I pass my exam.

"I think we should let you eat some magic crystals."

I nearly fall out of my chair in relief at Naaza's choice.

"With some conditions of course. We can't be risking letting this demon loose, but it sounds like these skills might be too good to pass up."

"Are you sure about this Naaza." Lord Miach chimes in with a worried look on his face.

"Well not exactly, but hey this demon is weak right, and the only way he's gonna get stronger is if you feed him. There's no way a level one like you could feed him till he can take out a level five. Besides there are plenty of tougher monsters in the dungeon that you'll eventually have to face right. This ones just closer to you."

I hadn't thought of that! I must have gotten so hung up on how strong Shendu was at full strength that I forgot he was still weak.

*Haa* "You have a point Naaza. I probably got too shocked by how evil it felt and the fact that it could put one of my children in danger. Still those are legitimate concerns and remember that it manipulated your falna on its own. That means it could be more dangerous and corruptive than you think."

"True, Jack will need to make sure he's always stronger than it to make sure nothing bad happens. It could also prevent any future interference in his falna if he has enough strength to resist it."

"Alright then, so that's the plan." Lord Miach turns to me.

"So Jack, my previous order still stands. You are forbidden to eat magic crystals; however, once you have gained enough strength I will allow you to eat a small amount of magic crystals under my supervision. I will also check your status after that to see if there is anything else happening. Do you understand." I bow my head in thanks

"Yes, Lord Miach."

"Good, now I trust you not to go eating crystals behind my back so make sure you don't break that trust no matter the temptation. Well, its been a long day and all this excitement has been tiring so I suggest we all go to bed and celebrate our new familia member tomorrow."

"Yeah I agree goodnight Lord Miach."

"Yeah goodnight Naaza, Lord Miach."

With that we all go to our rooms. Once there I throw myself on my bed and start thinking about how the day went.

I did it. I have a status now. I even have a skill. Despite being dropped in an unknown land with monsters, cruel adventurers, even crueler gods, and my own personal demon; I now have a path to power. I even have a family that will look out for me. Sure Naaza probably doesn't like me, but she honestly tried to help me earlier and Lord Miach has done nothing but try to help me. Maybe I do have that mythical plot armor after all.

*Hehe* 'Now I just need to learn the talk no jutsu and I'll be an MC.'

Still I'll need to be careful. Unlike in Naruto, Shendu is much weaker than the nine tails, but he can grow. Also I don't know how he got inside me. There isn't any seal that I can see holding him back so no telling how strong he needs to be to break free. I was able to feel a heat from the tattoo so I might be like Naruto and draw on his power directly, but that will probably make me go berserk. Luckily I can feel the talismans and they seem much safer.

Oh, Shendu might be able to interfere with my sleep like gaara and Shukaka. If that's the case it's gonna suck. The sheep talisman is there so if he can control or influence them that's a big possibility.

'Looks like I'm going to have to get a lot stronger if I want my beauty sleep. Well there's a lot to learn and adventures to go on so I better get some rest.'

________

Back at the Travelers Rest:

"Hey Bertha! I've got the meat for you."

"Okay Steve help me put it in the cellar so it doesn't rot."

"Sure, but make me something good with it."

"Just don't go to heaven from the taste on me."

Sitting across from each other Steve and Bertha are enjoying a good dinner.

"Well I'm not gonna die from it but this is really good as always Bertha."

"Well thanks for that. Though I couldn't make it without your smoked meat."

"You got me there, but are you doing alright. You looked pretty worn out after that last group moved through."

"Ha, I'm doing fine. Just got to get back to the old routine now that Jack isn't here to help."

"At least the runt was good for something. Shame he went off adventuring, should have stuck with normal work."

"Oh, what's this do you actually care about him?" Bertha gives Steve a sly smirk which Steve turns his head at.

"No not really, just the runt doesn't have the spirit of an adventurer. Probably take one look and run for the hills or freeze up and die. You know what it's like. A runt like him won't last a day in the dungeon."

"Now now, you may have a point the kids got more dreams than plans in that head of his but its a good head and it'll keep him alive. At least long enough to find someone to give him some help."

*Hmmm* "Maybe your right. The runt did manage to actually improve a bit with that stick of his."

*Hehe* "I remember him asking me whether or not you were actually trying to help him with all that yelling." Steve gets flustered at this.

"Ah, no, just couldn't stand how pathetic the poor kid looked swinging that poor excuse for a spear he carved up."

"Oh, so its kid now is it? You know I think the gods had a name for people like you? What was it? Ah yes 'tsundere' that's it!" Bertha shows off a cheshire smile while Steve is too blown away to respond for a bit.

"Iam NOT a tsundere or whatever it is! Why I bet that runt will come running back here with his tail behind his legs and beg you to take him back."

"Then how about a bet? I bet he'll come back here a full fledged adventurer with his own party. As for the stakes how about another load of pork and mutton for you and if you win I'll kiss you."

Steve goes red in the face for a second before shouting

"You're on! Still don't see how you're so sure about that kid though."

"Well now I guess we'll just have wait and find out huh?"