Proficiency Increase, Private Conversation

Liber left The Hostess of Fertility and headed back toward his Familia.

He sank into deep thought, diving into his mind, where three more stars had indeed appeared in the starry sky.

It seems quite a few people who appeared in the original work are here. Oh well, I should head back early to update my status. I wonder how much my stats have increased.

Liber set aside his musings on the starry sky and quickened his pace toward Twilight Manor.

The night had grown deep by the time Liber returned to the Familia and arrived at Loki's private room.

He knocked on Loki's door. "Loki, I'm here to update my status today."

"Oh, come on in."

Hearing Loki's reply, Liber pushed the door open and entered.

Loki was sitting on her bed, chugging from a bottle of liquor. Seeing Liber enter, she set the bottle down.

She gestured for Liber to sit.

Liber followed her instructions, sitting on a chair and exposing his back to prepare for the status update.

"How does it feel, your first adventure after receiving a blessing?"

As she spoke, Loki pricked her fingertip against Liber's back, helping him update his status.

"It was very interesting. The feeling of combat was great. However, after exploring a bit, I didn't delve too deep; I just tested the waters," Liber replied calmly to Loki.

"Very good, you're more mature than I imagined. But don't expect too much from a newcomer's first adventure; you should be prepared for that."

Loki spoke to Liber while translating and updating his status.

"This is truly incredible. The growth in proficiency from your first update is this significant."

Loki said with some surprise, then handed the translated and imprinted status sheet to Liber.

Liber took the sheet and examined his stats.

Liber Miller.

Lv.1

"Strength": I0 >> I8

"Endurance": I0 >> I5

"Dexterity": I0 >> I6

"Agility": I0 >> I12

"Magic": I0 >> H100

"Oh, not bad at all. An increase of 131 points of proficiency from just one adventure—that's much faster than the average person's growth rate, especially the Magic proficiency, which jumped by 100 points all at once."

Loki clicked her tongue in amazement.

Liber looked at the updated status sheet. The growth in "Magic" proficiency was a bit beyond his expectations, but that was a good thing.

However, the changes in the other stats were somewhat difficult to put into words.

Looking at these single-digit changes in proficiency, he figured it must be the effect of the skill [Egoistic Egalitarianism] that allowed for any growth at all.

"The changes in stats other than Magic are a bit too small," Liber said, frowning.

"Be content. For most people, proficiency only grows by a few points at a time later on. Besides, it looks like you mainly used magic in the Dungeon."

Liber nodded. "I primarily cast [Float] on my weapons, using magic to manipulate them to fight monsters. Additionally, [Magic Space] can also launch objects from the space to attack enemies."

"I see, so your magic can be used like that." Loki stroked her chin, thinking, "But that's probably why the proficiency growth for your other stats was so low."

Liber muttered to himself, "I see. After all, since I didn't take any damage, 'Endurance' wasn't trained. Without constant running and dodging, 'Dexterity' and 'Agility' weren't trained either, and by using magic to control weapons, my own physical strength wasn't consumed."

"Well, don't worry. According to your skill, as long as your Magic increases, your other attributes will naturally grow as well. Your skill's proficiency bonus is primarily focused on Magic. It doesn't really have an advantage in other areas," Loki comforted Liber.

Hearing Loki's words of comfort, Liber remained silent for a moment.

He had gained two spells because of his blessing, and both had low magic consumption with long-lasting effects.

He had been too focused on exploring the possibilities of his magic, which reduced the number of times he engaged in close-quarters combat. Although only the proficiency for "Magic" received a growth bonus, it felt lazy to simply give up on the methods and possibilities for increasing the proficiency of other stats.

He still needed to continue training his body.

Even if the proficiency growth wouldn't be significant due to the lack of skill bonuses for other stats, relying solely on the skill's effect to indirectly increase other stats by focusing exclusively on magic was still too slow.

Liber thought about it; he still needed to maintain a certain level of close-quarters combat, strengthen his physical activity during battles, and incidentally improve his reaction speed to unexpected situations.

"Loki," Liber said as he put his clothes back on, addressing Loki, who had turned to look for more alcohol after finishing the update.

