Just after entering the Familia's residence, Loki's nose already caught the scent in the air—the fragrance of wine.
It was very faint, drifting over from the second-floor area of the Familia's residence, seemingly there and yet not. Only a true connoisseur who drank wine and knew how to taste it could clearly understand what this meant.
After the Soma Familia member finished explaining the situation, the wooden door of the Brewing Room was finally opened.
The Brewing Room was very crowded, with wooden wine racks occupying all four walls and piled with various materials, leaving only a considerable amount of operating space at the workbench. But Soma, who usually brewed wine, was not repeating that behavior at this moment.
He gazed at Loki with whom he had not had much interaction in Orario or even in Heaven, a hint of inquiry appearing in his eyes. "You're looking for me?"
"That's right."
Loki looked at Soma and stated her purpose, "In your Familia, there should be a child named Zephyr, right?"
Soma was somewhat surprised, but still nodded.
Just as he was about to explain to the other party—that Zephyr had already left the Familia—Loki didn't give him the chance.
She smiled and explained, "I'm quite sorry about something. Tonight, a child in my Familia asked me to help Zephyr update his status, saying there was an urgent matter to handle. Then, without your consent, I went ahead and updated Zephyr's status. So I came over tonight specifically to tell you about this."
Upon hearing this, Soma understood Loki's intention.
Updating status must mean she saw the talent Zephyr possessed through his Falna.
The other party's intention tonight was very obvious—recruitment.
It was no different from what he had guessed. Those gods in Orario, upon witnessing the miracles Zephyr possessed, would be filled with intense curiosity about this unknown.
Moreover, with Zephyr's talent, if he remained in his Familia, he would only be buried. He needed a sufficiently good stage to fully display it.
Gathering his complex thoughts, Soma shook his head. "This is Zephyr's business. He has already left the Familia, so there is no need to come here specifically to explain such a thing."
Loki shook her head. "I still had to tell you."
This was probably the best news heard tonight. That child was about the same age as Lefiya, and his status in all aspects had reached the level of a Familia elite. Moreover, he could level up at any time.
Encountering such a good seed, she certainly had to get her hands on him.
Loki gradually withdrew her smile and confessed, "I am very interested in Zephyr. Can I trouble you to tell me about the specific situation in detail?"
How should he put it?
As a god, Soma could only give his most sincere blessings to the child who had departed. But the situation now was different.
Loki clearly expressed interest. Otherwise, she wouldn't have visited suddenly late at night.
This was one of the few ways he, this incompetent god, could provide help.
He looked at Loki with calm eyes. "Zephyr... He was just an ordinary Supporter in my Familia before, relying on serving parties to barely make a living in Orario. But a few days ago, he came to me to update his status. He said he wanted to leave the Familia and wanted to change his destiny with his own strength. It was also at that time that I realized the talent this child possessed."
"???"
The first half was quite normal. Loki had grasped the situation of the Soma Familia briefly before visiting, and it could only be described as chaotic.
But as she carefully savored the second half of Soma's words, the smile on her face gradually became sluggish.
Wait!
So the meaning of these words was—when Zephyr came to Soma to update his status a few days ago, he was still just an ordinary Supporter?
Loki tried hard to recall the Falna she saw on Zephyr's back tonight: all the attributes were either A or B-rank. Very balanced, without any shortcomings.
Not to mention, the skills Zephyr possessed were tailor-made.
Looking at the expressionless Soma in front of her, Loki couldn't help but confirm, "Are you sure this happened just a few days ago?"
Soma nodded. "Yeah. At that time, his status was still very ordinary."
Loki crossed her arms over her chest. As a goddess, simply not letting emotions show on her face was something she could do, but that didn't hinder anything. At this moment, her head was buzzing.
Coming to Orario, she had seen countless geniuses from budding to blooming.
Finn's steadiness in his youth, Riveria's sharpness when she first entered the Dungeon, Ais's amazing accomplishments...
They all left a deep impression on her.
