Looking back, once Lefiya got her aggression out of her system, relatively speaking, the elf was actually a rather good trainer. Less in terms of martial skill but in the mentality of a mage. While their magic differed too greatly to follow the rules a normal mage like her would have, she did beat into his head that timing was still of great importance. Since Mind was a limited resource just like stamina for an adventurer, each spell cast needed to have a purpose and never be meaningless. Even if it was just for a momentary distraction in his case, he could never allow wasting a spell. While he was confident he could cast quite a few times, one never knew if that one extra cast would save his life. The way Lefiya emphasized that point made Bell believe that she was actually a rather nice girl. Add to the fact that she, while begrudgingly, complimented his skill as a fighter and it painted a girl who just had difficulty being honest, who cared for those who needed her help.
If it weren't for the fact that she seemed to have a grudge against him as a person, he liked to think they could've become friends. Even then, it was cute to see her puff out her chest in pride, at the fact that she was still the better mage of the two of them. A fact Bell happily confirmed, which just seemed to anger her more, as if he was being sarcastic. Which he was not. Still, he was glad for that coincidental meeting. He felt he got closer to not only her, but with Aiz as well, who seemed to enjoy sparring with the two of them. Or rather beat them up and the fact that neither of them complained too much, doing wonders for her self esteem apparently. With their help, Bell felt a lot more confident for the days to come.
Which led to the now.
The demonic looking hounds seemed to salivate flames as they got into position. Solaris clicked her tongue before raising her shield, snarling at her team.
"Hit the deck!"
Kojiro, Bell and their temporary addition Lili heeded her call and leapt away. A feat that impressed Bell from the supporter, as she was carrying that massive bag on her that easily towered her in size. The flames shot out from the hellhounds as Bell rolled over the ground, yelping as the flames touched him. Yet he was unscathed. Salamander Wool, the material that made up their cloaks, sure was a wondrous thing, as it easily protected him from the heat. With defense covered, Bell raised his arm and aimed for the hounds, narrowing his eyes as he summoned forth the words from his soul.
"Firebolt!"
The spell hit one hound square in the face, killing it instantly. The other hellhounds immediately split up, trying to make it harder for Bell to aim. All that did however was make them easier targets for his companions. Kojiro easily beheaded two of the hounds while Solaris threw her spear, soaring through the air before nailing the last monster. Breathing heavily, the team took a small rest as Liliruca went to work, taking out the magic crystals with fast efficiency. Meanwhile Kojiro smiled at his student, humming thoughtfully as he rubbed his chin.
"So that is your new card up your sleeve. Impressive."
Solaris on the other hand was a bit more skeptical, frowning at Bell as she wiped some sweat off her skin.
"Y'know, I've been meanin' to ask." She eyed him with suspicion. "Did you buy a Grimoire without anyone looking? Cause that stuff is expensive to say the least."
"No?" Bell responded, stretching his legs a bit. The captain pressed her lips together.
"...Weird." Slapping her cheeks a few times she put up a grin and slapped his back with a boisterous laugh. "Well, as long as you recognize the greatness of burnin' shit, I ain't mad!"
"Lili feels like she's missing context here because it sounds like Bell learned that magic in an unusual way," the Pallum asked dryly, pocketing her knife before crossing her arms. Immediately Solaris waved her hand dismissively.
"Hestia secret."
"Peh."
Lili let the matter rest. Bell sent Solaris a thankful look, only to see something. Or rather her arms. He saw the way the skin seemed to be more red than usual and he could swear he could see white spots on them. With shock, he pointed at her.
"Captain, your hands!"
Solaris blinked before raising her arms. Instead of showing a pained expression she just grunted nonchalantly. As if she wasn't burned by hellhounds. But the idea was weird itself. She wore the same Salamander Wool as everyone else so how could they... ?
"No worries, this' normal."
"How are burns normal?!" Bell shouted. Solaris smiled wryly, waving her hand dismissively.
"Side effect of my magic." She shrugged at the looks of disbelief she received from Kojiro and Bell. "What can ya do?"
"This is why adventurers need supporters!" Liliruca rolled her eyes, as if this was a normal occasion. Reaching into her bag, she pulled out a smaller one, seemingly enchanted before throwing it at Solaris. "Here, have some ice."
"Thanks, Lil' E!" She sat down and rested her arms against the cool fabric and groaned in delight. "Aaaaah, that hits the spot!"
"I didn't know magic could harm one self," Kojiro asked with curiosity. The Crozzo flinched before forcing a grin on her face, trying to act casual.
