At the dining table, Hestia couldn't help but raise an eyebrow as she watched Levi line up 50 one-thousand Valis coins.
"It seems you really dislike the Miach Familia, or should I say, you dislike that little chienthrope girl who almost scammed you?"
Levi just smiled at her words, not giving a direct answer.
He wasn't some magnanimous saint who would forgive someone who had wronged him.
As for why he paid Miach back for the ten mind potions, firstly, Levi wasn't in the habit of taking things without paying. It was just that at the Blue Pharmacy, he had noticed that the god Miach intended to use the opportunity to teach Naaza a lesson, which is why he didn't voice any objections at the time.
Secondly, he didn't want the matter to just end there. At the very least, he wanted the god Miach to understand his stance, thereby making the other party feel they owed him a favor.
A favor from a god could come in handy someday.
Having known Levi for nearly half a month, Hestia could easily guess his thoughts.
After accepting the coins, she gave him a heads-up, "From what I know of Miach, he most likely won't accept it."
"It's the thought that counts. It was just a casual arrangement anyway."
How could Levi not understand the principle that relying on others was unreliable?
In Orario, although the gods looked forward to the emergence of heroes, and the populace showed great interest in legends and stories of the weak overcoming the strong.
However, when all was said and done, the essence of the DanMachi world was still the law of the jungle.
Only by being strong enough could one fend off all external threats and, in turn, protect oneself and those around them.
"Alright, then."
Hestia nodded.
When it came to the development of their Familia, she had complete confidence in Levi.
What did make the goddess slightly miffed, however, was the boy's luck with the opposite sex from across the table.
"Speaking of which, including Naaza, that's the second one, isn't it? Yesterday morning, you also met a Pallum girl."
"If you weren't so averse to other adventurers, you might have gone through a series of events with them and gradually grown closer."
Hestia puffed out her cheeks, seemingly whispering, but every word she mumbled reached the ears of the only other person in the room.
"I just ran into them, I wouldn't say I 'met' them," Levi corrected, scratching his cheek.
"Besides, no matter how pretty or cute human girls are, how could they possibly compare to a goddess like you, Hestia? In my eyes, anyway, you are the most charming being in this world."
"Oh my~ Levi, you really have a way with words." Hearing praise from the one she liked, and knowing it wasn't a lie—gods can tell if someone is lying to them—even Hestia couldn't help but grin, her eyes crinkling into crescents.
Levi joked, "That's because they're coated in honey."
"Does that mean they taste sweet, then?" Hestia licked her lips.
"You'll have to try to find out."
...Five minutes later.
The two separated, panting heavily, as a crystalline white thread between them snapped.
The twin-tailed goddess covered her mouth and giggled like a little fox that had stolen a hen. "Just as you said. They're very sweet."
Levi's eyes darkened, and he asked in a hoarse voice, "So, shall we continue?"
Hestia truly wanted to go all the way and claim first prize, but she hadn't forgotten that Levi had to challenge the Middle Floors tomorrow to achieve the feat required for leveling up, so she forcefully suppressed her desires.
Raising her hand, she gently pressed her index finger against his lips. "Let's save the fun for after you've successfully leveled up."
...
Having received Hestia's promise, Levi said nothing, but his presence was noticeably more intense than usual.
By the time he followed Hestia to Hephaestus's Workshop the next day, the skill section of his status panel had changed to:
[Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū · 3-Star (Master 1%+): Acquired Development Ability 'Swordsman G'. Can use all Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū techniques.]
[Hunter's Archery · 3-Star (Master 1%+): Acquired Development Ability 'Archer G'. Proficient in Hunter's Archery, moderately increases accuracy.]
[Mana Manipulation · 4-Star (Master 1%+): Acquired Development Ability 'Mage F'. Allows for moderate intervention in one's own mana, moderately reduces mana consumption, slightly increases the growth rate of magic proficiency.]
[Mixology · 3-Star (Beginner 1%+): Has a preliminary grasp of Mixology techniques.]
Aside from 'Mixology,' which he had gotten from a failed pity pull, Levi had now raised all skills that could increase his combat power to the Master rank.
The cost for this was eight of the ten low-grade mind potions he had acquired yesterday. Of the various proficiency-boosting tickets he had saved from previous gacha pulls, only twenty-eight 10-day tickets remained.
Inside Hephaestus's Workshop.
The red-haired goddess, dressed in a white shirt and black trousers, crossed her arms. Her left eye, uncovered by its patch, watched her best friend and her little boyfriend standing close together, a teasing smile spreading across her face.
In fact, it wasn't just Hephaestus; Tsubaki, standing beside her, looked like a curious spectator at a gossip-filled event. Though she wore a serious expression at first glance, her own exposed eye—she wore an eyepatch just like her goddess—couldn't help but dart left and right.
Being watched so intently, the thick-skinned Levi showed no reaction at all.
Hestia, however, already had bright red cheeks.
She could only clear her throat and begin the introductions.
"Hephaestus, Tsubaki, this is the Familia member I recruited. His name is Levi Bright. As you can see, his main combat style is swordsmanship, but he is also quite skilled with a bow."
Considering it would be impossible to hide his skills in a fight, Hestia, after getting Levi's consent, decided to reveal some information in advance.
Hephaestus and Tsubaki both nodded in acknowledgment.
Hephaestus was a goddess, and while Tsubaki was a smith, she frequently joined the Loki Familia on expeditions, so her judgment was quite sharp.
They could naturally gauge Levi's approximate strength from his physique.
"Hestia's little one, you've trained yourself quite well."
Levi bowed at the opportune moment. "Thank you for the compliment, Lady Hephaestus."
"There's no need to be so formal. After all..." Hephaestus paused, a smile playing on her lips, "you are the one Hestia likes."
"Hephaestus!" Even though it was practically common knowledge among the gods, being teased about it still made Hestia blush and her heart race.
Hephaestus, who enjoyed indulging her, simply shrugged. "Alright, alright. Pretend I didn't say it."
After her words faded, she patted Tsubaki, who was standing at her side. "This is my Familia's captain, Tsubaki Collbrande. Levi, for the entire day, she will act as your supporter and protector."
_____
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