A/N: Hey all, sorry for the long hiatus. Very busy with life, but I've been getting back into this series we love, and was humbled to see so many kind reviews. There were a couple people confused about the sequence of Bell regaining his arm, which is valid as my writing was vague. I edited Chapter 2 to make it more clear, sorry about that. I hope you enjoy and I would appreciate any feedback.

"Magic huh, Bell-kun," Tiona said cheerfully. "Developed from meditation with Riveria."

"Um, yes?" Bell responded, unsure if the Amazon was asking him a question or not.

The younger Hiryute sister looked inquisitive, before a darkness spread over her face. "Meditation never helped me develop any magical ability. In fact, I still don't have magic."

"Ah, I'm sorry Tiona-san!" Bell said, embarrassed that his beginner's luck was somehow making a first class adventurer upset, even though it clearly wasn't his fault.

Like a switch, however, Tiona flicked to her usual chipper self. "No worries! I kick ass with my skills and abilities, magic or not!"

"Ah…okay—"

"Now, Bell-kun. Can I call you that? You can just call me Tiona, no honorifics needed."

"Y-yes, of co—"

"You must be wondering why I've taken you here to the market area!"

Bell didn't even bother responding, he knew the Amazon would just keep talking.

"Ice cream!"

"Huh? What's that?"

"You've never had ice cream? I suppose Finn did say you were from outside the city. Did you come from the countryside?"

"Well yes, I came from a small village raised by my grand—"

"Poor you! To come from a village without ice cream. I can't imagine how hard that is, now sit here, I'll get you some."

Bell, a bit overwhelmed but finding himself enjoying the company of the hyperactive Amazon, slowly sat down and watched Tiona talk animatedly with a shopkeeper she clearly was familiar with. She came back with two towering waffle cones filled with… what looked like fluffy, soft clouds?

"Bell-kun!" Tiona sat down, tongue nearly sticking out from glee. "I got you my favorite! Three scoops of vanilla with unicorn horn sprinkles. This costs a healthy amount of Valis, unicorns don't spawn in the dungeon ya know".

Unicorns did in fact spawn in the dungeon, albeit, rarely, but Bell was none the wiser.

"T-thank you, Tiona-san," Bell said appreciatively.

"I told you to quit calling me that! Now c'mon, try it!"

Bell gingerly brought the cone to his mouth before taking a massive bite out of it. Tiona's jaws dropped.

"Bell-kun! You lick, not bite, it'll be too—"

"Cold!" Bell yelped, spitting the ice cream on the table, causing other shoppers sitting around them to jerk their heads towards the sudden noise. "Not to mention it's too sweet!"

Bell covered his mouth, ashamed that he disparaged and made a fool of Tiona when she went out of her way to get him a treat she loved. Sure enough, tears were welling up in Tiona's eyes.

"T-Tiona-san, I'm so sorry! I don't like sweet foods I didn't mean to disrespect you I—"

"Bell-kun!" Tiona cried. "Does this mean I… I get to have your ice cream cone too?"

"Huh, you're not mad?"

"Can I have yours if you don't want it, please!"

"Wha-wha—yes! Of course!"

"This is the greatest playdate of all time!" Tiona shrieked, as she grabbed Bell's ice cream cone from him, and began to alternate licks of both cones.

"P-playdate," Bell stammered, blushing. "T-that seems awfully intimate, are you sure—"

"Tell me a story while I eat Bell!"

Bell was unbelievably flustered from the past sequence of events, he practically stopped functioning. If all heads nearby didn't turn when Tiona, a first class adventurer arrived, or when Bell screamed in pain from an ice cream cone, they certainly stared at what looked like the worst first date of all time.

Of course, this was no date, merely a get-to-know one another as new Familia teammates. Bell processed this and did a system reboot.

