Evening falls over Orario as Leon makes his way toward North Main.
The streets grow more crowded as workers finish their day and adventurers emerge from the Dungeon. Lamps are being lit, casting warm glows across storefronts. The smell of street food fills the air—grilled meat, fried pastries, something sweet and fragrant.
Leon navigates through the crowds with ease, his hunter's instincts keeping him aware of his surroundings. He spent the afternoon studying the dungeon guide, absorbing information about monsters and floors. Now his mind is clear, focused on the final Familia option.
Hestia Familia. A brand new Familia seeking its first member.
The recruitment notice was simple, almost desperate. But there's something about it—an honesty, a directness—that appeals to him. A goddess with no Familia yet would have no established hierarchy, no internal politics, no expectations built from previous members.
A clean slate. For both of them.
Leon finds the Jagamaru stand easily. It's a small food stall selling potato snacks, popular with the evening crowd. He scans the area, looking for anyone who might be a goddess.
There.
Sitting on a bench near the stand is a young woman—or what appears to be a young woman. She's petite, barely over five feet tall, with black hair tied in twin tails and bright blue eyes. She wears a simple white dress with a blue ribbon, and she's eating a Jagamaru with an expression of pure contentment.
But it's her presence that marks her as divine. Something subtle, hard to define. An aura that sets her apart from the mortals around her, even though she seems completely at ease among them.
Leon approaches. "Excuse me. Are you Goddess Hestia?"
The young goddess looks up, surprised. A bit of potato still in her mouth. She chews quickly and swallows. "Yes! That's me!" Her eyes widen. "Are you here about the recruitment notice?"
"I am."
Hestia shoots to her feet, eyes sparkling with excitement. "Really? You actually came? Oh, this is wonderful!" She grabs Leon's hands, beaming up at him. "What's your name? Where are you from? Do you have experience? Wait, sit down, sit down! Let's talk!"
She practically drags Leon to the bench, her enthusiasm infectious despite her small stature.
Leon sits. "My name is Leon Fury. I arrived in Orario two days ago. I'm from Torren Village, north of here."
"Torren Village! I've never heard of it, but that's okay!" Hestia bounces slightly in her seat. "So you want to join my Familia? That's amazing! I've been trying to find someone for weeks, but everyone keeps choosing other gods. They say I'm too new, or too small, or that I don't have any members yet so I can't offer support."
Leon can hear the frustration beneath her cheerfulness. "You haven't found anyone?"
"Not yet." Hestia's smile dims slightly. "Most people want to join established Familias with resources and reputation. I understand that. But I promise I'll work hard to support my Familia! I just need someone willing to give me a chance."
There's something genuine about her. No pretense, no divine arrogance. Just honest emotion and determination.
"Tell me about yourself," Leon says. "What kind of Familia do you want to build?"
Hestia's eyes light up again. "I want a Familia built on trust and warmth! Like a real family, where everyone supports each other and cares about each other. Not just a business arrangement or a stepping stone for power." She clasps her hands together. "I know I can't offer much right now. No home except a small room in an old church. No money for equipment. No connections or influence. But I can offer dedication, support, and a goddess who'll never abandon her children."
Leon studies her carefully. In his past life, he met many leaders—some genuine, some false. Hestia's sincerity is unmistakable. She means every word.
"What do you know about being a goddess to a Familia?" he asks.
"Um, well..." Hestia fidgets slightly. "I'll be honest—I just came down from heaven recently. I've been studying how Familias work, but I've never actually managed one before. So I might make mistakes." She looks up at him earnestly. "But I'll learn! And I'll always do my best for my children!"
Her honesty is refreshing. Most gods would never admit inexperience so openly.
"May I ask you some questions?" Leon says.
"Of course! Ask anything!"
"What would you expect from your Familia members?"
"Hmm..." Hestia thinks for a moment. "I'd want them to work hard and grow stronger, obviously. But more than that, I'd want them to be good people. Kind, honest, someone I'd be proud to call family." She smiles. "I don't need the strongest or most talented. I just want someone with a good heart."
