Agnar looked around in awe as he followed the captain of the Loki Familia through their base. It was much more extravagant than he was used to. Agnar was also a bit nervous following such a well-known adventurer to meet his potential goddess.

'I didn't expect this to go so fast. I mean, I got here yesterday...'

He didn't let his nervousness show, though.

Finn, more commonly known as the Braver, led him to a set of double doors and knocked three times.

He heard a muffled "come in." Finn pushed the doors open and smiled at him. "Go on. I've got a good feeling about you."

Agnar nodded with a serious look, "Thanks for your help." The 15-year-old stepped in as the doors closed behind him. He instinctively reached for his trusty axes—a nervous tick he developed over the years—but he was forced to leave them outside.

'Figures they wouldn't leave an armed adventurer with a defenseless goddess, even if you would have to be insane to try anything.'

"So, yer the kid Finn was telling me about." Said the red-headed goddess, sitting rather inappropriately on top of her large desk, a bottle of booze in hand.

Agnar stood a little straighter, "Yes, goddess."

She stared at him through her naturally narrowed eyes. "So, why'd you decide to be an adventurer?"

"Because I don't like monsters, and I want to be stronger!" He said without a hint of hesitation. Loki smiled a bit at the fire in his eyes. "Why'd you pick us?" She asked her next question.

"Because you're one of the strongest Familias, and you focus more on dungeon exploration than the other big shots." Agnar paused for a second, "I also heard that you let some of your children head into the dungeon solo."

"Hoh? And what makes ya think I'd let a newbie like you do the same?" She countered.

Agnar's red eyes hardened with resolve. "Because I've been hunting monsters for half a decade." Seeing that she didn't look convinced, he bowed his head, "Please, I just need one chance to prove myself. I promise I won't disappoint!"

Loki gave him a long look, the boy's head still bowed. She huffed, "Well, Finn did say he had a good feelin' about you. I guess I can give ya a shot."

"Then...?" He looked up in hope.

"Yeah, brat. Welcome to the Loki Familia!" Agnar bowed again, "Thank you, goddess! You won't regret this!"

The redhead waved him off, "I do have some conditions, though." She waited for him to nod before continuing, "I'll have you spar against one of my executives, and if they feel you aren't strong enough, yer gonna have to form a party before I let you into the dungeon, 'kay?"

Agnar nodded, 'Reasonable enough.'

"Now, come on over. I'll give ya my blessing." Loki said, setting down her alcohol and motioning to a rather plain bed behind the desk. He walked over, laying down on his stomach and exposing his back. Loki dripped some blood on his back and, with a faint burning sensation, he was officially part of the Loki Familia.

"Well, that's something..." Loki mumbled, eyes widening a bit as she copied his status down on a piece of paper. "Looks like yer a lucky one, brat."

Agnar sat up, "What do you mean?"

"Ya got magic and a skill. A unique one, at that." She handed him the paper, which he grabbed with haste.

"Nice!" He couldn't help but say after reading his status.

Level: 1

STR: I-0

END: I-0

DEX: I-0

AGI: I-0

MAG: I-0

Magic:

Heal

Skills:

Berserker: "Gains temporary strength through sustaining and dealing damage. Grows faster the more dangerous the battle."

He bowed again to the goddess, who sent him outside to meet Finn again.

"How did it go?" The Braver asked. Agnar smiled down at him, "It went great, captain!" Finn matched his smile, "Welcome to the Familia, Agnar." The Pallum handed him off to another Familia member that filled him in on some basic information, like where his room would be, what was expected of him, how to register at the guild, etc.

It was late in the evening when Agnar was dropped off at his room, a simple rectangle with a bed, desk, and closet. There was also a place for him to stow his weapons.

Agnar smiled as he set down his weapons and plopped on his new bed. He was still a little nervous, considering how new he was to the dungeon city.

'Another family, huh... I wonder what you guys would say if you knew I joined one of the strongest Familias in Orario.'

He could clearly imagine their awed faces and praises.

'That's great, big bro!'

'Bring us lots of gifts, 'kay?'

