Sometimes, a person's racial traits can grant advantages that aren't reflected in the falna.
For example... if a dwarf and a pallum were to receive their falna at the same time and gained equal stats across all parameters... even reaching SSS in every category...
In a contest of strength, the dwarf would still prevail.
Even if their strength stat was identical.
'Though... he still falls short against Ais with Ariel.'
Judas thought as his figure blurred, narrowly dodging one of Bete's kicks.
Another minute passed.
The battle between them only grew more intense, the training ground suffering further devastation with each exchange.
In the end...
The one lying flat on his back was Bete... breathing heavily, his body covered in bruises.
In contrast, Judas only had a few scratches, though sweat dripped from his body.
"See? I told you he would win... as expected of my chosen mate."
Tiona said with a satisfied smirk.
"Sir Bete, are you alright?"
Line came hurrying over and crouched down beside him.
"What are you doing? Get lost!"
Bete snapped as he shoved himself upright, causing her to lower her head and step back.
"Hey! Why did you go easy on me? You were way stronger on the 24th floor."
"Give me a straight answer."
"And don't give me that garbage about being considerate of my feelings. Only weaklings pull that soft shit!"
Bete shouted, visibly irritated. He reached out to grab Judas' shirt...
But Judas stepped back, easily avoiding him.
Since Bete didn't know the details of Judas' status, he assumed Judas had been holding back... and that thought alone pissed him off.
And to him, holding back against an opponent was no different from declaring them too weak to bother taking seriously.
His pride couldn't sit with that.
Knowing what Bete was thinking, Judas let out a small sigh.
"I didn't hold back, Bete. I just have a skill that gives me a conditional boost... it activated during the fight against Revis and Olivas. That's all."
Judas explained calmly.
Bete held his gaze for a long moment, searching for any sign of a lie.
Judas didn't flinch.
Seeing no sign of deception, Bete clicked his tongue and shoved his hands into his pockets.
"Tsk... what a convenient skill."
Without another word, he turned and walked away, brushing off the healers who tried to approach him.
"I don't need your help!"
And just like that, he left.
No one followed...
Except for Line, who hesitated, biting her lip.
Eventually, she sighed, seemingly deciding against it... likely expecting to be scolded again.
Judas watched this without stepping in.
He could help someone with their training. He could help them get stronger.
But a man who hadn't managed to find a girlfriend across multiple lifetimes had absolutely no business dispensing love advice.
Whether Line's feelings would ever go anywhere was none of his concern.
With his training for the day finished, Judas headed to the familia's bath.
...
He was soaking in the large communal bath, towel draped over his head, when the door swung open and a dozen or so sets of footsteps came filing in.
"Oh, Judas... you're here early."
Cruz Bussell was the first to speak... a Level 4 chienthrope.
Judas turned his head to see them entering, half-naked, towels wrapped around their waists.
He raised a hand and waved.
This wasn't the first time they had bathed together.
Through moments like this, he had gradually grown closer to the lower-ranked male members of the familia.
Most of the conversations were started by them, but still...
The initial awkwardness of being a newcomer...
That subtle sense of not quite belonging...
Had quietly faded away.
Without even realizing it, Judas had become one of them.
He had fully integrated into the familia.
Water splashed as Raul dipped into the bath with a relieved sigh.
"Ah... Judas, you were amazing out there. I couldn't even follow your movements."
Raul said as he leaned back.
"It was nice seeing you beat Bete up... something a lot of us have wanted to do for a long time."
Cruz added, stepping into the bath.
"Haha! The way he acted tough while covered in bruises was hilarious!"
"Serves him right!"
Orba, another Level 4 chienthrope, laughed as the others joined in.
"Oh? I think I hear Bete coming this way."
Judas said, turning his head toward the door.
The laughter died instantly. Cruz, Orba and the others went visibly pale, color draining from their faces as they broke into a cold sweat.
"W-wait! Bete! W-we can explain!"
They turned...
Only to find no one there.
The realization landed a beat later.
Several twitching expressions turned slowly back toward Judas.
"You brat! You almost gave us a heart attack!"
Cruz launched himself across the bath toward Judas, fully intent on getting him in a headlock.
Judas was already out of the water and three steps away before the arms closed around anything.
"You're too fast! The least you could do is let me catch you!"
Cruz said with a look of pure frustration.
Raul let out a quiet laugh and scratched his cheek.
"I'll head out first."
Judas said, turning to face them as he reached for his towel.
What followed was a moment of silence as every man in the bath inadvertently glanced in a specific direction.
Then glanced at themselves.
Then clicked their tongues in quiet, collective resignation.
"This world is genuinely unfair."
Orba muttered with a sigh that carried the full weight of defeat.
...
After changing into fresh clothes, Judas found Ais in the living room, a piece of paper held in both hands, the other girls gathered around her.
"Wow! Miss Argonaut is amazing!"
Tiona exclaimed excitedly.
"Are you serious?"
Tione added, arms crossed.
When Tiona noticed Judas approaching, she grabbed the paper from Ais and shoved it toward him.
"Ah... Judas, look at this... you won't believe it!"
Judas instinctively stepped back as she pushed it too close to his face.
When his eyes finally landed on it, the first thing he saw was Belle's face printed front and center.
'It's about time...'
It was a poster.
Announcing her rank up to Level 2.
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