"Back already?"
"I just finished updating Mikoto's ability values. The improvement was really significant… though mainly… when she teams up with you, it's hard to slow down the pace of her growth."
Having just returned to the communal dormitory, the girl stood up from the sofa. The lunchboxes placed on the table were still steaming. She wore a bright smile, as if nothing had happened.
Until Ron placed the fallen envelope on the table.
The smile hanging on Hestia's face instantly froze. She had not expected that the envelope she had accidentally dropped would be picked up by Ron.
From the intact wax seal on the surface of the envelope, she could tell that there were no signs of it having been opened.
But when it came to something like this, the girl did not think she could hide it from Ron. It could not be considered giving up either. As for how to resolve it, she had already roughly thought of a solution.
"Mm."
"It's just an invitation to a ball from the Apollo Familia…"
"They hope that I—and you as well—can attend in person. As for the specific reason, it's probably that they want to initiate a War Game in front of so many gods."
When Hestia explained this, there was no trace of her earlier distress on her slightly youthful face. She pulled Ron, who had removed all his equipment, over to sit down on the sofa.
Even her tone carried a sense of natural certainty: "Even if they really want to initiate a War Game, it can only proceed with the consent of both gods. How long has our Familia even been established?"
"Even if we refuse outright…"
"I think there wouldn't be any problem at all. The conditions between us are completely unequal. If they've got the nerve, they can give us a bit more time—when that happens, who would refuse?"
"Maybe it'll be the Apollo Familia instead!"
The confidence behind Hestia's words came from Ron at her side. To be able to grow to this extent in just half a month—
A brief humiliation…
Even if she were mocked by the other gods, it felt like nothing.
One could only say she truly did not care at all!
At this point, worried that her words might not carry enough weight, just as she was about to offer further reassurance—she suddenly remembered the new member who had just joined the Familia, Yamato Mikoto.
She slightly adjusted her wording: "As long as the three of us live our days well together, that's better than anything."
"…"
The three of us.
Ron always felt that something about that sentence was a little strange, yet when he saw the girl's resolute, forward-looking smile, he did not choose to correct her: "However, if the Apollo Familia really initiates a War Game at the ball, as long as we can buy some time, I think… it should be acceptable."
"That makes sense."
It was only after hearing Ron's next words that Hestia seemed as if she had misheard. She slowly raised her head, trying to confirm through the boy's eyes, but what she felt was an unprecedented certainty.
Acceptable—what the hell was that supposed to mean?!
She had never doubted that Ron's path as an adventurer would not end at the level of "Lv3," but from an objective standpoint, there was clearly no chance.
The Apollo Familia alone had quite a number of Lv2 adventurers.
The girl muttered in emphasis, "You don't need to worry about embarrassing yourself at the ball. Even if we fall out with them completely, it would only make Apollo look like he's throwing his weight around."
"But…"
"Isn't the price for the loser of a War Game obtaining all of the other Familia's property?"
Compared to the communal dormitory, a private room was certainly cozier—one could even get close with a beautiful girl—but a real man would never refuse to live in a grand house.
Most importantly, Ron was very clear that if, during this recent period, he completed another level ascension and then took the initiative to initiate a War Game, the other side might not agree.
"So…"
"You mean you want to…"
By the time it had reached this point, how could Hestia possibly not understand Ron's intention? Precisely because she understood, she could feel how risky such a decision would be.
"If we fail…"
"Our Familia will also be disbanded, and we'll be expelled from Orario."
"I'll leave together with Lady Hestia."
'Does this count as a confession, or as an agreement to elope?'
Hestia could feel the sincerity in those words. She only felt her cheeks grow hot, and she could even hear her heart beating powerfully.
Looking at it from the worst angle, even if they truly left the Labyrinth City of Orario, she would still have Ron accompanying her to see the outside world. There would also be no messy women around him.
At this thought… the girl could no longer tell whether this was a bad thing or a good thing. The key was that Ron had already made his decision, along with the vexing encounters of these past few days.
"Then let's do it!"
"No matter what, I'll help you secure seven days!"
"Eat first, then update your ability values. The ball held by the Apollo Familia will take place tomorrow night. When the time comes, we'll also need to get you a full suit."
"…"
Perhaps this would be the last chance to gather with the gods.
Hestia did not want to miss it. Even if Ron, at this stage, was only a "Lv2" adventurer, who said he could not be her pride?
...
Ron
Level: Lv2
Strength: H156 → F301
Endurance: H170 → F353
Dexterity: H133 → G288
Agility: H148 → G296
Magic: H101 → G230
...
Only after clearly seeing Ron's newly improved ability values did the girl-like goddess finally realize why they needed to buy some time for the War Game.
At the current rate of development, with just a little more time, Ron might even reach the level of Lv3.
"You are absolutely Orario's finest adventurer…"
Hestia could not understand it, but she only needed to know that this child—like the embodiment of talent—was a member of her Familia. That alone was entirely enough.
The key issue was that Ron's title upon reaching Lv2 had not yet been finalized through the Denatus. If, by that time, he had already completed another ascension…
Just imagining that scene made the girl unable to resist giving a soft hum.
However, regarding Ron's own plans for improving his strength, she had no intention of offering suggestions. Instead, she shifted her gaze to the magic column beneath his ability values.
...
[Heal]
[Shattering Crystal]: Forms magic power into crystalline blocks; after shattering them, releases them forward. Power can be increased through charging.
...
"…"
The description was extremely brief.
It did not even require any chanting, and the power of the magic… could also be enhanced by increasing the output of magic power. A semi-instant cast spell?
Hestia did not understand.
After forming her Familia, during the spare time from working at the weapon shop, she had not lain back idly. Instead, she had actively sought out knowledge in this area.
Magic… normally required chanting.
Only a very small number of adventurers with exceptionally outstanding talent could use the technique of "concurrent chanting" during combat.
And what Ron possessed… setting aside its specific effects, merely the fact that it was an "instant cast spell" that required no chanting was, in Orario, an undeniable miracle.
Yet for some reason, the girl felt no anticipation at all. If she had to describe it, it would probably be "dejection." Looking at Ron lying on the bed, she suddenly felt somewhat conflicted: "After the War Game ends… we'll probably have to choose rooms, right?"
"Definitely."
"Then when that time comes, will we still be able to live together?"
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