Miiiiisssssssssssssss Eina!!!!!!!!!

Hm?

Eina Tulle, a receptionist for the guild that manages all dungeon activities, looked up from the book she held loosely in one hand.

Her long, pointed ears twitched as her transparent emerald eyes tore themselves away from the pages. Her mid-length brown hair shone in the early afternoon sunlight. Despite her good looks, she was not quite as perfect as the elves. It was as if her beauty had been glued on, but a corner was sticking up. The guild uniform, black jacket and pants, suited her thin frame very well.

Known as the young Miss Congeniality within the guild, Eina was half human, half elf.

Adventurers were usually out in a dungeon at this time of day, so Eina had decided to read to pass the time. She responded quickly to the voice that had called her name.

He made it back safely again today

What had it been, two weeks?

Since this bright-eyed kid came in to register with the guild?

It had fallen on her to become this fourteen-year-olds dungeon adviser

and coach.

He was an adventurer, a job that anyone, regardless of age or gender, could secure. But so many people died doing it. He was still a child, and she hated sending him into such a dangerous place.

The only reason she worried for the boys, Bell Cranells, safety was that he was in her charge. She smiled, happy to hear his voice and relieved that he had returned safely.

She hurried to fix her glasses and straighten her clothes before he came through the door.

MMMMMIIIISSSSSSSSSSS EINA!!!!!!!

Someone covered in black blood flew into the guild?!?! Is that him?!?!

EEEEEKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!

Tell me everything you know about Aiz Wallenstein, please!!!!

You know, Bell, after getting covered in blood, you should at least take a shower before coming in here

Sorry about that

I can only hang my head and listen as she speaks.

We are in a small room set up in the lobby of Guild headquarters. Sitting in chairs across from each other, theres only a table between us.

Im clean at this point, but that doesnt stop her from making an overly dramatic sigh.

I cant believe you walked through the city as such a revolting mess! It makes me question your sanity.

B but

Hearing someone as pretty as Eina say something that harsh so directly cuts really deep. Tears are welling up in the corners of my eyes.

Eina cracks a painful smile and gently pushes my nose with her finger. Be careful next time, okay? she asks, giving me a big smile. I nod up and down as fast as I can.

So, you wanted information on Aiz Wallenstein, yes? Can I ask why?

Well, about that

I tell her everything about what had just happened, my face getting redder with every word.

I start with how I decided to go from the lower second floor of the dungeon, my usual route, down to the lower fifth.

And then about how I encountered a Minotaur the moment I arrived.

Even about trying to run away and getting cornered.

Then being saved from certain death by the kenki, Aiz Wallenstein.

Finally, I tell her how I tried to say thank you and reach up to shake her hand, but my whole body was shaking. I suddenly got shy and really nervous. All the blood drained from my face in the blink of an eye. In the end, I ran back to headquarters at full speed.

Eina is nice enough to lend me her ears, but her face gets more and more frightening with each passing detail.

Aaahh, why dont you ever listen to me?!? You are alone, solo, in the Dungeon! You cant just suddenly go that deep without any preparation! How many times have I told you that adventurers shouldnt go on adventures?!?

Y-yes maam

Adventurers shouldnt go on adventures

Thats Einas motto. It may sound like one heck of a contradiction, but shes really saying, Get some insurance and safety first.

Seems like newbies like me really need to take her words to heart. I heard most adventurers who die in the dungeon are newbies, too.

No one could have guessed that an encounter with a category Level Two monster like the Minotaur would have happened on the lower fifth floor of the Dungeon.

Everyone knows that Minotaurs only show up on the lower fifteenth floor or lower. I can hear Einas words now: No telling what will happen in a

dungeon.

But seriously, if it werent for that girl, Id be dead right about now. Just thinking about it sends shivers down my spine and almost makes me piss myself.

I swear on my soul that Ill never forget another word out of Einas mouth.

Sounds to me like youve got some weird fantasy about dungeons, and that was the reason for todays events. Am I right?

Ha-ha, ha-ha-haaaaaa

Yep, she was right. But if I admitted that I went on an adventure to meet girls, shed clobber me right here.

Its true, the main reason that I wanted to become an adventurer in the first place was the not-so-pure goal of meeting as many pretty girls and beautiful ladies as I could, just like the heroes in tales of adventure. Eina probably saw it written all over my face when I registered for the Guild. Even though she doesnt try to control me, she always looks at me like Im up to something.

