The camp was silent, save for the crackling of the campfires. Bell sat, spear resting in his lap, while Hestia stood beside him, arms crossed, clearly on the defensive.
Hermes took a few steps toward them, his usual absent smile now replaced by a serious expression. Beside him, Asfi and Lulune waited with equal attention.
"So…" Hermes said in a deep voice, "what relationship do you have with that dragon?"
Bell looked up, still feeling the weight of everything he'd been through inside. Hestia was the first to respond.
"It's not a threat, if that's what you're worried about."
Hermes frowned. "That doesn't answer the question."
"And I don't think it's necessary to answer that question entirely," Hestia said firmly. "The important thing is that it showed up to help us. And if it wasn't for the dragon, we wouldn't be here."
Bell nodded, not adding much more. "I trust the dragon. It's… someone important to me."
Hermes remained silent for a few more seconds, weighing each word. Then he looked up at the dark sky for a moment.
"We saw it before, you know? On the plain. I've never felt anything like that… that pressure, that presence. It's not just a monster. It doesn't feel like a being from this world."
Hestia didn't deny anything, but she didn't confirm anything either.
"And that changes what you did today?"
"No," Hermes admitted with a sigh. "It doesn't change that. It just makes me wonder how many other surprises you're holding."
"Enough," Hestia murmured, nudging Bell gently to keep him from saying another word.
Hermes ran a hand through his hair, letting a small smile return to his lips.
"I guess as long that monster is on your side, I have no reason to worry. But if the dragon ever changes its mind..."
"it won't," Bell said, this time in a firm tone.
Hermes looked at him for a moment, then raised his hands in a gesture of peace.
"Very well. I'll stick with that. For now."
Asfi raised an eyebrow clearly dissatisfied, but didn't say anything. Lulune simply sighed and plopped down near the fire.
The tension in the air dissipated a little. But not completely. The unanswered questions always lingered… like echoes in the darkness.
"So… is Artemis really in there?" Laurier asked, moving a little closer, her eyes a mixture of wonder and curiosity.
Bell nodded, holding the spear in both hands. "Yes. It's fine. She can hear us."
From the spear, Artemis's soft voice spoke again. "I still don't understand exactly what happened… but it doesn't matter. I'm happy. I can stay a little longer."
Hermes ran his hand through his hair, sighing. "Well, this isn't something you see every day… a goddess anchored to a weapon. I would have bet that the spear would disappear with her."
Hestia arms crossed, snorted. "I don't understand how it happened either but I'm not going to complain. If Artemis can still be here even like this, then she's welcome."
Asfi leaned toward the spear with a raised eyebrow. "Can you hear us clearly from there?"
"Yes," Artemis replied. "I can hear you… feel others closer. It's strange but not unpleasant. I feel calm."
Hermes let out a light laugh. "Relax? That's saying something considering you're technically trapped on a spear."
"Well," Artemis said with a small laugh in her voice, "I've been in worse places. And as long as I
can stay close to Orion, I have no complaints."
Laurier looked at Bell with a smile. "That's so romantic it hurts a little."
Bell scratched his cheek, slightly flushed, but said nothing. The spear was still warm in his hands, as if gently pulsing with Artemis's voice. There were many unanswered questions, but for now, they could all feel it: it was a relief that Artemis was still with them, even if it was in an unconventional way.
Hermes stretched slowly as he looked around at those present with renewed seriousness. "Well… this was more than just an expedition. We're going to report what happened."
Hestia tilted her head. "To who, exactly?"
"The Guild, of course. But more specifically…" Hermes turned his gaze to Bell. "Ouranos. He's going to want to know all this."
Bell raised his head. "Back to Orario?"
"Exactly," Hermes confirmed. "And you're also coming with me to the meeting with Ouranos."
Hestia frowned and took a step forward, nervous. "Why? Why would Bell have to go too? He's not a god."
