Genichi didn't want to awaken new magic?
Of course that was a lie.
Magic Grimoire - the spell he'd awakened back at LV.1 - had already proven its worth through countless real battles.
From Demon King Valish to Flame Volt, from Dia Fratel to all the various spells recorded inside it that he still hadn't had the chance to use, every one of them had, when he truly needed it, become the key that twisted a battle back in his favor.
If he could awaken two more spells, no matter what kind of abilities they were, it would only make his fighting options richer, giving him more choices when facing different enemies.
Of course he was looking forward to it.
Looking forward to what kind of surprise the next spell would bring him.
A stronger offensive method?
A more sinister support ability?
Or some rare spell that could change the rules of the game entirely?
Those imaginings could burst to life in his mind at any time, surging up on their own.
But…
Compared to the temptation of awakening magic, Genichi understood one thing even more clearly.
For him right now, what mattered most wasn't magic. It was time.
Grimoires could be dealt with later.
Once he was strong enough - strong enough to ignore the eyes watching him from the shadows - he could search for grimoires openly then.
But time wouldn't wait for anyone.
When would Dionysus make his move?
He didn't know.
When would the arena summon him again?
He didn't know that either.
There was only one thing he could do: before those unknown "whens" arrived, he had to make himself as strong as possible.
And keeping a low profile was the prerequisite.
If Demeter started searching for grimoires out in the open right now, what would happen?
Those bloodhounds of the information underworld would lock onto the Demeter Familia immediately.
They'd get curious. Why was a familia famous for agriculture suddenly acting so unusually active?
Was it for some particular member?
What was special about that member?
And then more eyes would gather.
Loki Familia - Riveria had already seen him use Genos Angelus.
If news about grimoires spread too, what would even be left to hide?
Freya Familia - that Goddess of Beauty was curious about anything interesting.
If her gaze fell on him…
And then there was Dionysus.
That mad god hiding in the dark.
If he noticed the Demeter Familia had an unusual newcomer, what would he do?
Would he kick off his plan early?
Would he directly use divine wine to control members of the Demeter Familia and probe Genichi's secrets?
Genichi didn't dare gamble.
At least not before he reached LV.5.
LV.5.
That was the threshold of the peak in Orario.
Anyone who reached that level was an ace, a hero, a monster within their familia.
At that point, even against a freak like Filvis Challia, he should have the strength to fight.
Even if he couldn't win, he'd at least be able to get away.
But before LV.5…
Low profile.
Lower profile.
Lie low.
Lie lower.
That was his plan.
Demeter listened quietly as he finished. In her amber eyes, something complicated surfaced.
She didn't understand.
She truly didn't understand why Genichi was being so careful.
She knew the dark faction still existed.
But even now, those people only dared do little things in the shadows. They didn't have the guts to confront them head-on.
Yet Genichi's behavior looked exactly like someone who knew danger was closing in.
Like he knew something was lurking in the dark, waiting for the right moment.
That feeling was almost like he could see the future.
"Genichi… what are you actually afraid of?"
Demeter finally spoke, her voice soft and low.
"There are a lot of things I can't tell you."
Genichi looked at her. A flicker of complicated emotion passed through his pitch-black eyes.
He knew what he was about to say would shock her.
But he had to say it.
Because if he didn't, that shadow would keep expanding because of his avoidance, until it eventually swallowed her happiness whole.
If he didn't, she might never truly understand why they had to be this cautious.
So…
"I have to tell you one thing."
He paused, holding her amber gaze.
"The Demeter Familia… was actually targeted three years ago by a dark faction."
Demeter's pupils contracted sharply.
"…What?"
Her voice trembled slightly, her honey-colored hair swaying as she jerked her head up.
"You're saying we've been targeted?"
"Yes."
Genichi's tone was calm, as if he were stating nothing more than a fact.
"There's a god who's been planning something in secret. The target might not be you, or it might be you. But either way, the Demeter Familia has already been dragged into it."
"Who is that god?"
Demeter's voice turned urgent.
Genichi fell silent for a moment, then shook his head.
"Don't ask how I know. I can't answer."
Demeter's lips moved, like she wanted to press him.
But when she saw the fatigue in Genichi's eyes, she realized she couldn't force the words out.
She remembered what he'd looked like the first time he appeared before her.
A boy whose eyes were full of helplessness, whose whole body gave off the stench of despair - fragile, dim, like he might shatter at a touch.
She hadn't asked questions. She had taken him in.
Because in his eyes, she'd seen something she couldn't refuse.
Later, his status shocked her.
His growth rate shocked her.
His magic, his inheritance, his growth - everything told her the same thing: this boy was not simple.
But she still hadn't pressed him.
Because she understood. Some things, if he didn't say them, it meant he couldn't.
She chose to trust him.
And now he was telling her her familia had been targeted.
By some dark faction.
By some god.
Her heart churned like a stormy sea, but her reason told her one thing: Genichi wouldn't lie to her.
"That god…"
Her voice came out dry. "How strong are they?"
Genichi didn't answer directly.
He only looked at her quietly, then said a single sentence.
"Before I reach LV.5, we don't have any room to resist. Their familia has LV.7-level combat power."
Demeter's pupils tightened again.
LV.7?
That was a height her entire familia combined could never reach.
Her strongest member was only LV.3.
And Genichi - this newcomer who'd only just reached LV.2 less than a day ago - was saying…
He needed LV.5 before they'd even have the margin to resist.
And the opponent had LV.7.
Demeter's face went pale.
Genichi watched her reaction, a complicated emotion rising in his chest.
He knew how shocking these words were to her.
…
A goddess used to peace, used to pastoral life, used to keeping to herself - suddenly being told her familia had long since been watched by an organization lurking in the shadows…
Anyone would find that hard to accept.
But he had to say it.
Because only if she understood how severe the situation was would she truly understand why they had to keep a low profile.
Why the grimoire matter had to be shelved.
Why they couldn't draw even the slightest unnecessary attention.
The room fell into a long silence.
Demeter lowered her head. Her honey-colored hair spilled down, hiding her expression.
Genichi couldn't see what she was thinking. He could only see her hands hanging at her sides slowly clench tight, her knuckles whitening.
After a long while…
She lifted her head.
In those amber eyes, there was no longer shock, no longer fear, but instead…
A firmness Genichi had never seen in her before.
"I understand."
Her voice was calm, but it carried a force that didn't allow argument.
"From now on, every action the Demeter Familia takes will follow your judgment."
Genichi froze slightly.
"You…"
"You said it yourself, didn't you?"
Demeter cut him off, the corners of her lips lifting into a strained smile. "Before you reach LV.5, we have no room to resist, so…"
She stepped closer and reached out, gently resting her hand on his shoulder.
Those amber eyes studied him from up close.
"Until then, I'll protect this familia, and you only need to do what you have to do."
"Get stronger."
"Get strong enough to protect all of us."
Genichi looked at her in silence.
Deep in his pitch-black eyes, something shifted, just slightly.
After a moment, he nodded.
"…Okay."
Outside the window, the moonlight remained the same.
But Demeter knew that from this moment on, her world would no longer be peaceful.
And the boy standing before her…
Might be her only light.
(End of Chapter)
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