He smiled bitterly and shook his head, clearing his thoughts. 'I've got a big day tomorrow, so I'll sleep early tonight.'

Agnar's head had barely touched the pillow when he was out like a light. Sleeping quickly was an important skill, you know?

~ Agnar's POV ~

I ducked under a wide kick, swinging both my axes up in a futile attempt to gain space. My opponent was faster, though, and easily side-stepped my attack.

A fist struck the air out of my lungs and I went spinning through the air. Regaining control and breathing heavily, I landed on my feet, wincing at what was probably going to be a giant bruise on my side soon.

"Is that all you got?!" My opponent taunted me.

I growled and raised my blades once again, charging at the Amazon responsible for testing my skills. I struck out with wild strength, but also precision from years of dedicated practice and experience.

And chopping wood, but let's not talk about that part...

The fight, if you could call this one-sided beatdown a fight, went on for a couple more minutes before I was beaten back to the ground. I groaned and propped myself up with my weapons, glaring at her.

She giggled and I was ready to rush her again when Finn cleared his throat. "I think that's enough, Tiona." The Amazon pouted, "But it was just getting good!"

I stared at her in disbelief. You consider this fun?! I wanted to scream. But I did have to admit, it was a little exhilarating to fight someone as strong as her.

Finn shook his head, though. "I've seen enough." He turned to me. Hope welled up inside.

He offered me a small smile, "I'd say you're good enough to tackle the lower floors by yourself."

I pumped a fist, "Yes!"

"But," he continued, "I am requiring you to talk with an advisor before going into the dungeon."

I stood up straight and saluted, "Yes, sir!" He sighed at my antics before turning to Tiona, "Thanks for the help." She shrugged with a smile, "No problem! It was more fun than I thought!" She then turned her gaze to me, "Let me know if you ever want to get your butt kicked again!"

I growled as she walked away laughing, "Just you wait..." I clenched my fists. I wasn't actually that mad, but her words did make me want to prove her wrong.

"Get registered at the guild today." Finn said, "Tomorrow, you can head into the dungeon. Good luck." I nodded gratefully, "Thanks, captain."

We parted ways after that and I went back to my room to tidy up my clothes and shower. I wasn't going to show up to the guild looking like a bum. After freshening up, I gave myself a once-over in the mirror.

I was of average height, with short brown hair and red eyes. I took a minute to admire all my scars as well. Each one was a point of pride for me, as it showed the numerous times I defied the odds to survive.

Though, some of them were pretty stupid...

I traced the two parallel lines going over the edge of my left eye. That was one I would rather forget about...

Bad thoughts, bad thoughts!

I slapped my cheeks and got dressed. A simple white shirt and dark green pants, with a brown belt to hold all my weapons and pouches. I hung a battle axe on each hip and two knives sheathed on the back—one for magic stones and the other if my main weapons break. I decided to forgo my worn leather armor since I had to wait till tomorrow to enter the dungeon.

And no, I'm not wearing my weapons to look cool... That would be ridiculous...

I winced when the bruise on my side flared up. I was about to leave, too, but I remembered that I now had a magic called Heal. I scratched my head. It didn't have an incantation with it, so do I just say the word?

I didn't have anything to lose besides a bit of magic power if I was wrong. "Heal."

"..."

"..."

"...Nothing? Maybe I need to focus on what I want to be healed..."

I gave it another try, this time thinking about all the bruises on my body. "Heal."

Something warm rushed from my head and circulated through my body, almost hot when it concentrated on the bruised spots. It lasted for a second before disappearing.

I moved my arm. No pain. I twisted my torso, also to find that it didn't hurt.

"Well, that's handy!" I left my room thinking of different ways that I could use my newfound power. I wonder if it would get rid of soreness after training? If so, could I train as long as I have magic? Does it heal fatigue, allowing me to go without sleeping?

Eventually, I got my head out of the clouds and left for the city. On the way, I still couldn't help but gawk at how lively and colorful everything was. I might've traveled a lot, but it was mostly in the boonies, hunting down surface monsters and bandits.

I got a lot of amused looks, making my face go red. It looks like everyone could tell I was from the boonies, too...

