Chapter 1: Welcome to Loki Familia!
The white-haired boy stood at the massive gates of Orario, his ruby-red eyes wide with wonder. The stone walls stretched toward the sky, their weathered surfaces telling tales of centuries past. Guards in polished armor nodded at the steady stream of merchants and travelers flowing through the entrance, their weapons gleaming in the morning sun.
"Wow, so this is the Labyrinth City, Orario!" Bell Cranell clutched the straps of his worn leather pack, drinking in every detail of the legendary city he'd heard so much about in his childhood stories.
The countryside boy from the north had walked for days, leaving behind the familiar sight of rolling hills and dense forests. His black and white short swords bounced against his hip with each step, hidden beneath a travel-worn cloak. The weapons' weight served as a constant reminder of the promise that had brought him here.
Market stalls lined the main street ahead, their colorful awnings fluttering in the breeze. Humans haggled with elven merchants over gleaming jewelry, while dwarven craftsmen shouted the prices of their wares. The scent of fresh bread mixed with exotic spices drifted through the air.
"I made it, just like I said I would." Bell's fingers brushed against the hilts of his concealed blades, a habit born from years of practice.
The crowds parted around him as he walked deeper into the city, his white hair drawing curious glances from passersby. Each step brought him closer to fulfilling the promise he'd made years ago, though the memory of those words still weighed heavy in his chest.
Bell shook his head, dispelling memories that threatened to cloud his focus. The bustling streets of Orario stretched before him, filled with the chaos of city life he'd only imagined in his rural home.
"Did you hear? Loki Familia's recruiting again!" A merchant's voice cut through the crowd's ambient noise.
"About time! It's been what, six months?" Another voice chimed in.
Bell's ears perked up at the mention of the famous Familia. His heart raced - this could be his chance. The Loki Familia stood at the peak of Orario's adventurers, their reputation preceding them across the land.
"Excuse me." Bell approached the conversing merchants. "Where are they holding the recruitment?"
The first merchant, a stocky man with flour-dusted hands, pointed north. "Twilight Manor, their home base. Can't miss it - biggest building in the northern district."
"Yeah, just follow the crowd of hopefuls." The second merchant laughed. "Though good luck getting in. Loki Familia's standards are higher than the city walls."
Bell bowed his head in thanks, already plotting his route through the winding streets. His hands unconsciously gripped his sword hilts beneath his cloak, an old habit surfacing with his excitement. A chance to join one of the strongest Familias in Orario - fate couldn't have timed his arrival better.
He weaved through the crowd, following the steady stream of armed individuals heading north. Each step brought him closer to his goal of becoming an adventurer, though the weight of his concealed weapons reminded him of promises yet to be fulfilled.
The merchants watched Bell's white hair disappear into the crowd, his eager steps carrying him toward the northern district.
"Poor kid." The flour-dusted merchant wiped his hands on his apron. "Couldn't be more than fourteen. He's got fire in those eyes, but Loki Familia? That's reaching for the stars right there."
His companion adjusted a crate of vegetables. "Saw how he carried himself though? Different from your usual farm boy running off to the big city. Those eyes had steel in them."
"Steel won't matter if he can't match up to their standards. Heard they turned away a hundred applicants last time. Some were seasoned adventurers too."
"Well." The vegetable merchant shrugged, returning to arranging his produce. "That's for the kid to figure out. We all gotta start somewhere, don't we? Even the Sword Princess was young once."
The flour merchant grunted in agreement and returned to his stall, the brief interaction already fading from memory as the usual bustle of market life demanded his attention. A customer approached, asking about the day's bread prices, and thoughts of the white-haired boy slipped away entirely.
Bell's footsteps slowed as the towering structure of Twilight Manor came into view. The northern district's crown jewel stretched toward the sky, its architecture a blend of elegance and strength that befitted one of Orario's strongest Familias. Stone walls wrapped around the property, enclosing a sprawling courtyard where dozens of hopeful recruits had gathered.
The manor's presence dominated the area, casting long shadows across the assembled crowd. Bell counted at least fifty people milling about the courtyard, their weapons and armor glinting in the morning light. Some lounged against the walls while others formed small groups, sharing stories and sizing up their competition.
"Amazing," Bell whispered, his ruby eyes wide as he took in the scene. His unique sense - what his teacher had called his "nose" - picked up something different about many of these recruits. Unlike the typical scent of inexperience that clung to most newcomers, these candidates carried themselves with the weight of battle-worn veterans.
