[D.C] Ch 10: Just 99

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Riveria lowered her cool gaze, gently pressing her lips together.

"Did something happen between you and Bete yesterday?"

Klaus nodded. "Yeah."

But even as he replied, his eyes flickered with a hint of curiosity.

'How did Riveria know about that?'

'Don't tell me... Bete actually told her himself?'

Now that would be weird.

Once she got confirmation, Riveria continued: "Then... are you interested in joining the Loki Familia?"

Her voice was calm and soft, almost casual.

But truthfully, after gathering some information from the gatekeepers, Riveria was intrigued by the boy standing in front of her.

Especially that one particular line she overheard: 'With me in the Loki Familia, it'll become the strongest Familia in all of Orario.'

If he really was some kind of genius...

Well, who wouldn't want to snap that up?

Syr noticed the direction this conversation was headed—and there was no way she was going to let that happen.

Before Klaus could even open his mouth, Syr smoothly stepped in with a smile and said:

"Lady Riveria, Klaus already belongs to a Familia~."

Translation: Back off.

Syr narrowed her eyes playfully and draped one fair arm across Klaus's shoulder like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Her watery eyes sparkled as she added with a teasing tone: "Isn't that right, Mr. Klaus?"

After all, the Freya Familia and Loki Familia had always been on less-than-friendly terms.

And since Syr was actually Freya in disguise, there was no way she was handing Klaus over to Loki's crew.

Klaus's mouth twitched. He didn't really have much of a choice here, so he gave in and replied:

"Yeah, that's right."

There wasn't much else he could say.

He had already pledged himself to Goddess Hestia—and switching Familias wasn't something you could just casually do.

In fact... Changing Familias required waiting at least a full year. That was a rule enforced by the gods themselves.

So the opportunity was already missed, and Klaus didn't have any regrets about it.

"..."

Riveria glanced between Syr and Klaus, her expression unreadable.

"I see."

Then, with a slight nod and a hint of apology in her voice, she added: "About Bete... I'm sorry he gave you trouble yesterday. Please accept my apology on his behalf."

Klaus waved his hand, his tone polite and easygoing.

"No big deal."

Just trying to show he wasn't the type to hold grudges.

But something in him felt... off.

Wait a second…

If things keep going like this, won't we just grow more distant?

Thinking quickly, Klaus blurted out: "Would you be willing to teach me magic?"

Yeah—it was kind of a sudden request, but he had to find a way to get closer to her.

Klaus might've had talent, but he was still a complete rookie when it came to actual magic combat.

And Riveria?

She wasn't just any spellcaster—she was known as the Strongest Mage in Orario.

If he could learn the finer points of magic from someone like her, he'd level up like crazy in no time.

Not to mention, one of the passives in his skill [Sanctum of Divine and Demonic] clearly stated:

•Training with a person of the opposite sex drastically increases growth rate.

•Intimate contact with attractive elves boosts EXP gain (effect lasts 15 minutes).

If you think about it, Bell also got stronger because of all his time training with Ais, right? 

DanMachi world + training with a hot woman = becoming OP.

Well, Klaus wasn't a swordsman—he knew nothing about swordplay.

That's exactly why he chose Riveria!

— — —

Lefiya, standing nearby, looked stunned.

"Wait, sir... you know how to use magic?"

"Yep," Klaus nodded.

Lefiya Viridis, currently Level 3, was known as the Thousand Elf.

Despite being Level 3, the magic she could unleash had enough firepower to match even Level 5 adventurers.

Kind-hearted and sweet, Lefiya admired Ais deeply. She wasn't like most elves—no arrogance, no obsession with cleanliness.

As Riveria's apprentice, she worked tirelessly every day to improve her skills.

…

When everyone around heard what Klaus said—

They all froze with disbelief.

A human that could cast magic?

That was super rare.

If true, it would make him a hot commodity in any adventuring party.

Riveria raised an eyebrow slightly, the expression in her eyes shifting with interest.

Lefiya, brimming with curiosity, couldn't help but ask: "How many magic spells do you know, sir?"

Klaus paused to think.

Sure, [Feathers of Oblivion] alone could be used as 99 different magic spells.

Pretty insane on paper...

But it was [Cycle Summon] that was his true trump card—the most broken magic in his arsenal.

Then there was [Feather of Fantasia], a healing and defensive magic, incredibly useful in real combat.

After a long pause, Klaus shrugged and said casually: "Not many... maybe just 99 or so."

He was trying to stay humble and keep his power under wraps.

As long as he mastered Feathers of Oblivion, that'd be enough for now.

99 spells should last him a good while.

But when he said it—

There was no explosive reaction. No gasps. No jaw-dropping silence.

Just… a bunch of weird expressions.

Lefiya gave a half-hearted gasp of surprise... and then Pffft, she laughed.

Yeah, she wasn't buying it.

Not even a little.

Even Riveria, ever the graceful one, simply gave a small shake of her head.

She didn't burst out laughing like Lefiya, but her expression was full of doubt.

If Bete had still been awake, he'd probably be rolling on the floor laughing, calling it the best joke he'd heard in ages.

Everyone knew the basic rule—

Most people only had three magic slots, max.

And yet Klaus was saying he had ninety-nine?

Even a three-year-old would know that was pure nonsense.

Complete, shameless bragging.

The always-spacey Ais tilted her head in confusion.

Ais Wallenstein, Level 5, known as the Sword Princess—revered as the strongest female swordsman in all of Orario, with beauty that rivaled the goddesses.

She was a half-spirit, half-human, and a household name.

Golden hair, golden eyes, and that classic airhead energy.

Deep down, she longed for a hero who could protect her.

"..."

Over by the side, Allen the cat-person took a swig of his drink.

He really didn't get it.

What exactly did his Lady see in this guy?

This is the "pure and dazzling soul" she talked about?

Yeah, Allen wasn't buying it.

But in that moment—

Syr was the only one who looked genuinely shocked.

As a goddess, she could tell: Klaus wasn't lying.

And that was the scariest part.

.

.

.