Jeanne d'Arc.
She was a 19-year-old girl from a small village in France.
Her short life was like a tragic epic.
She heard the voice of God and left her village. She fought in many battles and won great victories. In the end, she saved her country and changed the course of the war.
But after her success, she was betrayed. She was accused of crimes she did not commit. They tied her to a stake in Rouen and burned her alive. She turned to ashes in the flames.
...
Memories flashed through Jeanne's mind. She relived that difficult and extraordinary life once more.
She remembered the burning fire, the mysterious envelope, and the quiet yard. Then she saw the man before her and the contract they had just formed.
Right now, they were in Ronan's bedroom.
Jeanne let Ronan lead her there almost like a puppet. Following his instructions, she removed her upper clothes and lay down on the bed, flushed with embarrassment.
When Ronan's cool fingertips touched her back, Jeanne jumped like a startled deer.
A blush spread from her ears down her neck. Her feet curled together on instinct. She buried her face in the pillow and protested in a muffled voice.
"D-Do we really have to do this? This ritual... is not very proper!"
Ronan looked at her back, but his voice remained serious.
"This is the standard ritual for joining a Familia and receiving a Falna. I am not trying to make things difficult for you."
His voice was calm and steady.
"Please be patient for a moment."
Jeanne was not tall, but she was beautifully proportioned. Her figure and noble features made it hard for Ronan to stay completely calm.
In the end, he stopped teasing her and picked up a silver needle. He pricked his right index finger.
A drop of blood fell onto Jeanne's back.
His Second Magic, [Heaven and Earth - Blessed Boon], activated.
[Heaven and Earth - Blessed Boon]
Same as a Falna, it is a blessing granted by Ronan Veyr. It uses a human miracle to reproduce divine power.
Ritual Magic.
Blessing Magic.
It uses a human body to perform divine authority, granting the target a blessing equal to a Falna.
"Ding..."
The blood landed on her back and spread like ripples across water.
Then Ronan used his finger like a pen and his blood like ink. He began writing complex Sacred Characters across Jeanne's back.
The Familia emblem and her personal information appeared. Golden lines and runes spread from the center, gradually forming a glowing Falna.
When the last stroke was finished, Ronan lifted his hand away. The soft light slowly faded into her skin.
"From now on, Jeanne d'Arc," Ronan said gently, "you are officially a member of the Veyr Familia. We are family now."
When the touch on her back disappeared, Jeanne quickly sat up, her face still burning red. She hugged a pillow to her chest and folded her legs to one side.
"Is the ritual over?" she asked in a tiny voice.
Ronan looked at the completed Falna on her back for a moment, then nodded.
"It's over. Here... this is your Status information."
He picked up a blank piece of parchment and brushed his hand over it. The same runes and information appeared on the paper.
When Ronan saw Jeanne's Status, he was not surprised.
Jeanne d'Arc was an exceptionally talented individual.
Even Ronan had to admit her talent was almost absurd.
"R-Ronan..." Jeanne took the paper and looked away in embarrassment. "S-Sorry..."
"?"
Ronan was confused. Then he saw the lost look on her face as she stared at the parchment and understood.
"You can't read? That makes sense."
He smiled gently.
"Don't worry. That is common in Orario."
He sat down naturally beside Jeanne and pointed at the writing on the paper, explaining it patiently.
"The writing on your back is in Sacred Characters. Usually, only gods, scholars, or very knowledgeable people can read it. That is why we copy it onto parchment in the common tongue."
"I'll teach you how to read later."
[Name]: Jeanne d'Arc
[Alias]: Saint Maiden
[Occupation]: Clergy, Adventurer
[Familia]: Veyr Familia (Demeter Familia)
[Status]:
Strength: I 0 | Endurance: I 0 | Dexterity: I 0 | Agility: I 0 | Magic: I 0
[Magic]:
[Luminosité Eternelle]
Creates a barrier that blocks damage. It also provides constant healing to allies within range and increases their defense.
Wide-range Barrier Magic.
[Chant]: O flag of mine, protect my comrades. Luminosité Eternelle!
