"Orsted, do you still need the previous commission?" Ais asked softly, drinking the potion and feeling her body recover.

"I'm planning another commission after this," Orsted replied, smiling.

"Didn't expect you to ask."

Lili and the others had progressed significantly under Ais's guidance.

"Because guiding Lili and the others lets me keep learning from you," Ais said candidly.

"In just a few days, my combat strength's grown a lot."

The day before the expedition, she'd updated her status with Loki, finding her abilities up by nearly 200.

Previously, such growth took two months.

After three years at Level 5, her progress had crawled, with single-digit gains post-expedition.

Sparring with Orsted had skyrocketed her growth, fueling her desire to continue.

"You don't need to come to Hearth Manor," Orsted suggested.

"My girls can visit you when you're free. If you're not, no pressure. Arrange it as you like."

"Can I seek you out too?" Ais hesitated, then asked.

"You're always welcome," Orsted smiled.

A violent explosion interrupted them.

Their eyes snapped to Finn's battlefield, where the demi spirit's lower body was frozen, its upper body ravaged—half its face gone, abdomen gaping, no regeneration.

Finn's team hovered behind it, poised in attack stances.

"It's over," Orsted said, smiling faintly.

"Yeah," Ais nodded.

The battered demi spirit trembled, then exploded, its shockwave hurling Finn's team back.

"Not again!" Orsted's eyes widened, preparing to dodge a flying figure.

But he paused, catching Tione as she hurtled toward him.

They slid a few meters before stopping.

Ais, nearby, caught Tiona.

"Thanks, Orsted!" Tione said, wincing. "Hiss!"

Orsted noticed her wounds, her arm bloodied, sticking to him.

She'd gasped from pain.

Finn's team had fought recklessly, prioritizing speed over safety, ensuring no fatal risks.

This overwhelmed the demi spirit in a minute, but left them battered.

Tione's arm was a mess, and others weren't much better.

Riveria and Lefiya, unscathed but exhausted, fed potions to Tsubaki.

Orsted frowned.

Without virga, Finn's team could've fought methodically.

Finn shouldn't have chosen recklessness.

"I don't get it," Orsted muttered, eyeing Finn and Gareth standing nearby.

"Orsted, I don't know what you mean, but can you take your hand off?" Tione's voice cut through.

He realized he was still holding her, her injuries unhealed.

Feeling something soft, he instinctively moved his hand.

"Orsted!" Tione growled, glaring.

If not for her injuries, she'd have decked him.

"Sorry, sorry," Orsted said, helping her up and handing her potions.

Tione glared, took it, and drank.

"Orsted, you're different from other elves," Tione said, flexing her recovering arm.

"You don't mind contact. Don't elves only allow trusted people near?"

"My case is unique. I'm not as fastidious, so normal contact's fine," Orsted replied, smiling.

Tione leaned close, whispering, "Don't tell anyone what just happened, or I'll kill you."

Orsted froze.

"Tione, you okay?" Tiona called from a few meters away, held by Ais.

"I'm fine, drank the potion," Tione said, her face shifting to a smile as she approached her sister.

"Really?" Tiona eyed Orsted suspiciously, having seen Tione whisper to him.

Something was up.

Tione never got close to men except Finn, who had no interest.

This was a first.

Tiona's eyes narrowed, glinting.

'No hope with Finn. Maybe pair Tione with Orsted?'

---

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