Danmachi: God of Heroes

With this we finish the Soma familia arc, now I would like your opinions.

Do we continue with Evilus? or do we go with the Astrea familia incident?

—-

The first to arrive at Xander's headquarters were Finn, Riveria, and little Ais, escorted by a couple of Loki Familia members who stayed outside. Veldrin and Xander greeted them in the main room, where Lili watched from a corner, without intervening.

Finn was the first to speak. "So a duel with Zanis Lustra." His expression was neutral, but his tone held a hint of skepticism. "He doesn't seem like the type to accept a fair fight."

"It isn't," Veldrin replied calmly. "But I gave him an incentive he couldn't refuse."

Riveria raised an eyebrow. "What kind of incentive?"

"Money."

Finn sighed and crossed his arms. "That sounds more like him."

Xander leaned an elbow on the back of his chair and looked at Finn. "Loki said you guys would be overseeing the duel. Does that mean everything is settled?"

Finn nodded. "Yes. The arena has been set aside for the fight. We'll make sure there's no cheating and the rules are followed."

Veldrin nodded approvingly. "That makes things easier."

Riveria, however, did not seem entirely convinced. "And what happens if you lose?"

The elf turned to her with a calm expression. "I won't lose."

Finn exchanged a glance with Riveria before looking away at Xander.

"And what do you think?"

Xander shrugged. "Veldrin knows what he's doing." He leaned forward a little, his tone still relaxed. "But I'm not going to sit around giving victory speeches before it happens, either."

Riveria raised an eyebrow, but Finn simply nodded, seemingly satisfied with the answer.

"We will make sure this is done with clear rules," Finn said. "But it better be worth it."

Xander exhaled softly. "I hope so."

Veldrin crossed his arms. "It will be."

Finn watched them for a moment before nodding. "Then, I'll see you in the arena."

Riveria remained silent, although her gaze indicated that she would analyze every detail of what happened.

The duel was officially underway.

The meeting with Finn and the others ended without further interruptions. Veldrin escorted them out, while Xander stayed with Lili in the living room. The pallum seemed restless, drumming her fingers on the table without saying anything.

"What's wrong?" Xander asked, leaning back in his chair.

Lili looked at him, hesitating for a moment before speaking. "…Lili thinks this is dangerous."

Xander smiled. "I don't deny it."

"So why do you do it?"

The god let out a sigh and stretched a little. "Why not?"

Lili frowned. "That's not an answer."

Xander chuckled and looked at her a little more seriously. "Because Veldrin wants to. Because the Soma familia isn't going to leave you alone while that guy is in charge. And because…" He shrugged. "…because sometimes things only change when someone forces them to change." Lili looked down.

Xander cocked his head, studying her. "Are you scared?"

"Lili isn't sure." Her voice was small. "She wants Zanis to get what he deserves. But… if something goes wrong…"

Xander smiled confidently. "Nothing is going to go wrong." Lili looked at him with a frown.

He raised his hands in a gesture of surrender. "Okay, okay. I admit, there are a lot of things that can go wrong. But that's where we come in, right? To make sure it doesn't."

Lili didn't respond immediately. She crossed her arms and looked away. "Xander talks like he can always do something about it."

The god was silent for a moment, then smiled with a hint of irony. "At least, I'm trying to do so now."

Lili didn't look at him directly, but her expression softened a little.

Xander leaned against the table. "You better get some rest. Tomorrow is going to be a long day." Lili nodded silently.

The sun was beginning to set over Orario. The night before the duel had arrived.

Veldrin walked silently alongside Finn and Riveria, escorting them out of the headquarters. Little Ais, on the other hand, seemed more interested in him than in the conversation between the adults.

After a few minutes of walking, Ais finally broke the silence. "You are strong."

Veldrin glanced at her. "I'm trying."

She tilted her head, as if analyzing his words. "How did you become strong?"

The elf thought for a moment. "Training. Fighting. Losing."

Ais frowned slightly. "Losing?"

Veldrin smiled slightly. "If you don't lose, you don't learn. If you don't learn, you don't improve."

She was silent for a moment, as if she was processing the thought. Then, with a more resolute expression, she asked, "Can you make me strong?"

Riveria and Finn turned briefly upon hearing that, but didn't intervene.

Veldrin raised an eyebrow. "Do you want me to train you?"

Ais nodded determinedly.

Veldrin gave a short laugh. "I'm not sure your familia would agree."

"That doesn't matter." Ais didn't hesitate for a second. "I want to be strong."

The elf looked at her for a moment before shrugging. "If you ever need advice, I can give you some."

Ais seemed satisfied with the answer and nodded, silently following him as they walked through the streets of Orario.

Finn watched the interaction with a slight smile. "You have an interesting way of explaining things to her."

Veldrin shrugged. "I don't see the need to sugarcoat it. If someone wants to be strong, they have to accept that they will lose many times before they succeed."

Riveria crossed her arms and sighed. "You are quite pragmatic for an elf."

Veldrin let out a light laugh. "I've been told that before."

Finn glanced at Ais, who was walking with a serious expression, clearly pondering the conversation. He then turned his attention to Veldrin. "It's not often that she asks someone for training. I think you made quite an impression on her."

Veldrin glanced at the girl. "She has determination. That's the most important thing."

Riveria looked at Finn with a warning look. "Don't give her any ideas. We already have enough with her wanting to go down to the Dungeon alone."

Finn laughed. "Don't worry, I'm not encouraging her… too much."

Ais didn't seem interested in the adults' conversation and simply continued walking with her gaze fixed ahead. Veldrin simply shook his head and continued escorting them.

Veldrin looked at Finn as they walked. "I have a question. What is it like to lead a familia?"

Finn raised an eyebrow. "Why do you ask?"

Veldrin looked ahead. "If everything goes well with the duel, Lili will be free from the Soma familia. And if that happens… she will be under my care."

Finn nodded in understanding. "Being captain of a familia isn't just about giving orders or being the strongest. It's about taking responsibility for your people, making sure they grow, have a purpose, and most of all, that they have confidence in you."

Veldrin pondered for a moment. "What if I make mistakes?"

Finn smiled. "You will make mistakes. It's inevitable. But the important thing is to learn from them and move on."

Riveria intervened in his calm tone: "A good leader is not one who never makes mistakes, but one who knows how to correct his mistakes without losing sight of his objective."

Veldrin nodded slowly. He looked at his own hands, remembering all the times he had acted alone, not caring about anyone but himself. But now he had Lili, and for the first time in a long time, someone would depend on him.

Ais, who had been listening silently, suddenly spoke up. "So… a leader is like a hero?"

Finn gave her a fond look. "You could say so. But a leader has to make tough decisions, even if they aren't always heroic."

Veldrin sighed. "That sounds more complicated than I thought."

Finn laughed. "It is. But if you're already thinking about it, then you're already on the right track."

Finn nodded, satisfied. "Then we'll see you there."

Riveria gave him an appraising look. "Don't get too confident."

"Don't worry." Veldrin smiled calmly. "I'll just do what I know how to do."

Ais looked at him silently, as if she wanted to say something, but finally stood still next to Riveria.

Finn pointed at the scroll. "That's the exact location. Don't be late."

"I wont." Veldrin put it back into his belt and watched as the Loki Familia retreated.

With a sigh, he turned on his heel and headed back to his familia's headquarters. Time was running out.

…

Veldrin silently sharpened his glaives, the clanging sound filling the room. His expression was tense, but focused. Lili watched from the corner, hugging her legs to her chest, unsure of what to say.

Xander, leaning against the wall, broke the silence with a calm voice: "You don't have to do this alone, you know that, right?"

Veldrin did not stop sharpening his weapon. "I know."

Lili bit her lip. "If something goes wrong…"

"It won't go wrong." Veldrin looked at her for the first time since he started preparing. "I'm going to win."

The atmosphere weighed on them. Although no one said it out loud, they knew what was at stake.

Xander sighed and pushed himself away from the wall, walking until he was in front of Veldrin.

