. She had barely reached level 2, but her potential was undeniable. Besides, a duel might help clear her mind.

Finally, he sighed and nodded. "Okay."

Ais drew her sword smoothly, holding it in both hands as she adopted a low stance. Her golden eyes shone with anticipation, though her face remained serious.

Veldrin, for his part, twirled both glaives in his hands before taking a relaxed stance, one slightly forward and the other angled for defense. He calmly observed the small swordswoman.

The wind blew gently across the training yard, stirring up small particles of dust. For a few seconds, only the sound of the wind could be heard.

So, without further words, the duel began.

Ais was the first to move. With the agility one would expect from a level 2 adventurer, she dashed forward with a swift and precise slash. Her sword sliced through the air with a whistling sound, seeking an open spot in Veldrin's guard.

But he had already seen the attack coming. With a fluid motion, he swung his right glaive and deflected Ais's sword to the side, feeling the force behind his blow. The girl didn't lose her balance; on the contrary, she used the deflection to spin around and launch another upward slash.

Veldrin took a half step back and blocked with his other glaive, but Ais didn't give him time to breathe. As soon as their weapons made contact, the swordswoman redoubled her attacks, with swift thrusts and slashes, pressing the attack with her speed.

"Quick…" Veldrin thought as he deflected each blow with precision. But even with his level advantage, he couldn't ignore Ais's swordsmanship. She was a prodigy.

He decided to change his approach. Instead of just defending, he leaned his weight forward and deflected the next thrust with an aggressive twist, forcing Ais to move to the side. He used that moment to launch a sweeping leg.

Ais reacted instantly, leaping to avoid the sweep, but just as her feet returned to the ground, Veldrin was upon her. His glaive swung down in a diagonal strike.

The swordswoman raised her sword at the last moment, blocking the blow, but the force behind it knocked her back a few steps. For the first time in the fight, Ais was on the defensive.

Her eyes shone brightly, not showing fear or frustration. On the contrary, she seemed excited.

"Again!" he exclaimed, propelling himself forward with even more speed.

The clash of weapons echoed through the courtyard as the two continued their duel, testing their skills in wordless combat.

Veldrin adjusted his grip on the glaives, watching Ais as she circled around him with light steps. Despite the difference in their level, the swordswoman's speed was impressive. Her natural talent and training made her stand out even among more experienced adventurers.

Ais attacked again, lunging with a precise thrust. Veldrin tilted his body and deflected the blade with his left glaive, but before he could counterattack, Ais had already spun around, delivering a horizontal slash.

Veldrin lowered his stance and avoided the blow by inches, feeling the air current from the sword pass right over his head. Without missing a beat, he pushed off the ground hard and countered with an upward swing of his right glaive.

Ais reacted quickly, crossing her sword in front of her to block the impact, but the difference in strength was evident. The swordswoman was pushed back, her boots scraping the surface of the courtyard.

In a split second, he propelled himself forward again. Instead of attacking with his sword, he launched a kick at Veldrin's side.

The elf couldn't dodge it in time and felt the impact against his ribs. It wasn't a hard blow, but it was fast enough to knock him slightly off balance.

"Good…" he thought as he regained his posture.

However, before Ais could follow up with another attack, Veldrin spun her left glaive and with a swift motion swept the ground in front of her.

The swordswoman leaped to avoid it, but Veldrin had already anticipated that reaction. With a step forward, he closed the distance and swung his other glaive in a downward slash.

Ais barely managed to block the blow, but this time she couldn't withstand the force of the impact. Her feet slid back several meters, and for the first time, her breathing became a little more labored.

Still, her expression didn't show frustration. If anything, she seemed excited.

"You are strong…" he said, holding his sword firmly.

Veldrin watched her silently for a moment before raising his glaives again.

"Let's continue."

Ais smiled and launched herself at him once more.

Ais hesitated for a moment, her grip on the hilt of her sword tightening. In their previous duel, her magic had injured Veldrin more than she expected. She didn't want to repeat the same thing... but she also knew that if she didn't fight seriously, this fight would be meaningless.

Making a decision, he inhaled deeply.

"Tempest."

