Roy looked at Ais and asked, "Ais, do you only have one magic slot?"
Ais was obsessed with becoming stronger, and when she saw him using magic, she showed a hint of envy.
Logically, her Tempest was simple to activate and required little effort to maintain.
It didn't demand lengthy chants like Lefiya's, nor did she have to worry much about magic going out of control.
With Ais's sharp mind, she should have devised ways to enhance her attacks, such as through combination magic.
Though her Tempest was highly useful and suited her well, she still envied adventurers who could wield multiple magics—like Riveria and Lefiya.
"Doesn't Orario have items that can increase magic slots?" Roy asked.
With a millennium of history, there must be artifacts designed to bend the rules.
For instance, the elixir that unlocked Falna potential was one such example.
"I think I've heard of something like that," Lefiya said after a moment's thought. "There's a type of grimoire that can not only awaken magic in people but also add an extra magic slot.
"However, the total number of magic slots won't exceed the limit of three."
In other words, if someone already had three slots, using such a grimoire would be wasteful and wouldn't grant a fourth.
But for those with only one or two, it could fill an empty slot.
"This kind of grimoire is rare even among grimoires. Not only is the price astronomical—beyond what most can afford—but even if you have the money, you might not find one available."
Such grimoires were ultra-rare and highly sought after.
"Ais, did you look into it too?" Roy glanced at her.
"Hm," Ais nodded, a bit embarrassed. "I couldn't find one, and I couldn't afford it anyway."
Even standard grimoires cost more than top-tier equipment, let alone rare variants.
After learning Lefiya's and Ais's magics, Roy hadn't continued practicing; he'd only tested his new magic's functions.
That night, the three took turns keeping watch and resting.
The next day, they reentered the Colosseum and resumed grinding monsters.
Just as before, Lefiya concealed her presence in a corner to practice parallel chanting, while Roy and Ais battled in the Colosseum.
This routine lasted until the fourth day, when Roy heard the system's task completion prompt in his mind, bringing it to an end.
[Development Ability]: Blacksmith I, Swordsman C
These were from Roy's last status update.
His Swordsman development ability had risen to C rank.
What surprised him more was that his basic abilities had broken through the 2,000.
"If I update today, I wonder if I can hit 3,000?" he pondered after leaving the Colosseum.
Perhaps reaching Level 3 required all abilities at 3,000.
"Lefiya, I recall there's a floor boss on the 37th floor, right?" Roy asked, gazing back as if he could see the central throne through the massive walls.
He was tired of grinding Colosseum monsters; he'd had his fill over the past days.
To ensure his basic abilities reached 3,000 for today's update, Roy set his sights on the floor boss.
It should provide substantial excelia.
"What are you planning now?" Lefiya asked, a bad feeling creeping in.
"I haven't encountered a floor boss yet. Why not take this chance to see one?" Roy suggested with a smile, his tone negotiable.
"No, absolutely not!" Lefiya shook her head firmly, her resolve unshakable.
Through their recent interactions, she'd come to understand Roy's personality—he was far from the quiet type.
When he said "just take a look," she knew he'd definitely stir up trouble.
The 37th floor's boss was an Lv.6 monster.
It required a team of top-tier adventurers to defeat.
The Loki Familia had slain the 37th floor boss multiple times, but only with Finn's elite squad leading.
What was their group?
Though the Guild ranked the Colosseum alongside floor bosses in difficulty, for first-class adventurers, the Colosseum was just a swarm of monsters—tricky, but escapable with opportunity.
A floor boss was a solitary powerhouse, overwhelmingly superior in every aspect.
"Idiot!" Roy said with a serious expression.
"Don't call me that!" Lefiya retorted, displeased.
"Dear Lefiya..." Roy started, then realized it sounded off.
Lefiya's ears flushed red, and she glared at him in embarrassed fury.
"Ahem!" Roy cleared his throat, ignoring it, and asked earnestly, "Do you know an adventurer's core spirit?"
"Not taking risks?" Lefiya guessed uncertainly, as it was a principle heavily promoted by the Guild and Familia, one her companions always emphasized.
"Wrong," Roy denied flatly.
"Then what is it?" Lefiya asked, puzzled, while Ais looked on curiously.
"It's about seeking death... no, daring to take risks," Roy corrected himself.
"Did you just say 'seeking death'?" Lefiya eyed him suspiciously.
"It's similar enough—don't sweat the details," Roy said calmly. "If you always retreat from danger or strong foes without the resolve to advance and conquer, you'll never grow as an adventurer.
"Remember that, Lefiya."
Roy began his persuasion; he had no choice—the map was with Lefiya, and he couldn't just snatch it.
"Ais is Orario's Sword Princess, you're a future Loki Familia executive, and I bear the responsibility of strengthening the Hestia Familia.
"We're not like those who treat adventuring as a mere job for daily survival.
"Ambitious adventurers can't stay in their comfort zones."
Roy's motivational words were compelling, honed by experience.
Strong enemies, resolve, growth—these words resonated with Ais, inspiring her instantly.
"Lefiya," Ais said, turning to her with pleading eyes.
"I get it!" Lefiya glared at Roy, fuming. "That's low!"
He knew she couldn't refuse Ais, yet he always roped her in.
Thus, the trio proceeded toward the 37th floor's center.
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