After retrieving my information, I left the guild with 3000 valis less. 2000 to pay my right of residence and obtain my residence card. 1000 other valis were left at the guild to pay for a magical map allowing me to zoom in on the different streets of Orario. A kind of magic Google maps useful to locate oneself. Finally, I left the remaining 7000 valis with the guild to have them on my resident card, which also serves as a magical blue card.
[Ding. Congratulations user you have discovered several major changes in this world. As a reward, the system offers you one of these three quick attack spells:
Fireball
Sotrmbolt
Wind blade
The spell's effect is greatly reduced until the user obtains the falna. ]
Me: I choose Stormbolt, in my previous life I always prefer the lighting for elemental magic.
[Ding. The spell stormbolt is now availaible. New quest : Join the famillia Astrea. Reward : A skill from a list of choice. Make your choice now and gain it for your first update or wait after the gain of the falna for more information on the skill.
Skill list : Egaliser, master of lighting, Awarness. ]
I suppose that lightning master must boost my lightning magic, awarness must undoubtedly boost my senses but Egaliser I have no idea what it can do. Put myself at odds with my opponent? That would be frankly broken but you never know. I'm waiting to have my falna, these skills seemed great to me, and waiting for a second update is not that long. So the stardust mansion should be somewhere around there...
The street where I am is located in the north west quadrant. From what I know in the original city, it is there that the abandoned church and the blue pharmacy are found. The neighborhood is almost in ruins or abandoned in the lively. But in this world, it is mostly alive. From what I was able to read on the signs, a lot of small families are installed here. famillia Vishuu, famillia Pangu. So I am here on the map. Normally the famillia Astrea is 4 houses further away.
"Stardust Mansion"
It's there, the word manor is maybe a bit too much even if the dwelling looks spatious. It is a building on two floors, several walls are covered with brittle climbing plants with monony of colors. It's one of the few houses I've come across here that has a garden, the house hides the interior part but the front garden presents an impressive collection of flowers of different colors. While observing, I also saw a person in charge of looking after these flowers. She had to feel my gaze because she turned towards me.
Astrea smiling: Hello, can I help you young man?
Me: Oh sorry I was admiring your garden, it is magnificent.
Astrea: Thank you, I spend a lot of time there. I get anxious when my girls are in the Donjon, maintaining the garden and the house helps me to occupy my mind.
Me: Oh I see and well I hope they will come back to you.
Astrea: Thank you. But tell me you didn't come here just to observe my garden, young wolf. So tell me why are you really there.
Me: Well goddess Astrea, I just arrived in Orario and I am looking for a famillia.
Astrea: Oh, it's been a long time since a child came to ask me to join my famillia. But I'm sure the guild is warning that I hardly recruit.
Me: It was indeed specified on the famillia register, but rarely does not mean never.
Astrea: Interesting, very well then tell me why me? Why not join the Apollo famillia or even slightly less powerful families like that of Loki?
Me: Because I have almost nothing to offer these families and I am not sure that she offers me what I am looking for.
Astrea: And what are you looking for?
Me: A home is something I no longer have and that I would like to find again. When I saw that you did not recruit, I told myself that it was due to the attention you were giving your members. I wish to be part of something personal, not just a new name in a crowded famillia.
Astrea: I see, so tell me for you what is justice?
Me: I doubt there is only one good answer to this question goddess Astrea. For me, there are two definitions of justice: The first would be respect and enforcement of the law as well as a system of punishment if it is mandatory. But if I had to give my personal version, I would say that my justice is to do our best with what we have to improve our situation, and that of the people around us.
Astrea smiles: Here's an interesting definition, would you have your card on you.
I handed it to her.
Astrea: Tank Yukki. Integrating you into my famillia is not a decision I can make alone. As you said, I pay attention to who lives with us and therefore I must talk about it with them. The girls won't be back until tonight so what would you say to help me in the meantime?
Me: With pleasure. What did you want me to do?
Astrea: Do you have knowledge in gardening?
Me: Not really, I know how to dig holes and pick a plant but that's about it.
