Bell POV

"Grandpa can you tell me what my father looked like," I asked. Gramps looked at me surprised but smiled.

"Sure kid. However, I can show you a picture of him that I painted" he said. He led me to the couch and I sat down while he went into his room and returned a few moments later with a painting in his hand.

He unrolled the painting before handing it to me so I could look at it. I studied the picture for a while. This was the first and probably last time I'd ever see my father.

I looked at his black hair the opposite of my white hair. I looked at his face and saw that I looked nothing like him. Except for one key detail. His eyes. His bright red eyes that shone like rubies in a sultan's crown.

His face had no blemishes or scars. His smile was bright and cheerful and he was wearing this odd black armor.

"Grandpa what's this armor he's wearing," I asked pointing at it.

"Ah. That's his djinn armor. It was lost in his final battle. We weren't able to recover it. Sorry Bell"

I looked at the armor again. It seemed to fit him perfectly like it was tailored exactly to him. No wrong measurements at all.

I then rolled the painting back up and handed it back to grandpa. "Thanks, grandpa. For letting me see what my father looked like" I said.

"No problem Bell. I'll put this somewhere close in case you ever want to look at it again" he said.

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I was packing my things and getting ready to leave the wall. Once everything was packed I grabbed the bag and threw it over my shoulder and began walking back to the stardust garden.

As I was walking I heard something small whistling toward me. My hand shot out and grabbed the object. I then opened my hand and saw a ring.

But this wasn't any normal ring. This was a dimension ring. My head shot up and I quickly looked around to see who threw it but I saw no one.

Another gift from my mysterious benefactor perhaps? No matter I need to hurry or I'll be late.

Miach POV

The sun was rising signaling a new day in Orario. It also signaled the day of the wargame finally arriving. Was I worried? A little but what father doesn't worry for his children? But I know if everyone falls short Regis will step in and handle it.

However, that would possibly lead to Bell's identity being exposed. I don't know why people haven't put two and two together. Regis was around while Zeus and Hera were at the height of their power. So why did no one recognize him? Let alone surprised that he could talk.

Was this your doing Zeus?

"Miach the cart is all packed" Nazha said knocking me out of my thoughts.

"Now we just have to wait for Bell," I said wrapping my arm around her. She leaned into the touch and rested her head on my shoulder.

"Are you sure you want to do this? I'm sure the others won't mind if you back out" I asked.

I saw her hand go to her prosthetic arm and rub it for a minute before she answered. "I'm sure. It's not monsters so I'll be fine" she said her voice full of determination.

"Lord Miach. Master Bell sure is taking a while. I hope he's alright" Haruhime worriedly said.

"He's fine little sister. Besides he's probably nervous to come back since he left without telling us. I swear when I get my hands on him" Aisha said.

"What you'll fuck him," Regis said. Haruhime's face turned scarlet while Aisha licked her lips.

"Absolutely," she said.

"Lili thinks master Bell should just meet us at the castle then," Lili said.

"Do you think he did it? Break into silver core I mean" Lena asked.

"Knowing Bell he probably did," Welf said as he was leaning against the cart.

"Is Bell really that talented? I mean I saw his display of power at Apollo's ball and I still feel like he was holding back" Mikoto said.

"Oh, you have no idea" Regis muttered. But few seemed to pick it up.

It was then we saw him. Coming out of the morning fog on the empty streets we saw him. His head was held high and he was smiling. When he reached us Regis approached him.

"So did ya do it," Regis asked but it seemed like he already knew the answer.

"Hello, silver core," Bell said.

Cheers and congratulations rang out in the courtyard as Bell had done it. His training had paid off.

Astraea POV

"Bell can you come here for a moment" I called. Bell turned to me before nodding. He put his bag on the cart and walked toward me to a secluded part of the courtyard.

"So what is it you need to talk about? It has to be quick as we need to leave soon" he said respectively. I noticed that he didn't seem like he didn't want to be here. Or talk to me.

"I'm just asking that you take care of Laurier for me. She's one of my precious children and I would be distraught if anything bad happened to her" I said. He looked at me confused.

"Lyra said the same thing. Does Laurier like me or something?" Bell asked. Oh seems he didn't find out.

"No Bell. She has decided to join your familia to help out in the wargame" I explained.

"Ah ok, that makes more sense. Did she just join?" He asked.

"No, she joined right before you left. However, you were gone before she could tell you"

"Then you have my word that nothing bad will happen to her while I'm around. That I promise" he said. His voice and eyes were full of determination that I couldn't help but smile.

"Thank you Bell and good luck," I said. I then turned to leave.