Hermes looked at her with a smile that didn't hide the seriousness of his words. "Because Ouranos is in charge of divine affairs in Orario. And what just happeneda goddess who didn't return to the Tenkai, who instead of disappearing, was bound to a spear in the mortal world... believe me, that does interest him."
Artemis spoke from the spear, her voice soft. "Will it be dangerous for Orion?"
"No," Hermes shrugged. "But we can't ignore what this means. It's unique.
Unprecedented. And Ouranos isn't the kind of god to stand idly by when something like this happens."
Bell nodded. "Okay. I'll go."
Hestia pressed her lips together, but didn't argue. She knew it was inevitable.
Hermes turned to the others. "Pack everything up. We'll return to Orario at dawn."
…
The night at camp was quiet. Perhaps too quiet, after everything he'd been through. Bell tried to sleep, lying on some blankets in one of the tents. But he couldn't.
Now that he was in a moment of calm, alone with his thoughts, he could reflect on everything that had happened. How quickly his life had changed. Although it might not seem like much, it felt like the whole world to him.
He closed his eyes, but the images returned again and again. Artemis smiling sadly… the moment she used the spear… the end. He felt empty. Broken. And even though he was surrounded by others, he felt completely alone.
He opened his eyes suddenly, with a slight gasp.
Then he saw her.
Hestia sat beside him, silently looking at him.
"H-Hestia-sama!" he whispered in surprise.
She leaned down a little and placed a finger to his lips. "Shh… don't make any noise. Come with me."
She stood up without a sound and left the tent. Bell looked at her for a moment, confused… but he followed her. Outside, the night air hit him in the face, waking him up a little.
They walked between the tents in silence, unnoticed. When they reached his own, Hestia stopped and looked at him.
"Come in."
Bell walked in without saying anything. He didn't know what she wanted to say to him, but he knew he needed to hear it.
Inside the tent, the light was dim, barely illuminated by a small magic crystal lamp. The atmosphere was warm, calm… but tense.
Hestia and Bell sat on the floor, facing each other, their legs crossed. Silence fell between them for a few seconds, as if they didn't know where to begin.
Hestia was the first to break it.
"Are you OK?"
Bell looked down, his hands resting on his legs.
"No…"
The answer was simple. Honest.
Hestia nodded gently, unsurprised. "Do you want to talk about it?"
Bell hesitated for a second.
"No…"
Hestia didn't insist. She just looked at him tenderly, waiting. And after a brief pause, Bell continued.
"It's not that I don't want to talk about it, it's just… I don't even know what's going on with all this."
His eyes lifted to Hestia's. There was weariness on his face, but more than that, there was confusion. The kind of confusion that comes when everything changes so fast your soul can't keep up.
Bell looked down again, his voice sounding lower this time, as if he were speaking to himself more than to Hestia.
"Everything has gone too fast…"
His hands clenched tightly on her legs.
"Less than a month ago… I was just a country boy who wanted to be an adventurer. I dreamed of being strong, of living stories like the heroes I read about. And now…"
He looked up at Hestia, but her expression was blank. There was no anger, no pure sadness. Just an overwhelming mix of things even he didn't understand.
"I've escaped death several times, a crazy goddess is hunting me, I've leveled up, I've been told I'm Artemis's destined lover… And… what do I really have?" He paused. The air grew heavier.
"I haven't made a single lasting connection… other than you."
His eyes softened for a moment as he looked at her.
"Instead of moving forward, I feel like I'm going backward. I put a girl in jail who just seemed lost, confused. I'm involved in things I don't understand, things too big for me. And… I just… I don't know what's going on with my life."
He sighed, closing his eyes for a second.
"This whole thing feels like it's dragging me down… and I don't know if I'm making the right decisions."
Bell clenched his fists, his voice barely shaking as he continued.
"When I arrived in Orario… my dream was to be a hero. But not for fame, or glory. I didn't care about medals or people shouting my name."
He looked up at the ceiling, as if trying to find some answer up there.
