"Tsk... look at Mr. Nonchalant over here. You just leveled up, and you're acting like nothing happened."
Loki grinned, her lips twisting playfully as her slit eyes flicked toward the ceiling.
She crossed her arms beneath her nonexistent chest, clearly lost in thought for a moment.
Then she looked back at Judas, her grin widening just slightly.
"Hey, Judas. There's something I've been meaning to tell you."
At her words, Judas turned his head toward her and raised a brow.
"I've been keeping this from you for a while now."
Loki continued casually.
"But the truth is... you already qualify to level up twice."
Judas blinked.
"Wait... what? Level up twice? What do you mean?"
Leveling up twice?
He had never heard of something like that happening in the anime.
Never in his imagination did he think it was even possible.
Not even Bell from the original story... a literal cheat character... had managed to achieve something like that. Right?
"Heh... finally got a reaction out of you."
Loki grinned, pausing briefly before continuing.
"It's pretty straightforward, actually. If you really wanted to... you could rank up to level 4 anytime you want. Even right now."
"Is that even possible?"
Judas asked, skepticism clear in his voice.
"Yes, it is," Loki replied without hesitation.
"Think about it, Judas. As a mere level 2 adventurer, what kind of opponents have you fought? What kind of dangerous situations have you survived? Do you really think a normal level 2 could endure everything you've been through so far?"
The corners of Loki's lips curled upward as she stared directly into his violet eyes.
At her words, Judas tapped his chin thoughtfully.
She was right.
Nearly every opponent he had fought... every duel, every life-and-death struggle... had been against foes far beyond what a level 2 was ever meant to face.
In the end, the falna existed to convert one's adventures into excelia, and right now, his falna had judged him worthy.
He had endured enough hardship to earn it.
This was similar to what had happened to Ryuu in the original series... handicapping herself by remaining at level 4 for years, yet accumulating so many achievements that her falna eventually overflowed with high-quality excelia.
"So... if you update my status right now, you could already rank me up?"
Judas said slowly.
Loki simply nodded.
"Yup. But I figured you'd want to max out your stats first... since you're such a perfectionist. That's why I never brought it up before."
"I'm just letting you know it's an option."
She leaned back lazily, hands resting behind her head.
"Well... the offer... and the idea of setting yet another shocking record... is tempting. But I'm going to have to pass."
Judas said as he shook his head.
He had already made up his mind to completely max out his stats before leveling up, determined to squeeze every last bit of strength he could from the falna.
After all, once you leveled up, there was no going back. Any unfilled parameters would be lost forever.
"I figured you'd say that. Fine... just forget I ever mentioned it."
Loki let out a loud exhale through her nose before reaching under the bed and pulling out a bottle of wine.
"Now... get out of my room. I've got important business to attend to."
She said, rubbing the bottle against her cheek with obvious affection.
Judas watched as Loki popped the bottle open with ease before turning and leaving the room.
"Hm? Where is everyone?"
As he walked through the corridors, Judas noticed there were far fewer people around than usual.
Still, he didn't think much of it and headed straight for Finn's office.
"Oh, Judas? Congratulations on your rank up."
Finn greeted him from behind the desk, a small smile on his face.
"Thanks."
Judas nodded, not surprised that Finn already knew without needing an explanation.
"Are the preparations ready?"
At that, Finn immediately understood what he meant.
He interlaced his fingers and propped his elbows against the desk.
"The materials will be delivered tonight."
Finn's assurance earned a nod in return.
"Hey, Captain... where is everyone? A lot of people suddenly went out. Is there a mission?"
Judas asked, genuine curiosity in his tone.
Finn chuckled softly at the question.
"No need to worry. Everyone's just... fired up. They went out to get stronger."
He said with a knowing smile.
Judas blinked a couple of times before the meaning finally sank in.
"I see."
"If anyone's looking for me, tell them I'll be at the Guild."
With that, he turned and headed for the door.
"To report your rank up? Got it."
Finn nodded, already returning his attention to his work.
...
Inside the Guild Headquarters...
...sigh.
Rose Fannett sat behind the counter with a visibly bored expression, her eyes half-lidded as she listened to the man in front of her drone on.
"...and then, with a single swing of my sword, the goblins didn't even get a chance to react. They were completely outmatched."
The adventurer continued, a smug smile tugging at his lips.
"I'd say it was less of a fight and more of a demonstration of skill. Honestly, I almost felt bad for them."
He folded his arms, clearly pleased with himself.
It wasn't until a loud thud hit the counter that he finally stopped talking.
Rose stared at him with a dispassionate gaze.
"Here's your valis. Have a good day."
She said flatly as she slid a sack filled with valis across the counter.
Despite her obvious lack of interest, the man failed to take the hint and opened his mouth once more.
"Miss Rose... I heard the limited special steak at Cherfur's diner just became available. I was wondering if—"
"Not interested. Have a good day."
Rose cut him off before he could even finish.
A blunt, unmistakable refusal.
But the man persisted.
"If steak's not your thing, then how about—"
"Not interested. Have a good day."
From start to finish, her expression never changed.
After dealing with adventurers' half-baked flirting on a daily basis, she had long since grown numb to it.
"Tsk."
Clearly annoyed, the man clenched his fist and roughly snatched the sack of valis from the counter.
sigh
'Is he not coming again today...?'
Once the man finally left, Rose propped the side of her head against her palm, her gaze drifting lazily across the guild hall.
"Hehe... that look on your face. Does Rose miss a certain someone?"
A feminine voice reached her ears as Misha approached with a knowing smirk.
Rose turned her head slightly... just enough to acknowledge her... before looking away again.
"Ever since his familia came back, the adventurer you're in charge of... Judas...has been visiting the guild less and less."
Misha continued, pacing back and forth behind the counter.
"Well, I suppose that's only natural. He can get advice directly from the senior members of his familia now, instead of relying on his advisor here at the guild."
She shot a sideways glance at Rose, watching closely for any reaction.
Outwardly, Rose remained unfazed.
But the faint twitch of her brow didn't escape Misha's notice.
'No way... Rose, don't tell me you're actually—'
Misha tapped her chin, deep in thought.
Just as she was about to say something, Rose suddenly straightened.
Her ears perked up, and for the first time that day, the boredom on her face softened... just slightly.
"Oh. Speak of the devil."
Misha shifted her gaze onto the entrance.
"He's here."
---
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