Highschool DxD: I have a Dimensional Travel System

Chapter 194 - Ais: This...!?

Faced with Mahiro invitation, Ais didn't speak; she simply stared at the gauntlet with curiosity.

Like the adventurers around her, she wanted to understand what it was, the source of the strange sound earlier, and how it had manifested as though summoned.

Loki, however, reacted differently. 

Like an overprotective mother, she glared at Mahiro suspiciously.

"Ais, don't fall for his tricks!"

"He knows he can't beat you, so he's trying to distract you and take the opportunity to sneak attack!" Loki said with exaggerated seriousness.

"Hmph, I caught him red-handed!" Loki added triumphantly, giving Mahiro a smug look as if to say, I've seen through all your tricks!

"Really?" Ais tilted her head and looked at Mahiro, her golden eyes calm but questioning.

"I deeply admire Miss Ais. How could I possibly resort to such underhanded tactics?" Mahiro replied with a polite smile. 

"Besides, with Miss Ais' strength, wouldn't a sneak attack be pointless?"

"As long as you know that!" Loki glared fiercely at Mahiro. "And don't admire Ais! She belongs to me!"

"Loki, stop saying nonsense." 

Ais's tone remained as flat as ever, her reprimand lacking any true force behind it.

"So, why not give it a try?" Mahiro asked with a lighthearted tone that almost sounded persuasive. "There's no harm, and plenty of people are watching."

Ais hesitated for a moment before extending her hand. 

Normally, she disliked physical contact with others, but for some reason, Mahiro didn't evoke the usual sense of discomfort. 

Instead, she felt an inexplicable familiarity toward him.

Moreover, her curiosity about the gauntlet on his hand made her want to examine it closely.

Finally, Ais placed her hand on Mahiro's outstretched palm.

Transfer.

The deep voice resonated again. 

Ais froze momentarily, instinctively trying to pull her hand back, but Mahiro clasped her hand firmly.

In the next moment, an overwhelming power surged into Ais' body.

"!!!"

Ais' usually calm eyes widened in shock, a rare expression of surprise crossing her face.

The hand she had been trying to withdraw stopped as she adjusted to the influx of energy.

"Hey!, I saw that! Don't think you can take advantage of Ais just because of your gauntlet!" Loki protested angrily, even though the gauntlet physically separated their hands. 

She stepped forward as though to separate them.

"Loki, stop making a fuss!" 

Without much thought, Ais extended her free hand to hold Loki back. 

However, her new strength caused her to shove Loki to the ground with surprising force.

"Ais!" Loki cried out, sprawled on the floor and staring up with teary eyes. 

"How could you do this to me?"

Ais looked down in shock, apologetic. "I'm sorry, Loki… I didn't mean to."

Her voice was trembled, her usually composed demeanor visibly shaken. 

She truly hadn't intended to use that much force.

"Ais…" Loki whined pitifully, ready to use the moment to guilt-trip Ais for sympathy. 

But before she could finish her thought, Ais ignored her and turned back to Mahiro.

"Did you feel it?" Mahiro asked, letting go of her hand with a slight smile.

"Yes," Ais replied softly, her gaze filled with a complex mix of emotions—curiosity, longing, and excitement. 

Her usual calmness was replaced by an unprecedented eagerness.

"Don't look at Ais like that!" Loki yelled, springing to her feet and placing herself protectively between Ais and Mahiro. 

Despite her dramatic reaction, it was clear she hadn't been hurt.

"What was that just now?" Ais ignored Loki and asked Mahiro directly.

"You felt it, didn't you?" Mahiro replied. "A surge of power. A strength far beyond what you previously possessed."

Indeed, Ais had felt it—a surge of strength so immense it left her awestruck. 

It wasn't a gradual, incremental growth, but a sudden, explosive increase in power. 

LV6? LV7? Or even higher? 

Ais wasn't sure of her current level anymore. 

What she did know was that she was now far stronger than before.

The power was so overwhelming that her body had struggled to adjust, leading to her earlier accidental shove of Loki.

"This… power," Ais murmured.

She didn't want to let it go.

"It's temporary," Mahiro explained with a calm smile. "Even if unused, it will dissipate on its own in about thirty minutes."

"Temporary?" Ais' eyes widened in alarm. 

This power was extraordinary, and she—someone who longed for strength was reluctant to lose it.

"It's an external power," Mahiro clarified. "Not your own. But if you'd like to know more…"

"What do I need to do?" Ais interrupted eagerly.

"I'm staying at the Hostess of Fertility tonight," Mahiro replied with a slight smirk. 

"You're welcome to visit, and we can have a deeper discussion."

---

Author: Get an extra chapter for each 500 power stones donated 

Read 20 Chapters In Advance:

patreon.com/heavenlydawn