The user is unaffected by the stat boost, and their dexterity decreases significantly.
Applied to up to three targets, capable of growth.
A growth-type skill?
Astraea felt a ripple of surprise upon reading this.
Typically, certain skills and magic evolved alongside a level up.
However, it was exceptionally rare for sacred text to explicitly indicate the capacity for growth on its own.
Suddenly, Astraea’s fingertips froze over the line for development abilities.
Development ability:
Outside of truth!?!?!?!?!
Unreadable?
How could this be?
Falna was the ultimate bridge connecting deities with the mortals of the lower world.
Hieroglyphs served as the tangible manifestation of that divine bond.
As the goddess bestowing this grace, she should have been able to interpret every shred of information inscribed upon it.
That was the inherent authority of a god.
Astraea briefly considered tapping into her divine power to unravel the mystery, but she could not bring herself to risk breaking the rules and leaving her children behind.
In all the years since descending to the mortal realm, she had never encountered such an inexplicable phenomenon.
A development ability was the crystallization of one’s personal traits and accumulated experience.
What, then, was Mizuki’s [outside of truth]?
What kind of background and nature could produce an ability that even a goddess was unable to decipher?
“Lady Astraea?”
Mizuki’s voice pulled Astraea from her troubled thoughts.
Noticing that her hand had lingered on his back for an unusually long time, he turned his head and asked with concern, “Is something wrong?”
Astraea quickly composed herself and resumed her usual warm, gentle smile.
“No, it is nothing.”
Her tone remained soft and reassuring, entirely devoid of panic.
“The ritual is complete, Mizuki.”
She wiped away the remaining divine blood from his back with a fingertip, concluding the blessing.
“You can sit up now.”
She handed the translated status sheet to Mizuki.
Mizuki took the parchment and scanned it carefully.
No magic, it seemed his dream of becoming a spellcaster would have to wait. Read this novel at g.com for the best experience.
The skills, however, looked promising, two in total.
The first was a justice-oriented skill.
Considering Orario was currently mired in the chaotic Dark Age, actively confronting evilus should easily qualify as an act of justice.
This skill held immense potential right now.
The next skill was tied to innate wealth.
Mizuki paused, taking in the full description.
Was this really happening?
Its effects were extraordinarily comprehensive, almost like a dedicated support skill, except his own dexterity would suffer a penalty while using it.
In this world, dexterity and agility were often confused, but they were quite distinct.
Dexterity governed upper body control, precise movements, weapon handling, and spellcasting efficiency.
Agility, on the other hand, dictated lower body coordination, footwork, and overall movement speed.
Looking further down the sheet, Mizuki’s brow furrowed.
He looked up at Astraea, perplexed.
“Lady Astraea, why is this development ability obscured by asterisks?”
Astraea countered with a gentle question, “Mizuki, do you believe gods are all-knowing and all-powerful?”
Mizuki nodded, “I suppose so.”
Astraea shook her head softly.
“From the perspective of mortal children, we might seem omniscient, but the reality is quite different. We have our limits. This development ability of yours, [outside of truth], is something even I cannot interpret.”
Mizuki’s eyes widened.
An ability that defied divine comprehension?
He recalled that Cassandra from the anime possessed an unreadable development ability related to prophetic dreams.
But what was his supposed to be?
Astraea continued with a serious tone, “Mizuki, try to ensure that no one else ever sees your back.”
Mizuki nodded in understanding, then hesitated before asking, “What about the other members of our familia?”
Surprised by the question, Astraea offered him another tender smile.
“I will leave that decision entirely to you, Mizuki.”
***
Outside the room, Alise held Haruhime’s status sheet, unable to contain her laughter.
Her ruby eyes gleamed with excitement as she beamed at Haruhime.
“Haruhime, your magic is downright unbelievable! Do you realize what this means?”
Startled by her overwhelming energy, Haruhime merely shook her head in confusion.
“This means we can accelerate our plans to crush evilus!” Alise’s voice rose with vibrant enthusiasm.
“It means the hammer of justice is going to strike twice as hard!” Find the original chapter at g.com.
“Harder is an understatement!” Neze, the werewolf girl, cheered enthusiastically.
She bounded forward, planting herself beside Haruhime in an exaggerated bodyguard stance.
“Starting today, Haruhime is our familia’s ultimate trump card! Anyone who dares lay a finger on her will have to answer to my claws first!”
“She is not kidding,” Iska chimed in, circling Haruhime as if appraising an exquisite treasure.
“Just picture it, deep in the dungeon, swarmed by monsters, and then boom! Alise suddenly ascends to level four! Just imagining that makes my blood pump!”
Ryu spoke up, her cool voice carrying deep solemnity.
“This power possesses the capacity to reverse the tide of battle in a heartbeat.”
Every seasoned adventurer understood the immeasurable worth of such a miracle when confronting a seemingly hopeless crisis.
“Moving forward, Haruhime’s personal security must be given top priority,” Celty stated calmly, offering a rational perspective amidst the excitement.
“Her presence will fundamentally reshape our combat doctrine. She is an invaluable asset, the Astraea Familia’s most vital strategic support.”
“Our greatest treasure!” Lyra pumped a tiny fist in the air, already picturing their decisive victory over evilus.
Encircled by the girls and showered with lavish praise, Haruhime found her mind spinning completely blank.
Her soft fox ears flattened against her head, and her small hands nervously twisted the hem of her garment, utterly lost on how to respond.
Once treated as mere merchandise destined for the Pleasure Quarter, she was now being celebrated as a vital trump card and a cherished treasure by everyone around her.
A profound, unprecedented warmth blossomed in her chest.
“I… I am really not that amazing…”
“Nonsense, of course you are!” Alise cut her off firmly, her expression turning resolute.
“Haruhime, from this day forward, you must hold your head high and embrace this role. You are the hope of our justice!”
Haruhime felt genuinely happy, yet that joy was immediately followed by a creeping sense of dread.
What if she failed?
What if she let everyone down?
She lowered her head, muttering in a voice so faint it was barely audible, “I only want to be useful to Master Mizuki, being able to help him is more than enough for me.”
“Hmm?” Standing close enough to catch the whisper, Alise placed her hands on her hips, assuming the posture of a proud leader as she leaned down toward Haruhime.
“Haruhime, you cannot think like that!” Alise proclaimed passionately, radiating her signature dramatic flair.
“Right now, we are all comrades of justice fighting under Lady Astraea! We are a family!”
She raised a finger, waving it playfully yet earnestly in front of Haruhime’s face.
“As a warrior of justice, your strength belongs to all of us! To defeat evil and protect the peace of Orario, you cannot simply keep your eyes locked on Mizuki alone!”
“Well said!” Neze thudded her fist against her chest.
“The entire Astraea Familia has your back!”
Iska laughed, draping an arm over Haruhime’s shoulders.
“Exactly, whenever we go out on patrol, you better remember us too. Let me taste what it feels like to be level four, it must be awesome!”
Ryu stepped forward as well, the cool edge in her gaze softening.
“Do not be afraid, Haruhime. We are your comrades.”