Chapter 06

**Chapter 06 - Joining the Hestia Family? (Rewritten)**

**---Information---**

- Name: Lucius Drakenar

- Family/Falna: [Blocked]

- Nickname: Loser/Useless Family Reject/Dungeon Bum (New).

**---Status---**

- Strength: L60 -> 62

- Endurance: L72 -> 75

- Dexterity: L65 -> 67

- Agility: L85 -> 86

- Magic: L30 -> 55

When I woke up again, the first thing I did was ignore Hestia's gaze and her greed, like a loli who had just found a diamond. I opened my Status screen, going for the first time into the dungeon after the system upgrade, and saw that I had 55 magic points, which I could evolve further. I also gained 4 points in strength, one of the lowest growing stats for me. But since I primarily used magic, those 4 points in strength, along with other abilities, were great. It was a good sign that I could reach Level 2 more easily than I had imagined.

Someone had given me a nickname yesterday. I wanted to revolt, as nicknames were permanent. Opening other screens, I noticed the results after spending three hours in the dungeon:

[Mission 10,000 Firebolt: Cast 10,000 Firebolts! | {Progress: 365/10,000} | {Reward: User can use Silent Spell.}]

[System Points: 3,245]

It wasn't bad. I thought that if I worked for 6 hours, I'd double those gains, and maybe I could aim for a 9-hour journey to the intermediate floors, accumulating even more points! Bell would level up in about 20 days, so I wouldn't fall behind. I believed I could complete the revolt mission and get a 100,000-point spell like healing by then, as it seemed quite useful. I could still blend in when my level increased without attracting too much attention, considering I had been an adventurer for 2 years and didn't really need a family or Falna. Even if a Goddess was standing in front of me, insisting I join her family, I was still contemplating it. I was considering the possible scenarios in Orario, and perhaps it was better to have a family behind me. Even my former God could accuse me of something, whatever it might be, when he saw me heading into the dungeon without a Falna or family.

Believe me, living here for two years before the Canon makes you realize that this city is darker than it was shown in the anime. You find out that Gods like Hestia are rare, and most of them see you as just a pawn or a toy.

Sighing, I looked at the Loli who was observing me while I gazed at the invisible screens. She must have thought I was contemplating something while looking so focused on nothing.

**[- Do you really want me in your family?]** I said defeated. When she heard my sudden question, she couldn't help but shout.

**[- YES!!!]** She jumped and exclaimed while cooking something for us to eat.

**[- Then swear that you won't reveal any information about me or ask about me. Make an oath that I won't be treated as your toy and that I'll decide how to act in the dungeon alone, without committing any crimes. Of course, I'll help the family with any issues they need assistance with, within my capabilities.]** I stated my terms directly.

**[- That...]** She was surprised by my terms, and even Bell looked at me with wide-eyed wonder at the enigmatic mystery that I was to them. However, Hestia, analyzing my terms, found them quite reasonable. I seemed to be somewhat special, as she could see.

**[- I promise to follow your terms!]** She finally said, but words alone weren't enough; I needed concrete proof.

**[- Words alone, Hestia-Sama, are not sufficient. I need a document, like a contract, for this. I apologize for this, but these are my conditions.]** I said firmly.

**[- Ahh! Alright then!]** So, taking a sheet of paper that would be used in Falna, she used her Arcanum, and it glowed as it did in the anime when Bell was in danger before the mutant Goliath invaded the eighteenth floor. I was surprised that she had the ability to create a contract like that. Quickly, I took the contract when it stopped glowing and began to read. Hestia was a very honest and straightforward Goddess, which was reflected in the contract where I expected various clauses. But the paper basically boiled down to my terms.

**[- Before we sign this, I have some things to tell you. I was expelled from my family over a week ago. Do you still want me to join your family?]** I asked curiously.

**[- Why were you expelled?!]** She was shocked. Usually, to be expelled from a family, you had to do something very, very serious. Even Bell had eyes as big as two tennis balls when he heard that, but I was sure he thought I was a reasonable person.

**[- I've always been talented, but my growth potential has always been limited. My former God didn't see that favorably, so I had my Falna taken away. There's a possibility that I may not grow in your family either. You should think about it before making a hasty decision!]** I said, looking directly into her blue eyes.

**[- Yes... YES, I ACCEPT!]** She said determinedly.

**[- Just like that?]** I asked, shocked at how easily she accepted.

**[- Because you're not lying!]** She said firmly. Gods could distinguish truth from lies, and even though I unlocked the limits of my potential yesterday, I didn't lie when I mentioned the possibility of not growing anymore, as it was still a possibility if I never returned to the dungeon. I said that to test her. I wanted to see her determination toward me because I had met some Gods who made me reconsider how everything was not as it was shown in the anime.

**[- Another thing, I'm doing this as a test, but there's a possibility that you won't be able to put a Falna into me.]** I said another thing that shocked her.

**[- How? Why?]** She asked.

**[- Because I don't need a Falna anymore. I can evolve and level up without a God coming all the time to update my Status.]** I said honestly. As the Family/Falna line was blocked, I didn't know how it would react to Hestia's blood.

**[- EHHHHHH] Bell exclaimed beside us.

**[- IS THAT POSSIBLE???]** She exclaimed hysterically.

**[- As I said, I'm special, and that's the issue you need to address in the contract. Let's sign it. Even if I can't have your Falna, I'm not stupid enough to realize that I need a family. So, I'll represent the Hestia family even without your Falna.]** I finally said where I wanted to get to. Bell was still shocked, but Hestia seemed to accept my words.

**[- OK!]** She said as she took the sheets and signed them. I took my parts and

signed them as well; then the sheets glowed and disappeared, the contract was done.

Bell had listened to everything, but he could be naive at times yet protective of his family's secrets. Now that we had our terms, I lay down to feel the God's blood and see what would happen next. When I felt her blood, a notification appeared:

[ERROR! Falna Blocked!]

[ERROR! Linking to Hestia...]

[ERROR! Falna Blocked]

**[- What is this?!!]** Hestia shouted behind me.

**[- Did you see that too?]** I asked, a little surprised by the messages.

**[- Yes, several messages, and I saw your past...]** She said cautiously in the last part.

**[- Don't say anything about that; I don't want to hear anything about my life before Orario!]** I growled at her, which was very inappropriate to speak to a Goddess like that, but I couldn't help it.

**[- I didn't receive your Falna, but I'm still somehow linked to you...**] I said, trying to change the subject.

**[- I noticed that too...]** She said, still cautious.

Bell was just looking without saying much; there was a lot happening for him to process quickly. Getting off my back, I looked at the Status screen and the only line that had changed:

- Family/Falna: [Blocked/!Hestia(Error)!]

I expected some mission to unlock or for the system to deny it, but it wasn't what I had imagined...