Time flew by without much incident.
Narissa and Hestia spent their days tending the garden, their bond growing closer with each passing moment. What once was an escape for Narissa had become a place of warmth—of healing. She no longer saw her past as a burden but as a part of her story, something to carry forward rather than be shackled by.
Meanwhile, Felis finally remembered to ask for the name of the dwarf who forged his sword—Boris Earthforge. Not for another commission, but to sell some unicorn horns for cash. The Guild's payout was steady, but private sales brought better profits.
That decision paid off. After checking the market, he found out that an exceptional-quality unicorn horn could reach up to 9 million valis. Fortunately, the ones he had given to Welf and Boris before were lower quality—so he hadn't lost out too much.
As a result, when Felis needed to sell now, Boris handled the sale for free—calling it repayment for the last trade.
A fair deal in the end.
After selling three unicorn horns, Felis felt confident in his plan. The sudden influx of wealth gave him the freedom to take the next step—transforming the rundown church into a proper home.
He returned to Goibniu Familia, but this time, instead of repairs, he requested a full-scale renovation. The plan was ambitious:
Six Bedrooms (Each with a private bathroom)
Living Room
Dining Room
Kitchen
Familia Management Room (An office-like space for future use)
And, most importantly, an expanded basement for Hestia and himself, with its own:
Bedroom
Living Room
Kitchen
Bathroom
This medium-scale renovation included room restructuring, plumbing, furniture, and high-quality materials—all totaling 13 million valis. However, time was a factor. Felis wanted it done within a week, so he paid an extra 2 million valis to prioritize the job.
With the deal made, construction was set to begin immediately.
Over the week, the sound of hammers and saws became a familiar backdrop to their days. By the time the final plank was nailed in place, the old church had transformed into something entirely new—Hearth Manor.
If there was anything notable about the first night, it was the way Hestia entered Felis' new room without hesitation. She stood there, hands on her hips, expression firm yet slightly expectant.
"You can't expect me to sleep alone now, can you?" she huffed. "We've always slept together in the basement room. That won't change just because we have more space."
A goddess' will was absolute. Who in their right mind would refuse? Blasphemy!
Felis only chuckled, shaking his head as he followed her back downstairs. Once again, they lay side by side in the warmth of the quiet room, just as they always had. Yet somehow, this time felt different.
Hestia shifted closer as she always did, their nightly embrace a testament to a month of shared warmth and unspoken promises. Felis, with the ease of familiarity, pulled her flush against him—not to spark something new, but to celebrate the comfort they'd built together. Their bodies fit as naturally as if they were two halves of a whole, every touch affirming a bond that had deepened with each passing night. In that quiet moment, nothing needed to change; the simple act of drawing her near was enough to remind him of all they already shared.
'She came to me first this time… That alone is a step forward.'
Felis knew better than to rush. Hestia wasn't just his goddess—she was Hestia, the woman who had taken him in, who laughed with him, who now sought his presence without hesitation. If he pushed too hard, she might slip away. And that, more than anything, was something he refused to allow.
Step by step.
For now, he would simply enjoy the warmth of the woman beside him.
That night, as Hearth Manor grew silent and the warmth of shared embraces faded into the gentle hum of the dark, time shifted. The memory of their closeness lingered like a soft promise, bridging yesterday's tender moments with the uncharted challenges of tomorrow
---
Narissa had become a regular presence at the old church, tending to the garden alongside Hestia. At first, she had merely come to help, but somewhere along the way, the small patch of earth had turned into something more—something personal. The rhythmic motions of planting and watering had soothed her, grounding her in the present rather than the past.
And, with time, she had opened up.
It had not been easy, but Hestia had been patient, never forcing her to talk, never demanding anything in return. Instead, the goddess had simply been there—offering gentle words, a warm presence, and, most importantly, acceptance. Narissa hadn't forgotten her pain, nor had she tried to erase it. She had simply… learned to carry it differently.
Today, as they placed the final decorative touches on the garden, Hestia clapped her hands together with satisfaction.
