Under the spray of the hot shower, Roland dazed off. Was it truly justice to kill them? If he hadn't, they would likely have been released from prison quickly due to lack of evidence, only to hurt others again. He decided to end it permanently.
After washing, he threw his clothes into a tub, froze the water into a solid block, and then used wind magic to spin the water like a washing machine.
"Forget it, brooding won't help. I should find Lady Astraea and update my status."
Roland made his way to the Goddess's room and knocked. "Roland? Come in."
Inside, the Alise quartet was already there, each wearing a different expression.
"Hello! We're here to check your stats and ask about your day. You can update your status first," Alise said.
Roland sat before the Goddess and bared his back. Astraea pricked her finger, tracing sacred characters across his skin. The "Excellia" was extracted, manifesting as new numbers and skills.
[Roland]Level 1
Strength: H171 → G274
Endurance: H156 → G256
Dexterity: G232 → F322
Agility: G201 → G295
Magic: F378 → D541
"Magic"[Elemental Mastery]
Elemental Magic: Control over all elements.
Mana Fortification: Consume massive amounts of mana in certain states to enhance all elemental power.
Single Focus
Single Focus
[Bloodline Power]
Blood Magic: In certain states, control and absorb blood; can be used for physical reinforcement or demon manipulation.
Hematic Perception: In certain states, perceive the condition of others through their blood.
Astraea looked at the changes with surprise. "Not only did your first magic evolve, but you've gained an entirely new one. You truly never stop surprising us, Roland." She then pressed the parchment to his back to copy the text.
Roland looked at the sheet. The class advancement had indeed refined his Elemental Mastery and added the Blood Mage spells. The Alise quartet crowded around to look.
"The growth is still incredible, though not quite as explosive as last time," someone noted.
"Is his development finally stabilizing? If he doesn't slow down, I'll have to work even harder in the Dungeon," Lyra, the only Level 2, whispered.
"Lady Astraea, is something wrong with Roland's magic?"
"Um, shouldn't we ask Roland the question we came here for?" Ryuu interrupted, her voice serious.
The room fell silent. Roland looked confused. The four girls looked at each other, then finally toward the Goddess.
Astraea sighed softly. "Roland, did you kill someone today?"
"Yes. Four men tried to rob me, and I took them down." Roland paused. "I realized they were irredeemable criminals. Even if I sent them to prison, they'd likely be released to hurt others. So, I decided to solve the problem once and for all."
"I see. What do you girls think?" Astraea didn't judge him; she simply stroked Roland's hair and turned to the others.
"Ahahaha, that's a heavy question. But I don't think Roland was wrong," Alise said, playing with her hair. "When we suppress Dark Familias, we can't always afford to hold back either."
"Exactly. If someone tried to rob me, I wouldn't let them off easy either," Lyra added dismissively. Though a member of a Justice Familia, she wasn't as idealistic as the others.
"I have the same thought as Roland," Kaguya said with a chuckle. She had once been a noble tasked with upholding the law, but she was also an assassin.
"I don't think he was wrong, but... isn't it too early for him to be exposed to this?" Ryuu looked at Roland with concern.
"What are you saying, Lion? You're only a year older than me!" Roland retorted with a twitch of his lip. "I know you're worried, but don't underestimate me."
The others smiled, leaving Ryuu feeling a bit pouted.
"Everyone was worried because you're such a good boy, Roland," Astraea said gently. "Suddenly coming home smelling of blood was a shock. I'm not saying you were wrong, and I know everyone's 'justice' is different. But we don't want you to lose yourself in the killing or think of executing the wicked as your sole duty. Do you understand?"
"I understand, Lady Astraea."
"Alright, enough seriousness! Let's talk about this magic," Astraea clapped her hands. "Roland, you clearly know why it changed. You always look so prepared whenever a new skill pops up."
As expected of a god, Roland thought. She saw through me from the start.
Ryuu noticed a detail. "What does 'In certain states' mean? Is it like Alise's skill that buffs her during combat?"
"Want me to show you? The requirements aren't that strict," Roland replied.
"What?! It's that easy? That's so unfair! I have to actually be in a fight to get my buffs!" Alise complained.
"Whoa, the new magic is scary. Absorbing blood to get stronger? No wonder the Goddess warned you about not getting lost in the slaughter," Lyra said, though she was secretly worried about the nature of the magic.
"I've never seen such specific magic," Kaguya added curiously. "What kind of blood works? Monsters? Humans? Gods?"
"Shall we test it? I can give you some of my ichor," Astraea offered warmly.
"I'll pass, Lady Astraea. I have no intention of using our family's blood for experiments," Roland declined. "As for the 'states'... watch this!"
In an instant, a cold, white-haired boy with an indifferent expression stood before them.
"Oooooh! So cute!" Alise immediately snatched Roland up, rubbing her cheek against his.
