A few days after his convalescence at Armid's, Bell woke up in his room at Hestia Familia. His head was still slightly spinning, but his injuries had healed thanks to constant care and his accelerated growth.
Hestia entered the room with a tray of food, her expression vacillating between relief and irritation.
"You're finally waking up, you idiot!" she exclaimed, placing the tray on the bedside table.
"Sorry I worried you," Bell murmured, avoiding his gaze.
Hestia sat down next to him, crossing her arms.
— I don't know what annoys me more: that you're always putting yourself in danger or that you're surrounded by girls every time I find you!
Bell blushed, desperately searching for an answer.
— It's not like that, goddess Hestia...
— Yeah, she replied, puffing out her cheeks, displeased. But I'm proud of you, you know? You took on a Minotaur and won.
Bell looked up, touched by her words.
— Thank you, goddess.
Hestia placed a hand on his head, a soft smile lighting up her face.
— But next time, make sure you don't hurt yourself badly, okay?
Two days later back home at the old church
Hestia smiled proudly.
— Bell, you are amazing. I still can't believe it…
Bell sat nervously as she updated his status. A golden glow escaped from his back, signaling a monumental change.
— Congratulations, Bell! she exclaimed. You're officially Level 2!
—Really? Bell asked, his eyes wide.
Hestia slid the status card across the table, leaving it before his eyes.
Bell Cranel Level 2
Str:SS 86
Vit:SS 63
Dex:SS 83
Act: SS 90
Mag:SS 100
Luck: E
Magic:
Firebolt - a songless ball of fire and lightning
Thunderbolt - lightning streaking through the air creating an explosion of light
SKILLS:
Heroic Resolve. It accelerates your growth, but on one condition: he must believe in himself completely. Has a natural resistance to divine charm.
—And look at this… all your stats are SS rank.
Bell looked at the numbers in wonder.
Hestia looked at him with undisguised pride.
—You're incredible, Bell. What you've accomplished in such a short time… it's almost miraculous.
Bell, blushing slightly, replied timidly:
— It's thanks to you, Hestia-sama. And also thanks to those who helped me… Aiz-san, Lili, and especially Syr.
— Syr, huh? Hestia growled, narrowing her eyes. But anyway, let's move on. Now that you're level 2, you should think about equipping yourself better.
— Yes, I was just thinking about that. My Hestia dagger is perfect, but my armor was destroyed.
— Then go get yourself something solid, she replied with a smile.
Later, Bell, feeling fit again, realized that he no longer had any armor after his fight with the Minotaur. He headed to the workshop where he had purchased his first armor, hoping to find a new one.
As he entered, he scanned the shelves, looking for a product signed by Welf Crozzo, the blacksmith whose work he admired. But, to his disappointment, there was no piece bearing that name.
— Excuse me, he asked the salesman. Do you have any other armor forged by Welf Crozzo?
Before the salesman could answer, a young man with red hair and a worn apron turned around, an amused smile on his lips.
— Are you looking for something in particular? he asked.
Bell stared at him, intrigued.
— Yes, I had armor forged by Welf Crozzo, but it was destroyed.
The man laughed softly.
— Well, you're talking to the right guy. I'm Welf Crozzo.
Surprised, Bell blushed slightly.
— Are you… really Welf Crozzo?
— In the flesh, he answered with a wink.
A few moments later, the two men sat on a bench outside the workshop. Bell explained the qualities he looked for in armor, and Welf listened attentively, arms crossed.
—That looks like some serious armor, Welf remarked.
— Yes, it was perfect for the dungeon.
Welf thought for a moment, then smiled.
— Tell me, Bell. What if I offered you a new, even better suit of armor, for free?
—For free? Bell wondered.
Welf nodded.
— Yes, but there are two conditions. The first: I want to join your team to go down to the dungeon.
— Huh? You want to become an adventurer?
— Exactly. I'm as interested in the dungeon as I am in the forge. And the second condition: you sign a blacksmith contract with me. I become your designated blacksmith, and you wear my creations. Deal?
Bell hesitated for a moment, then held out his hand.
— Deal.
Welf shook his hand enthusiastically.
— Perfect. We start tomorrow.
Before getting ready for the dungeon, Bell went to the Hostess of Fertility, to see Syr. As he entered, he noticed that she was absentmindedly wiping plates, but her eyes lit up when she saw him.
— Bell! she exclaimed, putting down her dishcloth.
She rushed towards him, visibly relieved.
— I was so worried, you shouldn't rest!
Bell scratched the back of his head, embarrassed.
— I'm already fine and then I wanted to take care of some business.
—I would have made you some soup… she murmured, her cheeks puffed out in an adorable pout.
Bell imagined himself feeding him and Syr looked at his red face and found his smile again.
— So, what brings you here today?
— Just… to see you.
Syr blushed slightly, but her smile grew radiant.
— Well, stay a little. I'll make you something to drink.
Syr laughed softly at him being so modest. She leaned in slightly, lowering her voice so no one else would hear.
— Do you want to come to the back? I think we could talk quietly, away from the noise. She winked at him, before motioning for him to follow her.