"Perfect! To celebrate, I'll make dinner tonight, so don't rush home, okay?"
Narissa hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Alright… I'd like that."
The sun dipped lower, casting long shadows over the freshly bloomed flowers. As they admired their work, a question that had been lingering at the back of Narissa's mind resurfaced. She turned her gaze toward Felis, who was seated on the rocking chair.
"Felis… a while ago, you asked for my thoughts on Development Abilities," she began, watching his ears twitch slightly at her voice. "But I haven't heard any news of you leveling up at the Guild."
Felis' fingers stilled. His golden eyes flicked toward her, unreadable.
For a moment, he didn't speak. Instead, he studied her carefully, as if weighing something in his mind. Was it alright to trust her with this? He needed allies—people who could protect Hestia if something happened. But… was it really okay?
After a long silence, he exhaled through his nose, reached into his coat, and pulled out a parchment. With a flick of his wrist, he handed it to her.
Narissa's brows furrowed as she unfolded it, scanning the contents.
---
Felis Veltheris
Level 2
Stats:
Strength: I0
Endurance: I0
Agility: I0
Dexterity: I0
Magic: I0
Development Ability:
Arcane Wellspring I
Magic:
Aqua Benedicta – Heals wounds proportional to the user's Magic.
---
Her eyes darted back to him. "You… didn't report this to the Guild?"
Felis leaned back, resting his elbows on the step behind him. Instead of answering, he posed his own question.
"Nari, how long do you think I've been an adventurer?"
She frowned. "Now that I think about it, I never asked… One year? Two? You can navigate up to the 19th floor with ease, so you must be exceptionally strong and experienced." She handed back the parchment, nodding to herself. "Honestly, I'd be more surprised if you weren't Level 2."
Felis smirked faintly. "I became an adventurer about forty days ago."
Silence.
Narissa blinked. Once. Twice.
Her brain refused to process the words immediately.
"…Hah?"
The realization hit her like a hammer.
Forty days.
Not forty weeks. Not even half a year.
Forty days.
Her lips parted in shock. She had seen reports about the fastest level-ups in Orario's history—Ais Wallenstein, hailed as a genius, had taken one year to reach Level 2. But forty days? That wasn't just unheard of; it was insane.
It wasn't just about leveling up fast—Narissa knew what it meant. An adventurer couldn't rank up just by training or grinding stats. They needed to accomplish something extraordinary, a Feat of Strength worthy of recognition by the Gods.
Which meant… Felis had done something insane in just a month.
She swallowed, staring at him with renewed wariness. "…So that's why you're hiding it."
"It would be good news if my Familia were as strong as Loki Familia, but with things as they are, I can't risk Hestia-sama's safety."
Narissa nodded slowly. She understood. The dungeon was dangerous, but the politics of Orario could be just as deadly.
Still… she couldn't shake another thought from her mind.
Over the past few days, the church had undergone further renovations, expanding into something resembling a proper home. The former main room had been divided into several chambers.
And, a few days ago, she had seen something she wasn't meant to.
It had been early morning, and she had arrived a bit too soon. Finding no one in the common areas, curiosity had gotten the better of her, and she had wandered deeper into the building. Eventually, she had found a door leading to the basement—a space she hadn't explored before.
When she pushed it open, her breath caught.
There, nestled under the covers, Felis and Hestia lay fast asleep, curled against one another in peaceful slumber.
Her brain had shut down for a brief moment.
She had seen no signs of… well, anything inappropriate. While she wasn't exactly experienced, she knew enough—thanks to books and Yufi a late friend from Silverveil Familia—to tell the difference between a couple merely sharing warmth and something more. And Felis and Hestia? They were definitely just sleeping.
just two people holding each other closely. But still… A goddess and her Familia member. A romantic story.
At the time, she had quietly backed away, shutting the door as gently as she could. She had told herself she wouldn't bring it up.
But now, watching Felis as he stared at the parchment in his hands, as he spoke about protecting Hestia with such unwavering resolve…
She understood.
