Felis Veltheris
Level: 1
Strength: I0
Endurance: I0
Dexterity: I0
Agility: I0
Magic: I0
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.)
---
Felis's gaze flickered over the parchment in his hand, absorbing every detail of his newly bestowed Falna. No wonder Hestia had been so ecstatic.
Even at a glance, he understood the significance of his magic. Healers were rare, not just because healing magic itself was uncommon, but because it required a predisposition and extensive effort to develop. Unlike combat magic, which could be honed through battle, healing magic didn't grant excelia as easily. Even skilled healers often struggled to advance.
Then came his skills—each one an asset that would set him apart.
Libertas Aeternum. Immunity to abnormal status effects was a game-changer. Charm, poison, curses—none of them would work on him. Unfortunately, elemental effects like burns or freezing weren't included, but that was a small price to pay.
The unrestricted growth aspect was equally impressive. While most adventurers hit a natural cap at S-rank, Felis had no such restriction. It wasn't as ridiculous as Bell Cranel's Liaris Freese, but combined with his Job System, his growth would surpass most adventurers.
Then there was Numen Aquae.
Even at a glance, he could tell how valuable it was. His healing magic would become faster, stronger, and more efficient. The water affinity and resistance would aid him in combat, and the passive regeneration meant he'd recover from minor wounds without even casting a spell. Given the skill's name, there were likely hidden effects he hadn't discovered yet.
Felis handed the parchment back to Hestia, who was still bouncing excitedly on the bed. Watching her so full of energy was entertaining in its own way—her soft figure moving freely, completely unguarded. He wasn't about to complain about the view.
Still, he had something to ask.
"Hestia-sama, did you already lock my Falna?"
As if someone had hit the pause button, She froze mid-bounce. The bright grin on her face stiffened as realization dawned on her.
"He… Hehe… I… forgot how to do it."
Felis finished putting on his shirt before placing his hands under Hestia's armpits, his fingers pressing into the soft warmth of her skin. With little effort, he lifted her, her petite frame made it effortless, her body light yet undeniably supple in his grasp.
The brief contact, the slight squirm she made, and the way her body naturally molded to his hold—none of it was lost on him. Their height difference made the motion smooth and effortless, but as he gently set her down, a lingering sensation remained on his fingertips. he couldn't help but notice the slight flutter in her breath, She blinked up at him, wide blue eyes filled with mild shock before her usual energy returned.
"Then how about we register at the Guild first and ask your friend how to do it? After that, we can pick up something for dinner."
Her pout barely lasted a second before she brightened, her mood shifting as quickly as ever. "That's a great idea, Felis-kun!"
She grasped his hands, squeezing them lightly.
Her enthusiasm was oddly contagious.
"Un! Let's do it! If I ask Hephaestus, she'll definitely tell me how! Let's go, Felis-kun!"
She grabbed his left hand and tugged him along, practically skipping forward.
Being led away by Hestia, Felis followed her obediently, his gaze drifting to his right hand—his mind replaying what had happened on the bed earlier. The sensation of her softness, the way she had moved so freely without a hint of restraint, was still fresh in his memory. A slow smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as he nodded to himself.
'There is always another chance.'
---
At the Guild, they were greeted by Eina, a half-elf receptionist Felis had met several times before. Since he had frequently visited the Guild to research dojos and potential Familia options, they were already acquainted.
What he hadn't expected, however, was the painful registration process.
Signing forms, filling out documents, verifying details—it was an absolute chore. Felis had assumed it would be a simple process, but bureaucratic nonsense made it far more tedious than he'd imagined.
Adventurers had to register with their patron deity present. If their god or goddess was unavailable, a high-ranking executive from their Familia could take their place. But since Hestia Familia was just the two of them, she had to suffer through the process alongside him.
By the time they were done, it was already 4 PM.
Felis let out a slow exhale as he stepped out of the Guild, stretching his arms slightly. That had taken far longer than expected. Registering as an adventurer should have been a simple process—sign some forms, verify his status, and be done with it.
But reality was never so kind.
The bureaucratic nightmare had dragged on for hours. Form after form, question after question—it was an endless cycle of redundant paperwork. Every time he thought they were done, another document was shoved his way.
Hestia groaned, her petite body slumping forward in exhaustion.
Her shoulders sagged. "Felis-kun… I think I lost ten years of my divine life in there…" Before she could complain any further, strong hands suddenly grasped her legs.
before she could complain any further, he crouched down and, without warning, lifted her onto his back.
