'Falna'—the blessing granted by the gods to the mortals of the lower world. It turns one's abilities into quantifiable data, allowing them to grow stronger through accumulated experience. As they continue to evolve, unique skills may emerge, unlocking new and unforeseen possibilities.
For any new Adventurer, this ceremony is vital. It essentially transforms one's innate talent into data—potentially giving rise to extraordinary abilities. Those born with such gifts are often given better treatment within their Familia, and that, in turn, elevates their standing.
Led by Hephaestus, Bell and Hestia ascended to the second floor of the shop, a workspace Hephaestus typically used. It served well enough as a makeshift site for the Falna ceremony—though it was clear Hephaestus had only relented under Hestia's persistent begging.
"Bell-kun, take off your clothes and turn your back to me."
"Yes."
Bell swiftly removed his windbreaker and the coarse linen shirt beneath it, exposing his smooth back. He turned around, now facing away from Hestia-sama.
Looking at his pale back and the faint outline of his muscles, Hestia thought, 'Looks like he's been training.' She reminded herself that this was just a countryside boy who had come to Orario in search of strength. Taking a quiet breath, she picked up a plain knife from the nearby table, gently pricked her finger, and let a drop of divine blood bead from the cut.
She smeared her blood across the chosen child's back, allowing his body to absorb the essence of a god. This act completed the ritual, bestowing the Falna upon her new Familia member—granting him divine power.
The godly blood slowly sank into Bell's skin, forming the unique tattoo marking him as part of Hestia's Familia. As the Goddess of the Hearth, the mark on his back took the shape of a stove and flames. Holy script appeared around it, and a soft blue glow radiated from Bell's back. His personal status had now been engraved.
[Name: Bell Cranel
Lv.1
Attributes:
Strength: I0
Endurance: I0
Dexterity: I0
Agility: I0
Magic: I0
Magic:
"Four-Dimensional Space": Storage
Skills:
"Personal Training": Early Bloomer]
"Ahhh!!!"
Hestia couldn't help but let out a shout. As her very first Familia member, Bell's stats meant everything to her. If he had both magic and a skill from the start, it would significantly boost his chances of survival. She had braced herself for disappointment, fully expecting him to have neither. Yet somehow, he had both.
Curious, Hephaestus stepped forward and glanced over the data. Her initial thought was, 'Even if he has a skill and magic, that's no reason to make such a fuss.' But one glance was all it took for her to understand Hestia's reaction.
'Early Bloomer and a space-type storage spell… Hestia, what did you do—save the world in a past life?'
Adventurers often awaken abilities that align with their nature upon receiving a god's blessing. To possess both magic and a skill from the moment one joins a Familia is a sign of exceptional talent. And among those abilities, some are mundane while others are exceedingly rare. Without a doubt, Hestia's first Familia member had drawn some of the rarest of the rare.
"Among all types of magic, spatial magic is the most unusual. And even if it's just for storage, it's still incredibly impressive. On top of that, he also has a skill—and not just any skill. 'Early Bloomer' is a rarity among rarities. Its value is obvious just from the name alone."
Once she understood just how special the magic and skill were, even Hephaestus—who normally didn't care much about the strength of Familia members—couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy toward Hestia.
'If the other gods find out about this kid's magic and skill, they'll definitely try to steal him away.'
There was no doubt about it—Hestia had struck gold. With enough time, this child would grow faster than anyone could imagine.
'The skill description doesn't mention any conditions. That means it activates unconditionally. It accelerates growth and reduces the number of party members needed to explore the Dungeon. If this child steps into the Dungeon, he could easily break every growth record to date.'
Hephaestus could already see it—a new heroic tale about to unfold. With talents like these, this boy wouldn't remain anonymous for long. He was destined to shock, excite, and captivate all of Orario.
"Hestia, you really need to be careful. This kid's abilities are far too exceptional. You won't be able to protect him on your own. Once those troublesome gods catch wind of this, they'll definitely try to take him from you."
"Ugh..."
Just moments ago, Hestia had been overjoyed about finding such a perfect first Familia member. Now, her spirits plummeted. She knew Hephaestus was right. If someone set their sights on Bell, she probably wouldn't be able to keep him safe alone.
"I get it. I'll make sure Bell-kun stays cautious from now on."
If his abilities were revealed too soon, she wouldn't be able to protect him. But as long as they stayed hidden, there'd be no problem.
'Is this really going to be okay? That child's fine, but it's Hestia I'm more worried about.'
Truthfully, Hephaestus wasn't all that concerned about Bell. From the moment he arrived, he'd shown a remarkable steadiness. For someone so young to be that composed... he had to have gone through something. 'It probably ties back to his past,' she figured.
'The magic isn't the issue—it's the skill. "Early Bloomer" has no activation condition. Hestia's kid is bound to walk an entirely different path than anyone else.'
Hephaestus let out a quiet sigh, casting a glance at Hestia, whose face couldn't hide her excitement and glee.
'It's seriously hard to get this idiot to understand anything. I'll have to make sure she doesn't go blabbing to the Guild about the kid's level. If his growth gets exposed too soon, way too many eyes will be on him.'