"Yeah, what is it?" Loki responded nonchalantly.

"I feel like I need to strengthen my close-quarters combat ability, and I hope someone can provide guidance and training."

"Since you're asking, I'll ask the others in the Familia who has time to coach you," Loki replied casually.

"Thank you," Liber said with a serious expression.

"Don't be so polite. Even if you asked someone else directly, I doubt the other members would refuse."

"Go back and get some rest. There are people here suited to guide you, and I'll talk to you about it when I have the time."

Loki gave Liber instructions with a hint of helplessness.

Liber nodded and left Loki's room.

Watching Liber leave, Loki fell into thought.

What an incredible kid. But who exactly would be suited for his combat style? Loki wondered, troubled.

Close-quarters combat, huh? I'll go ask the others.

With that, Loki also left the room.

After returning to his room and freshening up, Liber lay down on his bed.

"I'll go a bit deeper tomorrow. Today's combat intensity wasn't high enough."

Liber thought, feeling rather battle-hungry.

He felt his magic power, which had grown significantly after his status update, and his body, now brimming with vitality.

Liber decided to venture deeper into the Dungeon during his next adventure to let his body adapt to combat. While he didn't need to restrict his magic usage, he also needed to train his physical strength more.

He poured all the remaining magic power in his body into his Magic Space spell, expanding the dimension.

He felt the space grow along with the consumption of his magic. By the time Liber had exhausted his magic, the space he carried with him had nearly doubled in size.

Overcome by the weakness and dizziness that followed the depletion of his magic, Liber drifted into a deep sleep.

Elsewhere, after leaving the room, Loki walked down the hallway with a spring in her step, humming a little tune.

"Finn is too busy, he probably won't have time for guidance. Gareth's combat style isn't really suited for teaching others, and as for... Bete, his mouth is too foul, I'm afraid he lacks the patience."

Loki walked along briskly, muttering to herself.

"Well, I'd better go discuss it with Riveria first; that seems more appropriate."

She quickened her pace toward Riveria's room.

Loki arrived at Riveria's door in high spirits, gave a casual knock, and impatiently pushed the door open.

"Mom—my—dear, I've come to play with you."

"Do not use that shameful title, Loki."

Riveria looked at Loki, who had barged in on her own accord, and said with a sigh.

"Oh, hey, Riveria. Oh, Ais-tan is here too. Aiiis—"

Loki shamelessly ignored Riveria's comment and, seeing the girl sitting across from her, lunged at her in excitement.

Ais watched the incoming Loki and calmly delivered a hand-chop to the top of her head.

Loki took the hit, let out a cry of pain, and sprawled on the floor, petulantly demanding comfort.

Riveria rubbed her temples, looked at the rowdy Loki before her, and spoke up.

"Be quiet, Loki. Ais just sat down to consult me about something. What is it you want?"

Loki stopped her fussing. "It's nothing dangerous. It's just that the newcomer needs some close-quarters guidance, so I came to talk to you about it."

"Close-quarters guidance? Finn and Gareth aren't very suitable, and Bete likely wouldn't be willing. Tiona and Tione would probably be happy to, but the Amazonian combat style is too dangerous and not quite right. It seems only Raul would be appropriate."

Riveria recommended a candidate to Loki.

"Then Raul it is. I'll go find him in a bit and let him know."

Loki stood up and said.

"Loki, I want to provide guidance to the newcomer."

Ais spoke up suddenly, her expression serious.

"Waaaah, Ais-tan is going to be interacting with a man, I don't want that!"

Hearing Ais's words, Loki clung to her, acting out wildly with her hands and feet in an exaggerated display.

Riveria watched as Loki was struck in the waist by Ais's elbow and left twitching on the floor.

Ignoring the injured Loki, Riveria looked at Ais with surprise. "Of course you would be suitable, but why the sudden desire to guide a newcomer?"

Ais hesitated. "The new member... we haven't built a relationship yet. I want to make friends."

Riveria smiled with a sense of relief. "Making friends, is it? That's a good thing. Make sure you guide him with care."

Ais nodded earnestly with her youthful face.

"Nooooo—"

Loki twitched on the floor, reaching out toward Ais and groaning in a low voice.