Instantly, a fierce wind erupted around her. Her golden hair whipped around like dancing flames, and the air pressure in the training yard intensified. Her body grew swifter, lighter, as if propelled by the current itself.

Veldrin narrowed his eyes. It wasn't the first time he'd seen her magic in action, but that didn't make it any less impressive.

Ais disappeared from his sight.

No, it didn't disappear. It had just moved so fast that it took a moment for his perception to catch up.

Veldrin reacted on instinct, crossing his glaives in defense just as Ais reappeared in front of him with a downward slash.

The clash of steel echoed in the air, but the impact was much stronger than before. Her feet sank into the ground from the pressure, and the wind surrounding her cut her skin with small but sharp wounds.

Ais didn't stop. She swung her sword in an arc and swung it again, this time faster.

Veldrin leaned his torso to narrowly avoid it and used his left glaive to deflect the blow's trajectory. However, before he could counterattack, Ais was already behind him.

The elf's reflexes flared. He took a step forward and spun around, slashing sideways with both glaives at the same time.

But it cut through the empty air.

Ais had already jumped, and from above he descended with another blow wrapped in wind.

Veldrin raised both weapons in a cross defense and took the full impact. His body shook with the force of the blow, his arms aching from the pressure. But he held on.

Ais's eyes sparkled with excitement.

Veldrin smiled faintly.

"Come on, Ais." Her feet planted firmly on the ground. "You're not done, are you?"

Veldrin narrowed his eyes, deflecting a swift blow from Ais with one of his glaives. The girl's speed continued to increase, her wind aura enveloping her like a miniature storm.

But he had something new… something that could give him the edge.

Metamorphosis.

I knew it wasn't a spell. It didn't require a chant, or a gathering of mind. It was something more physical, something that came from within.

But how was it activated?

He leaped back, dodging Ais's downward slash, and tightened his grip on his glaives. His body felt the same as always. There was no sign, no obvious change.

Maybe… it wasn't something that was activated by just wishing it.

It wasn't magic.

It was a transformation.

A change.

If that was the case, then perhaps the key was in his own body.

Veldrin focused on the feeling of the skill. On what it represented.

Her body had to be the key.

But just as he tried to delve deeper into the thought, Ais moved again, forcing him to react immediately.

Veldrin felt a chill run down his spine.

In the middle of the fight, while dodging another slash from Ais, his body stopped on its own.

Ais also stopped moving, her expression going from concentration to confusion.

Something was wrong.

Veldrin looked down at his hands… and his breath caught in his throat.

Black.

Dark energy surged from his skin, twisting like living flames. Not only that, but his body was changing.

His vision lifted. His muscles expanded. His spires, which had felt firm in his hands a second ago, vanished without a trace.

And then, he felt something on his back.

Something big.

Ais took a step back, her golden eyes wide.

"Veldrin…?"

But Veldrin could barely register her voice. A burning tingle ran through his skull, followed by a pressure. Something had grown there.

Instinctively he brought a hand to his head and felt the contours of something sharp and curved.

Horns.

And on his back… a strange movement, as if he had a couple more limbs.

Wings.

A dark aura enveloped his body, flowing with overwhelming, wild… pure power.

This wasn't a spell.

It wasn't a normal skill.

It was Metamorphosis.

Green flames danced in his hands, emerging from nowhere.

They were strange. They didn't burn like normal fire. They didn't emit heat... but something worse. Something that made Ais, without even realizing it, immediately go on guard.

Veldrin felt a tingling sensation run through his body as he opened and closed his hands, watching the green flames respond to his will. Chaos fire.

A thought crossed his mind.

This… is real.

His breathing was heavier. His voice, when he spoke, resonated with a deeper, lower tone. More alien.

But there was no time to question it.

Veldrin moved.

And the fight restarted.

Ais gritted her teeth as she had to jump back to avoid another blast of green fire that impacted right where she stood.

Veldrin's fighting style had changed completely.

No longer the mid-range combatant who mastered the rhythm of his glaives, zooming in and out at will with surgical precision, he was now a siege, bombarding the field with Chaos fireballs that gave him no chance to close.

Every time she tried to flank him or find an opening, another explosion would burst in her path, forcing her to retreat.

Not only that…

Ais felt something different.