Strictly speaking It wasn't a physical smell, not like the keen senses of beast-people who could track prey for miles. This was deeper, more instinctive - like his teacher's ability to sense danger with any of his five senses before it struck, or his adoptive mother's peculiar gift for "hearing" falsehoods and seeing through the truth. While she only relied on hearing, her senses regarding that area surpassed his teacher who could use all of his senses to a lesser extent.
In Bell's case it was his sense of smell caught the distinct traces of combat experience wafting from several candidates.
His hand unconsciously touched the hilts of his concealed short swords. These weren't just farmhands or merchant's sons playing at being heroes - many had tasted real combat before seeking the Loki Familia's banner. The realization sent a thrill of excitement and nervousness through his body. This was exactly what he had expected out of Orario.
A murmur rippled through the crowd as shadows moved behind the manor's grand entrance. The recruitment was about to begin.
A burly adventurer standing beside Bell chuckled, his armor clanking as he shifted his weight. "First time trying for a Familia, kid?" His gruff voice carried a hint of amusement. "Nervous?"
Bell glanced up at the man, taking in his weathered features and the scars that crisscrossed his arms. Despite his imposing appearance, there was a kindness in his eyes. "Is it that obvious?" Bell asked, a sheepish grin spreading across his face.
The adventurer laughed, the sound booming across the courtyard. "Don't worry, we're all in the same boat here. Loki Familia's reputation is enough to make anyone's knees shake."
Bell nodded, his gaze drifting back to the manor's entrance. "I've heard stories about their executives - the Sword Princess, Braver, Nine Hell. They're like living legends."
"And those are just the big names," the adventurer agreed. "Loki Familia's got more first-tier adventurers than most other Familia in Orario, and they're the cream of the crop, even among first-tiers here. Even their second and third-tier members ain't slackers either."
Bell's heart raced at the thought of training alongside such powerful individuals. It was a scary prospect, but also an exciting one. "Do you think we have a chance?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
The adventurer shrugged, his armor creaking with the motion. "Hard to say. Loki Familia's standards are high, but they wouldn't hold an open recruitment if they weren't looking for fresh blood." He glanced down at Bell, his eyes narrowing slightly. "You look a bit young to be here, kid. What's your story?"
Before Bell could respond, a hush fell over the crowd.
The heavy wooden doors of Twilight Manor burst open with a thunderous crack. A shrill squeal of delight pierced the morning air.
"Kyaaah! Look at all these cute girls who came to join my Familia!" A red-haired goddess bounded through the entrance, her eyes sparkling as she surveyed the female candidates in the crowd.
"Loki, please control yourself." A tired male voice followed her enthusiastic outburst.
Three figures emerged from the manor's entrance - the energetic goddess in front, followed by a plain-looking young man and a black-haired catgirl whose tail swished with practiced grace. Despite their casual demeanor, Bell's nose picked up something different about the pair. Beneath their ordinary appearance lay a core of steel, honed through countless battles.
"That's High Novice and Alsha," the burly adventurer whispered to Bell, nodding toward the pair flanking Loki. "They lead the Familia's second string forces."
"High Novice?" Bell's brow furrowed at the unusual title.
"Yeah, Raul Nord - not exactly famous, even with his Level 4 Status. Kind of plain and boring for someone in his position." The adventurer scratched his chin. "But that catgirl, Alsha - she's something else. Only reason she isn't more famous is 'cause the big name executives like the Sword Princess and Nine Hell overshadow pretty much everyone else in the Familia."
The crowd's murmurs grew as Loki continued to bounce around, much to Raul's visible discomfort. Despite her childish behavior, Bell could sense the divine power radiating from her form. This was indeed the goddess who led one of Orario's most powerful Familias.
The catgirl stepped forward, her tail swishing with authority. She cleared her throat. "Welcome, potential recruits. I'm Anakity Autumn, or Aki if that's too much of a pain. I'll be overseeing today's recruitment session along with-"
"Hehe! All the cute girls can join right now!" Loki bounced forward, arms spread wide. "No need for dumb formalities, just come right in to my arms and-"
THWACK
Aki's hand connected with the top of Loki's head in a precise chop, sending the goddess sprawling to the ground. "Please excuse Loki's idiotic behavior. She needs to stop messing around during important events."
The crowd shifted uncomfortably, watching their potential deity roll around clutching her head. Aki coughed, straightening her posture.
"As I was saying - Loki Familia isn't just about power or fame. We face dangers that would break lesser adventurers. Our position as one of Orario's strongest Familias means we can't afford weak links in our chain."
