Chapter 4

After the commotion at the hall of Twilight Manor. Loki Familia's top executives decided to finally begin their dinner and the introduction of their new members.

As the dinning hall were getting aranged, the kitchen was also busy finishing the food for everyone.

Bell on the other hand were a nervous wreck and couldn't speak, Finn sweat dropped at him shaking like a lost rabbit.

"Well, we all had our ups and downs... Yours just happened to be presenting yourself over hundreds of people..."

While patting the boy's shoulder, someone suddenly knocked at his office. Wondering what's the news, Finn let him inside and the person then was revealed to be Raul.

"Captain...! We have a big news... Astrea Familia suddenly announced that they are starting to accept and recruit male members!"

All of the top members eyes shot wide open after hearing the news from Raul, the said person then handed a piece of paper to them, proof that they are now starting to recruit male members as well.

"That's a little bit troublesome... But I don't, In fact I'm glad that Astrea-sama started to become more and more open about this... But it will surely decrease the incoming members for us." Said the pallum before putting down the recruitment paper.

"But if that's the case... Why did Alise-wait. Is it possible that Astrea-sama just made this announcement official before the evening?"

"Yessir... I heard it from a member of their Familia, she said she was shocked when her goddess announced it after their lunch and she also mentioned about miss Alise talking about how disappointed she is for not recruiting THAT prodigy boy..."

Realizing how lucky he is that Alise missed the opportunity, he decided to finally finish the last of the documents he's checking for today and move on to the special dinner they are going to hold tonight.

"Still... I kinda feel bad for Alise, it really looks like she wanted to recruit him earlier but had no choice but to bring him here..." Finn said while looking at the boy who's still nervous and did not pay attention to what they are talking about.

"Y-YYESSS!!!???" He shouted nervously.

It made all of them laugh, even the usually serious and composed Riveria also started to laugh slightly at his actions.

Dinning Hall.

Lively, just like a festival, members and executives started to talk about the new member that they thought are hitting on Narvi earlier.

Even though he's not aware of it, he's a natural chick magnet, so the members especially the boys are planning a counter meassure for him to not attract their favorite executive.

"Everyone, can I please have all of your attention? Good. You know that earlier, we talked about our next expedition and was already prepairing for it. Since all of you did a fantastic job at finding resources and placing orders ahead of time, we can now launch it at an earlier date. And we should do this as soon as we can that's why, tommorow morning we will start getting our weapons, items and equipments ready and as soon as we finish, we'll leave the day after that. I am open to suggestions and objections." Finn said before sitting down on his chair.

"You know that anyone who would try to object will be butchered by Tione right? And no one wants that so why ask them anyway?" Riveria said plainly.

Meanwhile, behind the top executives, Bell was shaking furiously while Loki were just stopping herself from laughing at how nervous he is.

But after hearing Finn's announcement and confirmation of their expedition. He suddenly went pale becaude he knew that the next thing is already his introduction.

"And one more thing, I knew that lots of you guys already know this but apparently, Alise, one of our friends and and the captain of Astrea Familia brought us a gift, a surprisingly talented young man who's looks could deceive even veteran adventurers. His name is Bell Cranel!"

Everyone in the dinning hall gave a round of applause as he slowly walked out with Loki behind the leaders of their familia. He expected a lot of hate and remarks on how weak he looks like but he also received a lot of compliments and praise especially from the girls. Which angered the boys most.

"Woow!! Look at him! He's soo cuuute!!"

"Isn't she the one who tried to hit on Narvi earlier!?"

"If I was her, I might just grab him on the spot back then!!"

This made Finn, Gareth and Loki laugh lightly while Riveria only smiled while eyeing their newest member. In return Bell bowed his head to them and next to the rest of the Familia for accepting him in.

"Now let us give him some time because from what I can see, it looks like he has something to say to everyone here." Finn stood up and walked towards his left and tapped his shoulders. Signaling him to step forward and say whatever he wants to say.