The air grew heavier with each flame Veldrin conjured. As if he were corrupting the surroundings with his mere presence. As if those flames weren't simply fire, but something more dangerous.

Something I shouldn't touch.

But if he continued like this… he would lose.

He gripped his sword tighter, preparing to do something risky.

Ais moved forward with determination, bending her body to avoid the next blast of flame, but the instant she stepped onto the ground to propel herself forward again…

Veldrin was already in position.

His hands, wrapped in green fire, rose too quickly for Ais to react.

BOOM!

An explosion of green flames engulfed the young swordswoman.

Ais screamed.

The impact threw her backward, her body falling heavily to the ground as the fire burned through her armor and skin. It hurt. It hurt like nothing she'd ever felt before.

It wasn't just the heat. It wasn't just the pain of the burns.

It was something deeper.

The flames clung to her, as if alive, consuming her beyond the physical. No matter how hard she tried to extinguish them with her hand or by rolling on the ground, they were still there.

And then…

Veldrin stopped dead in his tracks.

His body stiff, his eyes wide open in horror as he watched Ais screaming in pain on the ground.

He didn't want this.

He didn't mean to hurt her like that.

Green flames danced in his hands, his body still wrapped in the dark energy of transformation… and for the first time he felt afraid of himself.

The green flames were extinguished.

Ais stopped writhing on the ground, her breathing ragged as her body shook with pain. Her armor was blackened, her skin reddened and still smoking. But that wasn't the worst part.

It was her eyes.

Veldrin watched her slowly sit up, her hand trembling on her burned arm. Her golden eyes rose to his… and for the first time, he saw neither determination nor pride in them.

He saw fear.

Ais Wallenstein, the young warrior who dreamed of strength, was looking at him in fear.

Veldrin's heart sank.

Just as Veldrin took a step towards Ais, a burst of fire hit him full on.

The impact sent him staggering back several feet, his body still covered in that dark, chaotic energy. Emerald flames danced in his hands, but for the first time since he'd entered that state, he felt a shiver of alertness.

"Get away from her!"

The voice echoed with fury.

Veldrin looked up. In front of him, Riveria Ljos Alf held her staff firmly in her hand, her expression tense. Beside her, Gareth was already in a fighting stance, and behind them, dozens of adventurers from the Loki Familia and the Astrea Familia were on guard.

Loki, who had come out with the others upon hearing the crash, looked at Veldrin with a frown. "What the hell is that supposed to be?"

"I don't know, but we can't let him get any closer," Finn said, calmly assessing the situation.

"It can't be… How did a monster get here?" Riveria stared at Veldrin. "There's no way it came up from the dungeon. Someone must have brought it…"

Veldrin felt all eyes on him, but what really stopped him was Ais's expression.

Still on the ground, holding his burned arm… looking at it in fear.

That's when reality hit him. They were seeing him as a monster.

"It's Veldrin!"

Ais's voice echoed in the courtyard, cutting the tension short.

Everyone fell silent.

Ais gasped, clutching her injured arm, but still standing. "We were fighting… It was just training!"

Riveria frowned, not lowering her staff. "Training? And how do you explain this?" She pointed at Veldrin's transformation, his body wrapped in that dark energy, his horns and wings resembling those of an infernal creature.

"He didn't mean to hurt me…" Ais looked down for a second, still feeling the heat of the flames. "He lost control… but he's still him."

Disbelief was evident on everyone's faces. Loki crossed his arms, watching Veldrin with interest. Finn and Gareth didn't seem to relax at all, and Ottar simply stared at him silently.

Xander was the only one who stepped forward, looking at his captain. "Veldrin?" Veldrin blinked, his eyes shining with a strange glow.

Riveria narrowed her eyes, but seeing Ais firmly stating that she was Veldrin, she slowly lowered her staff.

Finn, who had been watching silently, crossed his arms. "If Ais says it's Veldrin, then it is."

Riveria, though still tense, murmured, "But… what is that transformation?"

"That's what I'd like to know." Loki leaned closer curiously, examining Veldrin's dark figure. "Boy, can you undo it?"

Veldrin didn't respond immediately. He looked at his hands again, feeling the energy flowing through his body. He tried to calm himself, but the transformation was still there.

