Danmachi: The Sign In System!

Chapter 67 - Son of Nature?

It was late, so when Ryuu arrived, Orsted got straight to the point: he wanted to spar.

Ryuu agreed without hesitation.

She'd already guessed his intent, arriving dressed as she had last time, weapons in hand.

After a brief exchange, they began.

Once again, Ryuu was stunned by Orsted's progress.

Just days ago, he'd been at Level 3 strength, but now he'd reached Level 4, only slightly below her in every aspect.

His combat skills were flawless, so honed that he fought her to a draw.

She couldn't land a single hit on him.

Days earlier, she'd defeated him with ease.

Now, he matched her step for step.

Shock coursed through Ryuu, mingled with excitement.

The stronger Orsted grew, the more he could help her.

'It has to be you,' she thought, her resolve hardening.

'Only you can save the Astraea Familia.'

With that conviction, she threw everything into the fight.

The sparring lasted an hour, leaving both Orsted and Ryuu sprawled on the ground.

Unlike before, when Ryuu could crouch beside Orsted and tease him, poking his cheek to check if he was okay, this time she was just as exhausted.

They lay silently, staring at the starry sky, their panting gradually easing.

After a long pause, their breathing steadied.

Ryuu turned her head, studying Orsted's face in the dim light.

"Orsted-san," she said softly, "what's changed with you these past few days?"

Orsted smiled, recalling Ais asking a similar question after their last spar.

"Sorry, Ryuu, I can't explain how I'm getting stronger."

"No, that's not what I mean," Ryuu said, shaking her head.

"I won't pry about your strength."

"I'm talking about the unique aura around you."

She'd noticed it back at the Hostess of Fertility.

After a few days apart, Orsted exuded a gentle, comforting presence that made her feel at ease, almost urging her to step closer and bask in it.

She'd restrained herself, but the feeling lingered, nagging at her.

Years ago, she'd sensed a powerful aura from the benefactor who saved the Astraea Familia—a figure shrouded in mystery, their face unclear, radiating strength but lacking the soothing warmth Orsted now carried.

Was she wrong? Was Orsted not that benefactor?

No, she couldn't be mistaken.

The powerful aura Orsted bore matched that savior's, unmistakable in its intensity.

But this new, gentle aura was different, absent from her memories of that day.

Perhaps the benefactor's powerful aura dominated then, suppressing this softer one?

Lost in thought, Ryuu recalled the savior who'd appeared on the battlefield, blocking the attack at the last moment to save her familia.

That figure's strength was undeniable, but it didn't carry the warmth Orsted now radiated.

Orsted's voice broke her reverie.

"Ryuu, you can feel it?" he asked, surprised.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Ryuu blinked, caught off guard.

"Your aura's so obvious—how could I not feel it? It's like being wrapped in a mother's embrace."

Orsted's eyes widened.

The thing Ryuu described could only be the Natural Breath he'd gained from signing with Demeter.

It was his only trait resembling an "aura."

"It's something else," he explained, deciding honesty wouldn't hurt.

"An elven gift, tied to nature itself."

Hestia, Tifa, and Lili hadn't mentioned anything unusual, so he'd assumed the Natural Breath was subtle, barely useful after acquiring it.

He hadn't expected Ryuu, an elf, to sense it so vividly.

Ryuu's voice trembled. "Orsted-san, what are you?"

Most elves, including Ryuu, grew up in forests, surrounded by nature's embrace.

Yet none carried its aura as Orsted did.

If she hadn't felt that comforting warmth herself, she might've doubted him.

But now, she couldn't deny it.

Orsted shrugged, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"I don't know how to explain it. It awakened up a few days ago, that's all."

There was no way he'd reveal the truth behind it—not that he could, even if he wanted to.

Ryuu fell silent, her gaze drifting back to the sky.

After a long moment, she murmured,

"Orsted-san… are you the son of nature?"

Orsted stared at her, bemused. "What?"

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