Her black tail curled as she surveyed the assembled candidates. "So here's how we'll test your worth - you'll fight each other. Raul, Loki, and I will evaluate your performance and make our decisions accordingly."
"Why should we fight each other?" A voice called from the crowd. "Isn't there another way?"
Aki's lips curled into a somewhat kind yet scary smile. "Hm? If you really want, I'd be happy to test you personally instead. That would make my work a lot easier, honestly."
Several in the crowd paled, recognizing the steel beneath her casual offer. The challenger's voice died in his throat as those around him whispered urgent warnings about the second-string leader's combat prowess.
"No? Then we'll go with the original plan. I'll leave the pairings to who you choose." Aki's tail swished with satisfaction as heads nodded quickly in agreement.
As the adventurers began splitting off into pairs, the burly man next to Bell turned to him with a friendly grin. "Hey kid, want to partner up? I promise I'll go easy on you."
Bell's heart warmed at the genuine offer, a smile spreading across his face. "Thank you, but I think I'll take the other option."
The man's brow furrowed in confusion as Bell stepped forward, weaving through the crowd toward Aki and Raul. The pair watched his approach with growing curiosity, their postures shifting as he drew near.
"Excuse me," Bell said, his voice carrying a surprising steadiness. "Would it be possible for me to take you up on your other proposition? To be tested personally?"
Silence fell over the courtyard as every head turned toward the young boy standing before the Loki Familia's second-string leaders. Aki's eyes widened, her tail freezing mid-swish. Raul's jaw dropped, his plain features morphing into a mask of disbelief.
Even Loki paused in her antics, her divine gaze sharpening as she studied the white-haired youth. Then, a loud laugh burst from her lips, echoing across the stunned crowd. "Well, well! Looks like we've got a daring one here. Not bad, kid! What's your name?"
Bell felt a flush creep up his neck at the goddess's words, but he held his ground. "Um…Bell Cranell. I'm sorry for rushing in like this." he said, bowing his head slightly. "But I think this is the best way for me to take a step forward."
Aki's tail twitched, her expression caught between surprise and hesitation. She glanced at Raul, who seemed just as lost for words. "I... I'm not sure if that's a good idea," she began, her voice trailing off uncertainly.
Loki's grin widened, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Oh, why not? The kid's got guts! But let's make it interesting - instead of fighting Aki, he'll spar with Raul!"
Raul's head snapped toward the goddess, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. "M-Me? But Loki, I'm not sure if-"
"It's decided then!" Loki clapped her hands, cutting off Raul's protests. "This ought to be entertaining!"
Bell's heart pounded in his chest as he faced the stunned second-string leader. He knew his request was unconventional, perhaps even foolish in the eyes of the other candidates. But something deep within him, that same instinct that had guided him to Orario, whispered that this was the path he needed to take.
Bell's ruby eyes met Raul's bewildered gaze across the courtyard. The situation felt oddly familiar - being thrust into an impossible challenge, facing someone far beyond his current abilities. His lips curved into a small smile as memories of his training flooded back.
His teacher's voice echoed in his mind: "Someone who doesn't attempt to cross their limits at all times, is far from becoming a hero." Those words had been drilled into him through countless brutal sessions, each one pushing him closer to what felt like death's door.
His adoptive mother had been even worse. Bell suppressed a shudder as he remembered her idea of "basic training" - dodging arrows while blindfolded, scaling cliffs with weights strapped to his legs, fighting off multiple opponents while she deliberately restricted his movements.
A nervous laugh escaped his lips as he recalled how she'd once made him practice sword forms in the middle of a thunderstorm, claiming it would "improve his concentration by tuning out the unnecessary "noise"."
"Are you really sure about this?" Raul's concerned voice cut through Bell's reminiscing.
Bell's hand brushed against his concealed short swords. Compared to his adoptive mother's training methods, this challenge seemed almost tame. At least Raul wasn't likely to set the ground on fire beneath his feet to "enhance" his footwork, or unleash a pack of wolves to "motivate" him to run faster.
"Yes," Bell nodded, his voice steady despite the flutter in his stomach. "Being pushed to my limits is where I improve best."
He paused, adding under his breath.
"…Though I wish someone had told that to my family before they took it to extremes."
Bell's hands moved with practiced grace as he drew his twin shortswords from beneath his travel cloak. Sunlight caught the pristine edges - one blade pure white, the other midnight black. Their craftsmanship was exquisite, far beyond what any common merchant could afford, let alone a young boy who appeared fresh off the road.
