Mother-daughter conversation

A week seems to have passed quickly in Orario, but even in this short period, there have been several changes.

The Apollo Familia was dismantled once they lost the War Game, due to the promise Apollo had made to Hestia, resulting in the god being forced to leave the city.

With the demise of the Apollo Familia, all of their possessions were passed to the Hestia Familia, including a gigantic palace that had become their new home, as the one they had previously resided in was destroyed.

However, these were not the only changes. The news of Bell reaching level 3 in record time was all over the newspapers, so much so that people were beginning to wonder if he and Mark were having a competition to see who could level up faster.

Even if the achievement of such a feat had surprised the various citizens of Orario, there was someone else who had gained enormous fame after the War Game, Zoe. The scene of her destroying several monsters of a higher level than her own, combined with her beauty, had increased her popularity frighteningly.

"Wow, you even managed to beat 'Sword Princess' in the popularity contest."

"Please don't remind me. On my way here, people wouldn't stop pointing at me."

Astrea teased Zoe, who had her head resting on the table.

They were currently in Ryuu's flat. Because of all the problems caused by the Apollo Familia, Zoe hadn't had the chance to see her mother in those days and had begun to miss her, but it wasn't only for that reason that she had visited her.

"Then why the sudden visit?"

"It would be for two reasons. The first concerns my status, I wanted to ask you what you thought."

Zoe handed her the paper with her status on it.

(Author: She's not a level 3 yet, but she has a chance to increase it).

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[NAME]: Zoe Elpis

[AGE]: 18

[LV]: 2 (3) new

[BASIC ABILITIES]:

Strength: H 180->G 280(310)

Endurance: H 130->G 202 (300)

Dexterity: G 280->E 400 (700)

Agility: G 250->E 400 (700)

Magic: SSS 1900 [400 + 1500] (1800)

[DEVELOPMENT ABILITIES]:

Alchemy (G)

Abnormal resistance (I)

[MAGIC]:

-Word magic: using words and imagination, it is possible to cast a spell. It has a high rate of falna consumption.

[SKILLS]:

-Eye of truth:

(passive) ability to read inner thoughts.

-Void:

(activate) absorb the magical power from the stones of slain monsters and make it yours.

(activates) the magical power absorbed can be used to enhance a magic, but as a result, you will lose the stat increase.

(stones lv2: 4/4)

###########################################

"Hmmm."

Knowing her skill and after killing all those level 3 monsters, Astrea wasn't too surprised at the level of magic she had reached and the fact that she could level up, but it was her other stats that caught her attention.

"These are the changes that happened before and after the end of the War Game." -Zoe said.

"!" -Hearing what she said, Astrea looked at her with wide eyes.

The situation had to be re-evaluated because the speed at which those stats had grown in such a short time was not normal.

"...I think I have a theory, but I'm not sure." -She said with some hesitation.

Zoe looked at her with interest, waiting for her to speak.

"Do you know why people blessed by the gods manage to become stronger?"

"Isn't it because of the Exelia that we gain by performing different actions?"

"True, but then why are there people who can't increase their stats?"

At Astrea's question, Zoe remained thoughtful as something came to mind.

"Talent?"

"The better term would be potential. A person no matter how talented they are, the further they go the harder it will be to improve and that is because every person has limits. Obviously, a person with a strong will can overcome these limits, which is why I have a certain respect for Finn and Ottar, but let's not digress and move on to your case.

I think the reason your stats are growing so fast is that the amount of Falna within your body is squeezing your potential to the maximum to allow your body to adapt to it, that would also explain why magic is the only stat that hasn't increased." -She said with a stiff expression.

"Isn't that a good thing?" -Zoe asked.

"I don't know. I've never known of a person with so much Falna despite being level 2. the important thing is that you're fine, but if you notice disturbances in your body, release the Falna absorbed from the magic stones." -Astrea said seriously.

"Don't worry." -Zoe said, reassuring her.

Although she felt strange at first after absorbing the Falna in the magic stones, she had adapted to the feeling easily enough that she didn't notice it now.

"I will trust you. So, what was the second thing you wanted to talk about? Knowing you, you tend to always say the things that cause you the most doubt at the end."

A smile appeared on Zoe's face as she saw how well her mother knew her.

"...During the week I was training, I had several dreams." -Explained Zoe.

"Were they pleasant dreams?" -Astrea asked with a gentle smile.

"I think... yes, although like last time, the images were not very clear."

If she thought about it, she hadn't dreamt anything really special, but those simple scenes were enough to lighten her mood.

"If that's the case I'm glad, but I think that's not the reason behind your doubts."

Seeing her inquiring gaze, Zoe could only surrender. She told her how at first she believed that as long as she got tired enough or experienced a dangerous situation she would have a dream, but it proved to be wrong. She then explained to her how she realized that these dreams were triggered by Mark's presence and how she made sure of it.

"...That really surprised me, but Zoe don't you think-"

"Do you think it's something he did on purpose?"

Zoe could understand her mother's doubt, after all, she had had it too, but there was one thing to consider.

"Why would he do that?"

She explained to her that from the start Mark didn't seem interested in her. If it hadn't been for the potions deal they had made, he most likely wouldn't have helped her and even in the moments when they were alone, he only approached her if necessary.

"I understand, but I didn't expect you to defend him so readily." -Astrea said, finding the situation strangely amusing.

"Nononono, whatever you're thinking is wrong." -Zoe said quickly.

"Why? Is he really an uncomfortable person to be with?" -Astrea asked curiously.

"Well, it's not that..."

The time she had spent with him was short but rewarding. She had learned several things and his company was not bad. She also remembered how even though he was helping her, he didn't stop training himself, in some ways increasing the respect she felt for him... then the images of how he enjoyed teasing her and the various sarcastic responses magically appeared in her mind.

"Yes he is"-Her response had a radical change.

"Ehh, looks like someone isn't telling it right." -Astrea continued to tease her.

"W-What am I supposed to do now?" Zoe tried to change the topic of discourse.

"Why don't you tell them your situation? From what I understand, he seems like the kind of person that if you offer him what he needs, he'll pay back with a good job."

Zoe had not expected such a proposal, in fact, her expression was flooded with doubt. For her to expose not remembering her past was not easy, she managed to tell Bell and the others, but that was because she trusted them, but Mark...

As Zoe was thinking, she saw how her mother had approached her and placed her hand on her.

"You know Zoe, you've grown up a lot in this time you've been in Orario." -She said softly.

Zoe looked up at the indigo eyes, as full of kindness as the first day she saw them.

"In the past, you would have immediately refused such a proposal, but now you are thinking about it carefully. From not relating to anyone but me and Al, to having a whole group of comrades you can trust, you don't know how happy it makes me. That's why I want you to have more faith in yourself, you're so much stronger than you used to be, only a fool would try to trick you."

'chuckle.'

A giggle came out of Zoe at her mother's words, but then she nodded.

"I will think about this carefully."

"The decision awaits only you dear, take all the time you want."

"Oh looks like it's time for me to go, today Hestia would receive the adventurers who were planning to join our Familia."

With their victory in the War Game, the Hestia Familia had increased their reputation, which brought a large number of requests to join them.

"Then I won't keep you any longer, say hello to Hestia for me." -Astrea said, smiling.

"Alright, and tell Ryuu we'll come by the tavern tomorrow night."

Waving goodbye to her mother, Zoe walked out of the flat.