Exiting Babel Tower I felt the sun on my face.
A sensation I always find enjoyable after spending so much time in the dungeon.
We spent three more days on the eighteenth floor for my recovery.
Then once I was well enough we set off and here we are, now back on the surface.
Moving down the steps of Babel several people looked in our groups direction.
Not surprising considering we're lugging the monster core of Goliath with us.
The thing is five meters long after all. It's the biggest monster core I've ever seen. But I know there are other bigger monster cores deeper inside the dungeon. That's why I'm keeping my excitement in check.
For the most part.
But man did it feel good to tear that monster apart.
Ignoring the stares of others we made our way back home to the Owl House.
As soon as we arrived Reina and Athena came out to greet us, smiles on their faces.
"Welcome back everyone." Athena said.
"Yes, welcome back." Reina added.
"Thanks." I said.
"Yeah, thanks mom." Rogue said.
We all entered the house.
Then as soon as we did so Leonmitchelli, Rogue, and Ryuu went to go place the Goliath monster core in a safe place.
And speaking of Ryuu, ever since that incident in the tent when I caught her holding my hand she hasn't looked me in the eye.
Sure, she talks to me but only when necessary. Like when I gave her instructions as captain during our journey back to the surface.
But other than that she's been avoiding me like the plague.
If my skin wasn't so thick this kind of treatment would hurt me. But it doesn't.
Still I don't like this.
Which means I need to corner Ryuu and we need to have another chat like the one we did before that time I got injured.
I mentally sighed.
Just one more thing to add to my plate.
Oh well.
Nothing I can do about it but keep pressing on.
Turning to Athena I looked her directly in the eyes, a serious expression on my face. "Athena, there is a very important matter I need to discuss with you." I told her.
"Of course." Athena said.
Once I did so we went straight to her room.
Closing the door I moved to sit in a chair right in front of Athena, as she took a seat on her bed.
"So Morax, what is the urgent matter you need to discuss with me?" She asked.
As soon as Athena did so I took a deep breath and the re-counted everything that happened during the battle with the Goliath, including my transformation into a dragon.
Throughout it all Athena didn't interrupt, but as soon as I mentioned my dragonification she got an extremely serious look on her face. One I've never seen her with before.
Which just goes to show it really was a good idea to let her know about my situation immediately.
I finished my story and waited for Athena to respond.
"My, I'd never thought this would happen." Athena for. "For me to have an Adepti in my familia, and in this day and age." She spoke.
As soon as she did so my eyes went wide with shock.
Adepti is not a term that should be in this world. It is from Genshin Impact. Yet Athena just used it. Even though I've never heard anyone else use the term ever since being reborn in this world.
"Athena, what is an adepti?" I asked her.
"Listen well Morax, do not repeat what I'm about to tell you to anyone." Athena said. "Since the others saw I we will let them know together but no one else must find out what you can do. Lest you be hunted down like an animal for your power." She spoke.
I nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation.
"Good." Athena said. "So then to answer your question. Back in the days when gods first descended to the moral world monsters ran rampant on the surface. You know this correct?"
"Yes." I said. "Everyone does."
"That is true. But what most don't know. No, I should say this is something only us gods know, is about the Adepti." Athena spoke. "I myself heard about this from several gods who were forced to return to heaven back during that time. In those days the process of us gods bestowing falna upon you mortals was new and untested. As such something unexpected happened that no one foresaw. When certain people killed a certain species of monster or beast the falna reacted and began to mutate their bodies. Giving them the ability to transform into said monster or beast."
"Sorry, what?" I questioned.
"Yes, what I am saying is that certain humans obtained the power to transform into beasts. Not unlike how certain demi-human species can do so today. But this and that our two very different things. The transformation techniques employed today are vastly weaker than the powers employed by the mortals who obtained them in the days of old. Just one of them could destroy an entire legion of monsters in no time at all. Because of this and because they could transform between their human and bestial states freely we dubbed these individual Adepti." Athena explained to me.
