"Judas... that's not true, you have gotten so much stronger in such a short time."
Ais spoke quietly as she touched both the tips of her index fingers together.
"Compared to me... I...I..."
Ais stuttered as if hesitation to continue her words.
Seeing her increasingly growing despondent expression, Judas lightly exhaled through his nose and put his hand over his shoulder.
"Ais..."
Judas' voice was low and steady.
His hand rested gently on her shoulder, warm and reassuring, anchoring her before her thoughts could spiral any further.
She stiffened at first, then slowly relaxed, her gaze falling to the floor as her fingers fidgeted even more tightly.
"Since you're not far off from becoming a Level Six, you were planning to head into the Dungeon and challenge the Udaeus Monster Rex, weren't you?"
Hearing his words, her eyes widened in surprise.
"How did you know?"
She asked.
'I know because I watched the anime...'
Judas scratched the side of his head, but he knew he couldn't exactly say that.
"Just a hunch."
He replied with a shrug.
"You're not going to stop me?"
She asked, peering into his eyes as if trying to see through his thoughts.
"Stop you?"
Judas repeated.
"Well, fighting the Udaeus by yourself is dangerous, and the general advice I'd give is to stay clear of it and not take the risk."
His words caused Ais' shoulders to slump slightly, guilt flickering across her expression.
"Call me crazy... but if there's someone who can pull off that feat, it's you."
He continued, letting out a small breath,
'I know because you succeeded in the original show.'
"Well... I really shouldn't be saying this."
Judas added.
"But to rank up at your level, you need to take some amount of risk to reach the next step."
He paused before meeting her gaze again.
"Just remember... you don't have to do everything alone. We're a familia. We look out for each other."
At that, Ais' expression visibly brightened.
"Then..."
She spoke hesitantly.
"...When I eventually go to fight the Udaeus, will you come with me?"
She looked at him shyly as she asked.
"Hm... well..."
Judas trailed off when he noticed Ais staring at him with unmistakable puppy eyes, prompting him to sigh.
"I guess I can make time."
At that, Ais lifted her hand and raised her pinky.
"I heard from Loki that if you wrap your pinky fingers together..."
Ais continued, her voice quiet but earnest.
"It means you won't break your promise."
Judas blinked, then let out a small, helpless chuckle.
"A pinky promise huh?"
Ais nodded once, still holding her pinky up, her expression serious in that uniquely straightforward way of hers... as if this were an ancient rite rather than a childish gesture.
"I guess I don't have much choice."
Their fingers locked together as a warm breeze pass through them, causing their hair to sway.
"Ais, I want you to keep this in mind."
Judas' voice was calm, but there was a quiet weight behind it.
'I know this sounds ridiculous when I am the one saying it.'
He shifted his gaze slightly, as if choosing his words carefully.
"But don't ever compare yourself to others."
"The person that you need to surpass is the past version of yourself."
The words lingered.
Slowly, Ais lifted her head.
Golden eyes met purple ones...clear, unwavering.
For a few seconds, neither of them spoke.
In those seconds, Ais searched his gaze, as though trying to determine whether he truly believed what he was saying.
She found no hesitation.
A faint smile touched her lips... small, but genuine.
"Judas... thank you."
She said softly, her voice steadier than before.
The uncertainty that had clouded her expression moments ago had thinned, replaced by something quieter, but stronger.
Seeing that change, Judas felt his own expression soften.
He smiled back, just as faintly.
"Anytime," he replied.
And for once, neither of them felt the need to say anything more.
Just as they finished up, their ears perked up when someone approached them with hurried steps.
When both Judas and Ais turned their heads, they saw Lefiya walking toward them, bottles of water and towels in hand.
"You guys were amazing, like always."
Lefiya said, her eyes sparkling dreamily.
"Ah... it's not much, but here."
"You must've been dehydrated after training, right?"
She added as she handed them the items.
"Oh, thanks, Lefiya."
Judas said as he took the bottle of water from her hands and drank from it.
"Lefiya... thanks."
Ais also expressed her gratitude before taking a drink.
"Hehe... no problem."
Hearing both of them, Lefiya's face brightened as she drifted off into la-la land, her eyes growing cloudy as imaginary roses and rainbows seemed to flutter around her.
'Is she alright?'
Judas thought as he glanced in her direction before wiping himself down with a towel.
...
Several hours passed quietly as Judas sat cross-legged in the training grounds, his attention fully devoted to the slow, deliberate repair of his damaged mana core.
"Hm... the repair progress is now at 45 percent."
Judas muttered to himself as he looked inward, seeing the once-fractured mana core slowly mending itself.
He rose to his feet and brushed the dust off himself.
'The time to meet up with Ais should be around a few hours... I guess I'll eat out in the meantime.'
He thought before walking off.
...
The streets of Orario were lively as ever.
Vendors shouted over one another, the aroma of freshly cooked food mingling with the hum of conversation and clanking armor.
Judas drifted naturally toward a cluster of food stalls, ordering a few skewers and a warm pastry before leaning against a nearby post as he ate.
"Oh? Is that you, Judas? It's been quite some time."
The gentle, familiar voice made him pause mid-bite.
Turning his head, Judas spotted Astraea approaching, her expression soft and warm as ever, the evening light catching in her hair.
"Goddess Astraea, I didn't think I'd see you out here."
He greeted after swallowing his food.
She chuckled lightly.
"Orario is a small place when you least expect it to be."
Her gaze lingered on him for a moment before brightening.
"I heard you've already ranked up to Level Three. Congratulations."
Astraea said warmly.
Before Judas could respond, she reached out and patted his head.
"...Uhm."
Judas froze for half a second, then relaxed, offering a small, awkward smile but making no move to stop her.
If it had been Loki, he would've swatted the hand away without hesitation.
But Astraea's touch carried no mischief... only gentle affection, the kind that reminded him uncomfortably of something he hadn't realized he missed.
Seeing his reaction, Astraea quickly withdrew her hand.
"Ah... my apologies, I visit the local orphanage quite often. I suppose I've grown too used to patting children on the head without thinking."
She said, looking slightly embarrassed.
"Don't worry, Lady Astraea," Judas replied calmly.
"There was no harm done."
She visibly relaxed at that, her smile returning.
If Loki were here, she would've angrily accused Judas of unfair treatment.
"I'm glad," she said, then tilted her head slightly, a hint of teasing entering her voice.
"Though... if you ever want more headpats, I could always oblige."
Judas coughed lightly into his fist.
"Ahem... right."
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