Lefiya had been stunned from her first meeting, seeing Loki so up in arms at the god she so loved and respected, and when she learned that it had been decided she would join Loki Familia, she had even been uneasy over it. But Loki’s words never angered Balder. If anything, he even seemed to accept her because she was one of the few deities who found fault in him.
Seeing their relationship, a thought had once crossed Lefiya’s mind.
Is this like wanting to torment the person you like?
Before entering Loki Familia, when she was converting from Balder Familia, she had asked Loki that question without thinking.
“Even if you are a beautiful little slip of an elf girl I’ve had my eye on, say another word of that, and I won’t forgive you.”
Loki responded with a quiet smile while emanating a divine presence that made Lefiya feel like she was next to a raging blue flame. That was probably the first and only time Lefiya had been terrified of Loki as a being who surpassed the ken of mortals.
“Now Lefiya’s just flirtin’ with me all the time! Let me tell you how often I’ve felt her growing breasts with these hands of mine! How about it, huh?”
“Please be quiet so we can move the discussion along.”
“Argh?!”
Now, as she had learned from Riveria and the others, Lefiya could properly respond to her antics.
Loki writhed in pain after getting cracked in the back of the head by Lefiya’s rod, even as Balder was still smiling as kindly as ever. The difference in personality was like night and day.
Lefiya could sense Alisa’s face tensing as she waited by the door.
“Loki is still Loki, but…you’ve changed, Lefiya.”
Paying no mind to Loki, Balder addressed her.
Sitting in front of the big ash desk, he quietly smiled.
“I didn’t recognize you.”
Lefiya felt as if the god whose eyes were closed had nonetheless been able to see right through her—including all that had happened in these three years, what she had felt, what she had lost.
“There is much I would like to ask, much I would like to hear, much to catch up on…but let us get down to business. Before Loki suffers any unpleasant thoughts.”
“Too late, bub. The annoyance got turned up to eleven the moment I saw your face. Let’s just get this over with already,” Loki said bitingly as she stood up.
Balder nodded before looking at Lefiya through his closed eyelids.
“Lefiya, I would like you to take on a party.”
Lefiya arched her brow dubiously.
“Not recruiting or a seminar?”
“Of course, we will hold a seminar for those who wish to sign up. But separate from that, there are students who I would like you to teach about what you have seen in Orario. What you have felt…in the Dungeon.”
Hearing that much, Lefiya could hazard a guess at what this request entailed.
He probably also wanted her to accompany the students in exploring the Dungeon. And train them both in body and spirit. That was what Balder was asking.
“They all have ambitions of becoming adventurers. It would be fair to say they are currently at the top of the class. Were any student to meet the standards of Loki Familia or Freya Familia—ah, yes, they are no longer an option. Nevertheless, if anyone were to meet your familia’s standards, it would have to be them, by our judgment.
“Assuming we’re only talking about students ready for combat today, that is,” Balder added with a glance at Loki. “There may, of course, be others who possess great skill and potential or who otherwise might meet Loki’s beauty standards.”
Loki snorted in annoyance at having her thoughts anticipated by an old not-even-friend.
“So a pseudo-internship, then?”
“Your quick understanding is appreciated. To supplement, though, it would perhaps be more correct to say we are entrusting them to you as an instructor rather than having the students accept an internship.”
“Me…an instructor…?”
Balder nodded.
“This year’s situation is a tad different from most. Many of the students are impatient. We decided that it would be concerning to hold the Dungeon practical in Orario.”
“…And this party is particularly striking?”
“Indeed. There are some other children we are concerned about in addition to them, but…with that boy’s help, we should be able to manage with them.”
“?”
Lefiya cocked her head, unsure of what he meant by that.
“It’s nothing,” Balder said with a smile. “I believe I understand how unforgiving the Dungeon can be. I would like you to teach them about that from your perspective.”
“…”
“It’s fine to admonish them if that’s what they need. If they need encouragement, that’s perfectly fine as well. I would like you to observe them and share your honest thoughts, whatever they may be. For your own sake as well.”
Balder wore a tranquil smile as he finished with that line.
Loki did not say anything.
Even though Balder was making requests, she just quietly watched Lefiya.
All eyes were on the young elf. The final decision was hers.
She slowly opened her mouth.
“…Very well. I was taught here myself. I have never forgotten that privilege. I don’t believe I’m qualified to teach students, but I shall do my best.”
“Thank you very much, Lefiya.”
Conscious of her position as an elf, she carefully chose her words and accepted the request, and Balder thanked her.
“Then we will be employing Lefiya temporarily. Will that be acceptable, Loki?”
“You don’t have to check with me for every little thing, dumbo. If it’s for her sake, then whatever’s fine.”
From this day until the agreed-upon date—about two weeks—Lefiya would leave Loki Familia and take up residence aboard the School District. As best she could remember, Anakity and Alicia, the recruiters when she was a student, had also stayed on board, though it was only for a short time. Lefiya had lived in the dorms here as a student and had no complaints about it.
Balder seemed almost happy at Loki’s unmistakably dismissive response. With a transparent smile, he turned his gaze back to Lefiya.
“I look forward to working with you again, Lefiya.”
“Yes, Lord Balder.”
“Leon is currently teaching, so he could not be here for this meeting, but he will provide you with a more detailed explanation later. If there are any issues regarding personal necessities…Alisa, could you please help her?”
“Please leave it to me.”
Alisa bowed, and then the meeting ended.
Loki left because she didn’t want to hang around a second longer than necessary, so Lefiya had no choice but to bow slightly to Balder and leave as well.
“That stupid smirk is the absolute worst! Who does he think he is, playin’ up that ‘I’m a good god’ angle all the damn time! Is he trying to put out my eyes with how dazzlin’ he is or somethin’?!”
“How can you hate Lord Balder so much…?”
“It can’t be explained with something as simple as logic! It’s not even a physical problem; I can’t stand his very existence!”
After ranting loud enough that Balder could surely hear through the door, Loki gave Lefiya and Alisa a thumbs-up and announced. “All right, then, I’m gonna go pick up some cute girls!”
“I will slap you down in Lady Riveria’s stead, if I must.”
“Agh. Kidding, just kidding! I meant I’ll be sniffing out talent! Just looking around for potential stars! You don’t need to look so scary, Lefiya! This is just a little scouting to see just how many hotties and cuties there are this time, gu-ha-ha!”
“Ah…Loki!”
Lefiya watched in exasperation as her goddess dashed away from them faster than she could react.
But at the same time, she realized this was Loki’s way of looking out for her.
“…This is her giving us some space and telling me to take my time with an old friend, right?”
“That’s what it seems like. She can be considerate in the oddest ways sometimes…”
Alisa’s tone changed from the formal and polite one earlier as they glanced at each other. Finally, they both laughed.
“It’s been a while, Lefiya! I’m so happy to see you again!”
“Me too, Alisa! You grew your hair out!”
“And you cut yours so short! I came since they said you’d be the one coming, and I still couldn’t recognize you at first.”
“Ah, rude!”
They smiled and laughed like ordinary teenage girls.