Moreover, after the ritual had just been completed, Ize gradually discovered that his thoughts had become much clearer.
His thinking had grown faster, and he could sense a certain power contained within his body.
To put it bluntly, right now, he felt that he could take on ten upper-floor small fry like kobolds, lizards, or goblins all at once.
It was not a kind of power that came from an increase in physical attributes such as Strength, Endurance, or Agility.
Rather, it came from his magic and skills.
Ize had three spells and two skills.
Of those, the two skills were similar to passives.
His clearer thoughts were most likely a manifestation of [Stellar Affection].
After all, his mental power had doubled.
[Heart of Gaia] probably required him to enter combat before its effects became more obvious.
For now, there was temporarily no noticeable movement, since Ize was neither tired nor injured.
As for magic, two of his magic systems needed to be developed by himself, but he still had one enchantment spell he could use.
In fact, if Ize wanted to, he could release it right now.
One spell would go out, the enemy would rise up, then get instantly killed in one move.
What more was there to say?
If someone with one enchantment spell and two bug-like skills still could not run wild on the first few floors of the Dungeon, then Ize felt he personally had not fallen to such a pathetic level.
“Oh?
You’re that confident?”
Loki was slightly surprised.
Then, she began advising him earnestly.
“Brat, having power is one thing.
Whether you can actually apply it in real combat is another.
Don’t think of the Dungeon as something too simple.
Even powerful adventurers can encounter life-threatening danger while exploring it.
For example, there’s a certain reckless little elf in my familia.
She’s a Level 3 ‘upper-class adventurer,’ but when facing powerful monsters in the Dungeon, she can even mess up the chanting process for her magic~”
“Mm-hm, I understand.
Keep my mentality steady and don’t get carried away, right?”
Ize nodded repeatedly.
Getting carried away meant becoming inflated with confidence.
Becoming inflated with confidence meant getting careless.
“Mm.
As long as you understand what I mean.”
Loki revealed an expression that seemed to say he was a teachable child, then placed her hand on Ize’s shoulder in satisfaction.
“But don’t think too much about all that today!
First, I’ll take you to meet the others in the familia.
As a promising newcomer, it’s very necessary to build a good relationship with your seniors~”
“Eh???”
Before he could react, Ize was dragged out by Loki, still looking somewhat confused.
…
In a space planted with several garden trees and patches of grass, a blond girl sat on a bench.
Beside her, a golden-yellow-haired elven girl was handing her a towel while fussing over her with concern.
“A newcomer to the familia?”
Having just finished her morning training, Ais had her attention drawn by what the girl beside her had said.
“Yes.
I heard from the others that a newcomer joined our familia this morning.
There’ll even be a welcome banquet tonight.”
Lefiya, the reckless little elf Loki had mentioned, nodded.
Then, she showed an expression full of interest.
“Oh, right, Ais.
I heard Loki is very fond of this new companion.
Looking at it that way, I feel like she must be a girl with a pretty nice personality!”
Lefiya clasped her hands in front of her chest, her eyes seemingly shining with light.
It was not really her fault for guessing that way.
After all, Loki was a regrettable goddess whose gender was female and whose preference was also female…
If Loki was very fond of a newcomer, then this was the only possibility Lefiya could think of~
Therefore, she guessed that the newcomer who joined the familia today was definitely a gentle girl!
And Lefiya was rather looking forward to it.
“…Is that so?”
Ais stared blankly at the sky and replied softly.
Her expression remained as calm and unchanging as ever, making it impossible to tell what she was thinking inside.
The upper floors of the central tower.
“This ability value sheet… No matter how you look at it, isn’t this a little too ridiculous?”
Gareth squeezed in beside Finn, looking at the sheet of paper laid out in front of him.
His stubbly face was filled with shock.
“Indeed.
It’s simply hard to believe.”
Finn nodded, acknowledging his words.
“But it isn’t impossible.
In the end, acquired magic and skills are, to a certain extent, miracles unique to the individual.
No matter what kind of skill appears, it wouldn’t be strange.”
Riveria was also squeezed in beside them.
The three of them were the pillars of the Loki Familia, existences akin to its leaders.
When it came to the ability values of familia members, the three of them had a certain right to know.
After all, for things like conquering the Dungeon and going on expeditions, knowing each member’s skills made command much easier.
Ize had no objection to this.
In addition, Loki herself trusted them greatly, so Ize’s ability values were not hidden from the three of them.
“Right?
This brat is amazing.
Based on my experience, his future won’t be inferior to those ancient human heroes.
No, maybe he’ll even become stronger than them someday.” Get faster updates on g.com.
Loki casually hooked her arm around Ize’s shoulder, excited like a child who had just received a new toy.
Her stare made Ize feel somewhat uncomfortable.
As for the goddess acting so carefree and completely unlike a “goddess,” the three top executives were already long used to it.
Although the aura she gave off was different from ordinary people and carried a kind of divine majesty, her words and actions always seemed like those of a middle-aged old man, unintentionally ruining it all.
Her perfect face, which mortals of the lower world would envy, was often ruined by her own behavior.
Yet she herself seemed to take a certain pleasure in that.
Ize did not know about the others for now, but from the casual attitude of the three executives before him, he could not see even a trace of worship toward her.
With a single glance, it was obvious that none of the three regarded her with the reverence one would show a god.
But precisely because of that attitude, when facing this goddess, the familia members instead held a sense of peace and closeness toward her that could only exist between family.
“May I call you Ize, newcomer?”
Ignoring Loki beside him, Finn looked directly at him.
“Mm, of course.”
“Then, Ize, welcome to the big family known as the Loki Familia.
Your talent will definitely not be buried here.”
“Thank you.”
Ize thanked Finn for his welcome, but he did not say anything like he would work hard to become stronger in order to show his determination.
Anyone could say pretty words.
Actual action was the only standard by which one could judge whether a person was truly making an effort.
“Oh, right, Finn.
See if there’s any member above LV3 who can spare some time tomorrow.
Have them take Ize and help him get familiar with the Dungeon.”
After giving a simple introduction, Loki spoke to Finn and asked him for a favor.
Even if it was only for one day, Loki still hoped that someone could keep an eye on Ize and personally teach him the important things he needed to pay attention to during the early stages.
Rather than letting him take nothing but the adventurer handbook issued by the Guild and dive straight into the Dungeon alone.
Many people who became adventurers for the first time would get into trouble on that very same day, because they lacked a clear understanding of what the Dungeon truly was.
The Dungeon was not something easy to deal with.
As for Ize having told Loki earlier that he had practical combat experience and that she did not need to worry too much, Loki had listened, but not completely~
Hearing Loki’s words, Finn was slightly stunned.
However, in just a brief moment, he understood most of what Loki meant.
A smile appeared on the Pallum captain’s face, and he nodded gently.
“No problem.”
The three executives of the Loki Familia all had very pleasant personalities, and their friendly attitude toward familia members was beyond reproach.
It was hard to say what they had been like in the past, but at least now, this was how the three of them were.
With Loki herself, a carefree god, also being present, Ize quickly became familiar with the three executives.
[Braver] Finn Deimne, [Elgarm] Gareth Landrock, and [Nine Hell] Riveria Ljos Alf.
These three were the highest combat forces within the Loki Familia.
Three powerful adventurers who had reached LV6, their fame resounded throughout all of Orario.
Personally, however, Ize liked to call them the Big Three.
Because that title was simply too fitting.