NOVEL NEXT Chapter 50 – Current Status.
[Chapter Size: 2352 Words.]
Lucius POV
Abandoned Church, Orario.
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Lucius POV
Orario, Abandoned Church. Some time before the meeting between the key members of the Loki family.
Lucius awoke in the dimness of the abandoned church, his face throbbing with pain. The swollen side and broken nose were silent witnesses to the tumultuous night before. Quickly, he invoked healing magic to alleviate the discomfort, while his eyes explored the dusty surroundings.
The ancient church, now an improvised refuge, exuded an atmosphere of abandonment and mystery. Beams of light filtered through broken windows, illuminating the forgotten space. Wooden benches creaked under the pressure of time, and worn walls whispered ancient stories that had been forgotten.
"Damn..." Lucius muttered, as if waking up from a hangover, his thoughts unraveling as he tried to reconstruct the events of the previous night.
"Heeee..." Riekling, his loyal companion, emitted some grunts in response, expressing his presence beside Lucius during the tumultuous night.
"Riekling! How are you? Did you protect Hestia yesterday?" Lucius asked, scratching his head as he struggled to recall the details.
"Heeee! Heeeeee..." Riekling responded, his expressive language showing devotion to his master.
"Don't change the subject, boy. About yesterday, I met a very powerful and crazy woman..." Lucius began, trying to dispel any misunderstandings.
"Heeee..." Riekling interrupted, indicating that the topic wouldn't be easily dropped.
"I swear I didn't mess with her, just said I wanted nothing to do with her, respectfully!" Lucius tried to close the topic, but Riekling seemed convinced otherwise.
The brief conversation was interrupted by Bell's voice, echoing in the church corridor. There were no private rooms in that makeshift place, only functional spaces for basic needs. Bell, with a worried expression, emerged from the corridor, breaking the silence of the abandoned church.
"Mr. Lucius?" called Bell, bringing with him an anxious energy.
Soon followed, Welf, Lili, and Hestia right behind him.
"Hey, everyone?" greeted Lucius, a faint smile adorning his lips.
"Man, you beat up that arrogant captain. It was the best thing I've seen in a while!" exclaimed Welf, his expression radiating happiness.
"Yes, Mr. Lucius, you saved me at that moment," thanked Bell, though Lucius could sense the young adventurer's clenched fists.
He reflected as he listened to Bell's thanks. "He must have realized that not only am I stronger than him now, but there's also a much larger gap between us."
"Yes, Lili also thanks for saving Bell-Sama, but Lili thinks Lucius-Sama is too reckless and mocking a level 5 adventurer like Shakti," lamented Lili, her voice laden with concern.
"RUM. Thanks for saving Bell-kun, but why do you always get into some trouble in this city?" teased Hestia immediately, eliciting laughter from those present.
"HEEEEE."
"What can I say? I wanted to provoke that woman a bit, but I guess it didn't work out too well, hehe." Lucius laughed at his own foolishness, but his expression quickly turned serious as he faced Hestia.
"Anyway, we were targeted by the Apollo family. You know that, don't you?" stated Lucius, directing a serious look at the goddess before him.
"It's true, Bell and the others told me what happened before you fought." Hestia confirmed, her eyes expressing the seriousness of the moment, while the others remained silent.
"I don't think it will be the last time. So, better be prepared." Lucius warned, his words echoing in the abandoned church like a foreboding of what was to come.
"But didn't Lucius give a good humiliation to the captain of the Apollo family? Why would they try to mess with us again?" pondered Welf, his words echoing in that space of worn walls and broken stained glass.
Bell and Hestia nodded, expressing approval of the blacksmith's reasoning, but Lili's quietness drew everyone's attention.
"Lili thinks it's not that simple..." she finally spoke, her words sounding with calculated seriousness, revealing the strategic nature that always characterized the small spy.
"Lili is right. As much as I humiliated Hyakinthos, I didn't defeat him. And the Apollo family consists of at least 100 adventurers. Even with the majority being level 1 and some level 2, their strength lies in numbers. It's a challenge for us in a direct confrontation," explained Lucius, his tone reflecting a deep understanding of the situation.
