Chapter 10 - Choosing Development Ability!
Four development abilities.
Mahiro ruled out Hunter first.
For typical adventurers, this development ability worked well, but for Mahiro, it was only useful in the dungeon.
As for Swordsman and Mage, there was little need to elaborate.
These two development abilities aligned perfectly with his future growth and significantly aided his personal strength.
But...
"Hestia, since you know Mystery so much, it must be an excellent development ability."
"I'll choose Mystery," Mahiro replied after a moment's thought.
Mystery, a development ability so revered by the gods, surely had its merits.
Based on Hestia's introduction, it could create miracles.
The only drawback was its unpredictability.
Unlike normal development abilities, it couldn't be relied upon constantly.
In simple terms, it was like a lottery: with a burst of luck, you might get rare treasures; with average luck, you'd get the bare minimum.
Mystery worked the same way.
Only an adventurer with this ability, after forging hundreds of weapons, might create one surpassing everything.
Only after concocting thousands of potions might they produce one with extraordinary effects.
But as long as a single exceptional weapon or potuons was made, it would overshadow all prior shortcomings.
"Then it's decided—choose Mystery!"
Hestia beamed with a delighted smile after hearing Mahiro's choice.
For other gods, if Mystery appeared among their Familia members' options, they'd likely select it without hesitation.
Hestia, however, didn't push it.
Though she hoped Mahiro would pick Mystery, she respected his decision.
"Get ready—I'll help you rank up," Hestia said, gently nudging Mahiro to lie back on the bed.
"After the rank up, my basic abilities should normalize, right?" Mahiro chuckled, glancing at the parchment in his hand before setting it aside and lying down.
"You might be disappointed if you expect that," Hestia replied.
She took out a fine needle, pricked her finger, and let a drop of blood fall onto Mahiro's back as she began the process.
"Huh? What do you mean?" Mahiro asked, puzzled.
His basic abilities differed from what he'd learned, leaving him uncertain.
"Are you saying my basic abilities might not reset to zero?" Mahiro speculated.
Exactly.
After rank up, every adventurer's basic abilities typically reset to zero, starting anew from the initial stage.
However, this didn't mean the power gained at Level 1 vanished.
Though the visible basic abilities returned to zero, the strength from the previous level persisted as hidden potential.
Even if it wasn't reflected in the stats, it still existed.
Thus, after rank up, while an adventurer's basic abilities reset, their actual power only grew stronger than before.
"Probably," Hestia nodded. "If my earlier guess is correct, those basic abilities you have only reflects the limits of the falna—not your personal limits."
"Your body still holds untapped potential that the falna can't fully display."
"Those '+' signs are proof," she added.
Hearing this, Mahiro understood.
Hestia's fingers traced patterns on Mahiro's back, rearranging the sacred text.
With a hint of excitement, she said, "Mahiro, your potential might be that of a god!"
"Could I become a god someday?" Mahiro asked with a light laugh.
He didn't doubt it entirely.
With the system's help, becoming a god seemed plausible.
"Absolutely possible."
God's lifespans were infinite, while humans had mere decades.
Hestia didn't want to end up like some of her divine peers—watching a loved one die, reincarnate, and promise love in the next life.
She wanted to stay with Mahiro forever.
Soon after, Hestia completed the rank up.
===
[
[Name]: Mahiro Toma
[Level]: 2
Strength: A899
Endurance: S956
Dexterity: A824
Agility: S976
Magic: S988
[Magic]:
[Development Ability]: Mystery I
[Skill]:
Infinite Magic
-Can master all types of magic.
-Speeds up magic casting time and learning
-Increases mental and spiritual power.
Greedy Heart
-Increases everything gained.
]
===
A development ability column had been added.
Like basic abilities, development abilities were ranked from S to I, across ten stages.
"Sure enough, as I thought," Hestia said, visibly thrilled after transcribing the status onto the parchment.
"Mahiro, your potential hit the ceiling of Level 1, beyond what the falna could show."
"Only at Level 2 does that excess potential manifest."
This confirmed her theory, and her excitement was palpable.
Mahiro distinctly feel his improvement.
Curious, he opened his system panel.
===
Host: Mahiro Toma
Race: Human
Grade: Four Stars
Strength Assessment: Overall strength reaches the level of Ultimate-Class.
===
'Finally, a star up.'
Mahiro'd strength had previously peaked at the level of a High-Class, but after training in this world, it had risen.
"Mahiro, let's head downstairs for the wine! I still haven't tasted it!" Hestia said.
Having grown accustomed to Mahiro's unusual status, her initial surprise faded quickly.
"Sure," Mahiro replied.
He got dressed, destroyed the parchment, and followed Hestia downstairs.