But she had never heard of someone gaining so many stat points within a few short days.
Was this guy even human!
After thinking for a moment, she asked, "Doing this, won't you regret it?"
Soma understood the true meaning Loki wanted to express. He looked up at the full moon hanging in the night sky, and said, "It's enough to have seen the flower bloom. Why bother about whom the flower belongs to?"
— — —
The dinner party ended.
Charles stood on the street. When the night breeze blew over, the slight drunkenness brought by the ale was dissipated by the chill.
He had never thought that his short study tour to Orario this time would be so exciting.
Exploring the Dungeon, eating monsters as food, and helping a friend sweep through the Soma Familia tonight.
Every single thing, taken separately, would be enough for him to brag about for half a year after returning to the School District.
He looked at Zephyr, rubbed his hands with a smile, and asked, "Zephyr, what's next? Are there any other activities? Do you want to go for a stroll on Pleasure Quarter?"
The moment Charles finished speaking, two gazes locked onto him simultaneously.
Lili's expression was calm but the way she looked at Charles was full of ill will. Kate was even more direct, her gaze coldly fixed on his face.
"What did you just say?"
Realizing he had misspoken, Charles shrank his neck, just about to make an excuse. Actually, he was quite interested in the casino.
But before he could speak—
"No activities." Zephyr shook his head.
In this life, he was irreconcilably opposed to gambling and drugs, let alone this sort of thing. And material enjoyment was far less motivating than the drive to get stronger. It was absolutely impossible to slack off before establishing a footing.
He said, "Back to the Communal Dormitory—to cook."
When Lili heard the arrangement to "cook," for some reason, she suddenly felt that compared to the vices of those adventurers, Zephyr just eating monster meat seemed quite reasonable.
She nodded, her face softening a bit. "We still have to explore the Dungeon tomorrow. It's better to rest early."
"No problem."
Since it had come to this, especially under Kate's threatening gaze, Charles hurriedly nodded in agreement.
He caught sight of Lefiya out of the corner of his eye and noticed she was deep in thought, so he asked, "What about you?"
"Me?" Lefiya raised her head.
She pondered for a moment and looked toward the direction of the Loki Familia's base. "I want to go back to the Familia base. After all, such a big thing happened tonight. I need to explain it clearly to Loki-sama."
Moreover, she believed that since Loki had approved her actions, even though the dust had settled, reporting her safety was a necessary procedure to prevent her from worrying.
"That's fine."
Zephyr had a good impression of this goddess who was willing to help him update his status.
She had absolutely no airs of a high-ranking goddess and was quite approachable. Besides, she was the goddess of Lefiya's Familia. Since she had helped him so much, he should show some appreciation.
He thought for a moment and remembered that when he first met Loki, she was slightly tipsy in the reception room.
Zephyr turned his head and said, "Lili, give me a bottle of Divine Wine."
"Okay."
Lili took a bottle of Divine Wine from her pouch to hand over. Zephyr took it and immediately turned to hand it to Lefiya.
"Ah?" Lili froze.
She subconsciously reached out both hands to take it, but her eyes were filled with confusion.
What was this for?
Noticing Lefiya's expression, Zephyr shrugged and explained, "Could you please pass this bottle of Divine Wine to Loki for me?"
"Huh?"
"When I had my status updated, I saw Loki drinking. Consider this my way of expressing gratitude for updating my status."
He paused and added, "She should be interested in wine brewed by the God of Wine, Soma."
"I see. No problem."
Lefiya carefully held the Divine Wine in her arms, pressing the bottle against her chest, fearing it might bump against something.
Just as she was about to say goodbye, she heard Zephyr's reminder.
"But don't drink it yourself." His attitude was very serious.
Lefiya opened her mouth, wanting to ask for the specific reason, but after seeing Zephyr's extremely firm expression, she chose to swallow her words. If he said so, there must be a reason.
She nodded and hugged the wine bottle tighter. "Then... I'll be off now?"