Chapter 211 - That's why you're so unique, Orsted
The next morning, the Loki familia came to visit.
Riveria arrived with four others: Ais, Tione, Tiona, and even Bete.
"Orsted, we all ranked up!" Tiona exclaimed, unable to contain her joy as she shared the expedition's gains with Orsted.
As in the anime, the Loki familia's level 5 members had all ranked up.
Tione, Tiona, and Bete's basic abilities had reached rank up thresholds.
They only lacked sufficient excelia to rank up, but defeating the demi spirit would have sufficed.
"Congratulations," Orsted nodded softly.
"Orsted, you must've ranked up too, right? You took down a monster solo and another with Ais," Tione said, grinning.
"Yeah, I did. I'm level 5 now," Orsted replied, not hiding his level.
With his strength already displayed, his official level was irrelevant.
"Hey, so you were hiding your level before, Orsted!" Tiona said, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Not hiding, exactly. My rank up speed was too fast, so the Guild suppressed it to avoid shocking other adventurers," Orsted explained with a smile.
Before joining the Loki familia's expedition, he'd asked Hestia to inform the Guild, but they chose not to announce it, fearing his achievements would demoralize others.
It was the Guild's first time proactively concealing such information, not Orsted's doing.
"So, telling us now won't hit us hard?" Tione said, her eyes twitching helplessly.
"The rumor's already out that you've got first class combat power, Orsted. That's the real gut punch," Tiona added.
"True or not, as long as the Guild hasn't confirmed it, it's just noise," Orsted shrugged off
"Where're those guys, Orsted?" Bete asked, hands in his pockets.
"Looks like you're ready to take on more commissions," Orsted replied.
Bete's arrogance was predictable. He enjoyed guiding ambitious adventurers like Lili, but his attitude was always abrasive.
Fortunately, Lili and the others were used to it, and with Ais and the others around, they got along fine.
"At the training ground," Orsted said, indicating where Lili and the others were.
With the expedition approaching, Lili and the others were skipping dungeon trips for a few days.
Orsted, too, planned to spend more time with Hestia at the manor, as the seven-day expedition would keep them on the lower floors.
Bete headed toward the training ground.
"I'm heading over too. Don't forget my reward later!" Tione waved as she followed Bete.
"Orsted, I still need that grimoire!" Tiona added, waving and trailing her sister.
"I'll find you later," Ais said softly before following.
Orsted understood Ais meant she wanted to spar with him later.
"Please, come in, Riveria," Orsted gestured to the silent elf.
Riveria nodded and followed him into the Hearth Manor.
"Here's the compensation we discussed, 3 billion valis," Riveria said in the living room, handing Orsted a passbook.
"You could've had Ais and the others deliver it. No need for the trip," Orsted said, taking it with a smile.
"I wanted to discuss something with you, so I came myself," Riveria replied, shaking her head with a smile.
"A busy person like you has something to ask me? That's rare," Orsted said, surprised.
As the Loki Familia's vice captain, Riveria shouldered as much responsibility as Finn and Gareth, the other two top executives.
"I've wanted to visit for a while," Riveria said, nodding.
"As if you've never been here," Orsted look amused.
"That was different. Last time, I came because Ais and the others asked me to watch you craft a grimoire. This is personal," Riveria clarified.
"What's up?" Orsted asked directly.
"I wanted to observe your crafting of magic items and grimoires to develop my Mystery."
"We were both too busy, so it got delayed. But after this expedition, I triggered this development ability," Riveria explained seriously.
"Now that I've ranked up, I'd like your guidance on crafting grimoires. I'll pay, of course."
"You ranked up?" Orsted caught the key detail, surprised Riveria had advanced.
In the anime, the Loki familia's executives ranked up only after thwarting the Jewel fetus plan.
Riveria's early rank up was unexpected.
"Yeah. When Ais and the others updated their status, I went to Loki too."
"My excelia was sufficient, and I triggered the Mystery development ability, so I ranked up," Riveria said, nodding.
"The monster we faced was so strong, it gave me enough excelia."
"Even with mystery and mage, you can't craft grimoires until those abilities are developed further," Orsted sighed as he looked at her.
"That's why you're so unique, Orsted," Riveria said with admiration.
"Thanks for the compliment. Come by anytime, and I'll guide you when I'm free," Orsted said.
"But the fee's steep, so brace yourself."
"Thank you!" Riveria replied, looking grateful.
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