Danmachi, Ch 211-215

Chapter 211 – Will He Expose Tsuna’s Information?

"Alright! Then let’s celebrate Bete’s successful advancement to Level 5! Let the feast begin!"

"Ohhh!!!"

As Lady Loki’s voice echoed through the hall, the atmosphere exploded into cheer and energy.

Loki raised her glass and stepped down from the platform, her eyes sweeping across the crowd until they landed on Tsuna. Her gaze sharpened the moment she saw Tiona and Tione chatting closely with him.

I’m up here hyping up the crowd, and that brat’s down there flirting.

With her drink still in hand, Loki made her way straight toward them and sat herself down across from the three, setting her glass on the table with a thud.

"This banquet is supposed to be celebrating Bete’s promotion, and yet here you three are—forming your own little private corner."

She had already noticed on her way over that no one around them seemed to be paying any attention to this table. That alone told her Tsuna was using his ability again.

"It’s not isolation," Tsuna replied with a small shake of his head. "Just limited presence suppression."

He wasn’t the type to put up a full Independent Space in the middle of a party.

"It’s just a habit. Since Bete’s the star tonight, it’s better if I stay out of sight."

He paused, then added, "Besides, I’m exhausted. I’d rather take it easy for once. Riveria dragged me out early this morning for testing, and after that, she pulled me into the Training Space for Dying Will Flame lessons."

"She’s trying to refine her control over Mist and Rain. For that, she needed monsters with stronger olfactory senses, so I spent the entire afternoon helping her train and spar."

Riveria’s standards were notoriously strict. To perfect the coordination between Mist and Rain, she had devoted herself completely.

Her training that day had been especially intense—but the results spoke for themselves.

At least now, through the combined use of Mist and Rain, she could manipulate scent using illusion. That alone made her capable of countering monsters that relied heavily on smell.

"I think Riveria’s been motivated by you two—and by Bete," Tsuna said.

"Really?"

Tiona, Tione, and Loki all turned their eyes toward the central table where Riveria sat with Gareth and Finn.

Dressed in white and emerald, her every movement radiated quiet grace. Even as she raised her glass, the soft flush on her elegant face gave her a rare, womanly warmth.

"Yeah," Tione said first. "She’s definitely had a lot to drink tonight."

"Mm," Loki nodded. "Normally, just a sip of wine wouldn’t make her blush like that. She’s drinking more than usual tonight—and not because of the mood. She’s genuinely happy."

"She looks rather thrilled, doesn’t she?" Tiona added.

"She earned it," Loki said simply.

She could understand it well enough.

"Honestly, it’s natural. Everyone in the Familia’s been pushing themselves so hard lately..."

Loki’s expression twitched as an image suddenly popped into her head—Raul.

"Correction. Everyone except Raul."

"Raul doesn’t work hard?"

Tsuna frowned. That didn’t sound right at all. He remembered Raul as one of the most diligent Adventurers—someone who had Levelled Up four times in four years. One Level per year. That was far beyond what an untalented or lazy Adventurer could accomplish.

How could someone like that suddenly be the example of not working hard?

Loki sighed.

"These days, he’s the only one. He’s always running off somewhere. Right now’s the best time for his growth, and he’s wasting it."

"Running off...?"

Tsuna exchanged a knowing glance with Tiona and Tione. They all knew exactly what that meant.

The elf courtesan he kept outside.

"He wouldn’t..." Tione muttered, frowning. She wasn’t particularly invested in Raul’s personal life, but she knew the whole mess had started because of Tsuna. That’s what worried her—if things went wrong, would it drag Tsuna into it?

"Now that the Familia’s Training Space and Challenge Space are open to everyone, who in their right mind wouldn’t take advantage of that?" Loki said with irritation.

"And that woman he’s keeping outside—the Ishtar Goddess didn’t even take her back. Everything’s already settled. So why does Raul still have to run there every single day?"

Anyone in Orario would kill for the kind of opportunities the Loki Familia now had. Tione would swear that gods and Adventurers alike were waiting outside just to catch a piece of that luck.

And yet Raul, of all people, was the one wasting it.

Tione could only shake her head. So stupid.

Then a sudden thought struck her, her expression turning sharp.

"Loki… if Raul keeps running off like that, could he accidentally leak Tsuna’s information?"

"…!?"

The question hit Loki like a thunderclap.

"That’s… actually possible."

