Lilia's Tale: Freyja's Endeavor

Chapter 42: Side-effect

I woke up in the middle of the night, uncomfortable. My mind was screaming at me to hide despite being completely safe inside my own room. It took me some time to figure out it meant the eyes were back in the sky.

Niflheim, was it? The last of the three gods, actively searching for me. I was surprised I could instinctively feel his presence, though it was most definitely a useful ability to have. I stayed put in the water, trying my best not to give into whatever urges I may have, until everything subsided.

Unfortunately, I was too wide awake to go back to sleep. I decided to take this chance to consult with Alice and Jor as I had been neglecting their thoughts with the recent decisions.

We chatted for a long time, talking about everything that has been happening. It seemed Jor was aware of Inari's intentions and hid them from me at her request, and is also willing to trust her. Alice simply followed with whatever I said.

Jor offered his help with my training as well, which seemed very useful. Considering his strength, he definitely would be able to help. However, as I cannot go out of town and he cannot come into town, it was impossible for it to happen, so we dropped the idea.

Once done with the long talk, I finally got out of the bath and out into the common area. Though it hadn't been explicitly stated, I expected the training to start today. Uncharacteristically, I was late and the place was already filled with students. I took this opportunity to eat breakfast before heading out.

On the way out, I noticed I hadn't seen Sayuri yet, which was rare. She wasn't in our room either. I figured she simply went out before me and went on my way directly to the agreed-upon house. I knocked at the door and some man I didn't know replied. Seeing me, he immediately let me enter.

Inari, Souji and Greg were already present.

"Good morning. Where is Riogh?" I immediately asked.

"He hasn't arrived yet. What are you doing here?" Souji replied.

"...Are we not going to train today?"

"We did not plan on it," Inari interrupted. "I instead hoped for today to be used to further coordinate with Souji-san here regarding information."

"Oh. I'm sorry. We said every Saturday and Sunday so I thought today too."

"It is understandable. In that case, how about the other two adventurers, Greg-san and Riogh-san, help you while I discuss with Souji-san? Would that be okay?"

"I don't think we're good enough," Greg objected.

"I think you are," Souji added. "You two are really strong and smart. You'll be able to teach her a lot I'm sure. The goal isn't to beat her, it's to give her in-combat experience so she doesn't need to rely on her status and identity."

"After all, what is the purpose of such a thing when faced with similarly powerful opponents?" Inari giggled.

"Well, I'm fine with giving it a try. We gotta wait for Riogh though," Greg mentioned.

"I believe he might come late today. He seemed particularly distraught at the idea of working with me."

"Was he? I didn't notice."

"Riogh is an ardent believer of Trinitism, after all. I'm sure hearing of Inari and Lilia's identities, as well as working with them, is a tall order to ask."

"Wasn't he fine with me being a yokai though?" I asked.

"He was the least enthusiastic about it. Yokais are far more accepted nowadays and aren't as heavily hated in the religion's view, being instead seen as something closer to human species than to demon species."