The next morning, Bell woke up earlier than usual. His thoughts revolved around training with Aiz and all that it entailed. He had told Hestia that he wouldn't come to work which made her sad, He quickly dressed and quietly left Ishtar's palace, carefully avoiding Tammuz and the other Amazons.
Bell arrived at the agreed upon location, a wooded area on the edge of town. Aiz was already there, warming up, her sword gleaming in the morning light.
"You're punctual," she said calmly as she saw him approach.
"I didn't mean to keep you waiting," Bell replied, slightly nervous.
Aiz nodded, satisfied.
— Alright, let's get started. Show me what you can do.
The first exercise was a training duel. Aiz wanted to assess Bell's skills. From the start, she attacked with speed and precision that surpassed anything he had faced so far.
Bell activated Ethereal Vision, trying to predict her movements. But Aiz was too fast and too experienced. In less than two minutes, he found himself on the ground, panting.
"You rely too much on your anticipation," Aiz remarked, sheathing her sword. "It's a good ability, but if you don't combine it with reflexes and strategy, it won't be enough."
Bell straightened up, wiping the sweat from his forehead.
- I understand.
Aiz approached, her expression neutral but intense.
—Your inner fire is impressive, but you must refine it. If you want to fight against those at the top, you will have to master every aspect of your style.
She placed her sword in front of him.
— Let's start again.
Meanwhile at Ishtar's Palace
Tammuz observed Bell's repeated absence with a mixture of suspicion and annoyance. He had noticed that Bell often slipped out of the palace, but his intentions remained unclear.
An Amazon approached him.
— Samira, where is Bell?
"He slipped away," she replied.
—And you let him do it? he added.
Tammuz frowned.
He wasn't going to act without solid evidence, but he felt Bell was hiding something important.
"I'll find out what you're up to eventually, Bell Cranel."
Back in training, Aiz pushed Bell to his limits. She forced him to think quickly, to anticipate while acting instinctively.
"You rely too much on your magic," she said after a series of exercises. "Your magic is powerful, but it shouldn't be your only weapon."
Bell nodded, breathless but determined.
"I want to become stronger," he whispered. "Not just for myself, but to protect those who rely on me."
Aiz looked at his eyes burning with passion.
— Then show it. Prove it to yourself.
By the end of the workout, Bell was exhausted, but he also felt more confident.
—Thanks, Aiz, he said with a smile.
She nodded.
— Get some rest. We'll continue tomorrow.
As he walked away, Aiz watched him go, a slightly thoughtful expression on her face.
"He is different from the others… But will that be enough?"
Bell returned to the palace late, trying not to attract attention. However, he passed Aisha in the hallways.
"You've been gone all day again," she said, staring at him.
Bell gave a tired smile.
— Sorry, I had training.
Aisha crossed her arms, wary but intrigued.
— I hope you can stand up to me in our next duel, Aisha teased.
Bell looked at her with a smile, thinking about everything he had learned today.
— Yes, you'll see, next time I'll win, he replied before disappearing.
Chapter 64: Blades and Hearts Entangled
The sun softly illuminated the halls of Ishtar's palace as Bell adjusted his cloak to leave. Passing through the courtyard, he passed Aisha, who was stretching after a brief workout.
"You're up early, little bunny," she said, an amused smile playing on her lips.
Bell smiled shyly, avoiding his direct gaze.
— Yes, I… I'm going to train with Aiz today.
At those words, Aisha arched an eyebrow, her smile fading slightly.
— Aiz Wallenstein? This "Princess with the Sword"?
— It's just for training, nothing more! Bell defended himself, waving his hands nervously.
Aisha crossed her arms, her eyes shining with a sparkle he didn't immediately understand.
— Hmm… just practice, huh? You don't need to justify yourself, Bell.
She stepped closer, tilting her head to look at him more closely.
— Be careful, okay? And don't overexert yourself.
Bell's heart raced for a moment, but he managed to nod.
— I promise.
As he turned on his heel to leave, Aisha muttered to herself, a blush and a hint of worry in her voice,
— Stupid flirt
Before joining Aiz, Bell took a detour to visit Welf. The blacksmith was deep in his work, his steady hands holding a blade glowing beneath the fire of a forge. Hephaestus stood nearby, watching with a critical but benevolent eye.
The metallic sound of the hammer striking steel echoed through Welf's workshop as Bell entered.
— Welf! Hephaestus! he called, briefly interrupting their concentration.
Welf looked up, a smile appearing on his sweaty face.
— Bell! Just in time.
Hephaestus turned his piercing gaze towards Bell.
—You've come at the right time, young adventurer, she said calmly.
Bell approached, intrigued.
- How so ?
On a table near the forge, two finished weapons gleamed in the light of the flames. An elegant dagger and a sturdy sword awaited their owner.
—Here are your weapons, Welf announced proudly. They are ready.
Hephaestus stood nearby, his gaze serious but satisfied.
"These blades are special," she said. "They are tailored to you, but they will only reveal their true potential if you use them wisely."
Bell looked at the weapons, impressed.
— They are beautiful.
Hephaestus crossed his arms, a subtle smile on his lips.
— Hephaestus added something special to the dagger. It will be able to channel some of your magic, especially your Firebolt. That should give you an advantage.
—And the sword? Bell asked.
Hephaestus intervened, his tone serious.
— The sword is designed to resist magical and physical attacks. But it will require perfect mastery of your mana to release its full potential.
Bell clenched his fists in gratitude.
— Thank you both. I will honor your efforts.
Welf smirked.
— We're counting on you, Bell said welf.
— They are amazing. Thank you for all your work.
Welf nodded, wiping his hands on his apron.
— Don't ruin them too quickly, okay? Also, don't forget our agreement.
Bell burst out laughing, reassured by his friend's enthusiasm.
— Count on me, Welf. We'll set a date soon.
Hephaestus intervened before he took up arms.
—These weapons are not free, young adventurer.
Bell nodded quickly, pulling out a well-filled purse he had saved from his hard work at the booth with Hestia and Lili.
— I have everything prepared. It is an honor to pay for your work.
After finalizing the payment, Welf handed the weapons to Bell.
— So what are you going to call them? he asked curiously.
Bell looked at the dagger and sword, thinking.
— The dagger will be called "Fireblade", for its ability to channel the Firebolt.
He raised the sword, a glint of determination in his eyes.
—And the sword will be "Aegis Cryo", for its robustness and its ability to channel the Cryostasis of Eternity.
Welf nodded, satisfied.
— Good names. Now show us that you are worthy of bearing them.
Hephaestus added in a solemn tone:
—These blades will carry your legacy, Bell. Honor them well.
As Bell left the workshop, he felt the weight of the weapons on his belt, but also the responsibility that came with them.
The young adventurer then headed to his training location with Aiz.
To be continued…