EDIT: 22-7-2022
Next morning, Bell was woken up by Shepard, a little sooner than usual.
Yesterday, after returning from the ship, they decided to do a little sparring next morning to measure Bell's abilities before going to the Guild.
...Let's just say it was pretty one sided.
"Gah!" squeaked out Bell after being thrown to the ground… for the twelfth time in ten minutes.
"I think it's time to leave it for today." Shepard announced. For the training, Shepard limited his prana consumption through Bell to the minimum, as well as tried to limit himself to the strength he had when alive.
Which didn't work out because even at his living prime/spiritual weakest, Shepard is still a highly skilled, trained and experienced genetically-enhanced soldier with cyborg implants while Bell is a newly minted Adventurer and neither formal nor self training despite his abnormal stat growth that allowed him to defeat a Silverback.
So it's no wonder how Bell falls for even the basic forms of hand-to-hand combat, like blocks, pushes, grapples.
At least he is a fast learner, not to say resilient, too. thought Shepard while Bell was recovering. Despite being smacked around, the young Adventurer always gets up and listens to each and any of the missteps the Spectre points out as well as advice on how to correct them. Though not much could be improved in a session so short, Bell was already implementing proper foot positions as well as knife grips.
He gave the kid a sports drink he summoned from the Normandy.
"Thank you, Commander." Bell drank, too exhausted to comment on the flavour "As expected from a Hero, even when holding back, they're amazing."
"I wouldn't consider myself a Hero," Shepard rubbed his neck "but it's true that I had to be noteworthy enough to rise to the position I was in." he observed the N7 inscription on his armor "But with enough hard work, everyone can go far. Heck, I was considering quitting back basic training because of how hard it was."
"But, you didn't quit, right?"
"That obvious, uh?"
Bell laughed "I know that I can be strong. The problem is that I fear I won't become stronger fast." he tightened his grip on the bottle "I'm just a farmer who just received a Falna in less than three weeks. I just know how to use the knife to ward off the stray goblin and for farm work. Even those who are still at Level 1 for years are more experienced than me. And let's not talk about the high-class Adventurers."
Bell felt a hand over his shoulder and turned, seeing Shepard seating at his side.
"I can somewhat sympathize with your situation. I also felt weak, helpless, that I failed, that I could have done better. Everyone experiences this at least once in their lives." Memories of a long gone childhood mixed with the horrors of the Reapers came to mind."What's important is what are you going to do about it. And I don't remember moping leads anywhere." He got up, holding a hand to Bell "You only need to be patient. Cities weren't built in a day, same with Adventurers and Heroes."
Bell spent a little while contemplating and then took it "Yeah, I just need to work hard every day, isn't it?"
"Yeah, the trick is to be diligent, not suicidal." At Shepard's words, Bell couldn't help but sheepishly laugh, making Shepard sigh.
"You know what? I think I'd feel better if we had another member in the Familia."
"Eh?! Right now?!" Bell exclaimed "But wait, wouldn't someone from your crew suffice?"
"As much as it pains me keeping them in reserve, I believe another Servant would show us another perspective such as in weaponry, tactics and fight styles. I know how my crew works as well as a sample of how you fight but I have no idea how the Dungeon or the rest of Adventurers hold up to us, so I believe having another powerful ally would work for us in the long term. Besides, not a lot of them are… let's say subtle."
"If you say so…"
When Hestia woke up, the three of them prepared the circle again (which meant putting the paper on the ground again) and despite Hestia's concerns, repeated the ritual.
Summoning Shepard brought around a ton of excelia to Bell, increasing his Magic points up to 100 (which made Hestia slack-jawed), allowing him to not fall from exhaustion this time though he still breathed hard, despite Shepard also reducing his magic consumption to make things easier.
"Well, well, well. What do we have here~" A playful feminine voice sounded out. Over the circle, stood a young woman of blue eyes, wearing a blue and white bodysuit-like armor, including a blue vest with a large X in front. However, the most recognizable aspect of her appearance is her helmet, designed to somewhat look like mechanical short hair with the sides forming the 'fringe' and a seashell motif forming the 'bangs'. Not to speak about the mechanical protrusions at its back that resemble fins though, when looking closely, they resemble jet turbines. Not that many of this world knew what they were.
"I seem to have a very cute Master, hehe." she chuckled when seeing Bell, the poor boy blushing and stuttering due to a cute girl complimenting him.
