Chapter 1 - Bell's Second Day In Orario

"It's just not my day today is it?" That was just his tenth rejection and a harsh one by the guards at the gate to Loki familia's home.

Even worse, his hunger was starting to get to him. So he followed his nose to the nearest food stand and saw a beautiful, short, but well-endowed girl selling some snacks. She had blue eyes with a pair of black tails for hair that reached down to the middle of her thighs. Her attire consisted of a blue ribbon around her neck, a white mini dress with a cream-coloured apron on top and a pair of white gloves. Most of all, she was clearly a goddess, based on the divine aura he could feel from her.

It was frightening to feel, because it felt like it could push him over at any moment, but it also calming. Like the fireplace he used to sit in front of with grandfather. It felt like home.

Then his nose caught a whiff of the snacks that the goddess was selling and he mouth began to water. His feet moved him towards the smell until he noticed a girl who was ordering from there.

She had golden hair, thigh high blue boots and what looked like a black dress with an open back and shoulders exposing her beautiful pristine white skin. It was nothing but an alluring and heavenly sight that caught the attention of everyone behind her, but everyone seemed afraid to approach her.

As if to remind him that he was still hungry, his stomach growled and so he moved closer to the same stand that the girl with the beautiful back was standing at.

"I forgot my pouch. Sorry." Bell heard her say as he arrived closer and then she turned around and blinded him. She had to be a goddess; she was just that beautiful!

Then remembering what he just heard and why he came to Orario he shouted to her, before she disappeared into thin air.

"Hey, miss..." Was all he got out, before she turned around suddenly.

He didn't think she'd realise that it was her he was calling out to so quickly, but he was glad he did. The next words died on his lips as he watched her tilt her head in the most beautiful way.

Then he realised that he needed to speak, otherwise she would think he was a creep and then run away.

"I can pay for that, if you want. It's no problem." Bell lied. He needed to make sure that every valis counted. He couldn't afford to just freely give away money like he was doing now. Unless it was for a beautiful girl like her.

Her eyes widened in surprise, and she gave him a heart stopping smile that held him hostage. She was far too beautiful for him. In fact, he swore that she was as beautiful as a goddess. She had to be a goddess. How else could she be so beautiful?

"Yes, that would be okay. Thank you."

So he paid for two, one for him and one for the golden-haired goddess in front of him.

"Here."

"Thank you." And then she chomped down onto her jyaga maru kun with a very happy expression on her face.

Seeing her eat made him drool, until he remembered that he also had the same snack.

One bite later.

"Wow, this tastes amazing!" Bell said.

"Mmm hmm." He heard from the goddess like woman walking beside him.

"Hey miss..."

"Aiz."

"I'm Bell. Bell Cranel."

"Bell." She said as if testing how it sounded, then she nodded and smiled just a little bit at him.

He might have just bought a heavenly snack for a beautiful girl he just met with no way to earn any money yet, but he didn't regret it one bit.

"Ais-san..."

"Ais. You can call me Ais. Bell." His eyes lit up, this was way too personal for just a treat, but if she gave him permission, then why not?

"Ais, why don't we go sit over there." He pointed to the bench and she nodded, before nibbling her jyaga maru kun again.

They ate for a while longer in silence, while Bell tried to find a way to speak to her again.

"So, you're an adventurer." He pointed out as he noticed the single sword strapped to her side.

"Yes." She said, before biting into her potato snack again.

"What familia are you in?"

" Loki familia." Ais said taking another bite. "And you?"

"The Loki familia?!" That was one of the strongest familias in Orario! And here he was, speaking to one of them right now! Bell wanted to say something but was too nervous.

"..."

He struggled with what to say next until his grandfather spoke to him from his past.

"Honesty will get someone's attention, but passion will win someone over. Especially with the ladies."

"I just arrived yesterday and haven't found a familia yet... BUT I won't let that stop me. I'll keep looking until I've found my own familia!" Bell declared.

"Have you tried applying to mine?" Ais asked with a curious tilt from her head.

His face turned red at the memory. That was the last one he just applied to.

"Yes, but they said no at the gates."

"Why?" She asked, taking another bite into her snack.

An uncomfortable breath took over him as he tried to calm his nerves.

"They said I was too weak to be an adventurer."

And then he saw her look over him like trash. I mean, how could she not? He was weak with no skills and nothing noticeable to speak of.

She was going to ridicule him and he prepared for the worst as he saw her mouth begin to open. "Why do you want to be an adventurer?"

What? Did she really just ask him that? Wasn't she going to ridicule him like every other familia he applied to today?

