The needle pricked her finger, and Loki carefully pressed it against Ritsuka's back. The faint warmth made Ritsuka curious, and she could also feel some kind of "shackle" within her seeming to loosen.
Loki began moving her finger with practiced motions, drawing blood-red trails across Ritsuka's back as though signing her name—
"Hey, done!"
In response, a vermilion pattern resembling an inscription appeared on the back that had previously been bare.
A string of intricate characters written horizontally.
That engraving, resembling both a stone tablet and a crest, was the "Blessing" the gods carved onto their Familia members—the Ability Value.
Using divine blood as a medium, the Divine Script used by the gods could be inscribed onto the backs of Familia members, allowing various abilities and possibilities to be uncovered. Weak humans and all kinds of demi-humans could finally rise to prominence.
"This is... Ritsuka, to prevent the thing on your back from being exposed, I'm going to lock it."
"Remember, don't let anyone touch your back casually."
Loki spoke seriously as she used another drop of divine blood, causing the pattern to ripple.
Circles of ripples spread across Ritsuka's back. Loki pressed a sheet of paper against it before removing it, and the pattern on her back gradually vanished.
"Wait a moment, okay? I'll translate the Divine Script."
"Okay."
Ritsuka put her clothes back on and waited obediently.
Even with a mirror, one could not clearly see the Ability Value engraved on one's back, and Divine Script was difficult for most people to decipher. Thus, gods generally translated it into the common language used in the Lower World.
This allowed the children of their Familia to personally witness their own changes.
"Here, take it."
Ritsuka gently accepted the sheet of paper marking her official entry into the ranks of adventurers, her eyes drawn to it.
... Emiya Ritsuka Level 1 Strength: I0 Endurance: I0 Dexterity: I0 Agility: I0 Magic: I0 "Magic" " " " " " " "Skills" Twelve Trials o Twelve trials that humans could not accomplish. o Could resist most mental effects, interference, charm, and similar abilities. o Possessed an extremely strong personal will. During battle, Ability Value would accumulate faster, slightly accelerating her rate of growth. Poison Immunity o She had once endured the terrifying poison of the Hydra, which tormented her body. o Her body possessed powerful poison resistance. Most corrosive and erosive poisons were rendered ineffective. Projection: Sword o A technique capable of passing falsehood off as truth. o Sword-type weapons she had seen once and successfully analyzed could have their construction process reproduced through the consumption of magic power, recreating phantasmal weapons. o Weapons other than blades and swords, as well as armor, could also be projected, though the magic power consumption would increase dramatically. ...
Section 72, Chapter 65: Sword Princess Template
"Just as you can see, these are your Ability Values. This is my first time seeing a newcomer receive three skills immediately after obtaining a god's Blessing."
Loki sat on the edge of the bed and sighed sincerely.
This was truly unprecedented. Perhaps aside from the legendary human heroes she herself had never seen, few could be this outrageous.
Whether it was the first and second skills related to Heracles, or the skill that reflected her ability to create endless Magic Swords, all of them were extraordinary in a sense—ridiculously overpowered.
She had endured the suffering brought by the Hydra's poison?
Based on what Loki knew of Heracles's story, the Hydra's poison was no laughing matter.
Perhaps Emiya Ritsuka, who had endured such poison, truly had a great connection to Heracles...
An illegitimate daughter?
"Next, you can go train in the dungeon to improve your Ability Values. When you feel ready, come find me directly."
For a massive adventurer group like the Loki Familia, with members numbering in the thousands, it was impossible to update every person's Ability Value one by one. Loki was not that idle, and most adventurers had to accumulate progress for a long time before they improved at all.
Only adventurers of the first tier and above received such treatment.
Because of her personal strength, talent, and several other reasons, Ritsuka had also been classified by Loki as a first-tier Familia member.
"Are we going now?"
"Of course not. We're going to have dinner now. Training can start tomorrow."
The Loki Familia had a rule: breakfast and dinner had to be eaten together, unless they were going out to celebrate.
The Familia members had to wait until everyone who had gone dungeon-delving returned before eating together. Even if it made the dining hall a little crowded, it was also a way to strengthen the Familia's cohesion.
It was a rather clever one, too.
"Dinner together? Then I'll head back to my room first and wash up... I'll take my leave for now."
"Okay, hurry up."
After leaving Loki's room, Ritsuka let out a breath and leaned against the door, lowering her gaze.