"And what kind of support would you provide?"
"Everything I can!" Hestia says immediately. "I'd update their status regularly, give advice when they need it, help them find work if money's tight, and always be there when they come back from the Dungeon. I'd worry about them, celebrate their victories, and comfort them when things are hard." She pauses. "Is that... enough?"
Leon is quiet for a moment. "That's more than some established Familias offer."
"Really?" Hestia looks surprised, then pleased.
"Some gods treat their Familia members like tools or investments. What you're describing sounds like an actual family."
"That's because it should be a family!" Hestia says firmly. "The word 'Familia' means family, doesn't it? So that's what it should be."
Leon finds himself almost smiling. Her logic is simple, but correct. Many forgot that basic truth.
"What about you?" Hestia asks. "Why do you want to become an adventurer?"
"To test my limits. To see how far I can grow in a world where gods grant power."
"That's a good reason." Hestia tilts her head. "But is that all? There's nothing else you want?"
Leon considers the question. In his past life, he sought harmony—the perfect balance of body, mind, and spirit. He touched it briefly before dying. In this life, with Falna and divine blessing, perhaps he can achieve something beyond what mortality allowed.
"I want to find completion," he says finally. "To reach a state where skill, power, and understanding become one."
Hestia blinks. "That's... really deep for someone your age."
"I've thought about it a lot."
"I can tell." She smiles warmly. "You know, Leon, you're different from other people I've talked to. You're calm and serious. Like you're older than you look."
Leon says nothing, but meets her gaze steadily.
Hestia studies him for a long moment, then nods as if deciding something. "I like you. You're honest, you think carefully, and you have a goal beyond just getting stronger." She stands up from the bench. "Leon Fury, will you join my Familia? Will you let me be your goddess?"
This is the moment. The decision that will shape his path in this new life.
Leon thinks about his options. Miach Familia is kind but struggling financially. Takemikazuchi Familia is honorable but has strict expectations. Both are safe choices, established paths.
Hestia Familia has nothing. No resources, no reputation, no other members. Just an earnest goddess with no experience and unlimited determination.
But that also means freedom. No internal politics, no established hierarchy, no competing with other members for attention or resources. Just him and a goddess who genuinely wants to build something meaningful.
In his past life, Leon always chose his own path. He trained under masters but never bound himself to a single school. He achieved greatness through his own effort, not by following someone else's established road.
This feels right.
Leon stands and bows formally. "I would be honored to join your Familia, Goddess Hestia."
For a moment, Hestia just stares. Then her eyes fill with tears.
"Really? You really mean it?" Her voice trembles.
"Yes."
"You're not joking? You actually want to join?"
"I do."
Hestia bursts into tears and throws her arms around Leon's waist, hugging him tightly despite their height difference. "Thank you! Thank you so much! I'm so happy!"
Several passersby look over, curious about the crying goddess. Leon stands awkwardly, unsure how to respond to such open emotion.
After a moment, Hestia pulls back, wiping her eyes. "Sorry, sorry. I'm just so relieved. I was starting to think no one would ever join." She beams up at him, her smile brighter than any lamp on the street. "You're my first child, Leon! I promise I'll take good care of you!"
"Thank you, Goddess Hestia."
"Just Hestia is fine when we're alone! We're family now!" She grabs his hand. "Come on! Let me show you where we'll be living! It's not much, but it's home!"
She pulls him through the streets with surprising strength for someone so small.
---
The church is in the northern district, tucked away on a quiet street.
It's old. Very old. The stone walls are weathered, the roof shows signs of past repairs, and the wooden door creaks when Hestia pushes it open. But the structure is solid, and there's a certain peace to the place.
"Welcome to Hestia Familia's home!" Hestia announces proudly.
Inside is a single large room. A few pews remain from when it was an active church. Dust covers most surfaces. Sunlight streams through cracked stained-glass windows, creating patterns on the floor.
"I know it's not much," Hestia says quietly. "It's abandoned, so the owner lets me stay here for free. I've been cleaning it up slowly, but there's still a lot of work to do." She looks up at Leon hopefully. "Do you... is this okay?"
