Chapter 27: Experimenting
English is not my first language so you might find some mistakes in the translation of the chapter.
This chapter has been translated by various means in order to obtain the best result, so you may find some simple or normal wordings.
If you find any grammatical error or misspelled word, please feel free to correct it or write a recommendation to improve the story. Your support would be appreciated.
Enjoy the chapter.
xxxxx
"Have a seat and let's get started on your status update"
"Knowing that preference you have in me you want to talk about something, don't you?"
"Hm, you know me very well Riku" Loki stroked her chin "Have a seat on the couch"
Riku nodded, she sat down and then looked at Loki who had a mischievous smile on her face, something common for the Trickster Goddess.
Yesterday was a bit hectic for Riku and now she needed to get that increase in strength, even if it is little it will be useful if she can take advantage of every increase in her.
It doesn't matter if she can just move a little faster or stronger that minimal change in a battle can be crucial or useful depending on the situation.
"Okay, let's put everything else aside and concentrate on what's important"
"Sure, what do you want to know about me?"
"Let's start with what's important" Loki stopped smiling and looked seriously at Riku "How have you been doing in my Familia?"
"Looking back on what happened so far I would say it was better than I expected" Riku smiled slightly "Changing my lifestyle was complicated, but thanks to my age I managed to get used to it easily"
"I do not understand mortals as such; however, I can understand that your thoughts are very different from the Gods. To change something you already employed for your entire life is hard to accept"
"Hm" Riku nodded "I think having lived on the Hostess of Fertility helped me adapt to this world... When I first met you I felt fear. The stories of the Gods in my world were not so good to say the least and when I met you I thought the worst"
"True" Loki smiled as she remembered Riku's inner fear when she saw her. As a Goddess she has millennia of experience so reading a person was easy for Loki "You know at some point you should tell me about those stories"
"I guess... Following on from the above by joining your Familia I have felt a bit out of place, but I have come to accept the situation and the dungeon is something I have felt free with"
"Uh, Bete, Riveria and Gareth have told me about your special attitude when you fight in the dungeon" Loki said curiously "Was your former life hard?"
"No" Riku quickly replied "I lived happily and achieved my goals, although... I didn't achieve everything I thought I would, but in the end I would say I enjoyed my life"
"I understand. A sudden change is not always well accepted, I can believe that you already had your way made and now all that is gone"
"Yes" Riku murmured sadly. Her life as an adult was going great, but now she is a little girl who had to grow up and go through all the process and consequences of growing up in the human body.
"Let's put that aside" Loki spoke changing the mood "Did you have anger issues?"
"Ah" Riku felt embarrassed "You're asking me about my ease in accepting taking out dungeon monsters, aren't you?"
"Yes"
"Well... this, hm" Riku started playing with her fingers not knowing how to say the situation without blurting out words out of place.
"Is that a bad thing?" Loki raised an eyebrow "I promise that anything embarrassing or you wish we keep it here"
"It's nothing bad" Riku spoke "It's just that where I lived problems were constantly occurring among the population and the government was slow to act so we were the ones who sanctioned those responsible"
"Huh?"
"There were also the people who thought they were superior simply because they were and created problems to gain something. Many times, it was necessary to ridicule or expose these people to the public and watch them fall and say it was all a lie and to forgive them. Ahhhh what memories"
Loki sweats a little as she observes Riku smiling about her experiences. Putting it another way the Goddess doesn't know what Riku's world is like, but she can guess that she apparently lived happily, but she also had problems in her life and found the solution to them.
"Mah, okay with that" Loki laughed nervously "Any more differences about your life that you've experienced?"
"Home"
"In what way?" Loki asked curiously.
"To me this is like a different era, but with some things similar to the era I lived in" Riku smiled "I never experienced living in a log home or a cabin-like style so the Hostess of Fertility was a unique experience, but I didn't enjoy it much because of my rehabilitation"
Riku continued speaking "Eventually when I arrived at Twilight Manor and received my room the luxuries there were something very strange and foreign to me. Still, I accepted the things and used them"
"I guess you were an ordinary person who didn't stand out but lived happily" Loki said and Riku nodded happily "Things went well"
"Sure"
"Now the question that has been bothering me since last night" Loki spoke seriously to which Riku swallowed hard as she felt the change "They told me about your nightmares, anything to say about that?"