But from today on, Im turning over a new leaf. All of those dirty daydreams are out the window. From today, Ill be going into the dungeons with a purer purpose.

All because I met that girl.

Um, if its okay Could you tell me about Ms. Wallenstein now?

Well, its against Guild regulations to give out adventurers personal information

She paused for a moment before saying, All I can tell you is information that is already out there? She might just be helping me out because Im a newbie, but Einas kindness is amazing.

Full Name: Aiz Wallenstein. She is the female warrior at the core of Loki Familia.

There is no question that her swordsmanship is on par with the strongest of all adventurers. She once wiped out a horde of Level Five monsters by herself, earning her the nickname kenki, or sword princess. Some go as far as to call her senki, which sounds like Lady of Combat.

I heard that the gods call her Aiz maji musou, or Aiz the Unequaled.

Males who try to put the moves on her are slain, utterly destroyed.

She just recently passed the thousand-kill mark.

Lets see, what else With her amazing body and strength like that, there are plenty of things to talk about.

Um Not as an adventurer. What does she do in her free time? What food does she like? Maybe you could tell me more about the last thing you said there

Eina blinks her eyes two, three times. I think my face is on fire.

Whats this? Bell, do you have a thing for Ms. Wallenstein?

No, nah well, kinda yes

Hee-hee, I dont blame you, though. Im female, same as her, but my heart skips a beat when I see her.

Eina lets out a small chuckle as she brings a cup of tea to her lips. How can she be that elegant just drinking tea?

Its not just Eina who looks up to Aiz Wallenstein; shes popular with other adventurers, too. Eyes like jewels framed with soft skin, a delicate chin, a pretty nose. She is the living, breathing definition of beauty. There are rumors about how many men are after her heart, but no one knows for sure. Eina is my boss! And we are talking like this! Am I a lucky guy or what?

Despite being half human, Eina has all of the refined beauty of a full-blooded elf. I cant believe how friendly and open she is with me. She tells me many people judge her on her looks and dont know her real personality.

Eina looks a little down after saying that but tells me that shes never heard of anyone dating Ms. Wallenstein.

Fist pump! Hell yeah!

I really dont know about her hobbies or anything like that Wait, wait, wait! This is a workplace! These questions have nothing to do with your job! Im not a matchmaker!

But you could try?

N-O. Unless you have something else to discuss about your job, go home already!

She stands up and almost chases me out of the room. It was pointless to try and stay any longer. She follows me out into the Guild lobby.

The lobby is a little bit underwhelming even though its made of white marble. But all the pictures of famous adventurers and various gods on the walls give me a sense of being part of something big.

Ahh, youre such a tease, Miss Eina

You know, you are an adventurer. There are plenty of other things that you should be thinking about, right?

Yeaaahhh.

Yes, I know.

The only option for people without someone to support and protect them, like me, is to work hard in the dungeons to make enough money to see tomorrow. Also, if I dont know my contract inside and out, Im up the creek without a paddle. Money is always tight.

Plus there is someone no, a goddess, who I need to support. I dont have time to get caught up in my feelings for Ms. Wallenstein.

You already have a blessing from a god other than Loki, right? To be in a relationship with someone in a different Familia would be difficult, to say the least.

Yeah?

I dont want to say give up, but you have to face facts. Otherwise, this will only be a problem for you.

Focus on being an adventurer for now; that has to be what shes trying to say.

But seriously, it felt like a death sentence when she brought up the Familia.

Eina must have noticed the will to live draining from my face and decided to try and get my mind off of it by getting back to business.

Are you going to get some money?

Well, yeah. I slew a few monsters before meeting the Minotaur, so thats something.

Then lets go to the Exchange. Ill walk you there.

Now I feel bad because shes going out of her way. Sure, left and right dont seem all that different to me right now, but shes already done so much.

I still feel okay talking to her, but there is no way Ill be able to look her in the eyes after today.

The Exchange is within headquarters itself. We go there, and I pick up my pay for today.

I trade in some magic stone shards I got for killing mostly goblins and kobolds. Everything comes out to about 1,200 vals worth of money. Less than usual, but considering I ran away from Ms. Wallenstein, I didnt spend as much time as I usually do in the Dungeon.

Lets see Weapon repairs, food for me and the goddess No new items for me today

Bell?

Oh yes? What is it?