Her easygoing mood evaporated at once. If Raul had truly fallen that far, there was a real risk he could expose Tsuna’s existence. And if that happened—Tsuna would immediately become the target of every God in Orario.

"It seems we’ll need to take precautions."

Loki didn’t know what was going through Raul’s head anymore, but she wasn’t about to gamble on his loyalty.

Someone who’d lost his drive to move forward could easily become a threat—and right now, Raul was exactly that.

Loki turned her gaze toward the crowd. Her eyes locked instantly on Raul, who sat a little apart, his expression distant and unfocused.

"Tsuna," she said quietly, "after the banquet, bring him in. We’ll deal with it before it becomes a problem."

Whatever the truth was, Loki wasn’t going to take chances.

Better to contain the threat first—and then dig into Raul’s situation thoroughly afterward.

Chapter 212 – Bete’s Effort Was All for Nothing

“At this hour, I wonder how Liz is doing. Is she able to eat properly?”

Raul’s mind was filled with worry for Liz, so much so that he could hardly focus on his own meal.

All he wanted now was for this banquet to end quickly—so he could hurry home and check on her.

Watching the event draw to a close, Raul noted that the atmosphere in the hall was beginning to wind down. Taking advantage of the moment, he searched for an excuse to slip away.

“You all keep drinking. I’m just going to the restroom.”

“Oh, sure, go ahead.”

The others didn’t think much of it, accepting his excuse without question.

Raul seized the chance and quietly left the dining hall.

But the moment he stepped outside—his consciousness froze.

Darkness enveloped his body, and the next instant, the unconscious Raul was pulled into another space.

Inside that separate dimension, Tiona and Tione watched Raul—frozen midair—with sharp, scrutinizing eyes.

“This guy’s been acting shady again. Sneaking off before the banquet’s even over… what the hell’s he up to this time?”

Loki’s expression darkened. Raul’s attempt to leave early didn’t sit right with her.

Especially since he’d been going out far more frequently lately. Bete had mentioned that Raul’s visits to the Training Space and Challenge Space had dropped drastically—he was no longer training or pushing himself like before.

That made Loki suspicious. Raul’s constant absences, his lack of focus—it all felt off.

“Tsuna. Go check.”

Without further discussion, Loki gave her order.

No need to overthink—first, confirm the truth. See if Raul had leaked Familia information again.

Tsuna immediately sent a Memory Worm into Raul’s mind to scan his memories.

After a quick probe, Tsuna understood why Raul had been leaving so often lately.

“It’s not betrayal. Raul’s been going out for another reason.”

“But he has been diverting Familia funds. He stole 120 million valis.”

Not betrayal—but embezzlement.

And that was no small matter. Familia funds weren’t personal property. Once money was traced back to an individual, it could lead to expulsion.

And 120 million valis? That was well past the threshold for removal.

“The hell!? Where’d that punk get the guts to pull something like that!?”

Loki’s relief at hearing it wasn’t treason vanished instantly when she heard about the stolen funds. Her temper flared.

Tiona and Tione exchanged looks, both equally baffled by Raul’s behavior.

So he hadn’t been selling secrets—he’d been embezzling.

“The reason, I think,” Tsuna said calmly, “is that Miss Liz can’t hold on any longer.”

“Can’t hold on?”

After seeing Raul’s memories, Tsuna knew the truth. Loki, however, looked confused—so he clarified.

“She’s pregnant.”

“...Pregnant!?”

Loki’s jaw dropped.

Not just hers—Tiona and Tione were equally stunned. They stared at the immobilized Raul in disbelief. None of them had expected that.

“Wait, wait, wait—didn’t Raul and that elf only start seeing each other less than three months ago?”

Pregnancy? That was more shocking than betrayal! Loki’s face twisted in disbelief. She hadn’t expected Raul to move that fast—or to be that efficient.

They’d known each other for less than three months, and already this had happened.

“Ahem.”

Tsuna cleared his throat awkwardly.

“Loki, even though Raul and Miss Liz haven’t known each other long, their... interactions have been quite frequent. Their compatibility seems unusually high. They probably got carried away before realizing what happened.”

“Looks like she found out about it a month ago.”

That revelation left Loki speechless.

“Well, damn. The kid’s got some skill in that department.”

“No wonder he’s been running off so often lately. Guess he got a taste of it and couldn’t stop.”

Loki thought for a moment—Raul was only seventeen, at that age where curiosity about such things ran wild. And when a beautiful elf woman took the initiative… losing control was hardly a surprise.