[La Pucelle]
Adds the user's Level and all ability values to the magic's power, including potential. Can only be used once. It recharges every twenty-four hours.
Wide-range Destruction Magic.
[Chant]:
The heavens show the glory of God, and the sky reveals His work;
Day speaks to day, and night passes on its knowledge. My heart burns within me, stirred by my thoughts;
I will reach my end here. I offer my fate here, and the fleeting span of my life;
The only thing I have left, let it protect their path;
God, I entrust this body to You. After despair, hope must be waiting! La Pucelle!
[Skills]:
[Crest of Favor]
Blocks detection. It hides the user from a god's divine observation and from search magic. It also blocks a god's ability to sense lies.
Increases potential and capacity for growth. Allows for extremely fast growth.
[Revelation]
A high-level wide-range detection ability.
Provides guidance that leads the user to the correct choice at critical moments.
[Ruler's Verdict]
Greatly increases resistance to all magic. Increases [Strength] when dealing with magic.
Greatly increases resistance to negative status effects. Increases [Endurance] when resisting them.
Slightly weakens any target or group considered an enemy.
[Saint's Heart]
Slightly reduces all damage taken.
Provides constant recovery of Stamina and Mind.
[Holy Maiden]
Massively increases all Abilities.
Slightly increases mental resistance for Familia members or allies within a certain range.
This was Jeanne d'Arc's Status.
Even though Ronan had already seen it once, he was still impressed when he looked at it again. Then he gave her a brief explanation.
"Jeanne, there is something you need to understand."
"Normally, 99.9% of Familia members have no Magic or Skills when they first receive a Falna."
"Of course, there are exceptions. For example, elves are naturally suited for magic, so they have a high chance of starting with it."
"But for other races, the chance of starting with Magic or Skills is about the same as it is for humans."
"At the beginning, the main difference between races is in their base abilities."
"Dwarves are naturally stronger and tougher than other races."
"Beastmen have much sharper senses."
"Elves have a natural affinity for magic."
"But you cannot gain a Skill just because you belong to a certain race."
"Only very special individuals can have a Skill from the beginning. I call those 'Racial Skills.'"
"Skills like 'Strong Fist' or 'Elven Chant' would fall into that category. They vary in strength, but we can talk about that later."
By that point, Jeanne had already begun to understand her situation.
"You just received your Falna, and you already have two Magics and five Skills. Compared to others, you are extremely rare."
He looked directly into Jeanne's clear eyes, and his expression turned serious.
"Jeanne, I have locked your Status so others cannot see it. But there are exceptions, like Unlock Medicine."
"So remember, you need to be careful when you're outside."
Ronan gave her an example.
"Take Apollo, the god of the Apollo Familia. He likes forcing other Familias to give in. He takes people he likes. He even starts War Games to seize what he wants."
"And he is not the only one. Things like that happen often in Orario. You must never let outsiders see your Status. If your information gets out, the consequences could be very bad."
Jeanne's fingers tightened around the parchment. A cold, sharp look flashed through her blue eyes.
"So there really are people willing to stoop that low."
Ronan patted her shoulder to calm her down.
"Don't worry too much. As long as your Status is locked and they do not have Unlock Medicine, not even a god can read it. I'm only telling you this so you stay alert. Don't show your trump cards to anyone."
...
Jeanne narrowed her eyes at Ronan. She looked a little annoyed.
"Do you think I'm just... a helpless, stupid, naive girl?"
Ronan froze and hurriedly waved both hands.
"Of course not. I'm only giving you the basic information you need."
He explained with sincere concern.
"You just arrived here, so you still don't know how this world works. And..." He paused, then spoke honestly. "You stand out too much. I'm just worried that some bad person might try to trick you. I'd feel terrible if that happened."
For some reason, hearing that made Jeanne feel a little happy. Warmth rose to her cheeks.
"Hmph... at least you know how to talk," she whispered.
She looked away and began twisting the corner of her clothes with her fingers, once again sinking into her own thoughts.
Ronan watched her and smiled faintly.
He knew she was overthinking again.
"..."