Eina had walked with me almost out the door, but she stopped just before leaving headquarters.

She looks like she has something on her mind, and then just says it:

Girls like men who are strong and can be relied on. So if you work hard, get stronger, then maybe, possibly You know?

Maybe if you make a name for yourself, Ms. Wallenstein might notice you?

I stop and chew over those words for a moment. Did Eina, the boss who is always looking down on me, just say that? Shes trying to cheer me on as another person, not a superior. Oh yeah, thats a smile growing on my face.

Energy and hope flood in as I step out onto the street. Just because I feel like it, I turn on my heel and yell back at her:

Miss Eina! I love you!!!!!!!

What?

Thank you!!!!

Einas bright-red face makes me laugh as I set out into the busy streets of the city.

The Labyrinth City, Orario.

There is a labyrinth known as the Dungeon beneath the city. It might be better to say that the massive city was built on top of it.

The Guild oversees everyone who goes below the surface at the core of the city. Its not just humans, either; there are many kinds of demi-humans living in this flourishing metropolis alongside us.

Thats about all I know about Orario. Books and studying have never really been my thing. I know that much about the city because I live here.

People who make a living in the Dungeon are all called adventurers, like me.

I grew up in a small town not far from here. Looking back, I was a really sheltered kid. My grandfather brought me up, but he died about a year ago. There was nothing left for me there, so I packed up what money was left and moved to the city.

I dont think I have to say it at this point, but I came to Orario to meet girls in the Dungeon.

Real men try to make a harem!

How many times did Gramps say that? I can still remember his smile, so full of life.

Gramps read tales of adventure to me for as long as I can remember. I loved the heroes of those stories. They slew the monsters, saved people from certain death, rescued the princess from anything, and looked awesome while doing it. Every time I heard Gramps tell me those stories, I saw myself as the hero. My head was filled with dreams of being one of them.

Gramps let me in on the best part about being the hero.

The heros greatest taste of glory is not from slaying the monsters; its meeting the girls.

It didnt take long for visions of cute girls by my side after a dangerous adventure to saturate my brain. Gramps taught me about being a mans man. I was well on my way.

As I got older, part of me accepted the fact that I would never become the hero from the tales, but on the other hand, Gramps built me up so much that the girls became my new goal.

The book that he swore by, his bible if you will, was Dungeon Oratoria. Its filled with stories about various heroes and their adventures. I think I bought into his enthusiasm.

If I can be in a place where heroes stories are made If I can get to Orario If I can get into the Dungeon

If I could just do that, then the girl of my dreams would show up any day.

Gramps passed on, but the determination he left behind pushed me out the door, all the way to Orario and the Dungeon.

I admit that I was winging it when I first got here. But now, after a brush with death, I feel really stupid for going into the Dungeon just for the ladies. Im probably the only idiot who went in like that. Well, Im pretty sure that the adventurers seeking money and fame are basically the same as me, maybe.

Today made me realize just living is hard.

I will never take the Dungeon lightly again.

But now I have completely different reasons for going into the Dungeonincluding Ms. Wallenstein.

I slip into the multiracial crowd on Main Street.

Dwarves, gnomes, animal people, prums Some look like normal townsfolk, and some look a lot more dangerous. A human country boy like me is so out of place here. Even in this crowd, everything looks so new and interesting. The constant noise of the city is so invigorating, even though others complain its too loud. Ill never get tired of this city!

I work my way through the crowd, catching a few glimpses of some really cute and dignified elves along the way.

Theres the street Im looking for. I make my way out of the crowd, off of Main Street, and into a smaller back road. There are so many twists and turns back here Im surprised I dont get lost more often.

As the noise of Main Street fades, I arrive at a dead end.

I crane my neck back to look up at an old, rundown church in this cul-de-sac. I dont think anyone has been here in years.

To think, this two-story building was built to be a place to worship the gods. Now its not much more than ruin. There are pieces of walls missing. Well, actually, theyre in piles on the ground where they fell. Theres a hint of sadness about this place, left over from the people who stopped coming here who knows how many years ago.

A statue of a goddess smiles down on me from above the main door of the church. Shes seen better days. Half of her face is missing, and chunks of rock from her body are gone. Ive seen more complete Swiss cheese.

Yo!

There really was no need to check, but I wanted to make sure I was alone before going into the church. There are no doors in the main entrance, not much for security. Then again, the inside isnt much better than the outside.