"All I ever wanted… was to have people by my side. Companions. Friends. Someone who would be with me every step of the way, who would laugh with me, who would scold me when I did something stupid, who would fight by my side…"
Bell stopped. There were no tears, but His voice was barely a broken whisper.
"And now… I don't know if I'm succeeding."
Hestia didn't respond. Not with words.
She just walked up silently… and hugged him.
Her arms wrapped around him tightly, small but firm, as if trying to hold all the broken pieces Bell didn't realize he'd dropped. He didn't say anything, because there was nothing he could say that would fix what he felt.
And in that silent embrace… Bell allowed his heart to calm, just a little.
Hestia continued to hug Bell, never letting up. Her chin rested gently on his shoulder, her eyes closed.
He didn't speak. Not because he didn't want to, but because he knew no words would fix what Bell felt. No phrase, advice, or truth could ease the chaos inside him.
And also… because I had nothing to say.
I couldn't change what had happened, I couldn't take the weight off my chest, or turn back time to when everything was simpler.
All I could do… was be there.
To be a refuge. A small corner in that chaotic world that could still offer him some peace.
And Bell, without saying anything else, simply rested his forehead on Hestia's shoulder. He closed his eyes, and for the first time in a long time… he didn't think about gods, battles, or loss. He only listened to the soft rhythm of his goddess's breathing, and for a moment, that was enough.
That night, silence reigned in the small tent, broken only by the soft rustling of the wind on the canvas.
Bell and Hestia lay down together, but this time, something was different.
It had always been Hestia who snuggled up to him, using him as her living pillow, with those hugs of hers that didn't ask permission. But that night… it was Bell who held her.
His arms wrapped tightly around her, as if he feared that if he let go, the world would swallow him up again.
His face rested against Hestia's neck, seeking a closeness that had nothing to do with habit or comfort, but with necessity. A simple, human need to not feel alone.
And Hestia said nothing. She just hugged him back, silently, feeling the pressure of his arms, the gentle trembling of someone who had given too much and received too little.
That's how they slept.
Not as a goddess and an adventurer, but as two souls who just wanted, for one night, to forget the weight of everything else.
…
The sun was just beginning to peek over the treetops, painting the camp in shades of gold and orange. The morning breeze carried the scent of the forest and the dry dust from the ruins. Everyone was almost ready to leave.
Bell carefully adjusted Artemis's spear on his back. The metal gleamed with a faint silver sheen, not from the sunlight, but from the presence within.
"Are you okay?" Artemis's soft voice asked, echoing directly in his mind, like a whisper only he could hear.
Bell took a second to respond. He lightly gripped the spear's handle and nodded. "Yeah... at least, I'll try to be."
There was no immediate response. Just a warm, silent presence inside the weapon, as if it were embracing him from the other side.
Then Hermes' voice broke the moment. "Bell! Time to open the tunnel!" he shouted from the center of the camp, where the rest of the group was already gathered, bags slung over their shoulders and weapons at the ready.
Bell took a deep breath, walked up to the group and hit the ground twice, instantly the tunnel opened again.
One by one, without hesitation, the members of the Hermes family began to rush into the tunnel. They had used it once before, and they knew it was safe, although the experience of going through it was still strange.
Asfi was the first to jump, Laurier following her firmly, throwing one last glance at Bell before disappearing. The others soon followed suit, like dominoes falling in order.
Hestia looked at Bell and smiled slightly before jumping into the tunnel as well. Bell stood for a moment longer, alone, with Artemis's faint murmur in his mind and the wind rustling his cloak. Then, without another thought, he jumped in as well.
And what was the camp was empty, only the echo of the tunnel dissipating into the air.
In Orario, the group emerged from the tunnel directly onto the grounds of the Hermes Familia headquarters. The normally quiet space was suddenly flooded by the sudden appearance of adventurers covered in dust, bandages, worn weapons, and exhausted expressions. But also with a sense of relief: they were back.
