Danmachi Emerald Version 3

Chapter 3

Amor et zeli: How to train your rabbit.


A/N:

Narration

"Talk"

Monologue

*sfx*


Blue sky…

Once again, I am looking at the blue sky above with a sore body and the feeling on the back of my head means... again… it means once more…

"Are you alright?"

As if confirming my hunch, gold and blue block my view of the blue skay

"Uwaaaaaahhhhh!"

In a panic, Bell quickly rose and put distance between him and her.

I was given a lap pillow once more…

Was it because of what happened in the dungeon after I faint from mind down that Ais develop a connection of fainting and lap pillow?

"Is your body alright?" Ais asked curiously. "Do you need to rest more?"

"N-no! I can continue."

That's right. To achieve my goal, I must not hesitate.

"Very well."

Seeing Ms. Ais tighten the grip of her sword, I also tighten the grip of my dagger and remember what Ms. Ais had tough me so far.

"Here I go!"

A few minutes later,

Blue sky...

"Uwaaaaaahhhh!"

Blue sky...

"Uwaaaaaahhhhh!."

Again and again I keep fainting as we continue our training.


While Bell was unconscious for the tenth time of the day, Ais once more kneel beside him and rest his head onto her lap before gently brushing his white spiky hair.

You improve faster and faster. Just what is your secret? What drive you to become stronger?

Recalling all ten skirmish she had with the adventurer known as Bell Cranel, she noticed that he quickly adapt to all of the tips she gave him. More so than their first to the point that every time he exceed her expectation, she unconsciously countered with a blow faster and harder than the normal strength she uses ignoring the fact that she is also increasing little by little the so called normal strength that she use against him.

For their first skirmish, Bell charge directly at her which she block followed by a quick kick as counter. The difference between this one and the one yesterday was that even though he got hit, there was clear movement of him trying to move away from her upcoming attack. Due to this sudden change in movement, a part of Ais increase the speed of her kick to prevent him from gaining distance. A kick that K.O'ed the white rabbit then and there.

For the second fight, Bell was able to block her kick and even let him be thrown away but unfortunately for him, he hit his head on to the wall knocking him out in the process.

For the third fight and to the next and to the next up to the recent one, Bell keep moving, improving and keep surprising her that her instinct as an adventurer was triggered. From blocking, dodging, keeping a non linear movement when attacking, evading and even countering her counterattack, Ais was forced to raise her guard little by little.

For someone who manage to reach the tenth floor in less than a month, Ais expect this kind of progress and yet what surprise her more is the attitude he had. Unlike yesterday, he is more focused that even if he still feared getting hurt, he is not letting that fear hinder his movement and better judgement.

For someone who uses hatred to keep that fear in check, this kind of attitude of Bell is too pure that every time she pet his head, she feels purified and guilty at the same time.

It's true that I am using this 'training' to learn of the secret of his quick growth but against this pure determination, I can't help but to reply in kind.

"Uwaaaaahhh!"

Once again the adventurer Bell Cranel yelp the moment he woke up and once again distanced himself from her with a red face.

I better asked Riveria just what I am doing wrong here.

"Are you ready?"

"Yes!."


Twilight Manor,

While Bell Cranel was being used as Ais' personal punching bag, Lily under the guise of Ely is also facing a different tribulation.

"Uwaaaaah!"

Bursting out of the study room, Lily ran to the dining hall, crying and terrified.

She's a demon!

"Just where do you think you're going, Ely?" the so called monster known as Riveria said as she follow Lily's track and saw her cowering and even trying to hide behind their resident dwarf and fellow adventurer Gareth.

"Hand her over Gareth," Riveria said in a no nonsense tone.

*sigh* Gareth sigh as he looked at the small elf hiding under the table.

"I'm not here, I'm not here, I'm not here,"

The fact that an 'elf' like Ely would even go as far as to a 'dwarf' like him give him all the information he needed. Ely is so desperate to the point that she would seek refuge to a dwarf.

"Sorry kid," Gareth whispered sympathetically while still pretending to the hag of a high elf that nothing is down there. "What are you talking about? Can't you see I am kinda busy here?"

Across the table, two level four adventurers sigh as they shift their focus to Leyfia who is heading their way.

"Is something wrong?" Leyfiya who just came out of her room asked Anakitty, a level four cat person with black shoulder length hair, flat as a board chest and properly groomed tail on what is happening.