"Woah." I said.
Like seriously, woah.
My mind is blowing up right now.
"I know, it's a lot to take in and probably hard to believe. But it's true. Adepti were real." Athena said.
"You said were." I spoke. "What happened to them?" I asked.
"They all died in battle or simply stopped appearing once the falna system was perfected." Athena said. "Still, that's not to say they vanished entirely. Through the ages several people have acquired the powers of Adepti. However they are few and far between. Not like in the old days when they appeared regularly. Which again, is due to the perfection of the falna system. But let's not get off topic. The point I am trying to make Morax is that you are one of these rare Adepti." Athena explained to me.
"I see." I said. "So what's going to happen to me?" I asked her.
"Nothing." Athena said. "Now that you've awakened your power that's that. But like I said, keep this to yourself. Other gods will try to snatch you up if they learn of your Adepti status. A lot of them covert power above all else."
"Again, understood." I said. "Also, will people be able to tell that I can transform?"
"Not at all." Athena said. "Unless you tell them or they get a look at your status. Also, demi-humans won't be able to tell your transformed based on your scent. So so long as no one visually sees you transform they won't know you have the power." She explained to me.
Hearing that I sighed out in relief.
This is all good to know.
But man, to think I am one of these Adepti.
My life is never going to be boring again.
"Ok, now that that's out of the way, let me update your status." Athena said.
"Yes please." I said.
I then turned around in the chair and removed my shirt.
Once I did so Athena began updating my status, the faint glow from my back indicating she was doing so.
"Oh, looks like you have reached the requirements to leve up Morax." Athena said. "Are you ready?"
"Yes." I said.
"Ok then." Athena said.
I then felt her initiate the level up.
"Morax, the level up has happened." Athena said. "And thanks to it you've obtained new magic."
"Nice." I said.
"Now then, your choice of developmental abilities are as follows: mage, abnormal resistance, and spearmanship." Athena told me.
"Abnormal resistance please." I said.
Since that's a key developmental ability to have for the lower floors.
"Ok then." Athena said.
I then felt another wave of energy hit my body.
"It's done." Athena said.
She then handed me a piece of paper with my new status and I looked at it.
------------------------------------
Name: Morax Lapis
Level: Three
Strength: S900>I0
Endurance: A878>I0
Dexterity: A840>I0
Agility: S901>I0
Magic: S910>I0
Magic:
Geo Force: Allows the user to create and manipulate earth constructs such as weapons. The more complex the constructs are the faster Mind is drained.
Chant: Ground and soil, heed my command and come forth!
Seismic Burst: An enchantment-type magic that allows the user to generate compressed vibrational energy around their arms or legs and coat their weapons with it.
Chant: Tear the Earth asunder!
Slot 3: ?
Skills:
Geo Archon: Increases the effect and power of any earth-based magic. It also doubles the user's strength and agility stats anytime they are in combat within rocky terrain. This allows one to be able to sense people within a 50 meter radius upon rocky terrain, but only if they are part of one's familia.
Dragonification: Allows one to transform into a dragon that is seven meters in length. Doing so boosts all of his stats by double. Active trigger. Transformation drastically drains mind and physical stamina.
Gaia's Embrace: When inside of rocky terrain the user's mind and physical stamina is actively but slowly restored faster than normal.
Developmental Abilities:
Hunter: Rank H
Abnormal Resistance: I
--------------------------------------
Looking at my new status I smiled like a madman.
Not only at my new skill, but also at my new magic which basically makes me Whitebeard from One Piece.
Ah, today is a good day.
Once I memorized my sheet I handed it back to Athena who disposed of it.
I then excused myself and headed towards my room.
Since after everything that has happened I need a hot shower and a good sleep in a comfortable bed.
Once I get that I'll deal with everything else.
Yes, I most certainly will.
---------------------------
A/N: Just to be clear the Adepti are not part of the original Danmachi story or lore. I added it to explain Morax's powers.
*Knock Knock*
Hearing a knock on my bedroom door I got up from my bed and answered it.