Hermes was quick to take control.
"All right, everyone can relax for now," he said with his usual confident smile. "Regroup, take a bath, and have something hot to eat. You earned it."
As his family members began to disperse inside the building, Hermes turned to three specific people.
"Bell, Hestia, Asfi… you three are coming with me. We have to inform Ouranos of what happened. And fast."
"Let's go then," Bell said.
The group walked through the streets of Orario with a firm step, although the atmosphere was a mixture of tension and exhaustion. The city was the same as always, bustling and alive, oblivious to what had happened beyond its walls. Bell carried Artemis's spear on his back, and from time to time, he felt its calm presence within him.
When they arrived at the guild building, the "Pantheon," its majestic architecture rose above the square like a white stone cathedral, adorned with statues of gods and symbols of the city's most important families.
As soon as they walked through the main doors, a familiar voice caught Bell's attention.
"Bell! Bell!"
It was Eina. She was wearing her usual guild uniform and was approaching with a smile that was a mixture of relief and surprise.
"I haven't seen you in a while," he said. "Is everything okay?"
Bell, somewhat uncomfortable but sincere, looked back. "I've been away from Orario… there were some problems."
Before Eina could say anything else, Hermes stepped forward with a mischievous smile.
"I hate to interrupt your lovely morning flirting, but we have urgent matters. I need to see Royman, right now."
Eina looked at him with a mixture of annoyance and professionalism.
"He's in his office. Would you like me to join you?"
Hermes was already walking toward the hallway. "No need, we know the way. Thank you, Miss Tulle."
Hestia just let out a small sigh, while Asfi muttered something under her breath that sounded like, "Your comments again…"
Bell gave Eina one last sad look before following the others into the Pantheon.
The office door opened with a soft creak, and the group entered Royman's office. The space was spacious, with shelves laden with documents and books, and a massive polished wooden desk behind which sat an elderly elf. His figure was round, with a generous belly barely concealed by his robes, but his expression was stern and his gaze sharp.
Royman looked up from the papers he was sorting through and surveyed them with a measured expression.
"Hermes," he greeted in a deep voice. "What can I do for you?"
Hermes leaned forward slightly, still wearing his usual smile, though his tone was more formal than usual.
"I have a meeting scheduled with Ouranos. And I'm bringing people with me who are involved in the report I'll be presenting."
Royman narrowed his eyes as he looked at Bell and Hestia.
"Do you have permission to bring more people with you?"
Hermes didn't miss a beat. "They're directly involved in what happened. It would be irresponsible not to bring them in."
The old elf remained silent for a moment, considering the situation. Finally, he rose from his seat, the creaking of his chair accompanying the movement, and picked up a short cane that lay beside his desk.
"All right. Follow me."
Without further ado, he left through a side door that led to a darker hallway, clearly reserved for high-ranking members of the guild.
The group descended a stone staircase in silence, lit only by torches embedded in the walls. The air grew denser and more solemn with each step, as if the building itself recognized the gravity of where they were heading. Bell kept his gaze lowered, feeling the weight of the place… and the moment.
Reaching the top of the stairs, Royman stopped in front of an imposing black wooden door. Without knocking, he pushed it with both hands, and it opened with a deep creak.
The interior was vast and silent. A large chamber with pillars that disappeared into the darkness of the ceiling. In the center, raised on a stone platform, stood the throne of Ouranos.
The ancient god was waiting for them there, like a statue sculpted from time itself, wrapped in his black robes.
Royman stepped forward, bowed deeply before the throne, and without saying a word, left the way he came, leaving the four alone in the presence of the god.
The voice of Ouranos, deep and resonant like an echo in the depths of the world, was soon heard:
"Hermes."
Hermes stepped forward, with his typical crooked smile.
"Ouranos! Always so majestic and silent. It's good to see you with all your… flashes of wisdom intact."
