Levi found himself standing within the endless void once again.
He let out a long sigh.
"...What is it this time?"
"I'm starting to get bored whenever I end up here."
Pyrathera folded her arms.
"I expected a little more gratitude."
"You defeated the temple golem."
"You obtained Azhir."
"And you wiped out an entire goblin village."
Levi shrugged.
"...Yeah."
Pyrathera looked disappointed.
"But..."
"It wasn't entertaining enough."
Levi stared at her for a moment.
"...You're really obsessed with entertainment."
He scratched his cheek.
"...You like this 'Entertainment' guy or something?"
Silence.
Pyrathera blinked.
"..."
'Is this dumbass serious...?'
She pinched the bridge of her nose.
"You could say..."
"I simply enjoy joy."
Levi tilted his head.
"...Who's Joy?"
Pyrathera's eye twitched.
"IT'S AN EMOTION, YOU NUMBNUT!"
Levi raised both hands.
"My bad."
"I didn't know."
'Pissing off a Goddess wasn't exactly on my bucket list...'
Pyrathera let out a deep breath.
"...You're fortunate."
"Most mortals would've been reduced to ash by now."
Levi smiled awkwardly.
"I appreciate your mercy."
"...I think."
The Fire Goddess rolled her eyes.
"Despite your idiocy..."
"You've exceeded my expectations."
"I thought you'd run from the golem."
"Or die."
"Instead..."
"You challenged it."
"And won."
Levi rubbed the back of his neck.
"It wasn't exactly by choice."
Pyrathera ignored him.
"As promised..."
"I'll reward you."
Levi immediately frowned.
"...Ah."
"Shit."
"Here we go again."
She smiled.
"You already possess a Divine Sword."
"So..."
"What's left..."
"...Is armour."
"...Or an artifact."
Levi shrugged.
"Can't I just have the royal blacksmith make me a good set of armour?"
"I'm a prince."
"It'd be free."
Pyrathera nodded.
"A fair point."
She leaned closer.
"But..."
"Would it be better than mine?"
Levi thought for a moment.
"...Good enough."
"I still prefer free."
Silence.
The Goddess smiled.
A very dangerous smile.
"...Fuck you."
"You're getting my armour."
"If only to spite you."
Levi sighed.
"...Didn't ask for your yapping."
Pyrathera simply pointed behind him.
"You may leave."
"And don't die before then."
The void dissolved.
-
Levi suddenly opened his eyes.
He was back inside his bedroom.
"..."
"What an annoying Goddess."
-
Far away...
Pyrathera floated high above the clouds, quietly observing him through divine sight.
Her eyebrow twitched.
"..."
"This bastard really thinks I can't hear him."
-
Back inside the palace...
Levi stretched his arms.
"...Should I even train today?"
"It's getting repetitive."
Still...
He reluctantly left his room.
The training grounds awaited him.
Or so he thought.
As he rounded the corner...
Someone was already waiting.
Long silver hair swayed gently in the breeze.
Seraphina smiled nervously.
"...Levi."
He blinked.
"...Oh."
"What are you doing here?"
She fidgeted with her fingers.
"I..."
"I wanted to ask you something."
Levi waited.
Seraphina took a deep breath.
"C-Could you..."
"...Go to a restaurant with me?"
The final words barely escaped her lips.
Her face turned bright red.
Levi stared.
For a brief moment...
His own face grew warm.
'...Why does she suddenly look...'
'Cute?'
He immediately looked away.
'Ignore it.'
'Ignore it.'
"...Sure."
"I don't mind."
Seraphina's eyes lit up.
"R-Really?"
Levi nodded.
"Yeah."
A bright smile appeared on her face.
"Then..."
"Follow me."
Without thinking...
She grabbed his hand.
And began pulling him towards the palace gates.
Levi stumbled after her.
'...'
'Actually...'
'This is a pretty good excuse to skip training.'
Not far away...
Captain Altharion stepped onto the training grounds carrying two wooden swords.
"...Levi?"
Silence.
He looked around.
"...Where'd the brat go?"
-
Meanwhile...
Seraphina continued dragging Levi towards the waiting carriage.
Levi sighed.
"...Seraphina."
She looked back.
"Yes?"
"...Can you stop dragging me?"
"I do, in fact..."
"...Know how to walk."
She immediately let go.
"...S-Sorry!"
Levi chuckled quietly.
"It's fine."
"Lead the way."
Seraphina smiled again.
This time...
She walked beside him instead of pulling him along.