Bell winced, as the usual creeping sensation overtook him whenever he dual wielded these short swords. Holding back against an opponent from Loki Familia is just stupid. I've got to end this fast before I hit my own limit soon. he thought.
Loki's eyes narrowed, her usual playful demeanor shifting to something sharper as she studied the weapons. Beside her, Aki's tail twitched with interest.
Her gaze fixed on the distinctive patterns etched into the blades. The white one was well-honed and clearly looked like quite a lot of effort was put behind it, perhaps classifying it around a first-tier weapon.
But the black one…she couldn't understand that one at all even with all her years as an adventurer and seeing multiple prized weapons. It just gave her an eerie feeling as she looked at it from afar.
Raul stepped forward, drawing his own sword with fluid efficiency. Despite his unremarkable appearance, his movements carried the weight of countless battles. As a Level 4 adventurer, his Status had evolved far beyond normal human limitations. Those blessed by the gods through a Falna could achieve superhuman feats, their basic abilities growing exponentially with each Level gained.
The fight began without ceremony. Raul crossed the distance between them in a blur, his sword weaving patterns through the air that left afterimages in its wake. Bell's eyes widened as the Level 4 adventurer's enhanced speed and strength bore down on him.
Metal sang against metal as Bell caught each strike with his twin blades. His form was solid, but his movements lacked the supernatural grace that came with a god's blessing. Each impact drove him back a step, his arms trembling under the force of Raul's attacks.
Aki frowned, her tail drooping as she watched Bell struggle. The boy's technique spoke of rigorous training, but without a Falna to unlock his potential, he was fighting with purely human limitations against someone who had transcended them. The gap in their basic abilities was simply too vast.
The crowd's excited murmurs died down as they watched Bell desperately parrying blow after blow. Some turned away, unable to watch what seemed like an inevitable defeat. Even Aki's expression softened with sympathy as Bell skidded backward from another powerful strike, his boots leaving furrows in the courtyard's stone tiles.
Aki's fingers twitched, her tail lashing with growing concern as she watched Bell barely deflect another crushing blow. This had gone far enough. The gap between a Level 4 adventurer and an unblessed mortal was like comparing a raging river to a trickling stream. She raised her hand, ready to call an end to this one-sided display.
A light tap on her shoulder made her pause. Loki stood beside her, an unusually focused expression on her normally playful face.
"Let it continue," Loki said, her voice carrying none of its usual mischief.
"But Loki, he'll-"
"Look at his eyes, Aki." Loki's grin widened, gesturing toward the ongoing battle.
Aki turned back to the fight, her keen vision focusing on Bell's face. Her breath caught. Despite being pushed back with each thunderous clash of steel, despite his arms visibly shaking from the impact of Raul's strikes, Bell's ruby eyes held no trace of fear or uncertainty.
Raul felt it too. Something wasn't adding up. He'd aimed several precise strikes to disarm the boy, the kind that had knocked weapons from the hands of experienced adventurers. Yet somehow, Bell's blades were always exactly where they needed to be, intercepting each attempt with hairsbreadth precision.
This doesn't make sense. How is he reading my moves so accurately?
Raul wasn't the type to act superior on his own abilities, rather quite the opposite, he was fully aware of how unextraordinary he was in comparison to the ones with real talent among adventurers. But even so he had still managed to make it this far with sheer effort and years of training. At the very least, disarming a boy who hadn't even received a Status shouldn't have been much if at any effort at all for him normally.
Aki's tail curled in confusion as she watched Bell weather another barrage of attacks. His movements weren't enhanced by a Falna, but they carried an impossible steadiness, as if...
"Ah, I get it now," Loki chuckled, her divine insight piercing through the mystery. "Poor kid's probably been through much worse than this on a daily basis. Whatever training he went through before coming here..." She shook her head, her smile turning slightly sympathetic. "Well, let's just say facing Raul probably feels like a nice break in comparison."
Three minutes into the battle, an unsettling quiet fell over the courtyard. The rhythmic clash of steel had taken on a different tone. The crowd's earlier pity morphed into confusion as they watched Bell's movements evolve with each exchange.
A Level 4 adventurer's strikes should have overwhelmed any unblessed fighter within seconds. Yet Bell remained standing, his twin blades singing through the air with increasing precision. His boots no longer scraped against stone - instead, his footwork flowed like water around Raul's attacks.