"Ely ran away from Lady Riveria's tutoring." Anakitty replied after taking a quick look at her companion, the high novice Raul, a male adventurer with black hair and fair build.

"Oh that... ahahahahaha... I can already guess the flow of event." Leyfia laugh drily considering she knew full well what extremes those tutoring of the high elf can become.

"Gareth, Riveria, what is going on here?" Finn who just enter the manor with Bete quickly asked as soon as he felt the heavy tension on the hall. "Uwah!"

In an unexpected manner, Finn let out a surprise yelp just as the elf hiding under the table of Gareth ran towards him.

"Please Master Finn, please don't let Ely go back in there!" Lily cried with puffy eyes that for some reason made their leader blush. A blush that a certain amazon didn't let pass. A blush that even surprise the level 6 werewolf.

"Finn, if you know what's best for you, you better gave her to me," Riveria warns as Finn gulped knowing a certain individual is releasing a tremendous amount of killing intent.


*Thud*

*swish*

After blocking the attack aimed to her torso,Ais countered with a right kick. A kick that was evaded instantly by Bell by jumping backwards the moment she block his attack.

"Well done." Ais said.

Seven minutes. So far this is Bell Cranel's longest skirmish without fainting.

"R-really?!" Bell asked happily as if he is glowing with joy.

"Let's rest for a while."

"Oh, uh... sure." Bell replied while he lower his dagger.

Though he improve, his defense is still lacking but he compensate it with his speed far higher than you average level one with a month of experience.

Evaluating his short coming, areas of improvement and general strength, Ais was not able to calm herself to the wide and vast potential he can become.

Taking to account his built and familia, his weapon of choice could not be any better.

If he is to fully shed his timidness along with his speed, he can unleash a variety of fierce attacks. A rush like my own.

If he is to learn to use two weapons at once a sword and dagger or at best a dagger in each hand would be perfect.

A front attacker that could attack at any direction with great ability.

Wait... no! To mold him to my ideal image is wrong.

Her head throbbed from inner turmoil imagining Bell Cranel fighting like her and taking the same path like her.

Forcing her ideal on him is not acceptable. Especially when it comes into combat.

Her purpose is to teach him the basics not lead him.

"By the way,"

Walking towards Bell Cranel who is on his knee while resting his back at the wall, Ais seated next to him.

"Does it still bother you?"

"Bother me?"

"That I called you a coward yesterday."

"Ah!..."

Seeing him frown was enough answer she needs.

"Well-"

"Actually-"

They both said before taking a pause and take a look at eac other.

"You can go first" Ais started.

"I think Ms. Ais should go first," Bell replied.

"I insist."

"Okay." Bell said meekly as he scratch his right cheek. "Though I was taken aback from Ms. Ais' comment, I know for my self that you are telling the truth.

It is hard and painful to accept my own weakness but if I never acknowledge it, I wont be able to grow and overcome my weakness."

"I see... but even so, I apologize for not making my self clear."

"Ms. Ais?"

"You should not confuse being cautious to cowardice.

She arrange her thought as she remember the words Finn, Gareth and Riveria once told her.

"Sometimes, being scared of something can save your part in the dungeon."

"..."

"People with no fear are more dangerous.."

Like my self.

"Because they fear nothing, they charge into danger without thinking of the consequences of their action.

Similar to what I've been doing...

"Which is why it important to not fell embarrassed about it Understand?.."

"Ms. Ais..."

"Please don't be like me."

"Huh?"

"I did nothing by worrying Riveria and the others. I endanger my friends because of my action and felt nothing about it. Being fearless does't make me an adventurer. It only makes more more of a monster."

"That's why please don't become like me."

"That's not true at all!" Bell exclaim, standing from his location while lending a hand to Ais so that she can stand as well..

"You say that you didn't feel anything but Ms. Ais, you reflect on your action and is sadden because of it! That alone makes you no monster.

You save me at the tenth floor. If not for you, I would be dead already and I won't be able to get to Lily in no time. You're like a hero out from the stories my grandfather used to tell me and you're very beautiful too!

Ais for the first time felt her face heating up and her hearth throbbing from the unadulterated praise and sincerity from Bell.

Ais just stood there in amazement as her cheek become warmer and warmer. Affirming her belief that this boy before her is the same as she was long ago.

"Ahem, though I don't want to intrude as the both of you flirt with one another but..."

"Ms. Riveria!"

"Riveria!"

Looking back to the source of the third voice, Bell and Ais said simultaneously seeing who is the owner of that voice.

