A colossal epic showdown between a human and monsters unfolded for over an hour.
In this span, the fierce battle reduced the vast cavern to bits and pieces, almost turning it into a ruin.
A mountain of bone spikes spread all over the wreckage, with the remnants of Spartoi scattered in every corner, mingling with the debris, resembling a graveyard unearthed.
Riezel stood at the entrance of the cavern throughout, observing the carnage, never intervening from start to finish.
No choice.
Once he interfered in this fight, he could potentially snatch away Ais's excelia, jeopardizing the accumulation needed for her exploit.
As a result, aside from the first two support magic, he didn't lift a finger, quietly watching the battle unfold.
He witnessed Ais being sent flying numerous times.
He also saw Ais staggering to her feet repeatedly, shouting as she charged at the massive floor boss.
It could be said that without Riezel's two magic as her support, Ais would likely be incapable of continuing the fight.
Fortunately, his two magic effects were extraordinary.
'Raumure' could enhance 'END' and 'AGI', its power depending on Riezel's 'MAG'. Now that he was at Level 5, this magic's enhancement and duration were quite powerful, providing significant aid to Ais.
'Dia Fratel' was a top-class healing magic in this world, not only healing wounds but also restoring stamina, expelling poison, dispelling curses, group healing, and even having its effects sustained. Thanks to this magic, Ais's body maintained the healing effects, repeatedly healing her injuries and stamina.
To ensure these magic effects lasted as long as possible in her body, Riezel poured his entire mind into them when chanted them, maximizing their effects and prolonging their duration.
With these two magic, Ais could stand up, charge, swing her sword, and fight again and again, displaying perseverance and resolve bordering on extraordinary.
Of course, when Riezel thought this way, he didn't know that Ais had seen his performance during his past battles in a similar light.
Every time she got sent flying, crashing to the ground, almost unable to stand due to pain and suffocation, the first image in her mind was Riezel.
For instance, at Level 1, he got rammed by a Level 2 Crocodile Dragon, then thrown, shattering pillars and rocks countless times. Despite all that, he never gave up; instead, he went all out, chanting magic and swinging his sword non-stop until he finally sent the monster's massive body flying.
By Level 4, despite being repeatedly sent flying by the massive female-like worm monster with its flat-shaped arms, he relentlessly charged toward it, slashing countless times without giving up.
Lastly, the last image that surfaced in her mind was when he advanced at an astonishing speed to stand before her, placing his sword at her throat.
These images only strengthened her resolve, backing her up as she stood up and charged at Udaeus again and again, just like Riezel, whom she unknowingly considered a 'hero'.
If Riezel learned swordsmanship, magic, and the style of combat from Ais, then Ais learned perseverance and resolve from Riezel.
Maybe she hadn't even noticed it herself, but from him, she saw so many dazzling things and started to unconsciously yearn for and admire them.
To others, it seemed like Riezel and Ais were alike in many aspects.
Ais felt the same way as she always kept thinking—
—I want to run forward, just like him.
—I want to keep moving forward, just like him.
It was an obsession.
An endless future.
It was also a form of redemption.
Realizing all of this, Ais's transparent golden eyes reflected Riezel's figure running ahead. She suddenly felt the urge to chase after him, desperately picking up her pace.
"Tempest!"
A whirlwind, almost like a storm, wrapped around her entire body.
"Tempest!!!"
Her sword-wielding hand exerted constant pressure, causing the wind entwined around her to surge upward.
At this moment, Ais, clad in the hurricane, wielding the sword of the wind, rushed toward Udaeus at tornado-like speed. Her figure at this moment unmistakably overlapped with the past Riezel.
Just like he once did, she unleashed a decisive and final blow, cutting down the almost unbeatable monster.
However, unlike Riezel, the wind that Ais was about to unleash was a move with a name that could rival powerful offensive magic, capable of breaking through everything.
—Calling out the name when using a finishing move can boost your attack power, Ais!
The words of a certain shady goddess echoed in Ais's mind, prompting her to shout out loud.
"Lil Rafaga!"
Named by her goddess and recognized by her friends, this was a one-hit-kill move.
Soon, the golden-haired girl transformed into a spiral of powerful wind and lunged forward with lightning speed!
