Chapter 2: Falna and Skills
Good day to all.
Something that I messed to tell you all about is that this arc takes place in an AU of Danmachi.
It is pretty close to the original, yet different in few points. I will try mentioning those differences as a part of the story.
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(From the previous chapter)
Both of my parents are entering the room.
Everyone froze.
Hestia because she got caught giving their 4 months old a Falna.
My parents froze in bewilderment, looking at Hestia.
And I froze from sheer paranoia. How would they treat me after this?
Bell: *eyes blink with a wry expression* "Begin what?!"
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(Present time)
No. No. No. No. No. No. No. Hell no. Noooooooooooooooo.
You chose the wrong timing to enter the room. Why must you ruin my plans so?
They normally leave me with the familia members only for two hours maximum before they come back and spend time with me.
But today is different, they went to the dungeon. Going to the dungeon at their levels would require them to go for the lower floors. Around 30+.
That should have taken them at least three more hours, not accounting for enemy encounters.
I turn around to look at Hestia's face.
Cute. (AN: she makes an expression like this)
*drip* *shua*
Crap. That wet feeling, it should be her ichor. And the pale cyan light, the process of giving me a Falna started already.
Hestia, are you okay. Your face is pale and you are sweeting.
*whoosh*
Did someone forget the window open?
The window is closed. Then... oh, mommy Ais, mommy is, well, her expression is still stoic. Although, I must say, she is giving Hestia a nasty glare.
Her hair... is floating?! Kushina, is that you?!
Ais: "Lady Hestia" (AN: I am going to write the English equivalent of honorifics, unless a far easterner accent is involved)
Hestia, still with the same expression as before, is sweeting even more, to an unhealthy level. A mother is an existence so strong, even a goddess or two goddesses banding together wouldn't want to mess with.
Hestia's face just became dead serious. What did you remember to have that face?
Hestia: "I will explain later. The process of bestowing a Falna is a delicate process, dealing with the soul of a mortal. If we stop now, his soul may become warped, or worse, he may get his soul separated from his body. He will die like that"
Let's look at the bright side.
At least, I will get my Falna. I will act the child I am after this till they ignore this matter.
Ais: "You will explain" as her expression becomes more lenient, still a glare.
This is starting to get uncomfortable.
Okay, I take it back. This is painful. But I must endure.
Mommy Ais's eyes convey a sense of hesitation. And her body seems ready to spring into action.
Is she debating wether to interfere or not?
Okay. Fuck my cover. I don't care about it anymore.
Father seems to be in a similar situation. Although his emotions are more apparent on his face.
I should ease their worry.
Nephelont: *nod*
I look in their direction and give a firm nod. That should do.
Mommy Ais decided to get near, ignoring her own confusion, huh? For what?
Oh. She is stretching her hand towards my head.
Ais: "There. There" She started chanting, all the while rubbing my hair.
Nephelont: *childish giggles*
I love this mom.
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(sometime later later)
Hestia: "There. It is done"
Finally. I can see my Falna.
Or hear them say it, now that I think about it. They wouldn't assume that I can read the written language.
Hestia: "Would you like for me to read it aloud?"
Bell: "Does Nephelont understand what you are saying?"
He looks confused. I don't blame him.
Normal babies don't understand things said to them at the age of 4 months old.
Anyway.
Nephelont: "Gaa" *nod*
Bell: *gasp* "OUR CHILD IS A GENIUS"
Loud.
Ais: *pinches Bell* "You are deafening my child"
Bell: "Ouch. Alright, I will be quite, so do not pinch me"
She is saying that. But isn't she the one getting overly happy? Her face has a tiny, tiny smile on it at the moment. It is almost unnoticeable.
Now that is what you call a "blissfully happy" mommy Ais. I didn't see her smiling like that before, unless it has to do with Jagamarukun. (AN: Jagamarukun = a fried potato puff)
Now, where were we? Yeah, we were deciding on saying my Falna status out loud.
Nephelont: "Gaaa"
I am pointing my finger at the status sheet.
