In the dim, lightless, eerily damp hall, a chilling song drifted by her ears.
A drop of fresh blood fell, sending ripples and waves across an unknown surface.
Such an act in the distant past, a thousand years ago, this seemed to have been called a "ritual."
According to legend, it was a droplet fallen from a god of the heavens that granted a vessel called "human," allowing them to grow stronger.
It was said that this miraculous thing was both the key to seize what was called the future, and the power to overcome hardships.
Curled up in the room, Lefiya recalled these things as her thoughts gradually returned to what she was about to face.
If the power she was about to gain was the key to grasp the future.
If this was the strength to pierce through adversity.
Then what did she wish to do afterward? What goal did she want to achieve?
"What do I want…?" The girl was at a loss.
No, this girl, who had sunk into despair after an unprecedented blow, had gradually found her goal in life.
To her, this was truly a complete "ritual."
A rebirth of the heart. The process of solidifying her final resolve.
To discard her life, to cut off all retreat, to confront the original meaning of becoming an adventurer.
"I want to end all of this. To bring an end to those who have plunged Orario into chaos!"
She understood that in her current state, even if she pulled herself back together, if she did not accomplish this, then she could neither move forward nor retreat.
It was a path of death, yet also her only hope.
"All done, Lefiya."
Sunlight filtered through the curtains stirred by the wind, illuminating the divine chamber of the Loki Familia.
Sitting cross-legged on the edge of the bed, Loki cheerfully curled up her fingers and reminded the fairy girl who had her back turned to her.
On Lefiya's back, engraved with the complex patterns of the Falna, the status changed with the goddess's voice. The moment a new page was added to the "tale of the familia," she opened her once-closed eyes.
What entered her sight was a messy room, wine bottles and antiques rolling all over the place.
Yet this unorganized divine chamber somehow reflected her current inner state, making her feel mysteriously lighter. Or perhaps it was a strange sensation washing over her.
"Congratulations, your ability values are updated. You've already advanced far within Lv.4 now, little Lefiya!"
Loki stretched lazily and informed her child.
Wrapping her upper body tightly in clothes to prevent harassment from her lecherous goddess,
Lefiya stood up, took the update sheet handed to her, and looked it over.
"Lv.4, huh."
As she thought of Fron who had joined the familia years later than she did, she instinctively puffed out her cheeks.
That guy… had already been Lv.6 for some time. At his rate of growth, this update before the coming war would surely shock everyone. No, would definitely shock everyone.
Just thinking of that man she had long regarded as her romantic rival made the joy of her own stat increase feel like a bucket of cold water, instantly ruining her mood.
"Your magic stat is already C-669 at Lv.4. If your achievements were enough, you could even undergo ascension to Lv.5 already. But I still don't recommend ascending too early."
"With the bracelet Fron invented, as long as you follow the main expedition and gain more stats step by step, you can further improve yourself. Even if you're impatient, I won't change my mind. And besides, I don't want to hear Riveria-mama nag again."
"I understand."
Lefiya wasn't unreasonable. Only by growing to the limit at her current level before Levelling up would she have greater potential in the future, the most obvious examples being the three giants of the familia.
Of course, no one ever put Fron into comparison charts. He was a monster above monsters who broke common sense entirely.
"Alright, Lefiya, have a little more confidence in yourself! Believe we'll win this time for sure!"
"Mm…"
...
After Lefiya left Loki's divine chamber, the saying proved true: the more you don't want to meet someone, the more fate pushes them to you.
"Hmph."
The moment she saw Fron looking at her with a smile, Lefiya turned away in a huff, stomping away on her feet.
"…Huh? What just happened?"
The man blinked blankly at Raul behind him.
"H-haha, that's just how Lefiya is. Ah… don't try to guess what's on a woman's mind, especially an elf girl, "
"?"
Suddenly, Raul felt several cold gazes stab into his back.
"S-sorry! I wasn't talking about you, Miss Alicia!"
"Heh."
"..."
Fron flashed Raul a strained smile before slipping swiftly into the divine chamber. He didn't want to get dragged into trouble. Daring to provoke elf girls was basically suicide.
As expected of the true man who once used up all his to have fun in the Pleasure Quarter!
...
"You're here."
"Mm."
They were long-time acquaintances, so Fron didn't bother with pleasantries, especially with the current crisis looming.
Even with his overwhelming strength, for the sake of safety and minimizing unforeseen events, he still needed to sharpen his blade, update his status before the battle.
"Sit down, sit down… Let's see how much this little monster of mine has grown again."
As Loki spoke, she skillfully pricked her fingertip with a silver needle, dripping divine blood.
"I actually want to know how much I've increased too."
As usual, Loki ran her finger down Fron's back, unlocking his Falna.
Compared to others, Loki no longer held any expectations for Fron's increases. Every time, he exceeded her predictions anyway. Shock had long become routine.
...
[Name]: Fron Argon
[Title]: Night Weaver
[Level]: Lv.6
[Stats]: Strength: F301 → S911 | Endurance: F301 → S911 | Dexterity: F301 → S911 | Agility: F301 → S911 | Magic: F301 → S911
[Development Abilities]: Mystery E, Blacksmith D, Mage B, Magic Conduit C, Escape E, Abnormal Resistance D, Spearman E, Shattering F, Healing G, Harmony H
[Magic]:
"Surtur" - Enchantment Magic
[Skills]:
"The Reader"
· Beyond-limit mental enhancement
· Effect doubled at night
· Immune to mental corruption
"The Scholar"
· Can choose two development abilities each time
· Learn magic without magic-slot restrictions
· Greatly increases the power of magic swords and magic items
· Doubles magic power, range, and reach
"Infinite Super magic"
· Knowledge accumulation enhances mind
· Knowledge accumulation enhances magic
· Magic power synchronously increases all attributes
Current Accumulation: 44.1%
"Magic Dominator"
· Instant casting
· Beyond-limit attribute enhancement
· Beyond-limit magic enhancement
· Consumes massive mind, and stamina when activated
"Concentration"
· Enters complete concentration in adversity
· Automatically exits concentration when out of adversity
[Finishing Moves]:
· Fire of Surtur (Surtalogi)
· Flame of Surtur (Surtalogi)
· Blaze of Surtur (Surtalogi)
...