"I've seen this before, you know? Situations like this… while watching Genkai." He crossed his arms. "The guy with the shining sword, ready to save the day, confident in his victory because he's the 'hero.' And what happens next? He gets crushed, because he forgot something important: he's not the protagonist of the world."

Veldrin stopped sharpening his glaive and looked up, saying nothing.

Xander continued, "It's fine that you want to be the hero, but don't think you're invincible. Zanis is scum, but he's experienced scum. You saw that he's no weakling. What if he has an ace up his sleeve? What if he doesn't fight fair? If you get complacent, if you let your guard down for just a second, everything we're fighting for goes to hell."

Lili tensed, her head lowered as she looked at Veldrin with concern.

Veldrin took a breath and let it out slowly. He looked down at his glaive, running his fingers along the blade in thought.

"I know…" he said quietly. "It's not just pride. I can't afford to lose."

Xander watched him for a moment and then nodded. "Then make sure that's true."

Lili clenched her fists, her gaze darting from one to the other. Finally, she took a deep breath and said firmly, "Lili believes in Veldrin."

Veldrin smiled slightly. "Thank you, Lili." Then he looked at Xander. "And thank you too. I'll make sure I'm ready."

A dry knock resounded at the main door of the headquarters.

Veldrin, Xander, and Lili exchanged glances. No one said anything, but the tension in the air grew thicker. Veldrin walked over and calmly opened the door, only to find himself face to face with Zanis Lustra.

The man had his usual arrogant smile, accompanied by a pair of Soma familia adventurers following closely behind him, like hunting dogs ready to pounce.

"It was obvious," Zanis said mockingly, not even bothering to salute. "A masked elf causing trouble for my men… It wasn't hard to put it together." Veldrin didn't react, he simply held her gaze coldly.

"So, does that mean you accept the duel?" he asked in a neutral voice.

Zanis gave a short laugh. "Of course. I couldn't refuse such a generous offer."

Xander, leaning against the door frame with his arms crossed, raised an eyebrow. "Well, it's good that you came. Everything is ready for the duel. We won't waste any more of your time." Veldrin kept his gaze fixed on Zanis for a moment before speaking.

"The duel will be held on neutral ground. I don't want any complaints afterwards."

Zanis raised an eyebrow in disinterest. "And where would that be?"

Veldrin handed him a piece of paper with an address written on it. "Here. A wide, uninterrupted space."

Zanis took the paper and read it quickly before putting it away in his jacket. "Very thoughtful." Xander smiled with mock politeness. "We just want to make sure this is fair."

"Of course," Zanis muttered mockingly before turning away. His men followed him without a word.

When the door closed, Lili let out a contained sigh.

Xander ran a hand through his hair and looked at Veldrin. "Well, that was less dramatic than I expected."

Veldrin didn't say anything. He just looked at the door, his brow furrowed slightly.

Because now yes, everything was on track.

They waited a while before leaving. They couldn't rule out the possibility that Zanis would try something dirty before the duel. Xander was especially insistent on that. "Heroes don't run straight into a trap, Veldrin."

The elf did not argue. Although he wanted to get this over with as quickly as possible, he knew that caution was necessary. So they waited.

When they finally arrived at the agreed point, Finn, Riveria and little Ais were already there, waiting for them.

Finn smiled at the sight of them. "I'm glad to see you weren't intercepted on the way."

Riveria scanned them with her gaze, her expression calm but attentive. "Everything in order?"

Xander nodded. "For now."

Ais, the little girl, looked at Veldrin with those golden eyes full of curiosity. "Are you going to win?"

Veldrin paused for a moment at the question, then smiled slightly. "I'm going to fight."

Finn crossed his arms. "Well, then let's see if all this is worth it."

Xander crossed his arms and looked at Riveria with an incredulous smile. "By the way, why are you here? It's weird enough that Loki let Finn come oversee this, but there's also you, one of his executives, and Ais."

Riveria, with her usual serenity, replied without hesitation: "I am here to supervise Ais. Nothing more."

Xander cocked his head, suspicious. "Ais?"

Riveria nodded. "She could learn something from this."

Veldrin looked at the little blonde. Her expression was still calm, but there was a curious glint in her golden eyes. It was strange. While the duel itself was not particularly noble, for someone as young as Ais, it might represent something more.

Finn chimed in, his usual matter-of-fact tone. "It's not unusual for people to learn by watching serious combat. Ais has seen duels before."

Xander sighed. "I guess there's nothing wrong with that… but it's still curious."

Veldrin was silent for a moment before finally nodding. "In any case, we can't be distracted. Zanis will be here soon, and if my gut tells me anything, it's that he'll come with some trick up his sleeve."

Finn smiled slightly. "Of course he will. But that's what we're here for."

The tension in the air was palpable. Not only because the duel would decide Lili's fate, but because everyone knew this wasn't going to be resolved in any simple way.

Time passed slowly as they waited. Tension hung in the air, each second lengthening with the uncertainty of what Zanis would do. Then, finally, the sounds of heavy footsteps and murmuring reached them.

Zanis appeared at the head of a group of about ten adventurers from the Soma familia. His expression was initially confident, but as soon as his eyes scanned the scene and he recognized those present, his expression changed drastically.

His eyes flicked to Finn, who maintained his relaxed yet calculating demeanor, and then to Riveria, who watched with the same unperturbed serenity as always.

"…Braver." Her voice was strained as she said Finn's nickname. Then, her gaze slid to Riveria. "Nine Hells."

Zanis paused for a moment, eyes narrowing. His once arrogant posture became more rigid.

Finn smiled calmly. "Supervising. We have no interest in intervening as long as everything remains fair."

Zanis gritted his teeth, shooting a glance at Veldrin, as if he wanted to blame him for this. But he couldn't back out anymore. Not without completely losing his credibility with the Soma adventurers.

Riveria simply added in her cold tone: "We hope you understand what that means."

Xander didn't say anything, but he watched the scene closely. Having Finn and Riveria there didn't mean everything was safe. This was still a risk. And if something went wrong, things would get complicated very quickly.

Zanis gulped, his gaze alternating between Finn and Riveria. He hadn't expected the Loki Familia to be involved in this, much less to send two of their most important figures. But to back down now would be to admit that he was in a weaker position, and that wasn't something he could afford.

"Fine." His voice regained some of its usual tone, though there was still a trace of stiffness in it. "I suppose I have no objection. A duel is a duel, after all."

He looked at Veldrin, trying to regain some of his arrogance. "I hope you're not expecting mercy."

Veldrin did not respond immediately. His gaze was cold, analytical.

"I don't care what you hope to do," he said at last, adjusting his grip on his glaive. "I just hope you don't make excuses when you lose."

The Soma adventurers reacted to the provocation, some displaying mocking smiles, others muttering amongst themselves. But Zanis did not rise to the bait.

Instead, he looked around, making sure everything was in order. "I guess there's nothing more to discuss."

Finn stepped forward, his voice raising with authority. "If you're both ready, we'll set the conditions. This is a one-on-one duel, with no outside intervention. Victory will be decided when one of us can't continue or surrenders."

Zanis smirked. "There will be no need for anyone to give up." Finn nodded. "Then, if there are no objections… step forward."

Veldrin stepped forward without hesitation, his stance firm. Zanis did the same, though his expression showed a mix of irritation and determination.

The confrontation was about to begin.

Finn raised a hand and, with a sharp gaze that assessed both combatants, quickly lowered it.

"Begin!"

Veldrin lunged forward in a flash, his glaive whistling through the air in a horizontal slash. He wasn't going to underestimate Zanis, but he knew that speed was his greatest advantage. If he could master the pace of the fight from the start, the duel would be in his favor.

However, Zanis reacted just as quickly. He dodged with a nimble sideways movement and counterattacked with a blow aimed at Veldrin's side. Veldrin barely managed to get his weapon in the way, deflecting the attack with a flash of sparks.

Veldrin frowned.