"Hey, there's always failing your spell and it blowing up on your face." Smacking her lips she chuckled before pointing at herself. "But yeah, I'm just tooooo hot for my own good!" As no one responded she wiggled her eyebrows. "Ey? Ey?"
"Lili regrets giving you ice," the supporter said with a dry look before shaking her head and putting her bag down, sorting out the loot they have gathered so far. Bell was a bit worried for Solaris, as she seemed more bothered by her self-inflicted injuries than she let out. Instead he remained quiet. If she didn't want to talk about it, who was he to push her?
"The Middle Floors truly are different." Kojiro laughed, tapping his shoulder with his sword. "It's actually quite fun!"
"Repeated group attacks of hellhounds, al-miraj and what not are fun?" Liliruca asked flatly. Kojiro turned to her, nodding in excitement.
"Why yes, they are actually coordinating, making them more threatening!"
"...Lili will never understand adventurers," she muttered to herself. Bell laughed awkwardly. He would be lying if he said he wasn't excited himself. It certainly was a change and it made him feel that he progressed a lot more than on the Upper Floors. The monsters certainly became more cunning, exploiting any weaknesses they showed more often. Sometimes Bell was afraid that they were done for when massive groups appeared. It was certainly difficult to protect Liliruca, who was only armed with a crossbow and some magic swords, while also taking care of the monsters. Nevertheless, it was still exciting.
Soon enough, the group descended deeper into the dungeon. With the bedrock pathways way more complex now and the areas becoming darker even to Bell's eyes, it certainly deserved the name of "Cave Labyrinth". One time Kojiro had to grab him by his collar before he could fall down a hole, which could've led him to gods' know where. Stopping for a moment, Solaris rolled her shoulders before turning to them.
"Alright, sixteenth floor. Two more to go and we-" Suddenly she paused, her ears twitching. Turning around, her eyes narrowed. "Do you guys hear that?"
They all sharpened their ears. Then they heard it. Muffled. Echoing. Yet the sounds could not be mistaken. Clashes of metal. Roars and vibrations. It had to be a fight.
"Let's check it out."
Slowly and carefully, they kept their positions, with Kojiro and Solaris taking the front while Bell took the middle and guarded Liliruca who was in the rear. The shaking and screams intensified, causing Bell to sweat nervously. Turning around the corner they were faced with a picture of hell. Warriors he knew had to be level two as well. Their weapons breaking, ther armor pierced, their bodies flung around. Their enemy, minotaur. An army of them, roaring and salivating at their bloodlust being sated ever so slightly.
"A monster party?!"
"More like a minotaur party-" Solaris froze up before laughing in disbelief, her skin paling. "What the fuck is that?!"
Right in the middle. Right when an adventurer was squashed as if they were a fruit. Its larger build. Its white mane. Its crimson red horns that could not be from just blood. The beast whose skin seemed to rip apart from its bulging muscles roared, slamming its chest as if ordering the other minotaur. Not only a monster party... but led by an Enhanced Species of sorts. An irregular enemy.
"Welp, guess we're leaving early."
"What?!" Bell shouted at Solaris, who turned to him with a glare.
"Don't look at me like that! We gotta leave them behind!" She yelled back, jabbing her finger at his chest. Bell glanced back to the group, desperately trying to survive. Individuals reaching for each other only for hope to be crushed by the bull enemies. Groups trying to keep together back to back but being forced into a corner. All the broken bones. All the blood. How could he leave them behind?!
"But they-"
He was grabbed by his shoulders. He winced by the force of his captain's grip, but his objections died on his tongue when he saw Solaris' expression. A face of guilt. Shame. Yet with eyes of determination as she stared into his eyes.
"Look, I know, bad taste and what not, but rule number one of an adventurer! Look out for yourself! Survival is your own responsibility!" She hissed before throwing her arms at the chaos. "There's too many of them! And that big one gives me bad vibes! I'm not gonna risk my Familia, got it?!"
"They would abandon you too if they were in your shoes," the supporter voiced out. Her expression was cold, but Bell could see her arm hidden behind her back shaking. "Lili agrees. We gotta leave."
They were correct. Solaris was correct to escape. Lili was correct that nobody sane would risk their lives for strangers. Staying back would just doom them all. However… He heard them. Their cries for help. The screams of pain. The despair and rage at their situation. The way they all were at the verge of sacrificing each other, to abandon each other. Bell grit his teeth. He couldn't accept it. He could never accept it! Only because his captain and Lili were correct didn't mean this was right! Anger flared up in his heart. But what could he-
"Young master. What is it that you want?"
