Facing the floor master who was likely equivalent to Lv.8, and enhanced by Reiger with a magic treasure stone accumulated over eleven thousand years, Rephiaâs performance was undoubtedly outstanding.
She wasnât to be outdone as she moved alongside Revilia during the charge by the top-tier adventurers, engaging in parallel chanting amidst the enemyâs fierce magic bombardment, exerting her utmost effort to cast various spells, providing significant support to the first-tier adventurers.
The elf girl titled "Thousand Elves" released countless kinds of magic during that day-and-night death battle, for both ranged attacks and defensive support. If it werenât for Reiger shouldering the crucial roles of recovery and enhancing his alliesâ capabilities, this young Elf Mage would certainly have been up to the task.
She didnât know how many times she exhausted her spiritual power, or how many bottles of Spiritual Medicine she consumed; if such efforts donât elevate "Magic Power" to the S stage, that would be truly peculiar.
At the very least, Rephiaâs performance was undoubtedly far superior compared to fellow elf Alicia.
Thereâs nothing that can be done; although Aliciaâs level is higher than Rephiaâs, she lacks in magic firepower compared to Rephia and doesnât have the versatility to choose between attack, defense, or support like Rephia does, which makes her spend most of her time recklessly shooting magic swords all around, hardly exerting much effort herself. Furthermore, she is overly concerned with protecting Revilia, the royalty, the whole time, unlike Rephia who wholeheartedly commits to the death battle, rising up repeatedly after falling down.
Perhaps this is why Alicia hasnât been able to upgrade?
Compared to her, Raul and Angel performed well.
At least Raul and Angel repeatedly slew many worm-type monsters, further dispersing the enemyâs firepower, shielding Grace from numerous fairy spirit clone tentacles, genuinely risking their lives to fight.
Besides, Raul and Angel were already veterans within the clan, even joining earlier than Bert, Theona, and Theone; their simultaneous upgrades seem normal.
Of course...
"The leaders have upgraded to Lv.7 as well..."
This was the most joyful thing for Reiger.
"Thatâs right." Rephia also rejoiced for the three from the Headquarters Camp, saying, "Revilia has ascended to Lv.7, our clan suddenly has three Lv.7s appearing, Loki is so thrilled that she dances around in the Divine Room."
This topic attracted the surrounding others, leading everyone to gather around Reiger.
"Haha, the leader has ascended to Lv.7; now the Freyja Clan is nothing to fear!"
Theone seemed happier about Finnâs upgrade than her own.
"Really... so wonderful."
Ais was sincerely happy for Finn and the others.
"Oh dear, still canât compare to Finn and them." Theona lamented, saying, "Thought I had finally caught up, but in the end, got left behind again."
"Hrm." Bert dismissed the joy of upgrading, smirking, saying, "Look at those old guys whoâve been stuck at Lv.6 for years; itâs time for them to upgrade."
Thereâs truth in those words.
Whether itâs Finn, Revilia, or Grace, they have been lingering at Lv.6 for years.
Before Bert, Theona, Theone, and others joined the clan, these three were already staying at this Lv.6 stage for quite a few years.
Thus, even in terms of time, Finn and the others ought to step to the next stage. Regardless of Reigerâs intervention this time, itâs only a matter of time before they accumulate enough to upgrade.
Reiger merely accelerated this period.
Even Raul and Angel chimed in.
"This year is truly a bountiful harvest."
"Indeed, the leaders all upgraded this year, and the three of them reached a new stage; we all progressed to some extent. Reiger even joined the clan this year; it truly can be said a bountiful harvest."
Everyone exchanged words, some pondering their own and othersâ growth, while others were dejected for failing to keep pace, staying at the same level.
At this moment, Ais turned to Reiger.
"Have you... not updated your ability values yet?"
Aisâs words focused everyoneâs attention on Reiger.
"Thatâs right! Reiger hasnât updated his ability values yet!" Theona leapt down from Ais, dashed to Reiger, curiously saying, "Could it be youâre also going to upgrade?"
The people around all pricked up their ears, some whispering.
"Speaking of which, Mr. Reiger has been Lv.5 for quite a while, right?"
"After returning from the expedition last time, Mr. Reiger upgraded to Lv.5, so itâs been over a month."
"To be precise, itâs been 50 days..."
Upon reaching this topic, everyone fell silent.
days, this time span for a Lv.5 is incredibly brief.
Let alone a Lv.5; even a Lv.1 couldnât possibly upgrade within such a short time.
