The Loki Familia's reception room felt warm and welcoming.
The furniture was simple yet refined. Clean lines, a predominantly green palette, and a fresh, natural atmosphere made the space feel comfortable rather than imposing.
It was clear that whoever designed it had put thought into making visitors feel at ease.
Emiya waited inside for roughly fifteen minutes before the door opened again.
A demihuman entered.
More precisely, an elf.
She had smooth emerald-green hair that flowed down her back, with eyes of the same color. Her slender figure carried the graceful curves unique to elves, giving off an impression of elegance and restraint.
Her fair skin seemed almost translucent.
At the same time, she radiated a sharp, heroic presence.
This beautiful elf was none other than the strongest mage in the labyrinth city of Orario-the "Nine Hell Princess," a member of the royal elven family.
Riveria Ljos Alf.
"I apologize for the wait."
Riveria spoke first, then sat on the sofa opposite Emiya. Her gaze fixed on him, calm and penetrating, as if it could see through everything.
"You are the one who wishes to join the Loki Familia?"
"Yes." Emiya nodded.
Riveria continued evenly, "Although you may already know who I am, I'll introduce myself nonetheless. I am Riveria Ljos Alf, Vice-Captain of the Loki Familia. May I have your name?"
"Emiya."
"Emiya?" Riveria paused, slightly surprised. "Are you from the far east?"
As far as she knew, only people from the far east-such as those in the Take-Mikazuchi Familia-had names like this. Even then, they were usually three or four syllables long.
A two-syllable name was rare.
Still, Riveria didn't dwell on it. The calmness in Emiya's eyes told her he wasn't lying.
She nodded lightly and continued.
"Before I decide whether you can join the Loki Familia, I have a few questions. I hope you will answer them truthfully."
"Alright."
"What is your reason for wanting to join the Loki Familia?"
Emiya thought for a moment. "To grow stronger faster. And to form a mutually beneficial relationship with the Loki Familia."
"Mutually beneficial?"
Riveria was genuinely surprised.
A newcomer who clearly hadn't received a god's blessing yet was talking about mutual benefit with the Loki Familia.
Who gave him that confidence?
Did he really think he was qualified to help them?
It sounded absurd.
Yet when Riveria looked into his eyes, she saw no fear. No hesitation.
Only calm certainty.
For the first time, even the Nine Hell Princess hesitated.
Was he merely ignorant and overconfident?
Or did he truly possess something that justified his words?
After a brief pause, Riveria asked her second question.
"If you join the Loki Familia, will you commit evil deeds in our name?"
"If I say no," Emiya asked back, "would you believe me?"
Riveria didn't answer directly. "I trust my judgment of people."
"Then I can tell you," Emiya said, "I'm not that kind of person."
Riveria studied his eyes.
They didn't waver.
She nodded.
"Third question. Have you joined any other Familia before?"
"No."
"When did you arrive in Orario?"
"Today."
"So the Loki Familia is the first Familia you've visited?"
"Yes."
The questions were straightforward, and Emiya answered them without hesitation.
After finishing, Riveria neither accepted nor rejected him.
Instead, she stood.
"Please wait here. I'll be back shortly."
Emiya nodded.
After leaving the reception room, Riveria headed toward the central stone tower.
The person she was looking for wasn't there.
She grabbed a passing dwarf.
"Gareth, have you seen Loki?"
The dwarf was Gareth Landrock, a Level 6 adventurer of the Loki Familia. Along with Captain Finn and Riveria herself, he formed the Familia's core command.
He was known for his kindness.
"Loki?" Gareth asked. "What do you need her for, Riveria?"
"There's a newcomer who wants to join," Riveria said honestly. "I can't read him. I want Loki's opinion."
"You can't read him either?" Gareth was surprised.
Within the Loki Familia, only three people could decide a newcomer's admission.
Loki herself.
Captain Finn.
And Vice-Captain Riveria.
Even Gareth could only recommend, not decide.
Someone Riveria couldn't read was extremely rare.
It sounded like the Familia was about to gain a very interesting newcomer.
Gareth thought for a moment. "I saw Loki in the courtyard earlier. Not sure if she's still there."
"I'll go check," Riveria said, turning to leave.
She crossed the headquarters' skybridge and soon found her goddess in the courtyard.
"Loki."
"Ah, Riveria?" The red-haired goddess lifted her head, basking in the sunlight. "What brings you here?"
As a descended goddess, Loki possessed beauty beyond mortal comparison.
Delicate features. Smooth skin.
Enough to drive any woman mad.
The Familia she founded was also among the strongest in Orario.
In both appearance and power, she stood at the top.
A true winner in life.
If there was one flaw, it was her chest.
Flat as a cliff.
Her eternal pain.
Especially when compared to a certain impoverished goddess whose only redeeming feature was her large breasts.
Even worse, after millions of years, her body hadn't changed in the slightest.
It never would.
Riveria said, "There's a newcomer who wants to join. I'd like you to take a look."
"Oho?" Loki's interest was piqued. "What kind of newcomer?"
"Possibly from the far east," Riveria replied. "I can't read him. He seems untrained, yet he gives me a sense of danger. If I were careless, I might die facing him."
That made Loki even more curious.
She stroked her chin. "I've got time. Let's see what kind of kid even you, 'Mom,' can't figure out."
"I'm not a mom," Riveria said helplessly.
...
Meanwhile, Emiya waited another fifteen minutes in the reception room.
The door opened again.
Riveria returned.
This time, she wasn't alone.
"I apologize for the wait," Riveria said.
The red-haired goddess stepped forward, leaned down, and brought her face close to Emiya's-so close their noses were almost touching.
"So you're the newcomer who wants to join my Familia?"
Loki didn't release any pressure.
Yet Emiya still felt it.
He leaned back slightly. His heart began to race, and his usual casualness faded.
After all, the woman in front of him was a goddess who had lived for millions of years.
No matter how unreliable she seemed, her experience and insight were on another level entirely.
"Yes," Emiya replied. "Lady Loki."
"Your name is Emiya?"
"Yes."
"Riveria says you want to grow stronger quickly," Loki said, "and that you believe you can have a mutually beneficial relationship with my Familia."
"That's right."
"Do you know the status of the Loki Familia in Orario?"
"One of the two strongest Familias in the city."
Loki stepped back, sat on the sofa, and crossed her legs.
"You know our status and still think you can benefit us. That takes guts, kid. Is that confidence coming from the strange power inside you?"
"You noticed," Emiya said calmly.
He wasn't surprised.
Even with her divine power sealed, Loki was still a goddess who had lived for millions of years. Her perception far exceeded that of mortals.
"What kind of power is it?" Loki asked, clearly intrigued.
"A superpower," Emiya answered bluntly.
"A superpower?" Loki tilted her head. "Is that a skill?"
In this world, there were skills, magic, and sword techniques.
But no such thing as a superpower.
"In a way," Emiya said, "it's similar to a skill."
"What kind of skill?"
"You'll find out after I join your Familia and receive your blessing," Emiya replied. "Wouldn't it be better to see it yourself rather than hear me describe it?"
Loki looked down at him.
Her eyes shimmered.
Emiya's breath caught.