"Custom"
"Specify things more Riku" Loki made a tired gesture "Your way of talking changes from time to time and sometimes you are either a little girl or an adult"
*cough* "I feel good with someone who knows about my secret" Riku sinks into her seat peacefully "It may sound silly, but I've read Portal Fantasy stories in which a person is sent to another world"
Loki smiled as she understood the girl.
"I guess something similar happened to me and now I have to live in this world. It doesn't bother me though; I feel like the lost memories were the price for coming here"
"Do you remember how you... died?"
"No" Riku replied without bothering with the last "I don't know what happened before I came into this world and I don't wish to know"
"All right" Loki nodded with no further questions about it. Death was something she was unaware of as such, but she had seen it in all the years she came down from heaven "What about that purple haired man from your nightmare?"
Riku shuddered in place and took several breaths to calm herself. Loki was about to help her but seeing the look on Riku's face the Goddess held her ground.
"He... he wasn't the bad guy" Riku spoke sadly "In my nightmare people harass me and beat me up... but he didn't" the girl smiled towards Loki "He always hold my hand and tell me that everything will be ok, that the bad guys were gone and keep me by his side, he always helped me to stop crying"
Loki listened in silence.
The way Riku spoke was one in which the person who helped her had something special to make her feel safe or that person was actually a God.
A God could convince and reassure a person with ease, but some mortals could also do that.
"I understand" Loki replied "Whoever that person is you better when you have something similar come tell me about it. It could be that for the next one your dream or nightmare is from your old life or a memory you lost"
Riku nodded.
"Then let's get on with the important stuff" Loki said with a smile and Riku's eyes sparkled with excitement as she knew what was coming "It's time to update your status" Loki pointed to the stool.
Riku began to take off her shirt and slyly looked with narrowed eyes at Loki who was whistling innocently.
Eventually, Riku took a seat with her back to Loki. The Deity took a knife and pricked her finger to run it across Riku's back.
Riku felt cold when she felt the contact and then the same sensation passed through her body as that time when the falna was placed on her, only this time it was in a smaller amount.
Loki's hand began to make its movements and the falna began to change.
"... I knew you were special and your status shows it"
"Is there something wrong?"
"No" Loki said in a calm manner "Everyone grows in their own way or similar, but you do it very differently from what I've seen"
Riku nodded.
Loki took a leaf and placed it on Riku's back, in the process the Deity did so with another leaf to check it.
When the process was finished, Loki locked the falna in front of the eyes of the others and patted Riku's back telling her that it was over, she extended her status sheet to the girl.
Riku took it nervously, but before seeing her she dressed to avoid Loki who was arranging her messy desk and then she observed the result of her effort.
...
Riku Cranel
Level: 1
Strength: I 0 → I 21
Endurance: I 0 → I 45
Dexterity: I 0 → I 39
Agility: I 0 → I 17
Magic: I 0 → I 6
[Magic]
- Satanas Verion
Super short chanting magic that hits enemies with blocks of sound. Can also explode magic power by chanting "Lugio".
"Gospel"
- Silentium Eden
Super short chanting enchantment magic that covers the user's body with an armor that negates magic and diminishes physical attacks.
"Ataraxia"
[Skills]
...
Riku held her state blade tightly.
"128 status points were what you got on your trips to the dungeon" Loki said in a calm manner. For the girl to be in the dungeon for two weeks is a pretty good raise.
"This... Is this normal or weird?"
"Strange yes, but at the same time it is not surprising that I see an increase of that caliber" the Deity sighed and massaged her forehead "What is special is that at your age you can get those points"
"Why?"
"Your age influences a little bit by the capabilities you have at that age" Loki explained "And getting that amount requires a lot of time or performing amazing feats"
"I'm special" Riku smiled proudly.
"Hey, all my kids are" Loki patted Riku's shoulder "Go put something on, let's go for a walk around town"
"Uh?" Riku was confused.
