Danmachi: A Mage's Journey

When Akira returned to the Stardust Garden, the front courtyard appeared unusually quiet.

There were no gods lounging at the gates, nor were there any fellow Familia members bustling about with curiosity or questions.

It seemed that the feverish frenzy caused by his recent level-up had finally cooled down. A sense of normalcy had returned.

Letting out a soft breath of relief, Akira quickened his pace. He dashed up to the front door, pulled out the familiar brass key, and unlocked the entrance with a satisfying click.

As he pushed the door open, the gentle scent of wood polish and warm food welcomed him home.

"I'm back." Akira called lazily into the hall, his voice tinged with fatigue but softened by comfort.

"Welcome back~ You're late today! We've been waiting forever, but we already ate without you."

Alise replied from the couch, raising one hand lazily in greeting while the other rested behind her head.

Her long red hair was splayed across the cushions like silk.

Akira sighed with a tired smile, shedding his equipment piece by piece as he walked inside.

Just as he was about to slump into a nearby chair and rest his aching body, Alise stood up and grabbed his hand.

"Come on, don't just collapse there." she said, gently tugging him along.

"Astraea-sama saved your dinner in the food box. I'll go heat it up for you!"

Akira stumbled slightly as he was dragged along, giving Alise a helpless glance.

He said earnestly, "You're working too hard, Alise. Thank you."

Alise turned with a bright smile, walking backwards toward the kitchen as she replied, "No problem! Go shower first—your food will be warm and ready by the time you're out!"

Taking her advice, Akira returned to his room, grabbed his casual clothes, and entered the bathroom.

Hot water cascaded over his shoulders and down his back, washing away the grime and exhaustion from the day's adventure.

As steam filled the room, his thoughts drifted to Ais and their training—how she had fallen asleep on his back, her golden hair brushing against his cheek.

By the time he stepped into the kitchen, freshly changed and toweled dry, the aroma of grilled meat and spices filled the air.

The table was neatly set, with a variety of delicious dishes laid out: tender grilled meat, crisp vegetable salad, soft buttered bread, and his favorite—sausage and fluffy egg custard, still steaming.

"Wow… Astraea-sama really went all out today." Akira said, genuinely impressed as he took his seat.

Alise sat across from him, chin propped on one hand, smiling warmly as she watched him devour the meal. The way her eyes sparkled with amusement made Akira feel an unfamiliar but pleasant warmth in his chest.

As he took a bite of the sausage, he asked between chews, "Alise, anything happen today?"

Alise tapped her cheek thoughtfully and said, "Mmm… nothing strange. Evilus hasn't made any moves lately. It's been unusually quiet."

"That's good." Akira nodded.

"But we shouldn't drop our guard. The calmer they act, the more suspicious it feels."

Alise chuckled and said, "Always on edge, huh? Oh—are you going to see Astraea-sama tonight to update your status?"

"Not tonight." Akira replied, shaking his head.

"We didn't hunt many monsters today, so it wouldn't make much difference."

As they continued to eat and chat casually about their day, laughter occasionally echoing in the cozy kitchen, Akira felt his tension melt away. The Stardust Garden may not be large or luxurious, but it was warm. It was home.

— — —

[System Notification: Update complete. New functions unlocked. Update reward package received.]

The robotic, yet familiar chime rang softly in his ears.

Akira's eyes snapped open. Blinking against the faint light spilling through the curtains, he groaned and propped himself up in bed. The sun had barely begun to rise, casting a soft golden hue across the ceiling.

"Ah… right." He murmured.

"The system update…"

He closed his eyes and mentally called up the panel. A familiar interface bloomed in his mind's eye, glowing softly with categories.

[Personal Information] [Equipment] [Skill Bar] [Backpack] [Task]

And—something new.

[World Travel]

Akira's brow lifted slightly. He clicked on the [World Travel] tab, and a detailed description appeared in a glowing frame.

The Starry Curtain, formed by the power of dimensional space, allows travel across the Sea of Stars to other worlds. The [Star Map] records the destinations you have traversed and acts as your compass for interdimensional navigation.

"Dimensional travel…?" Akira's heart skipped a beat.

Curious, he tapped the [Starry Curtain].

At once, the space around him dissolved into stardust. A grand curtain woven from constellations unfurled before his eyes, as if he were standing within the cosmos itself. The stars shimmered and pulsed like heartbeats, drawing him in.

"This is… beautiful." He whispered, mesmerized.

He quickly backed out—too quickly, almost stumbling off his bed. His heart raced. The sensation had been too real, too immersive.

Shaking his head, he tapped the [Star Map].

The bedroom dissolved again into the void of space, replaced by a celestial dome where fluorescent planets revolved slowly, orbiting the center—him.

Each planet emitted a gentle glow, some with names, others still unnamed. As he reached out, a glowing orb drifted toward him, revealing its name.

[Danmachi]

Akira snorted with amusement, "Guess this one's my current world. So this is my anchor—my point of return."

Satisfied, he exited the map and opened the [Backpack].

[Notice: Backpack temporarily locked due to update reconfiguration.]

He frowned slightly. "Tch. Still updating?"

But then he spotted something glowing: the unopened Level 30 Gift Pack.

He clicked it, and a weapon selection screen popped up. From among the choices, he selected a graceful sword, a gift he had promised himself after upsetting Kaguya last time.

The sword was sleek, its white blade tinted with pink along the edge. Plum blossom patterns adorned the hilt, elegant yet lethal.

Next, he opened the System Update Gift Pack.

With a burst of light, a coat materialized on his back.

It was long and flowing, the outer layer a rich crimson, trimmed with a plush collar and oversized sleeves. Gold thread gleamed along the seams. It looked distinctly familiar.

He tapped to view its properties.

[Durable

Self-repairing

+10% Magic Damage

+10 Fashion Points.]

He burst into laughter.

"So the system really is leaning into aesthetics now, huh?"