"Wha—?!"
A startled squeak escaped her lips as he adjusted his grip, securing her small frame with ease. Her hands instinctively clutched his shoulders, her body tensing at the sudden lift.
He could feel her warmth against him, her soft curves pressing into his back. The moment she settled in, a slow breath tickled the side of his neck, sending an odd sensation down his spine.
Hestia, for her part, went completely still.
Then—
"You—! You can't just pick me up whenever you feel like it!" she sputtered, squirming slightly.
Felis only chuckled, deliberately maintaining a slow, steady pace as he walked. "You looked ready to collapse, Hestia-sama."
Huffing in defeat, she slumped slightly against him, letting her body settle into the ride.
Silence settled between them.
Warm.
That was the first thing Felis noticed.
Hestia was light, incredibly so, but the way she clung to him made her presence feel much larger. Her chest pressed against his back, rising and falling with each breath. Her fingers curled lightly over his shoulders, hesitant yet firm.
And then there was her scent—sweet, warm, and faintly reminiscent of something comforting.
His smirk deepened.
He could get used to this.
Another small grumble left her lips, but this time, she didn't sound annoyed—just… resigned. Slowly, her weight eased further into him, as if surrendering to the comfort.
Felis felt her head tilt slightly, resting against the side of his neck.
"…Mmh," she mumbled sleepily. "Go that way… to Hephaestus' smithy…"
Her breath brushed his skin.
Felis chuckled softly, following her half-conscious directions.
As her breathing grew slower, more relaxed, he glanced over his shoulder just enough to catch a glimpse of her face. Her long lashes fluttered slightly, her expression peaceful.
'She's actually going to fall asleep, isn't she?'
His smirk softened.
Not that he minded.
Adjusting his hold, he continued walking at a leisurely pace, making sure not to disturb her. After all, if his goddess was going to doze off against his back…
Well, it would be a shame not to let her enjoy the ride.
---
Upon arrival, Felis stopped outside, leaning casually against a nearby wall as Hestia disappeared into the smithy. He had no business barging into the domain of a divine blacksmith, especially without an invitation.
Still, he could imagine how things were playing out inside.
'She's definitely bragging about me instead of sticking to the plan, isn't she?'
The wait stretched on longer than expected, and Felis found himself idly watching the flow of adventurers passing through the streets. The setting sun bathed Orario in deep hues of orange and violet, casting long shadows between the buildings. The scent of burning coals and molten metal drifted from the smithy, mingling with the evening air.
Finally, the doors swung open.
Hestia emerged with a victorious grin, her steps light and energetic. The way she practically radiated smug satisfaction told him everything he needed to know—whatever discussion she'd had with Hephaestus, it had been less about practical matters and more about showing off.
Not that he minded.
Spotting him, she picked up her pace, her chest bouncing ever so slightly with each hurried step.
"Let's go, Felis-kun! Today, we celebrate our Familia's founding day!" she declared, holding up a pouch triumphantly. "Hephaestus gave me a lot of money for it!"
Felis chuckled, his golden eyes glinting with amusement. "Then let's buy some good food and daily necessities. I'd rather celebrate at home than eat out. I don't want some unexpected incident ruining the mood."
Hestia pursed her lips but quickly nodded.
"Umumumumu… You're right, Felis-kun. If I run into that washing board, my mood will just be ruined."
She huffed, crossing her arms as she muttered darkly under her breath. Even without hearing the full complaint, he had a good idea of who she was referring to.
Before he could comment, her small hand suddenly grabbed his.
Warm. Soft. A little firm, as if she wasn't planning to let go anytime soon.
"Come on, come on! Let's go shopping!"
Without waiting for a reply, she tugged him forward, her energy as boundless as ever despite the long day.
Felis let himself be pulled along, watching the way her twin tails bounced with each step. The gentle sway of her hips, the excited way she glanced around—it was hard not to be entertained.
The sun had dipped lower, lanterns flickering to life one by one as shops prepared for the evening crowd. The warm glow illuminated the streets, casting a golden hue over the bustling market. The scent of freshly baked bread and sizzling meat filled the air, a stark contrast to the earlier exhaustion from dealing with the Guild's endless paperwork.
Felis glanced at Hestia, her expression alight with excitement as she led the way.
She was enjoying this.
And for some reason… he was too.
A small smirk tugged at his lips.
'Finally, my story is starting.'