After a day of another adventuring on the Dungeon, Rayleigh asked the blonde Elf, "Ryuu, would you like to try using Haineko?"
"Huh?" Ryuu blinked.
'Haineko?'
"Rayleigh, what are you talking about? Aren't Zanpakuto only usable by their masters?"
Having spent so much time together with Rayleigh, the girls had become familiar with Zanpakuto.
Kaguya had even started saving up to buy one. For the princess of the Far East, saving up for something was a novel experience.
'Saving money to buy something...'
"That's generally true," Rayleigh explained. "Without a soul connection, a Zanpakuto in someone else's hands cannot even cut through weeds."
His tone shifted.
"But I am the creator of Zanpakuto, the father of all Soul Blades."
No further explanation was needed as Ryuu considered the offer.
To be honest, after teaming up for so long, she was familiar with Haineko. Its ability to manipulate dust was strong.
Rayleigh had mentioned that due to his insufficient Development Abilities, he had not begun to unlock Haineko's true power.
As an Elf, Ryuu possessed a racial advantage in Magic and prioritized Agility, making her compatible with a wind-type Zanpakuto.
The only problem was... she could not take it for free.
Alise had agreed to pay a staggering 100 million Valis annually to lease Engetsu.
"I might not have that much Valis," Ryuu admitted.
"I know, which is why I devised a new method," Rayleigh said with a smile. Though he cherished these girls, when it came to Zanpakuto, rules had to be followed.
"Tell me about it," Ryuu said, nodding.
"In simple terms, starting from when our contract begins, 40% of your income from Dungeon exploration will go to me. The duration will be five years. How does that sound?"
Forty percent?
After a moment's consideration, Ryuu nodded in agreement.
Her prompt acceptance surprised Rayleigh.
Moreover, she was concerned about him.
"But Rayleigh, you are a dual-wielding swordsman. What will you do without one of your swords?"
"Thank you for your concern, Ryuu. I will forge a new blade for my self. Don't worry."
...
That evening, Ryuu signed a contract with Rayleigh.
This was Rayleigh's second contract, and his contracted partner remained the girls from the Astraea Familia.
Three months later, Kaguya also signed a contract, obtaining the Zanpakuto 'Katen Kyōkotsu.'
Simultaneously, his ability scores had stagnated for the past two weeks.
'It's time,' he thought.
Currently, apart from Rayleigh, Ardi, Alise, Kaguya, and Ryuu had all advanced to Level 3.
Lyra was a Great Feat away from leveling up.
He was the only one stuck at Level 1!
While he was not holding the team back, Level 1 was insufficient for exploring deeper Dungeon floors.
Thanks to team expeditions and the extra Excellia gained from wielding four Zanpakuto, his status had reached the peak of Level 1.
-------------
Name: Rayleigh
Level: 1
Abilities:
Strength: S995 |
Endurance: S982
Dexterity: S951 |
Agility: S989
Magic: S999
Magic: > Hadō (Destructive Path), Bakudō (Binding Path), Kaidō (Healing Path)
Skills: > Soul Blade (Zanpakuto)
--------------
All of Rayleigh's attributes had reached S-Rank, filling him with satisfaction.
Over the past few months, he had slain countless monsters and his Great Feat was more than sufficient.
Seeing that Rayleigh was ready to level up, Hephaestus was stunned.
"All stats at S-Rank... Unbelievable! Loki's child took a whole year to achieve this! And you have done it in half the time!"
Rayleigh felt no particular pride.
He simply had a different kind of cheat!
Ais Wallenstein's Avenger Skill granted her a special advantage against monsters, and her Enchantment Magic was powerful.
Combined, these abilities allowed her to defeat monsters far above her level.
His Soul Blade Skill increased his Excellia accumulation through his Zanpakuto, shortening his leveling time compared to hers.
If each sword provided a 10% Excellia boost, even with four swords, it would amount to less than a 40% bonus—nothing compared to the growth rate of a certain white rabbit.
Bell Cranel had an exponential Excellia boost that allowed him to reach Level 2 in one month.
And he could break through the limits of his ability scores at will!
'Compared to him, I spent so much effort for a mere 40% boost.'
"What Development Ability should we choose?" Hephaestus asked. "Blacksmith, Swordsman, Healing, Hunter, Abnormal Resistance, or Strong Body."
"A Level 1 Adventurer having a six Development Abilities upon leveling up? I'm not even surprised anymore," the Goddess sighed.
For this child who had been in her Familia for half a year, she had never worried about him, yet she also worried about him the most.
He's exceptional.
Undeniably exceptional.
The swords forged by this boy were stunning, even a God like her was awestruck.
A unique Skill, plus three types of Magic and on top of that, he reach Level 2 in half a year.
None of the things she had feared had come to pass.
This child had resolved everything himself.
He had never asked anything of the Familia, nor had he shown any hesitation.
Hephaestus felt a pang of loneliness. As the Patron God of Hephaestus familia, she had no opportunity to play her role.
"Let's go with Blacksmith, then."
"Understood."
The Goddess did not interfere with Rayleigh's choice.
However, Rayleigh had once again made a decision without seeking her advice, deepening her melancholy.
Though he felt guilty, Rayleigh had long been determined to select Blacksmith as his Development Ability.
He had formed exclusive contracts with Alise, Kaguya, and Ryuu, but their equipment could not be limited to Zanpakuto.
With the Blacksmith ability, his capacity to craft other equipment would improve, allowing him to create effective protective gear for them.
"Congratulations, now you are a Level 2 Adventurer."
After Hephaestus updated his stats, Rayleigh clenched his fist, noticing no immediate increase in physical strength.
'Could it be because this is unlocking my latent potential, so there is no sudden surge of power?'
No.
There was a change.
Fine dust particles drifted in the room. Previously visible only in direct sunlight, they now appeared clearer in his vision.
Though subtle, the effects of leveling up had manifested in his physical body.
And his spiritual pressure...
The previously obscured aspects had unlocked.
Focusing his mind, Rayleigh sensed his spiritual pressure, feeling as if his perception had shifted.
He could perceive the structure of spiritual particles.
His gaze locked onto Hephaestus and he could see a golden spiritual power extended from her body.
'This must be the spiritual power of a God.'
Delving deeper, Rayleigh discovered more blue spiritual power.
...
Reiryoku (霊力, Spiritual Power) is a power aligned with the spiritual sensitivity and willpower.
Every spiritual being and every Human has a certain amount of Reiryoku.
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