"What do you mean 'hehe'?!" Jealous goddess used Rage!
"No need to fret over that." The newcomer waved away Hestia "It was just a joke. As cute as he is, he isn't my type."
"Like hell it was a joke! It was clear that you were flirting with him!"
"Oh my God…" Shepard facepalmed at the same time Bell continued to be a boiling tomato. It was too soon to be embroiled in shenanigans
"Ehem." Shepard coughed "If I have your attention, please."
The female Servant turned to Shepard "Another Servant here? Uh, this one looks like a better fit for me." She summoned a high-tech spear and a blue and gold longcoat "Fairy Leviathan. One of Neo Arcadia's Four Guardians and commander of its Deep Sea Squadron. Now Servant Lancer, at your service."
"Lieutenant Commander John Shepard, N7 Special Operations of the Marine Corps of the Human Systems Alliance Navy, Citadel Spectre and Servant Rider." He offered his hand, to which Leviathan shook "We're honoured you answered our call."
"It was nothing. All that time in the Throne of Heroes would rile someone up to do something else or die of boredom despite being already dead. Though I'd never thought I'd be summoned to a fantasy world like that."
"Let me guess, high-tech world, too?"
Meanwhile…
"Hey Bell." Hestia's voice got Bell out of his easily flustered state.
"Y-Yes, Goddess?"
"I forbid you from summoning female Servants!" She shouted, pointing menacingly a finger at Bell just like a certain spiky lawyer and his coworkers.
The boy blinked, confused. "Wait, what?"
"Just like I said. You can't!"
"Uh, okaaay? But why?"
The goddess froze, dawning on the fact that she hadn't thought of a logical reason without revealing her jealousy.
"B-Because they're dangerous!" Though she kept on continuing, without any plan. Improvising. I think…
Bell blinked "But wouldn't they be already dangerous? Servants were supposed to fight in a war not to say they're Heroes with impressive feats and experience of their own."
"Not that type of danger, you idiot!"
"Uh?! Then what should I be careful of?!"
"That- That's something you can only know when you're older!"
"UUUUUUHHHHH?!"
The two Servants stopped their conversation due to the increasing stupidity of the other duo.
"Are they always like this?" Levi asked with an eyebrow raised.
"I have the feeling that they are." Shepard sighed, fearing for his sanity and his shattered expectations.
Pot calling the kettle back.
Project X Familia
After the summoning and the Falna blessing for both Servants, Fairy Leviathan was gazing all over Orario. The world she lived in was more advanced despite being in ruins and though she and her brothers worked hard to restore it, they only accomplished enough space for a macropolis: Neo Arcadia, for the survivors of the Elf Wars and their descendants. Then the energy crisis, the Resistance, Weil and Omega and many other problems piled up, making a hell from that supposed utopia.
But seeing this lively city that looked like it was taken out of a fantasy tale made her think of how her world would have looked if things were handled much better and without any past war enemies wanting to destroy or conquer everything. Maybe…
"Bell, good morning!"
"Ah, good morning, Syr!"
Her depressing thoughts were interrupted by a silver-haired waitress from a pub that they were passing by, who apparently knew Bell. Hmm. That gives her an idea~
"Oh my. Never thought you'd already have a girlfriend, Bell."
"What?!/Huh?!"
Both young people reddened in response to the Reploid's tease. Now, to continue onto phase 2~
"And here I was wondering why it seemed I wasn't good enough for you… your heart was already claimed by another! How cruel!" With such an obviously fake hurt voice, Leviathan carried on with the melodrama, making Bell into a combination of a red light and a bugged computer while Syr's hands covered her face while the rest of her head seemingly emitted smoke.
"I think that's enough, Leviathan." Shepard, wearing a grey and blue medieval-looking armor, put a hand on her shoulder in order to reprimand her. "We're putting on a bad example for the lovebirds here. Don't want to accidentally terminate their relationship by something coming from a corny romance novel." Though the amused smirk on his face and his suspiciously deliberated (and embarrassing) words meant he wanted to introduce some laughs of his own.
That's it. Bell's reached his utmost limit.
"ImsorrySyrbutwehavetogonowhaveanicedayMissLeviathanCommanderpleasestoplaughing!"
In a burst of speed, the flabbergasted Bell grabbed both Shepard and Leviathan, surprisingly despite the difference of strength, and ran like a possessed, leaving behind a cloud of dust.