"My former god is like Apollo, and knowing that type, he'll want revenge, despite that attack at the bar already being planned! So, you better strengthen yourselves because things are going to get quite complicated at this point," warned Lucius, his eyes reflecting the seriousness of the warning.
"Another thing, the Heimdall family may be targeting us as well. They tried to attack me in the dungeon. That's why I recommend that you all focus on getting stronger while we have a short time." Lucius left a direct message for Carina, Hug, and the others, his words laden with the urgency of the situation.
"Lucius, are you suggesting that your former family, the Heimdall family, is also interested in us? This can't be serious..." Hestia spoke with a surprised expression.
"It's very serious, Hestia. They tried to attack me in the dungeon. It may have been an isolated action; I didn't kill them to prevent them from retaliating, but we better be prepared for the worst." Lucius said with some seriousness.
"This complicates things even more. We can't ignore two powerful families. How do we plan to deal with this?" Bell looked concerned.
"It seems like our problems are just beginning. But we won't give up. If we need to get stronger, then that's what we'll do." Welf frowned.
"Lucius is right. The strength of the Apollo family is in numbers, and Heimdall may pose a more direct threat. We need to strengthen ourselves." Lili spoke with a thoughtful expression.
"All right, everyone. Let's face these challenges together. Lucius, can you provide more details about what happened between you and the Heimdall family in the dungeon?" Hestia began to regain composure and asked for information.
Lucius started narrating the events with the threat from his former god but avoided talking too much about Carina's words.
Everyone had complicated expressions at this moment.
Anyway, we went to eat something, but I could feel their tension about the Apollo family's attack, and with this new information that the Heimdall family attacked me, they now knew these attacks wouldn't be the last, Hestia was the most concerned.
Even though I shocked them with my spells and magical strength, which can handle a level 3 and be at an advantage, we're still talking about fighting an entire family while the only members of Hestia are Bell and me; Lili isn't officially part of the family yet.
But Lucius didn't pay much attention to his colleagues' tension; he knew that war was inevitable, and besides getting stronger, discussing possibilities is a waste of time now.
Even though I altered a bit how things are going from the canon, I still see the war game; I just need to get stronger now, and I need to talk to Riviera about it.
After the first meal, I saw everyone leaving the church for their respective tasks. Hestia went to work, Bell and the others went to the dungeon to strengthen themselves, facing so many challenges, and I even put Riekling with them, so Lili could also fight while my goblin became her new temporary support.
Now that I was alone in the place, I muttered.
"I'll study my stats; it's time to review my recent gains."
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---Information---
• Name: Lucius Drakenar
• Race: Human;
• Family/Falna: Hestia.
• Nicknames: [OPEN(!)]
• Level: 2
---Status---
• Strength: I60 -> B770
• Endurance: H150 -> A812
• Dexterity: H110 -> C603
• Agility: H105 -> E412
• Magic: D310 -> SSS1120
---Abilities---
• Blessing of ?????? (Negates Any Mana Cost)
• Charged Magic (Hold Magic for 2 Times its Cooldown and Release 4x Stronger Attack)
---Development Abilities---
Luck - I
---Spells---
• Fire Spell/Firebolt/Rank 2. (Mission Complete)
• Ice Spell/Freeze/Rank 1. (No Mission)
• Support Spell/Strength Booster/Rank 2. (Mission Complete)
• Support Spell/Speed Booster/Rank 2. (Mission Complete)
• Summoning Spell/Goblin/Rank 2. (Mission Complete)
• Lightning Spell/Lightning Weapon/Rank 2. (Mission Complete)
• Healing Spell/Minor Heal/Rank 2. (Mission Complete)
• Alteration Spell/Magelight/Rank 2. (Mission Complete)
• Alteration Spell/Clean Body-Clothes/Rank 2. (Mission Complete)
• Alteration Spell/Fix Clothes/Rank 2. (Mission Complete)
• Magic Spell/Minor Magic Aura/Rank 3. (Mission Complete)
• Alteration Spell/Ironflesh/Rank 3. (Mission Complete)
• Gravitational Spell/Minor Gravitational Field/Rank 3. (Mission Complete)
• Space Spell/Quick Dodge/Rank 3. (Mission Complete)
• Lightning Spell/Lightning Weapon/Rank 3. (Mission Complete)
• Summoning Spell/Conjure Flame Atronach/Rank 3. (Mission Complete)
• Alteration Spell/Intermediate Creation/Rank 3.
