[344] MAX!

As August looked around at the familiar surroundings, a smile broke across his face.

After more than a year, he had returned to this place, back to where it all began.

Pushing open the door, August stepped out of his room, feeling the familiar scents in the air.

Especially the presence of someone he had missed, who was just a stone's throw away—less than a few dozen meters.

Orario; August was finally back after experiencing the worlds of High School DxD and Interspecies Reviewers. His strength had dramatically increased compared to when he left.

"August? You're still in the familia? I thought you'd left," said Loki, her surprise evident.

"Loki, it's been a while!" August greeted her with enthusiasm.

"Ha? What are you talking about? Didn't we just see each other this morning? Wait, no... you seem to have undergone some significant change, but I can't quite put my finger on it!"

Loki examined August from head to toe. As a goddess, she could sense the passage of time on him.

But how could there be such a drastic change in just a few hours?

Of course, she had no idea that August had traversed two worlds and had been away from Orario for over a year and three months. To everyone else in this world, it was as if August had never left.

"Nothing much, just a little something. By the way, Loki, can you help me update my stats?" August asked casually.

"Updating your stats again? Are you kidding me? Didn't you just update them a few hours ago after defeating Ottar? Why are you doing this again?" Loki replied, her brow furrowing in disbelief.

"Well, there's no harm in trying. Besides, I have some good wine," he said, revealing several bottles of fine liquor he had collected during his time in Interspecies Reviewers.

"The aroma of this wine is incredible! It may not match your previous Maotai, but it's such a unique flavor; I've never seen anything like it!" Loki exclaimed.

"Want some?"

"Absolutely! Let's go update those stats!"

August chuckled, realizing that Loki was giving him an out.

The difference in his state was too significant. Even though she wasn't a goddess, she could sense something was off. Loki had noticed, but she chose not to address it directly. As the chief goddess, few were as competent as her in all of Orario.

Even if he was her child, with secrets she couldn't fathom, she remained unconcerned.

As they entered the familiar room, August felt a wave of nostalgia wash over him before removing his clothes.

Loki took out a needle and pricked her finger, letting her divine blood drip onto August's back. A soft glow flickered, and Loki's eyes widened in disbelief.

[Augustus Divus Pracentum]

[Level - MAX]

[Strength: EX]

[Endurance: EX]

[Dexterity: EX]

[Agility: EX]

[Magic: EX]

[Magic: Shadow Dragon, Grand Cross, Great Spiralling Ring, Cero, Kurohitsugi, Blink, Getsuga Tenshou]

[Skills: Original Sin - Lust, Gate of Babylon, Insulated Claw, Haki, Demonization, Full Counter, Shadow, Heavenly Gifted Skills]

[Development Abilities: Mystery, Magic, Hunter, Luck]

Level MAX? All attributes EX?

Not to mention this plethora of additional skills and spells. What on earth was going on?

These stats were simply ridiculous!

"Hey, what exactly did you do? What's happening here?" Loki demanded, her curiosity piqued. August had anticipated this reaction.

[Ding! Congratulations, host! You have completed the hidden mission: Mark of History: Achieve the unprecedented, obtain reward: Super Gacha Draw1!]

This took August by surprise. A hidden mission completed?

Unprecedented? That requirement was insane!

But the reward was indeed generous: a chance for a super draw.

"Loki, if I told you I travel through worlds, would you believe me?"

"I would."

"Really? You believe that?"

"You have the marks of time passing on you, and when I first saw you, your gaze was like a soldier returning from battle after years apart. Your strength has grown exponentially."

"You truly are a goddess; you're impressive," he complimented.

"What on earth did you experience today?" Loki asked, her tone serious. The change in August was far too drastic.

"As I said, I crossed dimensions. To put it simply, I traveled to another world, where I spent over a year. But when I returned, time here had not moved at all."

His explanation left Loki in silence. As a goddess, she knew that worlds were not singular.

Yet, even the Ournaos had never broken the barriers between worlds. For beings of this world, transcending such limits was practically impossible.

Now, this rule had been shattered. Her child had achieved something even the gods could not.

Not only did he traverse to another world, but he also returned unscathed.

"It seems you have your own secrets. But that's a good thing," Loki remarked.

"Sorry, Loki, I can't disclose any details about it," August replied.

"It's fine. I don't mind; I'm just glad you're okay."

"Thanks~"

"Cut the pleasantries! If you really want to thank me, give me that wine!"

"Here, it's all yours."

August presented an array of drinks: red wines, white wines, beers, fruit wines, and even a bottle of divine liquor from the Gate of Babylon.

"Wow! So much wine? This is fantastic!" Loki exclaimed, feeling as though she had stepped into paradise. But soon, she caught a whiff of an intoxicating aroma.

Pulling the cork from a pure gold flask, the scent of fine wine filled the entire room.

Loki's eyes lit up; this was wine that rivaled even divine beverages.

Without wasting any time, she took a hearty swig.

"Ah~! This is exquisite! August, what kind of wine is this?" she asked.

"This is divine wine from another world, said to be brewed by the God of Wine," August explained.

"The God of Wine from another world? Well, it can't compare to the divine wines brewed by Soma in Heaven," she said.

"Don't ask me! That's just the legend from that world; I didn't bring it from the God of Wine," he replied defensively.

"I see. Still, this is good wine; I really like it!" she said, downing more of it. In the familia, Riveria, their 'mama-san', often kept a close eye on her. As the chief goddess, she couldn't afford to be hungover every day.

Thus, aside from hosting banquets, her drinking was heavily monitored by Riveria.

Given Riveria's authority within the familia, no one dared to buy Loki drinks, though her taste for expensive liquor also played a role. After all, as a goddess and a notorious drinker, she wouldn't settle for ordinary wine.

___

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