Seven days pass in a blur of training.
Leon wakes before dawn each day, performs his morning forms, then heads to Babel. The routine becomes mechanical—descend into the Dungeon, practice Qi applications for hours, return home exhausted, eat, sleep, repeat.
Day one: Archery. He fires arrows until his fingers bleed, each shot infused with Qi, learning to make the enhancement second nature.
Day two: Swordsmanship. Continuous blade enhancement for eight hours straight, building endurance, making the flow automatic.
Day three: Unarmed combat. Fists and feet, Flow Qi moving seamlessly between strikes, no wasted motion.
Day four: Footwork. Movement becomes dance, Qi-enhanced steps covering ground that should be impossible, dodging attacks that should land.
Day five: Integration. Combining everything—bow to sword to fists to feet, switching fluidly, Qi flowing wherever needed.
Day six: Endurance. Pushing limits, depleting reserves completely, learning exactly how long he can maintain enhancement in real combat.
Day seven: Refinement. Polishing everything learned, eliminating inefficiencies, making every technique perfect.
By the end of the week, Qi isn't something Leon uses. It's something he *is*. The energy flows as naturally as breathing, as automatic as his heartbeat.
Hestia watches his progress through status updates. Each evening, she records steady growth:
- Strength: C-601 → C-629
- Endurance: C-687 → C-715
- Dexterity: C-721 → C-748
- Agility: C-698 → C-727
"You're close," she says on the seventh evening. "Very close to being able to level up. Just need that achievement—something exceptional."
Leon nods but doesn't rush. The foundation is more important than the level. When he levels up, he wants it to be on the strongest possible base.
---
The eighth morning arrives with Leon performing his usual routine.
Forms. Meditation. Qi circulation. Breakfast preparation. Everything smooth, practiced, perfect.
Then he hears the church door open.
"Leon! Where are you?"
Hestia's voice carries unusual excitement. Leon climbs the stairs to find her standing in the main room, holding a long wooden case.
"They're here," she says, eyes sparkling. "The weapons. From Hephaestus."
Leon approaches carefully. The case is simple but well-made, secured with leather straps. Hestia sets it on a pew and steps back.
"Open it."
Leon unbuckles the straps and lifts the lid.
Inside, resting on red velvet, are two blades.
A sword—straight, single-edged, roughly thirty inches long. The steel is dark gray, almost black, with a subtle pattern that suggests folded metal. The guard is simple but elegant. The handle wrapped in black leather, perfectly sized for his grip.
A dagger—matching design, eight inches, same dark steel and leather wrapping. Balanced for throwing or close work.
Both weapons are beautiful in their simplicity. No decorations, no engravings, just pure functional perfection. Leon can tell from looking that these are quality far beyond what he could afford.
He carefully lifts the sword. The weight is perfect. The balance flawless. He gives it a test swing—the blade cuts through air with a whisper.
*This is real craftsmanship.*
"They're called Tsukikage and Kagezashi," Hestia says quietly. "Moonshadow and Shadow Pierce. Hephaestus named them herself. They're not her best work—not magical or special—but they're solid. Really solid. They'll last through floor ten at least, maybe deeper."
Leon looks at the blades, then at Hestia. "These must have been expensive."
"Don't worry about—"
"Hestia. How much?"
She fidgets with her dress, not meeting his eyes. "It's fine. I took care of it."
"How much?"
"Leon—"
"Hestia." His voice is gentle but firm. "Please tell me the truth."
She sighs and sits on the pew. "Two hundred thousand valis. That's the discounted price. Normal cost would be five hundred thousand, but Hephaestus gave us a huge discount because we're friends and because..." She trails off.
"Because what?"
Hestia is quiet for a long moment. Then she looks up at him, and her eyes are vulnerable in a way he's never seen.
"Let me tell you what actually happened."
---
**Five Days Ago**
Hestia stands outside the Hephaestus Familia workshop, gathering courage.
*I can do this. It's for Leon. For my child.*
She pushes open the door. The workshop is massive—forges burning, hammers ringing, craftsmen working at dozens of stations. The heat is intense, the noise overwhelming.