"Bell. This is the moment. No more second guessing yourself. No more looking at others. No matter how foolish it might be, no matter how low you think of yourself... show me what you want."
The world seemed to slow down at Kojiro's quiet words. The way he looked at him, with expectation but also trust. It really was so simple, wasn't it? The weeks, months, of agonizing, to figure out a goal. It wasn't to become a great warrior. It wasn't to become an ally of justice. It wasn't even to stand next to Aiz Wallenstein. No. They were all just... elements. Maybe even tools for what he really wanted. The realization hit him like a brick. Such a simple question, with a simple answer. Yet it felt like lightning struck and illuminated the path in front of him.
He wanted to be a hero. Someone people would look up to. Someone who would be called a great warrior. Someone who would protect justice and deserved to stand on the top. Someone... young children like himself would like to read about. Someone that would motivate them to go on adventurers and want to become heroes themselves. And what kind of story did he want? That was simple as well.
If there is a requirement for one to be called a hero...
The elderly voice resounded in his mind, the memories resurfacing and revealing a beardy man, filled with strength and joy.
It is not the one who takes up the sword. Nor is it the one brandishing a shield. Neither is it the one bringing comfort to the others.
Just like the ones he met so far in his journey. The Legiones, the Radiance. Peacemaker, Mizuchi. Sword Princess. Royal Gale. Starfall. Sasaki Kojiro. Individuals so different, one would have great difficulty finding a single similarity. But Bell knew it.
Those who risk their own lives are the ones that have the right to be called a hero.
To fight for the expansion of one's country. To protect their home. To bring peace to conflict. To protect the ones they loved. To reach some far away goal. To bring justice to the world. To hone and test their skills. Each one of them risked their lives for a single ideal. Up until now, Bell thought he didn't have such a thing himself. That being a hero was impossible until he found his own answer. But in the end... Nyx was right. All it took was time. Ha. He couldn't help but laugh to himself. He knew what kind of hero he wanted to be since the start. He just forgot. But thankfully... he could remember, thanks to the journey he had thus far.
Protect your companions. Save the girl and risk yourself. I don't care if you give in. It's fine if you become disheartened. Cry all you want. The winner is always found among the losers. Stick to your wish and shout out your feelings. By doing so...
"Hey, hey, hey, hey, don't you-"
Bell didn't listen. Even if he did, no one could've stopped the burning fire in his heart transforming into a raging blaze of determination. He screamed, his muscles tensing up as his emotions were released.
... You become the coolest hero.
With the memories of his grandfather, the fledgeling hero took his first step towards his ideal he'd risk his life for. He couldn't help but smile as he brandished his blades towards the leading black minotaur. To fight so that he and others could reunite with their family. To return home and prevent others from feeling as crushed and helpless as he did when his grandfather disappeared from his life. That was the story he wanted to tell. One with a happy ending for everyone, may it be of love, martial might or justice. To grow strong, to grow old with his companions and all the other people who needed a fool like him. As long as everyone got to live and return home... the details weren't that important, were they?
"Always return. No matter what, with your head held high and a wide smile on your face!"
Choosing goddess Hestia as his patron seemed to be fate after all… With those thoughts in his mind, he passed by the adventurers struggling for their lives. He passed by the minotaur, just as surprised as their prey at the fast moving rabbit. Swinging his blades down, he crossed his blades and the Enhanced Minotaur could only widen its eyes in shock before his Daisho created sparks as he cut across its skin. Bell grit his teeth before he head to avoid a vicious wild swing, ducking under it as he swung once more against its arm. Yet again, no damage. It was too hard! Not to mention, the initial surprise disappeared. The mutant focused entirely on him, its eyes filled with rage and hatred. Its pressure was immense. In a way it was beyond the Infant Dragon Kojiro faced. But... with a grim look, Bell raised his blade and nudged a punch to the side, causing another minotaur to become its victim, literally exploding. It was nothing compared to the real monsters outside of Orario! To the top adventures that went even further down the dungeon! He kept backing off, counter attacking when he could yet doing no damage. But that wasn't important. What was important were two things. Chipping away at it, as he saw the trails left behind by his swings. And more importantly, baiting its attacks, so it could kill its own kind for him. Some adventurers were stunned by his actions, unable to process that he was risking his life to get rid of the Minotaur for them. But as Bell breathed heavily, feeling the strain in his arms just to divert the mutant's attacks, his blades feeling like they could shatter at any time, he knew that this wouldn't be enough. He could only move in one direction, backing off and sharpening his senses to watch out what was behind him.
