"For the current you, the Black Dragon as a goal is too distant and broad. It's not suitable as a goal to pursue right now."
Takatsuki continued, "And to advance steadily, having a general direction is indeed correct, but on top of that general direction, there must also be a series of small goals that can be reached quickly. The sense of accomplishment and confidence gained when completing a goal will give people more motivation."
"Everyone has their own way of becoming stronger. In your case, I still need some time to observe. For now, I'll teach you a small trick. Learn it first, and it will significantly improve your strength."
Ais didn't think much of it and nodded. As long as it was a way to become stronger, she would accept it. Or rather, even if others weren't willing to teach, she would find a way to become stronger by secretly observing and figuring things out herself.
Takatsuki led Ais out of the tent. He was going to teach her 'Soru' from the Six Powers. Speaking of which, he hadn't even taught the Six Powers techniques to anyone else. On one hand, he wanted to be lazy and hide some of his abilities at St. Freya Academy, and on the other hand, he felt that others wouldn't find them very useful.
Because in his heart, Kiana and Mei were future Herrschers. Whether it was long-range attacks, burst damage, or flight, they were all more powerful than the Six Powers, which relied on physical techniques. Not to mention, the Honkai world also had various high technologies, and there were few people who relied on physical techniques.
Instead of painstakingly learning the Six Powers, it would be better to master Haki.
However, after this incident with Ais, Takatsuki felt that he could teach the Six Powers to Fu Hua. Although the broad and open movements of the Six Powers might differ significantly from her martial arts, 'the stone of another mountain can be used to polish one's own jade.' Fu Hua only needed to extract the useful parts for her.
Thinking this, as Takatsuki lifted his tent flap and stepped out, he saw a figure hastily hiding behind a tree.
Looking at the golden hair and pink skirt peeking out from behind the tree, Takatsuki turned to Ais, who had followed him out: "Is that someone you know?"
Following Takatsuki's gaze, Ais tilted her head.
Even with only a few features exposed, Ais recognized the person.
"Lefiya?"
Lefiya, that elf girl, huh...
Takatsuki hadn't seen this character in the anime, but whether it was the first time they ate with the Loki Familia or the recent battle, she seemed to be among the core group of the Loki Familia.
He just didn't know why she was so obscure in the anime. Perhaps she appeared in the novel, but because she didn't have any outstanding scenes, she was cut from the anime.
"Ahaha... Ais-san..."
After being discovered by the two, Lefiya awkwardly emerged from behind the tree, pulling out another person with her. Oh no, it was two people.
Tiona and Tione, the sisters, were dragged out from behind the tree by Lefiya, who was embracing them, both thinking, 'I can't die alone.'
"How are you two here?"
Before Takatsuki could ask, Ais asked herself.
"Of course, it's because Lefiya was worried about Ais! Ais, you and the young man, two unattached people..."
"Ahhh!!!"
Tiona's words were cut short as Lefiya, blushing crimson, covered her mouth.
Looking at the bewildered Ais, Tione sighed and said, "We were just curious and came to see, after all, we're also very curious about what this young man can teach."
Hearing her companion's words, Ais turned to look at Takatsuki.
Although she herself had a strong desire to become stronger, Ais always kept in mind the teachings of her adoptive mother, Riveria, such as not casually revealing others' methods of getting stronger.
Takatsuki didn't mince words and directly said to them, "If you want to watch, no problem, but then it counts as teaching. What can you give me in return?"
"Young man, you're being too calculative. We were just here to prevent any accidents between you and Ais, not to secretly learn anything."
Tiona said with some displeasure, but Takatsuki wouldn't be swayed by such remarks: "What kind of accident could happen? This is inside the Dungeon, surrounded by your the Loki Familia members, and all the main forces are here. If something really went wrong, I wouldn't be able to escape, would I? And if anyone should be worried about an accident, it should be me."
"You have no gentlemanly demeanor at all."
Tiona clearly wanted to get something for nothing, not mentioning any compensation.
Just as Lefiya was about to say something, a voice came from behind them.
"I'll pay the compensation for observing. The city's strongest mage, the Nine Demon Princess's private magic lesson, I wonder if this price is worthy?"
The person who arrived was Ais's adoptive mother, Riveria.
"Your lesson, of course, is completely sufficient, but I don't have any need for magic..."
Takatsuki scratched his head. He couldn't very well explain that his "magic" wasn't magic at all.
"As long as they are members of your the Hestia Familia, they can come to me whenever I'm free. Is that acceptable?"
Riveria seemed very easy to talk to, but Takatsuki understood that she also had high expectations of him. When it comes to teaching, isn't it up to the teacher how much they're willing to teach?
The meaning of her coming to observe and offering this price was simple: the knowledge she taught could be learned by anyone from the Hestia Familia, and the things Takatsuki taught would naturally be allowed to circulate within the Loki Familia. Moreover, if Takatsuki dared to be a charlatan here, then her lessons would also be perfunctory.
"Naturally. Since that's the case, there's no need to find a special venue. Let's just do it here."
Takatsuki was also straightforward and readily agreed. The Loki Familia was a relatively reputable Familia, and Riveria's character was also good, so even without a contract, Takatsuki didn't scrutinize anything.
Looking around, Takatsuki said to Ais, "Ais, go to that rock as fast as you can and show me. You're allowed to use magic. Give it your all."
Although he knew Ais was fast, Takatsuki hadn't actually seen her speed, so he wanted to see her real-world level first, to prevent her speed from being faster than'Shave,' which would be embarrassing.
Ais didn't ask why. She glanced at the rock about twenty meters away and softly chanted a phrase.
"Tempest."
Visible green airflow swirled around her. In an instant, Ais rushed out. In less than two seconds, Ais arrived next to the rock.
Then she saw Takatsuki already standing next to the rock.
"When?"
Ais felt she was fast enough. In her Familia, her speed was the fastest. Even Finn, an LV6, couldn't match her in travel speed.
"Your speed is indeed very fast, and you can even make long-distance dashes. I can say that if the distance were a bit further, I wouldn't be your opponent."
Takatsuki was also startled to see Ais already there when he arrived. Is this the value of an LV5? If he didn't have a few tricks up his sleeve, he'd be in trouble.
"This is also the first technique I'm going to teach you. Its name is very simple—Shave."