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"Sigh, what am I going to do with you?"
Hephaestus let out a heavy remark toward her friend, her tone laced with exasperation. Deep down, she felt a twinge of regret for her harsh words. Seeing Hestia's pitiful, teary-eyed expression, she could only press a hand to her forehead and release a helpless sigh.
"At the very least… you can't live here forever, can you?"
"You are a full-fledged goddess, after all."
"Hehe, what's the big deal, Hephaestus? We're best friends forever, right?"
Hestia's mood shifted as quickly as it had dropped. In no time, she was back to her bright, cheerful self, playfully tugging at the forging goddess's arm with a mischievous grin.
"I'll definitely work harder to find Familia members!! Trust me, someone will take a liking to me and join my Familia eventually!!"
"Sigh, you always say that."
Hephaestus watched as Hestia, tears barely wiped away, confidently patted her chest, causing a noticeable sway that betrayed her enthusiasm. Despite herself, Hephaestus softened.
"Sorry, young man, for making you witness this."
Turning to Yuto, who stood nearby, she pulled out a pen and paper, ready to shift focus.
"Do you have any specific requirements for the weapon's design?"
"Also, it'd be best if you could share your current adventurer level and stats so I can tailor the weapon to your strength. Don't worry about confidentiality, our Hephaestus Familia's reputation in Orario is impeccable."
"Just forge it to the standards of a Level 6 or higher. Don't worry about the level or cost."
Yuto waved off the pen and paper, uninterested in filling out forms, and spoke directly to the forging goddess.
"Hm? Young man… this is no joking matter. A weapon's forging must meet its wielder's exact needs."
Hephaestus frowned, her elegant brows knitting together. This boy seemed far too confident. A powerful weapon mismatched to its owner would lose much of its effectiveness. Take Hestia's Blade for example; only those blessed by Hestia could wield it; in anyone else's hands, it was no better than the cheapest scrap. Without knowing Yuto's level and stats, crafting his ideal weapon would be impossible. Was he doubting her Familia's integrity?
"It's not that I don't trust you or your Familia. I just haven't joined a Familia yet, so I don't have a level."
Yuto caught the suspicion in her eyes and cut straight to the point.
"Huh?!"
"What… you haven't joined a Familia?!"
His words stunned both goddesses. Hephaestus lifted her head, her beautiful eye wide with shock and disbelief. Meanwhile, Hestia reacted like a deer spotting a spring, practically leaping to his side with a whoosh. Her sparkling eyes shimmered with hope.
"Do you possess the strength of a Level 6 adventurer?"
"But… that can't be right, since you haven't joined a Familia."
"Who says you need to join a Familia to have power? Levels are just a measure for others, but they mean little to me."
Yuto's tone was calm, as if he were discussing something as mundane as eating or drinking.
Hestia and Hephaestus exchanged a glance, both catching the skepticism in the other's eyes. Anyone could boast, and while Yuto carried an impressive aura, who knew his true strength? Having lived for countless years, the goddesses had seen their fair share of overconfident fools who crumbled when reality hit.
Just as Hestia opened her mouth to probe further, Ryuu Lion, who had been silent until now, stepped forward to defend him.
"I can vouch for him. Yuto does have strength beyond Level 6. Just last night, he defeated a Level 5 opponent."
"By the way, it happened at the Hostess of Fertility. If you don't believe me, you can verify it yourselves."
"The Hostess of Fertility, huh… No need to doubt that."
Hephaestus nodded. She knew the tavern's owner, Mia Grand, a former captain of the Freya Familia. Blessed with her goddess's permission to semi-retire, Mia was a force to be reckoned with. The tavern was Orario's busiest, and unless this elf was a fool, she wouldn't risk lying to two goddesses.
"Legends say that before the gods descended, this land birthed great heroes who achieved miracles as mere mortals."
"Could it be, Yuto, that you're one such heroic youth?!"
In Orario, what was most valuable? Magic stones? Valis? No! Hestia could tell you that in this era, a rare talent outshone them all.
In the next moment, the blue-ribboned goddess flung herself at Yuto, clinging to his arm with her bountiful figure swaying enticingly. Her gleaming eyes seemed ready to devour him with longing.
"I've been planning to start my own Familia. Are you interested in joining?"
Feeling the overwhelming softness pressed against his arm, Yuto let out a comfortable breath.
"I haven't joined a Familia yet. As long as your Familia aligns with my principles, I might consider it."
"Yes! A chance!"
Hestia, who had faced rejection countless times, had long since forged a resilient heart through endless setbacks. She was about to sweet-talk this "naïve" youth further when Ryuu stepped in, blocking the eager goddess's path.
"You're the famous pure goddess from the heavens, Hestia, right?"
