7 Getting the Falna.
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A/N :
Guys, I honestly don't know what to do with Lili. I am not a huge fan of her, and she would add close to nothing in this story, as I didn't go for the Hestia route. Unless I pull some major BS and give her some power-up. I could either treat it as if she doesn't exist, or just save her and forget about it, and maybe push her to Finn somehow as the savior of their race.
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No one interrupted us as we walked out of the guild. I half-expected Eina to immediately ask whether or not the recruitment was successful.
''So, where are we heading ?'' I ask once we are a pretty good distance from the guild.
''Hmm. Oh yes, we're going to Lady Hephaestus's workshop. That's where she will grant you her blessing.''.
She said with a teasing voice ''What, getting scared? Two mature ladies
leading a single pretty boy alone somewhere.''
''Hardly, is that even supposed to be scary?'' I countered back in an even tone, much to her amusement. She gained a mischievous glint in her eyes.
Well, unless shotacons are a thing here as well. Who am kidding? There are greek gods here... Wherever they go, all kinds of debauchery follow.
We kept going back and forth a bit like that, even Hephaestus wasn't spared from Tsubaki's comments. I couldn't help but think of how close they seemed to be, they seemed pretty close in the anime, but not this close.
'I need to stop assuming things based on an anime.' I thought as a sigh escaped my mouth.
We entered the Hephaestus Familia's workshop. People would bow their heads a bit whenever Hephaestus would pass by them. Some were naturally curious about the reason a young man walked next to their goddess and captain. However, they didn't dare to express it.
I could even see some hints of fear and mild disgust. I have a good guess for the reason it could be due. I hope it's not as bad as I am thinking.
I was pulled out of my thoughts when I heard Hephaestus say she gestured in front of her,'' We're here, welcome to my workshop.''
I entered through the door, and what greeted me was a large room that served as an office with two couches and a large desk —littered with paperwork.
In the corner of my eye, I could see a small room. The opening on its door let me glimpse at a bed and some other decorations.
'I guess she crashes here when there is a lot of work to be done.'
To the left lies her actual workshop, if only for the massive forge and smithing types of equipment I could see.
''Are you done gawking?'' said Hephaestus with an amused smirk on her face.
I smiled sheepishly '' My bad. It's just not exactly what I expected.''
As one of the big 3 of Orario, surely Hephaestus can live in the tower of babel if she wishes.
Instead, she prefers to live on the top of her Familia's workplace. It makes her feel closer to her Familia. That, and it's close to where her workshop is.
'The latter one is probably the real reason.' I thought with a half-smile.
As a goddess of smithing, she naturally feels at home next to her forge.
''I get that a lot. I don't need anything other than my forge.'' she said with a bitter-sweet tone.''Before I can gift you the Falna, we need to talk.'' She switched the topic.
'' Take a seat first'' gesturing to the couch as she sat on the opposite one. She then continued ''First of all, all members of my Familia are crafters. I will not change that rule. I expect you to learn one form of crafting, preferably smithing.''
I smiled ''Naturally. I wouldn't join a crafting Familia if I were unwilling to learn crafting. I just need you to understand that it will only be a side project of sorts. I will focus on exploration as my main job.''
She hummed as a response '' That is acceptable. Who teaches you depends on your talent entirely'' she said with a smile.
''I am sure I will do just fine in that regard,'' I muttered.
''What do you mean by that?'' asked the red-haired across me with a raised eyebrow.
I just smiled mysteriously
Her response to that came along an exasperated tone'' Right, secret.'' Only to say after a few seconds as if waiting for me to say something'' Well, why don't you show me your back. You can lay down.''
I did as instructed. I gave an appreciative hum at those haveanly tighs as she got on top of me.
Somehow, Tsubaki must have realised what I'm thinking about. She gave me a thumbs up with a toothy grin.
I naturally returned the gesture with my own grin and a thumbs up.
As we were having our little charade, I could hear Hephaestus saying ''Why can't I apply my blessing?.''
A window popped in my head
[Soul attack on the user detected! Gamer's Mind auto ability activated.]
Oh, that was not something I expected. I thought Gamer's mind would only protect me against mental attacks.
I hope this did not screw me over with Freya, even more than I thought I was.
''My bad. How about now?'' I said as I deactivated Gamer's mind as I felt a faint ting of pain. It was marginally better than last time. I let her do her thing after.
''What did you do exactly? It should have been impossible to do what you just did,'' she said with an incredulous tone.
''As I said, you will get a lot of answers once you grant me the blessing.''
''I got it, I got it.''
It was a fascinating experience to be granted a falna. I don't know if it was like this for everyone, but I felt as if someone was touching my soul.
There was a prolonged silence that dominated the room. I got worried and looked back only to find a comically slack-jawed Hephaestus.
It was a bit satisfying the usually professional and cold raid-haired beauty so out of it.
''Did you know about this??! You said I would get answers.... I only have more questions now!'' She said with an unidentifiable tone to her voice as she slapped my back.
''Hmm, a little bit. Although, I don't know what you are talking about exactly. Can I get the falna stat paper?''
''A little bit, he says.'' I heard her mutter between her breaths.
''Here it is. I need some serious answers after this, Ken.'' She said with a head-strong tone as she handed me the paper.
I nodded as I took it.
[Status]:
Akagi Ken
Level:1
HP: 240
MP: 110
-Strength: C612
-Endurance: B723
-Dexterity: D530
-Agility: D530
-Magic: C631
Perfect Body: EX
-The user's body is at the pinnacle of the mortal race. All stats can be raised to EX1999. The user can learn at a prodigal rate.
Sword-Mastery: D
-The user's proficiency with swords raises based on the rank.
-Skills:
-Gamer's Body:
Grants a body that allows the user to live in the real world like a game. The holder receives no physical damage from attacks only pain for a few seconds and a loss of HP. The user does not need sleep or nutrition.
-Gamer's Mind:
Allows the user to calmly and logically think things through, and provides immunity to all mental attacks and or disorders.
-Magic:
- The game:
The game is provided to the user at the moment:
Elemental magic ( No chant).
Inventory.
'Hmm, this is about what I expected. There were some hidden things here or there. It's pretty accurate all things considered'
''I need some answers now, ken. I don't know what to think of this. Do you even realize what would the gods do to get their hands on you? I am afraid it's to the point my protection isn't going to be enough.'' She said with a small voice while looking at no one in particular.
''I know. When I said I there was no goddess for me other than you for me. I was not joking Hephaestus.'' I said as I looked deep into her red uncovered eye with my ocean blue one.
She seemed surprised at first, but I could gradually see a deep shade of red cover her cheeks.
Our little moment was interrupted by a cough from Tsubaki as I gave her the stink eye. ''I am happy you two are getting along... But shouldn't we get to the point? I have never seen Hephaestus-sama this shocked.'' She said as she picked up the stat sheet only to drop it when she finished reading it out of shock.
After a dozen seconds of her just standing there solid, most likely contemplating her life choices.
''Well, I don't know what to think of this. What the actual fuck is this bullshit stat sheet?!!'' She got louder bit by bit until she practically shouted the last part.