In fact, the inside looks half destroyed. As I step inside, my foot lands on a weed growing out of the broken tile floor. Pieces of the ceiling are either gone or about to fall. On the bright side, this lets in a bit of sunlight. The sunbeams light up whats left of an altar at the back of the church.

I weave through the wreckage on my usual path, heading toward a small room behind the altar. It was once a storage room and is still lined with empty shelves. But the shelf at the very back corner is actually a door to a stairwell. I pull it back and climb down.

The stairway isnt that long, and theres still some light sneaking in from outside. I had no trouble opening the door.

Goddess! Im home!

As my voice echoes off the basement walls, the smell of home wafts into my nose. The room is small, but big enough to live in comfortably.

The person I called is sprawled out on a purple sofa just inside the door. She looks up from her book and jumps to her feet.

Just by looking at her, you would probably think she was a young girl about to hit puberty. Being that she is just a little bit shorter than me, many people would mistake us for brother and sister only a year or so apart.

Her feet thump quickly on the floor as she runs up to me with a big smile on her kiddie face.

Hey, hey, welcome back! Arent you a bit early?

Well, I almost died in the Dungeon today

What, what? You okay? Itd be a real shock to me if you died. Id be lonely and possibly really sad, too.

Her tiny hands dance up and down my body, looking for injuries.

I cant help but blush a little. Her kind tone and words always cheer me up.

Dont worry. I wont leave my goddess high and dry.

Oh? Im glad youve made up your mind because I need a lot of water.

Thats an interesting way to put it

Both of us crack smiles and walk into the back of the room.

The space we share has one square part and one long part; its the shape of a P underground. The entrance is in the square, the door in the middle of the front wall, and two sofas face each other against the other two opposite walls. We sit down on our own sofas.

The girl sitting across from me is, without a doubt, pretty. Her shiny jet-black hair falls down on the sides of her head to cover her ears but is also long enough to be tied into two extensive ponytails that reach down to her waist. Two ribbons with silver bells hold them together. Her round face and cheeks make her look very young, which is why I cant believe how much her boobs push up her clothes. I try not to look, honest! Its hard not to

Add in her clear blue, orb-like eyes, and she has an aura like a fairy-tale character come to life.

Although by usual standards she would become an absolute bombshell in a few years, I dont think her appearance will ever change that much.

She is, after all, a goddess. I call her that for a reason.

Shes different from us humans, demi-humans, or the monsters that appear in the Dungeon. She came from another plane, Deusdia. She wont age or change much at all like we do. Far above humans, shes even more influential than any of the heroes I idolized back in the day.

I bet you didnt get much money at all today, did you?

No, not as much as usual. How about you, Goddess?

Hee-hee! Take a look at this! Ta-da!

Th-those are?!

Yep! I did so well at the shop today that I got these potato snacks for

free! Party night!! Bell, I wont let you sleep tonight, at all.

Wow! Great job, Goddess!

This influential goddess is working part-time at a human-owned shop in Orario. If she didnt, of course, we wouldnt be able to survive.

A long time ago, gods and goddesses came down to our world. They call it Gekai, or lower world. There are many myths and legends that explain the why and how, but according to the goddess I know, the gods were just bored up there.

They were in their upper world, Tenkai, not doing much at all for eternity. The gods had all the time in the world but nothing to do. Then they started watching us waste so much, but also make so many interesting things like culture and business. The childrenus, basicallybecame the best entertainment available.

We shall be among the children as they are, with the same abilities. They shall see us.

They may be perfect beings, yet they have their flaws. They would have to, because they were interested enough in our world to come here.

The excitement of a new world with the children lured many gods to Gekai. They wanted to experience things like phenomena they couldnt foresee, a desire for food, hobbies, fine arts, and the indefinable bonds of friendship like the children had every day.

They laughed, or so Ive been told.

The gods and goddesses feel like they are playing a game and are fully enjoying it because it is impossible to predict what will happen.

It wasnt long before gods were living in Gekai. Quite a few of them decided to live here permanently.

As for our ancestors who lived here first, they didnt reject the gods when they arrived. Why would they? They revered the gods because they could receive blessings. To put it another way: you scratch my back, and Ill scratch yours. That relationship is still clearly going on today.

They live among us now. We live and work side by side, helping one another out.

These gods abandoned their separate and constrained lifestyles to live in our inconvenient world.

