Back in the pleasure quarters, Bell chose not to let fatigue take over. Although his body was still slightly sore from the recent fighting, his mind was bubbling with unwavering determination.
He knew that in order to survive in Orario, he had to master the skills and magic he had recently acquired. His past victories would be worthless if he didn't progress.
— "The Rise pushes me to grow faster, but that means nothing if I don't control my power. And my magics… they have to become a natural extension of myself."
Bell settled into a discreet training ground belonging to Ishtar, a space hidden among the buildings of the pleasure district, used by the Amazons to perfect their techniques. He took a deep breath and began by focusing on Ethereal Vision, seeking to refine his perception.
By activating his skill, Bell could see the emotions of others in the form of colored auras. However, he wanted to go further. Rather than simply perceive, he sought to analyze and interpret these emotions in real time.
He asked Tiamat, a curious Amazon passing by, to help him by simulating various emotional states: anger, excitement, and even dead calm. Bell observed the subtle nuances in her aura, learning to associate each hue with a particular intention.
— "I must understand, not just see. If I can anticipate my enemies' movements from their emotions, I can turn that vision into a weapon."
Then he turned to Firebolt, his magic quick and unincanted. He raised a hand, focusing his magical energy, and a flame burst from his fingertips.
— "Firebolt!" he shouted, sending an explosive fireball against a wooden target.
However, Bell wanted more than just a shot. He sought to increase the rate of fire and accuracy.
— "Magic without incantation should allow me to surprise my enemies, but I must also control its power."
He practiced rapid-fire, chaining together Firebolts as he moved, dodging obstacles he had improvised in the arena.
Finally, he tackled his incantation magic, Cryostasis of Eternity, which combined offensive, defensive, and regenerative abilities.
He opened the book Syr had given him, though it was now blank, and softly recited the incantation he had memorized:
— "Oh icy storm that soothes and destroys, Embrace this world with your eternal breath, Forge a blade to punish traitors, A shield to defend the righteous, And chains to seal despair. Cryostasis of Eternity!"
Around him, a frozen aura formed, and a thin layer of ice covered the ground for several meters. He felt a cold energy envelop him, slowly regenerating his minor injuries while creating a protective barrier.
To test its effectiveness, Bell placed a dummy in the center of the frozen area. The magic, as if guided by his intention, projected spears of ice toward the target, piercing it with precision.
— "It's perfect. Defense, regeneration, and attack, all in one. I just have to make sure I don't run out of magic too quickly."
Bell finished his training late at night. His skills and magic had improved, but he knew the road to his goal was still long.
— "To become the strongest in Orario, I must keep moving forward, no matter what."
Chapter 33: An Evening Under the Sign of Vengeance
Bell stood on a rooftop overlooking a dark alley in the slum, silently observing what was happening below. His eyes activated Ethereal Vision, perceiving vivid hues of malevolence and sadism around the adventurers who were attacking Lili. The small supporter lay on the ground, her frail body marked by blows, her tears mixing with the dust.
"If you don't bring more next time, you'll regret it even more!" one of the attackers spat as he hit her before walking away with his loot.
Bell stood still, his face hidden in the shadow of his hood. He waited for the men to leave before whispering,
"Lili... Now I see what you're hiding."
When night fell on Orario, Bell was ready. Dressed in his black exploration outfit, he slipped out of the pleasure quarters.
Drawing on information gleaned from the guild and his observations, he made his way to the Soma Familia estate, an imposing but poorly maintained mansion nestled in a secluded part of the city. Silence reigned around the stone walls, broken only by the laughter of the drunken adventurers.
Bell used the darkness to his advantage. He avoided the guards posted near the main entrances, preferring to scale a side wall using rough spots in the stone. His flexibility, acquired through intense training with the Amazons, allowed him to hoist himself up to a half-open window on the first floor.
Inside, he crept stealthily through dimly lit corridors. He silently knocked out two guards with the hilt of his dagger and skirted around the others. Ethereal Vision helped him pick up on their emotions, allowing him to anticipate their movements.
After passing through several rooms and dodging patrols, Bell finally reached a central room, austere but imposing. There, seated behind a table, was Soma, the creator god of the eponymous alcohol that had bewitched so many members of his familia.
Soma looked up when he felt Bell's presence, his irises shining like two dull stars. He seemed detached, almost absent, but a hint of curiosity crossed his face.
"Who are you, mortal, to enter here? Do you thirst for my nectar?" he asked in a calm but serious voice, raising a cup of his famous beverage.
Bell stepped forward slowly, his gaze cold and determined. "I'm not here to drink. I'm here for Liliruca Arde, one of your supporters. She's suffering because of your family, because of you."
Soma tilted his head, as if Bell's words had no meaning.
"Mortals choose their own destiny. If she is weak, she is of no interest to me. My wine is the only thing that matters here."
Bell felt anger boiling inside him, but he controlled it.
- "I'm not asking you to care about her. But if your familia continues to abuse their power to break her, I'll make sure they regret their choice. And if necessary, so will you."
Soma let out a soft but icy sigh.
"You are bold, adventurer. But I am a god. And you? You are but a mortal. Even if you fight for her, it will not change the nature of my nectar nor the greed it engenders."
Bell clenched his fists but took a deep breath, calming his mind.
"You may not have control over them. But I will. Lili will no longer be under their control."
Before leaving the room, Bell gave Soma a defiant look. The god, unfazed, took another sip of his wine, muttering, "You're interesting, mortal. Very interesting."
Back in his room, Bell sat down to think. He knew Soma wouldn't lift a finger to protect Lili, but he could weaken the Soma Familia's influence over her by attacking their power structure.
"Lili deserves better. I'll show them that no one can mess with those who are loyal to me."
With a cold smile, he began to formulate a plan. Ethereal Vision, Eternity Cryostasis, and Firebolt would be his tools in this stealthy war against the familia.
Bell's shadow grew, and soon even the gods would begin to fear him.
To be continued