*BOOM!*
The mountain of bones was pierced.
*BOOM!*
Many Spartoi got crushed.
A swirling gust of powerful wind surged forward, piercing through everything, penetrating through all.
*ROAAAARRRR—!!!*
Amidst the dying roar of Udaeus, the gust of powerful wind soon thundered upon its chest.
Instantly, the skeletal structure protecting Udaeus's chest shattered, exposing an enormous magic stone that radiated a dazzling glow right before Ais's eyes.
Her sword didn't lose its momentum and thrust directly into the massive magic stone.
*ROAAA———*
Udaeus's roar abruptly ceased.
*Crack!*
Not long after, the magic stone emitted a cracking sound.
Fissures appeared little by little, gradually spreading all over the entire magic stone, and finally exploded.
*ROAAAAAAARRRRRR—!!!*
This time, it wasn't the usual angry roar, but a dying one.
Udaeus howled to the sky, disintegrating and collapsing entirely as it burst open, turning into a cloud of dust.
The golden-haired girl drifted in the powerful wind around her. Weakly, she released her sword from her hand and, with the sparkling fragments of the magic stone, descended from midair.
Before losing consciousness, she saw him.
The figure whom she had just been gazing at and chasing inside her mind flew toward her.
===
"Dia Fratel."
In a daze, Ais heard a voice.
A warm sensation enveloped her entire body, gradually easing the tormenting pain and soreness.
She felt comfortable after a long time, except for her head, which felt like mush with a slight throbbing.
This was a symptom of mind exhaustion.
The effects of healing magic and recovery magic could only act on the body, not the mind.
Thus, even if the injuries and pain of the body could be healed, the mind fatigue was a different matter.
However, if overcoming a powerful enemy only required paying this small price, it was considered a win.
Of course, all credit goes to that man—the man who traveled from afar, who ultimately chose to support her from the back, chanted magic for her, and pushed her forward.
Ais opened her eyes and saw him.
Kneeling on one knee amidst the cavern's ruins, he cradled her body, his foot planted firmly on a pristine white magic circle, channeling magical energy into a healing miracle. Countless light particles flowed into her body.
Ais met his gaze, and he returned it.
Their eyes locked, yet silence reigned.
She remained wordless, unsure of what to express.
Similarly, he simply observed her, offering no intention of speech.
"Sorry..."
Almost instinctively, Ais lowered her head and uttered an apology. Unfortunately, her apology didn't evoke any response from him.
After an uncomfortable silence, a sigh finally reached her ears.
"I'm the one who should apologize..." Riezel said in a low voice. "You haven't done anything wrong."
Unconsciously, Ais raised her head and looked at his face.
From his eyes, she saw self-blame and reflection.
"I messed up..." Riezel confessed softly, almost as if talking to himself. "I've always been focused on my own growth, getting stronger, moving forward, trying to live my life differently from my previous one, less numb and more free... But in doing so, I unknowingly left many people who cared for me behind, not only running ahead alone but also neglecting their feelings..."
This incident truly taught him a deep lesson.
Ais took a heavy blow because of him.
In his relentless pursuit of testing his new power and adapting to his growth, he sparred with her without considering her feelings. He even went so far as to hold his sword to her throat.
Struggling for nearly ten years, only to be surpassed by a rookie who joined the familia just over three months ago and had a sword pointed at her throat by that same person—it must have been a very unpleasant feeling for Ais.
Thinking up to this point, Riezel felt it was the perfect time for some self-reflection.
"In the future, I need to pay more attention to the people around me..." Riezel whispered, smiling as he gazed at the girl in his arms. "Thank you for helping me realize this important lesson, Ais..."
In his previous life, he didn't get the family, friendship, or love he wanted. In this life, he couldn't let history repeat itself. Even if he wanted to progress and run forward, he couldn't forget that in this second chance of his life, many people were caring for him and accompanying him on his journey.
Realizing this, Riezel felt his restless heart calming down.
Of course—
"You too..." Riezel glanced at Ais's golden eyes, his smile growing more genuine. "Don't forget, you're not alone... People are watching over you by your side."
At his words, she just silently stared at his face, observing the genuine smile on it.
Her heartbeat unknowingly quickened.