"I want to go out for a while and on this occasion I could show you some areas of Orario, I can believe you haven't investigated everything yet"
"Hm, I guess" Riku remembered that she was only going out because of her job at the Hostess of Fertility and only knew or needed, this will be a great opportunity.
"Good" Loki smiled mischievously "Wear something cool and meet me at the headquarters entrance"
Riku nodded and took her leave toward her room.
She was about to experience the city in a different way.
xxxxx
Going for a walk with Loki is not something I can explain in a very quick and easy way.
Gods were something I considered fantasy in the past, however, at this moment I find myself at the side of a Goddess, more specifically the Goddess of Pranks, Loki.
If I went back to my world and told anyone about this I would be labeled as crazy or to stop dreaming too much because it's going to my head.
I miss my family, but I know that the past is the past and I won't be able to go back so I have to move on and adapt to this world with a myriad of new things.
"Tell me Riku, have you walked around the city?"
"I don't think so Loki-sama" I replied confidently "I'm not one of those people who liked to go out. I prefer to stay in my room with the technology and here I just went out to admire the scenery, food or work"
"Uh, you need to tell me about this technology you speak of" Loki said confidently and I nodded "Good, then I can take you wherever I can, fufufu this is like a date, but it's not because you're still a girl"
"Mental age Loki-sama, mental age" I spoke, but she snorted.
We walked quite a bit from place to place and thanks to the fact that there wasn't much to distract me as in my old world I quite enjoyed observing the surroundings.
Loki would talk to me about some of the things that were in the city or her likes and dislikes to pass the time when her kids were in the dungeon.
We also passed by different food stalls where Loki told me and explained what they were and why they were so good or better said that they were delicious.
The Jagamarukun were Orario's favorite, I had tried them and I can assure you that they were cheap and delicious.
For a moment, I stood in my place as I witnessed something extremely cool.
"I'M GANEEEEEEEESHA!"
A man with an elephant mask was on top of a vehicle performing different poses and flexing all his muscles. I could feel that he was a God, as his followers were moving the vehicle where he was and they were also wearing a smaller elephant mask.
I kept looking at him with my mouth open, not knowing what to do at that moment.
Suddenly the God after flexing his muscles looked in our direction and a radiant smile grew on his face and he jumped towards my position.
"Loki, it's so good to see you here!"
"Ganesha" Loki remained expressionless "What are you doing roaming around the city like this?"
"Ha! Since the Rudra incident I've had to keep an eye on the city and find those responsible"
"I see" Loki muttered and gave me a sidelong glance to which I almost jumped in my place out of fear, I still remember that cat man who almost killed me.
"Oh!" Ganesha looked at me.
"¡!" I startled.
" Is she a new member of your Familia?"
"Sure" Loki introduced me with a pat on the back to the Elephant God "This is Riku, she is still very young and I am teaching her what she will have to do in the future"
"I AM GANESHA! Nice to meet you!" Ganesha spoke very loudly, with a cheerful expression and a flexing of his muscles in a very cool pose.
I just nodded at the greeting, but the God did not respond to me and retreated to his vehicle to leave the site.
"..."
"How about an eccentric God Riku?"
"I felt like working out and doing a lot of poses while looking in the mirror after a great workout routine that forged my entire body into a unique sculpture"
"What?"
"Nothing"
I sweated a little as I saw Loki looking at me with narrowed eyes. I mean as I am now a girl I normally can't do what I did as a man, but seeing Ganesha pose my forgotten masculinity resurfaced for a moment.
It was strange and fascinating at the same time.
"Do you know any stories about him?"
"The God with a human body and elephant head beloved for his power to remove obstacles, the arts, sciences and abundance"
"Interesting"
I continued the walk with Loki looking around me while she would occasionally ask me about a God we saw and I would only explain that I didn't know about them or they probably didn't exist in my world.
Although there was something constantly nagging me about the course.
I felt a tingling at the back of my head and when I turned around there was nothing, it felt more like a look, but I could not detect or identify the reason for this.
As I was about to look at Loki I saw her looking at the Tower of Babel and when she noticed my look she smiled at me and told me that stalkers are the worst in existence.