Most of the adventurers he had faced relied on brute force or clumsy tactics. But Zanis… Zanis was not only fast, but he also had surgical precision.

It wasn't going to be easy.

Wasting no time, Veldrin spun on his axis, using the force of the deflection to launch another attack. His glaive moved in a flurry of swift slashes, but Zanis moved with him, dodging and blocking with near-perfect timing.

The sound of clashing metal filled the air as the two exchanged blows at a speed that even surprised some of the adventurers watching.

"Wow, this is really unexpected," Finn muttered, watching the fight with interest.

Riveria narrowed her eyes. "Zanis is more skilled than he appears."

Ais, standing beside him, kept her gaze fixed on the fight, her fists clenched.

Meanwhile, Veldrin and Zanis continued their deadly dance. Both moved quickly, neither managing to gain a clear advantage over the other.

The duel was far from decided.

Veldrin barely had time to react before Zanis moved with unexpected speed. An instant later, his fist slammed into the elf's abdomen with devastating force.

The air left Veldrin's lungs in a rush. He staggered back, his vision blurring for a moment and a sudden dizziness setting in. His posture cracked, and for the first time in the duel, the ground beneath him seemed unstable.

Zanis smirked, relaxing his stance just a bit. "What's wrong, elf? Don't tell me that was enough to throw you off balance?"

Veldrin clicked his tongue, trying to catch his breath. His side burned and his mind raced, but he couldn't allow himself to lose control. He straightened his back slowly, raising his glaives again.

From a distance, Finn watched silently, his expression serious. Riveria narrowed her eyes, assessing the progress of the fight.

Xander, arms crossed, said nothing, but his jaw was tense.

Lili was barely breathing.

Veldrin gritted his teeth and tightened his grip on the glaives. Zanis was stronger than he had expected, and the blow from earlier still weighed heavily on his body. But he couldn't falter now.

The elf moved forward quickly, spinning his right glaive in an upward slash aimed at Zanis' chest. With the same speed with which he had counterattacked earlier, Zanis leaned his body backwards, dodging the blade by the narrowest of margins. Wasting no time, Zanis launched a knee strike at Veldrin's exposed side.

Veldrin barely managed to intercept it with the handle of his other glaive, but the force of the impact forced him back. He barely regained his balance before he had to raise his weapons again to block a punch aimed at his face.

The clash of attacks did not cease.

Veldrin's every strike was precise, cutting, seeking any opening in his opponent's stance. But Zanis not only matched his speed, he surpassed it at key moments.

The edge of one of his glaives cut through the air, but Zanis spun on his axis and slid out of reach with insulting ease. Before Veldrin could readjust his position, Zanis' fist slammed into his side, followed by another swift blow to his forearm.

The impact numbed his grip for a second, enough for his left arm to go weak.

Veldrin grunted and stepped back, trying to recompose his defense. His breathing was heavier than he would like to admit.

Zanis smirked. "That's all? And you're the great elf who's been causing trouble for my men?"

Veldrin didn't respond. Instead, he attacked again.

This time, instead of lunging head-on, he feinted a move with his right and spun on his own axis, sliding his left glaive in a low arc, seeking out Zanis' legs.

But Zanis reacted with absurd speed, jumping at just the right moment to avoid the slash. In midair, he twisted his body and launched a downward kick.

Veldrin tried to move, but the blow hit his shoulder.

The force forced him to kneel for a moment. A moment too long.

Zanis didn't miss the opportunity. He charged forward and launched a series of attacks with his fists, forcing Veldrin to block with difficulty. Each impact echoed through his arms, draining his stamina.

The spires trembled in his hands.

Lili watched the fight with her fists clenched. "Veldrin…" she murmured, her voice barely a worried whisper.

Xander remained silent, his expression serious.

Riveria and Finn exchanged glances. Ais, beside them, had her eyes fixed on the battle, attached to every movement as if she could learn something from each moment.

Veldrin stood up slowly, taking a deep breath. Sweat was pouring down his forehead.

I couldn't go on like this.

If the fight continued at this pace, he would lose.

The air around Veldrin rippled for an instant before a flame erupted from his body. His cloak of fire enveloped his silhouette, rippling with intensity, illuminating his figure in an orange glow. Sparks danced around him, and the immediate heat caused the ground beneath his feet to blacken slightly.

Zanis, who had been fighting with a confident smile until now, frowned and instinctively took a step back. The change in the atmosphere was undeniable.

Veldrin took a deep breath, feeling the energy coursing through his body. His muscles, tired from the series of blows he had received, now seemed to lighten under the heat of his own magic. It was a risk. Keeping Immolation active for too long could exhaust him faster. But if he was already at a disadvantage in speed and strength, then making sure that every blow he received came with punishment was his best option.

"If you're going to hit me, prepare to burn with me," Veldrin thought.

Zanis didn't have time to assess the situation. He immediately charged in.

With a fluid spin, he drew an arc with his right glaive, the flames following the blade like a whip of fire. Zanis raised an arm to block, confident that his speed would allow him to avoid harm… but the instant the steel of his forearm guard grazed the glaive, the flames erupted towards him, enveloping his arm in a fiery glow.

Zanis growled and stepped back sharply, shaking his limb to dissipate the fire.

"Damn it!" he hissed, looking down at his forearm, where the red, smouldering burn was beginning to spread.

Veldrin gave him no respite.

Taking advantage of Veldrin's hesitation, he charged forward quickly, unleashing a series of slashes and stabs with his glaives, each accompanied by incandescent flashes. Zanis dodged with difficulty, and every time he tried to counterattack, the barrier of flames surrounding Veldrin's body made him think twice.

He couldn't get close without feeling the scorching heat biting into his skin.

But Zanis was not the kind of man to stay cornered for long.

Gritting his teeth, he forced an opening in Veldrin's attack, feigning a retreat before propelling himself forward in an aggressive manner. His fist slammed into Veldrin's side, piercing through the layer of flames and striking with full force.

The impact resounded loudly.

However, almost instantly, Zanis let out a hiss of pain and jerked away.

The skin on his fist was red and smoking, with clear signs of a severe burn. His breathing became ragged, and he looked at his hand with a mixture of fury and frustration. "Tch…!"

Veldrin, though he felt the blow shake his ribs, maintained his composure.

"What happened, Zanis?" he teased with a tired smile, though still on guard. "Didn't you want to fight up close?"

Zanis's eyes burned with icy fury. It was clear he wasn't going to let this go.

Finn watched the fight intently.

"This changes the rules of the duel," he said, crossing his arms.

Riveria nodded.

"It will depend on how long I can keep it up."

Ais barely blinked, recording every movement in her mind.

Veldrin took a deep breath, feeling the sweat running down his back, mixing with the scorching heat of his own magic.

The duel was far from decided.

Zanis gritted his teeth, quickly assessing his situation. He couldn't afford another burn like the one on his arm or fist. Every time he crossed swords with Veldrin, the scorching heat punished him, chipping away at his resistance little by little.

Veldrin noticed it.

Now he was the one putting pressure on.

The glaives flashed with each strike, leaving a trail of flames that forced Zanis to move more cautiously. Each attempted counterattack ended with him retreating another step, his body tense, his jaw clenched in frustration.

"What's wrong, Zanis?" Veldrin said between blows, his voice sharp with adrenaline. "You seemed very confident a moment ago."

Zanis snarled, blocking a downward slash with his short sword. The blade shuddered at the impact, and though he managed to avoid the cut, the flames from the glaive clung to the hilt of his weapon. He had to let go for an instant before the fire reached his hand.

Veldrin took advantage of the opening.

With a quick spin, he drew a crescent moon with his left glaive, aiming for Zanis' ribs.

Zanis barely managed to push himself back, feeling the blade scrape against his armor and leaving a black mark where the flames licked the metal.

Now it was he who was on the defensive.

Finn watched from his position, his blue eyes sharp as daggers.

"You're forcing him to change his fighting style," he murmured approvingly. "Well done."

