After the practical combat with Miss Ming, Keare's most direct feeling was the lack of his own skills and combat experience.
Adventurer level gap?
That wasn't as important; one could improve their ability values through Dungeon training and then break through with great achievements.
Same Adventurer level.
As long as one's combat skills and experience were rich, they could decide the outcome.
He hadn't thought of getting fat in one bite; through diligent learning, he could definitely make up for this shortcoming, not to mention...
He also possessed the skill of 'Imitation'.
"Deep Blue."
"Give me some points!"
Dragging his tired and aching body, Keare painstakingly returned to the abandoned church where his Familia was located.
He didn't go directly back to the basement.
Mainly, he was afraid Hestia would worry if she saw him. The bright moonlight streamed in through the "skylight" of the abandoned church.
Providing a faint, weak illumination to the dim surroundings.
He didn't hesitate at all, decisively using 'Recovery' magic to heal the injuries sustained during the practical combat training.
The pain disappeared instantly.
What replaced it was a detailed recollection of his sparring with Miss Ming.
Although somewhat fleeting, these experiences were deeply etched into Keare's soul, deepening his impression.
Through 'Imitation'.
He knew his biggest weaknesses in combat were speed and reaction.
In the later sparring with Miss Ming, Keare gradually found his combat state, but the most direct realization was that his brain reacted.
Yet his body couldn't effectively execute.
"If my ability values were higher, I could have at least avoided more than 20 attacks."
"However, tomorrow's sparring... things should be better." Keare's attitude was optimistic, after all, pain was temporary.
But the experience gained from it could benefit him for life.
As long as it wasn't a fatal injury, it could be reset through 'Recovery', which was also his biggest reliance in the Dungeon or Familia.
Adjusting his physical condition.
Keare stood up from the ground. The attribute boost after updating his ability values completely eliminated the magic's side effects.
"Magic consumption..."
"It should be determined by the severity of the injury, there's no specific standard."
Just as he was about to go back to the basement for a quick wash, his body protested at an inopportune moment—hunger caused by physical exhaustion.
This made Keare urgently need to eat.
"The Dungeon exploration must be accelerated. If after training... I can't even afford to eat?"
Thinking of such a scenario, he felt an overwhelming sense of poverty.
But he could endure even pain, so there was no reason he couldn't endure this hunger. However, just as Keare was about to return to the basement.
His gaze fell on the figure of a girl standing at the top of the stairs, slightly to his front.
Focused on memorizing and absorbing the 'Imitation' experience, Keare hadn't noticed anyone behind him: "Hestia-sama."
"Why are you here?"
After personally witnessing Keare's treatment, Hestia's mood was quite complex. Even if he said nothing.
She could guess the reason for the treatment.
It must have been injuries accidentally sustained during practical combat training. Was he hiding somewhere else to heal because he was worried she would see?
She had never seen such a sensible child.
If her Familia could be stronger, instead of its current dilapidated state, Keare would definitely be much more relaxed.
He would only need to focus on advancing on his own path.
Instead of changing the Familia's conditions and forcing her, who was in charge of logistics, to take the more arduous path of a combatant.
Hestia's voice was soft, carrying a deep sense of melancholy.
"Keare-kun."
"You're actually very tired, aren't you?"
Facing Hestia's sincere gaze, Keare didn't correct the form of address, his smile relaxed and genuine:
"How is this tiring?"
"Actually, I feel quite lucky. With 'Recovery' magic, I can ignore the problem of getting injured."
"I can put all my energy into training."
"But the pain won't disappear..." The more carefree Keare became, the harder it was for Hestia to get over that hurdle in her heart.
Injuries could be healed, but the pain had to be endured.
She felt an inexplicable pang of heartache. After a moment of hesitation, she spoke directly: "What do you think of Loki Familia?"
"Hmm..."
The plot development gradually exceeded Keare's control. He looked at the serious-faced loli girl, who seemed to have made a final decision:
"Just so-so."
"They would definitely not treat me like Hestia-sama, helping me prepare equipment and armor, and asking a god to hone my martial arts."
"And!"
"I think the gentle, understanding, and very cute Hestia-sama is the most suitable for me."
Confessing during a discussion of important matters, isn't that a bit too unfair!
Facing Keare's sincere gaze, Hestia ultimately didn't voice those words, her heart racing slightly.
She turned her delicate face, which was gradually covered in a blush, to the side:
"Since you've said so, then... then what else can I do? If you change your mind and want to join another Familia..."
"..."
"Hestia-sama, then let's form a Familia together for life."
As a seasoned Go senior, Keare naturally leaned closer and gently held the girl's fair hands.
He didn't hide his inner thoughts:
"In my opinion, pain is a necessary path to growth!"
"If Hestia-sama truly feels so indebted, how about... you take me to buy something to eat nearby?"
He was truly hungry.
After these two days of getting along, it was hard not to like the beautiful loli girl who was completely devoted to him, even working part-time to help him!
If he joined another Familia.
The overall treatment would definitely improve, but compared to the beautiful loli girl, Keare felt it was simply not worth mentioning.
Thought determines attitude, attitude determines behavior.
The small head controls the big head.
Being held by Keare's hand, Hestia didn't show the resistance she had in the Heavenly Realm. She felt her heart constantly accelerating:
"Then... how about going to the Hostess of Fertility restaurant?"
"If I still use street food to reward your efforts, Keare, I think that would be a bit cheap."
"What's important isn't where you eat."
"But who you eat with!" Rich Galgame dating experience allowed Keare to make choices with his eyes closed.
The food at expensive restaurants was certainly delicious.
But compared to the girl's shyness, he felt it was slightly inferior.
— —
Before heading to the Dungeon for exploration, Keare set a goal for himself: to improve his practical combat skills as much as possible.
To milk the Take Mikazuchi Familia dry.
When he woke up from the old sofa, full of energy, Hestia had already gone to work at Hephaestus's weapon shop.
What remained on the table was even more valis than yesterday.
"This soft rice... tastes so good."
After making a few preparations, Keare headed towards the collective dormitory where Takemikazuchi resided, facing the morning sun.
In the open space in front of the dormitory, he quickly found the girl who was training.
He was a little embarrassed, but still requested: "Miss Ming, I'm going to trouble you again to help me train my practical combat skills."
"..."
Yamato Mikoto didn't mind helping Keare hone his practical combat skills, but looking at the brown-haired boy who was full of energy.
Her mood was indescribably strange.
"This guy..."
"Is his body made of iron?!"