I arrived at the guild after I got my curiosity under control. It was a large but modestly decorated building located near the dungeon. It was quite busy inside, with most of the crowd in lines, waiting to exchange their loot for the day.

I went over to the registration desks first, stopping in front of a desk with a pretty, red-haired werewolf behind it. Her nametag read "Rose Fannett". I tensed a little when she looked at me with cold eyes.

"Here to register?" She asked. I nodded and added, "I also need to meet with an advisor to learn a bit about the dungeon."

She sighed, mumbling something under her breath. She pulled out a form from under the desk and handed me some writing utensils. "Fill this out."

I shivered but started writing. Was she this mean to everyone...?

The form asked for some simple stuff, like my name, age, and which Familia I belonged to. I also had to sign something that basically said, "If you die, it's your fault. Don't blame us."

I handed back the form and she looked it over with a critical eye. She also signed it as a representative for the guild before stowing it away. "Follow me." The werewolf said and started walking away. I stood there for a second.

She looked back over her shoulder, "Unless you want to talk with an advisor in public?"

"Ah, sorry." I followed her. I was hoping I could get someone a little nicer... But oh well.

She took me back into one of the private rooms. It was a small box with two couches and a low table in the middle. We sat down across from each other.

"I'm going to assume you need an introduction?" She asked and I nodded. She began to list off basic information about the first 5 floors of the dungeon, such as the layout, what monsters to expect, the general level my stats should be before heading deeper, and where to find all this information and more from the free resources that the guild offered.

She listed everything with little emotion, so I sat there awkwardly for half an hour, doing my best to remember everything.

"And that covers it," she finished. "If you need to talk again, we take walk-ins and appointments. There are schedules available if you want a specific advisor."

I nodded along, "Thank you, Miss Fannett."

She shook her head as we left the booth. "Just try not to die, newbie."

I was shocked, "I think that's the first nice thing she's said to me this whole time..."

"Eh?" I gulped as she glared at me, "I didn't quite... catch that."

I waved my hands, "Nothing, nothing at all! Haha..." I laughed nervously as her glare lingered. She turned away and stalked back to her desk without another word. I sighed and patted my chest. "Scary..."

The werewolf didn't show it (like, at all) but it seemed that she wasn't mean all the time. Maybe it was to keep herself from getting attached?

I grinned as I returned to the Twilight Manor. Finn said I needed to talk to an advisor, but he never said anything about going back. I might return for advice depending on how dangerous the dungeon is, but I had been fine by myself for the past 4 years. What could go wrong?

I left the guild shortly after, excited to test some theories I had about my magic. I stopped by to let the captain know I had registered and talked with an advisor, then immediately headed to the training grounds.

Let's keep this simple; push-ups, squats, and sit-ups. Then, I'll see if this Heal magic is as effective as I think it is...

One hour later, I collapsed on the ground, drenched in sweat. "The moment of truth," I said. I focused on what I wanted to heal. The burning in my muscles. The fatigue my brain felt after pushing through so many exercises.

"Heal."

A familiar warmth covered my entire body in its embrace. It lasted for a while this time, about a minute before dissipating. I jumped up and stretched my body.

No pain at all. I even felt refreshed, like I just woke up from a good night's rest.

Heh, infinite training technique achieved!

I threw myself back into the workout, this time with my weapons as well.

~ Two hours later ~

I flopped onto the bed, not bothering to change or wash all the sweat off. I had completely exhausted myself, mind and body. I had enough mind to maybe heal one more time, but I would probably go into mind down.

Well, I'm on my bed anyway...

"Heal."

Yep... It's a good thing... I thought of… That…

A/N

Hello, all. This is a story I haven't really planned out at all but just wanted to write. For my other stories, if you happen to see them, I haven't given up yet. I've lost some of the passion I had when I started writing those but I don't plan to abandon them. I will finish those stories, even if it takes years.

I've also decided to start planning ahead instead of just writing on a whim (Minus this story, for now). But I got some stuff in the works right now, so I hope it'll be good.

Anyway, please leave a review if you liked it! Peace out.