"Well, we're all familia members. Even if we weren't, helping a comrade is an adventurer's code."
"Even so, I still want to thank you."
"Alright, your wounds are still serious, so stop moving around. Let me check your recovery."
The green-haired elven royal gently helped Fron back and carefully checked under the bandages.
That gesture made Fron feel a warm current flow through his heart.
So this—
Is what it means to have a family.
------------------------------------
Loki leaned against the wall with arms crossed, teasing him:
"Kid, this is obviously your first time going into the dungeon. I really don't know what to say."
At that moment, the adventurer at the forefront of the entire Pallum race stepped forward alone, parting the crowd, and looked at him with admiration.
"A rookie adventurer, yet possessing such rare courage — we've really found a treasure."
"Of course, as the captain of the Familia, though it's a bit late, welcome to the Loki Familia!"
"Thank you! And, uh... don't praise me like that, I'm a little embarrassed. To be honest, I'm more like — no, extremely afraid of dying. If I don't kill the monster, then I'm the one who'll die. Mm, you could call it the cry of the weak."
"The cry of the weak? That's a good metaphor, I like it! But not just anyone can cry out to the strong as the weak — that takes courage. That's an undeniable fact."
Fron originally wanted to be modest, but then—
"The captain said you've got it, so you've got it, got it?! Or are you saying the captain is wrong, hmm?????"
At some point, dark miasma began to rise from Tione again. Her long hair floated like Medusa's snakes, her eyes glowed fiercely as she stared at Fron, making his scalp tingle instantly.
Yandere...???
Terrifying. Time to play dead.
"Alright, your recovery looks good. Thanks to the 'Elixir,' your external wounds are healed. As for the bones, they'll need another two days."
From Fron's case, one could clearly see just how tough adventurers with ability scores really were.
"Tsk tsk, what kind of endurance do you have? With injuries like that, anyone but a dwarf would be done for."
"And you even wrestled with a monster stronger than yourself — I'm speechless."
Lefiya looked shocked too:
"B-But I heard you were a mage?"
Fron winked at her and smiled.
"In terms of endurance, it should be D, I think... and, well, nobody said mages can't fight monsters directly, right?"
"..."
Finn rubbed his chin and analyzed:
"Lv.1, barehandedly defeating a strengthened Lv.2 — after this 'adventure,' your endurance can't still be just D. You should get a good boost this time, and you've earned enough high-level experience (high level excelia) to level up."
As he spoke, he looked a bit envious.
At the level of the three veterans, improving any stat was extremely difficult — it was a bit disheartening.
"Okay then, since he's awake, you all go about your business. I'll help him update his status now. You're looking forward to it, right?"
"Looking forward to it? Not exactly. Just a bit curious."
Everyone blinked, then quietly exited the room.
Ais was the last to leave, still looking like she wanted to say something.
"Skills, huh."
Fron noticed the confusion in the girl's eyes and wanted to say something, but didn't know how to start, and sighed inwardly.
"Tsk, kid. You're not thinking of comforting Ais-tan, are you?"
"Uh, you can tell that too?"
"I'm a god, you know. There's nothing I haven't seen."
Saying that, she came up behind Fron to update his status.
"Ais Wallenstein, 'Sword Princess,' right?"
"Yep, my precious treasure. Lv.5. You're still far from that level, kid… PFFT!!!"
Before she could finish, Loki spat out her drink and fell to the floor.
"NANI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Bang—
The door was violently pushed open, and everyone rushed in, not one person missing — even the three veterans were in the back—
"..."
Fron twitched and rolled his eyes.
"Hehehe, we were just curious, hope you don't mind, Fron-chan~"
"Chan your head—fine, just look if you want. I'm just a Lv.1 rookie anyway."
At this moment, Loki groaned, holding her waist as she got up from the ground.
"Wh-What is up with these stats? What the hell did you do?!"
"Uh, can I get a printout of my ability scores? Because I'm just as clueless as you are."