In doing so I saw Leonmitchelli standing on the other side.
"Yes?" I asked her.
"Can we talk?" She asked me.
"Am, sure." I said.
I then moved out of the way and let her in, closing the door as soon as she was inside. I then moved back over to my bed while Leonmitchelli took up the chair from my desk.
"So, what do you need to talk about?" I asked her.
"The situation between you and Ryuu." Leonmitchelli said. "And please don't say there's nothing there. We've all noticed it."
Hearing this I put a wry smile on my face.
"So, why is she avoiding you?" Leonmitchelli asked me.
"It's like this." I said. I then explained the whole situation of how I caught Ryuu sleeping while holding my hand back in the dungeon, and that's why she's been basically avoiding me ever since.
Even at dinner earlier she didn't look me in the eye and left the table as soon as he was finished. Giving me no chance to talk to her at all.
I could've chased her down, but given all that happened to today I decided to leave it for later.
"I see." Leonmitchelli said. She then sighed. "REally, that elf is such a handful. Avoiding you over a thing like that."
"Hey Leon don't be like that. Ryuu is an elf, and you know how elven values are." I said. "She's really embarrassed about me seeing her in that situation. Since despite everything Ryuu is still really pure when it comes to matters of sex and such things related to it."
"Yeah, I got you." Leonmitchelli said. "So anyway now that I understand the situation can you just leave everything to me? I'll get her to back to normal with you."
"Sure, please and thank you." I said.
Because I know Leonmitchelli can do this.
"Thanks." She said. "Well that's all I had to say."
Leonmitchelli left my room, and once she did so I went back to bed.
A smile on my face.
This is why it pays to have good friends.
---------------------------------
Entering the guild I spotted Rose at the front desk and immediately started walking towards her, a bright smile on my face.
Ryner and the rest of the guys in the familia trailing behind me, carrying the Goliath's magic stone.
Due to the talk Leonmitchelli and I had last night we decided to split into two groups today.
The guys would come to the guild and deal with all the procedures for our familia defeating the Goliath and collecting the benefits from it.
While the girls are shopping for supplies like food for the Owl House and other things.
Works for me.
Especially if this will get Ryuu to look me straight in the face again.
Reaching Rose at the counter I gave her a wink. "Hello Rose, as beautiful as ever." I told her, flashing her a smile.
"Welcome back." Rose said, ignoring my compliment as usual.
'One day Rose. One day.' I thought. I will break through her armor and make her respond to my comments.
And I'll wait as long as it takes.
Especially since I have decided I want Rose to be a member of my future harem. She's just my type.
So yeah, I'm going to get through to her no matter what.
"Thanks for the warm welcome back." I said, giving Rose a cheeky smile.
Her brow twitched at my words.
'Yes, progress.' I thought.
"So anyway we're here to turn in this magic stone. It's from the Goliath we defeated." I explained to her.
When I did so Rose's eyes went wide for a second before her mask of indifference came back.
"You guys defeated the Goliath?" Rose asked.
"We sure did." I told her. "So how do we process this baby?" I asked her.
"One moment. There is a form for doing so." Rose said.
She then walked off to retrieve it.
As she did so Rogue walked up to me shaking his head.
"So not only Shakti and Ryuu, but also Rose is in your sights as well?" He asked me.
"Yes." I answered shamelessly.
"Looks like you don't have any shame huh?" Rogue asked.
"Not true, I do have shame. Just not where this topic is concerned." I said.
As I did so I noticed several people looking in our direction and whispering.
More specifically they are looking at Gaul.
Who at the moment has a dark cloud of depression hanging over his head and is crouching towards the ground, rubbing his finger back and forth along the floor.
The reason for this is because last night after Athena got down updating our status's and leveling up those who were ready, it was discovered that Leonmitchelli obtained magic.
Which means out of our original group Gaul is the only one who doesn't have any magic yet.
Hence his current mood.
"Oh Gaul stand up. Everyone is looking at us." William told him.
