Frost Moon 14 – Morning
Warmth. Softness. A familiar weight pressing against him.
Felis blinked awake, golden eyes adjusting to the faint morning light filtering through the curtains. Hestia clung to him as usual, her small frame nestled against his chest, slow, even breaths tickling his collarbone. Same home, same morning, same goddess, same softness. And, as always, the same stiff problem pressed against her thigh.
Suppressing a sigh, he carefully slipped out of her embrace, making sure to tuck the blanket snugly around her. She murmured something in her sleep, fingers twitching slightly before settling again.
Today was supposed to be the day he leveled up. He had more than enough excelia, and his growth had already reached its peak. But after careful thought, he decided to hold off—at least until he talked it through with Hestia first.
Routine & Reflection
Moving through their renovated home, Felis made his way to the kitchen. The once-crumbling ruin was now fully restored—a warm, inviting space with sturdy wooden floors, solid walls, and a well-furnished interior. The scent of aged wood and lingering embers from the hearth gave it a cozy atmosphere, a stark contrast to the place it had been months ago.
He prepared breakfast with practiced ease. Warm bread, eggs, and a bit of fresh fruit—not extravagant, but hearty enough to start the day. Once everything was ready, he stepped outside into the garden, his new sword in hand.
The small courtyard had been cleared and maintained, the dirt now lined with patches of grass and a few flowerbeds that Hestia insisted on planting. Standing in the open space, he began his usual practice. Nothing fancy—just controlled, deliberate swings. Up, down. Up, down. The steady rhythm helped center him, a reminder that strength wasn't just built in battle, but maintained through discipline.
By the time he felt satisfied, a familiar voice broke the morning stillness.
"You're up early. Dungeon plans?"
Felis turned to see Hestia lounging in the rocking chair on the porch. She stretched, her deep blue eyes watching him with a lazy sort of curiosity, long midnight hair cascading down her shoulders.
He sheathed his sword and exhaled. "Not yet. There's something we need to talk about first."
Her expression shifted, curiosity sharpening into focus. Without another word, she stood up, stretching slightly before motioning toward the house.
"Alright, let's go inside."
And with that, they stepped back into the warmth of their home—ready to discuss the path ahead.
---
The soft glow of morning light filtered through the window, casting warm streaks across the wooden floor. Felis sat on the bed, his tail lazily flicking behind him as he stared at the parchment in his hands. Hestia knelt behind him, still perched on his back from updating his status, her excited breaths tickling his ear.
Strength: SSS (1400)
Endurance: SSS (1400)
Dexterity: SSS (1400)
Agility: SSS (1400)
Magic: SSS (1400)
A beat of silence. Then—
"EEEEEEEEEH?!?!"
The sheer force of Hestia's voice nearly made Felis' ears flatten against his head. The goddess bounced off his back, scrambling around to grab the paper from his hands, her sapphire eyes practically sparkling as she reread the numbers over and over again.
"This—this is insane! Felis, do you realize what you've just done?! This isn't just a fast level-up—you've maxed out every single stat!"
Felis exhaled, stretching his arms. "I mean… yeah? I did put in the work."
"'Put in the work' he says…" Hestia muttered in disbelief before grabbing his shoulders, shaking him slightly. "Felis! Adventurers take years to reach Level 2! Years! And even then, their stats are usually scattered. Nobody maxes out everything!"
He hummed in acknowledgment, but his golden eyes remained thoughtful. It was strange. He knew stats became harder to raise over time, but for everything to stop at the same number?
"…I think I get why it happened."
Hestia blinked, her excitement briefly pausing. "What do you mean?"
Felis leaned back against his hands, tail flicking. "The 19th floor."
"The 19th…?"
"The monsters there are strong, but I didn't push deeper. Maybe this is the limit of what excelia that floor can provide without taking a bigger risk." His voice was calm, logical. "I could've forced myself further, but the dungeon was already reacting. It threw stronger variants at me once, and I had a bad feeling it would happen again."
Hestia frowned slightly. "So… you ran?"
Felis met her gaze. "The dungeon learns. If someone pushes too hard, it pushes back. That's why I left when it started spitting out stronger variants. I could've stayed. I could've fought them. If I used the terrain, took some risks—I would've won."
Hestia felt a small chill. "But you ran instead."
Felis nodded. "Because I wasn't afraid of losing. I was afraid of what might come next." His golden eyes narrowed. "If I became too much of a threat, the dungeon could've sent something worse. Something I couldn't fight."
