P.O.V. Cristóbal Xehanort
"Wait, isn't that the guy he killed before? Why is the protagonist such good friends with him now? They're even laughing together! And wait, he looks different... why doesn't he have those black circles around his eyes? Or the dark aura? Or those red lines on his face?" Tiona asked me, looking genuinely confused as she pointed at an illustration of the same man who had died at the protagonist's hands earlier, now intimately hugging him as they entered a school.
"I don't want to spoil the surprise. Or do you want me to tell you?" I asked. Tiona squirmed with indecision.
"Mhmmm, I'm really curious... but if it's a surprise... No! Don't tell me! I'll find out when we get to Volume 10!" she declared, leaning back against my shoulder as I continued showing her the panels.
"Number 574, please come to the main counter. Number 574 to the main counter."
I pulled out my ticket and saw it was my turn. I gave Tiona a light pat on the arm.
"Oh? Is it your turn?"
"Yeah. If everything goes well, I can keep telling you the story later."
"Okay! It's a promise!" she said happily, jumping up in one fluid motion while I began walking toward the 'interview' area.
Once I arrived, the first thing I did was a formal bow—a reflex from job interviews in my first life. Only after they returned the greeting did I sit across from them, maintaining a calm gaze. My hood was down now, leaving my grayish hair visible.
"Alright, so you are Cristóbal Xehanort. Tell us, what is your motivation for wanting to join the Loki Familia?" Riveria asked, picking up a pen and jotting down some notes.
"My primary reason is personal growth. Due to certain circumstances, I am on a strict timeline to become stronger. I feel that the Loki Familia is one of the best—if not the best—families to provide the resources and environment I need, provided I prove I am worth the investment," I said calmly. I saw Riveria nod.
"Self-improvement is always a good motivation, and don't feel obligated to share every detail; everyone has their secrets. Still, there are things we'd like to know more about," Finn said, speaking first while giving me a smile that was both kind and calculating.
"I am prepared to answer as honestly as I can, so please, ask whatever is necessary."
Both nodded, seemingly satisfied with my demeanor. Good. Points gained.
"We'd like to know what combat style you use. Do you have a preference or a specific weapon? Based on the swords at your waist, I'd guess you're some type of dual-wielder," Gareth said, his eyes lingering on my swords for an unusually long time.
"Not exactly. I am mostly self-taught, but I believe that with a bit of guidance and combat experience, I could adapt quickly."
They exchanged a glance and wrote a few more things down.
"Are you saying you have no prior combat experience?" Riveria questioned. I shook my head.
"I lack experience fighting monsters, but I have trained and learned to fight—at least partially—against other people." I recalled the sparring sessions I usually had with Lucius.
"Mhmmm... I see... Last question... What do you plan to do once you have the strength you need? You mentioned a time limit. I assume that after gaining that power, you plan to leave, don't you?"
Finn's question hit the nail on the head. I hadn't really thought about what I'd do once I won my bet back home. I could come back constantly to keep getting stronger—the Falna and the strength gained through this system are invaluable. Even if I don't have a "cheat" ability like Bell Cranel's Liaris Freese to level up in weeks, I could still grow. But Ais Wallenstein, the greatest genius in Orario, took a year for each Level.
"I am willing to stay and support the Familia in any way possible. If you are willing to help me with my goals, how could I not be willing to do the same for those who supported me first?" I said sincerely. It was better to be upfront, even if...
"We appreciate your interest, but the Loki Familia seeks commitment," Riveria said in a calm, professional tone. No malice, just facts. "We cannot simply provide you with resources, a place to sleep, and food if we don't know if we can rely on you once your personal goal is achieved."
I let out a sigh. I figured this might happen. Even if I could lie to them, I couldn't lie to their Goddess, and the last thing I wanted was to build a relationship based on distrust with people I'd be seeing for a long time.
"I understand... I'm sorry I couldn't meet your expectations." I stood up, grabbing my backpack and giving them a respectful nod.
"If it's any consolation, you've been the most polite person we've interviewed today," Finn said with a kind smile, as if trying to soften the blow. "Most brats come in thinking they're doing us a favor, or they can barely look us in the eye."
"Wait, kid. Can I see your swords?" Gareth suddenly asked.
I froze for a moment, looking at the blades. I could have been petty and said no, but I didn't want to leave a bad impression on the highest-level adventurers in Orario. I unsheathed the swords and handed them over.
