As Bell's turn arrived, the air in the arena grew still. His heart raced as he stepped toward the two crystal balls sitting on the platform. The first orb was designed to measure magic potential, and the second one determined physical strength. Bell's gaze lingered on the magic crystal, his hopes hanging by a fragile thread.
"Please, let it be something good..." he prayed, his voice trembling in his head as he extended his hand toward the glowing orb.
The moment his hand made contact with the crystal, a faint green light emanated from within, surrounding him. The entire arena fell silent as they watched the light reveal Bell's magic: level one healing.
The gods and spectators exchanged disappointed glances. Healing magic at level one? Even a child could reach level five without serious training, but Bell's magic was barely functional. The gods whispered among themselves, some even sneering, assuming there must be a defect in his magical potential that would prevent him from ever advancing.
One of the higher gods, his voice filled with disdain, spoke up. "It's enough. Move on."
No one even cared to see Bell's physical strength. After all, he was just a human boy-weak, fragile, and not worth the attention of the gods. The gods began murmuring their decisions, some already dismissing him as a failed prospect.
Bell's heart sank, his hopes of escaping this cruel world slipping through his fingers. "Why is this world so cruel?" he thought, feeling a lump form in his throat. His future seemed bleak, and he could sense the predatory gazes of several female gods in the crowd.
Among them, several low-ranking female gods raised their hands, eyeing Bell with lust rather than any interest in his abilities. They saw him as nothing more than a plaything-a potential slave to satisfy their whims. In this world, marriage between gods and other races was forbidden, but that didn't stop the gods from seeking amusement with mortals for their entertainment. Bell, with his delicate appearance, seemed the perfect target for such desires.
But then, as Bell's eyes scanned the crowd of gods, his gaze met Aqua's.
Unlike the others, Aqua did not raise her hand. She sat quietly, her head lowered in resignation. In her heart, she had already accepted her defeat. "These whores...," she thought bitterly, watching as the other gods eagerly fought for Bell-not for his potential, but for their own twisted desires. She felt a surge of disgust and pity for the boy who had so desperately hoped for a future, only to be seen as nothing more than a toy.
Just as the gods were about to finalize their decisions, something inside Bell snapped.
His eyes widened, a sudden clarity washing over him. Images of his brutal past flashed before his mind-a life filled with suffering, blood, and pain. His memories were fragmented, blurred by years of torment, but one thing was clear: there was something about Aqua, something that resonated deep within him. He didn't know how, but he felt an unshakable connection to her.
"I've suffered too much... but somehow... I'm connected to that woman."
Before he could process it fully, an overwhelming energy surged through his body, filling him with newfound determination. With a single leap, Bell shot high into the air, soaring over the heads of the shocked gods and landing gracefully in front of Aqua. He dropped into a half-kneeling position, both hands on his knees, his head lowered in respect.
The entire arena fell silent, the gods staring in disbelief.
Bell raised his eyes to meet Aqua's, his voice clear and unwavering. "Aqua... please choose me."
Aqua blinked in shock, her heart skipping a beat. She had never expected this. The gods around her murmured in surprise, unsure of what to make of the boy's sudden outburst. But in that moment, Bell didn't care about the gods' opinions or the jeers of those who had written him off. His only focus was on Aqua-the one who had not looked at him with lust, but with something deeper.
The fate he didn't want was behind him. This was his chance to change everything.