Following Solon's resolution of the Soma Familia incident, time passed quickly.
One week later.
The banquet hall of the Twilight Manor was brilliantly illuminated. For Solon, this was his first time visiting the headquarters of the Loki Familia since his reincarnation into this world.
The Astrea Familia arrived as a group of seven—the Goddess Astrea, Captain Alise, Ryuu, Kaguya, Maryuu, Lyra, and Solon.
Guided by the attendants of the Loki Familia, they stepped into the hall. Almost the instant they entered, countless gazes converged on them like spotlights.
"They're here, they're here!"
"That's 'The Myriad-Shift,' Solon? He looks so young..."
"Level 2 in three months. Tsk, is he the real deal or a fake?"
"Goddess Astrea led the team herself; that's quite a lineup."
Whispers surged around them like a tide. The members of the Loki Familia were all curious about this rising star. Solon remained calm, walking half a step behind the Goddess. He was wearing formal attire prepared by the Familia—a deep blue suit with white trim. Though it wasn't as flamboyant as the outfits of some Loki Familia members, it was neat and appropriate.
"Welcome, welcome! Astrea-chin~"
A flippant, energetic voice rang out from the direction of the head seats.
With scarlet short hair, squinted eyes, and a cynical smile, the Goddess Loki rose from her high-backed chair, opening her arms in a welcoming gesture. She wore loose-fitting clothes with a belt tied casually around her waist. She lacked the typical dignity of a primary deity, yet she possessed a natural aura that commanded the entire room.
"Thank you for the invitation, Goddess Loki."
Astrea gave a slight nod, her voice gentle yet authoritative. "May this banquet strengthen the bond between our Familias."
"Oh, don't be so formal~"
Loki walked over with a grin, her scarlet eyes scanning the members of the Justice Familia like a biological scanner. Her gaze eventually locked onto Solon's face.
"So this is the 'Myriad-Shift' kid who's been causing such a stir lately? You're even greener than I thought~"
Solon felt as though those eyes could pierce through his flesh. Loki's squinted eyes regarded him with casual scrutiny. While the Loki of the original story could be considered a "good" god, her inherent nature—loving schemes and playing pranks—remained unchanged.
"It is an honor to meet you, Lady Loki. I am Solon. Thank you for inviting me." He steadied his breathing and bowed according to the etiquette they had practiced.
"Level 2 in three months, huh~" Loki leaned in closer, her nose almost touching Solon's face. "I heard you even took down an Enhanced Species and an Infant Dragon? How'd ya do it? What kind of medicine did you take? Or did you find some ancient inheritance?"
Every question felt like a probe disguised as a joke. Solon could feel the surroundings suddenly grow quiet; the attention of every god and high-ranking executive was focused on this corner. He knew that lying to a god was nearly impossible; they could sense the insincerity in one's words. He had to be selectively honest.
"I didn't take any medicine, nor did I receive an ancient inheritance," Solon said helplessly. "My strength comes from my abilities. It was forged through actual combat with monsters in the Dungeon, which together facilitated my growth."
This was the truth, but not the whole truth.
Loki's squinted eyes opened slightly, a flash of playfulness appearing deep within her red pupils. Then, she suddenly burst into laughter, clapping Solon hard on the shoulder. "Hahaha! Interesting! Your 'abilities'? You mean you were just born with a cheat code? This is—way too interesting!"
Her laughter echoed through the banquet hall, but Solon could feel that the inquisitive depth in her eyes hadn't diminished in the slightest.
"Loki." Astrea's voice cut in at the right moment, gentle but impossible to ignore. "Every child is unique. Solon's traits—much like the children in your Familia who possess special skills—are a manifestation of the possibilities of the Lower World."
Loki turned her head, meeting Astrea's gaze. The eyes of the two Goddesses met in mid-air, silently exchanging some form of information.
"Right you are~" Loki finally shrugged, returning to her playful demeanor. "Anyway, we're in the Lower World to find entertainment, right? The more special kids, the better! Come, come, don't just stand there. Sit, sit, sit!"
She turned toward the head table and signaled the attendants to guide the guests to their seats. Solon breathed a secret sigh of relief, though his nerves didn't relax. He could feel that Loki had seen something—but she chose not to call it out, at least not for now. That was almost more unsettling than being exposed directly.
Once the banquet officially began, the atmosphere loosened up. Attendants moved about pouring wine and serving dishes, and members of various Familias began to chat in small groups.