Riveria nodded, though her expression remained serious.

"But if Zanis finds a way to counter it, the advantage could disappear in an instant."

Veldrin knew it.

He couldn't be trusted.

He continued to attack relentlessly, forcing Zanis to move, to lose his position, to recalculate each step. Flames crackled with each clash of steel, illuminating the tense faces of the spectators.

Zanis was losing ground.

But he wasn't the kind of man to give up without one last play.

Veldrin saw it.

The change in his stance, the way he gripped his gun tighter, the calculating glint in his eyes.

Something was coming.

The fight between Veldrin and Zanis continued with intensity. The flames of immolation burned around them, forcing Zanis to move with greater caution. However, the tension in the air did not only come from the duel.

Among the spectators, a Soma adventurer moved subtly, raising his arm cautiously. Amidst the shadows of the crowd, a hidden crossbow slid into view, its bolt already at the ready.

Nobody noticed.

Except Ais.

From her position, the little swordswoman had been watching the fight intently, her golden eyes shining brightly. It was a small movement, a reflection of light on metal, that alerted her.

With quick but silent steps, she slipped through the spectators, approaching the adventurer before he could fix his aim.

Without warning, he raised his sword and struck the crossbow with the flat of the blade, deflecting the weapon toward the ground.

The adventurer was startled and looked down, finding the golden-haired girl staring at him with a cold, unforgiving gaze.

"Put the crossbow down," Ais said in a calm tone, but with the confidence of someone who knew exactly what she was doing.

The adventurer gritted his teeth, but seeing how firmly the girl held her sword, he hesitated.

"If you try anything, I will stop you," Ais continued, with the same calm expression.

For a moment, the adventurer debated whether he could just slap her away and continue with his plan. But then, he remembered who he was facing.

She wasn't just a little girl.

It was Ais Wallenstein.

An adventurer from the Loki familia.

The adventurer swallowed and, with clenched teeth, slowly lowered the crossbow.

Ais didn't move away. She made sure the weapon was completely out of play before she looked back at the duel, not turning away entirely.

I wouldn't let anyone interfere.

As the duel continued, Veldrin began to notice a pattern in Zanis' movements. Despite his speed and agility, there were certain subtle gestures, little hints that gave away his next action. A slight shift in the stance of his legs before charging, the way he twisted his wrist slightly before a diagonal slash.

Veldrin felt his body begin to react more naturally. His instincts adjusted, his reflexes sharpened. Zanis was still fast, but his attacks seemed less unpredictable now.

With that new understanding, he made a decision.

The flames engulfing him began to dissipate, the glow of immolation disappearing in a matter of seconds. The scorching heat vanished, and with it, the fiery barrier that had been keeping his opponent at bay.

Zanis raised an eyebrow at the change.

"You ran out of magic?" he asked with a mocking smile, not missing the opportunity to launch a slash directly at Veldrin's torso.

But the elf had already anticipated the move.

He deflected the attack with one of his glaives, taking a side step at the same time. The absence of the flames allowed him to move more freely, without worrying about controlling his own fire or calculating the drain on his magic.

"I was just warming up," Veldrin replied with a half-smile, adjusting his grip on his weapons.

Zanis clicked his tongue, taking a step back to readjust his stance. For the first time in the entire fight, he felt the advantage he had been holding begin to slip away.

Zanis tried to halt Veldrin's offensive with another swift exchange of blows, but the elf was now in control. With each clash of weapons, Veldrin read his movements better, finding patterns in his defense. And when Zanis blocked too stiffly, there was the opportunity.

Veldrin feinted another slash with his right glaive, forcing Zanis to raise his weapon in defense. But it was a bluff. At the last instant, he spun on his heel and slashed low with his left glaive.

The blade cut cleanly through the cloth, leaving a wound in Zanis's side. It wasn't fatal, but blood gushed out instantly, staining his tunic.

Zanis growled and stepped back, bringing a hand to the wound. For a second, his eyes widened in surprise, but they were quickly replaced by fury.

Veldrin did not let his guard down, maintaining his firm stance.

"Looks like the first serious blow is mine."

Zanis breathed heavily, staring at the blood on his hand. His eyes darkened.

"Don't think this is over."

Zanis clenched his jaw, ignoring the sting of the wound in his side. He straightened up, a flash of fury in his eyes, and launched himself into the attack again. This time, his speed seemed even greater, as if the wound had only served to fuel his anger.

Veldrin blocked the first blow, but felt the force behind him, forcing him to slide backwards. He barely stabilized his stance when Zanis spun around, unleashing a series of rapid slashes with his sword.

The elf dodged them by inches, deflecting with his glaive when necessary, but every movement forced him back. Zanis no longer fought with the intent of dominating; he now attacked with uncontrolled aggression, determined to end the duel through sheer brute force.

Veldrin felt the tension in his own body. Despite landing a critical hit, Zanis was not backing down. His enemy was an experienced combatant, someone who knew how to fight under pressure, and now the balance of the fight seemed to be tipping again.

But Veldrin was not intimidated.

He wait.

He let Zanis continue to launch attacks, studying his rhythm, looking for the moment when his fury would make him careless.

And then he saw it.

A downward stroke that is too wide.

Veldrin leaned to the side, narrowly dodging, and countered with a diagonal slash. Zanis tried to back away, but he wasn't fast enough. The glaive's blade drew another line on his right arm, not as deep as the one on his side, but enough to make him grunt in pain.

This time, Veldrin didn't give him time to breathe.

He closed the distance and swung his glaive in a wide arc, forcing Zanis to raise his sword to block. But just as he did, Veldrin released his grip with one hand and threw a punch straight at his face.

The impact sounded dry.

Zanis staggered a couple of steps back, spitting out saliva and blood, but his gaze only grew darker.

Veldrin took a deep breath, feeling the fatigue building up in his muscles. He couldn't let Zanis regain control of the duel. In one fluid motion, he activated Immolation once more. Flames engulfed his body in a fierce blaze, casting orange flashes in the darkness of the night.

But this time, Zanis did not stop.

Eyes alight with determination and rage, he lunged forward, completely oblivious to the scorching heat beginning to mark his skin.

Veldrin blocked the first blow, but immediately felt the difference. Zanis did not falter, did not recoil from the pain of the flames. Instead, he pressed forward with brute force, forcing Veldrin to stay on the defensive.

A direct kick to the stomach.

Veldrin grunted and was forced to give ground. Before he could steady himself, another blow —this time, the fist wrapped in a metal gauntlet—impacted his face, shaking his vision for a second.

But Zanis was also paying the price.

The flames devoured his suit and burned his skin with every movement. His brow furrowed deeper with each passing second, his lips pressed together in an attempt to ignore the pain.

Veldrin tried to pull away, seeking to regain his rhythm, but Zanis pursued him relentlessly, delivering a fierce thrust that managed to graze his side. The elf gritted his teeth and countered with a downward slash, but Zanis barely flinched as the glaive's blade scraped across his shoulder.

Another punch, this time to the side of his head.

Veldrin felt his ears ringing and his balance wobbled.

Zanis was willing to endure the pain in order to overcome it.

And Veldrin was beginning to wonder how much longer he could hold out.

Their movements began to become more erratic. The surgical precision that had dominated the start of the duel was fading, replaced by desperate blows, labored breathing and muscles burning from the effort.

Zanis was panting, his face drenched in sweat, his skin blackened by burns. His onceimpeccable adventurer's outfit was now in tatters, scraps of fabric clinging to his charred flesh. But there was something dangerous in his eyes: a sick resolve, an absolute desire not to lose, no matter the cost.

Veldrin was no better off either. His body ached with every beat, and fatigue was beginning to numb his limbs. Immolation was a powerful weapon, but it demanded too much of him. He could no longer rely on his speed, nor on the precision of his technique. Now it all came down to endurance.

Strike. Block. Back. Advance.

The two traded blows with the fury of cornered beasts. The force of each impact made the air crack, but neither of them gave in.