• Alteration Spell/Clairvoyance/Rank 3.
• Fire Spell/Fireball/Rank 3.
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"My numbers are great!" I couldn't help but feel satisfied.
My physical stats have evolved well, reflecting the constant effort I dedicated to my abilities. Endurance stood out as the statistic that progressed the most, a necessary achievement in the face of challenges in the dungeon. Every blow I resisted, every healing spell I cast, all contributed to strengthening this crucial area.
However, agility, my most lacking area, showed signs of neglect. By prioritizing the clever use of the dodge spell, my physical body took a back seat. A deliberate choice, but one that I now realize has its own implications.
"Now, my magic stat..." I couldn't help but murmur.
Adding my last 2,223 points to these new 1,120, I reach the mark of 3,343 points. A score comparable to a level 4 mage. The magical power flowing through me is palpable, fueled by the constant improvement during these weeks of training. My spells, once modest, now exhibit a potency that defies expectations.
My abilities remain unchanged, steadfast in their effectiveness, but it's in the spells that I see the true metamorphosis. The count exceeding 20 is a notable feat. Not even Riviera, the experienced elf, seems to boast such magical diversity. An achievement that, I must admit, fills me with a sense of accomplishment and, at the same time, a shadow of unease.
As I revisit my missions, a certainty emerges: my evolution, though impressive, is only the beginning of a path that stretches ahead of me.
---MISSIONS---
• [Initial Mission: Learn a Spell Without Interacting With a God, | {Progress: Completed} | {Reward: System Initialization.}]
• [FireBolt Mission (Rank 2): Cast 10,000 Firebolts! | Chant: "Firebolt!" | {Progress: Completed (100%)} | {Reward: User Can Cast Spell Without Chanting.}]
• [Strength Booster Mission (Rank 2): Cast 1000 Strength Boosters! | Chant: "Strength Booster Spell!" | {Progress: Completed (100%)} | {Reward: User Can Cast Spell Without Chanting.}]
• [Speed Booster Mission (Rank 2): Cast 1000 Speed Boosters! | Chant: "Speed Booster Spell!" | {Progress: Completed (100%)} | {Reward: User Can Cast Spell Without Chanting.}]
• [Goblin Summon Mission (Rank 2): Keep the Goblin Active for 100 Hours! | Chant: "Summoning Spell, Goblin!" | {Progress: Completed (100%)} | {Reward: User Can Cast Spell Without Chanting.}]
• [Lightning Weapon Mission (Rank 2): Cast 5000 Lightning Weapons Rank 2! | Chant: "Lightning Weapon!" | {Progress: Completed (100%)} | {Reward: User Can Cast Spell Without Chanting.}]
• [Intermediate Monster Rex Mission: Defeat Goliath Alone on the Seventeenth Floor! | {Progress: Completed - (100%)} | {Reward: 100,000 Points.}] (Hidden Condition: You defeated Goliath at level 01 [Hidden Reward: 01x Card that Nullifies a Chosen Magic Chant! + 100,000 Points!])
