Moved by Phaethon's calm yet empowering words, and sensing the genuine strength radiating from her senior Kanae Kocho, a spark of hope within Miko Yotsuya was finally and fully ignited.
The fear and helplessness that had plagued her for so long now seemed to have a glimmer of light to dispel them.
"I... I'm willing!"
Miko raised her head, her voice still carrying a faint tremor, but her eyes—those clear black eyes—now brimmed with unprecedented determination and anticipation.
She looked earnestly at the god before her, a being who seemed to embody light itself.
"Lord Phaethon, please let me join your Familia. I want to become... part of your family!"
Seeing the light return to her eyes, Phaethon offered a warm smile.
He knew this girl, who bore a unique gift yet had been tormented by fear, had finally taken her first step toward changing her fate.
"Very good, Miko. A wise decision."
Phaethon nodded gently and motioned.
"Then come with me. We need to perform a simple ceremony to awaken your power."
He led Miko upstairs to the same room where he had previously conducted Kanae's ceremony.
The room remained sparsely furnished—just a bed and a few essential items—but the air carried a distinct purity and serenity.
"Miko..."
Phaethon pointed to the bed and spoke in a gentle tone.
"Next, I'll need you to lie face-down on the bed and... well, remove your top so I can access your back."
"Huh? R-Remove my clothes?"
Miko, who had only just mustered the courage to agree, immediately turned scarlet, her fair cheeks burning like ripe apples.
As a reserved high school girl, she had never even spoken much with boys, let alone removed clothing in front of one—even if he was a divine being.
The overwhelming shame nearly swallowed her whole. Her heart pounded wildly, like a deer caught in headlights.
She instinctively wanted to flee, but then she thought of the grotesque spirits constantly haunting her…
Of the false god in the shrine stalking her with malevolent intent...
To grow stronger! I have to become strong!
Only by doing so could she break free from fear and protect herself—and those important to her.
With that resolve burning in her, her survival instinct and yearning for power finally overcame her embarrassment.
Miko bit her lip and nodded, her voice barely a whisper.
"O-Okay... Lord Phaethon."
Taking a deep breath, as if drawing courage from her very soul, she walked to the bed, lying down awkwardly.
With trembling hands, she slowly removed the familiar uniform top, baring her smooth, pale, and slender back to the air—and to Phaethon's eyes.
The chill of the room made her shiver slightly. Her body tensed, trembling not from fear but from overwhelming nervousness.
She tightly shut her eyes, her long lashes fluttering, face buried in the sheets.
She dared not look, dared not think—only waiting in silence for the ritual to begin.
Phaethon's gaze remained calm and composed. He showed no hint of lust or emotion—only divine serenity.
He extended a finger, where sacred golden light gathered at the tip.
A single drop of godly blood—shining like molten gold—fell from his fingertip, precisely landing at the center of Miko's back.
"Vmmm—!"
Just like with Kanae, the moment the divine blood touched her skin, a warm and sacred force surged through her body.
Complex, radiant golden patterns rapidly traced across her back, settling into a sacred emblem unique to the Phaethon Familia.
The blessing system was successfully activated!
Miko Yotsuya officially became the second member of Phaethon's Familia.
The entire process was smooth and painless.
Miko only felt a warm current flowing through her body, as if something deep within her soul had quietly awakened.
Still keeping her eyes shut, awaiting the next step, she suddenly heard Phaethon's composed voice:
"It's done, Miko. The ceremony is complete. You can put your clothes back on."
"Huh? That's... it?"
Miko blinked in confusion, glancing at Phaethon's always-calm expression.
She sat up clumsily and hurriedly redressed, her heart filled with disbelief.
"This is... how I gained power?"
At that moment, Phaethon handed her a pristine sheet of paper, on which was written in this world's script:
"This is your status panel. It records your current condition.
Remember, never let anyone in Orario—especially other gods—see the divine writing on your back.
And if anyone asks about your origins, just say you're an adventurer from a distant eastern nation.
That should save you a lot of unnecessary trouble."
"Y-Yes! I understand!"
Miko accepted the sheet with both hands, nodding earnestly and firmly committing his advice to memory.
She looked down at the panel in her hands. On it, the following was written:
[Name]Miko Yotsuya
[Level]LV1
[Stats]
Strength: I0
Endurance: I0
Dexterity: I0
Agility: I0
Magic: I0
[Magic]
Spirit Control: Consumes mental and magical energy to command and manipulate spirits, turning them into allies.
Can also draw upon some of their powers and abilities from their past lives.
[Skill]
Spirit Sight: Can clearly perceive all spiritual entities in the world, including benign spirits, malevolent ones, yokai, and even partial divine essences.
Allows tracking of their movement paths.