Zanis slashed sideways with his sword, forcing Veldrin to block with one of his glaives. But instead of retreating, the Soma man spun around and landed a knee strike to Veldrin's abdomen.

The elf felt the air leave his lungs, but he refused to fall. He countered with a low sweep, forcing Zanis to jump back.

They both stood still for a second, breathing heavily.

Neither was going to win with a single blow.

This was no longer a fight for advantage.

It was a battle of attrition.

The sound of clashing metal and the combatants' gasps were the only things that broke the tense silence of the spectators.

Riveria watched the fight with a frown, her eyes analyzing every move. "This is getting too dangerous…" she muttered to herself. While Veldrin had more skill, Zanis made up for it with sheer stubbornness and cruelty.

Finn kept his arms crossed, his face impassive. However, his gaze was fixed on Veldrin. "At this rate, whoever gives in first will lose," he said, not taking his eyes off the duel. "But if Zanis is willing to take damage no matter the consequences… Veldrin will have a tough time."

Xander, standing with his hands in his pockets, looked relaxed on the surface, but the truth was different. Why does he insist on doing this the hard way? He wanted to intervene, to yell at him to finish quickly before he hurt himself any more. But he couldn't. Not now.

Ais watched the battle unblinkingly, her small fists clenched tightly. She didn't understand many of the intricacies of a fight like this, but she did understand one thing: "They're not holding back…"

Lili was further back, clutching her shaking hands to her chest. She didn't care what it took… She didn't want Veldrin to lose. She couldn't.

Zanis launched himself into the attack again, his weapon slicing through the air with violence. Veldrin blocked with one of his glaives, but his body was already beginning to feel the wear and tear. The burning in his muscles screamed at him to stop, but he had no intention of giving in.

The flames of Immolation continued to burn on his body, crackling every time Zanis entered their range. His opponent already had obvious burns on his arms and face, but he didn't seem to care. It was as if the idea of winning at any cost gave him an unnatural resilience.

Veldrin took a deep breath. He's ignoring the pain… but that doesn't mean he's not feeling it.

Zanis lunged, which Veldrin narrowly dodged, feeling the blade rip through the fabric of his robes. He countered with a horizontal slash, forcing Zanis to take a step back. It was at that instant that Veldrin saw his chance.

He deactivated Immolation in one fell swoop and, with his remaining speed, spun on his axis, sliding one of his glaives towards Zanis' leg.

A clean cut. Not enough to knock him out, but enough to stagger him.

Zanis grunted and tried to back away, but his leg was now deeply scarred. His movements were more clumsy, less precise.

From a distance, Finn smiled slightly. "There it is… a strategic wound."

Riveria nodded in approval. "But it's not over yet."

Lili held her breath, watching as Veldrin prepared to end the fight.

Zanis gritted his teeth and tried to take a step back, but the wound on his leg took its toll. His balance wavered for an instant, and Veldrin did not waste the opportunity.

He moved quickly, launching a series of slashes aimed at forcing Zanis onto the defensive. The glaive whistled through the air, forcing him to block with his weapon. However, each blow he received forced him back further, wearing him down.

Sweat dripped down Zanis's forehead. His body was burned and exhausted, but his gaze remained fierce. In a final act of desperation, he launched a violent attack, a straight thrust with all his strength behind it.

Veldrin saw it coming. His instincts screamed at him to dodge. He moved to the side with a quick twist, feeling the blade of the weapon graze the air where it had been a second before.

Zanis' eyes widened in surprise. And at that moment, Veldrin was already moving to finish the fight.

Veldrin spun on his own axis, lowering his center of gravity as his glaive cut through the air in a deadly arc. Zanis tried to react, but his body didn't respond in time.

The edge of the glaive struck his side precisely, not enough to kill him, but enough to open a deep wound that made him stagger.

Zanis let out a stifled groan and fell to his knees, gritting his teeth as blood soaked his clothes. He tried to stand, to stand on his own for pride, but his strength betrayed him.

Veldrin stood before him, breathing heavily. His body ached, every muscle screaming from the effort, but he was still able to hold his ground.

Finn stepped forward, his voice ringing with authority: "The duel is over. The winner is Veldrin Lightstorm."

The silence lasted a moment before Xander exhaled with a proud smile. "I expected nothing less."

Lili couldn't contain herself. As soon as Finn declared the end of the duel, her little legs moved instinctively.

"Veldrin!"

Tears streamed down her cheeks as she ran towards him, ignoring everything else. Veldrin barely had time to turn around before he felt the impact of Lili's embrace.

She clung to his waist with all her might, as if she was afraid he would disappear. "Lili was so scared! She thought that—that—!" Her words were choked with sobs, burying her face in his torso.

Veldrin, still in pain, sighed and placed a hand on the little girl's head. "I did it, didn't I? I wasn't going to lose."

Lili sobbed harder, but nodded without letting go. No matter what she said, the fear of losing Veldrin had been real.

From behind, Xander smiled with a hint of pride. "Hero, huh?" he muttered to himself.

Zanis gritted his teeth in suppressed fury, his body still shaking from the pain of the duel. He wanted to refuse, he wanted any excuse to avoid the inevitable, but when he looked up and saw Finn and Riveria watching him silently behind Veldrin and Xander, his will faltered.

The Braver and Nine Hells. Two of the most powerful adventurers in Orario. And both witnessed their defeat.

Zanis swallowed hard. He tried to find a way out, a way to refuse the meeting without looking pathetic, but the pressure in the air was crushing him.

"…Take me to him."

His voice sounded bitter, but he knew he had no choice.

Ais approached with her expression unchanging, looking at Veldrin, who still had Lili clinging to him, sobbing between gasps. The elf could barely stand after the exhausting duel, but he still placed a hand on the little pallum's head in an attempt to calm her down.

Ais tilted her head slightly. "Strong." Veldrin looked up and blinked. "Huh?"

"That fire technique. I've never seen anything like it."

Lili pulled back just enough to glare at Ais, still clutching Veldrin's coat. "Of course he's strong! Lili always knew that!"

Ais ignored Lili's reaction and continued to watch Veldrin curiously. "Could you teach me?"

The elf let out a stifled laugh, but then groaned as pain shot through his torso. "Come on… at least give me a few days before you ask me for something like that."

…

Night had already set in when they reached the Soma familia headquarters. The massive stone structure had a cold, imposing air, reflecting their god's disinterest in the affairs of his followers. Torches dimly illuminated the entrance, where several of the familia's adventurers watched the unexpected visitor warily.

Zanis, his body battered and covered in burns, walked in front with his teeth clenched. He hadn't said a word the whole way, but anyone could see his suppressed frustration. However, every time his gaze strayed to Finn and Riveria, who were escorting Veldrin and Xander, he bit his tongue.

Xander sighed, hands in his pockets. "Well, here we are. We're off to meet the great god of wine."

Veldrin remained silent, observing the building cautiously. Lili, although walking with her head down, did not leave his side.

One of Soma's adventurers ran into the building, presumably to announce the arrival of the visitors. Moments later, the main doors slowly opened. From within, a calm, monotonous voice echoed.

"Forward."

Veldrin, Xander, and Lili walked through the large doors, leaving behind Finn, Riveria, and Ais, who stood at the entrance, sternly watching the Soma Familia adventurers.

The interior of the headquarters was sombre and devoid of any frills. There were no ostentatious banners or flashy decorations, just stacked barrels, wooden tables, and the constant scent of fermenting alcohol permeating the air. Rather than a divine headquarters, it looked like a fully functioning distillery.

At the back of the main room, sitting on a wooden chair with a glass in his hand, was Soma. His expression was the same as always: indifferent, as if he didn't even notice the presence of his visitors. His blue hair fell messily over his face, and his eyes seemed empty, as if he were looking through them instead of focusing on those who had just entered.

Zanis stepped forward with a hesitant step, still in pain, but when he tried to speak, Soma held up a hand.