"I want to become a hero... like the ones my grandpa told me about. I want to be just like them!" He said confidently.

To be a hero and have a harem, that was his dream. Or the one his grandfather drummed into him since childhood, but he wasn't going to tell her that! Not the second part at least.

His answer seemed to shock Ais, before seemed to laugh at him.

Her reaction broke Bell's heart. He knew he shouldn't have shared his dream with her. She probably thought that he was fool now.

"Sorry, that's just the most honest answer I've ever heard." She gave him a reassuring smile. "It's a good dream to have."

Bell breathed a sigh of relief.

"And you? Why did you become an adventurer."

Ais recoiled back in shock, not expecting his innocent question.

"Sorry, I shouldn't have asked. I don't..."

"Revenge." She said with a cold fury in her eyes that sent shivers down Bell's spine. It was not a look that he ever wanted to be on the receiving end of.

"Huh?" He asked nervously.

"I want to bring something back. Something that I lost." Ais had stopped eating by now and seemed to focus on a particular spot in the pavement.

Bell thought about her answer and struggled to find a way to continue the conversation, so he did the next best thing he could think of.

"What do you like about being an adventurer?"

"Like?" She asked with a confused look in her eyes.

"Yeah, like what do you like about it?"

"Hmmm..."

Ais pondered on that for a moment. She had always been so focused on getting stronger and getting revenge that she never gave much thought to anything else.

"I suppose getting stronger is fun and spending time with my familia." It sure didn't sound fun coming from her, but the small smile on her lips told him otherwise.

If her familia were here now and heard her say that then they'd have made a big fuss about it with many cheers and hugs.

"That sounds nice." Bell admitted with a smile.

And with that, they continued to eat their jyaga maru kun.

Once they were finished, Ais stood up and turned to him.

"Thank you for the meal and sorry for making you pay on my behalf."

"No worries and you're welcome." Bell said, while his insides screamed at him to convince her to stay with him for just a little longer, before he continued on his lonely journey to find a familia that would accept him.

But then the most miraculous thing happened.

"Are you sure you don't want to join my familia?"

"Huh?"

Didn't she remember that he told her that he got rejected at the gates not long ago?

"You bought me jyaga maru kun and I want to return the favour."

"..."

"And Riveria always told me to repay kindness with kindness."

"... Who's Riveria?"

"Oh, my senpai."

"Oh..."

"So, do you want to come and see if you can join my familia?"

"But I got rejected at the gates..."

"It's okay, I'll take you there and help you to get past the guards to give you a chance."

A chance?

Bell's eyes bulged outwards at the idea.

She'd help him get into one of the most popular and powerful familias in Orario... just because he bought a jyaga maru kun for her? Is she crazy? Well, he wasn't going to turn down such an amazing offer!

"S-sure!" Bell stuttered, before he leaped off the bench in excitement.

Ais giggled, then told him to follow her.

Mesmerized by her beauty and filled with hope at being given a chance to join her familia, Bell followed her back to the Loki familia residence.

.

"Miss Ais!"

"Sword Princess!" Both guards said at once when they saw her at the gates, to which Ais nodded in return.

"Hey kid, get lost!" One of the guards said, noticing him standing behind Ais.

"We told you already, we don't accept weaklings here and stop following the sword princess like a pervert!"

"He's with me." She stated.

"But he's so weak! Just look at him!"

"And you weren't any better when you first started." Ais countered, which made both backs recoil in fear as they withered under her glare.

"Now let us through."

And they did, but not before sending death glares at the boy when he passed by.

Bell was shocked, just how much power did she have within Loki familia to get him through the guards and gates like that?

"Ais!" A female voice yelled happily. And the next thing he saw was a well-tanned blur as a beautiful Amazon ran up to them. "Oh, and who is this cute little bunny you've brought back home to us?"

Cute? Bunny? He'd never been complimented by a girl before, but those words seemed to have a huge effect on him as he lit up like a roast tomato. Red and sweaty.

"Bell. His name is Bell Cranel and he's come to apply to our familia."

"Really? Cool! I'm Tiona! So Bell, what do you do?" She asked excitedly.

"Er..."

"Tiona! Ais! You're back! Oh, who's this?" Another Amazon girl appeared.

"Bell Cranel. He came here to apply to our familia."

"And what does he do?"

"I just asked him sis!" Then all the attention was back onto him.

"..."

"Mmmhmmm... tongue tied are we?" Tiona teased.

It was exactly as she had said. He'd never seen an Amazon up close like this before and both of the girls in front of him were really beautiful. Dripping with beautiful curves everywhere he looked, but he didn't dare let his eyes wander too far. Otherwise he might not only lose his chance to apply to this familia but be kicked out for being a perv too!