Hestia: "Yeah, your status sheet is as follows"
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Name: Nephelont Cranel
Lv: 1
Strength: 0 I
Endurance: 0 I
Dexterity: 0 I
Agility: 0 I
Magic: 0 I
Magic:
{Ariel:
Specializes in wind enchantment for offence and defense.
Chant: Tempest}
Development abilities: none
Skills:
{Dragon Hearted: ***}
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Hestia: "Why am I not shocked he already has a magic spell and a skill?"
Bell: "He is our child after all. Hehe"
Father says that while scratching the back of his head.
<Beep>
<System booted successfully>
<Abilities
Buffs and debuffs
Inventory>
Time is stopped. Proven by everyone's impossible posture.
Well, let's see what we got.
'Abilities'
<Abilities:
Ariel (variant):
(same as above)
Dragon Hearted:
Feeding a dragon's heart, or its equivalent, to the ability will grant you that dragon's abilities and increase your mind. As a side effect, the first time you feed the ability a dragon's heart, you will be granted the ability to morph into a dragon of that species. Minor altering of form is possible.
Sacrificing all energy and power will grant a chance at survival.
WARNING: IF THE USER DIDN'T HAVE THE AFFINITY/S WITHIN THE CONSUMED HEART, ALL ENERGY WITHIN WILL BE USED TO GRANT THE AFFINITY/S AND NO ABILITY WILL BE ABSORBED>
So that is what Dragon Hearted does.
I don't have any effect applied to me. Obviously buffs and debuffs is an empty section.
'Inventory'
<Inventory:
x1 Ancient Dragon Heart (Model: Elden Ring - Farum Azula)>
<Time stop will expire in 30s>
<29s>
...
<Time stop ends here>
And everything is back to business.
Aaahhh, Hestia, why are you looking at me like that?!
Hestia: "Nephelont, did you stop time just now? I felt a distortion in time flow, originating from you"
I shake my head in denial at that. Technically, it wasn't me who stopped time.
Ais: "Explanations are in order"
Oh, mommy is persisting on that.
At that sentence, Hestia reverts to that cute face again and continues sweeting.
She is sitting in front of me right now, with father sitting beside her.
She wants to lead this conversation it seems.
Ais: "Nephelont, from when did you start understanding us?"
Did she expect a solid answer from someone who can't talk?
Her cheeks are reddening, I repeat, her cheeks are reddening. Logic has caught up to her thoughts.
Time for me to save her from this embarrassing situation.
I point at her. Specifically, at her belly.
Everyone looks bewildered.
Until, I see father with a metaphorical light bulb above his head.
Bell: "Do you mean before or after birth?"
Salutes to you. You are sharper than I thought.
I point at the hand he assigned for "after birth".
Bell: "Do you remember everything?"
Nephelont: *shake*
Bell: "Mostly?"
Nephelont: *nod* "Daa"
Bell: "Good to know that. We will continue this talk once you have the ability to talk to an understandable degree. Did you get it, Nephelont?"
Nephelont: *nod* "Da"
He froze at that.
Really? What is it this time?
Bell: "Can you try making that sound again? Two times together"
He is excited for something. Let's amuse him.
Nephelont: "Dada?"
Bell: "This time, stop at the second sound of 'd'"
Nephelont: "Dad... Dad, Dad" *childish giggles*
Damn this body, it repeated the word then went all giggles on its own. This is embarrassing.
A look at my father made me forget quite a lot of my worries.
He is smiling with so much childish innocence, it rubs onto me, onto all of us, in fact.
Nephelont: *childish giggles*
Damn, this is embarrassing. I should regain near full control asap.
Woah, calm down mommy. You are sticking your face way too near for comfort.
Omph, my face. She is holding my cheeks hostage.
Ais: "Say it"
That sounded more of a request than a command, surprisingly.
She is so excited that her eyes sparkle and her countenance shines a mint green.
Ummm, aaah, how should I say this? Isn't that Ariel?!
I should say it before she realizes her magic went out of control.
Nephelont: "Na..."