What was left at the scene were a red faced waitress and her coworkers, puzzled still as to what the hell happened.
Well, if we discount a yawning dumb cat that just exited the pub.
"Hmm, did I lose something, meow?"
Project X Zone
Even the Master of Masters was dying of laughter at that moment. Giving that Grail omniversal reach was a great idea. The comedy gold is now guaranteed!
Project X Zone
At the Guild, clerks and advisors worked like any other day in order to satisfy the demands of the multitude of Adventurers that routinely enter its halls.
One such advisor, Eina Tulle, was sighing in exasperation. Some days prior, Bell Cranel, one of the Adventurers she's in charge of, was attacked by a Silverback during the Monsterphilia. Fortunately, he was able to kill it but that was only because of pure luck due to his Goddess being with him (who was somehow being persecuted by the monster), allowing her to update his Falna at the last minute, and the new knife she brought him. Honestly, that boy has the luck of the Devil: one moment he's in improbable danger and the next, as if by some miracle, he gets out of it! Like that time he was saved by the Sword Princess from a Minotaur in the 5th Floor… and returned covered with blood, grinning like a lovestruck idiot.
Not that she isn't against those close call saves but it would do Bell and his associates (especially her) a favor by being more prepared and not going into mortal danger like nothing!
Adventurers should not go on adventures. That basic rule exists for a reason, dammit.
Maybe, adventures come to him instead? Nah, don't be ridiculous, Eina. That enters into the twisted realm of probability, reverse psychology and some form of twisted karma. You've been around Misha and, maybe, alcohol, too much.
Just… think about work. You'll have more time to think about your charge and his recklessness later.
Oh, he's there. And he's got company.
A woman with a blue and white bodysuit as well as a blue helmet that reminded of hair and fins and a close-shaved bearded man with spiked blue and gray knight armor.
For some reason, they looked amused at the same time Bell sported a blush.
"G-good morning, Eina."
"Good morning, Bell. Did something happen?"
"Wha- No!" He shouted while his blush increased. "I mean, well…" And now he's rubbing his head. Something must have happened. And she had an inkling as to what it was.
"It's a girl?" Eina asked with a teasing smile.
"Not you too…" He murmured while facepalming, causing the woman at his side to snort. Really, he was so easy to tease it's incredibly funny.
"Okay, we got our share of laughs this morning." The armored man spoke. "We're here to register in."
"I see." Eina answered, now as the professional Guild receptionist. "I guess you're part of a Familia, right?"
"Guess whose?" The helmeted woman lazily pointed towards Bell.
Eina blinked.
"Congratulations, Bell!" Eina let out an honest smile. "I am so happy that your Familia is growing!"
"Yeah!" Bell answered happily. "Though I and my Goddess still couldn't fully believe that Miss Leviathan and the Commander would join us."
"Commander? Miss Leviathan?"
"Former military. Leviathan, too, though from another organization." Shepard answered.
"And before you ask, yes. I was named the aquatic legendary monster." Leviathan clarified.
"I see. While it's good to see combat veterans supporting my charge, I warn you that the Dungeon may be wholly different to what you're accustomed to."
"Maybe." The Commander shrugged "Though that's also part of why we're here. Any kind of information about the Dungeon and its dangers should prove vital for survival. Preparation is part of the equation for a successful mission."
Eina couldn't help but sigh mentally. Finally! An individual with sense among all this wacky city of Adventurers!
"And what is the other part of the equation?" Leviathan asked curious.
"Pure dumb luck." He bluntly confessed.
Nevermind then.
Maybe she should worry a bit more about Bell now…
If she were to know their complete backstory, then, yes, she should.
Project X Zone
"So this is the Dungeon." Shepard commented when going down the stairs. "Wouldn't have guessed it with all those people going in."
"Yeah, it seemed like a tourist trap for cosplayers. Not that we're the ones to talk." Leviathan said.
"Well, the Dungeon is the main feature of Orario and Babel is the only entrance so of course there are so many adventurers." Bell said matter of factly. Though he didn't have any idea what the heck a cosplayer is.
After the register and the Dungeon orientation class, the three of them went straight to Babel, where the Dungeon's entrance was. Eina warned them to stay within the four first Floors until they were ready for the lower ones. Even with previous training and experience, Dungeon monsters are supernaturally strong, with even the strongest non-blessed mortals having trouble with starter monsters.