• [Minor Heal Mission (Rank 2): Cast 5000 Minor Heals Rank 2: | Chant: "Minor Heal!" | {Progress: Completed (100%)} | {Reward: User Can Cast Spell Without Chanting.}]
• [Magelight Mission (Rank 2): Cast 2000 Magelights Rank 2: | Chant: "Magelight!" | {Progress: Completed (100%)} | {Reward: User Can Cast Spell Without Chanting.}]
• [Clean Body-Clothes Mission (Rank 2): Cast 1000 Clean Body-Clothes Rank 2: | Chant: "Clean Body-Clothes!" | {Progress: Completed (100%)} | {Reward: User Can Cast Spell Without Chanting.}]
• [Fix Clothes Mission (Rank 2): Cast 1000 Fix Clothes Rank 2: | Chant: "Fix Clothes!" | {Progress: Completed (100%)} | {Reward: User Can Cast Spell Without Chanting.}]
• [Minor Gravitational Field Mission (Rank 3): Cast 10,000 Minor Gravitational Fields Rank 3: | Chant: "Gravitational Spell, Minor Gravitational Field!" | {Progress: Completed (100%)} | {Reward: User Can Cast Spell Without Chanting.}]
• [Multi-Firebolt Mission (Rank 3): Cast 10,000 Multi-Firebolts Rank 3: | Chant: "Fire Spell, Multi-Firebolt!" | {Progress: Completed (100%)} | {Reward: User Can Cast Spell Without Chanting.}]
• [Ironflesh Mission (Rank 3): Cast 5000 Ironflesh Rank 3: | Chant: "Alteration Spell, Ironflesh!" | {Progress: Completed (100%)} | {Reward: User Can Cast Spell Without Chanting.}]
• [Minor Magic Aura Mission (Rank 3): Keep Minor Magic Aura Rank 3 active for 200 Hours! | Chant: "Magic Spell, Minor Magic Aura!" | {Progress: Completed (100%)} | {Reward: User Can Cast Spell Without Chanting.}]
• [(!HIDDEN!) Variant Monster Rex Mission: Defeat Black Goliath Alone! | {Progress: Completed (100%)} | {Reward: 500,000 Points.}] (Hidden Condition: You defeated Goliath at level 2 [Hidden Reward: 01x Random Rank 3 Magic Card! + 01x Card that Nullifies a Chosen Magic Chant! + 500,000 Points!])
• [Fast Dodge Mission (Rank 3): Cast 10,000 Fast Dodges, Rank 3: | Chant: "Space Spell, Fast Dodge!" | {Progress: Completed (100%)} | {Reward: User Can Cast Spell Without Chanting.}]
• [Lightning Weapon Mission (Rank 3): Cast 5000 Lightning Weapons Rank 3: | Chant: "Lightning Spell, Lightning Weapon!" | {Progress: Completed (100%)} | {Reward: User Can Cast Spell Without Chanting.}]
• [Conjure Flame Atronach Mission (Rank 3): Keep Conjure Flame Atronach Rank 3 active for 200 Hours! | Chant: "Summoning Spell, Summon Atronach!" | {Progress: Completed (100%)} | {Reward: User Can Cast Spell Without Chanting.}]
• [Clairvoyance Mission (Rank 3): Keep Clairvoyance Rank 3 active for 100 Hours! | Chant: "Illusion Spell, Clairvoyance!" | {Progress: 0/100 - (0%)} | {Reward: User Can Cast Spell Without Chanting.}]
• [Intermediate Creation Mission (Rank 3): Cast 2000 Intermediate Creations Rank 2: | Chant: "Alteration Spell, Intermediate Creation!" | {Progress: 28/2000 - (1%)} | {Reward: User Can Cast Spell Without Chanting.}]
• [Fireball Mission (Rank 3): Cast 10,000 Fireball Rank 3: | Chant: "Fire Spell, Fireball!" | {Progress: 23/10000 - (0%)} | {Reward: User Can Cast Spell Without Chanting.}]
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"All missions are almost complete; I just need to tackle the last 3, which are the most recent ones." I declared as I observed the massive screen projecting the details of my journey.
After thoroughly reviewing all my stats, I decided to conclude the analysis. Although I had accumulated 150,000 store points, I chose to save them strategically, aiming to acquire a high-caliber spell at the peak of the store's rank 3.
With a sigh, I closed the holographic screens, ending the immersion in my own numbers. I adjusted myself and, determined, headed towards the imposing Twilight Mansion, where I could further develop my magic with Riveria.
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