Loki’s divine chamber.
It was a simple yet comfortable space.
Aside from a bed and a chair, there were only books and a desk.
Through the window, one could see the bustling scenery of the city.
However, Izay did not have long to admire it before Loki pulled the curtains shut.
A man and a woman alone in the same room, with the curtains drawn… It seemed like certain conditions had already been fulfilled.
Unfortunately, the one before him was a god.
On top of that, she had no chest, so Ize had no particular thoughts about her.
For the time being, he did not dare to have any either.
“Come on, take off your shirt.
I’m going to perform the ritual.”
After drawing the curtains, Loki patted the spot in front of the bed and spoke to Ize.
“Mm.”
Without the slightest hesitation, Ize did as he was told and swiftly removed his shirt, revealing his well-built upper body.
Objectively speaking, Ize’s physical strength and physique were definitely not bad.
It was just that, judging from his appearance, he looked rather… frail?
The phrase “slim with clothes on, muscular with clothes off” described someone like him perfectly.
“Oh?
Didn’t expect you to be this solid under your clothes.
I thought you were the pretty-boy type.”
Seemingly a little surprised, Loki muttered to herself in a low voice.
“Um… You can just think that in your head.
I can hear you when you say it out loud.”
Hearing this, Ize immediately felt his face darken.
Perhaps Loki thought she had spoken very quietly, and to be fair, she had.
But there were only two people inside the divine chamber, and they were standing so close to each other.
Even if Ize wanted to pretend he had not heard her, it would be difficult.
“Pfft~ Sorry, sorry.
I accidentally said what I was thinking.
My bad.
Next time, I’ll definitely do it more secretly.”
“There’s going to be a next time!?”
Amused by the exchange, Loki suppressed her laughter and pressed Ize down with one hand, beginning to inscribe the divine script.
This was a necessary step in the ritual by which gods bestowed their divine blessing upon their familia members.
Using divine blood, the god carved a divine mark onto the back of their follower, opening the ability-value system.
Once the ritual was complete, that follower would become a Level 1 adventurer and possess ability values unique to them.
As the process continued, Loki gradually calmed down and began explaining.
“Once the ritual is complete, you’ll officially become my child.
That makes us family.
You know what family means, right?
From now on, don’t even think about betrayal.
Otherwise, I’ll definitely kill you.”
“Um… Isn’t the contract impossible to violate?
Unless there’s a special reason or the god gives permission, who can leave their familia?”
“Even if there’s a special reason, you’re not allowed.
That’s what my familia is like.
Got it?”
“Mm-hm, got it!”
Speaking of which, Ize had not chosen the Loki Familia solely because it was powerful and had many beautiful girls.
The atmosphere of the Loki Familia itself was also very appealing.
Just as Loki said, it truly was like one big family.
Although some of its members had rather awkward personalities, everyone understood it tacitly and had long since grown used to it.
There were no true ingrates among them.
It was a good place to develop himself.
…
Loki was very experienced at performing the ritual, so it did not take long before she began checking Ize’s ability values.
The essence of a god’s blessing was that of a catalyst.
What it catalyzed was the hidden potential within the human body.
A god’s blessing could quantify potential that humans were unable to develop on their own, then slowly draw it out.
The numerical values produced by systematically parameterizing a god’s blessing were known as ability values.
They included basic abilities, development abilities, magic, and skills.
An adventurer’s level represented their overall degree of strength.
Information related to ability values had been gradually verified and analyzed over the thousand years since the gods descended to the lower world.
Thus, adventurers still possessed possibilities that even gods could not fully perceive.
No matter what kind of skill an adventurer awakened, it would not be considered strange.
A god’s blessing could be locked and hidden.
After all, an adventurer’s ability values were secrets belonging to the individual and their familia.
There was no obligation to make them public.
The Guild would only disclose a small amount of information, such as an adventurer’s level and dungeon activity records, as examples of growth, and only to the extent that it would not negatively affect that familia.
“All right.
Your level is LV1.
As expected, all five basic ability values are I0.
You don’t have any development abilities for now.
Now, let me take a look at your magic and skills~”
The systematized panel of a divine blessing had five sections: adventurer level, basic ability values, development abilities, magic, and skills.
When observing the talent of a rookie adventurer, there was no need to look at the first three sections, because they would definitely be in their initial state.
Magic and skills were the important points to pay attention to.
Loki picked up a glass of water and took a sip.
Tsk, tsk.
It had been a long time since she had observed the talent of a newcomer in her own familia like this.
Surprisingly, she felt a little nervous.
It felt like drawing a card.
She would drink some water first to calm herself down…
After a moment, she focused her eyes on the divine script on Ize’s back.
“Pfft!!!”
With just a rough glance, Loki turned her head and spat out the water in her mouth.
The droplets scattered outward, soaking the bedsheet beside her.
“Y-You’ve got to be kidding me, right?”
Loki wore an expression as if she had just seen a ghost.
For a moment, she could not find the words to describe her current state of mind.
If she had read Battle Through the Heavens, she definitely would have blurted out right then and there—
This child is terrifying beyond belief!
“Hmm?
What’s going on?”
Noticing the commotion, Ize was just about to turn his head and check the situation when Loki reached out and pressed against his head, stopping him.
“No, no, no.
Don’t turn around yet.
Let me take another look.”
Likewise, she did not want Ize to see her losing composure like this.
As an honored goddess, she still needed to maintain some dignity.
Focusing her gaze again, Loki was much calmer this time.
Still, she kept clicking her tongue, as if she had just seen some rare creature.
“Tsk, tsk, tsk… Your talent, honestly speaking, is the most absurd thing I’ve ever seen in my life.”
“So what exactly is it like?
Please just tell me already.”
Ize replied speechlessly.
In his entire life, he absolutely hated people who only spoke halfway.
Riddlers should all get out of Gotham City!
“Don’t rush me.
I’ll translate it into the common language for you right away.
But afterward, don’t let too many people know about your skills.
Remember to protect your back.
This is important!”
“Mm.”
A short while later, Loki handed Ize the sheet of paper containing his translated ability values so he could check them.
[Adventurer Name]: Ize Elward
[Ability Values]: Strength: I0 | Endurance: I0 | Dexterity: I0 | Agility: I0 | Magic: I0
[Magic]:
[Silver Star Descent]
Enchantment Magic Light Attribute Chant: Draw the Curtain — Orionids
[Stellar Magic]
Magic System Arbitrary Activation Self-Development
[Rock Magic]
Magic System Arbitrary Activation Self-Development
[Skills]:
[Stellar Affection]
Grants a unique Stellar Magic system and unique additional development abilities.
Beloved by the stars of the heavens, increasing growth speed in all aspects and strengthening magical effects.
Doubles mental power.
If under a brilliant starry sky, it doubles once again.
Allows the user to independently create and learn Stellar Magic, unrestricted by magic-slot limitations.
[Heart of Gaia]
Grants the ability to manipulate earth elements and a unique Rock Magic system.
While in contact with the ground, automatically restores physical strength and mental power.
Upon entering combat, greatly increases Strength and Endurance.
Allows the user to independently create and learn Rock Magic, unrestricted by magic-slot limitations.