He could do nothing for the people behind the mutant, left alone with their assailants. Just as he thought about how to help them, his right arm twitching and a spell on his tongue, he saw them. The Monohoshizao cut open a Minotaur's back. The flaming spear pierced another through the chest. Many individuals were being led out and even pulled by a certain supporter. Bell stared at them in disbelief before smiling wryly, at his own egoistic actions.
"Focus, Bell!"
"If you are bein' stupid, do it with your captain, jackass!
"Aaaagh, Lili knew she wasn't getting paid enough for this!"
He really had a reliable Familia, didn't he? With that in mind, he grit his teeth and roared against the mutant's own scream, dashing forward with a stabbing motion.
/
Naturally, with the Hestia Familia plus supported doing their best to take on the minotaur, the tide shifted for the adventurers. And as expected, most of them didn't hesitate to flee. With no monsters going after them, after being pulled out of the fire, their experience and instincts easily led to that decision. They were thankful, for the idiots, but they were not suicidal nonetheless. However, as they ran as much as they could, they heard them. Not the indignation of adventurers still left behind. Not the monsters' fury at their prey escaping. No, they heard the voice of a young adventurer, who could only be a level one. A level one, dumb enough to take on an Enhanced Species and trying to play hero. It should earn nothing but scorn. It was a comedy, in a sense, to believe a young kid like that would be that dumb.
However. One man turned his head. He saw that the kid couldn't last long. There were too many minotaur trying to rush at him from behind. His Familia was too busy with the other side. Yet the one called Bell Cranel still moved. Desperately, with each movement buying another second, to force another minotaur die to its enhanced counterpart. The blades he wielded were brittle. His muscles had to scream at him to stop. But he didn't. He kept cutting. He kept moving. He kept... saving people, no, cowards stronger than them. Including those that already ran away.
Slowly, the ones who were escaping stopped one by one. They stared at their own hands, at the ground, at the ceiling. They all felt it. That ugly feeling. That disgust at the kid... and the even bigger disgust they felt for themselves. In the end, it was one man that screamed in utter fury, before turning around and pulling out his sword once more.
"Aaaaaaaaaahhhh!"
"W-what's wrong, Mord?!"
"Who are we?!" The middle aged man glared at the other escapees, slamming his fist against his chest. "Are we cowards that need some level one brat to save our butts?! Did we reach level two just to run away like biches?!"
They all began to feel the same fury. Their teeths grinding against each other, one by one, they turned around and pulled out their own weapons. Dwarfes, humans, beastmen, elves. Their common sense erased by the foolishness of one boy, they all returned to the hell they feared.
"I... I can't just leave now! I'd be ashamed forever!"
"As if I'll let a fuckin' rabbit get all the credit!"
"Let's beat 'em up!"
"Gogogogogo!"
The counter rush surprised the minotaur. Caught on the backfoot, the pressure was relieved from the others that were fighting. In that moment, the independent adventures and groups began to transform. Teaming up on individual minotaur. Covering each other. From the pure chaos they were, they formed into a singular team, their common goal being victory and survival.
"Take my hand!"
"You need to lose some weight, man!"
"Shut up and carry me!"
"Someone still has any potions?!"
It was to that mind boggling scene that a certain group arrived, witnessing the irregularity in both the dungeon and the behavior of adventurers. Each and every single one of the newcomers were top class adventurers who could easily clear the current wave of minotaur on their own. Yet they were rooted in place as they witnessed the event they were seeing.
"Oi, oi, what am I hearing right now?" Lyra muttered, standing next to her Familia and certain members of the Loki Familia, Aiz, Bete, Tiona, Tione Finn, and Riveria. The werewolf clicked his tongue, looking around as he saw an utter defiance to the common sense in the dungeon. Unless given no other choice, they would always flee. And they could. An escape route was easily there, where the top ranked adventurers were right now. Yet they refused to follow that common wisdom and remained.
"What the hell... ?"
"They need help," Aiz muttered, drawing out her sword. Her expression was filled with guilt as she bit her lip. She had only eyes on Bell, who was pushed against a wall and barely dodged the repeated headbutts of what could only be an Enhanced Species. She remembered her words spoken to the young man on the wall. She felt responsible that Bell might've gotten this idea from her. If he was harmed from her careless words... But before she could move forward and fix her mistake, an arm stopped her. Turning her head in shock, it was the Captain of the Astraea Familia, who proceeded to sit down on a nearby rock, crossing her arms patiently.
