Religious history exposition!
(Lex POV)
This person that almost a bit too eerily resembles a fox in human form, began to approach me. Though I thought to myself not to do or say anything unnecessary just because of appearances.
"Hello Mr. Armine, my name is Roy Finnegan and I serve viscount Trent as his butler, it's a pleasure to meet someone who serves a famous magus such as yourself."
He came on with a good impression, perhaps I had just mistaken his previous look for amusement when it had good intentions behind it. He offered his hand and so I shook it firmly but a notification I didn't expect appeared.
Details: Interact with a deity of any world
Rewards: Based on deities abilities
Failure: No punishment
Loading Reward
1_______________100
*Ting*
{Reward is the new skill: Character observation}>
The surprise was evident on my face, and Roy seemed to realize that before I could make a poker face, then even before that another thing seemed to happen,
[[ Your skill [no thoughts] has leveled up! ]]
[[ Your skill [no thoughts] has leveled up! ]]
[[ Your skill [no thoughts] has leveled up! ]]
[[ Your skill [no thoughts] has leveled up! ]]
...
Screens were constantly appearing in front of me and I immediately discerned that the so-called 'deity' in front of me was reading my mind, I tried to pull away but immediately notice friendly yet fierce orange eyes were opened and staring at me. As if a fire was burning inside of him I profusely tried to pull away and used [Death glare] and silently there was another notification stating that death glare had leveled up twice! This is because the conditions for it were,
[Death glare lv. 3]
Put the fear of death in somebody through your line of sight (Condition for level up: Scare someone of at least 2 grades of race above you) (Consequences: No consequences of skill earned through hosts own efforts.)
Supposedly in the universe, there existed grades of races. Not that I know what those grades are but it's obvious knowledge seeing that it's mentioned in the skill.
[[ Your skill [no thoughts] has leveled up! ]]
[[ Your skill [no thoughts] has surpassed level 10! [No thoughts] has been upgraded to [corrupted mind]! ]]
Something insane was currently going on through this short handshake that felt like so much had happened but it was only around three seconds. Though even those three seconds became too long for a simple handshake so once 'Roy' if that is his real name let go of my hand he grimaced mildly in my direction while everyone was still processing my whole introduction remaining blissfully unaware of the situation that just happened.
For now, I couldn't process everything but I immediately activated my new skill from the secret quest [Character observation] on Roy
{Name: Royard (Avatar alias: Roy Finnegan)
Race: Deity | A god's child | Angel
Titles: God of the divine flame, childcare, and deceit | Son of Dawn | Second child of the sun god
Current feelings: Amusement | competitive | curiosity | Pride
[Status]
[Abilities]
[Hobbies]
[Relationships] }
I was currently feeling dumbstruck this random guy turned out to be something beyond my wildest imagination, though at the same time his existence piqued my curiosity to the extreme I wanted to interact with this deity but this also helped me make a decision...
For now though instead of prying open the other tabs I continued to simply introduce myself to the people here because right now I don't wish to get into a scuffle with a literal god angel thing. I literally just got a skill to balance on a rope really well what does this world think I am currently capable of?
Soon after finishing off the basic introductions Esel, Lily, and I were invited to take measurements in another room while I would pay the necessary funds for an expensive clothing line. They even took some black and white Polaroid photos to show to some famous designers. It totalled a total of 500 Yerin, an amount that could take care of a 4-person family decently for around 3 months. The currency is divided into three denominations Yerin being the highest worth, then Yor and Yen which sounded the same as Japanese yen currency. The yen was rarely used however except for in slums that according to my father almost worked on their own poverty-stricken economy.
(A/N 10 Yen -> 1 Yor, 100 Yor -> 1 Yerin)
A single Yerin would be able to purchase a bland but at least nutritional and filling meal for a single day. At least in the economy's current position experiencing some degree of inflation.
The Lex Armine in me was coughing blood at these prices, while Kim Oh-Jin just wanted to play the executioner by chopping off some heads at the exorbitant prices for clothes. On Earth, though my sense of money was sort of lacking since I was still young without a job but even I knew that this was painful. It felt kind of funny how there were like three different types of thoughts in my head but not in a multiple personality type of way, they felt like... they belong right where they are.