Oh, yeah. The sound of 'm' gets produced easier when the mouth is closed.
Nephelont: "Mmm my... mmmmy..... mommy... mommy" *childish giggles*
I give up. Have it your way, body. But one day, I will gain control of you. Just. You. Wait.
Ouch. Your sudden hug is a little tight, mommy.
Ooh. Father is hugging us and I am in between them. I will withstand this blissful tightness for now.
Hestia: "What a beautiful sight. I should capture it" *camera snaps* "Annnnd, done. The perfect picture of a family hug"
So I can see it too? Right?
I still didn't see my appearance. Maybe this is my chance.
Nooooo, don't you dare, Hestia.
Don't put it between your boobs.
...
Damn it. That picture may not be able to see the light of day ever again.
Bell: "Ais, we should lay him to sleep soon. It is getting darker"
And a look outside the window tells me. It is nearly sleep time.
Ais: *nod* "Un"
I will have to withstand this for the remaining 1 year and 8 months. Breastfeeding is a humiliating way to get food. But as a child, my physical body and mental health will have problems growing up if I didn't drink mommy's milk for the entirety of the first 20 months at least, 2 full years preferably. Having solid food after the age of 6 months is a thing, but that is still not enough in itself.
Urrggh, endure it Nephelont. You can endure it.
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(After some time)
Finally done with that. Now I will have to pretend to have gone to sleep so I can... experiment.... with my...*yawn* skill.
Ais: *gentle whisper* "Sleep well, my child"
...
*click* *screech*
Okay. That door sobered me up.
*screech* *click*
Did mommy go out?
I see no one in the room. She went out.
'Consume the Ancient Dragon Heart'
<x1 Ancient Dragon Heart consumed>
A pale brown parchment-like panel appears before me. A drawn picture of a Farum Azula dragon is in it.
<Host has only this one chance to alter his draconic form intentionally>
Hmmm, the colors should be more pronounced. Pure white scales all around the body. For the wings, hmmm, I will make the stone-feather things have a white upside and a pure golden underside, in all four wings. All wings are shiny. Yes, they are bioluminescent, though only enough to add some majesty to it. The eyes are heteromorphic. One crimson red and one golden. The throat and vocal cords will have extra flexibility. This extra flexibility will allow for human speech capabilities. The size of my body is not any larger than an elder Farum Azula dragon.
'Confirm'
<Confirmed>
Hehehe. Should I try it? I may be able to talk, since I made it have a chance at human speech. But would I be an adult dragon immediately or a child dragon?!
There is only one way to find out. 'Transform'.
*crack* *crunch* *squelch*
Aaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrggggghhhhhhhhhhhhh. THE PAIN.
*poof* *squelch* *crack*
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*crash*
Nephelont: "Huff.... huff.... huff...."
Finally, it's over.
I check myself.
My length is around 1.5 meders, including the tail.
*thud* *thud *thud*
The sound of footsteps stops in front of my room's door.
*click* *slam*
The door got slammed open, but by who?
They turn on the lights.
Mommy and father are both here, standing at the doorway.
Both of them are already focused on my crib's direction. Where I sit on the remains of the crib.
Ais: "Nephelont?"
Before my father had the chance to do anything, mommy asked first.
Nephelont: "Yes mommy?"
Oh. Oooohhh, I can talk now.
Something to note, my voice resembles my father, Bell's voice.
Omph, mommy is hugging me tightly again, although my scales help this time around.
The rest arrive when she is hugging me. They decided to not interrupt the conversation for now, judging by how they didn't enter the room and remained silent.
Nephelont (in a strained voice): "How did you know it is me, mommy?"
Really, how? Is it a simple case of "a mother's intuition"?
Ais: "A mother's intuition"
I don't believe you.
Bell (worried): "Are you okay? Does anything feel uncomfortable?"
Nephelont (still with his voice strained): "Nope. Completely fine, aside from mommy hugging me too tightly that my lungs struggle to breath"
Mommy noticed that and loosened the hug a bit, still tight enough to hold me.
