I fell back into my normal routine, going into the dungeon from the morning until dusk, saving up the Valis I earn so that I can cover our expenses and taxes.
Only a few days had passed, and so far the two blonde girls were incapable of training, as was Aurumi of the Sekhmet Familia, leaving me to delve into the upper Middle Floors, farming the monsters on Floors 16 and 17, hoping for some monster drop to get a large bonus for my efforts, but I must have used my luck up getting the Wyvern Claw for my spear, Konahrik.
Speaking of, Konahrik was a wonder to wield.
Its bright, sharp blade easily pierced and slashed through most monsters tough defenses, severing limbs and cleanly skewering straight into them.
The balance was perfect, and it was light in my hands, allowing me to wield it with ease, targeting a monsters weak points effectively.
Finishing it off was the length of both the shaft and blade itself. It could reach far, and the blade was almost the same length as some swords.
I loved Konahrik, more than I loved my precious spear, which had accompanied me for almost 8 years...
Looking down at the spear, I grinned to myself as I gently stroked its bone blade, taking my cloth and cleaning it off with an almost religious fervor.
After taking care of Konahrik, I sheathed it, nodding at the leather scabbard that Skelea had given me.
Hanging it on my wall, I took the rest of my gear and put it away, stretching out my tired muscles as I moved towards the bath.
Taking a quick dip in the warm water, I scrubbed off the dirt and grime of the day before getting out, tossing on some loose clothes as I shuffled into the kitchen with a yawn,
Seeing Bia lounging at the table with a bottle of wine in hand, I nodded to her before getting some ingredients and spices from our pantry.
Slicing some beef into thin strips, I laid them out on a board as I crushed and ground some of the spices together, sprinkling the mix over the beef.
As I started kneading the seasoning into the meat, Bia asked "Think we should take a look at your Falna?"
Peering over my shoulder, I nodded at Bia, saying "Yeah, sure. After dinner, let's update it."
Laying the beef strips in a buttered pan, I started chopping some vegetables, scraping them into the pan as I added some of the wine Bia was drinking.
She looked at me in surprise, tilting her head as she asked "When'd you learn to cook like that Agapi?"
I gave her a dry look, saying "I've known how to do this much for years, Mitera..."
Bia pursed her lips, shrugging as she took a sip of her wine.
Sighing, I went back to my cooking, only to hear her ask "What'd you think of your opponents during the Monsterphilia? See anyone in the other brackets that piqued your interest?"
Pursing my lips, I flipped the beef as I thought about it.
"Well, Aurumi and Ryuu were actual fights; I won with petty tricks and not skill with my spear. As for those of other levels... I don't know, I only watched a few of the lower levels fight, and the only one who caught my eye was a Cow Woman who used a club."
Bia chuckled, saying "Was it her skill that caught your eye or her breasts?"
I chuckled as well, looking over my shoulder as I said "Both."
Laughing, Bia rested her chin in her palm, sighing as she said "Yeah, if only our masked benefactor was a little more... curvy. Sometimes it hurts when I'm with her..."
Raising a brow, I said "Thanks for that, really needed to know."
Shaking her head, Bia assumed a wise look as she said "Agapi, try to find a girl with some meat on her bones! It'll make everything feel better!"
Turning back to the stove, I said "Hmm... nah, I have enough meat for two~"
Bia scoffed, pouting as she looked away.
Leaving the beef to sear, I put out two plates and grabbed a glass, accepting the wine that Bia poured me.
Turning off the stove, I placed the pan on a wooden slab in the center, scooping out the vegetables onto our plates before placing the beef on top.
Sitting down, I sighed as I looked at the food, smiling to myself before picking up my fork.
Bia smiled gently at me, before mirroring me, taking a bite.
We both moaned lightly at the taste, Bia nodding at me as she said "'Dis is sho gud~"
I remained silent, taking another bite of the juicy beef.
Finishing the meal silently, Bia and I rubbed our stomachs, leaning back as we sipped on the wine.
"So Ryuu 'Gale' and Ais the 'Sword Princess' have visited our humble little abode, all because they wish to train with you..."
I nodded at Bia, who pursed her lips as she swirled her wine around.
Smiling up at me, she said "Who would've thought that one day you'd be talking to big shots like them huh?"
Her face was gentle as she looked at me, making me gulp as I felt some tears come to my eyes.
"It really does feel like just yesterday... A little girl, swaddled in a potato sack and laid in a twig basket, left under an oak tree in the park..."
Leaning back, Bia sighed as she said "I remember seeing those obsidian eyes of yours, and before I knew it you were in my arms... You never cried, even as your stomach rumbled like a distant thunderstorm..."
Seeing me staring intently into my cup, Bia chuckled, leaning over the table, gently caressing my cheek.
"My little Agapi is all grown, isn't she..?"
I gulped again, nodding my head.
Standing up, she sighed as she wrapped her arms around me, leaning her head on my shoulder.
We stayed like that for awhile, enjoying one another presence as we reminisced about the past, before Bia said "Well, that's enough of that! Come, come, lift your shirt up."
I chuckled, pulling my shirt over my head and placing it on the table.
Resting her hands on my back, Bia muttered to herself as she started tracing the emblem on my back.
"Huh..."
Hearing Bia let out a surprised noise, I looked over my shoulder, just for her to shake her head.
"Give me a moment; I'll put it on paper."
I nodded, watching as she took some paper from a drawer.
Laying it on my back, she retraced the emblem, printing my Status onto the sheet before handing it to me.
[Nikoletta Bia
Level Three
Strength: A 802 -> S 918
Endurance: C 612 -> B 701
Dexterity: A 823 -> S 922
Agility: A 854 -> S 944
Magic: D 541 -> C 623
---
Magic:
(Keres Stride)
- {By my Blood, By my Might}
(Warrior's Ichor)
- {I plead thee, Warrior's of Elysium; Lend this Spirit of Unclean Blood thy Ichor}
---
Skills:
(Bloody Laurel)
- {The longer one is in battle, and the more heavily damaged they are, the stronger their strikes become. Additionally, after every kill they receive an increase in Strenght.}
---
Development Ability:
(Spearman, I)
- {Attacks with a Spear deal more damage, and consecutive strikes on the same target increase damage.}]
"Huh..."
Bia chuckled at how I mimicked her, before sitting down beside me.
Placing her hand on my arm, she looked at me seriously, asking "Do you wish to level up, or do you want to stay for a little longer? You have the high level excelia needed to level up."
Pursing my lips, I looked down at the sheet of paper.
If I leveled up, we would be moved to a B Ranked Familia, meaning the tax would increase.
Of course, I had a large amount of money now, but...
Could I sustain our funds enough and not overwork myself?
I could, but...
I shook my head, saying "I'll even out my stats a bit more; do some endurance training and use my magic a bit more. After all, my magic is severely lacking compared to everything else..."
Bia nodded, taking the sheet from my hands as she looked over it with narrowed eyes.
Sighing, she placed it in the drawer with all the other similar sheets, smiling at me as she said "Well, get some rest. I have a feeling someone wants to meet you tomorrow for training..."
I nodded, thinking that one of the three girls would be available tomorrow.
Getting up with a stretch, I started cleaning everything up before going to my room, collapsing onto my bed.
Moaning at the familiar softness and warmth, I smiled to myself before drifting off to sleep.
---
So, remember, she had the expedition, which included a fight against the Goliath, and the Tournament. Thats where her stats came from.
Besides, that, like I do every 25ish chapters on all my books, if you would please leave a mini review in the comments and tell me what you like, where I can improve, and so on that'd be much appreciated!
Thanks!
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