Hestia practically vibrated with excitement as she led Felis further inside, the dim glow of lanterns casting flickering shadows across the worn stone walls. Their home was still just a crumbling church, but tonight, it felt a little more alive.
"You must be starving after all that!" she declared, hurrying toward their small cooking area. "Sit down, sit down! I'll whip up something quick!"
Felis made his way to the old, worn-out sofa near the wall and sank into it, stretching his legs. It creaked slightly under his weight but held firm. "You don't have to go all out."
Hestia shot him a playful glare. "Nonsense! My first adventurer just had his first dungeon dive—I have to make sure he gets a proper meal!"
Something about the way she said my adventurer made Felis's ears twitch. He didn't comment, only watching as she moved about with practiced ease.
The scent of sizzling meat and freshly baked bread filled the small space, a stark contrast to the usual thin soups and plain bread Hestia had been surviving on before. Felis raised an eyebrow as he leaned against the old sofa, watching her stir a pot with surprising enthusiasm.
"You went all out, huh?" he commented.
Hestia shot him a cheeky grin over her shoulder. "Of course! You gave me money, so I wasn't about to let us keep eating scraps! Besides—" she turned back to the pot, giving it a final stir "—you need proper food after fighting all day!"
Soon, two bowls were set on the table—a hearty meat and vegetable stew, still steaming, along with a side of warm bread. It wasn't extravagant, but compared to what she used to eat alone, it was a massive improvement.
Felis took a slow bite, letting the flavors settle on his tongue. The broth had depth, the meat was tender, and the vegetables were cooked just right. Simple, yet satisfying.
"…Not bad," he muttered.
Hestia puffed up with pride. "Hehe, praise me more~!"
Felis only smirked, shaking his head slightly.
Yet, as he scooped another bite, a thought surfaced—one that made him pause for just a second.
'It's different.'
Back in his old life, after a long and exhausting day at work, he would drag himself home to a quiet apartment, heat up whatever simple meal he could muster, and eat alone. No conversation. No one waiting for him. Just silence, broken only by the sound of a TV playing in the background.
It wasn't as if he had hated it—he was used to it. But now, sitting here, sharing a meal with someone who was genuinely happy just to eat with him…
It felt warmer.
Shaking off the lingering thought, he glanced at Hestia, who was already munching on her bread with an eager expression.
"…You're eating like you've been starving," he teased.
She pouted. "I was starving! This is the best meal I've had in a while!"
Felis chuckled. Maybe this wasn't so bad.
---
After finishing their meal, Felis stretched, letting out a quiet sigh as he leaned back against the worn-out sofa. The food settled in his stomach, warmth spreading through his body—not just from the meal but from the simple comfort of sharing it with someone.
Hestia, now visibly satisfied, let out a happy hum as she leaned back in her chair, patting her stomach. "Ahh, that hit the spot~."
Felis smirked. "You eat like someone who hasn't had a proper meal in weeks."
"I haven't had a proper meal in weeks!" she shot back, pouting. "If you hadn't left me those household funds, I'd still be eating plain bread and soup!"
He chuckled but didn't argue. Instead, his gaze drifted toward his own hands. He flexed his fingers, half-expecting to feel some noticeable difference after his first dungeon dive. Stronger grip, faster reflexes, more endurance—something. But there was nothing. His body felt exactly the same as before.
'Right… I haven't updated my Falna yet.'
No matter how much Exilia he had gained, none of it would take effect until Hestia applied it to his status. That meant all the effort he put into fighting those monsters, all the experience he gained, was still locked away on paper—waiting to be converted into actual growth.
His golden eyes flicked toward Hestia, who was now lazily stretching her arms above her head, her modest chest pressing slightly against her dress as she let out a soft yawn.
"Hey," he called, drawing her attention. "We should update my Falna."
Hestia blinked, then immediately perked up. "Oh! Right, right! I almost forgot!" She hopped off her chair, excitement practically radiating off her. "Come on, let's do it now!"
Felis smirked. "Eager, aren't you?"
"Of course!" She puffed out her chest proudly. "I want to see just how amazing my first adventurer is!"
He tilted his head. "That excited to touch my bare back, huh?"
Hestia froze mid-step. A faint red dusted her cheeks as she flailed her arms. "W-What?! That's not—I mean, I have to touch your back! That's how Falna updates work!"
Felis chuckled at her flustered reaction, lazily stretching his arms. "Mmm. If you say so."
Her eyes narrowed. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"
"Maybe a little." He flicked his tail behind him in amusement.
Hestia huffed, placing her hands on her hips. "Hmph! If you're going to tease me, I could just delay updating your Falna, you know?"
Felis shrugged, his smirk deepening. "Then I guess you don't want to see how much I grew today?"
Hestia's pout twitched.
"…Get on the bed," she grumbled, grabbing the knife and parchment.