"My grandfather told me many stories of the great heroes and adventurers from the days of yore," Bell began. If it was even possible, Tiona's eyes brightened even more as she devoured two servings worth of ice cream. "One of my favorites is the story of Argonaut. He is said to be among the greatest of heroes. Long before the descending of the Gods, Argonaut volunteered to be sent into a winding labyrinth to save those in his village from being sent there on the whim of an evil king. Argonaut navigated the labyrinth using a ball of thread gifted to him by a princess, the king's daughter, and slayed the tyrant minotaur that prowled the maze. A combination of brain, brawn, and love lead to his victory."

Tiona beamed and fluttered her eyelashes as she rested her face on her hands, having already devoured the (two) sweet desserts. Bell couldn't help but blush from the Amazon's response.

"I love that story."

"Y-you already knew it, I'm sorry, I should've told a different one, I—"

Tiona pressed her raised pointer finger to Bell's mouth. "Hush Argonaut-kun. You remind me of that great hero. You saved Loki-sama from a minotaur."

Bell's blush deepened, from Tiona's words and her finger. "That can't be, I'm not a hero, I didn't even finish off the minotaur."

"You defended someone who was defenseless. That's a hero to me. Now come on, let's head back, you get to have a playdate with my sister next!"

Bell's red cheeks didn't lighten until he reached the front door of the Twilight Manor.

III

"Yes, this is perfect. That cloak is so sharp, it looks marvelous with that suit. But… no. This isn't up to par. The jacket is all wrong, the frills look archaic and out of fashion. Ugh, next!"

An angry, dark-skinned Amazon paced back and forth on the stage of one of the most famous tailor's shops in all of Orario. Dozens of outfits littered the ground, but the tailor near the front desk paid her no mind. Her hair was long and loose, and unlike her sister's brown eyes, hers were a soft green. Equally revealing clothes to her younger sister revealed Tione's more accentuated curves.

"This is hopeless, I'll never find the right one for him." Tione said, collapsing into a ball, dismayed.

"Um, Tione-san…" Bell began, pausing when Tione looked up, burning holes into him. "W-what are we looking for again? Why are we here?"

Tione's eyes threatened violence, until she thawed, relenting. "I'm sorry for dragging you into this. The Captain's birthday is coming up soon and I wanted to buy him a nice outfit to show my appreciation for the hard work he does. You, err, happen to be the same size as him, so I was using, or, err, was happy you volunteered to model them."

Bell volunteered for this as much as he volunteered to be attacked by a minotaur on the fifth floor. Yet, he empathized with the Amazon, admittedly easier now that she had calmed down. Far away from him was a woman he looked up to, someone he wanted to confess his feelings for, but he couldn't yet. He was nothing compared to her. He needed to become strong, a hero. Tione seemed closer on that journey than him, but he wanted to help.

Out of the corner of his eye, something sparkled and caught his attention. A three-piece suit, black jacket and pants coupled with a matching set of a white vest, white dress shirt, and a white bow tie. In simplicity came elegance. Bell fastened on the outfit, and paraded up to Tione. Half in jest, half in trying to show off the outfit, he twirled, blushing from his own bravado. "How is this, Tione-san?"

"Wow," Tione laughed. "That-that's it! It's modern, no cloak. It's sleek, no frills. The colors would bring out the Captain's hair and eyes… this is perfect!"

Tione launched herself up and enveloped Bell into her arms. "Oh thank you Bell-kun! Thank you for your help! The Captain is sure to marry me after I get him this!"

Bell couldn't help but be embarrassed from the feeling of Tione's breasts pressed into him. "Uh-yeah, of course! I'm glad I helped." Why did he have to have so many inappropriate thoughts, he admonished himself, face fiercely flushed. The women back at his village were nowhere near as gorgeous as the women of Orario.

Tione, with the speed of a first class adventurer, hung up all the clothes she made Bell try on.

'Huh,' Bell thought. 'That explains the tailor's reaction. He's used to this mess.'

Bell cleared his throat, forcing himself to be brave. "Tione-san?"

