Fated Meeting

After saving Lili, Bell took her to eat dinner at the Hostess, making Syr green with envy. The elf Ryuu said something to tease Syr, but Bell did not notice the humor in Ryuu's comment.

The next day, Bell and Lili went back to the dungeon. The trust formed between them further improved their team work, and they eventually reached the 10th floor. At the end of the day, Eina was very pleased to see Bell when he went to exchange magic stones.

Eina did question Bell and Lili, but Bell insisted that they had a breakthrough in their relationship. Eina then admonished Lili about what happened, and Lili apologized about her behavior. Eina also mentioned how many people can take advantage of Bell because of his kind nature. At that point, Lili promised Eina that she would protect Bell with all her power.

That night, Freya and Ottar went to Bell's hotel room. After giving Bell an update, Freya told him that he was already 60% of the way to level 2. Since it had only been 12 days after receiving his falna, Freya realized that Liaris Freese was working overtime. While it pained her every time she thinks about Ais Wallenstein, the results were incredible and Bell may become the one that helps move the age.

The next morning, Ais went to the guild to talk to Eina after spending 2 days in the dungeon.

Eina "Lady Wallenstein, it is good to see you."

Ais "I did assist Bell that day on the 9th floor. He was handling himself quite well against a large group of orcs. I only assisted him when he tripped and fell, but he was doing quite well himself."

Eina "That is good to hear. Thank you very much for saving him."

Ais holding Bell's arm protector "Miss Eina, I found this item which Bell seemed to have dropped during his battle"

Eina "Thank you, I can return that to him"

Ais slightly blushed "Actually I would prefer to return that myself. But can you help me so that he does not run away?"

Eina blushed understanding what the blushing Ais was requesting "Sure, Lady Wallenstein, I would be happy to help. I will make sure that boy talks to you properly!"

Eina starting thinking out loud "Perhaps I can set a time to go through dungeon lessons and get him in a private room where there is only 1 exit..."

At that point, Bell also went into the guild looking for Eina. When he looked around, he saw Eina talking with an adventurer. As he approached them, he noticed the adventurer was the Kenki, which instantly made him want to flee. When Bell turned to run, Eina screamed for Bell to stop!

Eina "Bell, wait. Lady Wallenstein, catch him!"

Completely shocked, Bell ran as fast as he could, but there was a long stretch before the exit, and Ais was able to overtake him. As Bell was running as fast as he could, he was unable to avoid Ais when she jumped right in front of him. Bell was fortunate in that the collision was cushioned by Ais' ample bumpers, which though made him tomato red in embarrassment. Ais did have him in a bear hug by that point, so Bell was unable to attempt any other escape.

Eina reached them soon after "Bell, how can you be so rude. Lady Wallenstein has something to say to you. You will talk to her properly!"

Bell looking down "Yes, Eina-san", following Ais to a private area.

Ais handed the arm protector to him "I believe this is yours"

Bell accepted the items realizing that she was the one who saved him when he fell down in the orcs battle.

Ais then bowed in front of Bell "And I am sorry that I failed to stop that minotaur from getting into the upper floors. That was my fault that almost caused you your life. I am also sorry for those in my familia who may have offended you"

Bell then immediately apologized himself for running away and not thanking Ais. After realizing how silly their mutual apologies were, they both laughed uncomfortably. Though the ice was broken, and Ais further commented on how impressive Bell was getting to the 9th floor so quickly.

Bell "But I am still an amateur and have a long way to go to reach my goal."

Ais in a slight blush "Would you like me to train you?", which shocked Bell.

Despite being surprised, the opportunity to be trained by his crush was too much to ignore. Bell instantly accepted, and they agreed to meet the next morning on the city walls in a remote area.

Having agreed to their training 'date', Bell went on to meet Lili. They soon descended together into the dungeon to gather more magic stones. Lili did notice that Bell was a bit preoccupied and was in a good mood. She was far too clever to come out and ask directly about the cause of the mood...

- The Next Day on the City Walls -

After a short chasing incident with an angry elf in Ais' familia, Bell reached the city walls where Ais was already waiting. They discussed the best way to train, but ultimately decided to spar. The result was Bell being beaten to a pulp all day. Once, Bell was knocked out and was lying unconscious on the ground. That reminded Ais of their lap pillow in the dungeon and how she was humiliated by Riveria. Thus, deciding on revenge, Ais decided to give Bell another lap pillow to show that she could do it correctly. Her soft lap helped Bell recovered faster along with her petting of his hair. Although when Bell woke up, he screamed and rolled away again, causing Ais some consternation.

Ais "Do you not like that?"

Bell "Yes ... no ... I mean like it but it is just very embarrassing."

Ais "So do you want me to give you another one?"

Bell "No ... yes, but it is just too embarrassing when I am awake."

Ais "So it is alright if you are knocked out"

Bell admitted "Yes...", but he quickly noticed something in Ais' eyes and smile.

They had one week to train. That was all the time Ais had as her familia had a deep mission planned. They would train in the mornings before heading their separate way for the afternoon. Ais was training someone in her familia afterwards, while Bell went with Lili to the dungeon. The training was tough on Bell, and he was constantly knocked out and received many lap pillows. But Bell was progressing quickly. They learned a lot about each other, about how they both had a goal that they would reach no matter what.

Two days before the last day of training, Bell had all day to train because Lili had other plans in the afternoon. Thus they agreed to spend all day together. For lunch, they went to get potato snacks at a stand served by a short goddess with twin ponytails. The food was very good, but it did make Ais sleepy due to all the training she has been doing.

Ais "We should do nap training next"

Bell "Nap? Are you sleepy?"

Ais looked serious but with a pout "This is training!"

Defeated by the pout, Bell join Ais in a nap while lying down on the ground. The intense situation made Freya want to scream from afar. She had been monitoring the training and was very pleased with the results, as confirmed by her nightly updates. However the chemistry between the two was killing her. With Ottar in the dungeon preparing some type of training for Bell, there was no one there to comfort her...

After a few minutes, Bell turned to see that Ais already fell asleep next to him. Impressed with the 1st class adventurer's instant nap ability, he started admiring her beauty from close-in.

In Bell's mind, his grandpa "Bell, what are you waiting for, she is begging you to give her a little kiss!"

In Bell's mind, Freya "Bell, that is not the type of behavior for my children!"

Grandpa "Bell, come on, just a little kiss, it is almost rude not to kiss her now!"

As the two deities battled, Bell continued to be mesmerized by Ais' beauty.

After grandpa kicked away Freya, Bell leaned in close to Ais as he was inches from her lips. He could feel her breathe and the feeling was intense.

At that point, Ais suddenly opened her eyes! That froze Bell as they looked eye to eye inches away from each other. That moment in time seemed to have lasted forever, but Ais eventually closed her eyes!

What will Bell do now?