Bell stood on the grand balcony overlooking Orario, the once fledgling city now thriving. The air was filled with excitement as the first generation of Zeus and Hera Familias, along with others, trained to dive into the depths of the infamous Dungeon. Adventurers of all kinds, from swordmasters to magicians, honed their skills with fervor. The gods had descended, bound by the Divine Sealing Pact, and now their power trickled down to mortals, forming the foundation of a new world.
From the balcony, Bell watched these adventurers with a mixture of pride and unease. Heroes were being born, their power steadily growing. But the Dungeon was no ordinary danger. It was a living, malevolent entity capable of birthing monsters in response to the strength of those who entered. Bell, having attained a state between god and mortal, was unsure whether his presence would provoke the Dungeon to create abominations matching his immense power.
He sighed and leaned against the stone railing, his mind heavy with conflicting thoughts. His students had become their own legends, and the world was shifting rapidly around them. But despite all his victories, Bell felt restless, a hunger for the unknown gnawing at him.
"Should I enter the Dungeon?" he mused aloud, unsure of what his intervention would bring. "Or would my very presence destabilize the balance?"
As his mind wandered, thoughts of distant realms flickered through his consciousness. He'd long known that this world, vast as it was, couldn't be the only one. His abilities, his understanding of divinity, had granted him knowledge of the cosmos in ways no mortal could comprehend. He wondered about other worlds, about their rules, and how they differed from this one. Was there more to explore? Were there other struggles and heroes to guide? His curiosity was boundless.
A soft breeze ruffled his hair, and Bell's thoughts drifted further into possibilities. Perhaps there was more than just this world, more than just this life.
His decision came to him like a sudden gust of wind: he would travel. But first, he needed solitude—a place to focus on his new goal.
Later that day, Bell gathered his students—Argonaut, Yuri, Galmus, Elmina, Finn, Fianna, and Epimetheus. They stood before him, eager for guidance as always.
"I'm proud of each of you," Bell said, his voice calm but warm. "You've all grown into the heroes I always knew you'd become. But now, it's time for you to journey on your own. Explore the world, create your legends, and live your lives. This is your era."
The students exchanged glances, confusion flickering in their eyes.
"And you?" asked Fianna, her brow furrowing in concern.
Bell smiled. "I have my own journey to undertake."
With that, he left them to their destinies and traveled to the one place where his thoughts could be undisturbed: the depths of Hell. There, among the endless plains of fire and brimstone, Bell found a private place—a cavern hidden beneath the molten earth, where no creature dared to venture. It was here that his experiment began.
He concentrated, focusing on the knowledge he'd gained of divinity, magic, and space itself. The ground beneath him hummed with power as he stretched the boundaries of reality. For hours, he worked, manipulating energy, shaping the very fabric of existence. Then, finally, a portal shimmered into being before him—a gateway to another world.
Bell peered through the swirling mist and caught glimpses of mountains, forests, and a distant horizon bathed in an eerie glow. The energy felt different, unfamiliar. He grinned. Another world.
Without hesitation, he stepped through.
Bell emerged on a quiet mountainside. The air was crisp, and the scent of pine trees filled his lungs. He could sense it immediately—this world was rife with demons. Dark, foul creatures, lurking in the shadows, preying on humans. It reminded him of the monsters in the Dungeon, but there was a deeper, more sinister quality here.
In the distance, a group of young people gathered, their faces etched with determination and fear. They were about to begin some kind of trial. Bell blended into the crowd, listening to the two children who stood at the forefront.
"These are the rules of the Final Selection," said Kiriya Ubuyashiki, his calm voice carrying across the clearing. "Survive seven days on this mountain. If you encounter demons, fight or flee. But know this—only those who survive will become Demon Slayers."
His sisters, Kanata and Kuina, stood beside him, their faces serious but kind. Bell listened closely as they mentioned the need for Nichirin swords—special blades that could slay demons. With a polite smile, Bell stepped forward to receive one. Some of the other participants snickered, seeing his casual demeanor, but Bell merely shrugged. He had wielded far heavier weapons than this in his old world. Adjusting to the lighter katana would take some finesse.