"Yes, Bell-kun? Call me Tione, there's no need to be so formal," she said, absentmindedly packaging up the outfit in a gift bag complimentary from the tailor.

"Err, well sure. Um, did the Captain's strength inspire you to get stronger?"

Tione smiled, fondly thinking back to when she first joined the Loki Familia. "Yes, he did. Braver, the Captain. Intelligent and powerful, I looked up to him. I look up to him, I should say. He's truly something."

"Have you ever told him he's the reason for your strength?" Bell asked, doubling down.

"Oh my, oh my. Is there someone you look up to Bell-kun?"

"Ah-um-ah—"

Tione's laugh saved him. "You don't have to answer that. Don't let my sister pick up on that, though. She'll never let you hear the end of it. Your suggestion really isn't that bad of an idea. Maybe I'll tell him when I gift him this outfit you helped me pick out."

Bell reflexively took the bag from Tione to carry back to the Twilight Manor. As they began the walk back, Tione ended their discussion thoughtfully. "You know, Bell-kun, you really are quite the romantic. You'll be in hot demand from the women of the Loki Familia."

It seems Bell wouldn't have a walk back without being beet red.

III

Bell stood out front of a wooden door on the second floor of the Manor. The sprawling way to get here, led by Tione, seemed… less traveled, as if this executive didn't have too many visitors. A plaque was mounted on the door, reading in clean print: Bete.

Bell recognized that name. Ah! The werewolf who'd dismissed him and didn't care for being introduced to him. Bete. He imagined the werewolf was a silent and brooding type, seemingly impossible to approach, but once you get to know him, a heart of gold protected by prickly pins.

Perhaps the werewolf had a tragic backstory, one that prevented him from wanting to be close to others. Mysterious. Bell wondered if he could be the one to crack that hardy exterior. The werewolf seemed powerful, masculine, and brave. Maybe Bete could teach him what it's like to be a hero.

Bell knocked on the door, three times, gently.

"Whichever one of you fucking weaklings woke me up from my nap, I will kill you!"

Bell gulped. Yeah, maybe not. Bell ran for his life in a full sprint in the complete opposite direction.

III

"Of course Bete didn't want to go along with this," Riveria sighed, running into the terrified rabbit as he dashed through the manor, evading the phantom of Bete, who probably was still fast asleep. Sometimes the werewolf was all talk. "Well Bell-san, since it's lunchtime, why don't you go get yourself some food. Maybe take a break from all this socializing. You just missed lunchtime where we all eat together, so find somewhere and ask for it to be put on the Loki Familia's tab."

Riveria smiled at Bell, who felt himself blush at the warmness the High Elf projected.

"Thank you Riveria-sama. I'll make sure to!" He said gratefully, departing the manor like he was on a fervent mission.

Riveria chuckled again at the boy's formality and antics. He was quite the cute, shy bunny.

After around fifteen minutes, Bell found himself to the East of Babel in the maze that was the aptly named Labyrinth City. The afternoon sun baked overhead, but Bell didn't notice any discomfort. Perhaps a benefit of his new leveled up body, he thought.

Suddenly, he felt a presence. Ominous, heavy, and almost… familiar? Somebody or… something was watching him. As quick as the feeling lasted it was gone.

"Excuse me!"

Bell turned in the direction of the noise.

"Yoo-hoo! Over here!"

A beautiful girl beckoned him. She was around his height, with light gray hair and eyes to match. Her hair was adorably put up in a ponytail. She waved him on over.

"Hello," she greeted as Bell walked over to her. "You dropped this!" The girl extended in her hand the small magic stone of a monster.

"Oh, um, thank you!" Bell exclaimed, embarrassed. He hadn't been to the Dungeon since his injury, and he just recently recovered. He must've left this in his clothes.

"Are you an adventurer?" she asked inquisitively, getting close to Bell's face.