Ais (sternly): "Mind telling me why you look like this?"
Nephelont: "Why would you ask that?"
I have a bad feeling about this.
Ais: "I have a natural disposition against dragons and large lizards"
Nephelont: "Mean. But don't you worry. It's a thing I can control. I can use it to go back to my human baby form"
I turn to father's direction to address something of urgent importance.
Nephelont: "Father, as I can talk to an understandable degree, I ought to continue the talk from some hours ago"
Bell (surprised): "But do you not need rest?"
Nephelont: " I do need it. It is just that I agreed to this. I would like to be someone who is up to his words"
Bell (looking around): "We should move to a cleaner and more organized place first"
Nephelont (sweatdropping): "I guess you are right"
It is then, aunty Haruhime decided to walk into the room.
Haruhime: "I will clean this room while you are talking. Tell me a summary of what happened later"
Ais (with a glint in her eyes): "Before that, we should clean ourselves"
Mommy wants to clean who again?!
Ais: "Both of us"
Nephelont: "NOOOOOOOO, NOT THE BATHS"
My pleas were never answered.
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After the bath, everyone gathered in a room and took a seat. I am currently laying on mommy's lap, with father to our right.
Nephelont: "So, how do we start this? Is it gonna be a Q&A? Or is it gonna be me talking about what I want?"
Bell: "I will take the lead in a Q&A session"
Nephelont: "Go ahead, dad"
He smiled at that, I see.
Bell: "Everyone will have their turn at questioning you and you have the right to decline answering. If it is something of importance, however, we will repeat the question until you answer it"
Nephelont: "Fine by me"
Bell: "Then, do you have an idea on why you are more mature than you should be? And if you have, tell us about it"
Nephelont: "I really didn't want that to come up. I guess I am getting caught early. I have an idea why. This is, supposedly, my second life. In my previous life, I lived up to the age of 23 as a human. As I kept my memory, my actions will, most of the time, be influenced by my mental age. Next?"
Bell: "I have another question. we were discussing your status and we came to ponder on the blank skill. Do you have any idea on its inner workings?"
Nephelont: "Yes. All I will tell you is that it allows me to transform to this form. That and it also allows me to absorb the powers of other dragons, as long I eat their hearts or equivalents. In case of the dragon monsters of this world, their magic stones"
Bell: "Ais, it is your turn"
Ais: "Will you continue calling me "mommy" after this?"
She is so cute. Her cuteness is gonna give me diabetes one of these days.
Nephelont (giddy): "Of course"
Bell (smiling): "You should ask another question. Next will be Welf"
Ais (worry): "Do you have to go through the same process every time you change appearances?"
'System. Do I have to?'
<No. Only when when your draconic form was first chosen and when it has changed due to outside interference>
Nephelont: "No, I don't"
Ais: "Be careful"
She says that as she starts to scratch my scales in a gentle manner.
Nephelont: *purr* "I will try my best"
Welf: "It is my turn now, little guy. How strong are you?"
Everyone, except me, deadpanned at this "obvious" question.
Bell (deadpan): "He is a child, Welf"
Nephelont: "No. His question is actually important. Father, hold your palm up; I want you to assess my strength"
Father decided to humor me as he is holding his hand up now. Mommy too, as she put me on the floor.
I take my stance, and then
Nephelont: "HA"
I punch with all my might.
Bell: "Hmm..... That punch was as strong as a level 1 adventurer who got maxed strength. I dare say, his scales are possibly as hard as Pyonkishi MK I"
Lili: "Lili remembers it surviving the hits of a minotaur"
Welf (joyful): "That's my nephew"
Nephelont: "Ignore all of what you thought and consider this. Consider that this form is a hatchling of its species. The fall size, from head to tail, of this particular species is around 36.5 meders (~119 feet and 6.82 inches) with a wing span just as long for both pairs of wings. There was also that one instance where one grew obscenely large. Measuring up to 328 meders (~1076 feet and 1.38 inches) from head to tail" (AN: thank you Zullie the witch, your videos are appreciated)
Everyone else excluding Ais: "EEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHHH?!"
