Chapter 35: The Incarnation of Talent

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When Riveria extended her greeting, Alfia simply responded with a polite nod. From their previous battles, along with the many rumors she'd heard, Riveria had gained a fair sense of Alfia's character, so the restrained response didn't bother her.

Adding such a powerful fighter to the Familia was a huge advantage, and as its leader, Riveria gladly welcomed it. She wasn't the jealous type, and given her longstanding bond with Sol, she felt no need to be. After sharing a close bond with him for years, there wasn't much room for petty jealousy.

What did give Riveria a slight pang of envy, however, was Alfia's swift mastery of an original rune on her very first attempt. Even though Alfia couldn't yet fully harness its energy, her progress surpassed Riveria's own by far. She herself had been training with Sol on rune comprehension for ages, and yet she could only scratch the surface.

'This is what it's like for those born with monstrous talent,' she thought wryly. Compared to Alfia, her own "genius" felt watered-down.

"Not fair," she muttered, eyeing Alfia's status parchment. Sol, always perceptive, picked up on her reaction.

"Want to take a look at Alfia's blessing data?" he asked.

"Can I?" Riveria's eyes brightened, glancing at Alfia for permission. 

Even as the Familia's captain, Riveria wasn't one to overstep boundaries.

"Go ahead," Alfia said indifferently, though her cool demeanor clashed a bit with her current attire—or rather, lack thereof. 'Why hasn't she changed out of that bath towel yet?' Riveria wondered, but took the parchment without further comment.

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[Alfia]

LV8

- Strength: I0

- Durability: I0

- Dexterity: I0

- Agility: I0

- Magic: I0

[Magic]:

- Satanas Verion

 - Type: Sound Magic, Short Incantation Magic

 - Chant: "Gospel"

- Silentium Eden

 - Type: Auxiliary Magic

 - Effect: Nullifies other magic

 - Chant: "Peace of Soul"

- Genos Angelus

 - Type: Wide-Area Annihilation Magic

 - Chant: "The curse of blessings, the loathing of birth, the original sin that devours half of me. Unredeemed, unsaved, my sin echoes across the heavens. To the gods' horn, to the spirits' harp, to the light's melody: a scar, my fate, beloved by man-made heavens and earth. Break to ashes, my hatred is vast. The price is paid, and sin's proof destroys all things. Weep, Holy Bell Tower."

[Skills]:

- Gif Blessing

- Double Fate Almee

- Melodies and Lights

[Original Rune - Recovery]

- Effect: Continual health recovery; enhanced shield and healing

Development Abilities:

- Magic Guide C

- Abnormal Resistance E

- Magic Defense E

- Exquisite Healing D

- Light of Radiance I

- Recovery I

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During her time with the Hera Familia, Alfia had met the requirements for a level-up by landing the final blow on Leviathan. But due to her weakened state, she had been unable to advance. Now, with her vitality restored by the recovery rune, she had reached LV8 effortlessly.

Riveria blinked in astonishment, reading the data repeatedly. 'Is this even real?' Not only was Alfia LV8, but she also had a 'Magic Guide' ability ranked at C, while Riveria's own was only E. 'Where did that D-rank skill come from?'

No wonder Sol-sama had been so thrilled when he saw it. Riveria had always been proud of her own strength, but now, she found herself feeling completely outmatched.

'This woman is a talent incarnate,' she thought.

Sol grinned, clapping her on the back. "Come on, Riveria-chan! If you get the chance, learn a thing or two from Alfia—she has far more than what's shown on that parchment."

Despite using only magic and basic hand-to-hand combat in most battles, Alfia's skill potential extended far beyond that. Besides physical prowess like her wrist strength, she had a keen aptitude for acquiring additional skills like swordsmanship and martial arts. Even Zald's sword techniques were something she could master in a glance, though she rarely chose to wield them.

'People with natural talent have a bit of a temper too,' Sol thought with amusement.

"I will!" Riveria's fighting spirit flared to life, as fierce as when she'd first set out from Alf Royal Forest, eager to prove herself. Now, with a new goal to surpass, her determination burned just as brightly.

"For now," Sol said, "Alfia can lie low and stay in the family's backyard with Vex. It's secluded enough there." 

The Familia's backyard had become Vex's domain, shrouded in thick black mist that deterred most people from approaching. It had even gained a reputation as the Familia's "forbidden zone," much to Vex's satisfaction. Alfia, however, was unaffected by this mist; compared to the restorative power of her rune, its mild damage was barely noticeable.

'When Vex reaches a higher level, maybe then it will be a bit of a threat,' Sol mused.

——

Meanwhile, Vex herself seemed exasperated. 'Am I not allowed any peace?'

Having chosen the backyard to secure some privacy, she poured her energy into maintaining the black mist barrier, hoping to keep everyone at a distance. Now, it seemed her efforts were only attracting others instead.

'Talk about taking advantage of my space,' she thought with a sigh.