Xander sighed. "If it were that easy, I would have done it already."

Xander crossed his arms. "This is the ability I mentioned earlier… the one that could be a drawback for Alfia."

Everyone looked at him in surprise, and Finn frowned. "Are you saying this is part of his Falna?"

Xander nodded. "Veldrin must have accidentally activated it during the fight against Ais, but its power was too much for her."

Riveria pursed her lips, still on guard. "And how dangerous is this ability?"

Xander gave a dry laugh. "Well… if he nearly knocked out Ais in one hit, imagine what he could do to someone else."

The adventurers exchanged glances. It wasn't just the strength that was worrying, but the fact that Veldrin had completely changed his form.

Veldrin finally spoke, his voice even deeper than usual. "It was an accident."

Everyone looked at him, expectant.

"Accident?" Finn repeated, still cautiously.

Veldrin nodded. "I didn't know how to activate this ability… and when I did, it just… happened. It didn't affect my mind or thoughts, but the power was much greater than I expected."

Riveria eyed him suspiciously, but Ais, still recovering, confirmed with a slight nod. "That's true… he was fighting like always."

That seemed to calm the others a little. If the transformation didn't affect his judgment or make him uncontrollable, then at least he wasn't an immediate risk. However, the image of Ais, injured and trembling, was still fresh in their minds.

Loki crossed his arms, looking at Xander with a stern expression. "Hey, Xander… don't you think you should say something about what happened? Ais got hurt because of your prodigy."

Xander sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as he looked at Ais. The young girl still had some burn marks, though Riveria had already taken care of the worst of it.

"Yeah… I'm sorry about that," he finally said, looking at Ais. "Veldrin didn't mean to hurt you like that. It was a mistake, trying out a new skill."

Ais nodded slowly, still staring at Veldrin. "I'm fine…" she said softly.

Loki clicked his tongue. "Tsk. This better not happen again." She glanced at Veldrin before letting out a sigh. "Damn, kid, if you were going to pull something crazy like that, you should have at least tried it somewhere else first."

Ryuu watched Veldrin silently, her gaze sharp as a blade. She didn't say anything immediately, but her expression spoke volumes. It wasn't just concern, but something deeper… distrust.

Veldrin noticed the way she looked at him, as if she were reassessing him, as if the warrior he knew had changed in an instant.

Xander noticed the exchange and decided to intervene before the tension grew. "It's not like Veldrin planned this. It was an accident."

Ryuu didn't take her eyes off Veldrin, but after a moment, she closed her eyes and sighed. "I hope so."

She didn't say anything else, but the feeling that she still wasn't entirely convinced lingered.

Alise gave a short laugh and turned to Xander with a lopsided smile. "Wow, Xander, your boy sure knows how to make a grand entrance. If you were looking to turn heads, you could have done it with fireworks, not… whatever this is."

Her tone was playful, but she couldn't completely hide the tension in her voice. She tried to lighten the mood, but even she seemed to be processing what had just happened.

Xander clicked his tongue and crossed his arms. "Trust me, Alise, if I'd planned this, I would have at least charged admission."

Some gave a short laugh, but the weight of the moment was still present.

Veldrin, still covered in the dark energy of his transformation, took a step toward Ais. His movements were heavier than usual, as if every part of his body felt foreign even to him.

The girl looked at him with a mixture of surprise and caution as he bowed slightly in front of her.

"I'm sorry." His voice was still deep, much deeper than usual, but his tone conveyed a genuine apology.

Ais blinked, still in pain, but nodded silently. Although her expression was difficult to read, there was no longer any fear in her eyes.

Ais, somewhat hesitantly, raised her hand and slowly brought it closer to Veldrin. Her fingers trembled for a moment before touching the dark energy surrounding him. The texture was strange, neither cold nor warm, but rather a dense, enveloping presence that seemed to react slightly to her touch.

Veldrin watched her silently, without moving.

Ais looked up at him, noticing that he still seemed tense. Then, with an effort, she tried to smile at him, trying to calm him down. "It doesn't matter." Her voice was soft, almost reassuring, despite the pain he must still be feeling.