Hestia swallowed. She had heard the stories. The dungeon had defenses—monsters that weren't natural, that only appeared when something broke the balance.
"So you stopped yourself," she murmured.
Felis exhaled. "There's no point in gambling my life just to see what happens."
Hestia studied him for a moment before a small, proud smile curled her lips. "…You're smart, Felis."
"I try."
Her excitement returned in full force. "But still! This means you can level up now!"
Felis' tail twitched slightly. "…Actually, about that."
Hestia tilted her head. "Huh?"
"We can't report this yet."
The goddess blinked. "Wait—why?!"
Felis met her gaze. "Think about it. What happens if we immediately announce that an unknown Familia has an adventurer breaking every record?"
Hestia hesitated. "Well… people would be amazed?"
"Admiration, sure," Felis admitted. "But what about jealousy? Suspicion? Distrust? What if people start questioning it? If someone wants to challenge me? If someone thinks you're hiding something?" His voice was steady. "I'm strong, but at the end of the day, I'm alone."
Hestia's lips parted slightly.
Felis exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. "…I won't gamble your safety for praise, Hestia."
Her breath hitched.
For a moment, the room was quiet. Then—
"…You big idiot," she muttered, shaking her head before leaning forward against his back.
Felis smirked. "You've mentioned."
She huffed. "Fine. But how long do we wait? If you keep growing but still officially stay Level 1, that'll cause problems too."
Felis hummed. "A few days. I want to feel the difference first. And make sure we're ready."
Hestia studied him for a moment before sighing. "…Alright. But we are reporting it before the month ends. Got it?"
Felis chuckled. "Deal."
She pouted before flopping dramatically onto the bed. "Ughhh, you're way too logical about this! Can't we at least celebrate?!"
His golden eyes glinted. "I did make breakfast, you know."
Hestia deadpanned. "You want to celebrate with breakfast?"
"Then what? Want me to kiss you as a celebration?"
Before she could react, Felis flicked his tail teasingly across her stomach.
"EEEK—!?"
Hestia let out a startled yelp, her body jerking in surprise before she scrambled off the bed, practically fleeing toward the kitchen.
Felis chuckled, watching her go. "Guess that's a 'no' then."
---
After a hearty breakfast, Hestia stood up to change into her usual gardening outfit, humming softly to herself. But just as she turned toward her room, Felis casually reached out and stopped her with a gentle touch on her wrist.
"Hestia, are you forgetting something?"
She blinked, then immediately stiffened. A deep crimson spread across her cheeks as she whipped around to face him. "Wha—wha—what are you talking about?! Stop saying nonsense! There's no kiss! None! Absolutely zero! And anyway—Narissa is coming to help with the garden today, so don't try anything funny!"
Felis tilted his head, golden eyes glinting with quiet amusement. "What are you even talking about?" He crossed his arms, a smirk creeping onto his lips. "I meant updating my status. You know, leveling up to Level 2? We haven't done it yet. Even if I want to delay reporting it, I still need to keep getting stronger in the meantime."
Then, with a teasing lilt in his voice, he added, "But if you're that worried about the kiss, I wouldn't mind giving you one—if you insist."
His tail swayed lazily behind him, the tip curling slightly—almost like it was beckoning her closer.
Hestia made a strangled sound in the back of her throat. "A-a-a-ha-ha… then we'll do that later!" she blurted out, turning away as if she could escape the conversation entirely.
Felis, far from satisfied, leaned forward slightly. "The kiss? Alright, I'll wait."
Her shoulders jerked, and this time, her entire face exploded into a furious shade of red. "The update, you damn perverted cat!" she screeched.
And before he could say anything else, she bolted—barefoot and still in her morning dress—practically fleeing toward her room.
Felis watched her go, his smirk widening. His tail flicked once, twice. 'Too easy.'
He chuckled to himself, already looking forward to round two.
---
The faint glow of divine energy faded from Hestia's fingertips as she completed Felis' level-up update.
"Alright, all done!" she said with a satisfied smile before her expression shifted. "Oh, you have new Development Ability options."
Felis' ears flicked slightly. That fast?
Hestia scanned the Falna and began reading aloud.
"Swordsman, Hunter… and Arcane Wellspring."
The first two didn't surprise him. Given his time in the Dungeon, his swordsmanship and monster-fighting instincts had clearly reached the threshold to qualify. But the last one—Arcane Wellspring—was an unknown.
Hestia frowned slightly, tapping her fingers against the paper. "I know what Swordsman and Hunter do, but… Arcane Wellspring isn't recorded anywhere. I have no idea what it does."