Leon looks around the space. It's old and needs work, but it has good bones. High ceilings, solid walls, plenty of space. With effort, it could be comfortable.
"It's fine," he says. "Better than I expected, actually."
"Really?" Hestia brightens immediately. "Oh good! I was worried you'd be disappointed!" She hurries toward a small door at the back. "Come see your room! Well, it's in the basement, but I cleaned it yesterday!"
She leads him down a narrow staircase to a basement level. The room below is small—maybe ten by ten feet—with a bed, a small table, and a chest. A tiny window near the ceiling lets in minimal light. But it's clean, and the bed looks comfortable.
"It's a bit cramped," Hestia says apologetically. "But it's private, and it stays cool in summer! And I made sure there are no leaks or drafts!"
Leon sets down his pack. "It's more than adequate. Thank you, Hestia."
"You're really okay with all this?" Hestia asks. "The old church, the small room, having a goddess with no experience?"
Leon looks at her. "I didn't come to Orario for comfort or easy success. I came to grow. This is a good place to start."
Hestia's eyes get watery again. "You're such a good child. I'm so lucky."
"I think we're both lucky."
She wipes her eyes and smiles. "Okay! Let's do this properly then!" She pulls out a small knife from somewhere in her dress. "I need to give you my blessing. That means updating your status for the first time, which requires your blood. It won't hurt much, I promise!"
Leon rolls up his sleeve and extends his arm.
Hestia takes his hand gently, pricks his finger with the knife, and lets a single drop of blood fall onto a piece of paper covered in divine script. The blood glows briefly, then fades.
"Now lie down on the bed, face down," she instructs. "I need to carve my blessing onto your back."
Leon complies, removing his shirt and lying flat.
Hestia climbs onto the bed beside him. "This might tingle a bit."
She places her finger against his back, and Leon feels warmth spread across his skin. Not painful, but intense—like heat sinking deep into muscle and bone. Divine power flowing into him, changing something fundamental.
Hestia murmurs in the divine language, words Leon can't understand but feels in his soul. The warmth intensifies, then slowly fades.
"Done!" Hestia announces. "You're officially a member of Hestia Familia now!"
Leon sits up, and Hestia hands him a small mirror. He turns to look at his back.
There, between his shoulder blades, is Hestia's symbol—a simple flame, rendered in lines of faint light beneath his skin. The mark of his goddess.
"Let me check your initial status!" Hestia says excitedly. She presses her finger against the symbol, and divine script appears on his back, glowing softly.
Hestia gasps.
"What is it?" Leon asks.
"Your base stats... Leon, these are incredible!" She stares at the glowing text. "New adventurers usually start with all stats at zero, maybe a few points in one or two areas if they have prior training. But you..." She shakes her head in amazement. "Your stats are way higher than normal for a complete beginner!"
Leon isn't surprised. Seventeen years of training in this life, plus eighty years of knowledge from the last. His body and skills are far beyond a normal starting adventurer.
"Is that a problem?" he asks.
"No! It's amazing!" Hestia beams. "It means you'll progress faster than normal! Oh, Leon, you're going to be incredible! I just know it!"
She writes down his status on a piece of paper, her hand trembling slightly as she records what she sees:
**Leon Fury - Level 1**
**Strength: D-502**
**Endurance: D-589**
**Dexterity: C-612**
**Agility: C-603**
**Magic: I-0**
**Skills:**
**[Enlightened Spirit]**
*Bearer carries wisdom from beyond mortal existence. Mental interference resistance. Enhanced learning capability. Perceives flow of energy.*
**[Battle Clarity]**
*Combat analysis and adaptation. Reads opponent patterns and adjusts tactics accordingly. Effectiveness increases with combat experience.*
**[Unwavering Foundation]**
*Perfect control over body and mind. Nullifies status effects from fear, confusion, and mental attacks. Maintains peak performance under pressure.*
Hestia stares at the status sheet, her eyes wide. "Leon... you have three skills."