Solon was seated in the middle of a long table, with Ryuu to his left and Lyra to his right. Sitting across from them were several core members of the Loki Familia—the Prum hero Finn Deimne, the High Elf royal Riveria Ljos Alf, and the Dwarf Gareth Landrock.
"I am Finn, the Captain of the Loki Familia." The blond-haired Prum smiled and raised his glass. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Solon. Your growth story has been a hot topic in Orario lately."
"I am Riveria." The beautiful Elf royalty gave a slight nod. Her emerald-green hair cascaded down to her waist like a waterfall, her expression serious and elegant. "Level 2 in three months is indeed astonishing."
"And I'm Gareth!" The bearded dwarf's voice was boisterous as he heartily downed a large mug of ale. "Kid, I heard you used magic to scrap an Enhanced Species? We ought to spar sometime! Haha!"
The three of them had vastly different personalities, yet all radiated the aura of top-tier Familia executives. Solon responded cautiously, communicating as much as possible without leaking key information. Finn maintained a gentle smile throughout, transitioning between topics smoothly.
"Regardless, your appearance has added new possibilities to Orario. The Astrea Familia has always been known for justice and discipline. To have new blood like you join them is truly a fortunate thing." He raised his glass. "To new possibilities. Cheers."
Everyone raised their glasses in response. Solon drank the fruit wine, its sweet and sour taste temporarily easing his tension.
Just then—
"Um..."
A tiny but clear voice came from the end of the long table.
Solon turned his head and saw a petite figure standing beside his seat. She had golden hair and amber eyes, looking like a human girl of only seven or eight years old. She wore simple white training clothes, with a sword hanging from her waist that looked slightly too long for her. Her small face was set in a tight, serious expression as she stared straight at Solon.
Ais Wallenstein.
At this time, the "Sword Princess" was far from the Level 5 powerhouse of the original story, but the purity of her obsession—an almost stubborn drive to become stronger—was already beginning to show.
"You are... Ais Wallenstein?" Solon set down his glass, trying to keep his tone gentle.
Ais nodded, her amber eyes unblinking. "Level 2 in three months. How?"
The question was blunt and unadorned.
The banquet hall fell silent once more. Everyone watched the scene—the genius girl of the Loki Familia posing a direct inquiry to the "Myriad-Shift" who had broken the advancement record.
Solon gave a helpless smile. He could feel that Ais wasn't asking out of curiosity or a desire to compare herself, but out of a much deeper, purer longing—a craving to grow strong.
"A lot of actual combat, coordination with my comrades, and... a breakthrough at every life-or-death threshold," Solon answered seriously. "I didn't take any shortcuts, Ais. If I have to say what's different, it's that I have a better understanding of how to become stronger."
"Understanding?" Ais tilted her head, a gesture that made her look like the child she was.
"Understanding the essence of magic, the rhythm of battle, and where my own limits lie," Solon explained. "And then, breaking through them."
Ais was silent for a few seconds before she spoke. "Fight me."
A suppressed gasp echoed through the banquet hall.
"Ais!" Riveria stood up, her tone carrying both reproach and helplessness. "It is banquet time. No behaving recklessly."
"I'm not being reckless." Ais turned to Riveria, her eyes stubborn. "I want to know how strong his 'understanding' is."
Solon saw a complex emotion flash across Riveria's face—the headache of a mother dealing with a willful child, mixed with the resignation of an elder toward a junior.
"Ais, Solon is our guest," Finn said gently but firmly. "A sparring match can be arranged at a more appropriate time."
"Now is fine." Ais looked back at Solon. "The training ground is right next door. It'll be fast."
She added that last part as if trying to convince him.
Solon looked toward the Goddess Astrea. She gave him a look that said "it's up to you," but her eyes also carried a reminder to mind his manners. He then looked at Riveria; the Elf royal sighed and finally nodded. "If Mr. Solon doesn't mind, and provided you promise to stop before anyone gets hurt..."
This was a grant of permission, but one that also set strict boundaries.
Solon took a deep breath and looked at Ais. Within those amber eyes burned a pure, undisguised fighting spirit.
"Alright," Solon stood up. "But we agree it's just a spar. And... I might not fight in the way you expect."
Ais's eyes lit up. "It doesn't matter."
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Danmachi: My Magic Style is Different from Yours (60 Chapters – Ongoing)
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