Ouranos didn't respond. His face remained imperturbable, like a stone wall. Hermes, without missing a beat, shrugged and raised both hands in a gesture of peace.
"Okay, okay, back to the point. Antares has been eliminated. Completely. Threat over."
For a moment, Ouranos's face seemed to change subtly. It wasn't a smile, but his frown relaxed slightly. A subdued expression, one of contained satisfaction. However, just seconds later, his gaze turned direct, cold… and settled on Bell.
The young man tensed instantly.
"The weapon that child is carrying… contains Arcanum."
The statement made the air in the room freeze.
Ouranos then turned his face slightly towards Hermes.
"What exactly happened?"
Hermes crossed his arms, still holding his casual tone, although now more measured.
"You see… it's a bit of a strange story. Let's just say Artemis didn't exactly return to Tenkai when she died. Or at least, not completely."
Ouranos closed his eyes for a second, as if he had already feared a similar response. "Explain."
Hermes raised a finger as he began to narrate, with unusual calmness.
"It all began with the disappearance of the Artemis family. Or rather, its annihilation. Antares didn't just destroy its members—no, he went further. He imprisoned Artemis herself in a crystal… one that allowed him to absorb her Arcanum bit by bit."
Ouranos frowned. That information did unsettle him.
Hermes noticed the reaction and nodded.
"Yeah, I thought about it. If that were something replicable… we wouldn't want other creatures to know how to do it. But don't worry, Antares no longer exists. Bell destroyed it. Well, him and a… let's say unconventional ally."
Ouranos didn't comment, but his gaze hardened slightly.
"Unfortunately, Artemis was destroyed in the process. Not by intention, but as a consequence. Her death was inevitable to end the threat. So far, normal… well, as far as is possible in our world."
The god remained silent, listening attentively.
"But then—and this is where the weirdness starts—after the battle, we heard her voice. Artemis. Clear. Coherent. Coming from the spear she herself had given to Bell. . Her soul, her consciousness, lived on within that artifact."
Ouranos narrowed his eyes.
"That's impossible."
"I know! Believe me, I know. But there he is. Even now, she's still talking to the boy." Hermes nodded toward Bell, who stood tensely, the spear at his back. "And the spear, by the way… didn't return to Tenkai with her. Which also breaks the rules."
Ouranos looked at him gravely. For the first time, his voice lowered slightly, almost as if he were speaking to himself.
"A god cannot remain in Gekai after death… unless something… forces it."
"Exactly what I thought," Hermes said, his tone more serious. "And believe me, if I knew how or why it happened, I would say so. But this…"—he gestured vaguely—"this is beyond even me." Ouranos remained silent for a few seconds. Then he turned his eyes to Bell.
Before Bell could speak, a soft but somewhat nervous female voice echoed from the spear on his back.
"U-Uh… hello, Ouranos…" The room fell silent.
Hestia flinched slightly, Asfi's eyes widened slightly, and even Hermes crossed his arms with a puzzled half-smile. Ouranos, however, didn't move. But his eyes, for the first time in a long time, seemed to have a subdued sparkle. His voice came out with a calm gravity.
"Artemis…"
"Yes… it's me. Or… what's left of me, I guess…"
The echo of her voice floated through the room like a light breeze, coming straight from the spear.
"This is… awkward. I'm not sure how it happened, or why… but I'm conscious. And strapped to this spear."
The discomfort in her tone was evident, even to a goddess. It was as if she didn't want to disturb him, but she also couldn't ignore his strange new existence.
Ouranos stared at her. Not at the weapon, but as if his gaze pierced the world in search of something beyond.
"…This is unprecedented."
Hermes nodded. "That's why we're here."
Ouranos remained silent for several seconds, staring at the spear as if he could see through it, trying to unravel the mystery. Finally, he spoke.
"It could be an echo of her soul… a remnant of the Arcanum… perhaps a spontaneous miracle of divine will… or an unexpected reaction from the Falna…"
His voice, always deep, became slower as he advanced in his theories, and then he shook his head slightly.