The dwarf pulled one out and checked the edge, running his fingers along the blade and testing its weight. He brought it close to his face, inspecting it meticulously before nodding and doing the same with the shorter one. Once finished, he handed them back.
"It's good work. The smith who forged these, while far from a master, did a top-notch job. I can tell he was limited by materials, but these are clearly very high-quality weapons."
I blinked in surprise. My father, a D-Rank smith—someone considered "decent" back home—just got a compliment from a dwarf. In fiction, dwarfs are the ultimate authority on smithing.
"My... my father made them, sir. I'll tell him what you said. Having a dwarf praise his craft is not something that happens every day." I gave a final bow and turned to leave.
As I walked away, I could hear them whispering.
"A shame. He seemed like a good kid." "Yes, but as an exploration Familia, there are times we spend weeks—even a month—in the Dungeon. We don't know if we could count on him for those situations. It's better if he finds a Familia that can accommodate his absences."
They were right. I came here with the wrong idea, thinking they would adapt to me because of what I could offer. But I hadn't even offered anything yet, and I couldn't even guarantee my own presence. Dammit.
"Why the long face? Wait... don't tell me they rejected you?"
A voice snapped me out of my trance. I turned to see Tiona looking at me with concern.
"Yeah. Unfortunately, I don't meet their requirements. I don't blame them; I have certain circumstances that would make me absent for long periods." I admitted, taking the blame myself.
"Ooooowwwww.... I wanted you to stay! I was going to kidnap you so you could tell me those stories every day! There are so few good stories, and yours has been the most entertaining one yet, even if I don't understand a single word written in it!" she admitted shamelessly, then smiled a bit sadly. "It would have been fun talking to you... so, what are you going to do now?"
"Well... I guess there must be other Familias willing to take me in. Yours was the safest bet, but I can't back down now." I said, reaching into my backpack.
"Really? Well... that's a bummer... What are you doing?"
I pulled out the book and handed it to her.
"Wait! Your book?!"
"Manga," I corrected with a smile. "I know you liked it, and I have plenty more. You can keep this one. I don't know if we'll see each other again, but if we do and I have free time—and you have the book—we can pick up where we left off."
She hesitated for a moment before taking it. I began adjusting my backpack, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw her bury her face in the manga. Was she blushing? It was hard to tell with her dark skin, but her cheeks looked a bit darker.
"Do you promise?" she whispered.
I let out a small, amused huff and nodded. "Promise."
I put my hood back on and walked out of the Loki estate. I looked back at the grand mansion one last time, feeling a mix of annoyance and regret. Well... what options do I have left?
I started walking aimlessly, staying on the main streets to avoid being mugged by Soma Familia members or something similar. Which gods did I remember?
Hephaestus... only accepts smiths and artisans. Out. Freya... I wasn't sure. I recalled her members literally kill each other during training. Even if my "soul" was special enough to catch her eye, I didn't want to deal with her obsessive simps.
Who else? Demeter... but she's a goddess of agriculture. Takemikazuchi is a war god who prioritizes physical discipline and soul-deep commitment; he wouldn't accept someone who isn't all-in. Hermes? No, definitely not Hermes.
I needed a Familia willing to take someone like me—someone who disappears for long stretches. I needed someone who could afford a member they can't always rely on, but who makes it worth it when he is there. Someone who... really needs the help.
I stopped as an adventurer walked past me, exiting a small shop. I narrowly avoided a collision, and he gave me a dirty look before moving on. I looked at the closing door out of curiosity and saw two people inside.
The first was a man with long black hair who—at the risk of sounding gay—was quite attractive. He wore simple robes and was calmly talking to the girl behind the counter. The girl had brown hair and an expressionless, almost bored look, though I noticed a glint in her eyes as she spoke to the man. What stood out was that her clothes seemed to hide her right arm.
As the door shut, I looked at the symbol on the sign. The letters slowly blurred and adapted into words I could read: Miach Familia Shop.
I checked my side pockets, where three potions taken from my mother's shop were resting. I looked up and couldn't help but grin.
"How ironic. I really didn't want to end up as an apothecary back home, and in the end, my best bet is an apothecary Familia... Life's a joke."
I stepped into the shop, the bell chiming behind me, only to be greeted by a kind, peaceful voice.
"Oh? Hello! Welcome to the Miach Familia shop. It's a pleasure to meet you. I am the Patron God. How can I help you?"
The man spoke with a level of kindness you rarely hear these days. I suppose... there are worse options. At least he seems nice.
[End of Chapter]