They made their way to the back of the pub, where a small terrace with a wooden border awaited them, offering a quiet view of the city that was beginning to fall asleep. They sat across from each other, enjoying the quiet. Syr leaned against the border, his eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"So tell me everything." She crossed her arms, looking at him intently. "The Minotaur, your fight against him… How did it feel, Bell?" Her voice was soft, but her eyes betrayed a real thirst for more.
Bell took a moment, looking at the stars that were beginning to shine in the night sky. He thought about the events of the fight. The violence of the clash, the intensity of each blow, but also this feeling of surpassing oneself.
"It was… intense." He sighed, a slight grimace crossing his face. "I've never felt so much pressure. But at the same time, I felt… strong." He turned his gaze to Syr, a little more serious. "It was like I had no choice but to win. Because if I hadn't acted, Lili was in danger. And I couldn't leave her alone to face that."
Syr listened intently, her gaze softening, her arms still crossed, but her posture more relaxed. She nodded slowly in understanding.
"You know, Bell," she said softly, "I think that's what sets you apart from the rest. You have this inner strength, this will to protect those who matter to you. But…" She paused, her eyes falling on him with a certain tenderness. "Don't you feel a little overwhelmed sometimes, with all this pressure?"
Bell looked away slightly, a small nervous laugh escaping his lips.
"I guess a little." He ran a hand through his hair, looking back at Syr. "It's just that I want to get stronger, you know? I don't want others to fight for me, I want to be the one who can protect them, who can support them." He paused, his tone growing darker. "I feel like if I don't get stronger… I'll end up losing everything."
Syr was silent for a moment, her eyes fixed on Bell with a soft intensity. Then, slowly, she leaned forward, her hands resting on the wooden edging, looking out at the night view.
"You're already strong, Bell." Her voice was calm and soothing. "But maybe what you're looking for is… peace, right?" She smiled softly, almost as if whispering a secret. Inner peace, rather than always chasing strength.
Bell stared at the ground for a moment, thoughtful, before looking up at Syr.
"Maybe…" He shook his head, as if to clear his thoughts. "But I can't stop here. Not yet. Not until I find the person I can… truly give everything to." He paused for a moment, his gaze growing more intense.
Syr remained silent, watching Bell with almost benevolent attention. Then, a slight smile tugged at her lips.
"You know, Bell," she finally said, straightening slightly. "I have no doubt that you are capable of accomplishing anything you set your mind to. You have an exceptional heart, and it's not just your strength that makes you special, but your ability to care about others."
She then turned to face him fully, her gaze sparkling with mischief.
—And, to be honest... I'm sure that no Minotaur, no matter how fearsome, will ever be able to resist you... if you have the right motivation.
Bell blushed slightly at the remark, looking away awkwardly.
— It's... I... I don't know if I would say that.
Syr burst out laughing, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
—You're too modest, Bell. But you know, sometimes you have to let yourself go a little. She stood up then, spreading her arms in a theatrical gesture. And you don't have to do all this alone.
Bell watched her stand up, an amused smile on his face.
—So, can I count on you to help me, Syr? he asked, a hint of complicity in his voice.
Syr gave him a playful wink.
— Always. And then... who knows? Maybe you'll end up giving me combat lessons after all this.
She laughed at her own joke, and Bell, though still a little embarrassed, couldn't help but smile.
— I don't promise anything, but... maybe I could.
The next day, Bell found Lili at their usual meeting point. She had her arms crossed and an embarrassed look on her face.
— Bell-sama...
— Lili! Are you okay? he asked, approaching her with concern.
"It's not me you should feel sorry for," she said, looking down. "I'm sorry for everything... again."
Bell placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.
— You have nothing to reproach yourself for. We are a team now, and I will protect you, no matter what.
Lili looked up at him, a lone tear rolling down her cheek.
— Bell-sama… I promise to always be by your side.
They sealed their promise with a smile, ready to return to the dungeon together.
-Hello you two said welf
—Ready for your first run? Bell asked, glancing at Welf.
—More than ready, he replied with a confident smile.
Lili, her arms laden with equipment, muttered:
—Let's hope you're as good as you claim, Mr. Blacksmith.
— Oh, you'll see, Welf replied.
From her tower, Freya watched Bell with an almost all-consuming intensity.
—He's growing so fast... his light is becoming unbearable, she murmured, her arms crossed.
She still thought back to the fight against the Minotaur, how Bell had transcended his limits, risking his life to protect those he loved.
—But this light is not yet complete, she continued. I must shape it further.
Freya held a cup of wine in her hand. She had been watching Bell's movements and decided it was time to meet him in person, in his true colors.
She turned to Ottar, standing beside her.
— Bell Cranel… I want him to meet me.
—How do you want to proceed, Freya-sama?
She thought for a moment, her enigmatic smile playing on her face.
— I want him to feel my light, but not by chance. I will create a situation where our paths will cross.
Ottar bowed his head.
—Very well, Freya-sama.
Freya turned away from the window, her mind already focused on her plan.
— Get everything ready. I want to see him.