Danmachi: Reaper

"...."

They were all silent as they stared at Kelvin.

No one expected that answer to come out of Kelvin's mouth.

After all, they thought Kelvin would answer like; hard training, death defying, or things like that.

But, destiny?

Destiny?!!!

If that's the case, are those who are weak and have difficulty increasing their strength also due to fate?!

Absolutely unbelievable!

"Fate?"

Ais pursed her lips slightly, it was obvious that she wasn't satisfied with that answer.

"Yes," Kelvin smirked slightly, "Maybe you've heard the phrase 'Hard work beats Talent', but I think that's completely wrong."

"Talented people are already destined to be strong even if they don't train hard. But, it doesn't work the other way around."

"People who are not destined to have talent will just spend their entire lives practicing and training. In the end, all the hard training that took almost their entire life will be defeated by the destined talent in just a few years of training."

"In my case, I may not have enough talent to be called a genius, but I'm destined to be strong."

As soon as he finished his words, Kelvin calmly drank the tea that had been prepared for him on the table.

Why could he become strong so quickly?

It was because he was destined to be!

If not, then there was no way Kelvin would have such powerful Skills and Magic even when he was still Level 1. That wouldn't be possible!

After all, gaining Skills or Magic was a difficult thing. But Kelvin could have 3 Skills and 1 Magic, even one of which he had since before he got Falna.

So, was all of that not Fate?

"...So it is."

Ais lowered her head slightly, staring at the floor beneath her feet for some time as if digesting Kelvin's words in her mind.

Seeing her expression that was so pitiful, Kelvin's lips twitched. Moreover, Kelvin could feel the sharp gazes directed at him, especially from Loki.

"...But, that doesn't mean I can't tell you how to break that restriction."

Hearing Kelvin's next words, Ais quickly looked up to stare at Kelvin.

"-Really?!"

Her eyes were filled with a gleam of anticipation, as she put on a serious expression to hear him, not intending to miss a single word Kelvin would say.

Looking at her again, the corners of Kelvin's lips twitched. He was just playfully saying that..., but Ais' reaction seemed to be beyond his expectation ....

Now, what should he do ....

Kelvin was a bit confused ....

While forcing a smile on his face, Kelvin looked at Ais who was staring at him and waiting for what she would say.

"Well..., I might be able to help you ...."

There was no going back. He had already said that, so he couldn't back out at the moment.

"Then, can you train me?"

"...."

This one utterance made Kelvin and everyone else couldn't believe what they were hearing at that moment.

"Oi, Ais! You seriously want this weakling to train you?! Unacceptable!"

Before Kelvin could reply, Bete's loud voice caught everyone's attention.

And sure enough, as they turned their gazes to Bete, the werewolf was now standing up, hitting the table with her hands as she stared at Ais-Kelvin to be exact-with a hostile expression.

"Yes. Is something wrong?"

As if unaffected by Bete's hostile expression to Kelvin, Ais asked in a calm voice. Her emotionless expression was now staring blankly at Bete. It was clear she was displeased when her chat was interrupted, though she didn't show this clearly on the outside.

"But he's only a Level 2! You don't deserve to ask him to train you!"

To Bete, Ais' reason for asking Kelvin to train her made no sense. Ais was clearly stronger than Kelvin, and why would Ais ask Kelvin, who was in fact weaker than her to train her?

Absolutely unacceptable!

"Do I need to ask your permission to choose who should train me, Bete?" Ais looked at Bete calmly.

Her voice might have been calm and almost expressionless, but it wasn't.

Only, even though Ais' question didn't contain any intent, Bete, who heard it instantly clutched her chest with an expression of pain while gritting her teeth.

As if, an arrow had pierced right through her heart at this moment.

"Kuhh ...."

"Ah, she's been hit."

"Good job, Ais!"

Tione and Tiona, who saw Bete's ludicrous expression immediately gave Ais a thumbs up.

"Shut up you stupid Amazons!"

"Huh?! You're messing with us, you ugly dog?!"

"What?! You want to fight, stupid Amazon?!"

Ignoring Bete and Tiona who started fighting each other. Kelvin looked at Ais who had been watching him since earlier calmly.

"Why, you're stronger than me, why do you want me to train you?" Kelvin looked at Ais in confusion.

Ais was a Level 5 Adventurer, while Kelvin had just advanced to Level 2. Their strengths clearly had a wide gap.

"Because I want to know how you can become strong."

Perhaps to others this was a simple thing, but not to Ais.

Being strong was her current life goal. No matter what she sacrificed, if it was to become strong, then Ais could do it.

"..., Alright."

Seeing the determination in Ais' eyes, Kelvin could only nod weakly.

*****

In the backyard of Twilight Manor, Kelvin stood in the middle of the field with Ais standing a few meters in front of him.

After breakfast, Kelvin finally agreed to Ais' request to train him. Although, he felt that it was a futile thing.

Ais was a capable level 5 adventurer. Her sword techniques were also said to be so powerful that she earned the nickname of Orario's Strongest Swordswoman, "Sword Princess".

So, Kelvin wasn't sure why Ais suddenly wanted him to train her.

But, if Kelvin had to speculate, Ais probably wanted to see how he practiced, and hoped that it might help him improve his strength?

After all, Kelvin had learned hundreds of different martial arts techniques; most were weapon techniques such as swords, katanas, daggers, spears, and many others. While some are martial arts techniques from various countries in the old world.