That made Felis pause.
A completely undocumented ability?
Development Abilities weren't like normal skills. They couldn't be learned through training or experience alone—they were granted by the Falna itself, shaped by an adventurer's growth. The fact that no one had ever documented Arcane Wellspring meant one of two things:
1. It was extremely rare, or…
2. It was useless, and no one kept it.
Hestia looked at him seriously. "Felis, I can't tell you what this ability does. If you choose it, you'll be taking a risk."
He stayed silent, golden eyes narrowing at the unfamiliar words.
'Arcane Wellspring… Arcane – Something related to magic. That much was obvious. Wellspring – A natural source of water… or something that continuously flows'
'If I take this literally, it could mean a source of magic. Maybe an ability that enhances my mana?'
It wasn't much to go on, but it was a reasonable assumption.
And if he was right…
Felis exhaled slowly, tail flicking behind him. "Hestia, I know Swordsman and Hunter are solid choices. They're safe."
She nodded. "Right. If you take Swordsman, your sword techniques will refine faster. If you take Hunter, you'll have an easier time fighting monsters in the Dungeon."
"They'd be reliable," he admitted. "But I can improve my swordsmanship with training. And Hunter… that won't help against other adventurers, only monsters."
Hestia tilted her head. "You're saying they're too predictable?"
"More like limited." He tapped the table lightly. "Numen Aquae and Aqua Benedicta is already a magic-based ability. If Arcane Wellspring is related to mana or magic flow, it could be synergistic."
"That's assuming your guess is right."
He smirked slightly. "I've always had good instincts."
She gave him a dry look. "You're guessing."
"An educated guess," he corrected.
It was still a risk, but a calculated one. If Arcane Wellspring turned out to be related to Mind recovery, mana flow, or spellcasting efficiency, it could be incredibly useful in prolonged fights.
And if it was worthless?
Then he'd just have to make it work.
"I'll take Arcane Wellspring."
Hestia sighed, rubbing her forehead. "You're really going with the unknown choice?"
"Trust me." His golden eyes gleamed.
She muttered something about reckless cats but pressed her finger to his back. A familiar warmth flickered against his skin… then faded. No surge of strength, no instant realization—just silence.
And then-
Nothing felt different.
No sudden surge of strength. No instant realization of its function.
Felis flexed his fingers. No noticeable physical effect… so it really is something passive.
Hestia watched him expectantly. "Well?"
He clicked his tongue. "Not sure yet. It's not like a Skill, so there's no immediate feedback."
Her lips puffed in frustration. "So you chose a complete mystery, and now we just hope it's good?"
A smirk tugged at his lips. "Sounds fun, doesn't it?"
She shot him a flat look.
First, he checked his mana flow.
He repeatedly cast Aqua Benedicta in small bursts, monitoring his exhaustion. Normally, he'd feel his Mind drain progressively, but this time…
"Wait… that's different." His exhaustion, once a creeping weight, was fading—slowly, but unmistakably.
It was regenerating. Very slowly—but undeniably.
He stilled, closing his eyes, focusing.
'So it has a passive regeneration of mana'
That was already a game-changer.
"I should ask Narissa," he mused. "She might recognize something."
Hestia still looked skeptical. "You're way too excited about this."
Felis chuckled, flicking his tail. "What, worried I made a bad choice?"
She crossed her arms. "…If this turns out to be useless, I'm going to lecture you for weeks."
He smirked. "I'll take my chances. She will come later right?"
"Yeah we made promise to tending the garden together last night"
---
The late morning sun filtered gently through the trees, casting soft golden light over the small backyard of the abandoned church. The once-barren patch of land had been tilled and prepared, and now, small mounds of rich soil were ready to cradle the seeds of new life.
Hestia knelt on the ground, her white and blue dress lightly dusted with earth as she carefully placed a seed into a small hole she had made. The scent of fresh soil filled the air, mixing with the faint sweetness of grass and the lingering chill of the morning breeze.
"Alright, little one, you'll grow up strong, won't you?" she murmured with a bright smile before patting the soil over it, her fingers pressing the earth gently as if tucking it in for a peaceful rest.
Felis crouched nearby, golden eyes watching her with amusement as he handed her a small trowel. The cool metal brushed against her fingers as she took it. "Hestia, you're talking to the seeds again."
She huffed, placing her hands on her hips. "Of course I am! You have to be gentle and encouraging—how else will they grow properly?"