Still, getting someone pregnant in under two months was impressive—in a bad way.

“But the guts on this kid... to embezzle Familia funds again.”

Loki hadn’t forgotten that Raul had once taken Familia money to visit the Pleasure Quarter. Now, less than half a year later, he’d done it again.

“We’ll sort out the money issue later. However much he took, he’ll pay back every last coin.”

She exhaled sharply. “Still, in this situation, Bete’s effort really did go to waste.”

Bete’s plan to motivate Raul had been based on the idea that Raul was slacking off out of laziness. But it turned out his “distraction” had an entirely different cause—one that couldn’t be fixed with competition or pride.

And now, with a child on the way, Raul likely wouldn’t be able to focus on Familia duties for at least a year or two.

Losing that much time was devastating for any Adventurer.

Every member of the Familia was fighting desperately to grow stronger. In another year or two, even the lowest-ranked Adventurers might reach Level 3.

With the help of the Training Space, everyone’s progress was accelerating. Raul, meanwhile, would fall behind—and might soon fade into mediocrity.

If that happened, Loki could only sigh in regret. Missing the right time and opportunity—that was Raul’s greatest mistake.

“Loki, what did you mean just now—about Bete’s effort being wasted?” Tsuna asked curiously.

“Oh, that.” Loki glanced at Raul’s suspended form and snorted.

“Bete thought Raul’s slump was because he couldn’t keep his pants on, so he arranged for Alicia and Aki—both pushing hard toward Level 5—to give him a bit of ‘motivation.’”

“But Raul’s problem wasn’t just self-control—he actually went and got someone pregnant. No matter what kind of example Alicia or Aki set, it’s pointless now.”

“So yeah. Bete’s effort was completely wasted.”

Tsuna nodded slightly. Now he understood why Bete had introduced those two hardworking female Adventurers to Raul—it had been a calculated push.

But under the circumstances, that plan was doomed from the start.

Pregnancy alone would cost Raul at least a year or two of his Adventurer life.

And when that time passed, the Loki Familia might still have a place for him—but his days as a second-party commander were probably over.

Chapter 213 – Loki: Consider It His Settlement Money

“I’ve already processed Raul’s memories,” Tsuna said. “I made sure he won’t unconsciously leak any of my information. Same as before. This time, I also erased everything related to the plan where Ishtar got caught in our trap. There won’t be any issues.”

“Good. That’s fine.”

Doing so meant Raul would be of almost no use to them in the future—but Loki still agreed.

Raul was still a Level 4 Adventurer. Yet while everyone else in the Familia was working desperately to improve, his attitude had grown noticeably lax. That alone was enough for Loki to give up any lingering expectations she had for him.

On top of that, he’d gotten a woman pregnant outside the Familia, kept it completely secret, and even embezzled the Familia’s funds.

If Raul had just come to her, had asked for help, Loki wouldn’t have refused. He was one of her own, after all. What kind of parent wouldn’t lend a hand when their child was in trouble?

But instead, Raul chose to hide it. He kept the pregnancy secret and took money that didn’t belong to him.

That wasn’t his own money—it was the Familia’s.

And the moment he used everyone’s shared funds for his own affairs, he crossed a line. This wasn’t even his first offense—it was his second.

There was nothing more to say. Loki no longer saw any reason to expect anything from him.

She’d leave him alone. Feed him, shelter him—but no more than that. The Familia could afford to carry one more useless mouth.

“Tsuna, let Finn know what Raul did later… no, I’ll tell him myself.”

After a moment of thought, Loki decided it would be better to speak to Finn personally.

Since Raul’s mind was now focused on the next generation, sending him on future Expeditions would only be a liability. Someone that distracted could drag the entire team down. If he didn’t want to go, then he could just stay aboveground.

“Understood.”

Once Tsuna finished cleaning up Raul’s memories, he sent the young man’s body back outside the banquet hall and reawakened his consciousness.

Raul stirred. His eyelids felt heavy as he blinked back into awareness.

Huh? Did I just fall asleep?

He drew in a deep breath, the fog in his vision fading a little. After shaking his head, his mind began to clear.

Must be because of everything going on with Liz lately… I’m exhausted.

Haven’t had a proper night’s sleep these past few days.

He pushed himself off the wall and rubbed his forehead. He really needed a full night of rest. In a week, the Joint Expedition would begin.

But just thinking about that made his head ache. A single thought crept into his mind.