I almost snorted at that moment but refrained because of the situation.
I was surprised to see many Gods in the city, I mean I don't know all of them, but knowing that if I got into any trouble the possibility of them being unknown Gods is high and I don't want to meddle with them.
The Orario Familias had an objective that was formed over time. For example, the Loki Familia focuses on dungeon exploration and that is proven, as most of the members are fighters.
Most of the Familias focus on exploration, but there are others that employ trade and creation of items, there were also the industrial or medical type Familias.
Loki told me about Ares and how he ruled a nation.
It felt good to have been featured in Orario.
It's been quite a while since I've been out with someone and I like that feeling of somebody caring about you and being there for you, in this case Loki.
When Loki told me it would be dark soon we decided to end our walk.
However, a God got in our way and I heard Loki give a tired sigh.
The instant I admired him I knew who he was.
That feather in his hat was the direct answer to the identity of the God.
"Loki" the God smiled kindly "It's rare to see you around town"
"Hm, it is better to see others" Loki kept the same expression "So far you show yourself, what do you wish?"
"What's with that bitterness?" the God was shown with mock offense "I was surprised to see you far off around the city with a companion, would you be so kind as to introduce-?"
"Hermes"
Loki and Hermes looked at me in surprise, one more than the other. Loki had her arrogant smile.
I pointed to the male God "You are Hermes, the messenger God, of frontiers, wit and commerce in general. You are also the messenger of cunning, thieves and liars"
Hermes looked at me with his mouth open in surprise, not knowing what to say, and Loki laughed and patted my head gently.
"This one here is my new member of my Familia, her name is Riku"
Hermes came out of his stupor and looked at me for a few seconds and then opened his eyes again. He shook his head a little and coughed to get back to the subject.
"You know girl you ruined my wonderful presentation" Hermes sighed sadly "How did you find out who I was?"
"The feather" I pointed out without lying, they can find me out so it is better to tell story with truth and lies at the same time "The stories I read about Hermes said he had several feathers on his garment"
"Eh, I see" Hermes murmured suspiciously "You remind me of someone girl"
"Hm" I snorted arrogantly at that instant "And for some reason your voice irritates me" Hermes took a step back in surprise "For some other reason more I have the urge to punch you"
"Excellent Riku, you're learning already" Loki patted me on the head, but I also looked at her who took a step back in fear.
"You are not spared either Loki-sama. A pervert like you should receive a proper and well-deserved punishment"
"Definitely brings back memories" Hermes said and coughed to get my attention "Well, leaving the way we met on my end if you need to deliver a package anonymously I'm the one"
"What makes me know you won't say anything?"
"Honey you said it. I am the God of messaging" for an instant I shuddered at Hermes' smile "I take my job seriously and the dedication of my employees is definite"
"S-Sure" I nodded and looked at Loki who smiled reassuringly at me, at least she knows about that too.
"Wow I'm running late!" Hermes exclaimed surprised "It was nice to see you Loki and Riku" I looked at him "I hope and we will work together in the future"
I just nodded and watched as the God disappeared into the crowd of people in the streets of the city.
"Riku"
"What is it?"
"Hermes does a good job, but never fully trust him" Loki told me seriously "He probably won't as you are in my Familia, but he will try to get you into a game for his entertainment"
"Entertainment?" I frowned with annoyance growing inside me.
"Hermes has some sort of hero fetish" I almost choked on my saliva when I heard that "He's constantly admiring the best adventurers in Orario and has put a bet on you"
"What kind of bet?"
"That you will be among the best adventurers the world will ever witness"
I stopped in the street when I heard that. My goal was to grow to the point where I can live in peace and security, but for a God to bet that just by seeing me once is strange.
Loki shook my shoulder and gave me a comforting smile, I sighed at that moment and followed her with more motivating thoughts in my head.
Our walk was over.
xxxxx
A day had passed since my Orario ride and I could tell I was bored.
It may only be one day, but in a world where many things I thought were impossible could be done, time off is rare.
So, most of my time I was reading and reading different things.
Riveria changed the schedule of my classes and now I have much more free time, that woman understood that I need to distract myself from the dungeon and leave bad habits behind.