Astrea: Very well, then can you dig holes on the pillars marked with sticks, around one twentieth of a centimeter deep. Then I will plant the flowers and water them.
Around half an hour I helped the goddess to maintain her garden, the discussions remained light. Astrea emitted an aura of security and peace around her. Being with her is gratifying with a fact that is difficult to describe. After that, she invited me to have a soft drink and to have tea with her.
Astrea: Tell me Tank, do you have any qualities to explore the Dungeon? Experience?
Me: Not really, I know how to use claws but I lack real experience. In revenge, I have my magic.
Astrea surprise: Do you have magic?
Me: Mmhh, I have a little lightning spell. Would you like to see it?
Astrea: If she is not too destructive then yes with pleasure. Follow me.
Astrea took me to the inner courtyard where part of the land was reserved for a vegetable garden, the second part was a training ground.
Astrea: The mannequin in the center has an absorption mechanism, you can aim your spell at it.
I raised my hand towards the manequin then:
Me: Stormbolt!
A bluish light burst from my hand as it went to crash on the manequin leaving a small mark of burning that stayed for some seconds before disappearing.
Astrea shocked: No incantation, it's rare. The power seems low but for someone without falna it's already good. Where did you learn your magic if it's not indiscreet?
What am I supposed to answer to that? Especially since I can't lie to a god!
[Ding. Use the reason you choose to justify system actions are considered true the first time you speak. Choose your excuse well and above all stay faithful to this story]
Oh practical. But I have to be careful to stay true to my version.
Me: Well, I don't have a precise answer for you goddess Astrea. Several nights in a row during storms I dreamed of being able to handle lightning and the name of the spell was stuck in my mind. After several days I pronounced it and the spell activated.
Astrea: Oh, an elementary influence then. tt's rare to experience these phenomena for a beast people generally is the elves who experience these phenomena. In any case, thank you for this demonstration, however in the future you should hide your abilities.
Me: I trust you and even if you don't accept me, I don't think you would reveal my abilities. Maybe if we were to confront each other one day but it's not something I want to be honest.
Astrea: I appreciate your honesty. And since you showed me your abilities, how about seeing mine? You said that you lack real combat experience.
Me: Why not, I have nothing to lose by trying.
It was a bad idea. For an hour, Astrea demonstrated to me the effectiveness of the pancrax. In the end, I was almost sure to have feele ribs and muscles in a mush. And since it wasn't enough, this 'training' destroyed my clothes. Problem: I don't have a change of clothing. So Astrea took me to a small clothing store not very far in order to buy me several bags in advance as well as several sets for training/combat.
Astrea offered to pay me for them on the condition that I face it again upon returning. Call me masochist if you want but I only have 7000 valis in stock and just these clothes would have cost me 3000 valis. So I accepted.
Second mistake! I didn't even last an hour before collapsing from fatigue and pain. I believe that in the anime Takemicazuchi can fight levels 4 without any problem and well I can guarantee that Astrea can do the same with level 3 at least.
After the training, Astrea advises me to take a hot bath to relax my muscles. This helps.
After that, Astrea let me rest on the couch until noon. The goddess of justice served me lasagna prepared yesterday by Lyra. We ate in silence the food is good but quite spicy. Astrea seemed happy to have someone at home to keep her company. After eating I helped her with the dishes despite these refusal. Then I returned to lie down on the couch, and fell asleep exhausted by my first morning in this world.
A few hours later.
Alise: Astrea-sama we're back!
Astrea: Oh you are ahead, no problem I hope?
Alise: nothing serious, the Apollo famillia came back from their expedition after their passage there was not much left to hunt.
Me: Mmh... less loudly please captain...
Alise and the others turned to me.
Kaguya: Astrea-sama why do we have an injured at home?
Me: I faced the goddess at the pankration... twice.
The girls: Ouch, sorry for you.
Alise: Why did you call me captain?
Me: Because I hope to join your famillia.
Alise: Oh a new member?! Is it true mama we have a new one?