So, it could be said that Kelvin was stronger when it came to techniques than Ais, but he still lost in terms of physique and strength compared to Ais.

And although Kelvin might have learned many fighting techniques, but he only learned the basics of them and didn't delve into them fully.

That said, Kelvin was a "Jack of All Trades, Master of None".

But, even though he was a "Master of None", that didn't mean Kelvin's techniques were below average.

Kelvin was strong enough if he had to fight with level 4 adventures, provided that they only fought with techniques without using Skills or Magic.

His martial skills were good enough to match a level 2 adventurer, and his weapon techniques were enough to fight with a level 4 adventurer.

"..., Well, I guess that's enough." Kelvin stopped his movements as he began to catch his breath, "I think I know what you're lacking."

"Realty?" Ais looked at Kelvin with anticipation.

"Yes," Kelvin nodded, "before that, let me ask you. What is your goal in becoming strong?"

For Kelvin, the reasons why he wants to be strong are just nonsense. The purpose of his life was to be strong, and for that he didn't need a reason to be strong.

A world full of monsters that can kill you at any time..., if you're not strong enough, you'll lose your life instantly.

You have to be strong enough, stronger, and become the strongest to continue living in a world like this.

But, not everyone had the same thoughts as him. So, she wanted to ask Ais, about her reason for being strong.

"I'm ...."

Asked like that, Ais lowered her head and her expression turned grim. Her hands were tightly clenched as she bit her lower lip.

"..., Well, I'm sorry." Kelvin sighed, realizing he might have touched Ais' sensitive spot at this moment, "I guess you have your own reasons for wanting to be strong, right?"

"No, it's not your fault." Ais shook her head upon hearing Kelvin's apology.

"Well..., then as an apology, let me show you some of my fighting techniques."

Hearing Kelvin's words, Ais immediately looked at Kelvin and her expression quickly became excited.

Looking at Ais, Kelvin wondered, did this girl just fool him?

******

After Kelvin finished practicing with Ais, it was time for him to try out his new Skill.

He was currently on the main street of the northern part of Orario, walking south from the direction of Twilight Manor.

Since this was the main street, let alone the street that Kelvin was walking towards the city center, automatically the streets around were crowded with Orario citizens.

Some of them were ordinary people; workers, shopkeepers, and some were adventurers.

Kelvin even crossed paths with Gods or Goddesses several times along the way. And even though he repeatedly saw Gods like Loki, he still felt strange when looking at them.

The aura emitted by Gods was different from humans, and even though their Holy Power had been sealed when they descended to Gekai. Even so, they still had their own Divine Aura emanating from their bodies.

It was also what made humans able to distinguish the Immortals from other mortals.

And while walking in this area, Kelvin always kept his eyes open, making sure he saw everyone with both eyes.

'53 years..., 26 years..., 98 years..., 150 years ....'

And while using his Skill, Kelvin could see a number above the heads of the people around him.

These numbers were their lifespans in the world, and when they reached the age above their heads, they would die.

However, these numbers do not fully indicate the time of their death.

As a simple example, the numbers Kelvin saw above their heads were only their maximum age under natural conditions.

That is, if there was no external cause for them to die, then they would die at the age above their heads.

But, that number doesn't apply if there are external factors involved.

Let's say there is a person who can live up to 150 years. But, when he is 68 years old, he is suddenly killed by someone.

Well, the number 150 years cannot be a reference here, because the cause of the target's death did not occur naturally, but there were external factors that made him die.

Even so, as long as Kelvin's gaze continued to wander towards the people around him, he realized something quite important ....

'I can't see the age of the Gods, huh ....'

That's right. Unlike humans or other mortals, where Kelvin could see their lifespans, he could not see the lifespans of the Gods.

There were no numbers above their heads at all.

But, after thinking for a moment, Kelvin found it reasonable.

The Gods, unlike humans or other mortals, were immortal.

Not long-lived like the Elf race, who could live hundreds of years. But, the Gods were truly immortal.

Besides ....

'Ugh, this is a little tiring ....'

Holding his eyes, Kelvin furrowed his brow.

Although the use of Skills might not require the power of the mind like Magic, but using Skills still drained the user's energy.

And in Kelvin's case, when he used his Skill, "Shinigami Eyes", his eyes would be exhausted if he used it continuously.

Similar to this Skill, when Kelvin uses the Sub-Skill of "Shinigami Eyes", "Death Sense", Kelvin's eyes will also experience extra fatigue if he uses it long-term.

Moreover, depending on the distance Kelvin wanted to go, its use required more consumption.

For now, Kelvin was thinking of stopping his experiments. He already knew the concept and how the Skill worked, so in the remaining time, Kelvin just took a walk down the streets of Orario before finally returning when it was getting late.

Tonight, Loki intended to hold a party to celebrate his level up. All of them-the members of the Loki Family-would celebrate at a famous eatery in Orario.

*****

Evening.

"Alright! Since you've all gathered, let's go to Mama Mia's place!"

Staring at all the Family members in front of him, Loki raised his hand with an excited expression on his face.

"Ohhhhhh!"

They shouted excitedly.

Throwing a party was probably already a habit of Loki Familia. In fact, Loki often held parties for no particular reason. So, they were used to this and became excited.

On the other hand, Kelvin who was being dragged by the excited Loki could only sigh while still following him obediently.

After all, he wouldn't miss the free meal opportunity given by his family.

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