Goddess of the forge.

''First things first. This information can't get out of this room. You hear me?'' said Hephaestus in her most serious voice so far as she gestured to the two of us.

Tsubaki snorted ''As if someone would believe me when I tell them. A fresh Lvl1 somehow has 2 development abilities, 2 skills, and magic. That's not even mentioning what they do. I would be lucky if I'm treated as a fool.''

I could see Hephaestus hum at that.

''I know you might already understand this, but under no circumstance will you show your back to anyone.

I will lock your falna sheet, but you should be cautious just in case. There are some... unsavoury ways to check the status of a person.'' She proceeded to do just as she said.

''Now that's addressed, I am going to have to ask you to tell me why you have all of this. This is not natural. I have never heard of a case like this, and I have been in Genkai for a long time Ken.

I also have some inquiries about some of your abilities, some of them are a bit concerning. I would rather hear your version before jumping to conclusions.'' She said in an almost demanding voice.

''I can't tell you WHY I have those abilities.'' I saw her draw in inquisitive brow at that. I followed up'' It is not something that I can just say. It won't put just me in danger, it will put you two in danger as well.'' I added after a bit letting them mull over what I said for a few seconds '' I will

tell you when I get strong enough, so it won't be bringing problems.''

'' I can explain what my abilities do, but I think they are self-explanatory.''

I can't see any demerit to telling them about this. I might as well get on with it early on.

''This guy...''I heard Tsubaki say with an exasperated sigh.

'' How about we start with your development ability: Perfect Body. I have never heard of an EX rank before,'' said Hephaestus.

''Right. It is as simple as it states. Since my 'vessel' is much more flexible than normal, I can fill it with way more than what should be possible. I have some other theories, but they are inconclusive.

Sword-Mastery is just that. I think there is not a need to explain.''

''Ok, now there is your magic ''The game''. I have to say I am not a fan of that name. What does it exactly do? I assume it has something with your skills.'' She said in a more relaxed tone.

''I honestly don't know, it does a lot. I admittedly did not have a lot of time to test it. And yes, my skills were a direct result of it.''

''What do you mean you didn't have a lot of time?''

''Well, I woke up in a forest about a week ago. I can't remember much about what happened before that, only glimpses and fragmented memories. I started heading towards Orario once I got a handle on things.''

That drew a gasp from the two ladies in the same room and they looked at me with sympathetic looks. A sad atmosphere suddenly invaded the room.

Trying to change the mood I said ''Well, as for my skills. As incredible as they sound, they are true to their descriptions. But, no matter if I don't need sustenance or sleep, I still find it rather enjoyable.''

''I had some other inquiries, but I think this is enough interrogation for a day,'' said Hephaestus as she laughed a bit.

''I know, it has been rather heavy for a first date,'' I said as I grinned a bit.

She huffed a bit, yet had the smallest decorating her face.

''Alright, big guy. Let's get you situated.'' said Tsubaki as she gave some sort of token.''Here, you give to the guards at the Familia's workplace, and you'll be given a free room, alongside some starting gear and potions. It is marginally better than the guild starting one. We are the ones that provide them with it.''

It was a free room, and gear. Who doesn't like free stuff? I thought as I took it and pocketed it.

I was heading out when Hephaestus grabbed my shoulder, which looked slightly cute due to the height difference.

''Not so fast, remember what I told you earlier? I was going to wait a few days, but a certain someone had to have some rather interesting skills. I am going to personally test you.'' She said as she mentioned to her workshop.

''Well, I'll leave you two love-birds alone. I have some matters to attend to,'' said Tsubaki with a grin as she left, followed by a grunt from the goddess next to me.

''Just so you know, I have never done any smithing,'' I said to her.

She just waved it off ''I am only here to see your potential. I am a smithing goddess, I will know talent if I see one. Or what, are you not so confident anymore? Who said he'll do just fine before.'' She had a provoking grin going on.

''Oh, it's like that. It's on.''I grinned back as I grabbed the hammer.

''We'll see.''She said.

A few seconds passed.

Just as I thought nothing would happen.

[Congratulations! The user has gained the skill: Smithing-Lvl1.]

Almost at the same moment. I could see her perk up a bit.

Although I have gained the skill, I have not suddenly become a master smith or something of the like.

It started with slow clumsy attempts at smithing. But with the guidance of Hephaestus herself, I could feel myself getting attuned to the art. I lost myself in focus and only followed her words to a T much like an automatic response.

I couldn't tell how much time has passed. If going by the orange light coming off the window of the workshop, it must have been quite a while.

I stopped when I felt a squeeze on my shoulders only to find the usually composed goddess of the forge looking at me with an unreadable expression.

''I can see why you would make a lot of people envious. It is honestly ridiculous.'' She said while looking at the item I was holding.

[Reinforced Steel Sword(Super Rare).]

The first sword made by Akagi Ken, personally supervised by the goddess of smithing and forging

Hephaestus. The quality is at the limits of its materials.

[Congratulations! Smithing has leveled up to 61!]

