The sun rose over Orario, casting golden light over the city as Hestia Familia stirred from their well-earned rest. The air was filled with an unusual sense of excitement and anticipation—today was a day of revelations and preparations.
Hestia stretched her arms, yawning as she held a drop of blood between her fingers, preparing to update the statuses of her children. First was Bell, who lay facedown, already used to this process. The divine script began etching itself onto his back, revealing his absurd growth rate.
Hestia's eyes widened. "Bell! You're on the verge of Level 3!" she exclaimed.
Bell shot up, eyes sparkling. "Really?!"
"Yes! Your stats are almost maxed out, and I think one more grand battle would push you to Level 3," she confirmed excitedly before moving on to Lili.
Lili, lying beside Bell, grinned. "I'm getting close too, right?"
Hestia smiled at the Pallum. "Almost. Your Magic stat needs a bit more work, but otherwise, you'll hit Level 3 soon."
Finally, she turned to Harry, who, despite being the most relaxed of the trio, had the most absurd growth. She tapped her finger to his back, watching the numbers carve into his skin. The sight made her jaw drop.
"Harry… you… you're…" Hestia trembled, her hands shaking.
Harry, who had been resting with a smirk, chuckled. "I'm close to Level 4, huh?"
"Close?!" Hestia's voice cracked. "Your stats are at S 1050 across the board! That's insane! That's crazy! No one levels this fast!!"
As if that wasn't enough, her eyes caught something new.
Skill Gained:Divine Growth (Unique) – Allows user to update their status at will, removing the necessity of a Falna update from a God or Goddess.
Hestia paled. A terrifying realization hit her like a freight train.
Harry didn't need her anymore.
The tiny Goddess wobbled where she sat, her eyes brimming with tears. She hiccupped. "Y-You don't need me anymore, do you?!" she wailed dramatically.
Bell and Lili turned their heads, bewildered, while Harry sighed, rubbing his temples.
"Great," he muttered. "Another overdramatic Goddess moment."
Hestia threw herself onto his chest, her fists weakly punching him as she cried, "M-My precious child has abandoned meeeeee~!"
Harry, trying to console her, patted her back before an idea struck him.
He leaned in, pressing a soft yet lingering kiss to her lips.
Hestia froze. Her complaints halted as her face turned crimson.
Harry smirked against her lips before pulling away slightly. "There. Did that make you feel better?"
Instead of answering, Hestia grabbed his collar and pulled him into another kiss, this one not-so-innocent. Bell and Lili's eyes widened, and the latter quickly shielded Bell's vision while looking away herself.
Lili grumbled, "Honestly, do they have to do this right in front of us?"
Bell, still blindfolded by Lili's hands, simply groaned, "Can I at least leave first?"
After Hestia was sufficiently kissed into calmness, the group decided to do some shopping, particularly for Lili, who desperately needed new clothes.
After wandering the marketplace, Lili finally settled on a sleek black combat suit, one that fit snugly yet reinforced her movements. Onto that skin-tight suit, she decided to cop a brown cloak with multiple knife holsters and pockets for stealth missions. For casual attire, she picked out some cute dresses and boots that made her feel both pretty and deadly.
With their shopping done, they visited the Hostess of Fertility, a well-known tavern owned by Mama Mia and staffed by former adventurers. It was here that their day took a turn.
Seated at a nearby table were members of Apollo Familia, each one drunk and loud, throwing sneers and insults their way.
Harry, Bell, and Lili ignored them—until one of them uttered Hestia's name in a mocking tone.
Harry's eye twitched.
But he wasn't the only one, all of Hestia Familia got a little riled up.
He turned to Ryuu and Anya, who were serving nearby.
"Would you lovely ladies mind removing the trash before I take care of it myself?"
Ryuu, ever the composed elf, nodded. "Understood."
Anya cracked her knuckles. "Nyahaha~! Leave it to us!"
At first, the waitresses tried talking to them, asking them to leave. But one of the Apollo members, emboldened by alcohol, reached for Ryuu's waist.
Big mistake.
Ryuu chucked him straight through the tavern doors, sending him skidding across the pavement. Anya followed up with a powerful kick, sending two more flying.
Bell and Lili clapped in amazement while Harry smirked and left a generous tip for the show.
Chloe Rollo, another waitress, teased him. "My, my, Harry~ You're quite the dangerous one, aren't you?"
Harry leaned forward. "Oh? Flirting with danger, are we?"
Chloe blinked, not expecting him to tease back, and soon the entire staff joined in, leading to a hilarious round of teasing Bell until he was redder than a tomato.
That night, as they left, the waitresses whispered among themselves.
"They're growing fast," one of them murmured.
"They feel like high-rank adventurers already," another agreed.
"Harry is already as strong as a Level 4… and Bell is knocking on Level 3's door. Even Lili feels like a high-tier Level 2."
Syr, who had joined for the night shift, smirked. "Isn't that kind of hot?"
The waitresses giggled, awaiting what the future held for these three rising stars.
The next evening arrived, and it was finally time for the Ball of Apollo.
Harry and Hestia stepped out of their home, stunning in their formal attire.
Harry, looking like a blond Sung Jinwoo, wore a black button-up shirt, sleeves rolled to his elbows, black pants, and shoes with red soles. His hair was styled in a curtain cut with a low taper fade, making him irresistibly handsome.
Hestia, meanwhile, was a walking masterpiece. She wore a black backless dress, white thigh-highs, black heels, and silky black gloves. Her hair was in a high ponytail, a few strands framing her face, and she adorned herself with gold and sapphire jewelry that accentuated her beauty.
As they stepped into the carriage, Hestia grinned mischievously. "We look too good."
Harry smirked. "Oh, absolutely. Let's go steal the spotlight."
With that, the carriage pulled off toward Apollo's grand estate, where the ball awaited.
What could possibly go wrong?