Ron
Level: Lv2
Strength: SS1056
Endurance: SSS1257
Dexterity: S930
Agility: SS1001
Magic: SS1026
...
Even though Hestia had already prepared herself mentally countless times, when she truly saw the… qualitative leap in Ron's ability values—
The girl's mood at this moment was extraordinarily complex.
Like riding a roller coaster, relying on outside assistance—at least in her view—was never truly secure. In the end, the only thing one could rely on was oneself.
And as it happened, Ron's ability values, infinitely close to Lv3, brought Hestia immense comfort.
"The speed at which these ability values are increasing… isn't it a bit too outrageous?"
"…"
Although she understood that these increases were the result of Ron squeezing out every bit of his spare time—barely even resting—
That only by putting in several times the effort of ordinary people in the Dungeon had he achieved this result…
Even so, Hestia's heart was still filled with shock. Counting from the moment he broke through to Lv2, and adding the first few days of training in Orario—
Up to now, only half a month had passed!!
If not for the fact that he was still slightly lacking in terms of the great feat required for a breakthrough, then the miracle Ron would have created would have been using just one month in total to go directly from a rookie adventurer to a high-class adventurer, crossing ranks in a single leap.
As for skills and magic, there were no particularly large changes. After reviewing everything, Hestia skillfully locked away Ron's extraordinary ability values.
Leaning against the edge of the bed, if that powerful outside assistance had eased her initial nervousness, then at this stage, the overall strength Ron possessed was a true reassurance!
"The gap in numbers is simply too large…"
"I never imagined you would put in so much effort for this War Game, Ron." Hestia sat on the edge of the bed, swinging her fair legs.
Actually, she didn't think the option of "eloping" was all that bad. If they could cast aside all concerns, it might not be a bad choice—at least there wouldn't be…
So many girls surrounding Ron!
"The Apollo Familia…"
"Their strongest member is their captain, Hyakinthos Clio, who is Lv3. They have around thirteen Lv2 adventurers."
"The rest are all Lv1."
This was the intelligence Hestia had gathered during this time, and one of the few ways she could help Ron. Their overall quality was indeed uneven.
This was also where the advantage of a "duel format" lay…
At least in a relatively fair, consecutive battle environment, both Ron and Mikoto would still have the possibility of obtaining victory through combat technique.
"It's just that in a siege battle…"
"With the number of Apollo Familia adventurers laid out like this, it feels as though no matter what tactics we devise, they won't have any effect."
"…"
Ron slipped the white shirt back over his shoulders. After taking the parchment, he gave it a brief glance. The final increases in his various ability values were in line with his expectations.
Even if he could undergo exaltation, he absolutely would not choose to do so before the War Game began.
When he had exalted to Lv2 back then, he had already spent quite some time fully adapting to the surge in strength. Moreover, his ability values had not yet reached their theoretical limits.
He still needed to continue consolidating them!
As for how to deal with the War Game…
He thought carefully. With the two templates he currently possessed—"Tarnished" and "Sekiro"—at the very least, in single combat against Hyakinthos Clio, he was not particularly worried.
Purely from a numerical standpoint, he could definitely be considered well-rounded now!
"Decapitation."
"Defense is a slow death. When the time comes, we'll arrange for Mikoto to protect Lady Hestia. I'll go with Senior Ryuu, who will be joining as support, and head straight for Apollo."
"As long as we deal with Hyakinthos."
"The other Lv2 adventurers won't be enough to pose a threat."
This was the only way Ron could think of to secure victory. After all, this was his Familia's War Game. There was no reason to make Ryuu, who was assisting, serve as the main force.
Otherwise…
He and Mikoto could simply ensure Hestia's safety.
As for the Apollo Familia's adventurers, leaving them entirely to Ryuu would merely be a matter of time. One should not underestimate the numerical suppression of raw power close to Lv5.
"Alright."
"The Senior Ryuu you mentioned—is she the one from the restaurant?"
"Mm…"
"She used to be an adventurer. Recently, it's been Senior Ryuu who has been guiding my practical combat techniques." At this point, Ron did not conceal it.
However, he did not mention Ryuu's past.
"As long as you have a plan, that's fine. No matter what, I'll support you."
Hestia did not say much.
She clapped her hands. As she stood up, there was inevitably a swell of motion. When her motivation returned, her mood brightened as well. Of course, she did not forget the other member of the Familia.
"Ron, go call Mikoto over."
"I'll update her ability values first. It might be because the Dungeon explorations have been so difficult, but Mikoto's ability values have actually been increasing quite quickly."
She thought of that hardworking black-haired girl.
Hestia felt somewhat guilty. Her good friend Takemikazuchi had asked her to take good care of her, yet not long after transferring into the Familia, what awaited Mikoto—was an extremely cruel War Game!
When she saw Mikoto again, she greeted her with a smile. However, before updating her ability values, she pushed Ron out of the dorm room.
The same procedure—Hestia was already very familiar with it.
"…"
Only, after helping Mikoto update her ability values, just as she was about to tell her about the War Game arrangements, she saw the girl, wearing a serious expression, make a request.
"Lady Hestia, there's something I may need to trouble you with…"
"…"
"Are you thinking of transferring back to the Takemikazuchi Familia?"
Hestia had never seen such a serious expression on the girl before. Without thinking much, she could roughly guess what Mikoto wanted to say.
She did not find it surprising.
Mikoto had not been in her Familia for long; there was no reason to demand that she share hardship and adversity with them.
Yet what happened next completely exceeded her expectations. Mikoto placed the parchment engraved with her ability values on the edge of the bed. When she raised her head—
The expression on her face was one of resolute determination.
"My various ability values have actually already reached the bottleneck of my own talent. Even if I continue training, the improvement brought would be minimal."
"So…"
"I want to undergo level exaltation!"
To become a Lv3 adventurer.
In this "War Game," which concerned whether the Familia would be dissolved or not, she wanted, as much as possible, to repay Ron, who had helped her, and the kind Lady Hestia—with whatever she was capable of giving!
"If Ron knew, he absolutely wouldn't allow you to do this. After all, the Familia's current situation isn't as bad as you imagine."
Perhaps feeling that persuasion alone was insufficient, Hestia's tone grew more solemn than ever: "I also don't want you to do this. I can reveal a little to you… about Ron's ability values."
"He only undergoes level exaltation after basically reaching the limit."
"…"
Are you comparing me to a monster of talent like Ron?
For a brief moment, the girl's emotions became especially complicated. She did not know whether she should feel honored or otherwise. After all, the intensity of their Dungeon explorations had never decreased.
Yet in terms of ability values, she had already reached her limit.
At that thought, Mikoto did not hesitate in the slightest. Her tone was filled with helplessness: "If I had Ron's talent, I wouldn't have been stuck at Lv2 for so long."
"So…"
"Please trouble yourself with my level exaltation, Lady Hestia!"
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