Chapter 105: Ariane Determination

(3rd Person: POV)

In Athena's room Ariane is sitting on her goddess's bed with her back to her.

Getting her status updated.

"It's done." Athena spoke.

She then removed the paper from Ariane's back.

Once she did so the dark-elf slipped back on her shirt.

A moment after she did so Athena handed her her status sheet and Ariane began reading it.

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Ariane Maple

Level: Two

Strength: E420>E428

Endurance: E425>E435

Dexterity: A895>S906

Agility: S900>S918

Magic: S910>S930

Magic:

Sand Trap: An earth-type magic which creates pitfalls of quick sand. Size of the pitfall is proportional to how much mind is used when casting the spell.

Chant: Be swallowed by the earth.

Slot 2:?

Slot 3:?

Skills:

One with Nature: When in combat in a forested area Ariane receives double stats in strength, endurance, and agility.

Developmental Abilities:

Abnormal Resistance: Rank H

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Seeing her new stats Ariane put a smile on her face.

Since she had finally raised her Dexterity up to rank S. Now that she had achieved this goal she was ready to level up.

Ever since achieving level two shortly after the end of the Great Feud two years ago Ariane hadn't moved up to level three.

Not because she couldn't, but because she didn't want to.

Ariane wanted her base stats to reach a certain threshold before going for another level up.

And now that they had she was ready to move forward.

Especially since she didn't want her friends to get any farther ahead of her.

Ariane wanted to catch up to them in terms of strength as quickly as possible. All due to her own determination.

Once she was finished reviewing her new status Ariane gave the paper to Athena who disposed of it.

"Thank you Athena. Well then, please excuse me." Ariane said.

She then stood up and headed for the door to leave Athenas' room. But as soon as she placed her hand on the doorknob Athena spoke up.

"The next time you ask me to update your status, I better be making you level three." She said.

Hearing this Ariane fumbled with the doorknob and got a light blush on her cheeks.

Turning around she saw Athena giving her a knowing smile.

Since the goddess could read her children quite easily, Ariane especially since she was an elf.

She knew the exact thoughts the dark-elf had rolling around in her head. Which is why she decided to tease her a bit.

Athena does the same with the others as well. Especially Ryuu.

It seems just like her familia captain, Athena has a slight sadistic side.

"Right. Bye." Ariane recovered and said.

She then left Athenas' room for real.

Once she did so she took a moment to get herself under control.

Then once she accomplished this she made her way to Moraxs' office and knocked on the door.

"Come in." He said.

Once Ariane heard this she opened the door and walked inside. Finding Morax seating behind his desk working on a mountain of paperwork.

Leonmitchelli assisting him.

"Ariane, what's up?" Morax asked.

"Captain. I am ready to level up." She spoke.

"I see." Morax mused. "Alright then. Ryner, William, and Millhiore are free so have them help you out. Just don't do anything unnecessary." He spoke.

"Understood captain." Ariane said. "Also, what's with all the paperwork?" She asked.

Since usual Morax never had this much paperwork to take care of.

Hearing the question Morax sighed. "It's because we're going to start selling Grimoire."

Apparently there were strict laws in place in Orario about dealing in magic items and such, Grimoire especially.

The paperwork Morax and Leonmitchelli are working on had all come from the guild. It was a bunch of documents they had to sign and get approved before they could officially start selling the Grimoire Echidna makes for money.

Most of them being tax documents from what Morax saw.

Seeing this, he now understood why the Hermes familia sometimes sold Asfi's magic items under the table.

They could take all the money for themselves and not have to pay taxes imposed by the guild when they sold such things through official channels.

Hearing the explanation about the paperwork Ariane simply put a wry smile on her face. "I see. Well keep at it. I'm sure working together you two can finish it up no time."

"Thanks." Morax said.

As soon as he did so Leonmitchelli slammed another signed stack of documents on the table. A crazed look in her eyes as she did so. "Stop talking Morax! Back to signing these stacks of white devils from the deepest parts of hell!"

Picking up another stack of paperwork Leonmitchelli start reviewing and signing once more.

Deciding not to touch on just happened Morax went back to signing paperwork.

While Ariane left the room and closed the door behind her.

She then went to assemble her team to assist her in her goal of leveling up.

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Swinging down her blade, Ariane killed the Dark Fungus in front of her.

She then re-grouped with her party.

After she had assembled Millhiore, Ryner, and William they agreed to assist her without question.

Once they had the party of four entered the dungeon and headed down to Large Tree Labyrinth.

Looking for a challenge for Ariane so she could level up.

And if they couldn't find anything today, then they would come back tomorrow.

As they finished killing the monsters who just spawned in front of them Arianes' party continued traversing through the labyrinth.

While doing so Ryner practiced with his newly acquired weapons.

A pair of daggers he named Alpha & Omega

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Ryner had always used daggers since he knew simply relying on his magic would not hold up as he and his friends traveled deeper into the dungeon. But staffs and staves never really agreed with him like other mages.

Thus after his familia got some money he commissioned the Gobinu familia to make him his daggers. Which had mithril embedded in them as well as several other magically conductive ingots. All of which reduced his mind usage when casting spells.

They were Ryners' perfect weapons.

The party kept moving across the labyrinth, killing monsters as they spawned.

But they really didn't find anything to help Ariane level up.

Until they did.

Coming to a clearing the group stumbled upon a Green Dragon of all things.

The moment they did so Ariane put a smile on her face and stepped forward.

"Ariane, you sure?" Ryner asked.

The dark-elf nodded.

"I am. Besides if I get in trouble I know you guys will save me so it's fine." Ariane spoke. Since she had complete faith her friends would come to her rescue.

Seeing this the three of them didn't step forward.

But were ready to jump in and help the moment they felt Ariane needed it.

Giving her friends a silent thanks Ariane continued closing the distance to the Green Dragon.

When she was in about 20 meters of the monster it's closed eyes snapped open and focused on her.

Seeing this Ariane simply grinned and drew her blade.

Signaling the start of their battle.