A ton of people walk around the city looking like mascots. Theyre cute and all, but I can never find one Id want in my Familia. The good ones all go after the money! If only more people knew the name Hestia

Im not so sure. All the blessings start out the same, no matter what god or goddess gave it

I live with the goddess Hestia. I guess gods and goddesses have names just like us.

A Familia is basically a group formed by a god. For example, Loki Familia is the group put together by the goddess Loki, and Hestia Familia by Hestia. Some people call it Team Loki or Team Hestia.

Personally, I think that being in a Familia is like being part of that gods family.

While gods are in Gekai, they cant use their godly powers, called Arkanam. Its a rule that they set themselves shortly after arriving. Without Arkanam, they need our food and money to survive.

While I have heard of a few gods who like working, most gods came here to have fun. So, they rely on us children to make money for them while they do whatever.

A person gets a blessing when they join a Familia.

In exchange, they use the power from the blessing to make money.

To be frank, members of a Familia provide for their god.

But we cant argue with the benefits of receiving a blessing. Anyone with a blessing can get strong enough to take down even the fiercest monsters.

Hestia, the goddess sitting across from me, calls it give and take.

Bell, I really feel bad making you work by yourself to provide for me.

Hey, Im fine. And youre working, too, arent you?

Some Familias are very large with hundreds of members, and some are very small, like ours.

In these circumstances, even the gods or goddesses themselves must find work like Hestia. They cant do what they love; they have to make money first.

Sure, they can do anything they want to earn money. But it makes me happy knowing that the gods living in our society have the same problems I do. I feel, I dont know, closer to them somehow.

Well, there are some gods who turn their Familia into a monarchy with themselves at the top. They call it Kingdom Game or something like that.

But even that is built and managed by people. Therefore, the gods have to follow our rules. There are some who say the gods are manipulating our society by behaving this way, but the fact that a god was able to create a kingdom is only because a group of people wanted him to.

While the gods do watch over what we create, in the end, they have no way to give anyone an advantage over the competition.

Im sorry I made you join the Familia of such a pitiful god

G-Goddess

I watch her withdraw into the sofa. My voice sounded pathetic even to my own ears.

I met Hestia while circling Orario trying to join a Familia. I had just arrived, and I needed a blessing before I could become an adventurer.

The famous Familias always have people trying to join their already full ranks. So people with skills that would benefit the group get first priority. Country-boy newbies like me get passed over. I wasnt just shown the door, I had it slammed in my face a few times.

I think that Hestia could see that in my eyes when we crossed paths. Sort of like I was a lost puppy, and she brought me home.

Hestia came to Gekai relatively recently and was staying with a friend, also a goddess, and her Familia before she met me. She told me that she spent all day every day doing what she loved, reading our books. Her friend eventually got angry and kicked her out. But she wasnt heartless; Hestias friend found this room under the church for her.

But really, all blessings are equal. Thats a fact.

Everyone who receives a blessing starts from the same point. As for how they grow, well, that depends completely on them.

In the end, Familias are judged by the abilities of their members, just like any shop or any country. A Familia is not strong because of its god, and neither is it weak.

Its okay, Goddess! Our Familia just got started. Better yet, its on the rise! Sure, it might be difficult now, but as soon as we get past this first part, well be sitting pretty! Once we get some money saved up, people will be lining up to join us!

Bell You are just so!

Shoosh. Shes on her feet. Her eyes fill with hope and happiness as she gazes at me. But everything I just said, word for word, came from Eina, not me. That hurts a bit, right in the conscience.

But my goddess is happy. Thats all that matters.

Shes the one who took me, a country boy dreaming about a harem and whatnot who almost got crushed because of it, by the hand and encouraged me. She is very important to me.

I want to help her any way I can.

That was the first promise I ever made to myself. I wanted to help her when we first met, and thats not about to change.

I was so lucky to meet someone like you! Now, for our future, lets update your status!

Please!

The goddess kicks her legs as she jumps up off the sofa. Her impossibly large boobs jiggle as she moves. I saw the bounce, yes, but I looked away. And now Im smiling again, too. I really have to try harder to keep my eyes

off her chest.

Other gods called her Loli Big Boobs, making fun of her otherworldly bust. But what the heck does Loli mean?

Alrighty, off with the shirt and into bed like usual!

Okay.

