[7] How to Join a Goddess (In Three Easy Steps)
"Hello?" My voice echoed through the empty sanctuary.
『No one's here,』 Minerva said. 『We should-』
"Who's there?" A woman's voice called from somewhere above, cutting Minerva off. Light, almost musical, with an edge of authority that seemed at odds with its cheerful tone.
"Dante Valac," I answered, scanning the rafters. "I'm looking for the goddess Hestia."
A head popped over the edge of a second-floor balcony, twin black pigtails dangling. The same woman I'd seen running through the streets that morning. "Oh! A visitor!" She disappeared from view, followed by the sound of rapid footsteps.
『Well, she seems... energetic.』
Hestia burst through a side door, slightly out of breath. She wore a simple white dress with blue ribbons, and her eyes sparkled with undisguised enthusiasm. "Welcome to the Hestia Familia church! I'm Hestia, and you're looking for me, and- oh!" She stopped short, studying my face. "You're very handsome."
I blinked. "…Thank you?"
She waved her hands frantically. "No, no, I mean- that's not- are you here to join my familia?" The words tumbled out in a rush. "Because we're small but growing, and Bell - he's my first child - he's getting stronger every day, and we have this whole church to ourselves, and-"
"Goddess," I said, holding up a hand. "Maybe we should sit down?"
"Right! Yes! Sitting!" She grabbed my sleeve and tugged me toward a relatively intact pew. "Sorry, it's just- we don't get many visitors. Especially not..." She gestured vaguely at all of me.
I sat beside her, maintaining a respectful distance. "Not what?"
"You know..." She fidgeted with her ribbons. "Tall people. With good posture. And clean clothes. Usually it's just debt collectors."
"You mentioned Bell. Is he here?"
Hestia's expression shifted to concern. "He's probably still in the dungeon. He usually comes home for dinner, but sometimes he stays longer to train." She brightened. "But that means we can talk without him getting all excited!"
I nodded, filing that information away. "Tell me about your familia."
"Well, it's just Bell right now. And me, obviously. We don't have much money - I work at a food stand to make ends meet - but we're happy! Bell's getting really strong, and someday we'll have a proper home, and-" She stopped, cheeks reddening. "Sorry. I'm rambling."
"No, please continue. I'd like to know what I'm getting into."
Hestia went very still. "You mean..."
"If you'll have me, I'd like to join your familia."
She launched herself at me, wrapping her arms around my waist. "Yes! Yes yes yes! My familia's growing! Take that, Loki!"
『She's... enthusiastic.』
I patted her head awkwardly. "Goddess?"
She pulled back, composing herself. "Right. Sorry. We should do this properly." She stood, smoothing her dress. "Follow me to the basement. That's where we perform the blessing ceremony."
I followed her down the worn steps, noting how the air grew cooler with each step.
"This used to be living quarters for the clergy," Hestia explained, lighting a lamp on the table. "Now it's where we live."
『Interesting setup,』 Minerva commented. 『Very... intimate.』
"I'll need you to remove your shirt and lie face down," Hestia said, her tone shifting from bubbly to something more ceremonial. "The Falna manifests on the back."
I complied, folding my outer robe and inner shirt neatly before settling onto the bed. The mattress was firmer than it looked, probably stuffed with straw. The cool air raised goosebumps on my skin.
The bed dipped as Hestia settled her weight across my lower back. For someone so energetic, she moved with surprising grace.
"Last chance to back out," she said softly. "Once I give you my blessing, you're part of my familia."
I turned my head enough to catch her eye. "I'm positive."
She smiled - not her usual bright grin, but something older, more knowing. From somewhere above me came the sharp click of metal on glass. A needle, probably.
"This might sting," she warned. A pause, then a tiny intake of breath that told me she'd pricked her finger.
A drop of something warm hit my back. Not blood - at least, not entirely. It felt like liquid starlight, if starlight could burn.
"O flames that burn in hearth and home," Hestia intoned, her voice resonating with power that belied her small frame, "grant your blessing to this child."
The burning sensation spread, tracing patterns across my skin that I couldn't quite visualize. It wasn't exactly painful, but it wasn't comfortable either. Like being rewritten from the inside out.
『Status magic,』 Minerva said, sounding fascinated. 『The foundations of their power system. Interesting.』
"There," Hestia said after what felt like hours but was probably only minutes. "It's done. You can sit up now."
I pushed myself upright, rolling my shoulders experimentally. My back tingled, but the burning had faded to a gentle warmth. "That's it?"
"That's it! You're officially part of the Hestia Familia!" She bounced on her heels, back to her usual energetic self. "Oh, let me check your status real quick before you put your shirt back on. I want to see what we're working with."
She pressed her palm between my shoulder blades and muttered something under her breath. Then went very, very quiet.
"Goddess?"
"This... this can't be right." Her voice had lost all its bounce.
『Ah,』 Minerva said. 『This could be problematic.』
I kept my voice carefully neutral. "Is something wrong?"
"No! No, it's amazing! You're amazing! But..." She trailed off, then squared her shoulders. "We should probably talk about this upstairs."
I reached for my shirt. "That serious?"
"That serious," she confirmed, but then broke into a wide smile. "But hey, at least now I have two children!"
『She bounces back quickly,』 Minerva observed.
I pulled my clothes back on and followed my new goddess back upstairs, watching her practically skip with excitement, I couldn't help thinking I'd made the right choice. For better or worse, I was part of something now.
Time to see where this path would lead.