Ais, without letting go of Veldrin's hand, gently tugged on him, as if she wanted to bring him back to the others. Despite the size difference in their current state, she didn't hesitate to pull him along with the same determination as always.

Veldrin hesitated for a moment before following her, letting the dark energy around him slowly dissipate.

Riveria watched him closely, but there was no longer the same tension in her gaze as before. She seemed to be assessing him, making sure he was truly in control. The rest also relaxed, although their gazes on him remained cautious.

Veldrin followed Ais back to the Loki Familia headquarters, but when he reached the entrance, he misjudged his new height.

With a loud bang, his head hit the top of the door frame.

The sound echoed through the hall, and for a moment there was silence. Then, a few chuckles broke out among those present. Alise was the first to burst out laughing, followed by Loki, who practically doubled over with laughter.

Even Xander let out an amused smile.

As they walked down the corridor, the black energy covering Veldrin began to slowly dissipate. His height gradually decreased until it returned to normal, his horns and wings vanished into thin air as if they had never existed.

When he finally returned to his original state, Veldrin exhaled deeply, feeling his body lighter. He raised a hand, inspecting it as if still expecting to see remnants of the transformation, but nothing remained.

Xander glanced at him and said in a relaxed tone, "Well, well, back to the old Veldrin… although I have to say the big version had a bit of an impact."

Loki crossed her arms with a sly smile. "Yeah, but not that smart, huh? That door beat him without even trying."

The laughter resumed, and although Veldrin sighed, he couldn't help but give a small smile.

As Ais headed off to get a potion and change her clothes, Veldrin watched her back as she walked away. What had happened still weighed on his mind, but at least Ais didn't hate him... though that didn't mean he could ignore what had happened.

Taking a deep breath, he turned to Riveria, who was still watching him with a calm but sharp gaze. Her arms were crossed, not out of hostility, but rather in a gesture that betrayed her own concern. Veldrin was no stranger to the relationship he had with Ais. He knew that, even though she wasn't his blood mother, Riveria viewed her as a daughter.

Veldrin lowered his head slightly in a sign of respect. "I'm sorry about what happened. I didn't mean to hurt her."

Riveria didn't respond immediately. Her gaze scrutinized every inch of his expression, as if evaluating the sincerity of his words. Finally, she sighed.

"I know." Her voice was calm but firm. "But an intention doesn't change the outcome."

Veldrin nodded. He wouldn't try to excuse himself, because he was right.

Riveria closed her eyes for a moment before continuing. "Ais is strong… but she's also inexperienced. She doesn't quite know her limits, and sometimes neither do others. This time it was an error in judgment, but I'm glad to see you're not trying to downplay it." 

Veldrin held his gaze. "I never would."

There was a brief silence between them before Riveria gave a small nod. There was no verbal apology accepted, but in that exchange, Veldrin understood that he didn't need one. Riveria simply wanted to make sure he understood the gravity of what had happened.

And he did.

Riveria studied Veldrin for a moment longer before softening her expression slightly. Despite her rigid posture, there was a certain air of understanding in her gaze.

"If you look at it another way... you're now tied."

Veldrin blinked, confused. "Tie?"

Riveria gave a slight, almost imperceptible smile. "Ais pierced your shoulder in her first duel with you. Now you've knocked her out. Let's say it's a tie."

Veldrin let out a slight snort. "I don't think it's the same."

"Maybe not." Riveria shifted her gaze in the direction Ais had left. "But I doubt she holds it against her will. Ais just wants to get stronger… just like you."

Veldrin remained silent. It was true. The way Ais had looked at him, without hatred, without resentment… that meant that, in her mind, this defeat was just another obstacle he had to overcome.

Riveria looked back at him. "Don't beat yourself up about this."

Veldrin let out a soft sigh. Maybe she was right, but still… the image of Ais on the ground, engulfed in green flames, wouldn't leave his mind so easily.

As they continued walking through the headquarters, Veldrin shifted his gaze to Ryuu.

The elf walked silently, with her typical serene expression, but Veldrin noticed that she hadn't taken her eyes off him the whole time. It wasn't a look of fear, like Ais's when she was engulfed in flames... but it wasn't the same neutrality as always, either.

Veldrin frowned slightly.

"What?" he asked finally, bluntly.