Astrea smilling: It depends on you, personally I am not opposed to it.
Alise: So good! In addition, he already calls me captain and he survived mama's pancratic! I approve!
Kaguya infuriated: Seriously Alise, you don't even know his name.
Me: Tank, Tank Yukki. Nice to meet you miss...?
Kaguya: Kagyua Gojouno. the hysterical redhead serves us as captain it's Alise, the pink girl it's Lyra, the useless elf it's Ryu and the silver werewolf it's Neze.
Ryu: Useles elf !!! I Hate you ! I'm not useless I have kill more monster than you !
Kaguya: By charging all alone in the imps. Good work.
Neze: Can we focus on the wolf in the room please.
Lyra: Oh that's true how will it be for the full moon? Are we putting you together in the same room?
Neze: Bad idea either one of will die or I end up with puppies in the belly.
Me: Yeah, not a fan of the idea either. I care about my survival and I'm not ready for puppies.
Red Scarlet Ryu: How you can talk about this without any shame!
Alise: Come on, Ryu, it's just another culture.
Lyra: And so do we accept him or not? Does the elf suit you if a man enters the famillia?
Ryu: If he is respectful, I have no problem with that. I trust Astrea-sama's judgment.
Alise: And you, Lyra Neze Kaguya?
Neze: Why not.
Lyra: Not sure what he brings us...
Me: I have magic without even having falna.
Astrea: I confirm he showed me.
Lyra: Okay, we'll take it.
Kaguya: Very well if that's what the famillia wishes, but I warn you if you ever play the pervert on us or worse on my goddess, I will cut you off.
Raised my hands: Understood.
Astrea smiles: Perfect now that this is settled Ryu can you heal him. I think he has some felted ribs.
Ryu: Right away. The song of a now distant forest. The nostalgic song of life. Please bring the mercy of healing to those who seek you. Noah heal.
Me: Thank you uh, sorry I'm not used to elf custom, what do you wish to be called?
Ryu smiles: You can just use my name, I don't want to distance myself from my famillia, but thank you for asking. Some have never done it.
Kaguya: Forget about the useless elf, it's you who asked to be treated normally.
Ryu: Kaguya I asking to be treated normally not for bulling!
Astrea: Come on, it's enough you two. Tank ready to receive your falna ? Normally the awarding ceremony is public, its for bonding the famillia and build trust beetween the members.
Me: I don't mind.
Astrea: Very well, turn around and lift your top.
Lyra: Hey Neze, he look well-built. Interested?
Neze: Hmm why not, but I'm waiting to see his character.
Astrea: It's done, here is your card.
Tank Yukki
Race: Werewolf
Force I 0
Endurance I 0
Dexterity I 0
Agility I 0
Magic I 0
Development abilities:
Magic:
Stormbolt: fast attack magic
Skill:
Alise: No skill but he has that magic.
Neze: For a wolf, it's already incredible that he has a magic from the start.
Lyra: He didn't do a kaguya for us at least.
Me: A kaguya?
Kaguya: No, it's history is...
Ryu smiles: When she received her first blessing, she broke into tears at the sight of her statistics.
Kaguya furious: I spent 16 years in training! And that stupid Falna didn't integrate them! I should have started with statistics in B or at least C !
Astrea: Come on Kaguya it's past, you have been reaching level 2 since.
Alise: She is right you are in the elite of our famillia even if you remain behind me the superb Alsie lovell!
Kaguya: Captain, training ground now!
Lyra: And here we go again, I'm going to get the popcorn!
Neze: I prepare the drinks!
Ryu: I go to get the first aid kit.
Astrea: Come Tank we will install the seats. When these two compete it's a real show.
Me: Ok, I'll follow you goddess Astrea.
10 minutes later Alise and Kaguya face up so much that the rest of the famillia settled in garden corners each with their cocktail and these bowls of popcorn.
Neze: Tank, are you taking bets on the winner?
Me: I think you have an advance of information here Neze. But if I had to bet... I would bet on a tie. Don't want to make one or the other angry at me.