"I... am just starting out."

It was hopeless, he knew. He had no special traits, skills, or anything to speak of. Just a burning desire to carry out his and his grandpa's wishes to become a great hero who would be known all around the world with a harem by his side! That was his dream, but he didn't want to embarrass himself any further today. So he kept his answer at just that. Just a starter.

"Oh, well at least you're cute." Tiano flirted as she eyed him appreciatively from head to toe.

Eh?

"And Ais seems to like you."

EH? And he stole a glance to his side to spy on her reaction.

"I forgot my wallet and he bought me kyaga maru kun."

The Amazon girls then started to laugh as both he and Ais turned red with embarrassment. Ais tried to elaborate, but nothing got through to the Amazons as they ripped apart the quietness of the hall with their laughter.

Eventually the sword princess had given up on trying to explain things and pushed the girl in front of her onto the floor in annoyance, but she just kept on laughing.

Which only made things worse.

After another minute of laughing, both girls composed themselves enough to finally listen to her, but not without giant grins of their own.

"He bought me kyaga maru kun and I wanted to return the favour."

Both Amazons burst out laughing again.

"Hahaha. Ais, is that all it really takes for a guy to impress you? A single kyaga maru kun?" Tiona asked as she giggled again with her sister.

Bell stood as red as blood, but Ais didn't seem to understand what the sisters meant by impress. She just wanted to repay this cute rabbit for giving her a jyaga maru kun. Plus, he seemed a little lonely and she knew how that felt.

"Captain!"

And then all attention moved to another figure above them at the top of the staircase. This guy was much smaller than Bell. In fact, he looked like a child. Was he a Prum? Despite his looks, the guy carried himself with so much confidence, it was unreal.

"Tiona, Tione, Ais and... who's this?" The captain asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Ais brought a guy back home with her after he bought a jyaga maru kun for her!" Tione told him excitedly and then the next thing could be heard was...

"EH?!" Could be heard nearby as several people rushed towards them to hear the latest news.

Even the captain himself was shocked. Ais had never done such a thing before.

"I want to return the favour." She said as a matter of fact again.

"Oh?" The Prum reacted, now even more curious.

"Hi, I'm Bell Cranel and I'd like to join the Loki familia." Bell declared as confidently as he could, because this captain looked and sounded very important. Even though he had never heard of the word 'captain' before.

"A new adventurer? But what's so special about him? Maybe he just wants to seduce the sword princess! No! Not our Kenki, she's ours!" Bell heard from a few others he didn't recognise in group of people who just watched the scene unfold.

The whispers continued to grow as more people turned up at the top of the staircase to look at the newcomer. Elves, humans, and beast people.

Seeing how it was going to be difficult to have a proper conversation with everyone here, the captain invited Ais and Bell to his office.

.

When they stepped inside the Captain's office, Bell was blown away.

Inside was a giant wooden desk with ornate carvings and inscriptions, which looked very expensive.

But what looked even more expensive were the many books lined up in before him.

He only had one book, called 'Dungeon Oratoria' when he lived with his grandfather.

This was also his first time being in such a well-furnished home. Everything looked so very expensive. Completely different to the inn he was staying in now and the home he grew up in.

"Please sit, Bell Cranel." The Captain said, gesturing to one of the seats in front of the desk. While Ais and the two Amazon girls leaned onto one of the plain walls inside the room.

"Thank you..." Bell replied, sitting down. The captain doing the same, but on the opposite side of the desk and in a much more expensive looking chair.

"My name is Finn. Finn Deimne and I'm the captain in charge of everything related to the Loki familia."

"Deimne-sa.."

"Just call me Finn," He said with a friendly smile, "there's no need to be so formal with us here."

"Fi..Finn. I'd like to become an adventurer within the or for the Loki familia."

Finn clasped his hands together.

"Okay, and what special skills or traits do you have?" At that, Bell started to sweat. He didn't have any and he couldn't think of anything on the spot either.

"I don't have any..." Bell said discouragingly.

"Okay, what about your previous occupation?"

"I helped my grandpa with the farm a little bit as I grew up."

"Okay, and how old are you?"

Oh this was not going well, and Bell knew it.

"Fourteen."

"And why do you want to become an adventurer?"

Bell hesitated as he recalled how Ais had laughed at him when he shared his reasons. She didn't exactly laugh at him, because it was pathetic, but it still made him feel very self-conscious all the same.

"I want to become a hero." Bell stated confidently, causing the Prum in front of him to show him an amused smile. Just like Ais had.