"Seriously—"
Loki looked utterly speechless, then trembling, she printed out the ability scores and handed them over.
Holding his second ability sheet, Fron looked at it.
Of course, right by his head, several people were peeking over — even Ais was leaning right up next to his face.
He could smell the girl's unique fragrance with every breath — a bit overwhelming for a young man who had never had a girlfriend.
But that feeling was instantly blown away by what he saw on the stat sheet.
...
[Name]: Fron Argonne
[Level]: Lv.1
[Stats]:
Strength: D501 → SS1001
Endurance: D501 → SS1001
Dexterity: D501 → SS1001
Agility: D501 → SS1001
Magic: D501 → SS1001
[Development Abilities]: [ ]
[Magic]:
『Surtr』
· Enchantment Magic
· Destruction Attribute
[Skills]:
『Reader』
· Extra-domain enhanced mental strength
· Effects double at night· Immune to mental contamination
『Scholar』
· Can choose two development abilities each time
· Can learn magic without magic slot limitations
· Greatly increases power when using magic swords or magic tools
· Doubles magic power, range, and distance
『Infinite Super-Magic』
· Strengthens mind through accumulation of knowledge
· Strengthens magic power through accumulation of knowledge
· Magic synchronization amplifies all attributes
Current accumulation: 2.13%
...
Everyone: "..."
The room fell silent as if it had become an abyss, leaving only the gradually quickening sound of breathing.
This frozen atmosphere lasted a full minute before being broken by Tiona.
"It's a l-lie, right? SS and all—"
Thus, everyone came back to their senses, complex gazes falling on Fron, wanting to say something, but—complex emotions left them at a loss for words.
Even full S-ranked stats wouldn't have shocked them like this. After all, Orario wasn't without precedent—the "Braver" was a prime example.
[ T / N : Did Finn reach S for all his attributes as a Level 1? Is it mentioned anywhere? ]
But surpassing the limit and reaching the unheard-of SS rank was something that even Loki couldn't remain calm about.
Finn, regaining his composure, sternly warned:
"This matter ends here. Only those in this room are to know. Understood?"
"——"
Everyone understood how serious the situation was and solemnly nodded.
"Well then, once Fron grows, our Familia will have another pillar of strength, hahahahaha!"
Gareth laughed heartily, stroking his beard.
"That's right—this skill… I really don't know how you managed to barehandedly kill an enhanced species, despite being a mage. From now on, you'll learn magic with Lefiya under my guidance. No objections, right?"
Riveria looked directly into Fron's eyes and made her decision.
"N-No objections. It's an honor to be taught by you."
She was the strongest mage in the city, and also a princess of the elven royal family.
Her deep knowledge was exactly what he longed for.
"Alright then, don't forget about tonight's celebration at the 'Hostess of Fertility' for our return from the expedition!"
"Oh dear, if Loki hadn't said that, I would've forgotten. Time to drink our fill, hahahaha!"
"Poor Fron can only lie here, hehe."
...
...
And so, after a series of events, he was finally officially recognized by everyone.
In this cold, walled, massive city, he—Fron Argon—was no longer alone.
"Get some good rest. We'll be taking our leave."
"Alright, goodbye everyone. And, um—could I trouble you to bring me a book? Please! A-Any book will do!"
"?"
Everyone paused, then nodded.
They all recalled Fron's absurd set of skills—
Riveria glanced at Lefiya:
"Lefiya, you'd better work hard."
"I—I will do my best!"
The elven girl was truly shaken. They were both rear guards and mages—claiming she felt no pressure would be a lie.
After leaving the room, the task of bringing Fron a book was already assigned to Lefiya.
"I'll go too."
Suddenly, Ais, who had been silent all this time, spoke up.
The Three Executives exchanged glances, seemingly understanding something, and said nothing, walking off with Loki.
"Ais-san, are you feeling unwilling? That such an anomaly finally appeared."
"Yeah. There must be a way to get stronger quickly."