"Hehe, he looks just like a doll," Kaguya said, pinching his cheek while noting his lack of expression.
"I'm almost falling for you myself, Roland. Imagine how many women you'll charm when you grow up," Lyra joked.
"So cute..." Ryuu muttered, her face red.
Astraea stopped them and looked at Roland. "You have more to show, don't you?"
Roland nodded and switched to Swift Master. His hair returned to its normal color as a breeze swirled around him. His expression shifted to one of supreme confidence, a cocky grin appearing on his face.
The contrast was startling. "Hahaha! How's that? Pretty cool, right?" Roland struck a self-indulgent pose typical of Alise.
"Pfft—hahaha! Alise, this version of Roland would get along with you perfectly!" Lyra roared with laughter.
Roland, realizing how embarrassing the pose was, quickly switched classes again. His hair grew long, his eyes became a piercing crimson, and he grew slightly taller. Despite wearing casual clothes, he exuded an aura of nobility. He sat back in the chair, leaning his head on his hand lazily.
"This is the state required for Bloodline Power," he said in a languid tone. "Don't worry, I haven't turned into someone else. I don't have an urge to drink blood. My personality is just slightly influenced by the power. It should stabilize as I get stronger."
"That's good to hear," Astraea said, though she noted the others' lingering hesitation. Roland sensed their worry and stood up, walking over to Alise.
"Uh, Roland? What is it?" Alise asked, sounding a bit nervous at his new intensity.
He gave Alise a gentle hug, then did the same for the other three. Finally, he sat down and rested his head on Astraea's lap as she sat on the sofa. "Don't worry. I won't become someone you're afraid of. This is my power; I control it."
The girls looked at their Goddess. Astraea smiled warmly. "He isn't lying."
The tension finally broke. "Hey, how long can you stay like this?"
"As long as I want, until I switch to another form."
"Can the others know?"
"Sure."
Upon his agreement, Alise pulled him up. "Then let's show everyone! They need to be prepared for when you start changing shapes."
"Since everyone has accepted Roland anyway, why don't we have a pajama party in the hall?" Lyra suggested.
"Great idea! I'll go tell the others!" Ryuu sprinted toward the female dorms.
The next morning, Roland woke up feeling exhausted. He stared at the door, deciding not to go to the Dungeon today. He regretted agreeing to show the others his transformations. Some of the girls, who were usually shy, had turned into "wolves" once they realized he was harmless.
He thought he was a wolf entering a sheepfold, but it turned out he was a sheep in a wolf's den. He had been forced to do all sorts of embarrassing things in his various forms.
When he was in the Glacial Master form, they said, "It's so hot at night, can you be my cooling pillow? You look so refreshing."
And when he was a Blood Mage, they giggled, "Little Roland, try insulting us with that arrogant face of yours! Give it a try!"
My personality, influenced by the power of my classes, was almost reaching its limit and snapping back to normal. Seriously, I feel like my status in this house is now even lower than Ryuu's. Am I just a mascot to everyone now?
Roland sighed deeply. "I was played like a toy all night. I have a feeling there's more trouble ahead."
Still, building a good relationship with the others was worth the trade-off. He comforted himself with that thought as he finished getting ready and headed to the kitchen to see what Lady Astraea had prepared for breakfast.
Inside, the Goddess, Kaguya, and Maryu were busy cooking. Ryuu stood nearby with a conflicted expression, wanting to help but clearly terrified of breaking something.
"Good morning!" Roland greeted them normally, acting as if the events of the previous night hadn't happened.
"Oh? If it isn't our Familia's second-best specialty—the Dress-up Doll," Kaguya teased without even looking back. "Up early today? Heading out for an adventure?"
"No, I'm skipping the Dungeon today. I suspect my luck has been rotten lately since I keep running into trouble, so I'm taking the initiative," Roland explained. "I want to join everyone on patrol in Orario for once."
Kaguya nodded, turning to him. "True. Your strength is enough to handle a regular Level 3 anyway. Patrolling together will allow us to get more done."
"By the way, Kaguya, while you're out, take Roland to the clothing store. Buy him some everyday clothes and have a formal suit custom-made," Astraea added as she took ingredients from Kaguya.
Roland looked at the Goddess in shock. He didn't understand why he needed a tailor. "Can I just go by myself?" he asked, raising his hand.
"Denied." "No can do!"
I really am a dress-up doll.
"Must be nice. I want to go shopping with Roland too," Maryu said with an envious look. You'd better actually want to shop and not just play with me, Roland thought.
"Guess who?" A pair of hands suddenly covered Roland's eyes. It was Neze's voice.
"It's Alise, right?"
"Eh? How did you know instantly? I've never done this to you before!" Alise's surprised voice came from behind him.
"Only Alise would do something like this. Besides, you have a 'passionate' aura. I knew the moment we touched."