Chapter 4: Yordles

As Sol scanned the densely packed script covering Lulu's petite back, he noticed it was almost overflowing with words and symbols.

Having so many inscriptions was a promising sign. Although skills and magic don't entirely define one's potential, it's far better to possess them than not. As long as nothing is a debuff, all was well! 

Overall, Lulu's abilities were impressive. The triple magic abilities and two innate skills hinted at exceptional talent. The Fairy Witch skill was straightforward—it boosted magical power and effects. For a magic-wielder, it was a priceless enhancement. The second skill's description was less specific, but it seemed to channel Pix's unique abilities. Although Pix followed Lulu daily, he was technically a separate entity—a rare type of familiar that would be hard to bond with under ordinary circumstances.

Vagueness in a skill description could be a blessing, as Sol knew from watching abilities like Bell's "Hero's Wish." When powers defy straightforward explanation, that's often when miracles happen. The only downside was that Lulu's more remarkable abilities, like polymorphing or growing to giant size, hadn't yet manifested. Perhaps those would unlock at higher levels.

"All done!" Sol announced. He pressed a blank parchment onto Lulu's back, capturing the divine symbols etched there, which transferred onto the page immediately.

Lulu quickly got dressed, cheeks flushed from the experience. With the ritual complete, Sol led Lulu back out. A small crowd had gathered, curious about the new member, and their eyes sparkled with interest as they saw her.

Sol entrusted Lulu to the other Familia members, who eagerly welcomed her. They'd help her get familiar with the residence, Orario, and guide her through the registration process at the guild—a standard routine for all new members. In Sol's Familia, new adventurers were well-supported, unlike poor Bell's future situation where he'd struggle alone even for basic gear.

Sol's Familia held a warm camaraderie. Ulterior motives had no place here, as the members were mainly elves, and their internal affairs were managed by the diligent Riveria, the royal of the elves. Her oversight ensured harmony, sparing them from any petty infighting.

Pleased to see Lulu being welcomed, Sol settled onto the sofa in the lounge. He barely had a chance to recline before there was a knock at the door.

Riveria entered, her expression unreadable. Sol's face brightened, and he beckoned to her with a warm smile.

With a sigh, Riveria sat beside him, catching Sol's pout as he extended his finger, which was still sore from the bloodletting ritual.

"Please, Sol-sama," Riveria rolled her eyes, but softened. "We have matters to discuss." Still, she leaned over and gently blew on his finger, soothing it as if comforting a child.

"Riveria-chan actually used an honorific title with me! There's already an invisible wall between us—wooooo!"

"Sol-sama, please! Don't tease me like that," Riveria protested, her face flushing. Despite her best efforts to keep her composure, he always managed to fluster her with just a few words.

She'd always thought her restraint was strong, yet here she was, always undone by her own god.

"Ha! Riveria, you're always such fun." Sol grinned, clearly enjoying her reactions. In this world, elves took their dignity very seriously, especially one as noble as Riveria. Even back when he had little to his name, he had somehow convinced her—a rare beauty and royalty at that—to join his Familia. If that wasn't charm, what was?

Sol made himself comfortable, reclining on the sofa and resting his head on Riveria's lap, with a look as casual as if he did it every day.

Without missing a beat, she began gently massaging his head, her fingers instinctively working in soothing circles, clearly accustomed to this ritual.

"So, what brings you here, Riveria?" he asked, his eyes half-closed.

"I wanted to know about Lulu—the little girl who joined us today," Riveria replied, her fingers still moving rhythmically. "Is she... a pallum, perhaps?"

Even though Lulu's witch hat gave her an air of mystery, her petite frame made it easy to assume she was from a diminutive race. But even among the pallum folk, Lulu's stature was unusual—like that of a child.

Sol chuckled. "Oh, no, no. Lulu isn't anything like the pallum."

"Is that so? Sounds like she's someone extraordinary."

"Absolutely!" Sol looked delighted with himself.

Riveria's hands paused, and she added a bit of pressure to the massage. "So you're keeping secrets from me, then? Or do you just enjoy keeping the head of your Familia in the dark?" she teased, though her tone held a hint of authority.

Recognizing that familiar pressure—a reminder of her formidable strength as a Level 6 Mage—Sol quickly relented. "No need for force! I was just planning to surprise you. Lulu is a yordle. Think of her as a rare race, like fairies."

He explained this carefully. As his Familia's leader, Riveria needed to know the abilities of her comrades, especially if they were to fight side by side.

"Yordle... I've never heard of that race before."

"That's why I said it's rare. You wouldn't have heard of it," he said, leaving out the complex details of the yordles' origins. "They're peculiar beings, kind of like the world's darlings. But all you need to know is that they're rare."

Riveria's brows rose in surprise as she processed this. Yet, living in a world with gods, her capacity for accepting the extraordinary was strong.

"So, Lulu wasn't kidding when she said she wasn't a child?"

"Not at all. Technically speaking, compared to Lulu, you're still a young girl."

Though elves had impressively long lifespans, yordles transcended time in a way even the elves didn't. There was always something new to learn in this vast world.

"I understand. I'll make it a point to help guide Lulu's training." 

"Not too much, though. Lulu has remarkable talent. It's just a matter of time before she reaches her potential."