"Of course you want to see my status, but peeking at our Hestia Familia's secrets without compensation? That's bold," Roy said, sipping water with a sly smile.
"Mr. Flott, we're not prying into your abilities--just confirming your level to settle the crowd's doubts. It benefits you too," the official said, smiling tightly.
"Your mess, not mine. I'll only say I didn't lie about my level," Roy replied, his smile unwavering.
"And we haven't broken Guild rules."
He took another sip, leaning back, waiting for the official's response.
His nonchalant defiance gave the official a headache.
You say you didn't lie, fine, but the audience needs proof!
"Lady Hestia..." the official turned to her, hoping for a softer target.
"Roy speaks for me," Hestia said, shutting him down.
"Your Ganesha Familia's losses aren't our problem."
The official's frustration deepened.
Roy and Hestia were clearly angling for a payout. He pressed his case, but they stood firm.
"Evidence!" Loki chanted, waving her fist, egging on the chaos.
"What do you want?" the official finally asked, exasperated.
Hestia glanced at Roy, deferring to him.
She was just backing his play.
"Ten percent," Roy said, raising a finger.
"Too steep. Five percent, max," the official countered, shaking his head.
He knew Roy meant 10% of the arena's betting profits from his matches--a hefty sum, given the lopsided losses from bettors backing his higher-level opponents.
"You're already cashing in big from your bets," the official added.
"We're taking a hit here."
"Fine, five percent," Roy agreed, his tone mock-sympathetic.
"I know it's tough for you. Happy to cooperate."
Beyond arena winnings, Roy had a strategic goal: exposing his Falna.
The task required reaching Level 5 in three months--an abnormal pace sure to draw scrutiny.
By revealing his blank status now, devoid of skills or magic, he expected future probes.
The 5% cut was a bonus.
"I've contacted a Guild staffer. They're in route. Please wait," the official said, rolling his eyes at Roy's faux courtesy.
Five percent was within his authority, a small price to avoid a disaster.
Uncooperative, Roy could walk away, leaving the arena to clean up the rumors.
Soon, a Guild staffer arrived.
"Everyone out," Hestia said, eyeing Loki and the official.
"Pfft! It's just a level check. Nothing to hide!" Loki scoffed, but her narrowed eyes flicked to Roy's back, curiosity burning.
"Lady Loki wants to see my status too?" Roy asked, smiling.
"Trying to scam me again, child? I'm tapped out!" Loki said, wary after losing millions to Roy's taunts.
"Forget it, then," Roy shrugged, teasing her curiosity.
His nonchalance made her itch to know his secrets. Without seeing it, she'd lose sleep for days.
"Fine, how much?" she growled.
"Free," Roy said, shaking his head. "Just... if I need a small favor from your Loki Familia later--"
"Dream on!" Loki cut him off.
"Nothing crazy. If it seems unreasonable, you can say no."
"Refusable?" Loki relaxed. Sounds like a freebie.
'I'll just nix any dumb requests.'
"Deal," she said, waving cheerfully. "Hestia, your child's cool with it. You object?"
"Cheapskate," Hestia muttered. "But keep your mouth shut. It's secret."
"Out with you!" Loki shooed the official, eager to snoop.
The official, lips twitching, left his own office, unable to stay without consent.
Once the door closed, Roy bared his back. Hestia unlocked his status, revealing its stats.
"Damn it, child, you tricked me again!" Loki wailed. Roy's status was a blank slate--pure Level 1, no skills, no magic. Her anticipation fizzled.
"Confirmed," the Guild staffer said, noting Roy's level.
Roy dressed, and the staffer opened the door.
"It's verified. Mr. Flott is a Level 1 rookie. Lady Loki witnessed it," they told the official.
"Perfect," the official sighed.
Guild and Loki's testimony quashed all doubts, ready to placate the crowd.
"See? Roy's a fresh Level 1," Hestia crowed, triumphant.
"It's weird to have that strength fresh off Falna!" Loki shrieked.
"No skills in Falna doesn't mean no strength," Roy smiled.
"I'm gifted in swordsmanship. With years of training, this strength's not strange."
Loki gave him a complex look. "You're something else."
Falna was a tool to unlock human potential, not instant power.
It transformed aptitude into tangible growth--physical prowess, skills, or magic.
Without Falna, rare prodigies could still hone exceptional strength through talent and grit, as ancient heroes did before gods descended.
Roy's claim suggested he was such a prodigy, a modern echo of those legends.
"Child, want to join my Familia?" Loki blurted, her curiosity morphing into a recruitment pitch.
Read advance chapters at:
200 Stones = 1 chapter
400 Stones = 2 chapter