I became interested in an important subject, magical engineering, or the creation of objects.
Many objects in my world can be created or have already been created thanks to an ability called mystery.
It must be said that the skill itself is still a mystery as to its potential because very few people possess it, but that is not an incentive for me to give up just like that.
I am making several notes in case they are useful to me.
Pepper gas was a very useful sample of a great product that is possible to generate around here. I would like to produce an engine, but I don't quite remember how to create one... it would have to be homemade and eventually evolve.
Details.
After I have been in my room for a while, I go out and head for the training grounds at my Familia's headquarters.
At least I can get some practice before venturing into the dungeon.
The training rooms are for public use by all members, but it is necessary to advise if they are in use because we could interrupt something that is private or get in a bad moment.
For some reason Twilight Manor in the morning is somewhat empty, probably because most of the Familia members are busy at this time of day and during the afternoon they rest.
I set up in a training room and took a wooden sword that I could use properly, if I take on more weight than I can handle the exercise will be useless.
At first I moved it back and forth not knowing what to do at first, but after some thought I remembered how the monsters in the dungeon moved.
They were my enemies so reflecting on the different ways I could eliminate them would be very effective for me.
I moved my hands and recreated various movements that countered the Goblins and for a while I kept moving that way. Sometimes I would repeat the same move until I felt it was effective.
I couldn't use something that didn't work for me, either I hit them in the head or legs to disorientate them and throw them respectively, it won't do me any good if I hit him in the arm, since the monster could use his body to attack me.
It is necessary to know what is necessary to use in order to obtain the victory.
"Oh, I didn't think I'd find you in this place"
A voice distracted me in the middle of my workout causing me to stumble, I turned my head and opened my eyes as I looked at the intruder.
Small stature, blond hair, big smile, he was definitely the Captain of the Familia.
"Finn-san" I greeted him "I was just training my body a bit. The increase in strength affected me more than I thought"
"I see. At first the strength increases can be a bit counterproductive when it comes to applying the movements"
Eh, I almost forgot about that.
"Do you know what you're doing?" Finn asked me.
"Yes..." I answered hesitantly, honestly I almost don't know how to train the use of any weapon, little by little I adapt.
"Then you wouldn't mind a little training, would you?"
At that moment my eyes widened in surprise as I heard the words Finn had said.
"Me? Train?" Finn smiled and nodded "With you? The best adventurer in the Familia and one of the few levels 6 in Orario?"
"Yes" Finn only shrugged his shoulders as if what I said was just a joke.
"You know what, to hell with my silly thoughts, sure" accept the training "Even if I don't get to beat you training with you would show me a lot of things I could learn"
Did I know Finn would hit me every time?
Yes.
Would this be very useful for me?
Yes.
I did a lot of research on Familias and the position of captain is important when it comes to guiding and commanding the other members of the Familia.
The Loki Familia was not small. It is one of the two best Familias in Orario so its members are people who get noticed in Orario.
I am an exception because I am just starting out and no one will make demands on me.
I held a wooden training sword and swung it several times to nod and use it for combat.
For his part Finn held up a wooden stick and swung it a couple of times before turning in my direction.
"Are you ready?"
I just nodded and got into position with my sword in front of me. I gripped my sword tightly and used both my hands to get into a stance.
Finn was not a monster, he is an experienced adventurer so all my moves would be useless.
"Very well, let us begin. Come to me at any time you wish"
At Finn's words I wanted to start running and test his strength, however, something in my head said it wouldn't help my movements and I got annoyed with myself.
"Is something wrong?"
"No" I quickly denied "Here I go"
I started running towards Finn keeping my sword coordinated with my movements and swung it to Finn's side.
"Hm, straight ahead, but you attack from the sides" Finn said calmly "Interesting"
*Clap*
My sword was repelled.
"But it's still not enough"
A blow came from my side and I turned my body quickly swinging my sword, but when I turned around there was no one there and another blow was delivered to my calf breaking my balance.
"Impressive" Finn praised me "Compared to other people you understood from the beginning the difference that exists in combat"
I stood up trying to ignore the pain and got into position.