"Oh, um, yes. Well, not really. I, err, leveled up outside of Orario, but I'm new to the city, so I've recently become an adventurer," he responded.

"You leveled up outside of Orario? Meaning you're level two? You're amazing! How did you achieve that?"

If Bell noticed any suspicion laced in the last question, he didn't express it. "Oh, um, I—"

"Oh nevermind, I'm sorry that was too formal. Are you heading to the Dungeon now?"

"No, actually, I was looking for a place to eat!"

The girl's eyes lit up. "Well isn't that perfect! I work as a waitress for the Hostess of Fertility, come inside!"

The girl being a waitress made sense with her green maid outfit with a white apron. Bell did as he was told, he couldn't say no to the commandeering girl. Besides, he did want to get some food.

The girl led Bell inside and sat him down at the bar. "I know just what to get you! Maybe you'll consider giving me a big tip too for returning your magic stone to you as well!"

Bell nearly fell over. He already decided he wouldn't put anything on his Familia's tab, he didn't feel like he contributed anything yet to warrant such excess, despite saving Loki-sama.

"Err, please don't make it too expensive, I don't have too many Valis."

"I'm Syr. Syr Flover," the girl nearly evaded.

"Oh, I'm Bell. Bell Cranel."

"Ah Bell-san. You must be quite the spectacular adventurer, starting off at level two from outside the city, you must be very brave."

"No, no, it's nothing like that," Bell frantically shook his hands, embarrassed. "It's a long story, really."

"Meow, who's this?"

"Is this boy a potential suitor of yours, Syr-chan?"

Two more waitresses, in the same matching maid outfits, appeared from serving other tables.

"Bah! Anya, Ryuu, please! You're embarrassing me. This is Bell Cranel, he's a third class adventurer."

"Isn't he cute, meow!"

"I see. It's nice to meet you Cranel-san, this is Anya and I'm Ryuu Lion."

"Um, it's nice to meet you two," Bell stuttered, incredulous over the three beautiful women working at this restaurant. A breathtaking elf and a gorgeous catperson, as well as Syr, must've strummed up some business.

"Come Anya, we'll leave you two to it," Ryuu said, dragging Anya along despite her protests.

Bell blushed at the implication.

Bell went on to meet Mama Mia and learned more about Syr as he was served dish after dish. The food was amazing, as was Syr's company, as she asked him what it's like to be an adventurer and offered to cook him meals while he's in the Dungeon. She made sure he couldn't refuse that last offer.

As he wrapped up the meals, he felt fabulously full, and prepared his coin purse. He got a lot of food, but how bad could it be? He still had around 5000 Valis in there from past Dungeon exploring

"Now, Bell-kun, that'll be 8500 Valis," Mama Mia asked, though it sounded more like a demand.

"What, 8500 Valis?!" Bell was astonished, catching a glance of Syr who giggled behind a tray.

"I'm sorry Bell-san, don't be mad. I wanted you to try the best we offered!"

"I-I don't have the money," Bell said inaudibly.

"Eh?" Mia said. "Speak up!"

"I don't have the money," Bell said, ashamed.

Mia looked furious where Syr was looking the other way, sheepishly whistling a tune.

"Wait! Um, I didn't want to do this, but can you put what I can't pay on my Familia's tab? 3500 Valis?"

"Hmm. It depends, you don't come from a third rate Familia that never pays its debts, do you?" Mia asked. Syr peered over, clearly curious about Bell's Familia.

"The, um, Loki Familia."

"The Loki Familia?! A little runt like you in the Loki Familia. I almost can't believe it, but I can tell you aren't the lying type! Sure, I'll add it to the tab."

Despite the gobsmacked but jovial Mia, the atmosphere of the restaurant darkened. No one caught the normally cheerful Syr seethe for a fraction of a second. No one but Mama Mia.

"Well, if that's all, scram kid. Don't be so foolish next time!" Mia reprimanded.