"I know." His voice sounded like he was about to fall asleep. He took a small sip of his drink and let the silence stretch out. "You come for the girl."

Lili, not daring to look up, clenched her fists. Veldrin felt her tense beside him, and Xander, with his typical relaxed expression, looked at Soma with a raised eyebrow.

"Well, yeah, long story short, we want you to free her," Xander said, his tone casual. "We can do it the easy way, or… well, we can do it the easy way, but with a little more insistence." Soma blinked slowly, his expression unchanged. Then, his gaze fell on Lili.

"Is that what you want?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper.

Soma calmly took a jug of wine from a nearby table and poured the liquid into a glass goblet. The sweet, intoxicating aroma spread through the air. Then, without changing his apathetic expression, he extended the goblet in Lili's direction.

"Drink."

Lili's eyes widened in terror, and Veldrin immediately stepped forward, slamming one of his glaives onto the table.

"Are you kidding? She's a seven-year-old girl!"

Soma slowly turned his gaze towards Veldrin, as if he was barely processing what he had said. Then he looked back at Lili.

"If you want me to listen to you, you must be worthy."

Xander sighed, crossing his arms. "I knew you were indifferent, but this is ridiculous. Do you need a girl to drink your wine before you decide whether to let her go?"

Lili, her legs shaking, clenched her fists tightly. Her heart was pounding in her chest, but not because of fear of the wine, but because she knew that Soma did not do this out of cruelty or pleasure. To him, nothing made sense if it was not related to his wine. If she was not 'worthy' enough to catch his interest, then her voice did not matter to him in the slightest.

Veldrin clenched his jaw, his hand gripping the handle of his glaive tightly. "You don't need to do this, Lili."

Xander sighed, taking the wine glass before it reached Lili's hands. He lifted it in a relaxed motion, watching the red liquid swirl around inside the glass.

"If your condition for listening to us is that someone tastes your wine… then I will do it."

Lili looked at him in panic. "Xander-sama, no—!"

Veldrin clenched his jaw. "Xander."

But Xander just smiled calmly, keeping his gaze on Soma. "Is that enough for you to listen to us?"

Soma tilted his head slightly, his expressionless eyes fixed on the cup. For a moment he seemed to consider the proposal, then nodded indifferently.

"Drink it."

Xander turned the glass in his hand once more and, without taking his eyes off Soma, brought the rim to his lips.

As soon as the wine hit his tongue, Xander felt as if his mind had disconnected from his body. It wasn't a normal drunkenness; it was as if his consciousness had shot out of the room and was floating in a formless, meaningless sea.

His eyes immediately went unfocused, his relaxed posture crumbled, and in an instant his body lost all strength.

Veldrin reacted in flight and caught Xander before his head hit the ground.

"Xander-sama!" Lili screamed, shaking him desperately.

The god did not respond. He only had an expression of pure fascination, as if he had just achieved absolute enlightenment about the mysteries of the universe.

Veldrin glared at Soma. "What the hell did you do to him?"

Soma, with the same apathy as always, calmly replied: "It's just the effect of the wine."

Xander muttered something unintelligible. Then he smiled.

"Ohhh… so that's the truth of the world…

Xander felt his mind drift away from his body as soon as the wine hit his tongue. One second he was at the Soma familia headquarters, the next… he was floating in a vast starry ocean.

The lights flickered around him like the thoughts of forgotten gods. There was no ground, no sky. Just him, suspended in infinite space.

"Well… this is new."

His voice echoed like an eternal echo, warping in the void. He tried to move his hands, but he had no hands. He had no body. Just a consciousness wandering through the unknown.

In front of him, something began to form. A pattern in the cosmos, like a puzzle that solved itself. Golden fractals wove together into an infinite mandala, and at its center… he saw something.

A secret.

A truth so fundamental that his mortal mind would never have understood it before.

Xander felt his brain short-circuit.

"Ahhhh, so that's the truth of the world…"

The revelation was clear, absolute… and completely useless.

As Xander floated in the abyss of his subconscious, the stars began to move. Not as fixed points in the firmament, but as if they were being carried by an invisible tide. A heartbeat echoed in the darkness. Then another. Each pulse shook his existence, marking the rhythm of something larger than himself.

The lights gathered together, forming into four imposing figures, like colossi emerging from nowhere.

The first was a paladin clad in golden armor, a beacon of light and conviction. His hammer weighed as much as his ideals, and his gaze was stern, but fair.

The second, a figure shrouded in gloom, a death knight with a sword wrapped in frost and death. His presence was suffocating, his mere existence seemed to drain the warmth from the surroundings.

The third, a seer with his gaze lost in the horizon of the unknown, wrapped in a cloak of primordial wisdom. The storm danced in his eyes, and in his hand shone the power of destiny.

And the fourth…

The fourth was different.

Unlike the others, his silhouette was not just a shadow of memory. This one was clearer, almost tangible. A fiery-eyed demon hunter with two glowing glaives and a fierce presence. His stance was not that of a distant observer, but that of a warrior ready to enter combat.

Xander recognized him.

Not because of his name, but because of what he represented.

He was someone who had left his bonds behind to seek power. An outcast, an exile… but also someone who fought for his own truth, no matter the cost.

He was someone very similar to Veldrin.

The connection was obvious. The demon hunter wasn't just a vision, but a reflection of reality. Its clarity meant something… something Xander didn't quite understand.

But before he could process it, the figures began to move.

And Xander braced himself for whatever came next.

Xander's eyes snapped open, feeling as if his mind had been catapulted back into his body. His vision was a mess: the lights in Soma's living room danced as if reality itself was drunk along with him.

His first attempt to stand up was a complete failure, staggering as if the laws of physics had decided to abandon him completely. He felt small hands holding him, stabilizing him with difficulty.

"Xander… are you okay?" Lili's voice was worried.

"Yes… yes… I'm perfectly fine." His answer was as unconvincing as his balance.

With effort, he managed to stand with Lili's support, blinking to clear his mind as he looked at Soma. The god's image was out of focus, but his expression remained the same: indifferent, impassive, as if Xander's collapse had been as natural as the passage of time.

Xander took a deep breath, trying not to get too tongue-tied. "I want… Lili to be freed."

The words came out firmer than he expected, despite the state he was in.

Now it only remained to see what Soma would respond.

Soma watched him silently, showing no emotion. His gaze briefly slid to Lili before returning to Xander.

"Very good."

Lili trembled slightly. "Eh…?"

Soma stood up with an almost ethereal calmness and pulled a small knife from his robes.

Unhurriedly, he made a small cut on the tip of his finger, letting a drop of blood fall onto his palm. Then, he looked at Lili.

"Turn around."

Lili faltered, her eyes a mixture of fear and shock. For a moment, she seemed unable to move.

Xander, still reeling from the wine, gave her a gentle push on the shoulder. "Come on, kiddo. It's what you wanted."

She took a deep breath, nodded, and slowly turned around, lifting the back of her robes to expose her back.

Soma extended his bloody hand and pressed it against Lili's skin. A faint glow emerged between his fingers as the Falna faded from her body.

Lili gasped. She felt strangely light… as if an invisible chain that had kept her bound for years had finally disappeared.

Soma withdrew his hand and simply said, "It's done."

Lili blinked, as if she had a hard time believing it. Then, she slowly turned her head towards Xander and Veldrin, her eyes beginning to water.

I was free.

Lili could barely process it. Her body was shaking, her mind still caught up in the idea that something would go wrong… but no. It was real.

She turned around abruptly and, without thinking, launched herself at Xander and Veldrin, hugging them tightly.

"Lili is free! Lili is free!"

Her voice broke into sobs as she pressed her small body against them both. Xander, still wobbly and drunk, barely managed to react before Lili clung to his waist.

"Gah! Little one, wait… the world is spinning…" she muttered, trying to keep her balance.

Veldrin, with a sigh, simply ran a hand through Lili's head, ruffling her hair.

"Yes, you are free."

Lili cried even harder. Not from sadness, but from relief. From happiness.