"No. None of that explains why a dead goddess is still conscious… and bound to a physical object in the mortal world."
He frowned, and for the first time his expression became openly serious.
"This poses a dilemma. Technically, Artemis is still here… which is outside the divine order. If a deity can't return to the Tenkai after death, then… what should we do with that spear?"
Tension gripped the room, until Artemis herself responded from inside the weapon, her voice soft but firm.
"The spear is tied to my Orion."
The echo of those words made Ouranos open his eyes with unusual intensity, and he slowly turned his gaze toward Bell. For a moment, the young man felt the weight of a forgotten story fall upon his shoulders, without him fully understanding it.
"…I know that promise," Ouranos murmured. "The one from the heavens… that she would find her Orion one day."
Bell swallowed, not knowing what to say.
Then Artemis spoke again, her voice calmer this time, almost resigned.
"I don't know why I'm still here… but I believe that as long as I'm bound to this spear, I'll be with him. And when Orion dies… then I'll return to the Tenkai with him."
A solemn silence fell over the room, as everyone understood the weight of what had just been said.
Ouranos remained silent for a long moment, his eyes fixed on Bell, as if seeking to read the future in his gestures. Finally, he spoke in a deep, firm voice:
"I will allow it."
Everyone in the room looked up slightly, surprised by the speed with which he had decided. Ouranos continued, without changing his tone:
"Bell Cranel, you will keep the spear. Artemis will remain with you… as long as she poses no threat to the balance of Orario."
He turned his head slightly towards Hermes.
"However, Hermes. As the intermediary, I am entrusting you with a direct responsibility: if the young man or the weapon shows any signs of endangering this city… you must intervene. And, if necessary, take the spear away from him."
Hermes nodded with a tired smile, as if he had expected that outcome.
"Understood, old friend. Although I'd rather not have to deal with him… or her."
The spear gave off a faint glow, as if Artemis was responding in annoyance, but she said nothing.
Ouranos looked back at Bell.
"I hope you understand the responsibility you now bear."
Bell just nodded, his lips pursed and his back straight. He didn't say a word… but his eyes spoke of determination.
Just as they were about to retreat, Hestia took a couple of steps forward, her hands clasped in front of her chest and a nervous expression.
"Excuse me… Ouranos"
The elder god turned his gaze toward her slightly, expectant. Hestia swallowed before continuing.
"About… the mission pay. Hermes promised us we'd get a portion of the money allocated for fighting Antares."
Hermes raised his eyebrows, looking away as if he couldn't quite remember what he'd said, while Ouranos let out a long, heavy sigh. Still, he spoke without changing his neutral tone:
"According to the report submitted by Hermes, both you and Bell Cranel played an important role in the elimination of Antares."
There was a brief silence.
"Therefore, they will be granted compensation of ten million valis."
Hestia froze for a second, as her brain processes it. Then her eyes opened wide and she let out a smothered squeal of excitement.
"Ten million!?"
Bell looked at her in surprise, and even Asfi raised an eyebrow.
"That's a lot of money!" Hestia exclaimed, clutching Bell by the shoulders as she stopped herself from jumping up and down right there.
As they were about to turn towards the exit, Hestia stopped dead in her tracks, as if something important had suddenly hit her head.
"Wait, wait… One more moment!"
Everyone turned to look at her, confused. Hestia raised a finger, now somewhat pale.
"Uh… Ouranos… This is just a… technical… question… how much is the fine for hiding a level up?"
The atmosphere tensed slightly. Ouranos shifted his gaze to Bell, who suddenly felt cold sweat running down his back. Then he looked back at Hestia.
"Five million valis."
Hestia froze in place. You could literally see her shrinking in place as if her soul were leaving her body. Her joyful expression faded with a long, dry sigh.
"Five million…? But that's half!"