"Astraea" he called out. I turned to face him. "When I first met you. I didn't trust you" his words stung a little. "A goddess of justice who discriminates against sounded hypocritical. At least to me. But you've helped me and my familia a lot and for that. Thank you. If not for you Haruhime and Lili may have gotten hurt that night with no safe place to go. So I really mean it when I say thank you" he said finishing his speech.

I felt a smile creep up on my face. He had come such a long way since I first met him and in such a short time too.

"I hope you win and teach Apollo some manners," I said. I watched as a wicked smile made its way onto his face.

"Don't worry I intend to" he said.

Bell POV

I made my way back to everyone Astraea closely behind me. I noticed Laurier by the cart looking a little nervous.

"No need to be so nervous," I said startling her a little. "We're gonna win easily" I stated. I saw her smile and it seemed her nervousness went away.

"Well if you're so confident I have nothing to worry about do I"

I then felt someone playfully hit my shoulder from behind. I turned and saw Alise, Kaguya, Ryu, and Lyra.

"So did you do it, kid," Lyra asked.

"Yup. You're looking at a brand new silver core mage" I replied.

"My elixir helped didn't it"

"A little. Thanks again for the help"

"Remember the deal"

"I will"

Kyra then walked up to Laurier to talk but I couldn't hear what they were saying.

"Hope you do well cutie. If you get hurt I'll nurse you back to health" Kaguya said.

"I'm not falling for your tricks this time Kaguya"

"Oh really," she said leaning closer. "Yes," I said leaning closer. We stared each other down before she backed off and put her sleeve to her mouth and giggled.

"I'll get you again one day. Good luck" she said walking to her goddess.

"I wish you luck Bell. When you get back we should spar sometime" Ryu cordially said.

"I'd love to. Now that I can sense your mana core I'll give you a run for your money"

She smiled at me. "I'm four levels higher than you"

"You won't be for long"

"Oh is that a challenge? Who knows I might be level seven before you know it" she joked.

"Then I'll just have to be a level eight" she smiled again and wished me luck before returning to her goddess. Now that just left Alise. Neither of us said anything for a moment as we just stared at each other. Finally, she broke the silence.

"Good luck Bell. Go and kick some ass!" She cheered.

"That doesn't sound very justice like of you" I joked. She rolled her eyes before playfully punching my shoulder.

"Just go and win so we can talk to each other some more," she said pushing me toward the cart. It felt like she had more to say but didn't get the chance to as we had to leave. So I took my seat next to Welf who was driving and we were off. Everyone who wasn't going was waving to us and we waved back until we were out of sight.

"Bell" Regis called through our mental link. "Yeah"

"If it looks like you're about to lose. I will step in no matter your protests" Regis said. I didn't respond instead nodding toward him.

"Hey, Bell you think I can pop a wheelie on this," Welf asked.

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3rd person POV

It was time. All around Orario divine mirrors lit up across the city with Ganesha in the square acting as the announcer.

"I am Ganesha. Greetings ladies and gentlemen today we have quite the treat for you as you all know. The wargame is finally here and what a show it will be. Now a few disclaimers before we start. To make sure no children are scarred deep wounds will be blurred out and any deaths will not be shown. To make sure no outside party passes information my familia is patrolling the area around the castle. Now with those out of the way let us take a look at the Miach familia because Apollo has too many kids for us to care about"

The mirrors then shifted to the Miach familia who had finished seating up camp. The woman were all sitting in a circle talking while Welf and Bell were standing away from camp looking at the castle.

"A thousand valis says you can't the tower from here," Welf said. Bell looked at Welf before taking his bow off his back and aiming.

"How many shots do I get," Bell asked.

"One. Either you make it or you don't" Welf said. Now hitting the tower with an arrow would be hard as it was over a kilometer away.

Bell then surprised the crowd by not using normal arrows but mana arrows. This meant unless Bell ran out of mana he practically had unlimited arrows.

Bell then surprised everyone once again and fused lightning and fire with the arrow before he loosed it. It soared through the air at lightning speeds and slammed into the tower and caused an explosion. The tower didn't fall but now there was a giant hole in the side of it.

"Goddamnit," Welf muttered.

"You should know not to bet with me at this point," Bell said causing the crowd to laugh.

Anya POV (took me long enough)

Is it really him? Could that really be Bell? I mean it's the same hair and eyes but could it really be him? My suspicions were confirmed when a familiar purple dog appeared and started talking to him.

"Nice shot kid," Regis said as he walked up.

"Thanks, I made it so I could steal Welf's money," Bell said pointing at Welf.

"Shouldn't you know not to bet with him by now?" Regis asked.

"Shut up is thought he'd miss" Welf grumbled crossing his arms. The three then looked out at the countryside and admired the view.

"You know I grew up not too far from here," Bell said.

"Really which direction," Welf asked. "I'm not gonna tell you while all of Orario is watching," Bell said. Welf rubbed his neck and awkwardly chuckled.