Bell didn't hesitate. Mama Mia terrified him. "Goodbye! It was nice to meet you Syr-san, Mama Mia!" he yelled, as he dashed out of the Hostess of Fertility.

"Goodbye Bell-san!" Syr managed to get out, sounding just a little bit less happy as usual. Syr had some serious thinking to do.

III

The great walls that sheltered the Labyrinth City of Orario were certainly something to behold. A hundred meters tall, towering stone enriched with adamantium, the imposing walls had stood the test of time, originally constructed to hold back the ravaging of the Dungeon beasts that escaped before the Gods descended.

The walls represented more than a simple defensive fortification. They represented the might and history of Orario. Where better a location to train?

At the very least, Ais Wallenstein preferred training here with her fellow Familia members. The northwestern section of the wall was relatively close to the northernmost Twilight Manor, and there were little impediments to fast paced combat.

Bell was finding that out the hard way. Ais Wallenstein was clearly a first class adventurer. He was bruised and battered.

The speed of her movements were otherworldly. Stabs and slashes swished around him at breakneck paces, every counter of his, even using the knife Loki gave him, was barely enough to save his skin. The fluidity of Ais too was like a dance, a very dangerous dance, as one attack flowed into the next.

The worst part was how clear it was that she was holding back. A lot. So much for being a level two.

And here he thought he was going to die from embarrassment being in the presence of her. She really didn't give him the chance.

Bell barely dodged a slash that would've decapitated him otherwise. He wasn't so lucky the next time. The last thing he saw was the flat side of a rapier before everything turned to black.

When Bell awoke, he found himself staring into golden eyes. The woman he looked up to was peering into his soul and he was… lying in her lap?!

Bell's face exploded red before he rapidly stood up and retreated, smoke seemingly billowing in his wake.

"W-what?!" he asked, flabbergasted.

"I'm sorry… I felt like it," Ais said, rightfully sheepish. For some reason it felt right to her. He was just so pure and… innocent. She felt like she had to soothe him and make him comfortable before he regained consciousness. She hadn't meant to knock him out.

"Uh, okay," Bell stammered out, just as red as before. "So, um, Ais-san, why did you decide to train with me for your time?"

"It wasn't to train you… it was to learn your secret."

"M-my secret?"

"How you got stronger."

"Oh. Did… did you learn anything?"

"No."

His growth came from the depth of his feelings and desire. Ais wanted to learn who or what those feelings and desires were for. For the first time, she felt an unusual sensation, of wanting to learn more about the boy in front of her. He fascinated her.

"Oh," Bell repeated, clearly disappointed and embarrassed. 'She wasted her time. I should've known I didn't deserve to train with the likes of—'

"We should… do this more," Ais said, tentatively.

"We should?" Bell replied joyfolly, snapped out of his spiraling thoughts. "I mean, of course I'd want to, this is really helpful. You did give me some pointers even though this wasn't training, like guarding my left side more since—"

"Bell?" Ais interrupted.

"Err, yes?"

"I am glad you joined our Familia. I feel that you will do well with us."

Bell's heart nearly exploded.

III

The sun had long set over the Labyrinth City. High up in the tower overlooking the city, a consequential conversation was taking place.

"Unbelievable. I look away for a couple of days, and she snatches him away from me. If it was anyone but her… she's the only one that could pose such a threat." In fact, she could've swore the boy was a meek level one when she spotted him with her eye.

"Shall we prepare for war, Milady?"

"No. No. I take that back. She poses no threat, only an inconvenience. I'll let her have him, mold him, let him grow under her care. For now. When he's ripe and the hard work is done, I'll pick him so that he's mine forever. No matter the fallout, he will be mine." Originally a lesser God or Goddess would've played this nurturing role. That way they'd easily be crushed beneath the Freya Familia's might.

"As you please, Milady."

Perhaps this was no conversation. A conversation implies discussion between two equal entities. This was far more one-sided. This was a declaration, and Freya's Familia was prepared to follow it to the death.