Chapter 9

In addition to managing Bell's critical relationship with Ais, Hermes was also responsible for optimizing Bell's relationship with the other team members. The initial coincidence that allowed the team to view Bell's heroic fight with the minotaur was a massive success, as the team members instantly gained tremendous respect for Bell's bravery and potential. Furthermore, Finn recited Bell's bravery as the battle cry when the going got tough in their own battles. This further reinforced Bell's image as someone worthy of respect.

The continued maintenance of the relationships was critical for future plans. In particular, the sharing of Bell's resistance to mind-control requires very strong emotional ties. Hermes had to nurture the initial respect and transform it into the total trust and devotion needed for Bell to be accepted as the leader.

Fortunately, Finn and Riveria should be easy to work with. Beyond recanting Bell's bravery as the battle cry, Finn had the logical mind to see through Bell's role in the Zenos situation. He knew there was more to Bell when he dared to fight against all odds with the Loki familia. Thus, his orders were to capture the Xenos and avoid killing them. The Xenos battle also earned Finn's respect as Bell and his friends were able to help the Xenos escape, overcoming the Loki familia's attempts to capture the Xenos. When time comes for Bell to take a leadership role, Hermes realizes Finn would be supportive as the tactician on the battlefield. Of course, fighting a few battles together would go a long way in building the trust between Bell and Finn.

Hermes knew Riveria is extremely wise and would support the rise of the new generation to take the leadership role. She was already training Leifya to be her successor. Furthermore, Riveria was instrumental in instructing Ais to take the initiative with Bell to jump start their relationship. Teasing Ais publicly was an absolute brilliant move in helping Ais overcome her inexperience and her shyness. Similar to the situation with Finn, fighting a few battles together would go a long way in building the trust between Bell and Riveria. However, Hermes needed to figure out a way for Bell and Riveria to reach a deeper relationship in order to maximize the defense against mind-control powers of the Black Dragon. Obviously this would be very awkward for Riveria because she thinks of Ais as her princess daughter.

Hermes also realized that Gareth should not be a big obstacle to overcome, even though he was not in the audience during Bell's battle with the minotaur. The fact that Finn effectively used Bell as the symbol in his rallying cry certainly did not hurt Bell's reputation with Gareth. Furthermore, Bell's audacity in fighting with the Loki familia in the Xenos battle actually earned Gareth's respect. In the last analysis, if Riveria and Finn trusted Bell, then Gareth would likely be in agreement. As with both Riveria and Finn, fighting a few battles together would go a long way in building the trust between Bell and Gareth.

Managing Tiona and Tione should also be rather straight forward. Both watched Bell's fight with the minotaur, and were already convinced of Bell's bravery and potential. Both also had a sisterly-relationship with Ais. Even if they enjoyed teasing and snuggling up to Bell the argonaut, it was mostly in fun and actually drove Ais even closer to Bell from jealousy. Their level of support was obvious. During the Apollo war games, both helped Ais fooled the rest of the Loki familia in order for Bell to get the necessary training. Their view of Bell actually became even more favorable during the Xenos battle. When they saw that Wienne protected the orphan with her body, they realized that Bell was right and their familia were wrong. Hermes was developing a plan that involved joint training between all 3 of them to further cement a unique intimate relationship. Hermes would suggest to the sisters to show Bell their Falna if Bell will show them his Falna. Hermes had great freedom to operate because even if they became smitten with Bell, they would still defer to Ais at the end due to their sisterly love.