Reborn as the Lord of Goddesses

[Objective: Find out how to perform the Goddess Call Ritual. (Completed)]

[Congratulations! You are now level 5!]

[Reward: Magical Staff.]

[New Objective: Talk to the elder.]

Aldebaran was shocked by the voice. A Magical Staff? Great. Except he had no idea how to summon it or to use it. Not the best timing for a surprise like this. Still, maybe it could help convince them somehow.

"Thank you," he uttered and as he stretched out his arms, a wooden staff materialized in his hand. He stared at it, startled. "I'll do my best."

Everyone froze. All eyes were on him. Even Meadow, who had been the loudest, was wide-eyed and speechless. But then, a grin spread across her face, her ears twitching with excitement.

"I told you!" she shouted, spinning around to face the others. "He's the God we've been waiting for!"

Without hesitation, she dashed to a tall rabbit. "Father! Look at him—he's our salvation!"

The older rabbit skeptical expression didn't budge an inch. "God or not," he crossed his arms, "it doesn't matter if he can't help us. We need a solution, not more theatrics."

Those words struck Aldebaran harder than he cared to admit. "Believe in me. Once I communicate with the Goddess, I'll make things better here. I promise!"

The elder didn't comment. Instead, he turned with a deliberate motion. "Let's head to the forest to discuss this further. I assume you don't want to waste any more time."

With a nod, Aldebaran followed the elder, trailing behind some beavers and other rabbits. The route wound deeper into the forest, where massive trees loomed above them, their thick trunks untouched by human hands. Even with Orbivian strength, the ancient wood remained untamed.

As they walked, Aldebaran's thoughts kept returning to the staff now in his hand. From the name alone, it was clear this wasn't some normal stick. It had to hold some kind of magic—something that could be useful when facing wild beasts or unexpected dangers. But what kind of magic? And how strong could it be at his level?

The logic nagged at him. He was only level 5, no system in its right mind would hand him something overpowered this early. Would it?

"Why didn't you show your staff earlier?" Meadow asked, hopping beside Aldebaran with curious glances at the wooden stick.

Aldebaran replied, "I just remembered I could summon it."

To demonstrate, he gave the staff a light stomp against the ground, and it vanished in an instant. "Also secure it to myself," he added, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Meadow gasped. "Wow! That's incredible! Divines really are amazing! Can you show me some magic tricks?"

"Meadow, enough," the elder interrupted, his voice cutting through the moment. The stern tone made both of them stop in their tracks. "Magic isn't something to fool around with. It's scarce and dangerous. You'd do well to remember where we are."

Meadow's excitement faded, her expression turning grim as she pouted. Aldebaran gave her a faint smile and said, "Listen to the elder."

Magic was rare in this world, its use restricted by its cost. It wasn't just about energy consumption—magic could be dangerous, unpredictable, and even fatal if mishandled. It required immense discipline and control, and only a few, even among the elders, had mastered it.

The deeper they ventured from the riverbank, the denser the forest became. The sunlight barely pierced the canopy above, the air turned colder, and a creeping fog seemed to wrap around them. Strange, distant sounds echoed through the woods, adding an eerie tension to the atmosphere.

"Did you hear that?" the elder said. "That's the voice of the Forest Spirit."

"Humans wouldn't dare come this far into the forest," the elder continued. "For now, we're safe. But after the sign earlier, I expect they'll come looking for us soon enough."

They arrived at the five tall, oval-shaped stones encircling a weathered table carved with intricate symbols. Aldebaran stepped closer, examining the engravings. The symbols seemed ancient, their meanings lost to him, but they radiated a strange, undeniable mysticism.

The elder moved to one of the stone chairs surrounding the table and sat down, followed by another rabbit and two beavers. He watched Aldebaran, his voice calm but firm. "Sit." Without hesitation, Aldebaran obeyed.

"We all know the materials needed. Whispering Tree Heart, Forest Springs, and Moonlight Dew," the elder began. "But we have no clue where to find them."

"You're supposed to be a God, right?" one of the beavers chimed in, his tone sharp and skeptical. "Why can't you talk to the Goddesses directly? Does that mean you're not a God?"

"Baevur," the elder said. "You've noticed the difference in the forest, haven't you? The whispers from the spirits, they're calmer, more composed than usual. Do you understand what that means?"

"It means this man has been recognized as their trusted companion—just as we are," the elder explained. "No human could have entered this area, let alone heard the spirits. Now, let us seek direction to the Spirit Springs."

Aldebaran stayed silent, observing as the elder turned his focus to the unseen forces around them. Meadow, who had been her usual excitable self earlier, was now quiet. She looked terrified, as though the voices might descend upon them at any moment.

The elder closed his eyes and began to speak in a language Aldebaran couldn't recognize. He could watch as the elder conversed with the spirits, but, moments later, the whispers ceased. The forest fell silent again, save for the soft rustling of leaves in the wind.

"We've spoken," the elder said. "The Spirit Springs are located on the left side of the forest, in Eanor's region."

"As far as I know, the spirits there aren't kind," the elder continued. "They're hostile and malicious. It's far too dangerous for us. I'm afraid this is something you'll have to handle alone."

Aldebaran swallowed hard, his heart sinking at the thought. But he knew he didn't have a choice. This had been his task from the start, his old self with all its flaws had to be changed. His laziness, foolishness, and clumsiness are now being tested as he is forced to adapt to the system's missions. After all, he was the one who decided to live in this world.

Taking a deep breath, he straightened up and nodded. "I understand. I'll do whatever it takes. I'll fight until my last breath if I have to, so we can all have a better life. A heaven for us all."

"Heaven, huh?" The elder chuckled, a faint smile breaking through his usual stern expression. "I hope you can make it happen."

[Objective: Talk to the elder. (Completed)]

[Congratulations! You are now level 7!]

[Reward: White Ember Magic (Skill)]

[New Objective: Go to the forest.]

"So… this is my first skill?" Aldebaran muttered.

[Useful in the dark.]

He let out a chuckle. "Great. I've got one spell, and it's not even for defending myself." He sighed, shaking his head. "Well, here goes nothing. Wish me luck."