At this moment, the members of the Loki Clan were unaware that a newcomer adventurer had appeared in Orarli, upgrading to Lv.2 in just a month and a half.
Thus, for them, the shortest upgrade record before Reigerâs arrival was set by Ais, who took a whole year to ascend from Lv.1 to Lv.2.
Ultimately, under typical circumstances, within 50 days of ascending to Lv.5, Reiger shouldnât be able to upgrade.
However, who is Reiger?
A monster who ascended from Lv.1 to Lv.5 in just over three months!
Reached Lv.2 in 7 days.
Reached Lv.3, took 15 days.
Reached Lv.4, took 30 days.
Reached Lv.5, took 45 days.
Now, even if it took 50 days for Reiger to reach Lv.6, it seems... not impossible?
Thinking of this, everyone immediately stared at Reiger.
"Could it be?" Raul weakly voiced out, "Even if itâs Reiger, reaching Lv.6 in just 50 days seems a bit unbelievable, doesnât it?"
To Raulâs words, Angel casually tossed a reply.
"Havenât there been plenty of unbelievable things happening to Mr. Reiger?"
That sentence shut up everyone who thought the same as Raul.
Reiger just smiled, and slowly opened his mouth to speak.
"I havenât updated my ability values yet, so I donât know if I can level up."
"But before the expedition, I already maxed out my ability values for the current stage."
"If nothing unexpected happens, maybe itâs possible."
These were Reigerâs true thoughts.
However, what he was referring to wasnât Lv.6, but Lv.8.
Originally, he was just one last step away from reaching Lv.8, not far from leveling up, and even quite close.
Afterwards, he went through battles with Ota and Olivias, countless fights during the expedition, and the battle with an ethereal spirit avatar, surely filling in the last bit of high-level experience he needed.
Especially in the battle with the ethereal spirit avatar, even though Reiger was supporting and enhancing in the back lines throughout, not directly participating in combat, he still contributed.
In such a situation, as long as a bit of the massive high-level experience gained from that fight was shared with him, the last bit of high-level experience he lacked would be made up.
Therefore, although Reiger couldnât be certain, he had a feeling.
This time, he would be able to level up.
And in the eyes of others, Reigerâs statement meant he could level up to Lv.6, just like Bert, Theona, and Theone.
"How could this be?" Theona shouted discontentedly, "I finally managed to level up, but still couldnât surpass you!"
"Isnât this guy just a bit too unfair?" Theone said helplessly, "We had such a hard time reaching this stage, so how could it be so easy for you?"
The meaning of the twin sisters was shared by everyone.
"Tsk... "
Bert even clicked his tongue openly, diminishing his joy of having successfully leveled up, and once again made his face full of displeasure.
"N-No wonder itâs Mr. Reiger."
Rephia gave a dry laugh, yet still looked at Reiger with eyes full of admiration.
"... Now, Iâm really the only one who hasnât been able to level up."
Alicia sighed next to them.
Everyone in the strategy team had leveled up one after another, even Ais had just leveled up not long ago, and perhaps even Chun of the Hephaestos Clan might have leveled up after this expedition.
Only she remained at a standstill, unable to help but sigh repeatedly.
"Well, if not this time, then just work harder next time."
"Yeah, we havenât leveled up either, but at least youâve accumulated a lot of high-level experience, so youâre surely not far from leveling up."
Kaos and Navi, who were responsible for guarding the camp during the expedition, spoke up to comfort Alicia, making her feel much better.
Indeed, although she hadnât leveled up yet, she had accumulated considerable high-level experience and saw a noticeable improvement in ability values. Strictly speaking, she wasnât exactly standing still.
Perhaps, after another adventure, sheâd gather enough accomplishments to level up, becoming the third member of the second squad to reach Lv.5 after Raul and Angel.
"Alright, Iâll stop comparing with you, you freak." Theona also let it be, changing her mindset, smiling and saying, "Anyway, everyone gained something this time, and thatâs whatâs best!"
"Raul and Angel have reached Lv.5 too, so now our clan has ten first-class adventurers, three more than the Freyja Clan!"
"Weâre almost catching up to the Ganisa Clan too! Heehee!"
Hearing this, everyone laughed.
"Alright! Next one!"
At this time, Lokiâs voice came from the divine room.
As a female member exited the divine room, Reiger was the only one left who hadnât updated his abilities.
"Then Iâm off."
Reiger greeted everyone, then, under everyoneâs gaze, walked into Lokiâs Divine Room.