"This... this is my Falna? I actually have one piece of magic and three Skills?"
Lorie held the parchment in both hands. Her small face was frozen with shock, her mind completely blank.
Lucas had indeed cheated a little while copying the status sheet, quietly hiding the Crest of Affection from sight.
It was too early for Lorie to learn what that Skill really did. He planned to explain once she eventually noticed her growth rate becoming abnormal.
"Lorie, you can start looking forward to your future."
Jeanne leaned in warmly and offered her congratulations. "Congrats, Lorie."
"Thank you..." The girl flushed, lowering her head with a tiny, embarrassed apology.
She was new to Orario, so there were many things she didn't understand.
But as an elf raised in a long, ancient lineage, she was familiar enough with the basics of a Falna. She knew exactly what it meant to possess a piece of magic and three Skills the moment the blessing was first granted.
My future actually looks pretty bright… Lorie couldn't help feeling delighted.
"Mm..."
Maybe their voices had been a little too loud. The silver-haired elf sleeping nearby stirred, the noise pulling her consciousness out of the fog.
A strange ceiling. The gentle glow of a Magic Stone lamp. The soft scent of sun-dried sheets.
Aura's expression shifted from confused to blank, her light violet eyes dull and unfocused.
"Where... am I?" Her lips were cracked from lack of water, and her voice rasped.
Jeanne noticed immediately and rushed to Aura's bedside. "Aura, right? Hello, I'm Jeanne d'Arc. You can just call me Jeanne."
"Don't worry, this is our Familia's home base. You're safe now."
Meanwhile, Lorie—still bubbling over the joy of joining a Familia and receiving such a powerful blessing—also spotted her friend waking up.
"That's great, Aura! You're finally awake, I was so worried!" She ignored her own exhaustion and rolled out of bed, throwing herself straight into Aura's arms, rubbing her cheek affectionately against her friend's.
Lucas smiled at the sight, quietly slipping out of the room to give the girls some space.
He glanced out the window at the rain still pouring without the slightest intention of stopping. His mood only improved.
"I love rainy mornings."
He stood under the eaves for a while, happily watching the rainfall. Once he figured enough time had passed, he headed toward the kitchen to prepare breakfast.
Just like countless people from his homeland, whenever mealtime approached Lucas faced the eternal question: What do we eat today?
"Breakfast for four... and two elves. Hmm. I'm not really sure what elves prefer."
He thought about it, then relaxed.
"Whatever, keeping it light is always safe. Elves... right, a fruit salad should work."
He headed to the underground cold storage beside the kitchen. The moment he saw the fully stocked ingredients, inspiration struck and he snapped his fingers.
"Main dish will be tacos. I'll pair them with fried eggs and Corn Cream Soup. Perfect. If they don't like it, I can slice some toast and butter. And for Jeanne... coffee, milk, fruit jam."
"Let me see... cherry tomatoes, onions, parsley. Good, I've got everything for the salsa."
"Mm, and two avocados... red, yellow, orange, green bell peppers are all here too."
He tied on an apron and lit the stove. While the water heated, he picked up his knife and began chopping with smooth, practiced motions.
---
In the guest room.
Aura's physical strength had long been drained. The constant fear and stress had wrung her body dry. She'd never been good with stamina to begin with, or she wouldn't have fainted midway through their escape.
Now Jeanne gently helped her sit up, propping her against a raised pillow before handing her a cup of warm water.
"Drink a little first. We can talk later."
"Thank you..."
Aura pressed her cracked lips together, reaching weakly for the cup. Her fingers brushed against Jeanne's long, fair hand.
My body... didn't instinctively reject her?
Jeanne caught her surprise and simply smiled gently.
"Jeanne d'Arc. Just call me Jeanne."
"Thank you, Miss d'Arc."
Aura's voice remained cool and distant as she inclined her head politely.
Watching Aura's attitude, Lorie clicked her tongue.
"Wow. So sour."
Her expression shifted quickly, though. A mischievous grin appeared as she leaned close.
"Heehee, Aura, feels weird, right?"
Aura looked at her silently.
"Well... I don't really get it either! But for some reason, I just don't feel that instinctive disgust toward Jeanne. Pretty wild, huh?" Lorie chuckled.
Aura: "…"
Before Aura could ask anything, Lorie launched straight into explaining everything that had happened since Aura fainted.
---
"S... so that's what happened..." Aura's tiny face paled as fear washed over her. She turned toward Jeanne again, her eyes brimming with gratitude.
Now that she finally understood everything, relief surged through her chest.
Had Lucas and Jeanne not intervened in time, she and Lorie would have fallen back into the hands of slavers. Aura didn't even dare imagine what her future would've looked like.
"Lorie must have already given you my name, but I should still introduce myself properly. I am Aura. Aura Moriel."
"I am deeply grateful to you and Lord Lucas for your aid, Miss d'Arc. I will never forget your kindness. Please believe in the promise of an elf."
After finishing her warm water, Aura felt slightly steadier. She set the cup aside and gave a formal elven bow, her tone solemn and respectful.
Compared to the innocent, carefree Lorie, Aura was clearly the traditional type. Her mannerisms perfectly fit the stereotype of a polite, slightly old-fashioned elf.
Jeanne didn't mind at all.
Her gentle nature allowed her to get along with anyone. After all, how else would she carry that mysterious, overwhelming aura of warmth?
The title Holy Maiden wasn't just for show.
After Aura finished expressing her thanks, Jeanne spoke with a soft smile.
"Aura, Lorie has already joined our Familia. What about you? Do you want to join as well? Our Familia is still small, but we're full of potential. And you've already seen that we all get along well. The atmosphere… I'd say it's pretty good. What do you think?"
"Join your Familia..."
Aura fell silent for a moment, her gaze shifting between the two of them. Her eyes lingered on Jeanne for an instant before she made up her mind.
"If I said no, I'm sure Lorie would pester me endlessly, wouldn't she?" Aura sighed helplessly, making her stance clear.
She knew her best friend far too well. Of course, that wasn't the real reason for her decision.
The truth was simple: she liked the feel of this Familia. Its warmth. Its people. Everything aligned with what her heart sought.
"Welcome to our family, Aura!"