[Hidden quest completed! Craft a tier Rare or higher item.]

Rewards:

-10 stat points.

-1x rare skill Gacha token.

I was surprised by the results.

'Is it because I had a god instructing me that the skill increased that much. That would probably be the reason. That, or I already had talent in smithing.' I thought as I looked at the said goddess.

''Do you have any idea what you just did?'' asked Hephaestus. ''You said this is your first time

smithing?'' I nodded.

''Well, being instructed by a literal goddess of smithing might have helped.''

''I am sure it did.'' She said as she rolled her eyes.

''Alright. I will be personally teaching from now. I will be sure to make some free time, and you will

as well.'' said Hephaestus in a happy-confident tone, while at the same managing to sound strict.

''Any reason to spend some time alone with you is good,'' I said with a mirthful grin.

I could see her fumble a bit. I couldn't help but think it was quite cute.

----------

(Hephaestus POV)

When Ken picked up the hammer, I could not feel any sort of aptitude with it. I couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed.

'I guess you can't be good at everything. I suppose his calling is that of combat. Even us gods can't be talented at everything.'

As if opposing me, I could feel the way he handled the hammer change ever so subtly. It wasn't anything miraculous, but there was a change.

Minutes after I started teaching him how to work around the metal, there were small but steady changes.

His face creased in total concentration was strangely attractive.

'NO, bad Hephaestus! Focus.'

It was a couple of hours after the 'lesson' started that his behaviour changed completely, no more was the clumsy apprentice making rookie mistakes.

A couple more hours and he becomes a competent smith, worthy of being in the Hephaestus Familia.

With a completely terrifying level of growth, it was about sunset when he completed his work. A work that is impossible to be made on the first session of smithing of even the most talented smiths. It was a piece that I would be proud to put the Hephaestus emblem on.

This was the work of an accomplished smith honing his skills for years, made by a first-timer. It was completely and utterly ridiculous.

If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I would have called bullshit.

'I will not stand him wasting his talent. I will have to personally instruct him.

'Yes... That's the reason.'

After I announced that to him I heard him say.

''Any reason to spend some time alone with you is a good one.'' as he smiled with his usual charming smile.

I was glad Tsubaki wasn't here, otherwise, she wouldn't let me live this down.

It was a strange feeling to be subjected to such words. This blasted curse made sure of that.

'No use thinking about it.' I said I shook my head.

---------------------------

Getting the room key along with some basic gear was simple enough, well other than my new trusted sword. The moment I showed the guard what I got from Tsubaki, it was smooth sailing from there.

That must have been a big deal around here.

As I was heading to where the room was supposed to be. I couldn't help but notice some glances of curiosity and apprehension.

I was feeling lost, despite the guard pointing the way to where the room was supposed to be. This place was honestly confusing, every corner was the same.

The smell of heavy smoke and the bangs of metal on metal didn't help either.

After a long time of searching around. Much more than I'd like to admit. I was finally there.

It was a large sturdy box-like looking building with almost no aesthetic value as if the builders didn't even consider that aspect. You would think a crafting Familia would have better boarding structures.

'Or that must be because they are a crafting Familia. The lot of them must be smithing Maniacs'

I entered the building, read the words carved on the key and followed the rooms. It was only after I hit the third story that I found it.

I entered the place and was pleasantly surprised. It was a large, much larger than one would assume.

A big bed in the middle of it, surrounded by two large closets and drawers. There was a magic stone empowered lamp that easily illuminates the whole room. There was even a brick chimney opposite the bed.

It was a way better room than I expected.

'Are all rooms like this?'I wondered as I took the token that the captain gave me. It was a coin the size of a palm, engraved on it was the Hephaestus emblem.

I put it in the corner and lay on the bed.

'Man, I was planning to go straight to the dungeon after getting the Falna and start the grind. That took a lot longer than I thought.'

Well, I at least secured future dates with Hephaestus. The sword was just a nice bonus.

I started practising my magic the same as ever. Magic was the slowest one to increase the level so far.

[Congratulations! Elemental magic has leveled up to lvl50! ]

-Spend 8 MP to create elemental phenomena of your choice.

'Finally.' I said with a small level of excitement.

I immediately opened the book again and headed off to the next section that was locked before. I skimmed through the congratulatory text and went straight ahead to the actual content.

There was no need for any instructions like in the first chapter. They were more like a guide of said magic.

[Congratulations! The user has gained Non-Elemental magic ( Light and Darkness)-Lvl1]

-The effect of magic increases multiplicatively based on MP spent.

According to the book, the light magic was part holy in nature, and it even served as a healing one.

If the Light magic was part Holy. Then the dark magic is Unholy, sucking away the life of the target regardless of protection. It can even be used to perform Necromancy.

Something that I am not very comfortable with, and doesn't need to be said that it shouldn't be leaked.

'Just because I always thought Danmachi needed a DemonLord figure. It doesn't mean that I want to become the one.'

I would rather not practice this magic here. I will have to do it tomorrow at the dungeon.