He chuckled but did as he was told, pulling off his shirt and lying down
Warmth spread across his skin as the divine script shifted and changed. He couldn't see it himself, but he could feel something stir, like a part of him awakening. His muscles tensed briefly before relaxing again.
Hestia leaned closer, her breath tickling the back of his neck as she studied the changes. Hestia's movements slowed as she worked, her breathing growing quieter. Then—
"Wha—?! W-Wait a second!"
Felis raised an eyebrow at the sudden outburst. "Something wrong?"
Hestia leaned in even closer, her small hands gripping his shoulders as she practically pressed herself against his back. "Wrong?! Felis, this is ridiculous! Your growth—it's insane!"
She hurriedly grabbed a piece of parchment and placed it over his back, pressing down so the contents of his Falna could transfer onto it. The glowing symbols shifted onto the paper, making them visible to both of them.
When she pulled it away, her deep blue eyes scanned his new stats—and her jaw dropped
---
Felis Veltheris
Level: 1
Strength: I 0 → D 540
Endurance: I 0 → G 270
Dexterity: I 0 → G 270
Agility: I 0 →G 270
Magic: I 0 →H 135
Magic
• Aqua Benedicta – Heals wounds proportional to the user's Magic.
Skills
• Libertas Aeternum
A soul unshackled, untouched by corruption. No chains may bind, no poison may taint, no curse may linger—for true freedom belongs only to those who walk their own path.
(Effect: Grants immunity to all abnormal status effects. Growth remains unrestricted, free from external limitations.)
•Numen Aquae
The ever-flowing grace of water, an unbroken blessing of healing and renewal. In its gentle touch lies both resilience and salvation, an eternal current of life.
(Effect: Healing spells are more effective, faster, and consume less mana. Grants Water Affinity & Resistance. Passive regeneration of minor wounds and fatigue.)
---
"Strength… 540… Agility… 270… Your Magic stat even reached 135 already?!"
She gawked at the numbers, then back at Felis as if seeing him for the first time. "D-Rank in Strength, and G-Rank in Endurance, Dexterity, and Agility—after just one day?! Felis, this is absurd!"
Her breathing grew heavier as the reality of it sank in. She looked at him, then back at the parchment, then back at him—before letting out an exaggerated groan.
"This is so unfair!"
Felis raised an eyebrow, amused. "Unfair?"
"Yes! Do you know how long it takes most adventurers to even reach G-Rank in their stats? And you did it in a single day!"
She threw herself onto the bed face-first, her legs kicking slightly as she muffled a dramatic whine into the mattress. The soft curve of her back arched as she stretched, her dark twin tails spilling over her shoulders, shifting with each small movement.
"I was expecting some progress, but this?!" She turned her head to the side, peeking up at him with wide, accusing eyes. "You basically jumped leagues ahead of other rookies already!"
Felis smirked, resting his chin on one hand. "Well, I did work hard for it."
Hestia shot him a glare from the bed, cheeks puffed out. "Work hard—Felis, you just casually shattered normal growth expectations! Do you realize what kind of monster you're going to be if this keeps up?!"
Felis tilted his head, feigning thoughtfulness. "A handsome and powerful one?"
She groaned into her pillow, her body sinking deeper into the mattress. "You're so full of yourself sometimes…"
He chuckled, stretching his arms, his muscles subtly flexing under the dim candlelight. "Still, not bad for my first day, right?"
Hestia sat up, her hair slightly tousled, crossing her arms as she huffed. "…Not bad? Felis, if I wasn't the one updating your Falna, I'd think you were cheating somehow!"
Her pout deepened, but then her gaze softened. She looked down at the parchment again, fingers lightly tracing over the freshly inked numbers. Her touch was slow, almost reverent, as if memorizing every detail of his progress.
"…This really is incredible, though. Your potential… it's something special."
Felis watched her carefully. The awe in her voice, the way she held his status like it was something precious—it stirred something in him. He wasn't just another adventurer to her. He was hers. Her first.
And judging by the way she was gazing at his stats with starry eyes, she knew he was only going to get stronger.
Hestia lingered on the parchment a moment longer, her fingers absently brushing over the inked symbols. Her lips parted slightly, as if she wanted to say something more, but instead, she just exhaled softly.
Felis tilted his head. "What's with that look?"
She blinked, then quickly hugged the parchment to her chest, flopping back onto the bed with a dramatic fwump. "It's nothing! I'm just… basking in my Familia's first miracle."
He smirked, leaning slightly over her, resting one hand on the mattress. "That so? If this is a miracle, does that make me your divine blessing?"
Hestia let out a sharp hmph, turning her nose up. "More like a ridiculously lucky cat who landed in the lap of the cutest goddess."
Felis chuckled, his golden eyes gleaming in the flickering candlelight. "I won't argue with that."