I wonder… can I skip it?

The idea sprouted quietly in his heart—small, but firm.

“Yeah, that’ll do.”

Tsuna was no longer worried about Raul.

With that suggestion planted, Raul would stop fixating on progress. His thoughts would revolve around the woman and child outside the Familia instead. He wouldn’t join the main Expedition forces anymore, and that meant his risks would be minimized. That was the outcome Tsuna wanted.

Some things Loki couldn’t do directly—but Tsuna could handle them cleanly.

“What a waste,” he murmured.

Raul’s diligence and determination had always been plain to see.

He might not have possessed any magic or special skills, but his hard work was undeniable—and his gift for command was remarkable.

He had a rare talent for reading battlefield situations and directing an Expedition team. It was a rare and precious ability.

A pity, then. With a pregnant lover and a child on the way, Raul wouldn’t have the time or focus to hone those gifts.

Maybe, years after the baby was born, he’d return to the Familia with renewed purpose.

But by then, others would have surpassed him.

By the time he reached Level 4, the Familia’s most promising Adventurers would already be awakening new potential—some even gaining the power of the Dying Will Flame. Even average Adventurers might rise to the core ranks.

But once a man’s heart strays, no amount of strength can bring him back quickly.

This was Raul’s first time becoming a father, after all. For now, he’d want nothing more than to stay beside his woman and unborn child.

“So yeah,” Tsuna muttered, “some things really shouldn’t happen too soon.”

“Having a kid before twenty can seriously slow down your growth. It’s best to start a family only after you’ve reached a solid point in your life.”

“What are you mumbling about?”

Loki’s sharp voice cut through his thoughts. Seeing Tsuna distracted made her instantly wary.

Raul had already gone down that path—she wouldn’t let Tsuna follow.

“Nothing. Just thinking it’s a shame about Raul.”

Loki sighed softly at that.

“Tell me about it. They call him ‘the Extraordinary Man,’ since he doesn’t have magic or skills. It’s half an insult, but it’s also praise for his effort.”

“In the whole Labyrinth City, there are countless Adventurers without magic or skill talents. But one who’s reached his level without either? Raul’s the only one.”

“He’s the embodiment of hard work itself. There are so many young Adventurers who look up to him. Because Raul’s story is one they can actually relate to. The others are too far out of reach.”

A heavy sadness filled Loki’s chest.

She hated to see him waste years of potential—but there was nothing she could do.

“He’s just caught up in having a child now.”

“In the Labyrinth City, most Adventurers don’t think about settling down. They live day to day, never knowing if they’ll survive tomorrow. For them, improving their own lives comes before dreaming of children.”

“Cases like Raul’s are rare.”

She began counting on her fingers.

“Young, talented, strong, ambitious—and part of my Familia, no less.”

“And that elf woman from Ishtar’s old group? She’s not a bad one either. With all that combined, it’s no wonder Raul’s been drawn into that little family life.”

Then Loki shook her head with a bitter smile.

“Forget it. Let him have a few years. If he still wants to be an Adventurer after that, then let him.”

She paused.

“And the money he took… forget that too. We’ll just call it his settlement money.”

Chapter 214 – Alicia and Aki

“Tiona, Tione, could you go find Alicia and Aki for me?”

“Eh? Alicia and Aki? What do you need them for?”

“Lately, I’ve been training with Bete, right? Over the past half month or so, those two have been spending a lot of time in both the Training Space and the Challenge Space. Bete noticed and recommended them to me. I plan to give them the opportunity to reach Level 5.”

The two girls instinctively glanced at the rings on their fingers.

They both knew Alicia and Aki’s situation. As fellow women and comrades, they had fought side by side before. In truth, not just the past half month—those two had been working hard for months now.

In the Challenge Space, they often saw the pair teaming up to face the black Goliath. Their goal of reaching Level 5 was obvious—they wanted to take that next step forward.

Besides, both of them had already reached Level 4, and now had what it took to touch that higher power.

“I’ll go get them.”

Tione volunteered without hesitation.

Tsuna nodded slightly, watching Tione leave.

The celebration banquet had already drawn to an end. The adventurers, full from food and drink, were starting to drift back to their rooms, ready to rest and prepare for tomorrow’s training.

Yes—training.

In less than three months, three more members of the Loki Familia had reached Level 5. For anyone within the Familia, that was an enormous source of motivation.

It meant the Familia now had a clearer and more attainable path upward.

With enough effort, the rewards would follow.

