The Boy and the Crystal
The boy in question was Bell Cranel, a novice adventurer of Orario. In front of him, receiving several bags filled with gems of various shapes and colors, stood a pretty elf with chestnut-brown hair, delicate features, and a gentle smile that carried both concern and admiration for the young man before her. Her name was Eina Tulle, and she was carefully examining the magic stones Bell had brought to the Guild.
They were already familiar with each other. Bell himself thought of Eina as a friend, even though most Guild employees were expected to remain neutral.
The Guild was the central hub where adventurers exchanged the magic stones they retrieved from the Dungeon for valis, the world's currency. It acted almost like a family, founded by the very first god to set foot in the Lower World.
"Amazing, Bell!" Eina exclaimed in genuine astonishment. Not long ago, Bell had only been able to bring in a few fragments at best, and now there were bags full of them on her counter.
"Thank you, Miss Eina," Bell replied with a proud smile, glancing at his achievement.
Both receptionist and adventurer blushed faintly at the mutual compliments. After a short pause, Eina cleared her throat and poured the crystals into the tray to measure their value. That was when something unusual caught her eye. Among the ordinary crystals was one that glowed with a different hue.
"Oh my… how rare," Eina whispered, lifting it toward the light.
"What is it?" Bell asked curiously.
"It's a Wish Crystal."
"A–A wish crystal?!" Bell nearly shouted, before quickly following up. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Well… it's mostly just a rumor." Eina set the oddly colored stone on the counter. "Supposedly, if you make a pure wish while holding it, it can grant whatever your heart desires. Still, while rare, it's not unheard of. Many have tried with no success, and most eventually end up selling them to us."
Almost on instinct, Eina snatched the crystal before Bell could react. She closed her eyes, her face tightening in deep concentration. A minute passed before she opened them again, letting out a heavy sigh.
"…It didn't work," she muttered with disappointment, handing the gem back to Bell's bag. "What a fake."
"As I said—it's just a rumor," she consoled herself, then turned back to Bell. "So, what about you, Bell? Do you want me to include it with today's payment, or keep it and try your luck?"
Bell thought about it seriously. He was about to tell her to add it in with the rest, but then a certain guest at his home came to mind.
Aqua.
He didn't know much about her. Hestia had suddenly brought her back one day, introducing her as her "younger sister" and claiming she ranked lower among the gods. Because of that, Hestia felt responsible for her. While the blue-haired goddess seemed to be slowly recovering, she still spent most of her days drowning herself in despair—and drink.
Bell glanced down at the crystal in his hand and gave a small nod. It might be nothing… but maybe, just maybe, it could cheer her up. After all, he already had everything he wanted. Any further wish would only feel frivolous—and insincere.
The Abandoned Church
Bell Cranel returned home to his Familia's church with a smile on his face. The sun was just beginning to set, casting a soft golden glow across the abandoned building. It wasn't much compared to other Familias' homes, but it was still a place he could share with his goddess.
As he approached, he noticed their unusual guest outside. A rag was tied around her head, three nails held between her lips, a hammer at her side, and her arm moving rhythmically as she sanded down the battered old dining table.
"I'm back!"
Bell greeted her with the bright smile he always wore when seeing her. He had to admit, ever since Aqua's arrival, the church looked far better—cleaner, too. She was supposed to be the goddess of water, but she turned out to be surprisingly handy at carpentry, recycling old materials to make their living space more comfortable.
"Ah, g-good evening…" Aqua greeted softly, glancing up with her deep blue eyes before quickly returning to her work.
Bell looked down at the polished crystal in his hand, then stepped toward her.
"Um, Lady Aqua, we found this in the Dungeon today, and I thought maybe you'd like it."
Aqua tilted her head slightly as she accepted the gift, curiosity flickering across her face.
"Umm… thank you?"
"Eina said it was a Wish Crystal," Bell explained, giving it a doubtful glance. "Supposedly, if your intent is pure enough, it can grant whatever you desire."
"I wish I was rich!" Aqua immediately shouted, shaking the stone up and down. "I wish I was rich! I wish I was rich! I wish I was rich!"
Her eyes widened as she stared down at the gem, holding the pose for three whole minutes. Then, as if realization struck her, she turned back toward them, suspicion darkening her expression. Bell quickly waved his hands.
"M-Maybe I was wrong! I think Eina tried too, but it didn't work, ha ha…"
Just then, Hestia entered the room. Hearing Aqua's ridiculous wish, she couldn't help but laugh along with Bell, while Aqua sniffled in disappointment, clutching the stone tighter. Tears welled in her eyes as she finally broke down.
"I'm so tired of this!" Aqua sobbed, her wails growing louder by the second. Bell and Hestia panicked as her cries turned into a heartbreaking scream.
Hestia rushed over, wrapping her arms around the younger goddess to comfort her, then shot Bell a questioning look. The boy could only shrug guiltily.
"I'm so tired… it's too hard, Hestia…" Aqua whimpered, burying her face in Hestia's shoulder as she stared at the stone with grief. "I wish that idiot Kazuma was here…"
"Eh? Wha—" Hestia began to comfort her, but froze as she felt an immense surge of divine energy forming behind her.
"W-Whaaa?!" Aqua yelped, stumbling back. The crystal seemed fused to her palm as she tried desperately to pull away from it.
"It won't come off!"
"Bell! Do something!" Hestia shouted. But Bell, too, was frozen in shock.
"U-Um… err…" he stammered, unsure what to do. Then the green energy gathered in Aqua's hand and burst into a brilliant pillar of light, slamming down before her.
"AQUA!" Hestia cried, terrified for her younger sister.
The light was so bright Bell had to shield his eyes until it finally faded. When he looked again, his jaw dropped.
Someone was standing there.
Beside Aqua, where no one had been before, stood a man. He was about her height, perhaps a little taller, with brown hair and forest-green eyes that stared at the water goddess with an unreadable expression. His build was average, his clothes elegant and white, the kind that looked far too expensive for an adventurer.
Strapped at his waist was a short sword, ornately decorated with jewels and gems. One glance was enough for Bell to know it was no cheap weapon.
As the last traces of magic vanished, Bell slowly lowered his guard. The man was still holding Aqua's hand, while the goddess stared at him in shock… and fear.
Bell cautiously stepped forward. A memory surfaced: the name Aqua always muttered in drunken stupors, the very same one she had just cried out.
"Um… A-Are you… Kazuma?"
The man's tone matched his blank expression as he replied.
"…Yeah. I'm Kazuma."
And so it begins.