Level Eater
Chapter 155

After successfully deciding on a name, Athena officially became a member of the group. They immediately requested her to join the party and everyone checked what kind of status she had.

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Name: Athena

Class: -

Level: 1

Dragon Power: 118

Strength: 16

Durability: 16

Agility: 11

Magic Resistance: 19

Magic Control: 14

|Acquired Skills|

[True Form], [Adult Form], [Child Form]

[Dragon Path Lv.3], [Dragon Armor Lv.3], [All or Nothing Strike Lv.3]

[Lightning Magic Lv.3]

Skill Points: 3

|Titles|

None

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"Huh, Athena doesn't have any flight-related skills?" (Tatsuro)

"That's right. If you compare it to dragon types, Car-nee, and the others are flying dragons, while I'm more like an Earth/Land dragon. So unlike Jan-nee and Nana-nee, even when I use [True Form], I don't grow wings or anything." (Athena)

"I see. But instead of that, you have something called [Dragon Path]. What's that? The display for this one is faded, so does that mean it's a skill exclusive to [True Form]?" (Tatsuro)

"That skill lets me swiftly glide along rails drawn with dragon power. I can draw these rails even in places without footing so that I can move in the air too, but I can't make very complex paths, so it's basically just straight lines." (Athena)

After hearing about the first skill, Nana immediately started asking Athena about the next one.

"Then, what about this skill called [Dragon Armor]?" (Nana)

"Sounds strong." (Tatsuro)

"Ah, that one's like materializing dragon power to wear as armor. So it's not an offensive skill like you might think, but more of a defensive one." (Athena)

"That still sounds pretty reliable, though." (Tatsuro)

"Thanks, Dad." (Athena)

Tatsuro saw Athena, whose expression rarely changed, smile a little at that.

Meanwhile, Ai had started wondering about something else.

"Come to think of it, is Athena in her [Adult Form] right now?" (Ai)

"That's right." (Athena)

"Then, when you use [Child Form], do you become as small as Nana-chan?" (Ai)

"Eh? That's not how it is for me." (Athena)

"Is that so? Then, could you show us?" (Ai)

"Sure. That form seems more comfortable anyway. Well then, here goes~" (Athena)

With a rather laid-back exclamation, Athena's body began to change, becoming visibly smaller. Surprisingly, she shrank down to nearly 30 centimeters.

Wondering if she had turned into a baby, upon closer inspection, it wasn't an infant at all.

"Kitty!" (Ai)

"No... doesn't this look more like... a tiger?" (Tatsuro)

"Gao!" (Athena)

What appeared there was an animal that looked just like a white tiger cub, round and plush like a stuffed toy.

But whether it was a cat or a tiger didn't matter to Ai, who picked it up and hugged it tightly.

The tiger cub—or rather, Athena—went limp and allowed herself to be cuddled without resistance.

Since Athena herself didn't seem to mind, Tatsuro decided to leave her be for now.

"The other thing I'm curious about is [All or Nothing Strike]. What's that like?"

"Gao~ Gagao~~~ ao~" (Athena)

"Dear, are you expecting me to explain? You should explain it yourself." (Nana)

"Gao... Can't be helped, I guess." (Athena)

"It can be helped!" (Nana)

Trying to explain while still in tiger form, Athena was scolded by Nana. So, as if resigned, she climbed down from Ai's arms and returned to her [Adult Form] and human shape.

"That skill is like this. It's something you use when you roll the dice and take a big gamble, win or lose." (Athena)

""Dice?""

As another unexpected word came up, Tatsuro and Ai tilted their heads in unison, and Athena nodded firmly.

"That's right. You roll a ten-sided die created by consuming half of your magic or dragon power. Then, depending on the number rolled, something gets randomly strengthened." (Athena)

"'Something'... That's quite a vague skill. So, for example, what happens if you roll a 1?" (Tatsuro)

"1 is a failure. In that case, the enhancement value is zero. You just end up wasting magic or dragon power. Honestly, this skill doesn't seem worth it unless you roll at least a 5 or higher." (Athena)

"So it's literally 'all or nothing.' A skill with a high gambling element. Seems difficult to use effectively. Hm? But this skill has levels. What benefits come from leveling it up?" (Tatsuro)

Tatsuro thought that since the enhancement value seemed to be determined by the number rolled, and the magic consumption was fixed at half, the levels might not have much meaning.

However, according to Athena, that wasn't the case.

"The probability of rolling the maximum enhancement value of 10 increases. At skill level 10, it seems to come up fairly often." (Athena)

"But the random element doesn't disappear entirely, right? Hmm It's a peculiar skill that seems both useful and not." (Tatsuro)

"Whether it's useful or not aside, I like it because it seems interesting." (Athena)

"Well, if you're happy with it, that's fine. But be careful when you use it, okay?" (Tatsuro)

"Understood~—— Gao~" (Athena)

Immediately after agreeing, Athena turned back into a small tiger and sprawled out comfortably, apparently finding that form easier.

"Oh my, she turned back into a kitty." (Ai)

"It's a tiger, not a cat. But we've certainly got another free spirit on our hands." (Tatsuro)

"She's too free..." (Ai)

Tatsuro had sometimes worried about how earnest Cardina, Jeanne, and Nana were, but he thought that having someone like Athena might help lighten the mood in a way.

