"Turmoil and Level Up" Drake basked in the sunlight, comfortably squinting his eyes. Even the bright crystal lights in the Dungeon's safe fl
"Turmoil and Level Up"
Drake basked in the sunlight, comfortably squinting his eyes.
Even the bright crystal lights in the Dungeon's safe floors couldn't compare to the warmth of real sunlight.
Simply feeling the sun's warmth, Drake felt the fatigue from his long Dungeon stay and his annoyance from Ottar's attack dissipate significantly.
After a moment of blissful relaxation, Drake headed towards the Hephaestus Familia headquarters.
The Hephaestus Familia consisted entirely of blacksmiths; they usually worked in their own workshops or shops. The headquarters were usually quiet, but upon Drake's return, he found many people there.
They seemed to be watching him, leaving Drake puzzled. Their gazes were strange—admiration, confusion, curiosity… a complex mix.
Drake saw a familiar face and approached Zard, whispering, "Zard, why are everyone's expressions so strange? What happened?"
Zard glanced at Drake. "Don't you know what happened?"
Drake was even more confused; he'd just returned from the Dungeon; how could he know?
Before he could speak, Hephaestus descended the stairs.
"You're back. Come to my workshop."
Drake followed Hephaestus to her workshop.
Drake closed the door; Hephaestus was carefully examining him.
"Hephaestus-sama, is something wrong with me?"
Hephaestus shook her head. "I'm checking for injuries! Freya Familia's 〈King〉 isn't easy to deal with!"
Drake understood why everyone was looking at him like that; news of his fight with Ottar had spread.
Hephaestus sighed. "I knew there would be trouble, but not this much."
Hephaestus, knowing Freya, had anticipated some action. She hadn't expected Freya to send Ottar to test Drake.
Though she knew Freya wouldn't go too far, Hephaestus had been worried after hearing about Drake and Ottar's fight.
She was relieved to see Drake unharmed.
Drake considered, saying, "It's not entirely bad; after this fight, there should be less trouble."
Hephaestus nodded in agreement; Drake and Ottar's fight proved Drake's strength; others would think twice before causing trouble.
Hephaestus then looked curious. "So, who won between you and Ottar?"
Drake paused. "It was a draw. We both held back; we didn't fight seriously."
Drake knew both sides had held back. Ottar fought unarmed, without his weapons or magic.
Drake hadn't used Sprite Assimilation, Dragon Slayer's Secret Arts, or his trump card, the Qilin technique.
The location wasn't suitable for an all-out battle; a serious fight would be a life-or-death struggle.
This was why Ottar stopped and Drake didn't pursue.
Hephaestus exclaimed, "I heard you two destroyed half of Level 15, even while holding back!"
Drake said awkwardly, "Will this affect the Familia?"
Hephaestus shook her head. "The conflict was started by them; they can't blame us.
But we can't ignore Freya! This stems from the previous incident; it's the Loki Familia's responsibility.
Let Loki handle it!"
Drake gave Hephaestus a thumbs-up; she'd come up with such a… thorough solution.
Only Loki's cunning and influence could handle Freya.
Hephaestus clapped her hands. "Alright, that's settled! Let's update your stats after your expedition."
Drake nodded, removing his shirt, turning his back to Hephaestus.
Hephaestus pricked her finger, dropping divine blood on Drake's back; sacred words appeared.
"I don't know what happened during your solo expedition, but your stat growth is astonishing.
Except for Agility, which is B, the rest surpassed A; Magic is even S. You have enough for a level-up; ready?"
Drake recalled his expedition, especially the battles with the Fallen Sprite and Ottar; it would be strange if he didn't level up.
Drake nodded. "Let's do it; I'm excited about the new growth abilities!"
Hephaestus manipulated the sacred words, completing the level-up.
"Let's see the growth ability options… oh, as many as last time!"
Hephaestus paused. "Drake, congratulations; the ability you've been waiting for appeared!"
Drake exclaimed, "Is it Mystery? Can I get Mystery?"
Hephaestus smiled. "Yes! You wouldn't choose anything else, would you?"
Drake excitedly said, "Of course! Thank you, Hephaestus-sama!"
Hephaestus completed the level-up, placing a paper on Drake's back.
"Alright, take a look; your new stats. Oh, and you gained a skill."
Drake received the paper and began checking.
"Drake Dragneel
LV3
Strength: I(0),
Endurance: I(0),
Dexterity: I(0)
Agility: I(0),
Magic: I(0),
Magic:
[Fire Dragon Slayer Magic]
• Castless magic.
• Immunity to and absorption of fire attribute damage.
[A#×*nj]
• XN>%`K,H4#LW_
Skills
[Dragon Slayer]
• All stats increase when fighting dragon-type enemies.
• Increased damage against dragon-type enemies.
[Inherent Magic Armor]
• Creates unbreakable equipment using magic power.
• Strengthens all attack techniques.
[Sprite's Blessing]
• Automatically gains the growth ability [Magic Enhancement] when using magic.
• Automatically gains the growth ability [Mana Recovery] when using magic.
• Immunity to some elemental magic damage.
Growth Abilities
[Smithing] F, [Mystery] I."
Hephaestus, knowing about Fal, wasn't surprised by the [Sprite's Blessing] skill.
Drake knew this skill was a gift from the purified sprite on the fifty-ninth floor.
Drake hadn't expected such a grand gift. This skill was similar to Ottar's [I Fight, Therefore I Am]; it granted two growth abilities during combat.
[Magic Enhancement], increasing magic power, and [Mana Recovery], providing automatic mana regeneration, were incredibly helpful. The elemental magic reduction was also useful.
Most importantly, he'd obtained [Mystery]; Drake wanted to return to his workshop and experience its effects.
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