Hermes coughed softly, covering his mouth with his hand, clearly amused by the situation. Ouranos said nothing further, clearly considering the subject closed.
The group began walking silently toward the throne room exit, their footsteps echoing in the cold hallway. The atmosphere was a little more relaxed, although Hestia's face was still twisted between frustration and resignation.
At the door, Royman was already standing there waiting for them, as if he'd calculated the exact moment they'd be leaving. Seeing them, he bowed slightly, professionally.
Then, Ouranos' deep voice was heard once again from his throne.
"Royman."
The elf looked up attentively.
"Take care of the paperwork. Pay ten million valis to the Hestia family as a reward for their role in the mission. And… deduct five million as a penalty for concealing a level-up."
Royman didn't seem surprised. He nodded emotionlessly, jotting something down on a small clipboard he held in his hands.
"As you command."
Hermes let out a small chuckle, while Hestia muttered something that sounded vaguely like an insult in her throat. Bell avoided looking at her directly, still somewhat guilty. Artemis, from the spear, remained silent.
The group crossed the door, leaving behind the imposing presence of Ouranos.
With that, Bell and Hestia returned to the basement of the old abandoned church. The door creaked just as always, and the air smelled of dust and old wood… but it was their home.
Hestia dropped her things with a long sigh, stretching her arms and falling back onto her makeshift mattress.
"Ahh… finally home."
Bell smiled, looking around. Even though the place was as dilapidated as ever, it felt warm.
Familiar. Safe. After everything they'd been through, just being there again felt like a luxury.
"Five million valis richer," Hestia said with a satisfied smile. "And this time it's not because we're in debt to anyone, it's legitimate!"
Artemis, from the spear on Bell's back, murmured softly, "Though technically there would have been ten of them..."
Hestia clicked her tongue. "Shh! Don't ruin it!"
Bell just chuckled. After so much chaos, it felt good to just be back.
As they settled into the church basement, finally enjoying a moment of peace, Hestia looked at Bell curiously, then snapped her fingers as if remembering something important.
"Oh, right! I haven't updated your status in a while."
Bell looked at her with some surprise. "Really? With everything that happened… I didn't even remember."
Hestia was already taking out the needle and scroll. "Well, now's a good time. Come on, take off your shirt and lie down."
Bell obeyed without saying anything, and soon, the familiar sensation of the drop of blood on his back and the gentle warmth of the falna activating enveloped him. His falna began to fill with the new data, and Hestia's eyes widened at the sight of the numbers.
"Wow… you're really about to break everything." Bell sat up a little, curious, and read:
Bell Cranel
Level 2 (+)
Strength: SS1043
Endurance: S998
Dexterity: A891
Agility: S966
Magic: A815
Magic:
Explosion: Chantless magic. Generates an explosion with the user at its center.
Skills:
[Loved by the world]: The world loves you. Generate blessings based on needs.
…
…
Development skills:
Spirit Healing I
"You could go up to Level 3 right now if you want," Hestia said, looking at Bell.
But he shook his head.
"No. Not yet."
"Because?"
"If I level up now, I'll be wasting my potential. I want to maximize my stats. At this rate, I could reach the absolute limit."
Hestia watched him for a moment, then nodded.
"Okay. But promise me you won't overexert yourself."
Bell smiled a little wearily. "I know. But I want to be ready for whatever comes." Artemis then spoke from the spear, her voice soft but with a playful tone.
"I knew my Orion was special… but I didn't know he was that special."
Bell blushed slightly, awkwardly scratching his cheek. "It's not that big a deal…"
Hestia, for her part, puffed out her cheeks in a small pout. "I knew it! From the first moment I saw you, I knew you'd cause trouble…"
Artemis giggled from behind her spear. "Then there are two of us."
Bell just sighed, looking up at the ceiling of the old basement with a small, tired smile. Despite everything, he felt a little more at peace.
[N/A: Here's the new updated status, I really enjoy reading your comments]