Nephelont: "Sheesh. Calm down"
Mikoto (shocked): "Nephelon-dono, how do you expect us to calm down, exactly?"
Nephelont (deadpan): "You just do. Anyway, as a human, I should reach maturity at the age range of 18-25. That is when I estimate reaching my full size in both forms. Next?"
Bell: *sigh* "We will have a talk later. Miss Haruhime, it is your turn"
Aunty Haruhime took sometime to collect her thoughts. The shock took her by surprise at how big my body will get when transformed.
Haruhime: "Will you be able to grow up like a normal child? What about your pure soul?"
Nephelont (smiling wryly): "If nobody around me thinks I am a grown up, I will be able to try acting like a child. As for my soul, I don't think it is a pure one. I already experienced puberty. None remains completely pure, outside some exceptions, unless they are either mentally ill or completely ignorant to their surroundings and/or body. By the way, does anyone outside this room know about my birth? 'cause I don't see anyone visiting"
It is mommy who answered me.
Ais: "Only Loki familia members know. Ouranos and some xenos were informed too"
Bell: "The xenos are sentient monsters. They just couldn't come during the months after your birth, since people didn't approve of them yet"
Hestia decides at this moment her patience ran out.
Hestia: "Isn't it my turn yet?"
Bell: "I do not see why not"
Hestia (curios): "Did you have a happy family in your previous life?"
Nephelont: "No. Aside from my mother and my only older sibling"
Mikoto: "How far back did you live, Nephelont-dono?"
Nephelont: "No god physically existed during my previous life, so it "should" be back in time. Next?"
Lili: "With your strength, are you interested in becoming an adventurer when you grow up a few years more?"
Nephelont: "You seriously ask that of a child?"
Lili (stern): "Said child is mentally grown up enough to pay back the cost of what he destroyed. Not to mention the reckless behavior of using an unknown skill indoors"
Nephelont: "Fair enough. Is there any further questions?"
Ais: "How... did you die last time?"
I blankly stare at her, silently asking her if she was seriously asking someone how they died.
Nephelont: "I choked on food. It was that simple. It wasn't scary, nor was it traumatizing. I already choked on many things, at least once a month. It just so happened that was the one to kill me"
Nephelont: "TIME FOR MY CASUAL QUESTION"
Everyone: "LOUD"
Ais: "Loud"
Ignoring their protests, I ask.
Nephelont: "Aunty Haruhime is a fox animal-person, right?"
Haruhime: "We are called Renard. Our race is indeed made up of fox animal-people"
Nephelont: "Are there other races? for example, elves with jade colored hair and eyes?"
Everyone narrows their eyes at me for a moment.
Nephelont: "What are staring at me for? I will admit to it. I have a fetish for elves and the color of jade. Is there anything to be embarrassed about in my taste?"
Bell (eyes still narrowed): "That was so specific, and it just so happens that lady Riveria is both an elf and has hair and eyes the color of jade. I would advice against aiming for her or her kin. She is a royalty high elf. Other elves will not stay silent knowing a human is aiming for their princess"
Nephelont: "Then I will just have to get strong enough. There was once a hero who was way weaker than his love interest. He was mocked for it. Her close people denied and discouraged him because of it. His solution? He got strong enough to stand besides her. It was that simple. So, taking after his example, I will just have to get stronger"
*sigh*
Who was that?
Oh, father.
Bell: "You will go through a lot going down that path. knowing that, will you willingly go along with such hardship?"
Nephelont: "Of course"
I said that with all determination I had at the time.
- End of Chapter
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Imagine this, a chapter where he becomes a fully grown elder dragon of Farum Azula. On the same day he obliterates Ottar in one hit, almost killing him.
Yeah, that disaster was what I almost wrote for this chapter. I almost uploaded that, until it struck me. I made him too powerful and arrogant from the get go. He was going to be a hard nut to crack.
That was why I delayed the upload for a few more days.
I hope to receive your opinions on this.
Thank you for reading this and have a good day,
Draconic_Terror.