I sighed inwardly and once we were done with the payments, in which there was a visible surprise that I paid directly and didn't ask to get Arlan to do so. We were once again brought to Arlan this time in his room, which was mesmerizing to look at rather than some sort of luxurious place half of it looked like a perfectly secured lab behind some glad while the other was split into a more cozy area. He said that they made it according to his preference.
"I have no current orders for you Lex. You are far too inexperienced in serving someone here you can take these books and ask for some assistance in your free time those children are probably better than you at serving tea, though not to be too harsh yours is at least decent for your standing."
'Tea? My tea was bad? I've heard of the different types of tea in stories involving aristocrats bit to think I'd have to learn the arts...'
I looked at him a bit weird but surprisingly he didn't seem to care even though I'm in my current position...
"Here you may take a look at these books which I borrowed from the library, you can take a visit if you want to come and borrow my pass."
I nodded getting access to a library seemed interesting I'd get to read some books and learn various things while I'm at it.
"One final thing, your training shall start in a week, I'll test your physical capabilities and give you some recommendations though at that time..."
Arlan leaned forward,
"And to earn my teachings you're going to have to answer some of my questions... understood?"
I listened attentively and the Oh-Jin in me was excited to hear about the training while I was personally feeling lazy about it I'd rather just read this world's stories and learn more about it. Lex Armine as a mediator personality made me convinced of the usefulness of the training and its relation to my survival in the future. Especially when we just recently came in contact with a literal god! Preparations had to be made and so the passion began to burn brightly.
*****
Back in the servants' home, I was given room till late at night to study in a corner, while the kids were shown the ropes around the play, and much to my shock Roy Finnegan the deity who interacted with me, chose to personally show them around, I was obviously against it but because of our three to five-second interaction wasn't something I could use to prove anything. Besides, it could simply be good intentions he is, after all, the god of childcare as well. Though the deceit part of his title doesn't do him any favors. Apart from the social etiquette I made some important decisions in regards to the system and checked out my upgraded skill [Corrupted mind] (A/N more about this part in next chapter, or I'll edit this part to fit it in when I can), while I was beginning to love away from learning I spent some time theorizing reasons why he was here as an avatar.
Perhaps all the Gods are descended on their own avatars at all times to watch the world, or could Roydan be on vacation or something? I had no proof for anything and just collected the information I knew about the Gods in this World. History available to me in my memories states that the world supposedly started with 5 Gods; the God of the sun Dawn, Goddess of the moon Alicia, God of twilight Adjace, Goddess of the Earth Gaia, and finally Goddess of thought Kross. They had varying additional titles but what is most consistent themes are these along with something called their 'human aspect'. In that same order, each of their human aspects are; Contradiction, Pride, Selfishness, Greed, and hatred. It's a wonderfully curious naming process that is explained as being added so the Gods could feel closer to humanity. Though now I assume that a lot of the stories are true because they remain to be spread by the gods themselves.
From there the name Roydan God of the divine flame is one of the two children that came from the consummation of Dawn and Alicia's marriage. The most famous story told to couples is to not follow the God of Twilights actions, but is still prayed to for his various other titles much like the others. Adjace's most famous story is how he cheated on his long-beloved wife Kross with Gaia and granted them their human aspects. With Kross, he had but a single child and with Gaia, he had a total number of 7! These children were given their own godly titles but their race remains closer to those of subservient angels in some tellings of religious history.
"Gods and Goddesses do I really want to read more of these stories that relate to these gods Lex Armine's memories are very limited because he lacked interest and was closer to being an atheist than anything else. Though I guess I can't deny them now after all these shared memories haha!"
I laughed maniacally under my breath because everybody else was sleeping, while some were assigned night duties and were roaming the castle. I'm really glad that no one can hear me talking about gods and stuff like a madman... I shouldn't jinx it though so I look back to scan the room if anyone heard me and I heard a bed creak and guess who moved....of course, it's our very own god of deceit Roydan!
"Shit he heard me..."