I walk toward the bed as I unhook my light adventurers armor and pull off my undershirt. I look over my shoulder into the full-length mirror at the end of the room.

My topless, pale-skinned reflection with hair as white as Grampss looks back at me. What really stands out is a clump of black markings on the small of my back.

All of them were engraved into my skin by Hestia. She said its called Falna, and its the mark of a blessing from a god or goddess.

Lie down, lie down.

I do as Im told and crawl onto the bed.

As soon as my stomach hits the sheets, the goddess jumps on top of me and uses my butt as her own personal chair.

You said earlier that you almost died today. What happened?

Its a long story, but

She rubs my back as I talk. Going over the same spot once, twice, many times, she relaxes my skin.

Ping The goddess pulls out a long needle.

I look over my shoulder in time to see her prick her own finger with it. A drop of her blood falls onto my back.

The red drop literally sends waves through my body as it sinks in.

You went into the deeper levels of the Dungeon to meet girls? What strange fantasies are going through your head? Theres no way the ideal virgin you have in mind is going to be in such a dangerous place, now is there?

V-virgin??? B-but anyway, its not like thats what I want! I have morals! Did you know that an elf wont even touch someone who doesnt meet their standards?

No need to get worked up. Yes, I know about the elves. But there are also groups like the Amazons. They want to have strong children so badly that women give themselves to men just because of their strength. I think youre going to wear yourself out, thats all.

Oh.

She looks down at me with an all-knowing glance after bringing that up. Meanwhile, shes kneading the spot on my back where the blood had landed, working down slowly from the left. She changes the markings.

These markings on my back are my status, my Falna.

A persons abilities rise when a gods blood is used to write hieroglyphs on their body. Only gods have this power.

There is also a thing called excelia. Simply put, excelia is experience.

Of course, it isnt something that can be seen or used by children in any way. But it tells what path an individual has walked up to that point. Gods can read a persons history in excelia. They will know if by some miracle you slew a monster, for example. Excelia also fuels a persons growth through a blessing.

Everything you have accomplished, both the quality and amount, shows up in excelia.

The gods can see what you have done, your life story. Kind of like a big sign that says, Has completed such difficult feats as: slaying a monster, etc. Seems like something the ancients would do, if you ask me.

Gods update the hieroglyphs on their Familias members backs to match that persons excelia. To put it another way: level up!

Gods and goddesses use this power to make their children stronger.

And anyway, Aiz Wallenstein, was it? If she really is that pretty and insanely powerful, other men wont leave her alone. Shes bound to have a few favorites by now.

Do you really think so?

Yep. Listen up, Bell. This is a crush; youll get over it. You should move

on and focus more on the girls around you. I am a hundred percent sure that there is a beautiful lady who will accept, hold, and support you in your life right now.

Great, now Im tearing up again. I dont want to think about it. And shes bashing Ms. Wallenstein. Why is she in such a bad mood? Did I step on a mine or something?

She keeps saying someone closer to you, but there arent any women other than her and Eina in my life right now. Eina is my boss. Like hell shed be interested in me. And then the goddess Yeah, right. Weve known each other for two weeks! And shes a goddess.

Goddess, life is not that easy. Eina told me that, too.

Besides, the girl Ms. Wallensomething is in Loki Familia. You couldnt marry her anyway.

The final blow, right through the heart.

People almost always marry someone of the opposite gender whos either in the same Familia or not in one at all. If two people from different Familias marry, which group do the kids belong to?

There are other reasons, too, but the important thing is that so many issues get in the way that people avoid inter-Familia relationships. Then there are the gods themselves. They may have come here for entertainment, but they take their Familias very seriously.

Also, not all of the gods are friends. If two of them are fighting, members of their Familias are instantly enemies. Members of each Familia dont want to put their allies in danger.

Eina said it first. It would be difficult for me, the only member of Hestia Familia, to have a relationship with Ms. Wallenstein, a member of Loki Familia.

All done! And just forget about that girl and keep your eyes open. You will find someone as long as you keep looking closer to home!

Youre cruel, Goddess

No, Im not giving up. I cant give up without even trying!

We just met. Theres no telling what will happen.

I get out of the bed and pull on some normal clothes while trying to rebuild my confidence. The goddess reaches for a piece of paper to write down my new status. I cant read the hieroglyphs myself; no one can. So the gods learned a bit of our written language to help us out.