"Um... I'm not really good with formalities and stuffs like this so I'll just try to say what I really feel... Thank you so much for accepting me to the Familia, Finn-san, Gareth-san, Riveria-san and also Loki kami-sama... And everyone here, even though I look like a weakling and would cry at slight provocation, you still let me in. I can't express how happy I am. THANK YOU SO MUCH!"

After finishing his speech with a bow, he started to hear again some whispers from the boys about him but this time, it was about his honesty and how much they felt bad for almost planning to ruin his experience from the Familia.

"Let's stop it, he's just a kid and besides, isn't it our responsibility to guide him as our newest member?"

"Yeah, I think you're right."

"As if we never experienced this when we joined the Familia, why are we even getting jealous of him anyway?"

The dinner proceeded and Finn and the others decided that he could sit anywhere he wants. He was about to say that he would just like to sit with him and Gareth until she saw a familiar looking girl waving at him.

"Hey..! Over here!" She said as she raised her hands up.

"Go ahead Bell, you should start to get to know members other than us too. And a good opportunity presented itself." The pallum gave him a smile before returning to his meal.

Bell smiled and started to make his way towards the sit of the said person.

"You can sit here beside me" The girl smiled.

"Thank you so much! A-Anakkity-san!" He smiled nervously because even though they already knew each other, he doesn't feel like he has the right to call her by her nickname.

"Just call me Aki, Bell. Everyone in the familia does that so don't worry, even other adventurers who doesn't belong here calls me Aki..." She sweat dropped as she remembered some of her fanboys calling her "Aki-chan" with a very weird tone.

"Then, give her a new nickname for us newcommer!" Tiona said with a bright smile.

"Yeah, her nickname is kinda getting old and very common now. Oh by the way my name is Tione, even though it doesn't look like it, I'm this idiot's twin sister."

Bell pondered for a bit, not wanting to ruin the mood, he decided to go with the flow and think about a nickname that's connected to her real name and would suit her.

" A cute and capable lady... Let's see, Anakkity Autumn... A... AH! "

"How about Anna?! Is that okay to you?"

"""WHAT A NICE NICKNAME!!!"""

Bell got surprised by the reaction of the whole Familia, even though it was rather simple, well he also thought that it has a nice ring to it but to think that everyone would agree with him was far beyond his expectations.

"Anna... I like it. My name is Aiz, nice to meet you Bell." the blond sword princess said as she complemented the new nickname he gave to Aki.

The dinner went on and came to a stop when everyone remembered that they have a big day tommorow, so they decided to clean up the mess and went to their respective rooms.

Everyone except Bell was already taking a rest, he too will also have a big day tommorow since he will have to register as an adventurer and will step in to the dungeon for the first time. And his primary goal was not to earn money but to survive. Because that's the first lesson he got from his uncle Zald and mom.

"What's wrong? You're supposed to be resting already, is something bothering you Bell?" Riveria's voice echoed beautifuly at the empty corridor of their home. Entranced by her voice, Bell took a few good seconds to come up with a reply.

"... Yes, I was actually thinking about tommorow, I also have a lot of things to do, even though captain said that I shouldn't focus on helping about the expedition, registering and choosinga set of equipments as well as my first dungeon exploration still bothers me... That's why I'm getting some fresh air." He returned his gaze to the cresent moon above the sky, even though it is not fully shown, the light of it was enough to project a beautiful scenery.

"It looks like I'm worrying to much, well then. Good night, be sure to get some rest okay? See you tommorow morning." She smiled and then left the boy all alone.

Bell also decided to finally get some sleep and went to the room he's sharing with Hanataro.

Arriving at his room, he noticed something sticking out of his bag's side pocked. After getting a little closer, he noticed that it was a white envelope with the seal of his mother. After opening it, he was surprised that there is a letter inside for him.

" Dear Bell.