When the door to the Soma familia headquarters opened, Veldrin stepped out first with Lili still clinging to him, her eyes swollen from crying. Behind them, Xander swayed slightly, his smile goofy and his eyes unfocused.

Finn raised an eyebrow at them. "Is he… drunk?"

Riveria sighed, rubbing the bridge of her nose. "Don't tell me he drank Soma's wine."

Ais tilted her head, looking at Xander curiously. "Is he strong?"

Xander raised a finger as if to say something profound… but only stammered. "Wine… is dangerous… but it also tastes… like victory."

Finn and Riveria exchanged a look of disbelief. Veldrin just shook his head. "Don't take it into account."

Lili, for her part, continued to hold him tightly, as if she feared that it was all a dream. But it wasn't. This time, she was truly free.

Finn looked at Xander, who was still swaying slightly, and let out a light laugh. "It's not every day you see a god other than Loki in this state."

Riveria sighed. "I better get some rest before I do something stupid."

Ais, on the other hand, looked at Veldrin. "You fought well."

The elf nodded with a slight smile, still feeling the wear and tear of the fight. "Thank you."

Finn crossed his arms and gave Xander one last look. "Make sure you get there safely. And next time, try not to do something so troublesome."

Xander raised a hand as if he were going to give a speech, but only mumbled something unintelligible before Lili pulled him by the sleeve to continue walking.

With a final farewell, the Loki Familia left, while Veldrin, Lili, and Xander—with the dignity of a victorious drunk—set off to return home.

When they finally arrived at the Xander familia headquarters, fatigue was beginning to weigh on them. Veldrin could barely feel his body after the duel, and Lili hadn't let go of Xander's sleeve the entire way, making sure he didn't stray or end up sleeping on the street.

The god, still staggering, looked at the door with a big smile. "Home sweet home…!" he declared, raising his arms before losing his balance.

Veldrin sighed and caught him before he could crash to the ground. "Please tell me this will pass quickly."

Lili laughed, tears still streaming down her face. "Xander is tougher than he looks… though maybe we should tie him to a chair so he doesn't start rambling again."

With a push and a tug, they managed to get inside, closing the door behind them. For the first time in a long time, Lili was no longer afraid of being dragged back to her old life. Now, the Xander familia was truly her home.

Veldrin dropped his equipment in the corner of the room and looked at Xander, who was staggering around with a dreamy expression on his face. Lili was still holding him, but she seemed more worried that he would end up falling face first onto the floor.

"It's decided," Veldrin said, folding his arms. "Tomorrow you give the falna to Lili."

Xander blinked, trying to focus on him. "Tomorrow? But today is a special day."

"Yes, and I want Lili to have a decent souvenir of her entrance into the familia," Veldrin replied with a sigh. "I don't want her welcome to be with her god staggering around and babbling about astral travel."

Lili giggled and looked at Xander with a mix of tenderness and amusement. "Lili agrees. She doesn't want her first memory of the familia to be with Xander-sama smelling like wine."

Xander puffed out his cheeks, offended. "Hey! I don't smell that bad."

Veldrin and Lili looked at each other. Then, in unison, they said: "Yes, you do smell."

Xander snorted and plopped down on the couch, muttering something about ungrateful disciples. Veldrin simply shook his head and allowed himself to relax.

The next morning arrived with a quiet atmosphere at the Xander familia headquarters. Sunlight filtered through the windows, illuminating the modest interior of the building. Lili sat on the couch, her legs dangling and her hands clenched in her lap. She looked nervous, her fingers fidgeting as she waited.

Veldrin, who was sharpening one of his glaives in a corner, looked up and observed her for a moment before speaking. "Are you okay?"

Lili jumped a little and nodded quickly. "Yeah! Lili is fine… just a little… umm…"

"Nervous?"

She looked away, pursing her lips before nodding again.

Xander, now completely sober, walked into the room with a yawn and a cup of tea in his hand. "Well, that's normal. It's not every day you get to change families." Lili nodded slowly, but still looked uneasy.

Veldrin sighed and placed the glaive on the table. "Lili, you've already made your decision, right?"

"Yes… Lili wants this," she replied firmly.

Xander smiled and set his cup down on the table before walking over. "Then there's nothing to worry about. Now, without the wine involved this time."

Lili looked at him for a moment before letting out a small, nervous giggle. "Lili prefers it that way."

Veldrin crossed his arms and smiled slightly. "Fine. Then let's do it."

Veldrin turned his back, leaning one arm against the wall as he closed his eyes. "Tell me when you're done." He didn't need to see this. Not because he was uncomfortable with Falna's magic, but because Lili… well, she was a child.

Lili, her face slightly flushed, nodded before turning around and pulling down the top of her clothes, leaving her back exposed.

Xander smiled softly. "Take a deep breath, Lili. It won't hurt."

She nodded, clenching her fists. "Lili is ready."

Xander pricked the tip of his finger with a pin and let a drop of his blood fall onto Lili's bare skin. Immediately, a faint glow began to spread from the point of contact. Slowly, the symbol of his familia took shape: a crossed sword and warhammer.

Lili felt a tingle run through her body as the mark finished being engraved on her back. A shiver ran through her, but it wasn't unpleasant. It was the sensation of something new, something of her own.

As the mark of his Falna was etched into Lili's back, Xander felt that familiar sensation: the slight tug of his divinity, the imperceptible spark of his Arcanum manifesting beyond what any god should be able to do in the mortal world.

But this time, it was no accident.

He closed his eyes for a moment and focused on Lili, on what he had seen of her, on what she could still be. He searched for something that suited her, that complemented her, that gave her the push she needed.

And then, he saw her.

The image of an elf appeared in his mind. Her purple hair shone under the moonlight, her clothes adorned with lunar symbols flowing elegantly. In her hand, she held a bow with a natural grace, as if it had always been a part of her. At her side, imposing and majestic, a white tiger accompanied her, its fierce gaze contrasting with the calm of its rider.

He was not a knight in armor. He was not a warrior who fought with sheer brute force. He was someone who lurked in the shadows, who knew when to strike and when to retreat, who relied on his precision and agility to survive.

Xander smiled to himself.

"Mmm… yeah. This would be perfect."

He murmured those words with satisfaction, letting his power flow with a clear purpose.

For a moment, Lili's mark glowed faintly, her Falna reacting to something deeper than the little girl could sense. A chill ran down her spine, but she couldn't say why.

And then, the brand was finally formed.

Xander leaned forward slightly, looking at his handiwork with a satisfied smile.

"Ready. Welcome to the Xander familia."

Xander took the blank parchment and quill, ready to transcribe Lili's information.

The little girl waited in silence, still feeling the slight tickling on her back. Her heart was beating fast; this moment marked a before and after in her life.

Veldrin still had his back turned, arms crossed. He couldn't see anything, just a wall. It was his way of giving Lili privacy, just like the night Xander had given her her own Falna.

Xander turned the scroll over in one hand, letting the magical ink flow and transcribe the details of his familia's new adventurer.

His eyes scanned the page with interest.

Then, his eyebrows raised slightly.

"Look at that…" he muttered, more to himself than to the others.

Lili, now covered, turned to him nervously. "Is Lili okay?"

Xander let out a small laugh. "Oh, you're more than fine."

Veldrin, still with his back turned, frowned. "How well?"

Xander didn't respond immediately. Instead, he continued to stare at each line of the transcript, his smile growing slowly.

Lili fidgeted before looking at Veldrin. "Lili is ready now."

Only then did Veldrin turn around.

Xander turned the scroll between his fingers and looked at Lili with a smile.

"So, little one, do you want Veldrin to see your status sheet?"

Lili blinked a few times, then nodded determinedly. "Yes, Lili wants Veldrin to see her."

Xander turned the scroll towards Veldrin, who took it and began to read.

Liliruca Arde

Level 1

Strength: I19

Endurance: I44

Dexterity: I11

Agility: I20

Magic: I0

Magic:

Scout Owl – Magic without chant. Creates an invulnerable owl that shares its senses with the creator. It cannot attack, but can see invisible units.