"And why do you want to become a hero?" Finn asked curiously.

"..."

Bell was at a loss for words. He couldn't exactly say that he wanted to pick up beautiful girls and build his own harem. That would get him kicked off faster than he could say kyaga maru kun. So he spoke from his heart instead.

"Because my grandpa inspired me. He used to tell me all these amazing stories about heroes and monsters and all the great battles they would have to save the world. I want to be like them. A hero for the people to look up."

Finn sat back, his eyes appraising him with serious look. "That's... a good answer."

"Huh?"

"Because that's the same reason why I decided to become an adventurer too. I want to become a beacon of hope to my people. The Prums. A source of pride for anyone of my race can aspire to. Like you, I want to a legendary hero, but I want to do it for my fellow Prums specifically."

"..."

Bell didn't expect to meet someone with the same motivations as he had, but he was happy to find someone like him.

"You have a good heart, Bell."

Was this it? Was he finally going to join his first familia and a powerful one at that?

"But we can't accept you." Bell's heart sank. Rejected again. "We're currently not looking for any new adventurers, but if you found or developed a useful skill then we'd be happy to accept you."

Bell opened his mouth slightly, but nothing came out. He knew that the Prum in front of him was only trying to be polite and he was right.

This was Loki familia after all, one of the most powerful forces in all of Orario. No way were they ever going to accept a farm boy like him with no special skills or talent.

"Hey, Bell." Finn said, sensing his disheartened spirit. "You have a good heart. You helped our Ais when she was in a spot of trouble. Even if it was to only buy her favourite snack. We appreciate your kindness, it's a rare thing in this world."

Bell really wanted to join this familia, but a no was a no.

Finn leaned forwards.

"Look, I'll make you a promise. If you can prove your worth, a skill or a talent with which we can help you hone and develop. Then I'll speak with our goddess to get you into our familia. Okay?"

While he didn't get what he wanted, Bell appreciated the gesture. It would give him something else to strive for, to help him get into one of the greatest familias in Orario and make his dreams of becoming a hero that much more likely.

"Okay and thank you. Finn." Bell got up from his seat and prepared to leave.

"No worries Bell. Also, how many jyaga maru kuns did you buy for our Ais?"

"Huh?"

"Ais seems to snack on those whenever she gets a chance, so chances are she might have drained your wallet with the amount she forced you to buy for her."

"Captain!" Ais protested and the other Amazon girls laughed. Even Bell laughed too. "It was no problem, and it was only one."

"Then let us return the favour." Finn grabbed a small pouch and placed it upon the desk.

"Here, take it." Bell took the pouch and heard a faint jingle. He decided to take a peak and saw only silver coins. There had to be at least 20,000 valis!

"What?! I can't accept this; this is too much!" Bell protested, handing back the pouch. With this much, he could afford to stay at the inn for a whole month!

But Finn held up his left hand.

"Take it as a token of our gratitude. You helped one of our own when we least expected it and it's only fair if we do the same."

"But..."

"And you might need it, especially when you're starting out. It's not easy being a beginner. So take all the help you can get."

Bell could tell that Finn wasn't going to take his gift back.

"Thank you Finn. Thank you very much. I appreciate it. I Really appreciate."

Finn smiled.

"You're welcome Bell. Now if you'd like some company, then I'm sure Ais wouldn't mind leading you out. Right, Ais?"

"I wouldn't mind." She nodded.

Eeeeek. He'd completely forgotten about her up until now and started to blush. "Come, let's go." And so they left Finn's office with the Amazon girls close by.

When they reached the entrance, but far away from the guard's ears, Ais turned back to him with a slightly sad expression.

"I'm sorry I couldn't be of much help."

"No-no! You were a great help! I couldn't have gotten a meeting like that with your help!"

"Cheer up Bell, you'll find a familia soon!" Encouraged the small chested Amazon. "Then once you've gotten something to impress the captain, I'm sure he'll bring you into our familia and we'll have a new rabbit to cuddle!"

"Oh sis, don't go saying things like that! He's not your bunny to cuddle, he's Ais little bunny to cuddle!" And so the two Amazon sisters began their comedic routine again, while Bell and Ais were left to blush like mad beside them.

"Well, I guess this is it. Thank you again for all your help Ais, I'll never forget it."

"It's only fair, you did buy jyaga maru kun for me." She said with a beautiful smile. It was then, after searing that look into his brain that Bell that he would do anything he could to join Loki familia and meet her again.

.

Grumble. Grumble. Grumble.

On top of his belly telling him that he needed food now, being rejected by the captain of Loki familia didn't help with his self-esteem. At least they seemed to be kind and sincere about it.