"Nope."
"Alise?!" Ryuu shouted, in the midst of drawing her own weapon. Yet Finn shook his head, sitting down as well as he rested his spear against his shoulder.
"She's right. That is their fight now. Top class adventurers like us would only disrespect them by helping."
An unspoken rule. One did not steal another one's prey. The feelings were conflicted. Worried looks were exchanged. But in the end, they all sat down.
"Tch. Can't believe we gotta wait for weaklings to finish up here... " Bete muttered in frustration, yet even he couldn't hide his begrudging respect for the group fighting. Already only a few minotaur were left, magic stones scattered all over the area.
"What's with that Minotaur though... ?" Tione muttered, crossing her arms with a frown. Her twin sister winced as the irregular monster roared once more, smashing the wall with a haymaker while Bell barely slid underneath it, cutting away at its legs to no avail.
"It's radiating… rage... anger... "
"Is it just me or is that thing growing?" Kaguya asked quietly. Their eyes widened when it was indeed true. It's blows became heavier, more frantic, as its muscles bulged. Immediately Ryuu snapped her head to her captain, worried in her face.
"Alise-"
"Don't, Lion." Lyra shook her head as she gently pushed her friend back down. "This is their fight, Irregular Minotaur or not."
"We'll interfere. But only then." Riveria smiled ever so slightly. "Besides, they seem to be doing just fine to me."
"Whoa... "
It was true. With their impromptu teamwork, the monsters were all dying. Solaris, who long abandoned her spear, smashed her burning shield into a minotaur's head repeatedly in an almost feral manner. Kojiro cut out another one's eyes before spinning around and stabbing it through the stomach, his back turned to the monster. Even Lili used the last of her precious magic swords to take another one down with the help of a trio. The adventurers roared, jabbing their weapons into the air when the last normal minotaur fell. Then they all turned to the last fight, to where Bell was desperately deflecting the devastating fists of his opponent, the young man hyperventilating and worryingly starting to turn blue.
"That's all the normal minotaur!"
"Time for the big one!"
"Imma get that kill!"
"Bell, hold o-"
Solaris' eyes widened when steel flashed through the air. She barely dodged, swaying back before giving an empty look to her attacker.
"...Oi, Kojiro. What the hell?"
His long katana served as a barrier, held in his hand, to stop anyone from approaching. Then he slowly sat down, crossing his legs. A soft smile was on his face as he observed his student's actions.
"It is my turn to watch now... isn't it, Bell?"
Nobody could believe their eyes. It was like sentencing his own family to death. But then some of them noticed, the top ranked adventures being first. Tiona let out a sound of awe as she jumped up, pointing at the fight.
"Those are some good katana, if they can cut that monster!"
"No... It's not him," Arash muttered. His eyesight could see how much the Daisho were cracking, their quality not to par against an enhanced monster meant to be fought by level two. Then his eyes widened as he saw the way the monster's skin seemed to tear, revealing muscle fibers. "The monster is destroying itself with its own power."
Indeed. The monster was screaming in pain. Its own growth, its own strength too much for it, that it was dying. There almost seemed to be what was despair in its eyes, to die like that. But instead of doing the smart thing... Bell Cranel merely took another deep breath as the monster was stopped by its own pain and rushed forward.
"What a fool... !" Kaguya muttered. The werewolf agreed, letting out a snarl.
"Just go for a timeout, dumbass!"
"He won't," Aiz whispered in disbelief.
"Hey, guys... " Tiona asked quietly. "Is that really a level one...?"
Just like them, the other adventurers, even his own captain, could only stare at the fight in front of them in shock. Only Kojiro had a relaxed smile on his face. Fists rushed against blades. Each blow deflected as the young man actually pushed forward, forcing the minotaur to retreat with each slash it received, aimed for the now open weak points. Muscle strands were cut and the level one finally damaged the enhanced monster. The sight they saw... it was a memory of the past, almost long forgotten. The first true adventure they ever had. Admiration, envy, a fire in their heart lit up.
"Argonaut... " Tiona whispered, bringing forth a similar story of a weakling fighting a minotaur like this. Finn chuckled, biting his thumb with wide eyes.
"To believe a beginner's bravery would shake even me... !"