"Ah, whatever." Gaul said. A hollow-look in his eyes. "It doesn't matter anyway."
"Gaul no need to be so down." Diluc told him. "You're not the only one without any magic. Neither I, William, or Rogue have any either. So we're all in the same boat."
"Yeah, but that's only for now." Gaul quickly countered. "After all you and William are only still level one and Rogue is almost ready to level up, so whose to say you won't gain magic when you do? Unlike me who is level three and still has no magic whatsoever." He said. The cloud of depression getting heavier as he did so. "Magic, I want it."
Looking at Gaul I put a wry smile on my face, as did Ryner.
We can't say anything to him. I gained a new magic spell, and Ryner did as well. So yeah. Us talking to him would only make things worse.
I'll have Athena deal with this when we get back.
Deciding to let Gaul be for the moment I turned back around and watched as Rose returned with the paperwork that she spoke up.
Once she did I filled it out quickly and we turned over the Goliath's magic stone as well as the other magic stones we acquired on this most recent expedition.
In doing so we got a total of 2 billion valis.
The Goliath's magic stone is worth a pretty penny.
Securing our funds we prepared to leave the guild.
But as we did so we ran into some familiar faces.
Alise, Kaguya, and Neze. Along with one other hiding behind them.
"Oh hey Morax, fancy running into you guys here." Neze spoke up.
"Yep, the same." I said.
"So, from the money you have I take it this most recent expedition went well?" Kaguya asked.
"It did." Rogue answered. "It went really well."
"Yeah." Ryner added.
"Oh, do tell?" Alise asked.
"To put it simply we not only defeated the monster rex Goliath but a lot of us also leveled up." I quickly explained. "I for example am now level three."
"Oh, so cool." Alise mused. "Kaguya, Neze, as soon as we get back we're planning another expedition and taking on the Goliath when it respawns. We can't let our allies get too far ahead of us."
"Fu, yes captain." Kaguya said.
"Sure thing." Neze said.
"Alrighty then." Alise said, putting a smile on her face. She then turned to me. "Morax, we're not going to lose to you guys."
"Sure, bring it on." I said.
Since us and the Astrea familia have a friendly competition going on.
After I met Alise's challenge, as usual, I looked at the person behind her once more.
Catching me doing so Alise moved out of the way and exposed the person behind her back.
The moment I laid eyes on her I couldn't believe it.
Since the person behind Alise's back is none other than Filvis Challia.
I'd know the dark-haired and red-eyed elf anywhere.
"Eh, Morax why are you staring so hard at our newest recruit?" Alise asked me, a grin on her face. "Could it be you got captivated by her beauty at first sight and are now in love with her?"
"No." I said, snapping out of my daze. "It's just I've never met an elf with black hair is all."
"Well they are rare." William spoke up.
"Yes, we are." Filvis spoke softly.
"So, she's your newest recruit?" Ryner asked.
"Yep." Alise said, nodding her head. "We came to the guild today to get her registered."
"Which we really should get to. So please excuse us." Kaguya spoke.
After that us and the Astrea females parted ways.
As we walked back toward the Owl House I could only think one thing.
The butterfly effect is all too real.
Originally Filvis was supposed to be part of that prick Dionysus's familia. But now things have changed. She's joined the Astrea familia.
All I can say is good for her.
Since if there was anyone who got fucked over hard in the original story it was Filvis.
Forced turned into a monster hybrid, and unable to kill herself. She brought terror against her will and in the end was killed by her best friend/possible love interest Lefiya.
Since I'm pretty sure Lefiya might be a lesbian.
Given all her intense fantasies about Ais.
But back to the point.
I cried when I read her final moments in the Sword Oratorio light novels.
So I'm glad she won't end up that way.
Even if she did join the Astrea familia who is slated to die within a few years.
Which is not going to happen. I've come to see those girls as friends, and their not dying on my watch.
I swear it.
Since I know now the butterfly effect is real I'll use it to my advantage.
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