The sun had barely risen over Orario when Bell and Aisha prepared for their descent into the dungeon. Aisha, dressed in light armor that emphasized her imposing stature, handed Bell a bag filled with rudimentary equipment.
"Listen, kid, today is a test. You want to get stronger, so you're going to figure it out. I'm here to keep you from dying, not hold your hand," she said with a smirk.
Bell nodded, determined. "I understand. I'm ready."
They made their way through the living labyrinth that was the dungeon, descending to the first few levels. The monsters here were weak, mostly low-level goblins and wolves. Bell took them on with ease, his movements precise and calculated, a result of the lessons he had learned from his previous missions.
Aisha stood slightly back and watched. She was impressed by how quickly Bell was adapting, but she knew this was just the beginning.
As Bell picked up a crystal left by a monster he had just defeated, Aisha briefly looked away. She focused on a suspicious rock formation nearby, leaving her protégé out of her line of sight.
It was at this moment that a guttural roar echoed from the depths.
Bell turned to see a minotaur, a massive creature, emerging from the shadows behind him. Its red eyes glowed with a murderous glint, and its massive axe glinted in the dim light of the dungeon.
Bell's heart raced. He knew he was no match for such a monster, but panic didn't take over. He narrowly dodged the first swing of the axe, the blade crashing into the ground with titanic force.
Steeling himself, he pulled out a small smoke bomb he had prepared for a situation like this. He activated it and threw it at the ground, covering the area in a thick gray cloud.
"I can't beat him… not yet," Bell muttered, his breath short. He used the chaos to get away from the monster, but his legs were shaking with adrenaline.
Aisha, alerted by the sound of the explosion and the roar of the minotaur, ran towards the area. At the same time, a figure leapt from the darkness with grace.
The blonde swordswoman, wearing light armor and a glittering sword, didn't hesitate for a moment. She rushed towards the minotaur, her gaze cold and focused. Her blade cut through the air in an elegant arc, striking the beast with surgical precision.
Aisha arrived almost at the same time. She lunged from below, aiming for the monster's legs with brute force.
The minotaur, although immense, could not resist this double attack. He tried to retaliate, but the combined blows of Aiz and Aisha were completely beyond him. In a few moments, the creature disappeared in a shower of luminous particles, leaving behind only a large crystal.
Bell, who had been watching the scene in silence, was amazed. The two women, although not working together, seemed in sync, as if they had been fighting side by side for years.
Slowly standing up, Bell approached Aiz, his eyes shining with admiration.
"Thank you… You saved me. May I know your name?"
Aiz looked at him, slightly surprised by the question. Her face remained stoic, but a glimmer of interest crossed her golden eyes.
"Aiz Wallenstein," she answered simply, her voice soft and distant.
Bell smiled, barely containing his excitement. "Thank you, Aiz Wallenstein. I am Bell Cranel."
Aisha, who was watching the scene, narrowed her eyes slightly at Aiz. She placed a firm hand on Bell's shoulder.
"We should go. You still have a lot to learn before you hang out with people like her."
Bell nodded, obediently.
"Okay. Thanks again, Aiz."
As they walked away, Aiz stood still, her gaze fixed on Bell. Something about the boy, his expression or his energy, intrigued her deeply.
Back on the surface, Aisha confronted Bell.
"You made a mistake today, kid. You should never have been left alone against a minotaur. This is a lesson for you. This dungeon is unforgiving. One mistake, and you're dead."
Bell looked down, ashamed.
" I understand… "
Aisha softened slightly and placed a hand on his head.
"But I have to say, you've done a good job of staying alive. Keep it up, and maybe one day you'll be able to take on a minotaur without running away."
Bell looked up, determined. "I will. I will become stronger."
As they returned to Ishtar's, Bell couldn't help but think back to Aiz. Her strength, her grace, and her aura had left a lasting impression on him.
But at the same time, a nagging thought haunted him: he didn't just want to be saved. He wanted to become the kind of person who could stand alongside Aiz, Aisha, and all the other adventurers of Orario.
In the shadows, Aisha watched Bell with a mixture of amusement and concern. She saw immense potential in him, but also an ambition that could one day consume him.
Chapter 10: A Nightly Reward
The moon hung high in the sky, bathing Ishtar's quarters in silvery light. Bell, exhausted from his day in the dungeon, had collapsed onto the bed in the small room he had been granted. The silence of the night was soothing, and for the first time in a long time, he let himself drift into a fragile peace.
But as he fell into a deep sleep, he felt a presence. A figure was slowly approaching him.
A warm breath brushed his ear, followed by a soft, sensual whisper.
"Wake up, little hero… You worked well today."
Bell's eyes snapped open, his heart pounding. Before him, in the dim light of the lanterns, stood Aisha, a mischievous smile on her lips.
Aisha sat on the edge of the bed, leaning casually on one arm. She was looking at him with an intensity that made him nervous.
"You impressed me today, kid. It's not every day a little guy like you survives against a minotaur."
Bell, still half asleep, sat up slowly. He felt his cheeks flush under her piercing gaze.
"I… I didn't do anything special. You and Aiz Wallenstein defeated him."
Aisha burst out laughing, a rich, warm sound that filled the room.
"Maybe, but you showed courage. And that counts."
She leaned slightly towards him, her face coming dangerously close to his. Bell instinctively backed away, but he was pinned against the wall.
"So, what should I give you as a reward for your bravery, hmm?" she asked, her voice dropping a tone.
Bell swallowed hard, his thoughts jumbled.
"Please wait a little longer, Aisha!
Aisha raised an eyebrow, intrigued by his answer. She stepped back slightly, crossing her arms.
"You're really something. Most guys would have jumped at the chance. But you'd rather just stand there and ask me to wait, huh?"
Bell looked down, uneasy.
"It's not that… I just… I want it to be magical" Bell said blushing
The words touched Aisha, though she didn't show it. She just smiled, a mixture of mockery and admiration.
"Alright, kid. I'll leave you alone for tonight. But remember, I'm still waiting for my reward for helping you."
She stood up gracefully, heading towards the door. Before leaving, she turned to him one last time.
"And if you ever change your mind…" She left the sentence hanging, an enigmatic smile on her face, before disappearing into the shadows.
Left alone, Bell felt his heart gradually slow down. He ran a hand over his face, trying to calm his agitated thoughts. Aisha was fascinating, and terribly attractive.
As he lay back down, he muttered to himself:
"I must become stronger… but to prove that I can be a more powerful adventurer and finally be able to measure up to him."
Yet deep down, a darker part knew that he might one day have to play a very different role to survive in this unforgiving world.
To be continued