"Ms. Ais?"

Bell stood stiff as he look behind him as he got a front row seat of Ais turning pale and slumping onto the floor with a thud.

"I'm sorry to disrupt your training, Bell but can I borrow Ais for the day?"

For some reason, he though he saw Ais soul just escape her body only for the High Elf to catch it, grip it firmly, shape it to a ball and shove all of it back to Ais' mouth.

"We need to have a serious discussion."


"You okay,Lily?"

Bell asked seing Lily's puffy eyes.

An hour later after parting ways with Ais and Riveria, Bell meet uo with Lily at Babel's entrance.

"It's nothing, Master Bell," Lily replied quickly as she put her hood on and head first into the dungeon.

Lily knows it is for Master Bell's well being but being taught by that elf might be my biggest mistake.

"So how's you're stay with the Loki Familia?" Bell asked as he walk next to Lily.

Haaaah... this denseness of Master Bell sometimes is irritating.

"It's nothing really. The food is good, the bed is good and they are good in general."

"I see..." Bell sigh in relief.

But that kind of lesson is another matter.

"Though Lily feel sorry to the one that replace her." Lily murmur as she remember the fearful and tearful look of the elf named Leyfia.

"What now?"

"Nothing Master Bell," Lily replied. "We should hurry up to not make or escort waiting."

"Escort?"

"Yes, an escort for the 11th floor."

"E-Eeeeeeeehhhhhhh?!"

"Please stop making a scene Master Bell."

"Ah... sorry. but is it really okay?"

"Don't worry, Lady Riveria drilled Lily all the thing Lily need to know." Lily replied with a shiver. "And she also prepared an escort for us."

"An escort Ms. Riveria prepare... don't tell me..." Bell murmur as he remembered what just happened earlier.

"Welcome, I am Ais Wallenstein, your escort for the 11th floor.," Ais introduced to Bell and Lily as they arrive at the 10th floor.

"I knew it!". Bell face palm seejng the sword princess waiting for them an the entrance of the 10th floor.


Evening, somewhere in the dungeon. Due to how catastrophic training magic is, Leyfia opted to train in the dungeon.

After the hellish lesson from Riveria, Leyfia was finally released and is now waiting for Ais to arrive.

"Sorry to make you wait" Ais said the moment she arrive with a new set of clothes. "I was in the dungeon gathering some items."

"No worry Ms. Ais." Leyfia said. "I'll be in you care then."

While Leyfiya replied joyfully to Ais, her mind was rambling a different thing

He...heheheheahahahahahahaha take that you rabbit!

Are you jealous? now that Ms. Ais' attention was on me. Ahahahahahaha.

"So how should we start?"

"Eh?"

"I am a sword fighter after all."

Crap! I was fo focus on having Ms. Ais teach me that I forgot the most crucial part.

"Then how did you conduct your training with that human?"

"Mostly by duels. He is a new adventurer so his basics are all lacking."

"..."

"Has Riveria started teaching you Concurrent chanting?"

"The basics of it yes," Leyfia replied with a frown as she remembers the hellish thing shebhave to endure today. "Though Lady Riveria keep telling me that my mind and spirit are not there yet."

"Then how about practicing concurrent chanting?"

"Ms. Ais?"

"Try dodging my attack while you chant."

Yes! Thank you Ms. Ais!

"Sure."

What follow next was a lot of beating Leyfia never dream off. But hearing Ais' uses the same strength she did while fighting against that human, Leyfia's jealousy explode. For her to almost vomit at such strength. If a level one adventurer can handle such pain then she as a level 3 should as well and much more.

Damn it. I wont let you be ahead of me for long you pompous rabbit.


The next day, because Lily is busy with her lessons and acting as an aide to Ms. Riveria that going into the dungeon is not an option, Bell asked Ais to train him for a whole day a simple request that little does he knows earned him a grudge from a certain forest fairy.

Somewhere in the dungeon, Leyfia curse the white rabbit to no ends as she practice concurrent chanting with a beautiful elf with long black hair from the Dionysus Familia.

Back at the top of the wall,

"Remarkable. You improve more."

"Thanks!" Bell replied gleefully. "But I don't know if I can really call that an improvement as I still keep fainting all the time.

"No. You fainting is due to my incapability of adjusting my strength."

"That why -*yawn*- you should not feel bad for your self."

"Hmmm?"

Oh no! Due to training him early in the morning and Leyfia late till midnight, I unconsciously let him see me yawn.