And if there was one thing adventurers never lacked—it was effort.

What held them back before was not laziness, but the lack of visible results from that effort.

Now that the results were there, why would anyone stop? Their passion burned brighter than ever.

Moreover, they now had not only a space to train their Status but also another special space where they could face stronger monsters and even Floor Bosses—helping them gain combat experience and new chances for advancement.

Under such conditions, who would want to stop?

Who wasn’t pushing themselves to their limits in this environment?

“Aki, how are you feeling today?”

Alicia sipped her drink, glancing at the catgirl beside her.

“Me? Same as usual. I’ll walk it off, then head to the Training Space to loosen up a bit. What about you, Alicia?”

“I was thinking…” Alicia paused, debating whether to join Aki or go to the Training Space alone to raise her Status.

“Don’t bother thinking. Just come with me.”

Tione’s sudden voice cut through their conversation.

“Tione?”

Both Alicia and Aki turned toward her, confused by the abrupt interruption.

“Just follow me. You’ll find out soon enough.”

The two exchanged a brief look, then nodded and rose to follow Tione out of the dining hall.

Outside, the three headed toward the residential area—but not toward Loki’s quarters. Instead, they went in the opposite direction, to a quieter part of the compound where few people lived.

At one door, Tione raised her hand and knocked lightly.

Knock knock knock.

“Tsuna, I’m coming in.”

After knocking, she pushed the door open and stepped inside.

Alicia and Aki followed close behind.

The moment they entered, they saw Loki sitting on the bed—and at the desk nearby, Tsuna.

They saw Loki often enough, but the man at the desk was someone they rarely met face-to-face.

Still, every adventurer in the Familia came into contact with the blessings he granted every day.

“Miss Alicia, Miss Aki.”

Tsuna rose from his chair. The two girls instinctively straightened their posture when he called their names.

Seeing that reaction, Tsuna realized how much influence he held within the Familia.

After a brief thought, he got straight to the point.

“I asked Tione to bring you here because of Bete’s recommendation.”

“In the Familia, Bete believes that you two have the best chance of being the next to reach Level 5.”

“Huh?”

Hearing that Bete had recommended them—and even held expectations for them—both girls were stunned.

In their eyes, Bete was the type who barked loud but had a soft heart. He rarely praised anyone directly, let alone make such a strong recommendation.

“Bete said something like that?” Aki asked skeptically.

“Of course he did,” Tsuna replied calmly. “Bete doesn’t hand out compliments, but he’s sharp. His observations are reliable.”

Aki’s doubt was understandable; Bete wasn’t known for this sort of thing. So Tsuna offered a brief explanation.

“These past weeks, I’ve been training closely with Bete. I’ve seen you both often in the Training Space and Challenge Space. Your efforts haven’t gone unnoticed. Bete saw it too. That’s why, after his own Level Up, he recommended you to me—hoping I could give you an opportunity to take your next step.”

Hearing that, both Alicia and Aki couldn’t remain calm any longer.

“Wait… what kind of opportunity do you mean?” Alicia asked, curiosity getting the better of her.

“An opportunity,” Tsuna said evenly, “to increase your chances when challenging a Floor Boss—through one of three special means.”

“Before you two, Tiona and Tione were the first to receive this power and prove its worth. Then Finn and Gareth, followed by Riveria—and just recently, Bete himself.”

Tsuna listed the names one by one.

“Tiona, Tione, and Bete all carried this power into their battle against Amphisbaena and succeeded in crossing the threshold to Level 5.”

With that, and the list of those who had already received such aid, Alicia and Aki instantly understood just how significant this “opportunity” was.

It was a chance that had helped others in the Familia defeat Floor Bosses—and even ascend to Level 5.

And with Finn, Gareth, Riveria, and now Bete among those who had received it, it was clear that this power had already reached the upper ranks of the Familia.

Now, at last, it was their turn.

Chapter 215 – Of Course, We Accept

After Tsuna gave a simple explanation of the Dying Will Flame, Alicia and Aki were left completely dazed.

“Wait a second. This power—doesn’t it sound like some kind of magic that doesn’t require chanting?”

As a mage gifted in magic, Alicia immediately grasped the essence of what he was describing. But precisely because she understood, her throat went dry.

“!?”

Aki caught on just as quickly. Both their gazes locked on Tsuna.