Ryuu blinked, as if she had just been brought out of her thoughts. "Nothing."

But her gaze said something else.

Yes, after what he saw, Ryuu no longer looks at him the same way. Maybe it's not fear, but there's definitely a barrier between them again.

Veldrin notices, of course, and though he doesn't say anything else, he knows it will take time to regain that trust... if he can do it at all.

With the meeting officially concluded, the various groups began to leave. Ganesha and his people were the first to leave, Ottar merely exchanging a glance with Loki before leaving without a word.

Before the Astrea Familia left, Alise approached Xander with her typical carefree air, although her gaze betrayed that she had something on her mind.

Alise approached Xander with a more relaxed expression, staying by his side as the Astrea Familia prepared to leave. They didn't need words to fill the silence; the trust between them was already there.

"Xan." His voice was lower than usual, lacking the unbridled energy he usually displayed.

Xander glanced at her. "What's wrong?"

Alise sighed, crossing her arms. "I wanted to apologize for Ryuu. I know she… didn't say it, but I can tell she's wary of Veldrin."

Xander shrugged. "It's not something you can control. And after what happened, it's understandable."

"Yes, but still… I know you trust him." Alise looked him straight in the eyes. "And if you do it, I do too. But Ryuu… well, you already know her."

Xander gave a small smile. "Stubborn as hell."

Alise nodded, smiling a little. "Yes. Just give it time."

There was a brief silence between them before Alise took a step back. "I'll see you soon, hopefully under better circumstances."

Xander nodded. "Same here."

With that, Alise gave him one last look before rejoining her group, leaving him with the feeling that the conversation had been brief, but heartfelt.

Loki approached Xander with her hands on the back of her neck, watching him with a smile.

"Well, Xander, it looks like there was enough entertainment for quite a while today."

Xander sighed. "I can't argue with that."

Loki looked at him for a moment, her playful expression turning slightly more serious. "Veldrin… is he okay?"

Xander crossed his arms. "I don't know. He's strong, but even he must be processing all of this."

Loki nodded, then patted him on the shoulder with a more relaxed smile. "Then do what you do best: take care of him. And if things get complicated, you know where to find us."

Xander smirked. "I'll keep that in mind."

Loki winked at him before turning and heading back to her group. "See you around, Xander. Just don't do anything too crazy without letting me know."

Xander shook his head, watching the goddess walk away with her people. Now that the meeting was over, the weight of what had happened lingered, but at least for now, Orario could breathe.

Veldrin approached Riveria, bowing his head slightly in respect.

"Thank you for not incinerating me before listening to Ais."

Riveria sighed but smiled, crossing her arms. "I'm still considering whether it was the right decision."

Veldrin let out a small smile before turning serious again. "Still… I'm sorry about what happened."

Riveria nodded. "Just make sure you understand what you can and can't control. We don't want you to accidentally hurt anyone again."

Veldrin held his gaze before nodding. "I will."

Before he could say anything else, a familiar presence approached.

Ais arrived, walking calmly, now in clean clothes and with no signs of her previous injuries. She stopped in front of Veldrin, raising her gaze slightly to meet his eyes.

"Thanks for the fight."

Veldrin blinked in surprise. "Thanks? I hurt you."

Ais shook her head. "I was the one who asked for the duel. And I learned something from it."

For a moment, Veldrin didn't know what to say. Then, with a slight smile, he extended his hand.

Ais looked at it and then took it without hesitation.

"See you later, Veldrin."

"See you, Ais."

And with that, they both said goodbye.

The walk back to their headquarters was silent. Xander walked with his hands behind his back, looking out at the streets of Orario with a thoughtful expression, while Veldrin walked beside him, still feeling the weight of everything that had happened.

When they finally walked through the doors of his headquarters, Xander let out a long sigh.

"Well, that was an interesting day."

Veldrin gave a light laugh. "That's one way of putting it."

They both stood for a moment in the entryway. The familiar feeling of home enveloped them, giving them a respite from the intense meeting and the unexpected argument.

Xander stretched and turned to Veldrin with a smile. "Go on, rest. I think you earned it."

Veldrin nodded. "You too."

Without another word, they both continued, each pondering what would come next.