Narissa exhaled, crossing her arms. "You really have your work cut out for you, don't you?"
"That a problem?" Felis raised an eyebrow, not quite understanding the edge in her tone
She smirked. "No. Just making sure you're ready for what comes next."
"I never stop going to dungeon so I can get stronger to protect her, I work on it, don't worry"
"Yeah yeah..." Narissa answer half heartly, but deep inside she think through something, a very important decisions.
---
The soft glow of the dining room's lanterns cast gentle shadows across the table, flickering against polished wood. The warmth of a home-cooked meal lingered in the air—a simple dish, nothing extravagant, but enough to make the manor feel lived-in.
Narissa sat across from Hestia and Felis, her fingers lightly curled around her half-empty cup. She had eaten, but the taste barely registered.
The past ten days had been… peaceful.
Tending the garden, listening to Hestia's cheerful chatter, watching her bicker lightly with Felis over the most trivial things—it was nothing like the dungeon, nothing like the cold silence that followed her Familia's demise.
She should feel safe.
But that same warmth, that sense of belonging, was what terrified her the most.
Because she knew how easily it could be taken away.
Her grip tightened slightly.
'No… If I keep thinking like that, I'll never move forward.'
She took a slow breath, steadying herself. If she hesitated now, if she let her fears dictate her, then she would never have the strength to protect what mattered.
Her resolve hardened.
"…Hestia-sama."
The banter at the table quieted. Both Felis and Hestia turned to her, the Goddess tilting her head slightly in curiosity.
Narissa exhaled, forcing her voice to remain steady.
"Can I… become a part of your Familia?"
The words hung in the air, heavier than they should have been.
Hestia blinked. Then, as the meaning settled in, her expression softened, though a quiet seriousness lingered behind her gaze.
She set down her utensils and leaned forward slightly, hands resting on the table. "Narissa… Are you sure about this?"
No immediate acceptance. No thoughtless encouragement. Just a genuine, quiet concern.
Narissa had expected it—but somehow, it still made her chest tighten.
"…I am."
The goddess didn't speak right away. She watched her, searching for any hint of hesitation.
"…The dungeon took everything from you," she said gently. "You don't have to go back. You could stay here, live peacefully."
"I know," Narissa admitted. "But… staying afraid won't bring them back. And it won't protect what I still have."
She lifted her head, meeting Hestia's gaze fully.
"I don't want to lose my home again."
A quiet pause.
Then, a small warmth touched her hand.
Narissa glanced down—Hestia had reached across the table, her fingers lightly pressing over hers.
"Once you join… I won't let you go," the goddess murmured. "Familia is family, Narissa."
A heartbeat passed.
Then, she smiled.
"…Alright."
Narissa felt something ease inside her chest—like a weight she hadn't even realized she was carrying had finally been lifted.
Hestia turned to Felis. "What do you think?"
He exhaled lightly, as if the answer was obvious.
"She's my friend, no matter what she chooses," he said simply. Then, a faint smile. "But if she joins, I'll have an ally."
Hestia let out a small chuckle, before squeezing Narissa's hand once.
"Welcome home."
---
The bedroom door clicked shut, leaving Felis alone in the quiet living room. He leaned back against the couch, stretching out his legs with a lazy sigh.
Murmurs drifted through the wooden walls—Hestia's excited chatter, Narissa's soft replies. The familiar ritual of granting a Falna had begun. He could picture it easily: the dim glow of divine ichor tracing delicate patterns across Narissa's back, shifting and reshaping itself as Hestia read the emerging script.
Then, a sudden burst of excitement.
"Felis! Felis, you won't believe—!"
Still lounging in the living room, Felis didn't bother moving. Instead, he smirked and called back, "Stop shouting and calling for me, or I'll take it as an invitation to enter. If someone's still not fully clothed, don't blame me."
The bedroom fell into an instant, stunned silence.
Then—
"You damn pervert cat! I dare you to try it!"