"Yeah that would be pretty dumb"

"Still can't deny that view though"

The three didn't say anything more instead they just looked out into the countryside.

"I finally found you. Bell" I thought. He's grown. How old is he now? He looks the same age Allen and I were when he found us. I wonder what happened to his grandpa. I wonder what Allen thinks now that Bell's here.

"Clumsy cat!" Mia's booming voice cut through my thoughts. I jumped and looked at her. She said nothing but motioned to her office with her head.

I set my tray down in the kitchen and walked into her office. She sat down across from me and crossed her arms.

"Alright what's bothering ya," she asked her gentle side coming out. I was silent for a minute hesitating to speak. Mia waited until I was ready. When I was alone with her I dropped the more catlike persona I had built up to hide what I was feeling over the years.

"You remember when I told you the story of how Allen and I came to Orario," I asked.

"I do. You said you were about to be sold into slavery but someone saved you and helped you get here" Mia nodded.

"That person was Bell" I quietly said.

"Bell was the person who saved us"

Mia looked at me in a mixture of surprise and proudness. Then she looked me in the eyes.

"Anya Bell would've been six or seven when he did that. You mean the tell me he took down bandits and rescued you when he was seven" she asked trying to see if I was lying.

"He didn't kill them. He tricked them and used a spell I had never seen before and rescued us. After that, his grandpa helped us get here. But I can't remember who he asked for help. However, before we left we promised we'd see him again. But year after year passed and he didn't show up. Allen and I then grew apart and you know the rest" she said.

"Anya what I'm about to tell you doesn't leave this room ok" Mia firmly said. I shook my head in agreement scared of her wrath.

"Bell and I are related. He's stopped by here a few times and had I known he was the one who saved you I would've set up a meeting between the two of you" Mia explained.

I looked up at her in shock. Mia had told me of her last name. That showed how much she trusted me and very few knew her true last name.

"So the talent in magic. His talent in trickery" I muttered.

"Is because he's a Leywin. Talents in his blood" Mia finished. It all made sense now. If it was any normal seven year old we never would've made it out of there.

"When the wargame is over I'll arrange a meeting between the two of you. But right now I need you to focus and do your job ok" Mia said. I quickly nodded my head as I wanted the chance to meet Bell again.

"Good now get back to work your break is over!" Mia demanded. I quickly shot up to my feet and scurried back into the kitchen.

Bell POV

"So does everyone know the plan," Lili asked. We all shook our heads in agreement.

"Good remember we need to be quick and precise. You all have your buddy. Except for master Bell as he will take on the captain while we mop up the small fries" Lili said.

"Yeah, it's about time I give old bend over backward for Apollo an ass-kicking," I said.

"Now everyone do a final check of your equipment you have five minutes," Lili said. Everyone broke and went to gather their stuff. However, before Aisha could leave I gently grabbed her arm.

"What is it Bell?" She asked. I hesitated for a moment before I answered. "After this is all over I'll give you my answer" I quietly said.

"I'll accept whatever answer you give me" she responded. I then let go of her arm but before she walked away she kissed me on the lips.

"That's for good luck. Don't lose Bell" she said as walked away her hips swaying. I didn't do anything for a minute. I just stood there. That was until I heard some giggling. I turned and saw Regis trying not to laugh.

"Shut up," I said as I walked to my bag. He didn't listen and busted out laughing no doubt drawing everyone's attention. I ignored him and reached into my bag for the dimension ring. I looked at it and then put it back in the bag. I'll use it when I get more weapons.

I then attached my sword to my right hip and my knife to the back of my belt. I made sure my hidden blade was still attached to my arm and I already knew my bow was secure. I was ready.

I looked over to everyone else and saw they were ready as well. They all had their normal equipment except Aisha had two magic swords while Welf had one.

Seeing that everyone was ready it was time for the battle between the Miach familia and the Apollo familia. Let the games begin.

The wargame has finally begun. Bell has finally broken into the silver stage of his mama core and is now ready to kick some ass. Bell also seems to start trusting Astraea more. A certain cat girl has finally seen her knight in shining armor again and is excited to talk to him again. We also have some new additions to the familia. Welf was a given since he and Bell are homies. Mikoto was as well considering she owes a debt to Bell and is friends with Haruhime. Also why doesn't anyone seem to recognize Regis?

However, I bet many of you didn't expect Laurier to join. If you did good for you, you're smart. Anyway if you are curious about her level she's a level three and if you remember how I'm doing the power system you know she Hyakinthos will when in a fight. That's why it all comes down to Bell.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the next chapter is gonna be the fights. Also if you're wondering about the mysterious stranger they're still on their way I haven't forgotten about them.

Well later.