I awoke with a sharp gasp, my vision swimming for a moment. "What the hell was that? I blacked out for a second, heard the ramblings of a madman, and suddenly had the overwhelming urge to strangle Snape."
"That happens sometimes," Luna murmured dreamily from below, stretching like a satisfied cat. She sat up and licked a lingering drop of cream from her lips. "Don't worry, love, I was just sucking the wrackspurts out of you."
I blinked. "Oh. Well, thank you, my dear. I do feel much better." I reached out and gave her a fond pat on the head, earning a pleased hum in response.
Before I could fully process the morning's bizarre start, a chime rang through my mind as a system notification popped up.
[System Update: Cultivation has been added to the blessings the King can bestow through the status plate. Cultivation ranks are as follows: Rank 1-19 = Level 1 in Danmachi / Level 1-19 in Arifureta, Rank 20-29 = Level 2 in Danmachi / Level 20-29 in Arifureta, etc. Cultivation ranks can only be increased through cultivation of Qi or other energies.]
My curiosity flared instantly, and I summoned my status plate.
[Ryan]
Level: 1
Cultivation Rank: 64
Spirits: Dark Devilgod Tiger, Hate Ground No Handle, Golden Holy Dragon, Phoenix, Nine-Tiled Treasure Pagoda
Abilities: Silent Casting, Mental Immunity...
Before I could analyze further, Luna let out a breathy moan. "Ahn… I feel hot."
I turned to her just in time to see her own status plate materialize in front of her, its text glowing softly. Then, with a pop, something dropped onto the floor between us. I blinked. Luna gasped.
There, sitting like an undiscovered cryptid from the Lovegood archives, was a creature so utterly bizarre that I had no immediate words for it. It looked like a pudgy, color-shifting rabbit-hamster hybrid, complete with a single spiraled horn on its forehead and a beaver-like tail.
I caught a glimpse of Luna's updated status plate.
[Luna]
Level: 1
Cultivation Rank: 10
Spirits: Crumple-Horned Snorkack
Abilities: All-Speak, Mental Immunity, Silent Casting...
I stared at the strange, shimmering creature. It stared back.
"Meow?" It tilted its head, making a questioning chirp.
Luna let out a delighted squeal and scooped the creature into her arms. "Oh! A Crumple-Horned Snorkack! I knew they were real!" She nuzzled the fluffy enigma like it was the greatest discovery in magical history. "Oh, I can't wait to show you to Daddy!"
I ran a hand down my face, suppressing a groan. "Hermione is going to lose her mind."
And knowing her, she'd be torn between demanding scientific proof and frantically taking notes while muttering about the sheer impossibility of it all.
I fought back a cackle, barely keeping my composure. "Luna, love, I believe Hermione would be delighted to see your new pet. Please, go and show her. I have some things to take care of." I sealed my betrayal with a gentle kiss on her forehead.
"Okay!" Luna beamed, hugging her oddly shimmering creature as she skipped off.
The moment she exited the room, I braced myself.
"LUUUUNAAA! THAT'S NOT SCIENTIFICALLY POSSIBLE!"
Hermione's exasperated shriek echoed down the halls, followed by the sound of frantic page-turning and what I could only assume was the furious scribbling of research notes.
"But it is possible, Hermione! He's right here!" Luna's voice was a mixture of smug satisfaction and innocent wonder.
"That thing defies all known laws of biology! How—?! Why is it color-shifting?! And meowing!?"
"It's his natural camouflage and preferred method of communication." Luna's tone was perfectly matter-of-fact, as if explaining that water was wet.
"But—that—ugh! Magic does not work that way!"
"Oh, but it does, you just have to believe."
A book slammed shut. "I'm going to need at least three days and a research team."
I allowed myself a snicker before returning to my status plate.
Now that cultivation had been added to my blessings, I analyzed my current standing. If my rank was already 64, that meant I was roughly on par with a Level 6 from the Danmachi world. Not bad.
Ottar must be something else then… or maybe not? If I recall, people in Danmachi can level up as soon as they accumulate enough stats in a single skill, but that probably ruins their foundation. I doubt many max out their stats completely before moving up, which would explain why so many adventurers get stuck at lower levels or hit a wall around 6 or 7.
Slow, steady growth was the key to true strength. A house built on a shaky foundation of sticks would collapse, while one built on steel beams would stand the test of time.
This was good, though. Now both Hermione and Luna could cultivate.
…Wish it had happened sooner.
[It didn't happen earlier because I just now fucking thought of it. Shiettt… and none of you reminded me? Shame on you. Anyway the book just hit top 10 for fanfics on here, send more so I would like to thank everyone for the support and votes of confidence. Please continue to send Powerstones and Soda money and I'll continue to pump out chapters. I'm expecting at least tree fiddy cause that's what I need to pay the Loch Ness Monster for girl scout cookies. Cashapp $Ryantheholy.]