"Understand now? An adventurer's level is tied to their own talent. A person's talent decides how far they can go."
Bell shifted his gaze toward Ais.
"Likewise, the Falna System is a powerful catalyst. It helps talented people grow quickly, but the process takes time because the Falna has to maintain unity between body and soul. It isn't meant to let the body grow too fast while the soul stays still."
"That's why your growth rate is being forcefully suppressed. The Falna has already noticed your body and soul going out of sync. If your physical ability rises too quickly, your body—the vessel—will eventually collapse because the disparity between body and soul becomes too large."
Ais froze.
She hadn't known.
She hadn't known any of this.
Bell didn't pause. He kept going, following the flow of the conversation:
"The soul is a complicated thing, but it's deeply connected to emotion. A shift in your state of mind pushes your soul to grow."
"The purer the desire, the stronger the will. The firmer the conviction, the more stable the soul."
"If you were an empty doll without thoughts, the Falna wouldn't suppress your growth. Dolls don't have souls—they only need a body."
"But you aren't a doll. You need both a body and a soul. So your growth can't be purely physical. Your soul has to grow alongside it."
Bell actually had some degree of research on the soul.
Though the word "soul" sounded mystical—like something made up—if you replaced it with "emotion," it became far more grounded.
Every fluctuation in emotion shows up fully in the soul.
Beautiful hopes can elevate a soul; bitter resentment can elevate it too—the direction is just different.
Why did Bell know all this so clearly?
Naturally, because of the Seven Deadly Sins.
Desire is part of being human, a vivid color of the soul. And because Bell wielded that aspect of power, he understood better than anyone that "emotion" is simply the soul made visible.
Emotional fluctuations spur the soul to grow.
This is why an adventurer's emotions and mindset affect their own growth, and why the Falna System includes all of this within its framework. That was what shocked Bell during his research.
Honestly, it was unbelievable that the Falna System could account for everything. But maybe it was precisely because of that completeness that adventurers in the Genkai could fully unleash their potential.
"My soul… is what's limiting my growth…"
Ais never imagined that beyond talent and innate ability, her own soul was also holding her back.
Seeing her completely bewildered expression, Bell let out a quiet sigh.
"That's why I told you to grow together with your friends."
"I said it from the beginning—if you want to keep getting stronger, you can't do it alone. You and I are fundamentally different. You're not me, and you don't have my experiences. That's why you can't advance by relying on yourself alone."
"After I became an adventurer, I've always had clear, unwavering goals. Unlike you, I didn't turn myself into a machine built for killing. Strength is only the means I use to reach my objectives."
"But you're different. You buried your desire for revenge so deeply that your entire way of living became killing Monsters, killing the Black Dragon that took your parents. That obsession made you crave power—power you'd risk your life to obtain."
"Even though that desire is pure, the matter of the Xenos has shaken you. Those Xenos—Monster on the outside—are far gentler than ordinary humans. That contradiction has created conflict inside you."
"And then came the news that your parents aren't dead."
With every word Bell spoke, something inside Ais quivered. His sentences were like a scalpel dissecting her heart, laying everything bare before her eyes.
The blackness in Bell's eyes resembled a deep abyss, locking firmly onto her.
"All of that has thrown you into confusion—but it has also forced you to confront your true feelings."
"So, Ais Wallenstein… what is the thing you treasure most?"
At that moment, Ais suddenly pictured her childhood—her mother holding her, her father coming over to praise her.
She almost blurted out "my parents," but another image surfaced: herself as she was now, standing beside Riveria, Tiona, and Lefiya—standing there like family.
No… not just them. Ais saw even more faces—almost the entire familia entering her heart. Even Loki, their most unpredictable Familia God, was there.
The most important people to her were no longer just her "parents."
Ais drew a slow breath and answered.
"...It's family!"
So that was it. Bell nodded slightly. Stirring her emotions a little had been worth it—she had finally spoken her true answer aloud.
"A very clear answer."
"People can only grow quickly once they've found clarity. For now, go home and discuss everything properly with your 'mother.' And while you're at it, nestle into her arms and let yourself be spoiled a bit."
"I'll come find you tomorrow."
The moment he finished speaking, Bell vanished from in front of her.
Ais didn't even react. His way of disappearing was far too familiar. At this point, if Bell did leave normally, it would probably feel strange to her.
"I still didn't get to ask… he changed the subject."
Ais puffed out her cheeks, frustrated that her mind didn't turn as fast as Riveria's and that she couldn't hold onto the question.
"I'll just ask tomorrow."
For now, she needed to head home.
More than anything at the moment, she wanted to see Riveria—and talk to her about everything that had happened today.
As for acting spoiled…
Ais hesitated, her expression conflicted. She was an adult now—wasn't running to Riveria to act spoiled a bit childish? But Bell had specifically told her to go and be spoiled by Riveria.
'…Alright. I'll go later.'
Ais didn't understand why Bell wanted her to do that—but right now, she was committed to following good advice.
Don't think too much. Just do it first.