The corner of the mouth slowly curled upward.
She still had a chance—a chance to return to that hopeless world where Human History was destined to end.
She also had a chance to find Miyu, whom she had sent to another world, and see whether that girl was doing well... a chance to seek a miracle that could revive Sakura...
Back in her room, Ritsuka finished washing up and sat on the bed, raising her right hand.
The crystalline Crystal Dice lit up, brightening the somewhat dim room now that night had fallen outside. A screen appeared.
-- An optional mission has been completed. Rewards are ready to be issued. Character Template reward limited to this world. Beginning random draw... Congratulations, you have obtained the "Character Template": Ais Wallenstein (Sword Princess). --
The Crystal Dice rolled across her palm. After several seconds, avoiding the slots occupied by miscellaneous items and her two existing templates, it slowly came to a stop.
One of the blank faces lit up, and a blonde girl appeared, as ethereal as a doll yet carrying an imposing air.
Ais Wallenstein.
Ritsuka did not know much about this girl. She only knew that Ais held the fastest record for advancing from Level 1 to Level 2, and that she was quite famous, highly skilled with a sword, and so on.
All of it was hearsay she had picked up outside.
Their only point of contact might have been when this girl bought two portions of red bean butter-flavored fried potato balls at the shop earlier.
It seemed she really did like that snack.
... Ais Wallenstein (Sword Princess) Synchronization Value (0%) ...
"Last time, I had to risk my life. This time, it looks like I'll have to train properly with my feet on the ground."
"I hope I'll gain something."
Ritsuka was not particularly optimistic about the Sword Princess's strength. After all, she was only a level 5 adventurer. Even Ottar, a level 7, had been sent flying by her fist.
What she could look forward to was probably swordsmanship, or something else—for instance, the magic system of this world, which differed from her original world.
Those Area Annihilation Magics might not be any weaker than Anti-Fortress Noble Phantasms in terms of destructive power.
"I should change clothes. It's almost time."
Ritsuka glanced at the increasingly lively scene outside, then muttered to herself as she stood up and walked to the wardrobe in her pajamas.
When she opened it, rows of clothes came into view.
Riveria had brought her to this room, so the clothes inside had probably been prepared by someone at Riveria's request. She truly deserved to be called "Mama"—her thoroughness alone was worthy of the title.
Ritsuka rummaged through them for a moment, simply selecting an outfit according to her own tastes.
She did not like clothes that were too revealing, could not accept skirts with hems that were too short, and outfits that were too masculine would feel tight and uncomfortable on her...
"Mm, I'll go with this."
A heart-patterned T-shirt, a black-and-white jacket over it—with a panda hood—her own casual trousers, and a pair of sneakers.
The outfit was somewhat unusual compared to Orario's fashion, but Ritsuka found it comfortable and immediately settled on it. She also took out a panda plushie from the Crystal Dice.
Holding the plushie added a cute touch to her appearance. Finally, she tied up her loose hair and secured it into a side ponytail with an emerald-colored hair ornament.
(The general appearance can roughly be compared to the cover.)
Facing the mirror, Ritsuka used both index fingers to prop up the corners of her mouth, forcing out a smile.
Then it quickly fell apart.
"Sakura..."
Knock, knock.
Just as Ritsuka was about to sink into the past, a knock suddenly sounded at the door, pulling her out of her memories.
She patted her cheeks, then walked over and opened the door.
"Hello."
Looking at the quiet girl standing at the door, Ritsuka greeted her tentatively.
The blonde girl's hair reached her hips, and her golden eyes were open wide. Her exquisite face was like a perfect doll from legend, without the slightest flaw.
She was even more beautiful than a goddess.
Her white dress, together with the silver armor at her joints, outlined her curvaceous figure without appearing loose. Her long legs were clad in stockings, and she wore blue leather boots on her feet.
Judging solely by that natural, imposing aura, the girl felt like a highly skilled knight. Yet paired with her flawless appearance and indifferent expression, the knight became a princess untouched by the mortal world.
As she turned slightly to the side, the exposed portion of her back looked a little alluring, though she herself seemed entirely unaware of it.
"Riveria asked me to call you... to eat."
So she was the messenger. Ritsuka nodded lightly.
Then, following behind Ais, she walked down from the second floor of the first-tier adventurers' residential area and headed toward the winding main hall.
Before you continue