“That’s right,” Tsuna confirmed. “Just as Miss Alicia has deduced. Once you’ve mastered the Dying Will Flame, it will manifest as a skill known as Dying Will Veins, becoming one of your own powers. This ability functions much like magic that requires no incantation. Riveria herself has already acknowledged its versatility.”

That final line made both of their expressions sharpen with seriousness, their breathing quickening without them realizing it.

And the mention of Riveria’s approval—there was no way Tsuna would invoke her name lightly. They both knew that much.

But what truly captured their focus was this opportunity he spoke of.

“Tsuna, I’ve got a question,” Aki suddenly said, raising her hand.

“If both Alicia and I are being given this opportunity, does that mean Raul will have one too?”

Tsuna glanced at her, then shook his head slightly.

“Unfortunately, no. Raul was once a model of diligence, but that’s no longer the case. His mind is… elsewhere now. Not that it’s intentional.”

“Eh?”

Aki blinked in disbelief. Raul, not a model of effort? That idea didn’t sit right with her. She opened her mouth to argue—until Tsuna continued.

“Miss Aki, you and Miss Alicia often spend your time between the Training Space and the Challenge Space, correct? Tell me, have you seen Raul there recently?”

The two of them instinctively searched their memories—and their faces turned grim.

Their recollection wasn’t poor enough to forget someone they saw often. They could easily recall other low-level Adventurers they frequently saw training. Even Bete and Tsuna’s figures were common sights in those spaces.

But Raul… his presence had been rare, almost nonexistent lately.

“Wait—don’t tell me Raul betrayed the Familia?” Aki blurted out in alarm.

“Eh, that’s going a bit far,” Tsuna chuckled dryly, waving off the thought. “He hasn’t gone that far astray. It’s just that his focus isn’t on the Familia right now. After all, he’s seventeen this year… and recently became a father. Naturally, his attention is on his child.”

“…A father? Already!?” Aki’s eyes went wide.

She knew Raul had a lover—a certain elf from the Ishtar Familia—but as far as she remembered, they’d only been seeing each other for about three months. How could he already have a child on the way?

Her eyes flicked sideways toward Alicia, and a mischievous idea popped into her head.

“Don’t tell me that elf’s one of those… reserved types.”

A vein pulsed on Alicia’s temple.

“Aki—could you not look at me when you say things like that?”

Especially that last phrase—“reserved type.” Alicia could practically hear her name being implied.

“No, no, I wasn’t talking about you, Alicia.” Aki’s face twitched, her forced smile betraying her embarrassment. Her awkward denial only made her guilt more obvious.

Alicia huffed and turned away with a dark expression, unwilling to dignify the topic any further.

Tsuna clapped his hands softly to bring them back on track.

“Miss Aki, let’s refrain from discussing their private lives. It wouldn’t be proper for us to gossip about such things.”

Aki laughed weakly and dropped the subject.

“That’s the situation with Raul,” Tsuna continued. “Right now, his attention is devoted entirely to his child. I expect that even after the birth, it’ll be some time before he can refocus on the Familia. Perhaps a year or two—or even longer.”

His tone left no room for doubt.

Aki’s smile faded completely. She understood perfectly what that meant: for the next few years, Raul would effectively vanish from the Familia’s ranks.

Once, that wouldn’t have been such a problem. After all, after reaching Level 4, further growth became painfully slow. Raising Status required time, and accumulating enough Excellia to Level Up could take years, even decades.

But things were different now.

With Tsuna’s assistance, countless Adventurers had broken through barriers once thought unshakable.

As more members advanced and their results became visible, everyone realized something vital—effort did bear fruit.

Even those without natural talent for magic or skills could continue to grow stronger.

The Challenge Space, too, allowed Adventurers to face tougher monsters and gain invaluable combat experience, laying the foundation for future breakthroughs.

Under such favorable conditions, no one could afford to slack off.

To waste these opportunities would be the greatest insult imaginable.

And in this environment, losing even a single year—or two—could mean falling hopelessly behind.

Perhaps, in just a few years, the Familia’s minimum strength would rise by an entire Level. When that day came, Level 4 wouldn’t be rare—it would be the standard.

For someone like Raul, the cost of two lost years would be devastating.

Raul… sigh. Aki exhaled silently. She couldn’t blame him for caring about his child, but missing these crucial years was a bitter waste.

“Now then,” Tsuna said, his voice steady once more, “Miss Aki, Miss Alicia—are you ready to accept this?”

Both women immediately cast aside every stray thought. There was only one answer.

“Of course we accept.”