[Hestia POV]
I stared at the status paper in my hands, reading it for the third time. My fingers trembled slightly, crinkling the edges.
[Status]
Name: Dante Valac
Race: High Human
Level: 1
Abilities:
Strength: I-0
Endurance: I-0
Dexterity: I-0
Agility: I-0
Magic: I-0
Magic:
[Limitless]
* [REDACTED] manipulation of [REDACTED] at a fundamental level. Creates an [REDACTED] between [REDACTED], making [REDACTED] never reach the user. Can be used [REDACTED] to create [REDACTED] or compress [REDACTED] around [REDACTED].
[Shrine]
* Dismantle
Ranged or point-blank slashing attack. Can be activated by pointing or will alone. Effective against objects, monsters, and adventurers. Slicing power varies with mana output.
* Cleave
Adaptive cutting technique that adjusts power based on target's defenses. Requires physical contact for activation. Power varies with mana output.
If User possesses the [REDACTED] ability, these techniques may manifest additional properties or increased effectiveness.
Note: Full potential of these techniques may be unlocked when used in conjunction with [REDACTED].
Skills:
[Regal Ascension]
* As [REDACTED]'s chosen champion. It dramatically accelerates his growth rate and temporarily enhances the users abilities in proportion to his desire for strength, especially during combat.
[Black Flash]
* Allows for an immense amplification of attack power through precise mana timing. Requires application of mana within 0.000001 seconds of a physical hit. When successful, mana flashes with black and red sparks and multiplies the attack's power by 2.5. Cannot be consciously activated and relies on combat instinct. Frequency of activation may increase with experience and heightened focus.
"Is everything alright, Goddess?" Dante asked from his seat beside me.
I forced myself to look up from the paper. His face remained composed, those striking blue eyes watching me with calculated interest. Not nervousness or concern - just curiosity.
"Your stats..." I glanced back down at the page. "They're normal for a new adventurer. Everyone starts at I-0."
"But?" He leaned back, stretching his long legs out in front of him.
"But these skills. This magic." I tapped the paper. "I've never seen anything like them. And these redacted sections..." I frowned. "I'm a goddess. I should be able to see everything in your status. It's my blessing."
"Interesting." Just that. No explanation, no surprise.
I narrowed my eyes at him. "You don't seem very shocked."
"Should I be?"
"Yes! These abilities - [Limitless], [Shrine], [Regal Ascension], [Black Flash] - they're incredible! Unique! And look at these descriptions..." I jabbed my finger at the paper again. "Slashing attacks activated by will alone? Attack multiplication through precise mana timing? These aren't normal adventurer skills!"
"And the redacted parts?" His tone stayed neutral, but something flickered behind his eyes. Interest, maybe. Or amusement.
"That's what worries me." I set the paper down carefully. "I'm a goddess. My blessing reveals everything about an adventurer's abilities. There shouldn't be any secrets, any hidden information. But here..." I gestured at the blocked-out text. "It's like something is actively preventing me from seeing the full picture. Something powerful enough to override divine authority."
Dante nodded slowly. "That does sound concerning."
"You're still not surprised."
"No."
"Why?"
He smiled - not the charming grin from earlier, but something smaller, more genuine. "Let's just say I came to you for a reason, Goddess Hestia."
I pulled my knees up to my chest, studying him. "You're not going to explain, are you?"
"Would you believe me if I did?"
"Try me."
He shook his head. "Not yet. Soon, maybe. But for now..." He gestured at the status paper. "What does this mean for my position in your familia?"
"You're still welcome here," I said immediately. "These abilities - however you got them - they're part of you now. And you chose to come to me, to join my familia. That means something."
"Even with all the mysteries?"
"Even with those." I straightened up, trying to project the dignity expected of a goddess. "But I expect honesty from my children, Dante. Well, as much honesty as you can give. If these abilities put you or Bell in danger-"
"I would tell you," he finished.
I studied his face for any sign of deception. His expression remained open, earnest even. But those eyes... they held depths I couldn't begin to fathom.
"Alright." I stood up, smoothing my dress. "Then welcome to the Hestia Familia, officia-"
I was about to continue my welcome speech when my stomach let out a loud, embarrassing growl. The sound echoed through the church's empty halls, making it seem even louder than it was.
Dante turned his head away, but I caught the slight upturn of his lips. "Are you hungry, Goddess?"
"No!" My stomach betrayed me with another growl. "...Maybe a little."
"When was the last time you ate?"
I counted back the hours in my head. There had been that half potato croquette during my break at the food stand, and before that... "Breakfast? I think?"
"You think?" He raised an eyebrow.
"I've been busy! The stand was packed today, and then I had to clean the church, and-" My stomach growled again, louder this time. I wrapped my arms around my middle, as if that would somehow muffle the sound.
"There's a food stand near here," Dante said, rising from his seat. "A kebab place. I passed it on my way here."
"Oh no, I couldn't." I shook my head. "It's too expensive, and I need to save money for-"
"I'm paying." He held up a hand when I started to protest. "Consider it a thank you for accepting me into your familia."
"But-"
"Besides," he continued, "we should celebrate. And you can tell me more about Bell while we eat."
The mention of Bell made me pause. "He might come back while we're gone..."
"Then we'll bring him something."
My stomach growled again, and I felt my resolve crumbling. "You're sure you don't mind paying?"
"I'm sure." He offered his hand to help me up. "Shall we?"
I took his hand, noting how small mine looked in his. "Just this once. And nothing too expensive!"