Sweat beaded on Raul's forehead. His enhanced strength and speed meant nothing if he couldn't land a clean hit. The boy's defense was frustratingly effective, almost as if...
"Ok, I've got the hang of it now." Bell's quiet words cut through the morning air.
The white-haired youth suddenly pushed forward, his black blade leading a vicious thrust toward Raul's guard. The sudden shift from pure defense to aggressive offense caught Raul off-guard, forcing him to adjust his stance.
A chance! Raul thought, spotting an opening.
Bell's defense would naturally weaken now that he'd committed to attacking. His sword blurred forward, aiming for the gap between Bell's crossed blades.
For as good as Bell was at defending and stalling out his attacks earlier, Raul made one critical mistake, when he jumped in.
Bell's true specialty laid in offense not defense.
The boy's body twisted impossibly fast, avoiding Raul's strike with far less effort than he'd shown before. Gasps erupted from the crowd. Aki's tail went rigid with shock as Bell closed the distance, the black short sword rising in a arc.
As the black edge was closing in on Raul, his instincts screamed danger. That blade had given him a bad feeling even at the start of the fight, and as it came closer, his instincts only howled louder. His notorious caution - the same trait that often earned him mockery - saved him as he threw himself backward just as Bell's blade whistled through the space where his chest armor had been.
Bell's eyes widened as Raul evaded his calculated strike. The second-tier adventurer's instincts had proven sharper than expected, picking up on the deadly intent behind that seemingly simple attack. Sweat trickled down Bell's temple - his best chance at turning the tables had just slipped away.
His danger sense is amazing! Bell thought, adjusting his grip on the twin blades. Even without seeing the attack coming, he knew something was wrong. So this is a Loki Familia adventurer… And on top of that, after all that guarding to get that chance, I'm getting exhausted…
"◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️◼️…"
Looking down briefly at the dark sword, Bell realized he was also hitting his limit soon regarding that as well, as a certain familiar and nauseating howl echoed in his brain, getting stronger by the second. But giving up here after everything would just make them scold me for not fighting until the end. he thought, remembering the two conquerors who had pounded the etiquette of battle in his brain until he thoroughly understood it.
Now that Raul's guard was up, his brown eyes had lost their earlier uncertainty and friendliness, replaced by the focused gaze of a warrior. The plain-looking man's stance shifted, ready to unleash his skills now that he recognized the boy before him.
Bell raised his swords once more, refusing to back down despite knowing his element of surprise was gone, and he was likely cornered. Just as both fighters tensed for another exchange-
"That's enough!" Loki's voice cut through the tension like a knife.
"Hey, come on!"
The crowd erupted in protests, hungry to see how the battle would conclude, but Loki ignored their complaints. She sauntered toward the two fighters, her divine gaze fixed on Bell with newfound interest, a knowing grin spreading across her face.
Sweat poured down Bell's face as he tried to catch his breath after that extremely high-paced sparring match. As Loki stood in front of him, his ruby eyes met her crimson ones.
"Not bad, kid! That was a hell of a fun show ya put on." Loki cackled as she watched him with bright eyes. She looked down briefly at the swords in Bell's hands. "But I'd call it quits here. I dunno how it works exactly but yer about at the limit of something, right? Let's keep it to the level where we can still call this a game, k?"
"…?!"
Loki's divine gaze cut through Bell, accurately seeing through the inside
"Well! You're not exactly the cute girl I usually go for," Loki circled Bell, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "But you're interesting in your own way. How about it? Want to join my Familia?"
"Really?!"
Suddenly Bell's face lit up with genuine joy, as he lifted his body while ignoring the heavy exhaustion in his body.
Aki's ears twitched with concern. "Loki, without a Falna or some experience in the Dungon he won't be able to handle our usual operations in the Deep Floors..."
"Eh, with what he just showed?" Loki waved off the worry. "Won't take long before he's pulling his weight. Finn was like that too at one point."
Raul sheathed his sword, offering Bell a respectful nod. "That was amazing swordplay. I've never seen anyone without a Status move like that!"
"It was more of a trick, really." Bell sheathed his own blades with a sheepish smile. "And you saw through it anyway."
What the crowd hadn't realized was that Bell's final attack hadn't relied on superior speed at all. He'd spent those first three minutes studying Raul's patterns, noting how the man's muscles telegraphed each move. When the moment came, Bell had simply predicted and moved before Raul's attack began. The Level 4 adventurer, already committed to his motion and not expecting such a read, couldn't adjust in time.
