Yuri gently lifted Ryuu's face and looked into her eyes with sincerity.
"You already think of me as family… don't you?"
"But someone like me—"
"To me, you're a very kind person."
"I like you, and I feel that the time I spent with you was truly happy. I want you to be happy too."
Those firm, heartfelt words made Ryuu freeze in place.
"In front of all the veterans of the Astraea Familia, I promise that I will help Ryuu start a new life… and a new family."
With those words, Yuri leaned in, raised her chin, and claimed her lips.
The Hestia Familia had welcomed its second member!
---
The next day
Yuri and Ryuu left the hotel together.
The shy girl returned to the shop first, while Yuri strolled through the streets for a while. Just as he was about to head back, he spotted a familiar emerald-green hair standing in front of a shop.
He walked over quietly and softly asked:
"Riveria? What are you doing here?"
He never expected to run into Riveria like this.
To be honest, after the kiss that night, he thought the elf would ignore him for at least ten days—or even two weeks.
"Why… are you surprised?"
Riveria wore a cold expression. Coupled with her identity as a Level 6 mage, it was no wonder no one dared approach her.
"Are you saying I'm not allowed to be here?"
"No, no, that's not what I meant. I'm just surprised."
Seeing her raise an eyebrow, Yuri quickly waved his hands defensively. No way he'd risk making a woman angry over something like that.
After that banquet, barely anyone paid attention to him. Most Familias thought Hestia would lose, and that he'd become Apollo's toy. Everyone avoided him.
He took a step forward, gently grabbed Riveria's hand, and said, "I'm really happy you came to see me."
"Hmph… No one would believe those words from someone like you."
Still, her mood clearly improved after hearing him.
"Even if you really can defeat a Level 5 adventurer, your bet was reckless."
Riveria shared the same concerns as Ryuu.
Both had experienced harsh times and the Dark Era, so they were extremely cautious.
The Apollo Familia had always had a shady reputation. They were likely to use underhanded tactics. Especially the Apollo Familia's magic army—their magical power far surpassed the physical strength of most adventurers.
Riveria's concern was clear.
"The War Game is coming soon. If you want to get stronger in a short time, the best way is to change weapons or learn magic."
"Since you taught Ais sword techniques, I'll help you learn magic. If you can master a spell before the War Game begins, it'll be a huge advantage."
As she said that, Riveria pulled out a book.
A magic book, to be precise.
In this world, magic is divided into two types: innate and acquired.
Naturally, innate magic refers to spells tied to one's aptitude or racial traits. Since ancient times, magic-oriented races have been able to learn spells early in life—through a combination of ritual practice and talent. Though their magic tends to follow specific affinities, most are powerful and wide-ranged.
Acquired magic, on the other hand, emerges through the Falna—essentially a form of self-realization. It doesn't follow any consistent rules, but instead diverges endlessly. It is deeply influenced by Excelia.
In general, innate magic is a privilege granted to favored races, like elves.
After receiving a Falna, adventurers lucky enough to possess magic slots can be guided by magic books to acquire new spells.
As a teacher, Riveria held out the book and carefully explained it to Yuri.
Magic is based on interest. Especially for acquired magic, emotional connection is key. Curiosity, identity, hatred, admiration, regret, devotion, anger, desire—all of these can trigger magic. The source is often buried deep within oneself.
"So, when you channel magic later, you need to be very aware of your mental and emotional state."
Yuri listened to her thoughtfully. After a long pause, he suddenly nodded in understanding.
He had originally thought magic in this world was cast simply through magical power. But now he realized it consumed mental energy as well—and that actual casting required chants.
He also hadn't expected acquired magic to be so random and difficult to master.
Still, for Yuri, those so-called limitations weren't a concern.
Besides, he had already planned how to allocate his remaining two magic slots.
With Mokuton and the Eternal Mangekyō, Yuri didn't need large-scale magical attacks.
What he wanted were Haruhime's Uchide no Kozuchi and Airmid Teasanare's Dia Fratel.
Uchide no Kozuchi is a level-boosting magic that temporarily raises a target's abilities to one level above their current status. Rather than just giving the strength of someone who had just leveled up, it boosts each ability to match the next level's true power, tailored to the user's growth stage.
Dia Fratel is a high-tier healing spell that restores everything—wounds, stamina, ailments, even curses—within a 5-meter radius. Once activated, it forms a light barrier that heals everything within its area continuously. Airmid can also control which effects the spell produces upon casting.
With these two spells, Yuri could raise an adventurer's level temporarily and also heal, restore stamina, cure toxins, and dispel curses. He could activate "Recovery," "Detox," and "Curse Removal" separately, apply them to multiple people, and maintain the effects over time.
It could be said that these two spells would greatly expand Yuri's versatility.
Meanwhile, the other powerful spells in Orario—each with their own characteristics—and even Riveria's destructive magics, weren't all that useful for him.
"Thank you, Riveria."
Yuri reached out and gently stroked Riveria's hair. Instinctively, she took a step back—but he grabbed her wrist and pulled her into his arms.
Almost involuntarily, the proud elf melted in his embrace, and the tips of her ears flushed pink.
"But I'll tell you a secret."
Yuri smiled and said, "One of my abilities actually lets me learn any light-, heat-, or wood-based magic I've seen. So I don't really lack for magic. And my magic slots ignore all restrictions."
"So, in truth, I intend to learn the healing spell Dia Fratel from the Silver Saint of the Dian Cecht Familia."
Riveria's eyes widened in shock—but a faint look of disappointment appeared in them too.
"I guess… I was overthinking things again."
Quietly, she pulled back the magic book—one worth tens of millions of Valis.
---
(End of Chapter)
Give me some power stones there you go~😉