Eight days passed quickly.

During this time, Lili and the others stayed at Hearth Manor, training under Ais and the Loki Familia instead of venturing into the dungeon.

Since the Hestia Familia didn't adventure, Naaza also stayed out of the dungeon, focusing on crafting potions at her shop.

Orsted had delivered the promised magic items, but Naaza still owed him many potions, using this time to catch up.

Only Daphne and Cassandra went to the dungeon together.

Over these eight days, Lili and the others made significant progress.

Training with Level 5 and 6 adventurers, Lili and Tifa achieved all S Rank basic abilities but chose not to rank up, focusing instead on boosting their development ability.

They planned to rank up after the Loki Familia's expedition began.

The others, not yet at Lili and Tifa's level, saw steady growth under the fivefold boost and training.

After eight days, Eina, Aerith, and the others' abilities reached D or higher, with their Development Ability of leap rising from I to H—not as dramatic as Orsted's but expected.

Ais and her team were repeatedly shocked by the Hestia Familia's progress.

Initially, they were stunned to find all members at Level 2, with Lili and Tifa at the peak.

Then, the rapid growth during training left them reeling.

Even Finn and the Loki Familia Executives, informed by Ais, were astonished, though they suspected Orsted was the key.

Finn's group stayed calm, but Orario buzzed with excitement.

Hestia openly shared her Familia's status, and Rivira adventurers spread tales of Lili's team slaying Goliath and Orsted's one-shot destruction of a Level 5 Black Goliath.

The Hestia Familia's feats became the talk of Orario, known to most adventurers.

Gods and adventurers sought Hestia and her members for details, but the Familia stayed secluded at Hearth Manor, with only servants handling errands.

Visitors were barred, except for Ais and her team, foiling many plans.

Another event thrilled adventurers: the Hermes Familia, caught concealing levels, had half their assets seized by the Guild.

In truth, Hermes's unauthorized dungeon visit triggered the harsh penalty, not just the level deception.

Orsted had a busy eight days, staying out of the dungeon.

In his workshop, he crafted magic items and Grimoires from materials.

Occasionally, he used Instant to visit Hephaestus' forge, studying Durandal magic swords and sharing insights with Hephaestus and Tsubaki, who joined eagerly.

Orsted and Hephaestus often guided Tsubaki, whose forging skills lagged behind theirs despite her title as Orario's top smith.

Orsted's research on Durandal magic swords progressed rapidly, though at high material cost.

He equipped each Hestia familia member with a magic sword, preparing them for the future expeditions.

If trouble arose, the swords' combined power could overwhelm foes.

When not crafting, Orsted sparred with Ais and her team during their training visits.

He consistently won, with draws rare, but Ais and the others never gave up, challenging him daily.

Despite defeats, they grew more motivated, learning combat skills from him.

Orsted didn't mind.

Ais' group was helping Lili and the others grow, and though he'd paid them, extra benefits were fair.

Sparring also honed his own skills, though his Level 4 growth had slowed.

Eight days later, the Loki Familia's expedition day arrived.

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