Argonaut

After the battle, everyone was wondering how a new level 2 could have possibly launched such a powerful magic that basically one-shot the level 5 floor boss. Particularly salty about it was an elf friend of Ais, who was steamed with the rookie's growing list of impossible accomplishments.

As they continued down the dungeon, Ottar and Freya gave Bell more guidance.

Ottar "What happened back there was your argonaut skill. Those white sparkles showed that you were gathering strength, and it unleashed the power in your magic attacks. If you had more time to 'charge' up, you would likely have delivered an even larger attack. "

Freya "Young one, I believe you can do the same with your physical attacks"

Ottar "When we return to the surface, you will need proper training to use the skill. Your argonaut skill seems to be a lot like a mage chanting."

Bell nodded when they gave him more advice, but even he was shocked at what happened with the success against the floor boss.

While they talked, Hermes was beside himself. He was even more convinced that the boy was the new hero of the age. The power of the argonaut attack was something that a first class mage may be unable to deliver.

As they continued to go deeper into the dungeon, the big group assumed a more cautious posture. With monsters becoming at least level 3, Bell was no longer allowed to physically engage monsters. Freya and Hermes were positioned in the middle of the group, surrounded by Ottar, Asfi and Allen. The Gulliver Brothers, fresh from their punishment, were put in charge of protecting Bell and the mages, Lefiya and Riveria. Ais, Tiona and Bete were in the vanguard, while Finn, Tione and Gareth were in the rear guard with the junior Loki members and the smiths from the Hephaestus familia. With the enormous group, they bulldozed even the largest collections of monsters.

Limited to firebolts, Bell saved his magic to help Ais from remote. When it look like there were too many monsters around her, Bell would launch his magic to assist. By the end of the day, the group reached their goal, the 36th floor.

As the lower level members set up camp and cooked dinner, Freya gave Bell an update inside their tent to determine the effects from defeating the amphisbaena and other monsters.

level 2

strength: 39

endurance: 33

agility: 45

dexterity: 32

magic: 188

skill: argonaut

magic: firebolt

development ability: luck

Bell was very happy with the big jump in magic stats, though he did not realize how significant the 'smaller' improvement in the other stats were. At that point, someone called from outside their tent. It was Finn, Riveria, Gareth and Ais who wanted to have a talk with Freya, Ottar and Bell.

Finn "Goddess Freya, I hope you are finding your accommodations comfortable"

Freya "Braver, thank you, but it is fine. I have lived in battlefield camps during Mars' silly invasions"

Riveria "I must admit that we never expected to share dinner with the executives from the Freya familia in this situation. It was even more surprising to see a level 1 defeat a minotaur by himself, and then nearly one-shot a level 5 floor boss like some type of magic cannon."

Ottar "We only planned to train Bell. So this was not expected for us either. We thank you for allowing us to join in your expedition. This is a great opportunity. And Bell will get a great education from this expedition"

Finn "About Bell, he is a level 2, but what he did against the amphisbaena was far beyond a level 2"

Freya "Your use of the term cannon is quite apt. Bell is a level 2, but his physical talents are obvious in the fight with the minotaur. However, we will share a secret with you, and this information is highly confidential. With his new level 2, he gained a skill called argonaut that allows him to deliver a hero's strike. The force of that hero's strike is unknown to us, though it is clearly many levels above his level."

Ottar "So Bell may actually be helpful against a powerful foe. But he has to be protected like we would protect mages. There is a strength gathering time period. The longer the time, the stronger the attack. We are not sure what is the limit to the attack or the 'charging' process"

Riveria "We will definitely keep his secret confidential. Do we know how long Bell was charging against the amphisbaena?"

Bell "I am not sure"

Ottar "It was about 2 minutes. There seemed to be white sparkles around him when he is charging. I suspect more charging would have improved the results."

Freya "Using the skill did take a lot out of him. So there is a limit to how often it is used."

Finn "It would be good for us to understand more"

Ottar "We will be practicing after dinner to try to learn more about it"

At that point, it was time for dinner. As Finn, Riveria and Gareth ate with Freya and Hermes, Bell was able to sit with Ais. While the food was decent, the company was much better.

Ais "That was an amazing attack you did against the floor boss. I am really proud of you"

Bell "Thank you Ais. I still do not understand what is going on"

Ais "Well, with Lord Ottar teaching you, you will be fine."

Bell sweet-talking "But I prefer my other teacher", making Ais blush deeply.

Ais tomato-red "I want to keep training with you also, but we cannot take naps here", hinting that can be no kisses with everyone around ...

Bell "Can we train after dinner?"

Ais "Sure, but I think they want to test your argonaut skill"

At that point, the troublemakers, Tiona and Tione, inserted themselves between the Bell and Ais.

Tiona "So, little argonaut, you were so amazing", making Bell confused and red.

Tione "Little argonaut, you are so cute like a bunny. No wonder Ais has taken a liking to you", making both Bell and Ais fidget.

Tiona grabbing Bell's arm "Argonaut-kun, you must teach us how to level so quickly"

Tione with her assets close to Bell's face "Argonaut, you really must teach us", again making Bell tomato red.

Watching the madness, Ais was getting jealous and mini-Ais was steamed.

Upset Ais "Hey, he is mine! If you want one, you have to find one yourself!"

Tiona smiled "Possessive, aren't we?"

Tomato red Ais "Yes, he has fluffy hair and is cuddly"

Tione teased "Cuddly?", while messing with the helpless Bell's hair.

Ais "Hey, hands off!"

Tiona laughed "Come on, Ais, you need to share with your sisters!"

Watching Bell and the girls from the far side was a steamed elf, Lefiya. She was in shock about the rookie getting all the attention from all 3 of her sisters. And she knew far too much. She was the Loki member chasing Bell when he ran away after she asked him if he saw Ais. She saw the lewd lap pillowing and the indecent petting. She saw the indirect kisses from the shared food. Then she saw the obscene napping and the real and unforgivable kisses. She watched them on their steamy dinner date from outside the Hostess windows. She saw the wanton hand holding in the dark. She wanted to give Bell a piece of her mind for stealing Ais away ...

Fortunately for Lefiya, even Freya was getting jealous beyond repair. Recognizing this, Ottar called Bell over for a short talk about training. While Bell went to talk to Ottar and Freya, Ais chased the 2 crazed amazons around the camp. It was going to be a beating they would not forget.

Lord Hermes, quietly observing, was smiling about the number of girls in Bell's harem...