"Listen, as his instructor, try not letting him see your bad side."

Riveria's words from yesterday reverberate to Ais.

"And him reacting like that is probably because you are bad with giving him a lap pillow."

For a while, Ais stare blankly at him for quite sometime that even Bell started to drop sweat on his forehead.

"For now why don't we rest a little." Ais began before leaning on the wall.

With this I can continue on my revenge.

"Rest?" Bell tilts his head in confusion.

"Yes, rest." Ais replied quickly. "There are time when you need to take a quick rest in the dungeon."

I will make him like my lap pillow and prove Riveria wrong.

"Uhmmm" Bell said meekly. "Are you sure you're not just t-"

"Training. This is part of your training so..." Ais replied quickly while tapping her lap. "So let's rest for a bit."

"Um... okay," Bell replied as he tried to where where he is standing.

"No, lay your head here." Ais insist while dusting her lap.

"Eeeeeehhhhh? Bu-but..."

"Don't you like it?" Ais asked with pleading eyes.

"That's not the case."

"So you do like it then?" Ais asked once more with a more radiant expression.

"I mean just what is with you and lap pillows?"

"Eh? isn't it only natural? Riveria says so." Ais replied innocently.


"My oh my,"

Up above one of Babel's private suite, the Goddess Freya stared at a certain portion of the wall.

Since three days ago, after noticing Bell started his training with the Sword Princess Ais and not that long ago, that his captain and Orario's strongest adventurer finally found a perfect specimen as well. The Goddess Freya continuously watch how the boy grew brighter. She even force herself to wake early in the morning just to watch him shine more.

The monster being trained by her chosen one and the boy training under the princess. She can't help but be excited for when the moment the two face in combat. Just how dazzling the boy can become after overcoming that obstacle? Such questions continuously popped in the Goddess' of beauty's mind as the countdown draws to a close.

"Things seem to become interesting now."

As her silver eyes stared at Bell and Ais silently, she saw him gradually approach her and lay his head on her lap. A contrast to the previous lap pillows the Sword Princess gave Bell from time to time.

Following that scenery, she began to roll her finger to her silver hair until she noticed the action she had been doing.

"Aha!"

A wry smile formed from her beautiful lips.

"Fufufu... this feeling. Is this perhaps jealousy?" Freya said more to her self.

Seeing his transparent light close to the golden light the become more dazzling the more she rub the white hair of that boy, The Goddess Freya felt slight jealousy blossoming in her voluptuous chest.

"Allen,"

"Yes my goddess," the cat person replied.

"I wanted to see how strong he become. Bring some level ones and play with them.

"As you wish."


"Uhm Ms. Ais..."

"Forget it," Riveria replied.

That evening, after they conclude their training session. Riveria met with Ais and Bell where the prior propose they eat something first with a specific food in mind after hearing Bell's stomach growl.

"When she set her mind on that food, even us can't persuade her." Riveria added. "No matter how much unhealthy that food is."

Unhealthy? If Ms. Ais wants it despite of that fact then it might be really delicious.

Following Ais pass from one corner to another, Bell slowly realize just where they are going.

Not good. This is the North Main Street where Goddess works.

As Bell began to sweat, his worst fear became a reality when Ais stop at a certain Fried Potato Croquet stall.

"Welco...me, EH?!"

As my face turn pale, Ms. Riveria massage her temple.

As for Ms Ais... well...

"Three Creamy Red Bean Fired Potato Croquet please."

Continue as usual while Goddess and I had a stare down.

"..."

"..."

"JUST WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE YOU DOINGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!"

"SSSSOOOOOOORRRRRYYYYYYY!"

In front of Goddess that erupt from anger, I beg for forgiveness.

Even after Ms. Riveria met with Goddess due to my recklessness against the Infant Dragon, I never told her that I am receiving some training from Ms. Ais.

"Riversomething is bad enough and yet here you are with the Sword Princess?! Just what is happening here Bell?" Goddess roared as she pounce at me.

"Please let me explain," getting fed up of this, Riveria spoke. "But it would be better if it's not here, Lady Hestia."

"Hmph!"


After talking some sense to the jealous Lady Hestia, Ais lead us to an alley where we can have a decent conversation away from prying eyes.

"I understand what you want to say considering the incident with the infant dragon and all but-" Hestia said before taking a pause to gather what she wants to say.

"Infant dragon?" Ais asked as she look at Bell then to Riveria after Bell avoid her eyes.