Fire Arrow – Magic without chant. Adds fire damage to thrown projectiles. Does not work on melee weapons. Consumes mind per shot.

Skills:

Incarnation (Moon Priestess) – Through the altar of the elders, the body adapts to the history of the Moon Priestess. Manifestation of the Moon Priestess's Abilities and Magic.

Lili looked at her status sheet with a frown, her ears twitching slightly.

"Wait… Why does Lili have an ability? And magic?" His voice sounded confused. "Lili never had any of this before…"

Xander leaned an elbow on the table and gave her an amused smile. "Well, let's just say I have a knack for awakening my children's hidden potential."

Lili looked at her status sheet again, still trying to process it. Her magic and ability… weren't normal. She didn't remember ever training something like this before.

"Lili… does she really have this power?" she murmured, unsure.

Veldrin looked at her for a moment and then ruffled her hair with a sigh. "That's up to you."

Lili clenched the scroll in her hands. It was up to her… Yes, she was right. Now it was up to her to figure out what it all meant and how to use it.

Xander gave a sudden clap, shaking the atmosphere of reflection. "Well, this calls for a celebration!"

Lili blinked, still taking in what had happened, but couldn't help but smile slightly as

Xander stood up with his arms raised. "Our little girl is now officially part of the Xander familia! Where's the food? Where's the drink? Let's get this party started!"

Veldrin rolled his eyes, but he didn't hide the slight smile that appeared on his face. "You're not going to drink again, are you?"

Xander feigned indignation. "Of course not! I learned my lesson… probably."

Lili let out a small laugh, feeling a comforting warmth in her chest. This was supposed to be a big change in her life… and it was, but at the same time, it didn't feel as scary as she thought.

"So, what would you like, Lili?" Veldrin asked, glancing at her.

The little pram was silent for a moment, then straightened up decisively. "Meat! Lili wants a meat feast!"

Xander laughed. "I like that! Veldrin, start preparing the grill."

"Why me?"

"Because you are the best cook here."

Veldrin sighed, but didn't argue. As he headed off to prepare the meal, Xander and Lili began making plans for the day, laughing and joking as the headquarters filled with a lighter air.

It was their first day as an official familia. And they were going to celebrate it as such.

With that, they continued eating, enjoying the moment with a warmth Lili couldn't remember feeling in a long time. The meat sizzled on the grill as Veldrin cooked it with precision, making sure it was cooked to perfection. Xander, still with his inexhaustible energy, told exaggerated stories about "ancient heroic deeds," while Lili listened with shining eyes, albeit with a hint of skepticism.

"So you took down the monster with just one finger?" Lili asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Of course!" Xander replied with a big smile. "The key is to find its weak point. And to have an incredibly strong finger."

Veldrin snorted. "If you keep talking nonsense, Lili will grow up thinking that heroism is just talk and exaggeration."

"Lili is not stupid!" the little girl protested. "She knows Xander is just joking… right?"

Xander put on a mysterious expression. "Maybe. Maybe not."

Lili crossed her arms, pretending to be annoyed, but she couldn't help but giggle when Xander ruffled her hair.

Dinner continued with laughter and jokes, with Lili eating more than she thought possible. For the first time in a long time, she didn't have to worry about anything. She wasn't afraid. She had no doubts.

He was just here, with his new familia.

…

With the celebration coming to an end, Lili could no longer stay awake. She had curled up in her seat, her belly full and a peaceful expression on her face.

Xander looked at her with a smile and then turned to Veldrin, who was finishing cleaning the table. "Looks like we did it, huh?"

Veldrin nodded, leaning back in his chair with his arms crossed. "Yes. He's free now. But that doesn't mean it's all over."

Xander let out a sigh, leaning back. "Always so serious. We could use a break today, even if it's just a little bit."

Veldrin glanced at him. "He spoke who gave an Incarnation to a little girl without even explaining what it meant."

Xander laughed. "Well, he'll find out eventually. And it'll be amazing."

There was a brief silence. Xander stared into the fire in the fireplace, his expression becoming more thoughtful. "Do you think this will be enough for her?"

Veldrin sighed. "I don't know. But it's a good start."

Xander nodded. Then, with a more relaxed smile, he stretched. "We'll see how far he can go tomorrow."

Veldrin watched him for a moment and then looked at Lili. The little girl was sleeping soundly, breathing calmly.

Yes. It was a good start.

Xander nodded at Veldrin's request and took the status sheet. With a slight cut on his finger, he let a drop of blood fall on the elf's back, activating his Falna's magic.

As he transcribed the numbers, his expression went from relaxed to surprised. "Wow… You really went beyond the limits."

Veldrin raised an eyebrow. "How far?"

Xander finished writing and handed her the sheet of paper. "See for yourself."

Veldrin Lightstorm

Level 1 (+)

Strength: B702 S999

Endurance: B741 S999

Dexterity: A807 S999

Agility: A882 S999

Magic: B777 S999

Veldrin looked at the blade carefully. Not only had he reached the limit, he had surpassed it in every aspect.

Xander let out a light laugh as he finished writing on the status sheet. "Well, it's official now."

Veldrin let out a short laugh before turning his gaze back to his state. He then looked at Xander with determination.

"Level me up, please."

Xander gave her a smile "I was waiting for you to say that" and began typing.

…

Veldrin took the sheet and looked at it carefully.

Veldrin Lightstorm

Level 2

Strength: I0

Endurance: I0

Dexterity: I0

Agility: I0

Magic: I0

Magic:

Burn Mana: Magic without chant. Sends a beam of negative energy that burns 15% of the target's mind, dealing damage in proportion to the mind eliminated. Requires a magic stat other than I0.

Immolation: Magic without chant. Generates a large layer of flames around the user, consuming mind while active.

Skills:

Incarnation (Demon Hunter): Through the altar of the elders, the body adapts to the Demon Hunter's history. Manifestation of the Demon Hunter's Skills and Magic.

Evasion: 15% chance that the enemy will miss with their attacks.

Veldrin ran his eyes over the blade, noticing the new ability. "Evasion, huh… I guess that makes sense."

Xander rested his head on his hand, smiling amusedly. "It was only a matter of time. With the way you fight, you were already dodging attacks almost instinctively."

Veldrin carefully folded the sheet of paper and put it away. "This doesn't change anything. I'll continue training as usual."

Xander patted him on the shoulder. "Of course. But don't act tough, you should be at least a little excited."

Veldrin exhaled, but a small smile formed on his face. "Maybe a little."

Veldrin looked at the sheet carefully, his eyes stopping on the description of Immolation.

"Generates a large layer of flames around the user"

He frowned and looked at Xander. "It used to say 'small flame cape'. Is it bigger now?"

Xander nodded with a satisfied smile. "Right, the natural growth of your magic. You're not just going to scorch anymore, you're going to incinerate now."

Veldrin clicked his tongue. "That also means that the mind consumption is going to be higher."

"Yeah, but it'll be worth it," Xander said with a shrug. "Unless you don't want to set yourself on fire like a living torch."

Veldrin sighed, but couldn't help but let a slight smile cross his face. "I guess I'll have to try it out."

Veldrin exhaled loudly as he folded the sheet of paper and carefully put it away. Xander smiled, satisfied with the result, while Lili slept soundly, oblivious to what was happening.

"How are you feeling?" Xander asked in a relaxed tone.

Veldrin crossed his arms and closed his eyes for a moment. "Same as before… but with the certainty that tomorrow I will be stronger."

Xander laughed. "That's the attitude."

Silence settled between the two for a moment, only interrupted by Lili's calm breathing. The night was calm, and for the first time in a long time, the little familia they had formed could afford to enjoy it.

Tomorrow would be another day. Another battle, another challenge, another chance to grow. But for now, at least for tonight, they could rest.

And with that in mind, Veldrin blew out the last candle in the room.