Plus, they gave him a little bit of money in return for him helping out one of their own.

He really was grateful for that and to celebrate, he went over to the jyaga maru kun stand again to treat himself.

"Soooooooo… how was your little date with that beautiful blond girl?" The goddess who worked at the food stand asked.

Eehhhhhhhhhhh?

"Oh, did something happen between you two?" Teased the little woman who sold him jyaga maru kun earlier.

She expected to tease him and see him blush, but what she got instead made her feel a little sorry.

"No, nothing happened. And I got rejected by Loki familia again." His shoulders dropped and his expression looked like that of a sad little rabbit.

"Well how would you like to join my familia instead of that good for nothing Loki familia!"

"Heh?" Bell looked up, confused.

"I'll treat you well instead of that flat board trickster ever will!"

"Yes! I'd love to join your familia, but why do you hate Loki familia so much?"

The girl crossed her arms, "She's a failure of a goddess who only cares about drinking her next booze and all she ever does is cause trouble. Not a reliable goddess at all!"

"But they gave me some money after turning me away, that has to count for something right?" "Huh? How much?" The goddess said, surprised.

Not wanting to tell the goddess how much he had and because he had counted them yet, Bell decided to give her a different number instead.

"Err… maybe enough to buy at least a few hundred jyaga maru kun… I think?"

"A FEW HUNDRED JYAGA MARU KUN?!" The goddess in front of him shouted, loud enough to draw the attention of almost everyone who passed by.

"Yeah, they were really nice to me."

"Well I guess not everyone in Loki familia are as rotten as their goddess."

"I never met their goddess, so I can't say anything about her, but can you please stop talking poorly about them? They were kind and they were nice to me. Even going as far to help me out."

"Fine. Fine. I get it, not everyone is bad. Same with us gods and goddesses. Some of us are good. Like me!"

Bell smiled at his overly excited goddess.

"So, who else is in our familia?"

"Eh…" The goddess suddenly looked away, embarrassed. Then slowly looked back at him with a fearful expression. "Well… you'll be the first one."

"Really? Well that doesn't matter. As long as you'll accept, I'd be happy to join your familia. My name's Bell… Bell Cranel."

"My name's Hestia and thank you for joining my familia!" The goddess cried as tears leaked out as her dream had finally become true. Her first familia member had accepted her. A useless and memberless goddess she was no more.

And Loki familia would live to regret turning him away. She swore it.

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A.N.

The reason why Bell didn't know who Ais was is because he's only been in the city for a day and when he saw her exit the dungeon, all he saw was her back for a brief moment.

I also calculated that Bell had just over 5,000 valis on him when he came to Orario. So, someone giving him 20,000 out of the blue was nuts.

Bell joined Hestia familia on his 2nd day in Orario rather than his 6th day like in canon.

.

So I've tried to write stories of my own like 10 years ago, but didn't get past like two chapters.

But after I watched this series and found no story with all my favourite girls in the same harem, I decided to write my own.

I started writing it from the 3rd of October and only just released on the 16th with the first 8 chapters ready! (That's about 42k words, because I didn't want you guys to wait too long for the next chapter!)

No trying to rewrite or copy every moment in the light novels. (That's just boring and tedious to me)

My focus will be on noticeable changes to the canonical story and it'll predominantly take place from Bell's point of view.

Dialogue and internal monologues about the character's motivations and thought processes about how they'll make their relationship work will form the majority of this story.

I'll also try to add descriptions where I can, but they won't receive as much attention as the above.

But I promise you this.

Every single girl he dates will have a full on genuine romantic experience.

His attempts will be based on what I would say in his position, while still taking into account his age, naivety etc.

Plus, I'll make it as real and fluffy as fucking possible. Prepare yourself. It's gonna be a wild ride! :P

And if you have any ideas that you'd like to see in my story that might fit, then shoot me a DM. I can't promise that I'll add them in, but I'll respond to any suggestion you might have.

My aim is to write and post up four chapters every Saturday night/Sunday morning.

With so many chapters going up every week, I predict that I'll have reached the current canon timeline by mid December this year. After that, I won't update this story until we get the next light novel translated into English.

So this story won't be complete until the main series is complete and fully translated, which probably won't happen until at least four years from now.

Until then, I hope you enjoy this fanfic, because I am! :)

.

Also, shout out to my proof reader Davien Iridium. The mad lad was crazy enough to volunteer with my writing speed! XD

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Chapter 1: 4411 words. (Including a few dots that act as transitions and dividers)

You can ignore that last line, it's mostly just for me.