As Bell scanned the crowd, certain individuals caught his eye—figures who radiated potential. He noticed Tanjiro Kamado, a young man with kind eyes and a fierce sense of determination. There was also Zenitsu Agatsuma, trembling but filled with latent power, and Inosuke Hashibira, a wild-looking boy with a boar mask and raw, untamed strength. Genya Shinazugawa, with his tough demeanor, stood apart, while Kanao Tsuyuri watched everything with a detached, serene gaze.
Bell nodded to himself. These youths were on the verge of greatness, though they did not yet know it.
The trial began, and the participants scattered into the demon-infested forest. Bell moved silently through the trees, his senses sharp. He didn't need to exert much effort to stay alive—these demons were far beneath his power—but he was here to observe, to learn the ways of this world.
A scream tore through the night, and Bell turned to see Tanjiro locked in a deadly struggle with a massive hand demon. The grotesque creature towered over him, laughing maniacally as it hurled the boy into a tree. Tanjiro gritted his teeth, blood trickling down his face. His breathing steadied, his mind focusing on Urokodaki's teachings.
But before Tanjiro could launch another attack, a white blur flashed past him. Bell had moved, his blade slicing through the demon with effortless precision. The creature barely had time to comprehend what had happened before it disintegrated into ash.
Panting, Tanjiro stared at Bell in awe. "That… that move…"
Bell smiled and sheathed his sword. "You're strong, Tanjiro. Keep focusing on your breathing. You have a powerful technique within you—something ancient. Trust it."
Tanjiro blinked in confusion but nodded, a faint memory of his father's dance flickering in his mind. The Dance of the Fire God. He realized now that it wasn't just a ritual—it was a fighting style, one he could draw from in battle.
With Bell's encouragement, Tanjiro's confidence grew, and together, they swept through the forest, defeating demons one after another. By the end of the trial, many more participants had survived than in previous years, all thanks to Bell and Tanjiro's efforts.
The survivors gathered at the base of the mountain, tired but alive. Among them stood Tanjiro, Zenitsu, Inosuke, Genya, and Kanao, each ready to receive their crows and begin their journey as Demon Slayers.
Kiriya Ubuyashiki and his sisters addressed the group, their expressions a mix of relief and joy. "Congratulations to all of you," Kiriya said. "You've passed the Final Selection. From here, you will be given uniforms, swords, and assigned missions."
As the crows flew in to deliver their orders, Genya, eager and brash, strode toward one of the girls, intent on receiving his sword. But before he could act, Bell gently intercepted him, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Patience," Bell said, his voice kind but firm. "There's no need to rush."
Genya scowled but backed off, his pride slightly bruised. Bell's calm demeanor was disarming, and even Genya couldn't help but respect him.
Once the ceremony concluded, Tanjiro approached Bell. "Thank you… for helping me back there."
Bell smiled. "It was my pleasure. You're on a noble path, Tanjiro. Keep walking it."
Tanjiro hesitated, then asked, "Would you like to come with me?"
Bell's eyes softened. "I'd be honored."
Meanwhile, far from the mountain, Kagaya Ubuyashiki, the master of the Demon Slayer Corps, sat in quiet contemplation. His crows had delivered the report on the Final Selection, and it brought a smile to his face. More participants had survived this time—more than ever before.
He looked at the names of the new Demon Slayers, pleased by their potential. But one name in particular stood out: Bell Cranel.
His children, Kiriya, Kanata, and Kuina, had mentioned this man as well. Their descriptions painted him as elegant, powerful, and mysterious. The fact that he had helped so many survive the trial intrigued Kagaya.
"Perhaps," Kagaya mused, "this Bell Cranel will be a valuable ally in the days to come."
The Hashira, too, had heard the news. Though some were indifferent, a few were intrigued by the new recruits. The future of the Demon Slayer Corps had grown brighter that day, and the wheels of fate had begun to turn.