She peeked up at him from beneath her dark lashes, her expression wavering between smugness and something softer. Then, after a pause, her fingers curled slightly against the parchment, clutching it close.
"…I really mean it, Felis," she murmured. "You're different."
His ears twitched at her tone—not just playful this time, but something more.
"Stronger than you expected?" he guessed.
Hestia shook her head, her gaze flickering over him before settling on his eyes. "More than that. You're… yours. You don't belong to the Dungeon, or to the city's expectations. You're not some reckless fool chasing glory. You chose this—chose me—even when you didn't have to."
A slow, knowing smile curled Felis's lips.
"I guess I did," he murmured.
Hestia's cheeks warmed as she realized how easily he met her gaze, unshaken, unflinching. She suddenly felt very aware of how close he was, his warmth just within reach, his golden eyes watching her with a quiet intensity.
"…D-Don't look at me like that," she grumbled, rolling onto her side, facing away.
Felis chuckled. "Like what?"
"Like you're about to say something embarrassing again."
He leaned back, stretching lazily. "I could remind you how you practically called me amazing just now."
"I did not—!" She sat up, only to be met with his smirk. She groaned, flopping back down. "Ugh! You're so annoying."
Felis grinned. "And yet, you're still holding onto my status sheet like it's a sacred text."
Hestia jolted, then hastily set the parchment aside with a huff. "Tch. I was just making sure it didn't get wrinkled."
Felis merely chuckled again, his tail swaying lazily. For all her grumbling, her happiness was obvious.
And for some reason… he liked seeing it.
As the candlelight flickered softly, casting warm glows across the small room, Felis stretched out on the bed, his tail lazily flicking beneath the covers. Hestia, after fussing over where to place the parchment with his status, finally clambered in beside him, letting out a long sigh.
Silence settled between them, comfortable but not quite final.
Then—
"…Uuuu."
Felis's ears twitched. He glanced to the side, where Hestia was curled up, facing away, her small shoulders slightly hunched.
"…What's with the groaning?" he asked lazily, shifting slightly closer.
She fidgeted under the blanket. "It's nothing."
A smirk tugged at his lips. "That doesn't sound like nothing."
Hestia huffed and pulled the blanket higher over her head, as if shielding herself. "…Just remembered something embarrassing, that's all."
A golden eye gleamed in the dim light. "Oh?"
"…Forget it."
Now he was interested. His tail swayed, brushing lightly against the sheets as he rolled onto his side, propping his head up on one hand. "You sure? Sounds like something important."
Hestia groaned louder, pressing her face into the pillow. "I said forget it!"
Felis chuckled, inching just a little closer. "Hmmm… Let me guess. Something that happened this morning?"
The goddess went completely still.
Felis smirked. His tail flicked once against the mattress. "Ah. So that's what it is."
Hestia curled up tighter, gripping the edge of the blanket. "I—I didn't do anything weird! It's your fault for being so warm!"
Felis exhaled a soft laugh. His fingers lazily drummed against the sheets. "That's one way to put it."
Hestia peeked at him from beneath the blanket, her face still flushed. "I-I was just sleeping! It wasn't like I was—"
He cut her off with a lazy hum, his golden eyes half-lidded. "Well, I hope I don't wake up to an octopus tomorrow."
Hestia sputtered. "Wha—?!"
"You know, limbs everywhere, clinging on tight," he mused, stretching his arms as if imagining it. "Mumbling something about 'warmth' while slowly constricting…"
"W-Who's an octopus?!?"
He smirked, his tail flicking playfully. "Oh? Did I say it was you?"
"You implied it!!"
Felis let out a low chuckle, rolling onto his back as Hestia fumed beside him. He could practically feel her glare through the darkness.
"Uuuu… I swear, if you say anything weird about this to anyone…"
"I won't," he said easily.
"…Really?"
"Sure." He let out a lazy yawn. "As long as the octopus doesn't return."
"Feliiiiis!!"
Her flustered complaints carried on for another minute before finally fading into grumbles. Eventually, exhaustion won out, and silence settled over the room once more.
Felis let out a deep breath, his body relaxing into the mattress. The warmth beside him was familiar now—comforting, even. His tail flicked once beneath the sheets before finally stilling.
Then, long after sleep had claimed him—
A faint rustle.
A shift of weight.
A delicate warmth pressed against his side, hesitating for only a moment before curling into him. Small fingers, featherlight, found purchase against his shirt, clinging without thought. The slow, steady rise and fall of soft breaths tickled his skin, each exhale warming the space between them.
A quiet sigh—content, unconscious—whispered from Hestia's lips as she nestled into his chest, molding herself against him in instinctive pursuit of his warmth.
Felis's ears twitched, his tail flicking lazily against the sheets even in sleep.
And once again—
The octopus had returned.