Bell rubbed the back of his head. "Though it probably wouldn't work on first-tier adventurers or anyone who's seen it before. Just a surprise attack, really."
Loki's grin widened as she watched Bell fidget. "A trick, huh? That's more my style anyway! Come on in, let's get you properly set up with a Falna."
She turned to Raul and Aki. "You two keep handling the recruits. We'll take care of the paperwork later."
"Welcome to Loki Familia," Aki's tail swished as she gave Bell a warm wave of her hand.
"Looking forward to working with you!" Raul added with a large smile.
As they walked through the manor's grand hallways, Loki's usual playful demeanor shifted. "Say, boy. Why'd ya really come to Orario?" She paused, watching his reaction. "Not why ya picked my Familia - why this city at all? Doesn't seem like you're after the usual stuff - money, fame, glory."
Bell's steps faltered. His hand unconsciously touched the white blade at his hip as he considered her question. "There are... two reasons," he said finally. "The first is a promise I made to someone important to me."
"Oh?" Loki's eyes sparkled with interest. "Must be someone real precious, eh?"
A nervous laugh escaped Bell's lips. "Yes... they mean everything to me."
"And the second reason?"
The change in Bell's expression was immediate. His earlier warmth vanished, replaced by a complex mix of emotions - fear, sadness, and a directionless anger that seemed to war within him. "The other reason is..." His voice grew quiet. "I don't want to be scared anymore…"
As he looked down, he mumbled something under his breath.
"I…hu….ag…."
It was so soft that even Loki's hearing couldn't catch it. She studied his troubled expression but chose not to press further. Going further than this wasn't necessary for now. As they arrived at the entrance to her chambers, she flung the door wide with her characteristic dramatic flair.
"Welcome to my room! Hehe, looks nice don't it?"
Bell stepped into Loki's room, his eyes widening as he took in the scattered bottles of alcohol and haphazardly stacked books littering every available surface. The room was a far cry from the immaculate hallways they'd just walked through. He forced a polite smile, trying his best to ignore the obvious disarray.
Loki, noticing his reaction, let out a carefree laugh. "Yeah, I know it's a bit of a mess. I just can't be bothered to do all the cleaning myself, and none of the members want to help me out. They keep telling me to clean up my own messes." She shrugged, clearly unbothered by the state of her living quarters.
As Bell navigated his way through the clutter, Loki continued to joke around, her playful banter filling the room. After a few minutes of lighthearted conversation, her expression turned more serious. "Alright, enough chit-chat. Let's get down to business."
She retrieved a small needle from her desk drawer and pricked her finger without hesitation. A single drop of ichor, the divine blood of the gods, welled up on her fingertip. "Bell, I'm going to need you to remove your shirt."
Bell nodded, slipping off his top and turning his back to Loki. As he sat on the edge of the bed, Loki asked, "Do ya need a brief rundown on what a Falna is? I can explain the stuff if you want."
"No, that's alright," Bell replied, his voice steady. "I'm ready whenever you are."
Loki grinned, appreciating his straightforwardness. She gently pressed her bloodied finger against Bell's back, tracing the divine ichor across his skin. As she did so, a symbol began to take shape - the unmistakable mark of Loki's Familia, a grinning clown.
With this act, Bell Cranell was officially reborn as an adventurer, his potential now unlocked by the goddess's blessing. Loki leaned in closer, her eyes scanning the newly formed Status on Bell's back.
Suddenly, her normally narrow eyes widened in shock, her playful demeanor evaporating in an instant. There, etched upon Bell's Status, was a power she had never encountered before - something that defied her divine understanding.
A Falna marked more than just membership in a Familia - it unlocked the true potential sleeping within mortals. Every new adventurer started at Level 1 with five basic abilities: Strength, Endurance, Agility, Dexterity, and Magic. These stats began at the lowest rank of I0, growing through experience and effort until reaching S999, the peak of mortal capability. Beyond these basics lay two special sections - Magic and Skills - where truly extraordinary powers could manifest.
As Loki examined Bell's Status, his basic abilities appeared perfectly ordinary - all sitting at I0 as expected for a new adventurer. Her eyes moved to the Magic section, and her perpetual grin faltered. The spell inscribed there made her divine blood run cold. In all her years blessing adventurers, she'd seen countless rare and powerful magics. Her own Familia boasted some of the most talented mages in Orario. But this... this spell's effects defied belief. The price for using it, however, was equally staggering - a demerit so severe it could only match such overwhelming power.