The minotaur lunged for Bell, its horns aimed for him. He grit his teeth, narrowly avoiding the horns, while at the same time swinging his right blade sideways. To the spectator's shock, the blade moved between the monster's teeth and cut the jaws of the monster. Kojiro chuckled, recalling that same move back against the Infant Dragon. Yet it wasn't to the same effect. The blade shattered when the monster bit down. Bell's eyes widened and he jumped back when it turned its head, its jaws still perfectly together. With a stomp on the ground, it dashed forward. With his left arm, Bell pushed down the horn aimed for his throat, forcing it towards his chest plate.
The boy was launched across the sky, blood spilling out of his mouth. Gasps sounded in the air at the sight and people like Aiz or Solaris were about to jump in. But then they saw Bell roll over the ground, quickly going up to his knees as the minotaur twitched in pain once more. The newbie hissed, taking off his now ruined armor that saved his heart from being pierced. Coughing, he wiped the blood from his mouth as he gently put down the shorter sword of his, now shattered as well. With shaking legs, he rose before leaning forward, his arms open with a snarl.
"Come on!"
The monster heaved, just as exhausted. Then its mouth twitched. Some adventurers would claim later that it almost seemed to smile. The roar it let out sounded almost joyful. Then it ran towards Bell, whose fingers twitched as he stared down the approaching wall of muscle.
"He has no weapons left!" Tione shouted. In response, Alise couldn't help but grin in excitement as she leaned forward.
"Wrong! He still has-"
"Firebolt!"
The fire and lightning almost seemed to splash harmlessly over the monster. Yet due to its open wounds, the heat and electricity ran through its entire body, causing it to stumble a bit and slow down its rush.
"Magic!" Tiona yelled in delight jumping up and down.
"That's not gonna be enough!" Kaguya shouted, yet not being able to hold back her feral smile as well. Bell grit his teeth, shooting up his fist in an uppercut towards the monster's head.
"Dragon Fang!"
This time, two phantom blades appeared. One from above as usual, yet the other would cover his arm like a protective guard. Hitting it, the monster stumbled from the force. It did not pierce its skin, yet it was more than enough, to stop its charge. Then Bell began to force it back.
"Firebolt! Dragon Fang! Firebolt! Dragon Fang!"
Switching between the two spells repeatedly, all his saved up Mind was being spent in this final phase of the fight. It was like seeing a rampaging Infant Dragon snapping its teeth at the minotaur, its fangs on fire as it cut and burned the already open wounds and inflicted new ones. The fangs seemed to catch fire as Bell's words were spoken faster and faster. The minotaur, feeling that its life was at the brink, roared, the force actually pushing Bell back. Then it shoved its horn forward, aiming straight at Bell's head. Time slowed down. Mouths were covered. Heads turned around. Some top class adventurers leaned forward, wanting to prevent this incoming death yet knowing they would be too late by now.
Then it happened. White hair strands fluttered in the wind. The horn hanging in the air, lacking the blood it desired. Slowly, the minotaur looked down. Bell held onto the horn with his right hand, having let himself fall before, a snarl on his face. One foot pressed against its lower jaw, while his other foot against the other. With a scream of defiance, he spread his legs with all his might. The monster clenched its teeth, wanting to prevent whatever plan Bell had planned. However.
A tear. Followed by more. The flesh gave in, the jaws weakened from the katana earlier. Its mouth was forced open, its inside revealed to Bell. Aiming his left hand, he took a deep breath as the monster began to shake its head, trying to get rid of the young man. But it was futile.
"Firebolt! Firebolt! Firebolt!"
Blast after blast, the fire burned its insides. No matter how much it threw its body around, screaming in agony, Bell would not let go. He kept firing his spells. Then the minotaur, in its dying breaths, rushed forward, trying to slam Bell into a wall. But before he could do so, Bell let go off the horn. Using its own momentum against it, he slammed his right arm down its throat.
"Dragon Fang!"
A blade from outside pierced against its chest. A blade from inside shot its magic stone out. The monster ceased moving, stumbling forward. Its body weight pressed Bell to the ground for just a moment before turning into dust. Just like its corpse, it seemed Bell's mind crumbled as well. His eyes rolled over and he slumped, lying on the ground. Silence reigned in the area, nobody able to believe what they just saw. It was then they heard clapping. Who could do that in such a situation? They all turned to the one who did it, the teacher who stopped everyone from interfering. Walking up to Bell, he gently ruffled his hair.
"Not a bad start for Bell Cranel, isn't it?"
Despite being unconscious, the young man smiled in content.
