The night passed quietly for me. I spent it atop the city walls, which offered a nice view of Orario. Many would probably ask why I decided to kill a god just because he kicked some random person from his Familia.
The reason was simple: I wanted to see what would happen if I killed a god within the mortal realm, unlike last time when Aeshma died in Azathoth's domain. Killing a god grants me significant boosts to my stats and the potential to gain new powers.
The first time Aeshma died was unique, as it happened in a different realm. Azathoth later explained that if I had killed a god in the mortal realm, I would have received a far greater boost to my stats and possibly new abilities.
Although I did experience a stat boost when Aeshma died, Azathoth mentioned that the stats couldn't transfer properly to my soul because of the realm. I didn't press further—I didn't care too much—but there's one thing I'll have to tell her next time: my strange encounter in space.
As the Sun rose over Orario, signaling the start of a new day, the once-empty streets gradually grew more lively. My next destination was the Hermes Familia home—more precisely, I was heading to see Asfi.
After a few minutes of walking, I arrived at the Familia home. I knocked on the door, and a tall beastman—a Weretiger—answered. He stared down at me with his two brown eyes, his expression making it clear that he wasn't in the mood for any jokes this early in the morning.
"Asfi and Hermes are expecting me. Surely they told you I'd be arriving… no?"
He blinked a few times, struggling to stay awake. Just then, Hermes appeared behind him. Upon seeing me, the Weretiger silently retreated inside, most likely heading back to bed.
"Oh, Niall! Hey there! Sorry about him, he had a long night working for us. You've come for the classes, I suppose?"
Hermes, as friendly as ever, lightened the atmosphere, which had been dead silent just moments ago. He wasn't wearing his usual hat, but his blonde hair gleamed in the morning sunlight.
"Yes, I've come for the classes, but I also need to tell you something. I told Loki Familia that I live in your home. So, if any of them get suspicious about me, just remember to tell them what I said earlier, and everything will be fine, okay?"
Hermes' jaw dropped in shock as if he had just seen a ghost. Sweat began to form and drip from his forehead. His gloved hands trembled as they gripped my shoulders.
"N... N... N... Niall, don't tell me you told them you work for me! If that gets out, I could be thrown out of Orario."
I patted his head reassuringly like one would comfort a child. "Don't worry, Hermes. I just told them I live in your manor and that I'm still deciding whether or not to join your Familia. They accepted it without question."
Hermes' composure began to relax, like ice melting over fire. Slowly regaining his usual color, he sighed and gave me a look that screamed, "Please don't do that again."
"Well, that's fine, I guess. It would've been easier if you just joined my Familia straight away, but I respect your decision. I'll handle the paperwork at the Guild so you can be officially labeled as part of my Familia, just to avoid any further complications."
I had no issue with that. In fact, it was something I had planned to ask Ouranos about, but it seemed Hermes could take care of it himself.
Our conversation ended when Asfi joined us, standing by Hermes. As usual, the dark circles under her eyes betrayed her lack of rest. Dressed in her usual white attire, she pushed Hermes gently outside and closed the door behind us.
"We'll practice just outside Orario, to avoid any unwanted attention and to have enough space. Remember, it won't be easy, but once you master it, you'll be on a whole new level as an adventurer."
I nodded, and the three of us began walking toward the city gates, heading to the grassy plains just outside Orario. We planned to find a spot far enough from the city, where no one would disturb us.
As we walked, I turned to Hermes and asked, "By the way, why is Hermes coming with us? No offense, of course, but don't you have better things to do, like being an ultra-suspicious, intelligence-spy god who runs things from the shadows?"
Asfi and Hermes blinked at the new title I had given him, but after a moment of confusion, Hermes burst out laughing.
"I took the day off just to watch you learn how to fly. It was a strange request at first, but hey, whatever makes you happy, I guess."
Not long after, the three of us approached the city gates, where everyone exiting and entering had to be checked. The rule was that gods couldn't leave Orario without some sort of approval from—well, only the gods knew who.
Luckily for us, as we neared the busy gate, a familiar, loud, and imposing voice bellowed from a distance.
"I AM GANESHA!!!"
"It seems like getting out won't be an issue for you today, Hermes," Asfi remarked as we approached the god, who was striking various bodybuilder poses, his well-developed muscles gleaming in the bright daylight.
God Ganesha was known for being a charismatic leader of his Familia and acting as a sort of police force in the city. As soon as he spotted us, he sprinted towards us like a freight train.
"I AM GANESHA!! Hermes and his companions! What brings you here?"
He pointed dramatically to the sky as he proclaimed this. The three of us exchanged glances before Hermes grinned at his old friend and replied.
"Oh, hey Ganesha! I'm here with my dear Asfi and my new Familia member, Niall. We're just going for a walk outside the city. I trust that won't be a problem, right?"
Hermes spoke with a smile, his eyes closed as usual. Ganesha, meanwhile, hummed thoughtfully, stroking his chin with his right hand as if contemplating something profound.
After a few moments, during which we patiently waited for Ganesha to make up his mind, the god, still wearing his iconic elephant mask, finally declared:
"Anything for my friend and his children! After all, I AM GANESHA!!!"
People nearby gave Ganesha some strange looks, but Hermes thanked the exuberant god, and the three of us passed through the gates without any trouble—no checks, just a straight path out.
Once we were outside, walking along the dirt road that connected the city to other places, Asfi took the lead. She guided us further away, looking for a secluded spot where no one could see us.
"This is the perfect spot for our practice, Niall," Asfi said when we arrived. "Hermes, you can sit under that tree over there, and don't wander off or get lost. Niall, take these and put them on your feet, but don't make any sudden movements until I tell you."
After about an hour of walking, we finally reached the location for my training. It was a circular clearing surrounded by a green forest. There were no villages nearby, so we didn't expect any unwanted visitors.
Asfi handed me a pair of flying sandals—or boots, or whatever they were. They felt surprisingly light in my hands. Meanwhile, Hermes settled down under the shade of a tree, resting his head against the trunk.
"Alright, time to begin," Asfi said, her tone serious as she slipped into strict teacher mode. Her glasses seemed to glint ominously, hinting that the next period of training would be a hellish experience until I graduated from her lessons.