Even if I could read their hieroglyphs, theyre on my back. Who could read something written there?

Here, your new status.

I take the paper from her lightly outstretched hand.

Bell Cranell

Level One

Strength: I-77 I-82 Defense: I-13 Utility: I-93 I-96

Agility: H-148 H-172 Magic: I-0

Magic

( )

Skills

( )

This is the Falna on my back, my status.

There are five basic abilities: strength, defense, utility, agility, and magic. Each ability has one of ten ranksS, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, and Iwithin each level. S is the strongest.

And I is the weakest The number next to the rank shows our exact ability level: 0 to 99 is the I range, 100 to 199 is H, and so on. 999 is the absolute maximum. It gets harder to get points as we get stronger, or so I am told.

Level is the most important statistic in a status. Every one of the basic abilities gets a major boost when the level goes up. It wouldnt be that much

of a stretch to say a person evolves when they level up. There is a huge difference between Level One and Level Two.

Level Two is much, much stronger.

The goddess calls it ranking up.

Lets see My Strength, Utility, and Agility went up this time Wait a sec, whats up with my Agility?! I went from H-148 to H-172! Up 24 points from yesterday?!

It must be because I got chased around for who knows how long by the Minotaur.

The excelia system is pretty simple. A person gains experience when they use a basic skill. For example, to gain Defense, I would have to actually get hit by a monster in battle. But all I do is run and dodge, so my Defense almost never goes up.

Eina told me that armor and some weapons raise Defense just by equipping them, but I just run away, so whats the point? Damn, this is embarrassing.

Um, Goddess? When do you think Ill be able to use magic?

Even I dont know that. I hear people who can use magic have high intelligence in their excelia You dont read much, though, do you, Bell?

No

Magic has to be the first thing people look forward to when they get a blessing.

Before the gods came to Gekai, only a few races could use very limited magic. But now that the gods give out blessings, anyone can learn to use it as long as theyre in a Familia.

A person can use up to three different kinds of magic. But knowing only one magic is pretty common. Ive been told that adventurers who know two kinds of magic become anchors of their team.

Magic is that important. Theres a legend that long ago, an elf used wind magic to slice and dice one hundred humans. Magic is the ultimate trump card that can turn the tables in any situation.

Who could defeat someone who can cast Sea of Flames with only a sword? I know I cant.

There is only one magic slot in my status. I guess that means I can only learn one eh?

Goddess, there seems to be something in my Skill slot. It looks like something was erased

Hmm Oh! Some ink got on my hand, and it got smudged. Its still open like normal, dont worry.

Just my luck

I wont lie; I got my hopes up a bit.

Skills are completely separate from basic abilities. When activated, they either have an effect on battle or on the users body itself. If the status shows improvement in ability, then skills are like a beneficial chemical reaction that tacks on something extra.

Skills may not be as flashy as magic, but they dont cost as much to use Though they do cost something

I glance over my updated status one last time and look up at the clock on the wall. Then I turn to the goddess.

Goddess, its already evening. Shall I get dinner ready? I know were going to have a potato snack party, but that wont be enough to fill us up, right?

Sure, Ill leave it to you, Bell.

Right-o.

I turn from the goddesss cute smile and go to the kitchen. I can only cook really easy stuff, but yeah. Eina told me I need to think more about money. Ill start focusing on that. I should try to save as much as possible from now on.

I can feel the goddess staring at my back, but I have some ideas on how to rework my contract. Maybe I can get more money that way!

Hestia gave Bell a send-off to the kitchen as if she were seeing him off to war. Once he was there, she let out a quiet but heavy sigh.

She picked up his status sheet from the bed and compared it to the one written on his back.

Children change so fast Completely different from us.

Even the slightest thing could change them and spread quickly.

It wasnt desire or culture that defined the people of Gekai. Change did.

I hate this! He changed because of her, and it isnt fair! I wont accept it!

She held her head between her hands, scratching back and forth.

Damn it!

She took another look at Bells back.

Specifically, she looked at his Skill slot.

Bell Cranell

Level One

Strength: I-77 I-82 Defense: I-13 Utility: I-93 I-96

Agility H-148 H-172 Magic: I-0

Magic

( )

Skills

Realis Phrase

Rapid Growth

Continued desire results in continued growth

Stronger desire results in stronger growth

It was she who had found promising excelia and written that skill into him with her own hands. She regretted it more than anything.