However, Athena still had something to do. It was time for meditation, which her sisters had been doing until now.

In fact, Leah was already meditating in a corner of the room, and would likely gain increased recovery speed abilities eventually.

So they had Athena, still in her [Child Form], sit quietly next to Leah and begin meditating. Though they thought she might find it bothersome given her personality, she seemed to enjoy zoning out and entered into the training enthusiastically.

Leah continued meditating until Tatsuro and Ai finished their bath, while Athena kept at it through the night.

The next morning, after getting ready early, Tatsuro used magic to create an illusion on Leah with help from Cardina and Nana, disguising her appearance as an ordinary-looking woman before going outside.

They walked along the tiled streets towards the gate, slightly deviating to have Athena, in her [Adult Form], come out discreetly. Then they headed to the Adventurers' Guild.

There, they registered Athena as an adventurer and had an ID made for her.

Having nothing else to do, and not wanting to expose Leah to too many people despite the magic disguise (since they didn't know what abilities the other adventurers might have), they left quickly.

They then passed through the gate without incident and were able to leave town.

"Good, we made it out safely without drawing attention from any suspicious individuals." (Tatsuro)

"I'm sorry for causing you so much trouble because of me." (Leah)

"Well, we just need to recast the magic occasionally, so it's not really that much trouble. Don't worry about it." (Tatsuro)

"That's right, it's harder for us if you're too formal about it." (Ai)

"If you say so..." (Leah)

"Leah, you finally got healthy, but you seem like the type to give yourself an ulcer from worrying~ Anyway, my business is done, so I'll conserve magic by using [Child Form]~" (Athena)

As easy-going as ever, Athena transformed into a small tiger using [Child Form] as soon as they were a bit away from town and out of sight. She then leaped into Ai's outstretched arms and clung to her chest.

Since there was nothing particular for her to do at the moment, Tatsuro decided it was fine and stroked the stuffed-toy-like tiger's head as she contentedly narrowed her eyes in Ai's embrace.

They continued walking until they were further from town and out of sight. Then they called for Jeanne and Nana, while Cardina, who had been in Tatsuro's pocket, used [Adult Form].

Next, they took out the rhino cart from the [Item Box] and had Jeanne connect to it. They created external seats for Leah and Athena on the deck, attaching them with Π-shaped (Pi-shaped) handrails to prevent falling during bumps, on either side of Cardina's special seat.

The two of them climbed into the driver's seat first. They told Leah she was free to enter and exit the private room as she pleased, except for the loft which was their bedroom, since she would be traveling with them from now on.

However, Leah said she wanted to see the view from above the carriage and chose the seat next to Cardina. She eagerly climbed the ladder from the private room to sit on the deck seat.

Though they thought the private room might be better since they were being pursued, even with the magic concealment, they silently watched her actions. They figured Jeanne's impact was strong enough that people rarely looked up, and this was probably a reaction to rarely being able to go outside before.

After confirming everyone was securely seated, Tatsuro signaled Jeanne to depart.

The carriage began to move, gradually accelerating along the long, straight road as Jeanne pulled it.

"Wow, this is amazing!" (Leah)

"GAO~" (Athena)

"Oh, sorry, Athena-san." (Leah)

"Gao" (Athena)

Athena lightly paw-swatted Leah, who had tried to stand up dangerously from her seat, gently scolding her back into sitting.

This scene brought smiles to both Tatsuro and Ai's faces as they continued their pleasant journey.

Around early afternoon, they slowed down and stopped off the road for lunch and a magical energy replenishment break.

Though frequent magical energy replenishment wasn't strictly necessary anymore, Cardina and the others seemed to want regular attention. So while preparing lunch, the two also tended to them as they set up for the customary barbecue.

This time, they prepared three portions of dragon meat.

After lighting the fire, they left that to Nana and Leah while Tatsuro and Ai checked on the rice they had been cooking in a metal container during the journey.

Having monitored the heat carefully, the rice turned out satisfactory with only a slight scorching where it stuck to the metal container.

They prepared rice, meat, vegetables, and fruit, feeling a bit moved that they could now provide most of their food themselves. The three of them, including Leah, sat down to eat lunch.

During the meal:

"Nana said you two only make grilled dishes. Is that true?" (Leah)

"That's right~ We can't really cook, so we end up making only really simple things." (Tatsuro)

"We bought cookbooks and thought we'd eventually... someday... one day... get around to it, but we never do." (Ai)

"Um. In that case, could you lend me those cookbooks? I'd like to try cooking!" (Leah)

""For real?""

"Yes, for real!" (Leah)

Leah clenched both hands into fists, her crimson eyes filled with determination.

Those eyes clearly conveyed to the two that this wasn't just about feeling uncomfortable doing nothing, but a genuine forward-looking desire.

"...Um, is that not okay?" (Leah)

"Leah!" (Tatsuro)

"Leah -chan!" (Ai)

"Eep!" (Leah)

Tatsuro grasped Leah's right hand with both of his, while Ai took her left hand, both looking back at her with tearful eyes.

""Please, we're counting on you!""

"Y-Yes!" (Leah)

The smile Leah showed in response was utterly sincere. Tatsuro, Ai, and Leah firmly shook hands, sealing their agreement.

As a side note, it's worth mentioning that Nana, who had been watching this exchange, volunteered to be Leah's assistant, saying, "I'll help out too, you know."