Yet Bell's Magic wasn't what truly shocked her. It was his Skill section that made her narrow eyes fly wide open. Where normally she'd see words describing an adventurer's unique abilities, there instead lay something she couldn't even process. The characters - if they could be called that - refused to resolve into anything comprehensible. It wasn't that they were difficult to understand or poorly written. Her divine sight simply couldn't comprehend them at all, as if they existed in a language that was unknown the gods themselves.
The hell is this…?!
Loki's face morphed into genuine and utter surprise for the first time in a long while, before something came to her.
A half-forgotten rumor tickled at her memories. While Rare Skills were well documented and revered, a few claimed an even higher tier existed - Skills so unknown they transcended divine understanding, such as a young prophetess who had a Skill of this rank and had the ability to always know the future through cryptic dreams.
They were Skills that represented the absolute pinnacle of mortal potential. Loki had dismissed such tales as drunken ramblings at the time.
Now, staring at the indecipherable text etched into Bell's Status, she couldn't laugh anymore. Here was living proof that those "nonsense" rumors held truth after all.
Bell, still seated on the edge of the bed, glanced over his shoulder at Loki. Her uncharacteristic silence and the way her eyes had widened as she examined his Status sent a flicker of unease through him. "Is something wrong, Lady Loki?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern.
Loki remained silent for a moment, her gaze still fixed on the enigmatic characters etched into Bell's back. The gravity of her discovery weighed heavily on her mind as she grappled with the implications of what she'd just witnessed. A mortal possessing a Skill that even the gods couldn't comprehend was unheard of, and the potential consequences were both thrilling and terrifying.
After what felt like an eternity, Loki's signature grin slowly crept back onto her face. She let out a soft chuckle, her eyes sparkling with a mix of curiosity and anticipation. "You know, Bell," she began, her voice carrying a hint of amusement, "I don't have a clue what's going to happen from here on out, but one thing's for sure - things definitely won't be boring with you around."
Bell's brows furrowed in confusion at her cryptic response, but before he could inquire further, Loki continued. "Well, Skills and Magic manifested by a Falna can technically be refused by the god giving the blessing, but there's one little exception - when the Falna is first put on a mortal, just like what's happening right now." She paused, letting the weight of her words sink in. "The fact that these powers manifested in ya the moment ya received the Falna means this is a trait that can't be get rid of ever. The Falna just brought it to show it in a way we can understand. Not even we have the power to take away a mortal's starting potential."
With a flourish, Loki grabbed a piece of paper and a quill from her desk. She quickly jotted down the information from Bell's Status, her hand moving with practiced precision. Once finished, she handed the paper to Bell, a genuine smile gracing her features. "Congratulations, Bell Cranell. You're officially one of my children now."
Bell accepted the paper with trembling hands, his eyes scanning the words that would define his new life as an adventurer.
Bell Cranell
Race: Human
Level: 1
Strength: I0
Endurance: I0
Agility: I0
Dexterity: I0
Magic: I0
Skills:
? (Unknown)
Magic:
Anima Invertia
Bell stared at the paper in his hands, his ruby eyes lingering on the Skills and Magic sections. Where others might have shown shock or confusion at such mysterious entries, his expression remained calm, almost knowing. The corner of his mouth twitched slightly, as if confirming something he'd long suspected.
Loki watched him carefully, picking up on his lack of surprise. So he already knew about these powers, at least she thought. Interesting.
"Thank you for accepting me into your Familia, Lady Loki." Bell said, rising from the bed. He approached the candle burning on Loki's cluttered desk, holding the Status paper to the flame. The parchment caught quickly, curling and blackening as the sensitive information disappeared forever.
"Hey now, no need to be so formal!" Loki waved her hand dismissively. "Just call me Loki. All that 'Lady' stuff makes my skin crawl."
Bell blinked, caught off guard by her casual attitude. After a moment, a genuine smile spread across his face. "Alright... Loki."
As Bell left the room, closing the door softly behind him, Loki's playful demeanor faded. Her divine intuition tingled, sensing the ripples of change spreading outward from this moment. Something big was coming to Orario - she could feel it in her bones. She'd need to have a talk with Finn and the other executives about their newest recruit.
A few hours later, as night fell over Orario, a young boy's voice broke the silence in Loki's private quarters. "Loki, I heard there was quite a surprising event at the recruitment session today. Care to share the details?"
The boy, despite his youthful appearance, was none other than Finn Deimne, the esteemed captain of the Loki Familia. As a member of the prum race, Finn possessed a young visage, belying his true age of over 40 years.
