Bell's decision to attend Apollo's God Banquet was finalized for tonight.
Before that, Hestia decided to update Adam's parameter levels, since he had been away for so long. She was eager to see if his growth would exceed expectations again.
"Come on, Adam, let's quickly update your parameter levels while we still have time!" She grabbed Adam's arm and hurriedly ran to the basement, more excited than Adam himself.
Together with Bell, the three of them arrived at the dilapidated basement.
Hestia forcefully pushed Adam onto the sofa before turning to Bell with a worried, stern expression.
"Before we update the parameter levels, there's something I need to tell you, Bell."
"What is it?" Bell asked, noting his goddess's serious demeanor.
"Actually... Adam reached Level 2 before you did."
"At Adam's request, we didn't make this public... Of course, we weren't hiding it from you specifically, Bell-kun! Adam had his reasons, so..."
Hestia's rushed explanation left Bell momentarily stunned. One fact became clear to him: he wasn't the fastest to reach Level 2 — it was Adam, whose strength far surpassed his own.
"Um... Bell, are you angry?"
"Please don't worry, Lady Goddess, this doesn't affect me." Bell said calmly, "I know that even at Level 2, my strength still can't compare to Adam's."
"Lady Goddess, are you worried about the 'Orario's Fastest Leveler' title?" Bell smiled knowingly, "Shouldn't Adam be the one who's been wronged? Isn't that right, Lady Goddess?"
"Bell... you've really grown up." Hestia's eyes welled up with crystal-like tears.
Finally... her Bell had truly started to show signs of maturity.
"Well then, let's update Adam's parameter levels! Don't be surprised, Bell!"
"Ugh..." Adam, lying face down on the sofa, was quite exasperated.
He hadn't been able to get a word in edgewise, and couldn't understand why these two were so excited. After all, he was the one getting the parameter update. It made no sense.
During his 20-day absence, Bell had indeed grown. His mentality, especially, had become more mature.
Was this the rapid growth effect of〚Liaris Freese〛? How enviable!
"Adam, are you ready?" Hestia pulled off his shirt in one swift motion, then wiggled her index fingers playfully, looking exactly like a mischievous pervert.
Was she really a pure goddess? It seemed doubtful.
"Go ahead, Lady Hestia." Adam obediently lay face down on the bed, awaiting his goddess's blessing.
"Hehehe!" Hestia showed no restraint at all, having evolved to rival Loki, the goddess of mischief.
No wonder they were mortal enemies.
The divine blood fell like a droplet merging into still water, creating gentle ripples.
Suddenly, a dazzling light burst forth! It couldn't be contained in the basement — even the old chapel above couldn't block its brilliant radiance!
This light shone brighter than ever before!
"W-what's happening, Lady Goddess?!"
While Bell panicked, Hestia focused intently on the Hieroglyphs displayed on Adam's back. Though the light was nearly blinding, she refused to look away.
She could sense that Adam had achieved another breakthrough in growth!
Just as she expected! When the light faded, the values displayed on Adam's back left her shocked once again!
Strength: I 0 → SSS 1999
Endurance: I 0 → SSS 1999
Dexterity: I 0 → SSS 1999
Agility: I 0 → SSS 1999
Magic: I 0 → SSS 1999
[Last Hope (Wish_One)]
• When in desperate situations, increases own strength proportional to the desperation
• When relied upon by others, increases strength proportional to their thoughts
• Divine Chosen! (Water, Lightning, Fire, Wind)
[Analysis and Mimicry]
== DEVELOPMENT ABILITY ==
Great Deeds Accomplished, Rank Up Available
"Hehehe... hehehe... GAHAHAHA!" Upon seeing the parameter levels displayed on Adam's back, Hestia could no longer maintain her composure.
Once again he had broken all limits — every single parameter had reached SSS!
And in just 20 days!!!
Having a member in her Familia was beyond her wildest dreams!
No more hiding — it was time to show their true power! Her Adam was invincible! Her Familia would become the strongest in all of Orario!
Loki, Freya, they would all bow before them!
Hestia's wild laughter made Bell shrink back in fear.
He had never seen his goddess lose control . But he understood why — it had to be those parameter levels displayed on Adam's back.
He unconsciously leaned forward. Though he couldn't comprehend the values, he couldn't resist trying to peek.
"Um, Lady Hestia, are we done?" Adam's sensitive skin prickled at feeling Bell's warm breath so close, "I'm getting cold. If we're finished, may I put my clothes back on?"
"Ah, sorry, sorry! I got carried away."
Hestia finally came to her senses, embarrassedly shaking her twin tails before taking out a piece of parchment to record Adam's parameter levels.
"Here are your parameters." As she handed the parchment to Adam, she added sincerely, "Congratulations, Adam. In just 20 short days, you're ready for another Rank Up."
Bell, not Adam, was the one who cried out in shock.
"Twenty... days?!" He leaned in closer, carefully examining the parchment. His red pupils dilated and contracted as he confirmed the numbers, his head turning stiffly like rusty gears.
Not just Adam's leveling speed, but those extraordinary values had clearly dealt him quite a blow.
Understandably so. Though he had shown maturity earlier, he was still proud of being the second fastest to reach Level 2 after Adam.
However... his pride was thoroughly crushed after seeing these parameter values.
Twenty days... For Adam, it was neither fast nor slow — nothing to be particularly satisfied or dissatisfied about.
What surprised him was achieving Great Deeds and gathering more high-rank excelia. Thinking carefully, it must have been from defeating the Demi-Spirit on the 59th Floor with the expedition team.
"Adam! No time to waste, let's Rank Up!" Hestia shook his arm, causing her ample chest to bounce.
However, with Adam focused on the parchment and Bell still stunned, neither of them noticed this sight.
"No, we can't Rank Up... at least not now."
"W-why not?!" Hestia's immediate displeasure was evident.
Even if they couldn't claim the "Fastest to Level 2" title for certain reasons, couldn't "Fastest to Level 3" serve as compensation?
But Adam's refusal left her completely puzzled.
"Because I can't Rank Up right now, Lady Hestia." Adam sighed softly, "Please think carefully — we haven't announced that I reached Level 2 yet. If I were to reach Level 3 before that, the nature of the situation would change."
"Yes, it would no longer be something we could excuse as 'No time to report', but would become 'Concealing and failing to report'. What it means for a Familia to conceal their combat potential, I'm sure I don't need to explain."
"So, do you understand?"
"Mm, I get it." Hestia looked dejected as she asked glumly, "Then, when do you want to level up?"
"After the Guild certification, if things go smoothly, we could do it as soon as tomorrow." Adam replied.
Obviously, this answer satisfied Hestia, who showed high expectations for the bright future ahead!
But was it really going to be that simple?
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