"Well done. The fight ends until one of us surrenders or is defeated"
I narrowed my eyes and moved again. I started to hit Finn from the front, but he just deflected my attacks with his wooden stick as if they were nothing.
The strength and tactics that served me for many days were of no use against a person.
Suddenly I noticed that Fin began to put more force behind his movements and when I realized it I had already positioned myself defensively trying to prevent the Pallum's blows from connecting in my body.
Before each blow from the one that covered me, I gritted my teeth and tried to evade them as much as I could. Between my defense I could feel some blows on my body, but I still refused to let go of my sword.
What Finn was trying to get me to drop my sword and surrender right then and there.
So, I raised my sword as I jumped towards Finn and brought it down with all my strength.
"That won't be helpful"
I know.
At that instant I smiled and released my sword causing Finn's eyes to narrow momentarily and sent a blow towards his chest.
*THUD*
My tactic didn't work and all I felt was a blow to my forehead that made me close my eyes and kneel on the ground while holding my forehead in pain.
"A bit of a risky tactic you just used there" I heard Finn speak "That move would only be of use if your opponent is confident and believes he/she already has victory in his/her hands"
I hum painfully on the floor.
"I have fought many times and I realized one very fundamental thing about people's fighting style"
"What is it?" I asked as I rejoined him.
"Most adventurers rely on the strength of their status though..." Finn looked at me and smiled "For some reason you don't, it's like you just rely on your combat techniques and add status to enhance them"
If we talk about it I still don't understand the state completely and I prefer to keep some beliefs from my old world.
"May I know why you were standing still at the beginning of the fight?"
"I was analyzing" I replied and Finn continue with his curious look "Before I fight I want to know if I will accomplish something or fail. My head was sending out warning signals and I got a little upset about it"
"You should stop thinking like that"
"Huh?"
"You can't think about accomplishing anything in combat until it happens" Finn explained to me "If you keep thinking that way the opportunities you get your hands on will be wasted"
".... Oh"
"Yes, Oh"
My cheeks colored at Finn's little tease, but in that instant I understood a very big stupidity on my part.
I only did things if they benefited me or would be useful. In this fight I wanted to win, but I knew I would lose miserably to Finn and I wanted to refuse his offer to train.
However, upon discovering that it would benefit me to learn to fight against people, I accepted the offer and pushed my thoughts of being beaten to the back of my head.
"Even the smallest thing can be a great teaching"
As if reading my thoughts Finn spoke in surprise.
"Tell me Riku, why do you wish you were stronger?"
"To protect myself" without hesitation I answered Finn's question, this world is dangerous and being weak won't get me many places, I also have no help from anyone else so my sharp mind would be of no use to me.
"Are you afraid of what's to come?" Finn asked me and I nodded "Then use that fear to grow more and when the time comes face it"
Finn's words comforted me a little.
"Shall we continue?"
Finn smiled with amusement and so did I and I took my sword and ignored the little pain my body still felt.
Again, we got into position and continued the training.
Of course, I lost.
xxxxx
After training with Finn, I said goodbye to him and thanked him for everything I learned in that match. I may have lost, but I learned a lot.
I went to the infirmary in case of something serious, but apparently the doctor who said that everything was fine I just had to rest and the pain would go away however my body might be somewhat numb from the force I used and from which I constantly defended myself.
The training showed me that I still had a long way to go to reach the top and the pain I would feel in the future would be unimaginable.
As I was about to enter the hallway to go into my room I almost bumped into someone and was about to apologize, but what I saw did not please me.
A girl not much older than me was in my way.
She had golden hair, her eyes were also golden and her figure was very detailed, in conclusion, she was beautiful, but I disliked her face.
She showed no emotion and looked at me strangely.
"Excuse me" I didn't even talk to her and walked around her to keep walking.
I could feel her gaze on my back, but I ignored her and went into my room.
Socializing with someone who shows no expressions is an extremely difficult thing to do, I also felt strange around her, so I might as well leave her and go about my business.
At the end of the day, I took a bath in which I spent a long time floating my body and at the end of the day I went to bed to rest.
Today was a great day.
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