Not that she knew that the newest members of Hestia Familia already dealt with superhuman foes in their previous lives and have gotten a not-inconsiderable boost in their Spirit bodies that would place them around the high-level Adventurer ranks.
Fortunately for her mental and physical health, they already agreed to just stick around the beginners area in order to get a hang on things in the Dungeon.
Though that didn't stop them from commenting the oddities (from their perspective) from the world they were summoned to.
"You know, if I were to be the one to deal with a monster-spawning hellhole, I wouldn't plug it with a department store of all things."
Bell would only let out an "Huh?"
"A department store is like a very big shop that sells a great variety of products." Shepard explained to the former farm boy. "To be fair to them, they sell weapons and other adventuring supplies. Not to say that it's centuries old so a lot of reformations must have happened to end up using it like this."
"Like a luxury apartment block for rich Gods?"
"It's a freaking skyscraper! Nothing screams power more than having the entire world at your literal feet. Especially for a God. That and skyscrapers have had a lot of uses no matter the world."
Levi rolled her eyes. "Says the space man in a world without space travel."
"Didn't you also have bigger high tech skyscrapers and space stations?"
"Touché."
As Bell was losing more and more interest in the conversation between Shepard and Leviathan, a noise on the adjacent wall alerted him.
The wall cracked, revealing a Goblin!
…Only to have its still emerging head impaled by an icicle.
"It's that all?" Leviathan said with a bored expression and an outstretched hand that was smoking with vapor. Seems that her ice generation still works, possibly even better.
Bell had his mouth agape in shock, only to remember something important.
"Y-you know we have to extract its magic stone, right?"
"...Oops?"
Shepard facepalmed. And not because that reminded him of his friends' craziness. Oh no.
He doesn't know that the Normandy crew is watching it all thanks to the hidden cameras in his suit from the commodities a spaceship parked inside a Reality Marble could offer.
"And I thought you were trigger happy, Garrus."
"Oh, shut it. And shouldn't that be Wrex's thing?"
"Hah! As much as I approve of getting rid of any pyjak as long as it's within view, I wouldn't recommend it on someone that weak as that Goblin. That would be Jack's thing."
"Do you want a fight, turtle head?"
…You can imagine the rest.
AN: I could continue writing more but this looks like the perfect time to finish the chapter. So, yes, the next Servant, Lancer, is Fairy Leviathan from Megaman Zero. Why? Well, she's cute, playful and has a sort of sadistic blood knight personality that sometimes comes out. Just imagine the shenanigans that will happen when she meets Kasumi in the Normandy. No one will survive their pranks.
As a Lancer, she has extremely high Agility as well as her plasma halberd that she wields expertly. However, her specialty is water, so outside it, she cannot use her full potential. Heck, her Noble Phantasm is her Armed Phenomenon: Manta Configuration (Anti-Army) (C) so it's completely useless on earth.
Fortunately, she still has her cryokinetic tech/abilities which have been somewhat augmented in her Servant body, so she can at least shoot ice dragons like no tomorrow. Speaking of body, while she's basically a magic ghost (not cyber-elf, though), her fundamental body structure is still that of a Reploid, something similar happens with Shepard and his powers, which are also technological despite now being supernaturally augmented. If you know about a certain energetic resource in the Megaman X/Zero/ZX series, you'll guess the implications related to magic stones and Danmachi's magitek.
Oh, yeah, Shepard has taken upon himself to teach the rookie Bell and guide him wherever possible. Not only in close combat skills but also tactics and leadership, taking on a more hands-off approach in expeditions, so expect Bell to do things without Shepard or the Servant's full help unless it's important. Though the Commander may probably become the captain/face of the entire Familia, helpfully hiding the fact Bell is theoretically supposed to be the one in command.
And yes, he's also a bit of a troll. XD
As for Mass Effect class? Mmm. The skill All Kinds of Specializations (B) means he can use all class skills/powers, befitting someone of Shepard's ability and the multiple ramifications nature of the Mass Effect trilogy, that and basing it in Andromeda's flexible class change system.
You may have noticed it, but he's wearing the Reckoner Knight armor to avoid attention, so he's current weapon of choice is a Normandy-printed monomolecular (Mass Effect sure loves them) sword that looks similar to the one Edge Maverick of Star Ocean wields. Sheath and all. So, now he looks like a Science Fantasy knight.