"This idiot here blindly charge at an Infant Dragon just because someone called him a coward."

With Riveria's half joking comment, Ais stiffen.

"Ah... I..."

"Very well then" Hestia said. "Listen... um what was your name again."

"Ais. Ais Wallenstein." Ais introduced with a mournful expression. "I am sorry that-"

"You're a good child, that I can tell," Hestia said to elevate the Sword Princess' mood. "You training MY Bell is for his own good. I won't have any objection but-"

Hestia's mood darken as she place her hands on Ais' shoulder.

"If you ever made a pass on my Bell then be prepared Ms. Wallenwasit."

Though the conversation ended up in a good note. I can't say the same for what happened next.

As we headed back to the manor, I tried to analyze the motive behind the attack.

Turning back the hands of time, as Riveria and Ais escort Bell and Hestia back to the ruined church. They were attacked by a group of adventurers with black shades led by Allen. A level 6 cat person of Freya familia. While he and another adventurer, a dark elf, kept us busy, several level ones fought against Bell.

Judging on how they quickly disperse after seeing Bell Cranel's fighting capabilities and quick trigger spell, I'd say Lady Freya intended to test how strong he became after training with Ais along with a few warnings that might have been born of jealousy.

"Wait Rufian," Riveria said to the two adventurer left.

"What do you want hag?"

"Is this by chance an act of your Goddess' jealousy?" Riveria kept his guard while signalling to not take any further movement.

"You!"

I see. So this is not just to test Bell Cranel's improvement.

As Allan prepare to strike the High Elf Down for 'knowing too much'. Riveria take a deep breath.

"Kindly relay this to your deity." Riveria said firmly "Our expedition will be a success. We will reach the 60th floor and break Zeus' record. Rather than tease us, she should just send her own expedition."

"Heh!" Allen smirk condescendingly. "Then go back in the dungeon already and die at the 60th floor hag!."

*Pssssssh*

After finishing their conversation, Allen threw a smokescreen as they escape.

"Seriously! Just what is that?!" Hestia asked in confusion.

"I don't know my self," Ais replied. Though she knew who the attacker is, she knew not as to why they would suddenly attack them.

"Those people, I can say that they're after you" Hestia said seriously. "Just how many enemies does Loki made for them to gang up on you?"

"Goddess..." Bell called after returning his attention to us.

"Anyway Bell, it's much safer if its just the two of us," Hestia said as she quickly cling to Bell's right arm followed bu a smug directed to the High Elf. "I know your up coming expedition is important but do remind Loki not bark at the wrong tree. It's too sad to see something like this being done just because of petty rivalry. Let' s go."

Dragging Bell with her, Lady Hestia left until we could no longer see her.

"Let' s go..." Just t before I finish my sentence, I turn around to where Ais is standing but I suddenly pause my gaze to the direction Bell was looking earlier.

"Babel... ." Riveria utter beneath her breath.


Aaaaaannnnndddddd Cut!

A/N:

So this is it for the 3rd chapter of this arc. As the title with the exception of an obvious current movie pun. Amor et zeli or love and jealousy, this is where things starts to get complicated for Ais and Riveria. The point where Ais slowly fell for Bell. Freya's jealousy scene was similar to cannon with the exception of not only Allen was send but so is the only known dark elf in the series as per wiki.

Though this series is 100% Bell×Riveria, her action at the beginning is similar to her canon counterpart which is a Bell x Ais shipper due to the changes Bell have in Ais but that will change. As of this point of the story, Bell loves the High Elf but at the same time, she is yet to love him back. Her comparing him to Ais is an indication to her current feeling for him. TLDR canon Ais is normal mode while fanfic emerald is Hard mode for Bell due to Riveria being aware of all the things surrounding him including those who like him romantically unlike Ais who is well Ais.

On a side note: Elfen Rondo is crazy. Just crazy and it gives us a glimpse as to how that pesky Leyfia will react if she knew that Bell is after Riveria. Unlike the dialogue for guardian challenge, the small conversation of them just had us laughing to no end especially to how Ryu consider the situation, Leyfia being yandere to a degree and poor munched off Filvis that was stuck in between.

Also will be doing some revisions later on to previous chapter regarding translation issue. In a way, book translation is not similar to game translation. Ottarl's name for instance as well as the prum/ pallum as we opted to go for the book/wiki translation than Cr version.

Made some minor changes. Corrected some grammar and spelling err. V1

For the review, likes and follow, thanks.