"Oh, right, you defeated that first-class adventurer. That was a great feat." Loki said, the memory seeming to surface suddenly.
"I mean, I alone did not defeat it. Ais, Ryuu, and Alise were also fighting." I replied, though my words seemed to fall on deaf ears.
"And you also awakened your magic, right? I heard it powers you up a lot." Loki continued, ignoring my attempt at modesty as we began walking toward her office.
"Yeah, but I don't think it's magic I can use for a long time. I fainted after just a few minutes, you know." The memory of the overwhelming exhaustion still lingered fresh in my mind. I think I will keep up as a last resort type of magic.
The familiar scent of ink and parchment filled my nose as we entered Loki's office. Without ceremony, I removed my shirt and settled onto the bed, the routine now second nature
"I will start then." The sharp prick of the needle against Loki's finger preceded the familiar sensation of her drawing across my back. I sensed the familiar light behind me.
"Ohhh!! Arin-kun, all of your abilities are SSS-rank, and the stats also hit their limit at 1200. Should I proceed with the level up?" Her excitement was palpable, though I wasn't surprised that my status had reached the limit.
"And what about the magic?" I asked, noting her deliberate omission.
"Hehe, That's a surprise. Then I will proceed with the level up." The mischievous glint in her eyes suggested something significant, but she clearly intended to keep me in suspense.
"And done. Here, Arin-kun, but seriously, how hungry are you for affection?" I ignored whatever Loki was blabbering about and took the status sheet from her.
STATUS
Lv. 2
STRENGTH: I0 DEFENSE: I0 DEXTERITY: I0 AGILITY: I0
MAGIC: I0 LUCK: G IMMUNITY: G ESCAPE: I
〈 MAGIC 〉
[ MAGIC ]
• MAKES THE USER CAPABLE OF WIELDING MAGIC
[ ASTRUM CORDIS ]
• STRENGTH-ENHANCEMENT MAGIC
〈 SKILL 〉
[ EXTREME ADAPTABILITY ]
• RAPIDLY IMPROVES ADAPTABILITY IN ANY ENGAGED FIELD
• SLIGHTLY BOOSTS AGILITY AND DEXTERITY DURING SUSTAINED FIGHTS
[ EXTREME GROWTH ]
• ENHANCED COMPREHENSION AND PROGRESSION IN FOCUSED FIELDS
[ AMORIS PULSE ]
• STRENGTHENS THOSE BOUND THROUGH EMOTIONAL TIES
• GROWTH RATE DOUBLES FOR TARGETS LOVED BY USER
• IF FEELING IS MUTUAL, EFFECT QUADRUPLES
• MUTUAL AFFECTION GRANTS HIGH HUMAN TRAITS: AGELESSNESS, EXTREME GROWTH, ETC.
[ MYSTERY ]
• ALLOWS THE USER TO ACTIVATE A MIRACLE AND CREATE MAGIC ITEMS
Hmm. Everything looks good. I thought as my eyes traced the status sheet. I stopped to read the new magic I learned. It was not the type of flashy magic I had expected to receive. But it is a start. As I read further, I noticed a change in my skill section, specifically with my Amoris Pulse skill. Now I understand why Loki said that. Since this skill helps those who will get closer to me more than myself. I don't mind, though.
Next thing was I finally got the Mystery skill, YES! Finally. The countless hours Asfi and I had spent experimenting, trying different approaches to awaken this particular ability, had finally borne fruit. She would be thrilled to hear the news. With this skill, I could begin crafting truly useful magical items.
"Thanks, Loki, I will get going now." I glanced up to find her already nursing a bottle, dismissing me with a lazy wave of her hand.
"Riveria will be mad at you again," I warned, knowing full well how futile the gesture was.
"She won't know if you won't tell her. Or rather, just keep her busy, will you?" Loki pressed her palms together in an exaggerated pleading gesture.
"Haaa… I can't promise anything. But she might already be busy, though. So I don't think we will have a magic training session today."
"Nah, she asked me to send you to her to discuss your new magic after the meeting." Oh yeah, she must want to know about it as well.
.
.
.
The library's heavy wooden doors creaked as I pushed them open, releasing the familiar aroma of aged parchment and carefully preserved knowledge. Riveria occupied her customary position near the tall window, several books spread across the table before her like a scholarly battlefield.
"Arin," she looked up as I entered, her emerald eyes immediately focusing on me. "I heard about what happened during the mission. Are you feeling alright?"
"Yes, I'm fine now. Just a bit tired from mind drain," I replied, taking a seat across from her. "Loki mentioned you wanted to discuss my new magic?"
Riveria nodded, closing the book she'd been studying with deliberate care and grace. "Indeed. Awakening magic during combat, especially enhancement-type magic, is quite rare. I'm curious about how it works." She gestured for me to sit closer. "You also level up, right? Was there any other change as well?"
Rather than attempt an explanation, I handed her my status sheet and watched her methodical examination. Her expression remained professionally neutral, though I caught the subtle arch of her eyebrow when she reached the magic section.
"Astrum Cordis," she murmured, her voice carrying a thoughtful tone. "Star Heart... an interesting name. Enhancement magic that manifests as luminous threads, correct?"
"Yes, though the magic it requires is astronomical. So I was thinking of just using it as a trump card or something."
"Hmmm….." Riveria's fingers drummed lightly against the table as she started thinking. "It seems like you do not need to chant a spell to activate it. Which is unheard of, but is also a good thing as well. Maybe you can activate this magic in short bursts, which will increase your strength to a great degree in that moment."
"Ah, I did not think of that?" I said, looking in her eyes. " First class adventurer, do think differently after all."
"No, I am pretty sure sooner or later you would have come to the same conclusion. Besides to use this magic like that, you will need to practice a lot. Or you might waste more mind than what you would have when fully activating this."
She said as she continued to read the status sheet. She paused, her gaze shifting to the skills section. I watched as her eyes lingered on the Amoris Pulse skill.
"This skill of yours," she said carefully, "it seems to be evolving. The addition about mutual affection and high human traits... that's quite significant."
"I noticed that too."
"Extended lifespan, enhanced growth potential, possibly might even increased magical capacity," Riveria explained matter-of-factly. "You need to be really careful who you reveal its existence to. But I trust your judgement. If at some point you want to tell someone about this skill, you are free to do so."
I tried to speak up before she extended her hand to stop me.
"Do not worry about the consequences. We will handle them when they come." The certainty in her voice filled me with a warmth I hadn't expected—the reassurance that I wasn't alone in this.
After that, she simply set the status sheet down and leaned back in her chair. "Your new magic, combined with this skill's evolution, suggests your abilities are developing in a very specific direction. One focused on protection and mutual growth with those you care about."
Her matter-of-fact delivery impressed me. Even with her century of experience, I'd expected at least some embarrassment when discussing such intimate matters. Perhaps her extensive knowledge had inured her to such considerations, despite her lack of romantic experience.
"Is that... unusual?" I asked, shoving my other thoughts aside.
"Not unusual, but certainly rare. Most adventurers develop abilities that enhance their individual combat effectiveness. Your growth pattern suggests something different entirely." She gave me a small smile. "It's actually quite fitting, given your personality."
I felt a warmth spread through my chest at her words and the smile she gave me.
We continued our conversation well into the night, and I found myself feeling as though we'd somehow grown closer—as if we'd taken a significant step forward in whatever relationship was developing between us.