Lyra: Good choice, you don't want to have Kaguya against you right Ryu.
Ryu approved.
Alise: Ready?
Kaguya: Ready.
The two draw blades, a beautiful long sword with golden guard for Alise and an oriental katana for Kaguya.
Me: WHo usually wins?
Astrea: It's very tight, but none of them uses their magic, if that were the case, Alise would be the winner.
Me: Do they have magic?
Neze: To be honest, I am the only one who doesn't have any.
Me: Oh I'm sorry.
Neze: Don't worry, I have my skills to compensate and eventually I think about buying a grimoire.
Our discussion was interrupted by the clash of the two blades. After a few exchanges, I clearly saw two distinct styles. On the one hand, Kaguya bets everything on slash, on the other, Alise also uses trust and kick. And despite these differences, the two opponents neutralize each other with each exchange. When Alise takes advantage with a direct attack Kaguya lowers or shifts and launches her own attack forcing Alise to back down. And when Kaguya launches her attack, Alise hits the blade side to redirect it.
After half an hour of intense combat, the two stopped, exhausted and in sweat.
Me: Equality, I won Neze.
Neze: Well played. And are you two finished? There are people who want to go wash up.
Me: Do you wash together?
Astrea: It's a rule established by Kaguya, in her culture it brings people together.
Me: Ah ok, cultural difference I suppose. In the meantime, do you have any books on magic or fencing that I could borrow?
Lyra: Alise has a fencing manual and Ryu has several books on magic...
Ryu: Lyra! You can't count on it, they are works from the royal library! I can't give them to a non-elf.
Neze: Ryu...
Me: no I understand cultural difference. Does it bother if I borrow Alise's fencing manual?
Astrea: Not at all, he covers basics like footwork and how to manage his weight behind the blade. I'll get him for you.
After that, I spent the afternoon working with Alise's manual, it is illustrated allowing me to easily imitate the posed descriptions. Astrea also gave me some advice, she says she is a swordswoman herself but to a normal person. Finally a normal level for a divity that has lived for an infinite duration. After that, we stopped by the diner, and it confirmed to me that I chose the best possible famillia. Not only is the goddess Astrea loving and maternal but she is also a 5-star chef. She prepare a meal according to our tastes, so more vegetarian for Ryu and very meat for me and Neze. Raw fish and rice for Kaguya, spicy buritos for Lyra and two more classic plates of meat in sauce for her and Alise. The reheated lasagne was already excellent but there it's just... indescribable.
And finally to finish my day I went to bed and took care of a small system notification.
[Congratulations user you have joined the famillia Astrea. You can now access to more inforamtion about your reward, this is the description of each skill.
Egaliser: Add all the statistics gains to form a single number, this number is then added to each user's statistic. Also harmonizes the Developement abilities.
Master of lighting: Halves the mana cost of all lightning spells.
Awardness: Allows the user to perceive everything within a radius of 5 meters around them.
Choose your reward, your skill will be active after your next update of your falna.]
Difficult choice, the three are legitimately broken skills, Egaliser is a growth skill, Master of lightning transforms me into a literal machinegun of spell and awardness blocks ambush and can undoubtedly help me in melee, if I know everything that is happening around me I should be able to better anticipate and counter my opponents.
In the anime Bell, can go down several floors just with Firebolt if my spell costs about the same amount in magic then if it's divide it by two... yeah op. Awardness is harder to evaluate even if I think that during close combat the skill is very strong. And finally, Egaliser is a skill for growth without conditions, therefore permanently active, but it 'only' offers growth, not protection in addition like the Bell skill.
When presenting the choice like that is obvious...
Me: System I choose Egaliser.
[Ding. Choice confirmed. Ding New quest: sell to the guild 10 finger of goblin, 10 finger of kobold, 5 warshadow claws, 5 frogshooter tongues and 1 a killer ant shell. Reward: Better understanding of magic. ]
Ok, depending on the loot it can take more or less time, it will depending on the item drop. The reward seems worse than the first two but it remains interesting.
We'll see about that tomorrow.