The passage leading from the Lower Level to the Middle Level looked entirely different from the last time I had visited the God Realm. Back then, it had felt more like a teleportation circle, but now it resembled a massive, transparent elevator.
I suspected this was another new addition for the White God Festival. Since it served as the main gateway to the Middle Level, however, the area was teeming with people.
I had heard that the Middle Level had entrance restrictions, and a sizable queue had already formed in front of the transit station. I was ready to settle in for a long wait when a member of the God race—likely a low-ranking deity—stepped forward and approached our group.
"Please, come this way. We have a dedicated teleportation gate prepared for you."
"Oh, alright. Thank you very much."
Guided by the God, we moved away from the crowd.
"...Look at that, Aoi-senpai. He’s getting us through on a face pass. I knew Kaito-senpai would be a walk-in."
"Well, it is Kaito-san, after all," Aoi replied. "I think we all expected this, which is probably why even Lilia-san is keeping her cool."
Hearing the conversation between my juniors—which felt like a repeat of every other time we’d been out together—I stole a glance at Lilia-san. She maintained a perfectly composed expression. Just as Hina had said, she seemed to have fully anticipated this development. She walked with such poise that one could feel her innate elegance in every step.
To be fair, I had expected something like this to happen as well. I figured we would just head up to the Middle Level and meet our guide, Sky God-san. With that thought in mind, I followed the deity into the VIP facility.
"Oh? Welcome, Kai-chan and company!"
"Fate-san?"
"Yaho! Well, I’m technically just the supervisor, so I’ve got nothing but time on my hands. I came by to give you guys your transfer to the Middle Level and a little something extra."
It wasn't particularly surprising to find Fate-san inside the building. She had told me before that Chronoa-san and Life-san were the ones doing the heavy lifting for this festival while she remained in an advisory role. It made sense that she had the freedom to drop in on us.
But... what did she want to give us? Even if it were some kind of commemorative gift, the timing seemed odd. Was it something specifically for the Middle Level?
"Something to give us? You mean something related to the next area?"
"Yep. To put it in very simple terms... think of these as Special Privilege Cards. As you might know, the Middle Level has entry limits and certain items you can only buy if you win a lottery. With these cards, however, you're all set. No restrictions, no lotteries."
It was a blunt explanation typical of Fate-san, but in short, they were VIP cards. I assumed they would grant us priority access to buy limited items like Glorious Tea or Shallow Grande. And if we didn't have to win a lottery to get in, did that mean we could attend the worship services too? Not that I had any intention of going...
The others didn't seem particularly shocked, either. Their expressions suggested they had expected as much. Lilia-san remained completely calm, showing none of the flustered panic she’d displayed when we ran into Tre-san and the others.
As expected, Lilia-san has gained so much experience that she now has the mental fortitude to—
"Wait a second. Hey, Riri-tan, why are you looking like such a bystander? You’re getting one of these, too, you know?"
"Eh? M-Me!? W-Why?"
...I take it back. I was completely wrong. This was the usual Lilia-san after all.
Facing Lilia-san, who was frantically stammering as if this were a total bolt from the blue, Fate-san gave her a puzzled look.
"I mean, why are you so surprised? It’s only natural, Riri-tan... You’ve received the Main Blessing of the God of Space-Time, haven't you?"
"...Oh."
"Well, I get how you feel. You probably forgot because Kai-chan is so overwhelming, but you're also a very important guest to the God Realm."
When I thought about it, it was obvious. Lilia-san, who held a Main Blessing from Chronoa-san—one of the Supreme Gods—was undeniably a super VIP. By that logic, if my Mother and Father had come, they probably would have received similar treatment since they held Fate-san’s blessing.
I really did think it was the right choice for those two to go on a separate sightseeing trip.
"I'm starting to feel a little jealous of these blessings from the Gods," Hina remarked.
"I think you could get one if you just asked Kaito-san, couldn't you?" Aoi asked.
"No, I didn't mean something that incredible! I was imagining something more like... becoming friends with a low-ranking deity and getting one that way."
Hina seemed interested in the idea, but she clearly hesitated at the thought of a blessing from a Supreme God. Considering Aoi and Hina were likely still growing, it was probably better to wait on a blessing of agelessness until after they reached physical maturity.
Wait... that realization hit me like a ton of bricks. I was now ageless thanks to Shiro-san's blessing... Did that mean I would never get any taller? Surely that wasn't possible, right?
I felt like if I asked Shiro-san, she might be able to make me grow an extra centimeter or two... but that felt like cheating, and I didn't want to do it. I was holding out hope for natural growth. As long as I didn't give up, my dream would surely come true.
(You know, the kanji for "dream" is also read as "fleeting.")
Wait, what? Does that mean I really won't grow anymore because of Shiro-san's blessing?
(No, the blessing has no such effect.)
I thought so! Good, then there's still a chance—
(They say that the kanji for "dream" is also read as "fleeting.")
Why did you say it twice? Seriously, why?
Serious-senpai: "I did say that the blessing doesn't have an effect that explicitly stops you from growing taller. But... I never said that some other effect wasn't keeping you exactly the height you are now..."