Seated beside Finn were two other prominent figures within the Familia: Riveria Ljos Alf, the Vice Captain, and Gareth Landrock, another executive. Together with Loki, they had founded the Loki Familia 28 years prior, and now they gathered in Finn's private room to discuss the day's events.
Loki leaned back in her chair, a mischievous grin playing on her lips. "Oh, you wouldn't believe it, Finn! This white-haired kid waltzed right in and challenged Raul and Aki to a sparring match. No Falna, no nothing, just pure guts and skill."
Gareth let out a hearty laugh, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "I like that kind of guts! The lad's got some serious backbone. I'd love to see what he's made of in the Dungeon."
Riveria, ever the voice of reason, interjected, "Is this something to be amused about, Gareth? While his bravery is commendable, we must consider the potential risks. An unblessed adventurer taking on our members is no small feat. What if he had been seriously injured?"
Loki waved her hand dismissively. "You worry too much, Riveria. The kid held his own, and that's what matters. In fact, I'd say he's got more potential than any recruit I've seen in a long time."
Finn leaned forward, his curiosity piqued. "Is that so? Aki mentioned that you accepted him into the Familia on the spot. What made you so certain of his abilities?"
Loki's grin widened, and she lowered her voice conspiratorially. "Well, a lotta of it was just my gut. That and when I gave him his Falna, I saw something that I've never seen before. The kid's got a Skill that even I can't fully comprehend."
The room fell silent as the weight of Loki's words sank in. For a god to admit that a mortal possessed abilities beyond their understanding was unheard of to them.
Riveria, Finn, and Gareth exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of intrigue and concern. They had known Loki for decades, and while her eccentric behavior often raised eyebrows, they had learned to trust her instincts when it came to matters of importance. The idea of a complete unknown, even to their goddess, piqued their interest and set their minds racing with possibilities.
Riveria broke the silence, her voice calm and measured. "So, what do you propose we do with this boy? We can't just leave him to his own devices, if he possesses such unique abilities."
Gareth leaned back in his chair, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "Why not group him up with some of our second-string kids? They could show him the ropes and keep an eye on him while he gets used to the Familia."
Finn shook his head, his brow furrowed. "I'm afraid that won't work, Gareth. They're already have their plates full with the other recruits and their regular duties. We can't afford to overburden them, especially now."
The prum captain's gaze shifted to Loki. "And assigning one of us executives to mentor him would only breed resentment among the other members. They might see it as favoritism, and that's the last thing we need."
Loki's grin widened, and she leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Oh, but there is one member I can think of who would be perfect for the job. Someone who's been with us for a while now and can start learning to help the younger members."
Finn, Riveria, and Gareth exchanged glances once more, each of them realizing exactly who Loki had in mind. It was a bold move, considering the member's own journey and the challenges she had faced, but they couldn't deny the potential benefits for Bell and that girl.
After a moment of silent deliberation, Finn nodded, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Sure, Loki. We'll trust your judgment on this one. It could be a good opportunity for both Bell and his new mentor to grow and learn from each other."
Gareth murmured his agreement and Riveria also nodded, albeit with a bit of unease for the girl, their expressions a mix of curiosity and anticipation. They knew that the path ahead would be far from easy for the young adventurer and his assigned senior, but the life of an adventurer was rarely easy.
As the meeting drew to a close, the executives of the Loki Familia called over a certain girl to the room, in order to bring her the offer.
As the first rays of dawn crept through the windows of the Twilight Manor, Bell stirred from his slumber, his eyes fluttering open to the realization that today marked the beginning of his new life as an adventurer. Excitement coursed through his veins as he sprung out of bed, eagerly dressing himself and fastening his trusty short swords to his sides.
With a deep breath and a determined smile, Bell approached his door, ready to face the challenges and adventures that awaited him. As he swung the door open, he found himself face to face with an unexpected sight – a curious pair of azure eyes belonging to an elven girl, her delicate features framed by orange locks that seemed to shimmer in the early morning light.
The girl, slightly shorter than Bell, tilted her head as her pointed ears twitched with interest. In a soft, melodic voice, she inquired, "Are you Bell Cranell?"
Taken aback by her sudden appearance and the gentle lilt of her voice, Bell hesitated for a moment before responding, "Y-yes, that's me." His curiosity piqued, he couldn't help but ask, "And who might you be?"
A warm smile graced the elven girl's lips as she introduced herself. "I'm Lefiya Viridis, and I've been assigned to be your instructor from now on."