If you found this, it only means that you've already a Familia and a nice place to take a rest, I used my magic on it so it does not show up until then.

I really want to follow you right away but something came up whilebI was writting this letter that made me stay here for a bit with your uncle and gradfather, don't worry I'll be there after a month so please take care of yourself while I'm still not there. I love you dear.

From: Mom Alfia"

Bell smiled to himself and whispered "I love you too" before putting the letter inside his bag again. He then started to remove his shoes and change his shirt before laying in the bed.

"Good night mom." He said before falling asleep.

Morning came and as soon as the sunlight hit his face, Bell woke up feeling refreshed. Well, who wouldn't feel that way after spending the night in a very comfortable room with a nice bed. Just like the one he has back at home.

"Alright... I better get this started..!"

He took a shower and changed to his regular attire consisting of black long sleeved shirt and pants, with boots and his brown jacket. He then started to head down, he then smelled a very familiar aroma coming from downstairs and he arrived, he noticed two girls cooking some breakfast.

"Oh good morning Bell-san, you're quite early." The girl with highly pointed ears and orange wavy hair said in a polite tone.

"I forgot to introduce myself, my name is Alicia." Her lips then slowly curved upward after taking a look at him.

"Good morning Alicia-san, and to you too Anna-san." He returned her greetings while also adressing the other girl who's busy at the stove.

"What do you want for breakfast Bell? I can make anything you know!" Aki said in a very confident tone.

Alicia then noticed something. Ever since last night, few selected people from their familia namely the executives and her close friends started to call her "Anna" for some reason. The curiousity got to her and decided to ask the two about it.

"Can I ask you two something? Ever since last night, I kept hearing Tiona and the others calling you Anna. Is that a new nickname for you now?"

Bell and Aki glanced and smiled at each other before turning to the elf, explaining everything to her since she is not on the same table as them last night.

"I see, well it has a very nice ring to it. It is a very simple nickname, but that's what makes it beautiful. Just like you Anna"

"Thank you Ali." She smiled to her elven friend before turning her attention back to the pan.

"Then, I'll have some fried rice, bacon and egg please."

"I'll do it, so please wait a bit okay?" Alicia said as she started to take out the eggs from the fridge.

The morning was peaceful and quiet, and since there is no other people around aside from them, they decided to eat together in one table. Enjoying the food as well as each other's company.

After finishing their meal, Bell offered to wash the dishes as a thanks for the delicious breakfast Alicia made for him. She accepted her offer and left. Leaving Bell at the kitchen alone.

But he was soon accompanied by the cat girl who offered help on washing the plates and the cooking materials they used earlier.

"It's okay Anna-san, I can do this just fine!"

"What's this noise early in the morning?"

A third voice rang out and when they looked at the direction it was coming from, they realized that it belonged to the gray werewolf.

"What's for breakfast Aki?" He asked as he stood behind them.

"It's in the table over there, just choose whatever you want to eat, just be mindful that the other haven't eaten yet since they are still asleep." She said while returning her gaze to the sink.

As the werewolf left, Bell and Aki continued and finished it in a few minutes.They decided then to part ways since she's also assigned to arrange the weapons they will use at the expedition while Bell has to register and buy a beginner's equipment at the guild.

"Interesting, a very very veeery interesting child you've got there Loki... this is the second time that I was entranced by the color of one of your childs... But his is on a very different level... It drives me crazy that I might end up declaring a war between your Familia and mine..."

Hey what's up. I'm sorry, I couldn't resist the urge to give my Anna(Aki) some spotlight even though she's not even in the list of girls who will fall in love with Bell.

Anyway, thank you for your support guys, I really appreciate it all so I'll try not to disappoint you in the next chapters.

How about I do the same thing that Tsuitsui Taishi did with his manga Bokuben? Create endings for each girls. Since I want every girl to be the best girl.

That's it for now, thanks again and I'll see you in the next chapter. Bye!