After the arrival of the Zeus and Hera familia's reincarnated captains, training took a little bit of a more intense turn for them. Ceraunius was the one mostly in charge of pressing the four 9 year olds further, while Gamelia was in charge of teaching them ways to improve themselves further. Acting as an obstacle, and a guide for the others. Every other week the two would swap duties just to shake things up, which really helped the four kids grow to understand the world around them a little more, they became capable of more critical thought, able to discern more from less… They would soon surpass many scholars.
It had been a month since Ceraunius and Gamelia had arrived in the mountain village, each day leading to more improvements in the family they had. Morthios and Euphemia had both made massive improvements thanks to the intensive training they'd experienced. There was a huge expansion in all of their stats…
"Lord Zeus?" Morthios spoke up as he read his status with wide eyes.
"Lady Hera, what is this?" Euphemia asked, pointing to her status sheet.
"That's what I was going to ask." Morthios grumbled.
"But I got to it first, Thio."
"You know I hate that name, right, Euphe?"
Euphemia's face went red, and her eyes sparkled. "You finally gave me a pet name! Just what I'd expect of my boyfriend, and future husband." She added with a smile.
Zeus bellowed with laughter while Hera giggled, and smiled.
"Morthios, your status has improved a lot." Zeus said, recovering from his laughter.
"Yeah, I already have everything above C rank… My strength is already S rank." Morthios said with a little worry in his tone.
"Yep, I assume that Euphemia is right around where you're at right now, too." Zeus chuckled, glancing over to Hera.
"Well, of course, my girls aren't any worse than your boys." Hera huffed.
"That's right, my stats are all super high! I've got two S ranks, an A, a B and a C rank."
"Huh! You got two S ranks!"
"Hehehe, you jealous Thio?"
"Argh! Just you wait, I'll surpass you, Euphe!"
"Alright, I think it's about time now, what do you two think?" Zeus asked, turning to Ceraunius and Gamelia who each had Bell and Zaria sitting on their laps, respectively.
Ceraunius formed a small smile, and nodded. Gamelia did the same right after him.
"I believe they are ready for it." Ceraunius said, shifting Bell off of his lap.
"It's about that time, but first, give us our update." Gamelia smiled, standing Zaria up on her own.
"It has been a while since you returned with the ability to…" Hera smiled, she knew this would be the last time she'd ever update her one and only son's status. "But, are you sure you want to do it now?"
"Yes, there's no time like the present." Ceraunius said. "Those two are more than capable of protecting you on their own now. Nothing short of a rogue level 4 would be enough to do any real damage."
"Plus, they are about to get much stronger." Gamelia smiled, sensing the disturbance in the nearby forest woods which drew closer. "Plus, we've figured out a way for you to explore the world more easily."
"Oh? What might that be, Gamelia?" Zeus asked, stroking his beard.
""The School District""
"Hmm, that might be difficult. But we'll keep it in mind." Zeus said, adding a nod affirming he wouldn't forget about it.
Ceraunius stood and removed his shirt, exposing his upper body once more, both inspiring Bell and Morthios, and aweing Euphemia and Zaria. Gamelia licked the sight with her eyes.
Gamelia stood and undid her dress' upper half to fall down, she covered her breasts with her left arm… both inspiring Euphemia and Zaria, and stunning Bell and Morthios into a slight silence since the two had never seen her naked outside of the bath, so it felt a little weird. Ceraunius on the other hand licked the sight with his eyes, making her even more proud of herself.
They both knelt down with their backs facing the gods, Ceraunius to Hera, and Gamelia to Zeus. A drop of the god's blood ichor fell to their status, the brilliance of their shine was nothing short of illuminating.
"Yeah, that's what I'd expect from the two of you. You even have enough excelia to max out this level." Zeus laughed, able to sense how much both Ceraunius, and Gamelia had as well.
"That skill of theirs really came in handy. I'm glad that their union, and love is so strong." Hera smiled, applying every single stat to the max. "Level 8 all S rank. The two of you are really something else. You make me so proud."
""Thank you, Mother Hera.""
""Level… 8"" The four children said in shock. They knew enough from the lessons the last few weeks that level 7 was not to be contested with easily. So hearing they were now level 8… It hit the four of them like a rock. Though it didn't break their resolve, instead…
"Congratulations big brother, big sister!" Zaria was the first to cheer them on.
"Y-yeah! You're both amazing!" Bell added his praise.
Morthios and Euphemia remained silent and stunned, though they did manage to look at each other, and then their own status. Each coming to a conclusion, one that would show they really had what it took to well and truly make their previous life proud. Each stood and struck a pose.
"You keep it up! Or we'll surpass you someday!" Morthios said, pointing with determination.
"That's right, don't think that just because you're level 8 now, that we'll give up growing stronger!" Euphemia declared with a proud pose. "And tell us when you have your baby, I want to see them too!"
To Zeus and Hera, they could have sworn they saw a vision of Maxim and Empress steadfastly standing behind Morthios and Euphemia. As if they were the ones speaking to Ceraunius and Gamelia.
This sensation didn't go unnoticed by Ceraunius and Gamelia either. Both had their lips curl into a shared smile.
"Don't let that resolve vanish." Ceraunius said, standing to his full height.
"We won't forgive you if you cause the familia any dishonor." Gamelia added, as she too stood to her full height.
…