Felis chuckled, flicking his tail behind him as he continued aiding her in small ways—handing over tools, adjusting the soil, and keeping an eye on the arrangement. It was clear from the start that this was Hestia's garden, her project, her decision. He was just there to support her. And honestly, he didn't mind. Seeing her so invested in something beyond the Familia's struggles was… nice.
As Hestia pressed another seed into the earth, soft footsteps approached from behind.
"Oh, Narissa!"
At Hestia's cheerful call, Felis glanced up to see the petite half-elf standing at the entrance to the backyard. She hesitated for a moment before stepping in, fingers brushing the hem of her skirt. Today, she had traded her usual adventuring attire for something simpler—a soft tunic and a modest skirt, her chestnut-brown hair tied in its usual high ponytail.
"Hestia-sama," Narissa greeted, her voice steady yet carrying a trace of uncertainty.
Hestia beamed, quickly dusting off her hands and hurrying over. "Ah, Narissa! You came!" The excitement in her voice was infectious. "Look! Look! I've started planting already! What do you think?"
Narissa blinked at her enthusiasm before letting her gaze drift over the freshly tilled soil. The earthy scent, the neat rows of markers, the promise of life waiting to sprout—it was… peaceful. Comforting, even. A small, almost imperceptible smile tugged at her lips. "It's… nice. Peaceful."
Hestia clasped her hands together. "Right? We're making a little garden here. I want it to be a place where we can just… breathe, you know? A space where things grow, slowly but surely." Her eyes softened as she turned to the half-elf with an expectant look. "Did you decide on what you'd like to plant?"
Narissa hesitated, her fingers curling slightly at her sides before she finally nodded. "I was thinking… lilies. They're resilient."
Hestia's smile grew. "Perfect choice! Let's find a good spot."
Felis remained where he was, quietly working while the two discussed placement. He listened but didn't interrupt, letting them immerse themselves in the simple joy of planting.
Hestia guided Narissa gently—not with commands, but suggestions, allowing her to take control of the process. When Narissa knelt down and pressed her hands into the cool, damp soil, she hesitated for just a moment. The earth was soft beneath her fingertips, slightly coarse yet comforting in its weight. She dug a small hole, carefully placing the lily bulbs inside before covering them with loose dirt. The scent of fresh soil clung to her hands.
At first, her movements were stiff—uncertain, as if she were afraid of doing it wrong. But as she continued, pressing the soil into place, smoothing the surface, something shifted. The tension in her shoulders eased, and her fingers, once hesitant, moved with more certainty.
For the first time in a while, she wasn't just a survivor of tragedy.
She was simply a girl planting flowers.
And that, Felis thought, was exactly what Hestia wanted.
---
While Hestia and Narissa were busy tending their garden, Felis sat on a rocking chair, letting its gentle sway lull him into a rare moment of peace. He opened up his system.
[Main Job]
[Intermediate Rank: Swordbearer]
[Level: 1 (0/500)]
[Skills]
Intermediate Swordsmanship Lv.1 (0/500) – Builds upon fundamental techniques, refining slashes, counters, and adaptability with different sword types.
Combat Instincts Lv.1 (Unlocks at Level 5) – Enhances reaction speed and battle awareness, improving decision-making under pressure.
Endurance Mastery Lv.1 (Unlocks at Level 10) – Improves stamina efficiency, allowing for sustained combat without excessive fatigue.
Forceful Strike Lv.1 (Unlocks at Level 15) –
A precision-based attack that maximizes impact through weight shifting and technique, making it more effective at breaking defenses or staggering opponents.
Blade Flow Lv.1 (Unlocks at Level 20) – Enables seamless transitions between offense and defense, maintaining continuous control of combat tempo.
'The experience requirement is ridiculous…'
Felis exhaled through his nose, his tail flicking slightly. He had no intention of spending his hard-earned experience points on Swordbearer just yet. No, for now, it was better to save them for Cleric.
His side job system could only hold one basic rank and two intermediate rank jobs at a time. Even if he unlocked another, he wouldn't be able to benefit from it until he advanced or swapped out a job. On the bright side, as his jobs improved, so did his growth rate buff.
[Growth Rate Buff]
Strength: +11
Endurance: +9
Dexterity: +9
Agility: +9
Magic: +2
This was his best advantage right now—the only way to protect the peaceful life he'd come to cherish.
His golden eyes flicked toward Hestia, her small frame moving between the flowers as she hummed softly. A warm feeling settled in his chest.
'Yeah… I need to get stronger.'
He leaned back, stretching slightly. That settled it. From now on, he'd enter the dungeon every day.
---