Felis chuckled, his tail flicking lazily. "I'll let it slide for now... But later… heh."
No response this time, just a muffled grumble from behind the door. He could imagine Hestia's flustered pout, her little fists shaking in indignation.
A short while later, the bedroom door opened, and Hestia stepped out, parchment in hand, waving it triumphantly. "Felis, you won't believe what's on here—"
Before she could finish, Felis closed his eyes, exhaling through his nose. "Did you already ask her permission?" His tone carried an edge of finality. "That's a secret between you and her."
Hestia froze. Then, realization dawned, her shoulders tensing as she turned to Narissa.
"I'm so sorry! That was— I got too excited…"
Narissa blinked, then let out a soft chuckle. "It's okay, Hestia-sama. But actually…" She turned to Felis, expression calm yet resolute. "Since we'll be working together in the dungeon, I don't mind if Felis sees my status."
Hestia's brows lifted. "You sure?"
Narissa nodded. "Yes. If we're going to be a team, it's only fair he knows my strengths and weaknesses."
Hestia hesitated for a moment before finally handing the parchment over. "Alright… but if he teases you, you have full permission to smack him."
Felis reached for it, his fingers just brushing the edge—
"I should go home now!" Narissa suddenly blurted, turning away so fast her hair swayed with the movement. "I need to tell Eina about my update."
Felis blinked. "Huh? Just like that?"
Hestia squinted at Narissa, then grinned. "Oho~? What's this? Why are you blushing all of a sudden?"
"I—I'm not!" Narissa protested, her voice just a little too high. "I just— I should let Eina know. That's all!"
Felis tilted his head, catching the briefest glimpse of her ears—slightly red. His tail flicked lazily as he muttered, "…Embarrassed about what?"
Hestia smirked knowingly. "Oh, you'll figure it out."
Felis scanned the parchment with a hum and handed it back to Hestia, his gaze softening as he looked toward where Narissa had run out
---
Narissa Valein
Level 1
Strength : I0
Endurance: I0
Agility: I0
Dexterity: I0
Magic: I0
Magic:
Lux Aeternum – A magic of eternal radiance. Manifests in three forms:
Shield Form: Creates a barrier that absorbs damage for herself and allies.
Blade Form: Fires piercing rays of light, increasing in power when fighting alongside familia.
Blessing Form: Emits a glow that heals minor wounds and enhances combat abilities.
Skill :
Fulgor Familiae
Once lost, now found—no longer adrift in the echoes of yesterday. In bonds reforged, she walks anew, a guiding light amidst the dark. Strength is not hers alone, but woven in the ties that bind; a flame kindled by love, unbroken by despair. So long as her family stands, so too shall she rise—undaunted, unwavering, ever-burning
Effect: Increase growth rate when fighting with people define as family. Slightly increases strength, endurance and magic stats when fighting with people define as family
----
Her fingers trembled slightly as she clutched the sheet, golden divine script glowing under the candlelight.
"Narissa…" Hestia whispered, voice uncharacteristically gentle. "This skill… it's beautiful." Her heart clenched, thinking of the lonely girl who had stepped into her Familia's home. A girl who had been lost, but now—
She wasn't alone anymore.
Felis, lounging on the couch with one arm draped over the backrest, let his gaze flicker over the parchment as Hestia held it up. He let out a slow breath through his nose, golden eyes narrowing with quiet thought.
"Fulgor Familiae… A skill that strengthens her when she fights alongside her family." His lips curved, not in amusement, but something subtler—something understanding. "She really meant it, huh?"
Hestia turned to him, brows raised.
Felis met her gaze, then glanced toward the bedroom where Narissa had been moments ago. "That she's one of us now," he murmured. His tail flicked once, sharp eyes gleaming. "This isn't just a skill—it's proof she's chosen us. That she belongs here."
Hestia swallowed hard, her fingers tightening around the parchment. A slow, bright smile spread across her lips, her heart swelling with an emotion too big to name.
"She's finally home."
"And she's here to stay."