"Is that unusual?"
"Unusual?" Hestia's voice cracks slightly. "Most adventurers don't get any skills when they start! Some never get skills at all! And the ones who do usually get one, maybe two if they're exceptional!" She looks up at him with a mixture of awe and confusion. "But three skills right from the beginning? And these descriptions..."
She reads them again, more carefully. "'Wisdom from beyond mortal existence'? Leon, what does that mean?"
Leon meets her eyes. He can't lie to a goddess—it's impossible for mortals to deceive the divine. "I lived before. Another life, another world. Eighty years as a martial artist and scholar. I died and was reborn here."
Hestia's eyes widen. "You're... reincarnated?"
"Yes."
She sits back, absorbing this information. "That's... I've heard of it happening, but it's incredibly rare. The soul carrying memories across lives..." She looks at him with new understanding. "That's why you seem older than you are. That's why your skills reflect wisdom and experience instead of raw talent."
"Yes."
"And you came to Orario knowing all this? With eighty years of experience from another world?"
"The memories only fully integrated recently. Before that, they came in fragments through dreams." Leon pauses. "I didn't tell the others because I wasn't sure how people would react."
Hestia is quiet for a long moment, studying him. Then she smiles warmly. "Thank you for trusting me with the truth. I know that couldn't have been easy to share." She looks back at the status sheet. "This makes these skills even more incredible. Your past life's wisdom actually manifested as Falna abilities. That's amazing."
"You're not concerned?"
"Why would I be? You chose my Familia knowing you could have impressed any god with your abilities. You were honest with me when I asked." She reaches out and pats his arm. "You're my child now, Leon. Past life or not, that doesn't change. If anything, I'm even more honored that someone with your experience chose me."
Leon feels something loosen in his chest. He's been prepared for suspicion, maybe even rejection. But Hestia's acceptance is immediate and unconditional.
"These skills are incredible. With your high base stats and these abilities, you're going to grow so fast." Her smile becomes brighter. "I'm so lucky to have you as my first child!"
Leon studies the numbers and skill descriptions. The skills are the fruit of his past life—eighty years of accumulated experience crystallized into divine abilities.
"Can I enter the Dungeon now?" he asks.
"Technically yes, but..." Hestia looks worried. "You should get proper equipment first. At least a good weapon and some armor. The Dungeon is dangerous, Leon. I don't want you getting hurt."
"I'll be careful. I'll start with floor one, learn the patterns, and work my way deeper slowly."
"Promise me you'll be careful."
"I promise."
Hestia nods, still looking anxious. "Okay. Tomorrow, we'll go register you with the Guild. Then you can start diving." She smiles despite her worry. "Your first day as an adventurer!"
Leon pulls his shirt back on. "Thank you, Hestia. For accepting me."
"Thank you for choosing me," she replies softly. "You could have joined a better Familia. One with resources and support. But you chose us. That means everything."
Leon looks at the small goddess with her bright eyes and genuine smile. In his past life, he knew many powerful people. Kings, generals, master warriors. But few of them possessed the simple, honest kindness this deity shows.
"I made the right choice," he says.
Hestia's smile could have lit the entire church.
---
That night, Leon lies in his small basement room, staring at the ceiling.
He's officially an adventurer now. A member of Hestia Familia. Tomorrow, he'll register with the Guild, and then his real journey in this world will begin.
He thinks about the path ahead. The Dungeon with its endless floors and increasingly dangerous monsters. The challenge of growing stronger through divine blessing. The mystery of what his eighty years of past life experience will translate into in this world's power system.
But more than that, he thinks about the small goddess upstairs, probably unable to sleep from excitement about finally having a Familia member.
In his past life, Leon walked his path alone, reaching the peak through solitary effort. In this life, he found someone willing to walk beside him—not as a master or student, but as family.
Different, but not wrong.
Perhaps even better.
Leon closes his eyes and lets sleep take him. Tomorrow will bring new challenges, new lessons, new growth.
The journey of Leon Fury, the first and only member of Hestia Familia, has officially begun.