"Is Hephaestus here?" Hestia asks a passing smith.
"Back office. But Lady Hephaestus is busy—"
"Tell her Hestia is here. She'll see me."
The smith looks skeptical but goes. Minutes later, Hephaestus emerges from the back—a goddess with red hair tied up, wearing a simple eyepatch and work clothes covered in soot.
"Hestia?" Hephaestus's expression shifts from surprise to concern. "What's wrong? You never visit during work hours."
"I need to ask a favor." Hestia's voice is steady despite her nervousness. "A big one."
They move to a private office away from the noise. Hephaestus sits behind a desk covered in design sketches and order forms.
"Alright. What do you need?"
"Weapons. For my child. Quality weapons that'll keep him alive in the Dungeon."
Hephaestus raises an eyebrow. "You actually got someone to join your Familia?"
"His name is Leon Fury. He's amazing, Hephaestus. Really amazing." Hestia's enthusiasm bubbles up. "He's been adventuring for less than two weeks and he's already diving floor five. His stats are growing incredibly fast, he's developed a unique energy manipulation skill, and he—"
"Hestia." Hephaestus holds up a hand. "You're bragging about your child. I'm happy for you. But weapons aren't cheap, especially quality ones. Can you afford my prices?"
Hestia's enthusiasm deflates. "That's... that's the problem."
"How much do you have?"
"Fourteen thousand valis."
Hephaestus winces. "That's not even close. My cheapest weapon set is two hundred thousand. Even with the friendship discount."
"I know." Hestia leans forward. "That's why I'm asking for a favor. Please, Hephaestus. Make weapons for Leon and I'll owe you. Whatever you want, whenever you want it. I'll pay you back somehow."
"Hestia—"
"Please!" Tears well in Hestia's eyes. "He almost died on floor five. His sword shattered, his dagger broke, and he had to fight monsters with his bare hands. When he came back, he was covered in blood and I thought—" Her voice cracks. "I thought I'd lose him. My first child, and I almost lost him because I couldn't afford proper equipment."
Hephaestus is quiet, watching her friend cry. Finally, she sighs.
"You really care about this boy."
"He's my family," Hestia says simply. "The first person who chose me when everyone else passed me by. And he's kind, Hephaestus. He cooks for me every day, takes care of the church, treats me like actual family instead of just a source of power. I have to protect him. I have to give him the tools to survive."
Hephaestus stands and walks to her window, looking out at the busy workshop below. "You know what you're asking? A debt to me isn't small. I could call it in at any time, for anything."
"I know."
"And you're willing to accept that? For a child you've known for barely two weeks?"
"Yes."
Hephaestus turns back, studying Hestia carefully. Then she smiles—a rare, genuine smile.
"You've changed, Hestia. In heaven, you never cared about anything except having fun with friends. Now you're crying over a child you barely know, willing to go into debt to keep him safe." She walks back to her desk. "Alright. I'll make the weapons. A sword and dagger, quality steel, well-balanced. Not magical, but solid work that'll last. Two hundred thousand valis—discounted from five hundred thousand. And you owe me a favor, details to be determined."
Hestia jumps up and hugs her. "Thank you! Thank you so much!"
"Don't thank me yet. That debt is real, Hestia. When I call it in, you pay it."
"I will. I promise."
Hephaestus pats her back awkwardly. "Your boy better be worth it."
"He is." Hestia pulls back, wiping her eyes. "You'll see. Leon is special."
---
**Present**
Hestia finishes the story, not looking at Leon. "So that's what happened. I went into debt for you. Hephaestus will call it in eventually, and I don't know what she'll ask for, but—"
She stops because Leon kneels in front of her, the sword laid across his palms like an offering.
"Leon?"
"Thank you," he says quietly. "For caring about me this much. For going into debt when you barely have money for food. For seeing me as worth protecting."
"Of course you're worth it," Hestia says, voice thick. "You're my child."
