So, what's it like when a deity of another Familia grants their children updated Status?
In the Loki Familia, for example… That mischievous, red-haired, Kansai-dialect, squinty-eyed goddess (what a mouthful) would surely wiggle her ten fingers like writhing octopus tentacles, cackling "ehehe~" like some veteran pervert while drooling at the corners of her mouth…
…Oh, you're saying the one getting their Status updated right now is Bete? Well then, never mind.
And in the original future timeline, the Hestia Familia… Let's just say, picture that scene where a certain Smurf alien was dragged into the mud by his ancient ex-girlfriend Kaa-chan. Pretty much the same vibe.
As for Aether,
"You've gained quite a lot this time… chomp~"
Behind him came the soft munch munch of chewing.
Normally, when Freya sat cross-legged on her throne by the floor-to-ceiling window overlooking Orario, she would always have a crystal goblet of wine in hand.
But today,
"Uh, sis, could you not drip godly blood while gnawing skewers?"
Sitting obediently on the small bench before her throne, shirt off, back exposed for the blessing's crest, Aether tilted his head with exasperation.
"Are you sure your hands aren't greasy?"
"How rude of you."
Freya raised one elegant hand, manifesting the glowing aura of Arcanum, and replied in a mock-scolding tone.
"Your big sister has been paying close attention to every bit of your growth, you know."
"So you're not denying your hands aren't clean, huh?"
Aether gave her an utterly deadpan look.
The goddess of beauty on her throne fell silent. For quite a while,
"…Would you like a surprise?"
She changed the subject.
Aether's expression twisted oddly.
At this rate, even the great final boss of the original timeline's gone completely off-script thanks to me.
Still, not necessarily a bad thing.
Aether wasn't fond of troublesome confrontations, especially the kind that forced him into conflict with acquaintances. If things could be diverted… all the better.
"What kind of surprise?"
He decided to play along with his sultry elder sister.
"You can check your Status sheet for the changes in your basic stats once I finish the imprint. But… you've also gained a brand-new Skill. One I've never seen before. Extremely powerful."
That did catch Aether off guard.
Just then, she pressed the parchment against his back, the divine light seeping into his skin as the blessing updated.
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Status Update: Renjiro (Aether)
Level: 1
Stats:
Strength: g-260 → e-439
Endurance: g-259 → f-352
Dexterity: g-298 → d-512
Agility: f-303 → d-520
Magic: b-777 → s-998
Skills: Starry Abyss, Crown of Insight
Magic: Paimon Time, Genshin Descent, Starfire's Flowing Light
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Naturally, his eyes shot straight to the new Skill.
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Crown of Insight
Can only be activated if Affection Level conditions are met.
Allows analysis, acquisition, and use of Skills, Magic, and even Divine Authorities…
Different tiers require corresponding levels of Affection.
Range: 7 meters radius. Direct contact greatly improves efficiency.
Forced affection increases through means such as Charm are ineffective.
Cannot be activated while in Starfire's Flowing Light state. Skills/Magic gained and Affection do not carry over in that state.
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Aether instinctively leaned back in a tactical recline.
At that moment,
"Little brother… looks like you're destined to become quite the sinful man, hm? Hehe~"
Freya leaned down, whispering playfully in his ear.
Why does this feel familiar? Like that pink-haired fox from Teyvat who stripped the Traveler bare with nothing but words.
Still, right now, Emmmm…
Aether looked at Freya, realization dawning.
Affection Level 8 required? Divine Authority like Charm and Eye of Soul Perception locked until Level 10? And parsing time… what?! Ten thousand years?!
He nearly cursed aloud.
Seeing his turmoil, Freya chuckled softly.
"Be content. You now have the potential to brush against the realm of the gods. That fact alone is enough to shock the world."
"And besides, ten thousand years isn't that long."
Well, maybe not for gods who'd lived hundreds of millions of years.
Of course, Aether already knew how best to use Crown of Insight.
But first, this Skill can't be revealed lightly.
"Of course."
Freya nodded.
"If you choose to be honest with close ones, you may share some details. But the part about parsing Divine Authorities? That must never be exposed."
"After all, while we gods might not mind, or even look forward to it, the trouble that would follow would be immense."
"You wouldn't enjoy being endlessly hounded by fools without an ounce of sense, would you?"
"…Yeah."
Aether agreed.
"As always, I've locked your Status."
She reminded him,
"Be careful of anyone trying to use Unlocking Potions to peek."
"Got it."
He nodded, still scanning the parchment intently.
Noticing his focus, Freya hesitated a moment, weighing pros and cons.
Finally, as though deciding something, she reached beneath her throne's hidden compartment and pulled out another parchment. Clearly a confidential document, given the hiding spot.
She handed it to Aether.
"I'd originally planned to wait until you reached Level 2 to tell you this. But perhaps now… you should know early."
Her secrecy piqued his curiosity.
"Oh? What's the big deal? You're being so formal."
Relaxed tone, but his eyes moved to the parchment.
He could now read the world's "Common Tongue." Basically English letters were reshaped. A bit clunky, but the grammar matched.
Reading,
"'Aether , Level 1, Title: None, Race: Human, Profession: Adventurer…' Wait, this is my Guild Registry."
"Keep reading."
"Dungeon Reached: 1st Floor…"
"Further down."
"…Affiliation: Frigg Familia… Huh?"
Aether blinked.
"Frigg Familia?"
At that moment, the goddess known across the land as Orario's Queen smiled sweetly.
"Well?"
Clad in her black-red gown, the centuries-old (millennia, really) beauty gave him a playful look, like she was waiting for praise.
"You're my very first child. The first member of the Frigg Familia."
"So from now on… you'll have to work hard, Captain of the Frigg Familia."
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Footnotes
Frigg Familia – Freya has taken on the divine name Frigg, signifying a new Familia, of which Aether is the very first member.