"Hehe, a fan, perhaps?"
Oblivious to the sharp gaze hidden beneath Ryuu's hood, Hestia puffed out her chest proudly, her curves rising impressively.
"That's right! I'm Hestia, one of the three pure goddesses of the heavens!"
As a member of the Astraea Familia, Ryuu knew Hestia's reputation as a goddess who remained chaste. After all, her own goddess, Astraea, was part of the same trio. She'd also heard of Astraea's lazy, freeloading best friend.
"How about it? If you haven't joined a Familia either, why not join mine alongside this young man as the second member?"
Hestia beamed, barely containing her glee. Luck had finally turned her way; two potential members at once! Surely the heavens had taken pity on her tragic fate.
Lost in her joy, she didn't notice Ryuu waiting for the perfect moment to strike at her weaknesses.
"I've heard rumors about you, and I'd like to confirm a few things."
"First, as far as I know, your Familia has no financial backing. If we join, will we have to pay for our own equipment and weapons?"
Ryuu's tone was polite and gentle, but her question made Hestia freeze, a guilty look creeping onto her face.
"Well… I-I can work part-time!" Hestia gritted her teeth, forcing out an answer.
"Fair enough, I suppose."
Ryuu blinked, pressing her advantage.
"Second, do you have a permanent residence? If we join your Familia, will we have to stay here with Lady Hephaestus temporarily? Will we need to work part-time with you to pay rent?"
This triple blow sank Hestia completely. The blue-ribboned goddess collapsed to her knees, her expression turning to stone.
"It's over! My secrets are all out!"
With Ryuu's words, Yuto would surely refuse to join her Familia now!
"My questions are done."
Despite toppling a goddess, Ryuu's refined features showed no trace of smugness. She turned to Yuto.
"Joining a Familia isn't a decision to take lightly. It affects your future growth. A strong Familia offers ample resources and support to help you level up quickly. If you join Hestia's Familia, you'll have no one to rely on. You'll be struggling alone."
Facing the mature, dependable elf who exuded big-sister vibes, Yuto nodded slightly.
'This idiot… Sigh, if it comes to it, I'll let her stay a few more days.'
Having watched the whole exchange, Hephaestus was certain Yuto wouldn't choose her hapless friend. Just as she prepared to offer some comfort, Yuto's voice rang out behind her.
"Hestia, I can agree to join your Familia… on the condition that I become the captain and handle all management. You'll step back as my deputy, and I'll lead the Familia entirely. Do you accept it?"
'What a commanding presence.'
His bold, almost domineering declaration made Hephaestus frown. Her divine instincts told her this youth was no follower. The subtle aura of authority he exuded proved he wasn't weak-willed.
'Perhaps only someone like him can revive Hestia's Familia.'
Faced with Yuto's forceful terms, Hestia agreed without hesitation. As a self-admitted slacker goddess, she couldn't contribute much anyway. Someone willing to join her Familia was a dream come true, why would she refuse?
"Great. From now on, we're family. I'll bring you the glory you deserve and lead the Hestia Familia to become Orario's strongest."
Yuto embraced the goddess who threw herself at him, savoring her breathtaking figure as he made his vow.
"Wahhh, Hephaestus, look! I finally have a Familia…"
Seeing her friend weep with joy, Hephaestus teared up too, though mostly from relief at shedding her freeloading burden.
"That's wonderful! There is no time to waste, let's get that blessing done."
Eager to see her mooching friend leave, Hephaestus practically shoved Yuto and Hestia into a private room.
"Hehe, Yuto, let me see your potential!"
Hestia rubbed her hands together, her face flushed with excitement.
"Come on, don't be shy. Take off your shirt, let me see!"
"Hestia, could you wipe the drool from your mouth?"
Yuto, now shirtless, gave a wry look at the goddess whose hands were eagerly kneading his toned abs. Wasn't this supposed to be about the blessing? Had she forgotten in favor of groping him?
"Oh, sorry, sorry…"
Hestia sheepishly withdrew her hands, her face red as she glanced at him. Then, pricking her finger, she let her divine blood drip.
Buzz…
In that instant, Yuto felt a cool sensation spread through his body. As the godly blood seeped into his skin, a symbol unique to the Hestia Familia appeared on his bare back; a intricate red torch-like pattern, surrounded by dense rows of tiny text.
This was the blessing, a gift from the gods of this world, etched onto their children's bodies with divine blood as the medium.
At first, Hestia didn't think much of the dense script, assuming it was standard. But as more and more lines appeared, her vibrant eyes widened. Her red lips parted in an exaggerated gasp as she stammered in disbelief,
"Y-Yuto… why do you have so many skills?!"
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