The sun shone brightly over the arena as the War Game between Hestia Familia and Dian Cecht Familia came to a swift conclusion. The crowd watching from various projections all across Orario had expected a tough battle, but Hestia Familia made it look easy—almost effortless.
Bell Cranel, leading his Familia, stood at the forefront as they dismantled Dian Cecht Familia's forces. Every attack was calculated, every move perfect, as they tore through their opponents with an elegance and precision only possible from their grueling training.
Airmid Teasanare, the legendary healer and the key member of Dian Cecht Familia, could only watch in awe from a distance. She had expected to see strong adventurers, but the sheer dominance of Bell and his team was unlike anything she had ever witnessed. There was no hesitation, no doubt in their eyes as they fought. Each member of Hestia Familia was a master in their own right, and Bell, at their head, fought with unmatched strength and speed.
Dian Cecht himself had watched with increasing horror as his Familia's defeat became inevitable. What had begun as a confident gamble had spiraled into humiliation. In the end, Bell's Familia had claimed victory without so much as a scratch.
As the final bell sounded, marking their triumph, Hestia Familia gathered in the center of the battlefield. Bell, his white outfit untouched by the battle, stepped forward with an easy smile on his face. He turned to Airmid, who was still standing by Dian Cecht, and gestured her to come over.
"Your choice is clear now," Bell said, his voice calm yet filled with warmth. "Join us. We'll welcome you with open arms."
Airmid glanced at Dian Cecht, who couldn't meet her eyes. He had lost not only the War Game but also his most prized Familia member. With a soft nod, she turned and walked toward Bell. The crowd erupted into cheers as Bell gently placed a hand on her shoulder, welcoming her into their fold.
At Hearth Manor:
A few days had passed since the War Game, and Airmid was officially part of Hestia Familia. Her initial hesitation had quickly faded as she was embraced by her new comrades. Hestia herself was overjoyed to have such a talented healer in her Familia and made sure that Airmid felt at home.
The Familia was gathered in the training yard, ready to help Airmid grow into her new role. Bell had taken the lead in her training, as usual, and had devised a rigorous regimen to help her unlock her full potential. Airmid had never fought before—her talents were purely in healing—but under Bell's guidance, she was learning quickly.
Her stats were still low compared to the rest of the Familia, but they were improving rapidly with each passing day. She trained alongside Ryuu, Haruhime, and the others, learning how to fight with a staff while also fortifying herself with magic. Bell's control exercises were intense, pushing her to master her abilities in ways she never thought possible.
"Focus, Airmid," Bell said, his voice encouraging but firm. "Your healing magic is second to none, but we need to expand your range and precision. Remember, you can't rely on flashy magic circles anymore. People will notice."
Airmid nodded, beads of sweat forming on her forehead as she concentrated. Bell had been teaching her to heal without using the usual visual markers of her spells, ensuring that her magic was as subtle as it was powerful.
With a wave of her hand, Airmid cast her spell. The soft, green light of healing magic surrounded Ryuu, who stood several feet away. But this time, there was no glowing circle beneath Ryuu's feet. The healing was precise, controlled.
"Good," Bell said, smiling at her progress. "Keep practicing, and you'll be able to do this in the heat of battle without anyone noticing."
Over the next few weeks, Airmid's strength grew exponentially. Her range increased beyond five meters, and her control became nearly perfect. She could heal multiple members of the Familia simultaneously while also maintaining her own magical defenses. Her fighting skills improved, too. Though she would never be as physically powerful as the rest of them, her ability to use magic to fortify herself made her a formidable presence in battle.
One Afternoon:
Bell decided to take Airmid out for a day of relaxation after their intense training. He noticed she had been quiet lately, still adjusting to the idea of being in a new Familia, so he thought a day of shopping would do her some good.
As they walked through the streets of Orario, Bell bought her new clothes, including a custom-made outfit that she could wear both for formal occasions and in battle. It was a white and silver ensemble, perfectly tailored to suit her graceful, calm nature. Along with it, Bell gave her a new Hestia Familia uniform, a symbol of her place within the Familia.
When Airmid saw the uniform, she couldn't help but smile—a genuine smile that replaced the distant, doll-like expression she had worn in her previous Familia. It was a fresh start, and she was finally beginning to feel at home.
"Thank you, Bell-sama," Airmid said quietly, looking down at the uniform in her hands. "This means a lot to me."
Bell smiled warmly. "You've earned it, Airmid. You're one of us now."
Back at Hearth Manor:
When they returned to Hearth Manor, the rest of the Familia was waiting, ready to welcome Airmid in her new uniform. As she stepped through the doors, wearing the outfit proudly, they all cheered and clapped, showering her with words of encouragement.
"Welcome to the Familia, Airmid!" Haruhime said excitedly, her six tails flicking happily behind her.
"You're going to do great," Welf added, giving her a friendly pat on the back.
Hestia, ever the lively goddess, hugged Airmid tightly. "I'm so happy to have you with us! You're going to be amazing, I just know it."
Airmid blushed slightly, still getting used to the warmth and camaraderie of the Familia, but she felt a deep sense of belonging. She had never known this kind of acceptance before, and it filled her heart with a quiet joy.
As the night drew on, the Familia gathered for a celebratory meal, with Bell at the head of the table. Airmid sat beside him, her once emotionless face now lit with contentment. She was no longer just a healer in the background—she was a valued member of the Hestia Familia, and she knew she would continue to grow alongside them.
Later That Night:
As everyone settled into their rooms, Bell looked out over the city from the terrace of Hearth Manor. He smiled to himself, knowing that this was only the beginning. Their strength had grown, their bonds unbreakable, and now with Airmid's healing power added to their team, they were ready for any challenge that might come their way.
The War Game had been just another victory on their journey, but Bell knew there were more battles ahead. And with his Familia by his side, he was ready to face them all.
Tomorrow, they would dive into the Dungeon again, stronger than ever before.