"I'll repay this debt. However long it takes, I'll earn enough to pay back Hephaestus—"
"No." Hestia cups his face in her small hands. "This isn't your debt. It's mine. I chose to take it on because I wanted to protect you. That's what family does."
"Then let me repay you differently." Leon meets her eyes. "I'll grow strong. Strong enough that you never have to worry about me coming home broken and bleeding. Strong enough to make Hestia Familia respected throughout Orario. Strong enough that when people see these blades, they'll know—the bearer is someone special."
Hestia's eyes overflow. "You don't have to—"
"I want to. Not out of obligation, but because you gave me something I haven't had in either life—someone who cares if I come home." Leon's voice is steady. "In my past life, I reached the peak alone. In this life, I have you. That means everything."
Hestia pulls him into a hug, crying openly now. Leon returns it awkwardly but genuinely, letting his goddess cry on his shoulder.
"You're such a good child," she sobs. "I'm so lucky."
"I'm the lucky one."
They stay like that for a while—goddess and adventurer, family in the truest sense. Eventually Hestia pulls back, wiping her eyes and laughing at herself.
"Look at me, crying again. You're going to think I'm the weakest goddess in Orario."
"I think you're the best goddess in Orario."
"Flatterer." But she's smiling. "Now stand up and test those weapons properly. Hephaestus will be mad if they don't get used."
Leon stands, holding Tsukikage and Kagezashi. The sword in his right hand, the dagger in his left. Both feel like extensions of his body, perfectly balanced, perfectly weighted.
He channels Qi into both blades.
They glow with golden light, the dark steel drinking in the energy like they're made for it. The enhancement flows smoothly, naturally, like the blades were designed to conduct Qi.
*These aren't just good weapons. They're perfect for me.*
"Hephaestus knew what she was making," Leon says with awe. "These blades are designed to channel energy. She must have known about my Qi Control skill."
"I might have mentioned it," Hestia admits. "She's the goddess of the forge. She knows how to make weapons that match the user."
Leon tests the sword—strikes, blocks, flowing forms. Tsukikage cuts through air like it's not there, responds to every movement perfectly. Kagezashi balances it, completing the set, allowing for dual-wielding or quick draws.
*With these blades, I can go deeper. Much deeper.*
"Tomorrow," Leon says, "I'm attempting floor five again. Properly this time. With preparation, good equipment, and complete Qi control."
"Are you sure you're ready?"
"Yes." Leon looks at the blades, then at Hestia. "These weapons are a promise—from you to me, and from me to you. I won't waste them. I'll use them to grow stronger, to make you proud, to prove that your faith wasn't misplaced."
Hestia smiles through lingering tears. "I'm already proud. But I'll accept that promise." She stands and stretches. "Now, I'm starving. Cook something amazing to celebrate your new weapons."
"Energy-infused?"
"Obviously. Do you even need to ask?"
Leon smiles—a rare, genuine expression. "I'll make it special."
---
That evening, they share a feast.
Leon cooks with care, every ingredient infused with Qi, every dish prepared perfectly. They eat together, talking about plans and strategies for floor five, about training schedules, about the future.
After dinner, Hestia updates his status one more time:
**Leon Fury - Level 1**
**Strength: C-632**
**Endurance: C-719**
**Dexterity: C-751**
**Agility: C-730**
**Magic: I-0**
"You're ready," Hestia says. "Stats are high, equipment is good, skills are mastered. Tomorrow, show that Dungeon what Hestia Familia can do."
Leon nods, looking at Tsukikage and Kagezashi laid carefully on his bed. Tomorrow, he'll test them properly. Tomorrow, he'll go deeper than before.
Tomorrow, he'll prove that Hestia's faith—and Hephaestus's debt—wasn't for nothing.
But tonight, he simply sits with his goddess, enjoying the warmth of family, the comfort of home, the knowledge that someone genuinely cares if he returns.
In his past life, he had students and admirers but never family. In this life, he has Hestia.
That makes all the difference.
Leon sleeps peacefully, the Blades of Promise beside him, ready for tomorrow's challenges.