"See, I told you it had a sad ending," Ardee pouted, crossing her arms.
"How was I supposed to know I've never read it" Bell countered, setting the book back on his nightstand.
"I warned you. Now I'm sad."
Bell sighed as he got up from his bed.
"Well, it should be dinner time. Wanna go get something to eat."
Ardee's face brightened at the offer.
"Is Lady Astraea cooking? I love her cooking."
Ardee shot to her feet and rushed to the door. Bell opened it for her, and she walked through.
"Oh my, what a gentleman you are," She teased.
"Shut up," Bell said playfully, pushing her head.
Ardee went to push back but was stopped by Bell's infinity. Causing her to pout.
"No fair, you keep using your spooky ghost powers."
"You just have to be quicker than you are."
Ardee just crossed her arms and looked away.
"Still cheating," she mumbled.
Bell just laughed as he and Ardee kept walking.
When the two entered the dining room, they saw most of the familia sitting at the table and chatting. It looks like they haven't found out what happened to Ryu yet.
Bell knew Ryu was most likely sleeping, so he knew she wouldn't be here.
"Oh my, you look quite handsome with those glasses," Kaguya cooed.
"Uh, thanks?" Bell replied, confused.
Iska ran up to Bell and inspected him.
"Oh, my gods, those glasses look amazing. Where did you get them? Actually, never mind, let me find you some matching clothes, and you'll like ten times better."
Bell was just extremely confused.
"Fashionista," Ardee whispered.
"Ah, gotcha"
"Oh, and your hair, I just have to style it. Well, I mean, the bangs suit you, but if you styled it, you would look so much better."
"Alright, Iska, calm down, else you scare the poor guy away," Lyra called out.
Iska huffed, but she backed off.
"I'll get you some time," she mumbled, going back to her seat.
"No, you won't. Bell has spooky ghost powers to where you can't touch him," Ardee blurted out.
She immediately covered her mouth with her hands, and Bell slowly turned his head to look at her. She could feel the glare from under his glasses.
"Sorry, but you never said I couldn't mention them," she mumbled, taking a step away from Bell.
Bell let out a long sigh as he could already hear the questions before they were even asked.
"Spooky ghost powers??"
"He can't be touched??"
"Wait, he's a ghost??"
A whole lot of confused looks and questions were shared in the dining room as Ardee nervously chuckled.
Bell cleared his throat and got everyone's attention.
"I'm not a ghost, and I can be touched if I get rid of my ability. Or, as Ardee so lovingly put it, "spooky ghost powers."
"Wait, what is your ability then" Ryana, a light-browned-haired human, asked.
"Let's just say nothing will be able to touch me as long as my ability is active. That's all I'll say right now as I don't know most of you and would like to keep my abilities to myself. Just think of it as another type of magic."
The girls there were a little hurt at Bell's words, but he was right. He didn't know any of them and only knew half their names.
What person would go blabbing about their powers to total strangers? Of course, he explained infinity in the most basic way possible.
"Well, one day, when you're comfortable enough, will you tell us," Nezhe asked.
Bell took his seat along with Ardee sitting next to him on his right.
"Yeah, probably, anyway I'm starving. What's for dinner."
"Alise is making spaghetti and garlic bread," Kaguya answered.
"Oh? Is her cooking any good" Bell asked?
"It's alright, nothing too fantastic," Kaguya answered.
"Hey, I heard that!" Alise yelled from the kitchen.
Kaguya put her face to her sleeve and giggled.
"Uh oh, looks like the captain heard me."
Lyra turned her attention to Bell.
"So, Bell, how was your first day patrolling."
Kaguya gave Bell a look telling him to keep quiet about what happened today. So Bell told a half-truth.
"Ryu, Ardee, and I fought against multiple Evilus members and nearly got blown up a couple of times. All in all, it was very busy."
"Sounds like it."
Noin and Asta walked into the dining room, and Noin took the seat to Bell's left, and Asta sat next to her.
"Hello there, I don't think we've been properly introduced. I'm Noin, and this is Asta, your name's Bell right."
"That is correct. It's nice to meet you two."
"Well, I hope you feel welcome and enjoy your stay here. Just watch out for Kaguya," Asta added.
"Uh, why?" Bell asked, a little concerned.
Ardee leaned close and whispered in his ear.
"Nymphomaniac"
Bell felt a chill go down his spine as he glanced at Kaguya. She was looking intently at him with eyes that told him all he needed to know.
He had to keep his ability on around her just to be safe.
"Noted," he nervously said.
Kaguya then clicked her tongue. They had spoiled her plans.
"You guys are no fun. I wanted to make him nervous and flustered."
"You mean scare him off," Lyra commented.
"Yeah, make sure your doors locked," Iska joked.
"What's this about locking doors?" Alise asked, bringing the food out.
"We're just warning the new guy about Kaguya captain. You know how she can be," Lyra answered.
Alise set the food down on the table and smiled.
"Don't worry, new guy. I won't let her near ya. I see you're wearing the glasses. I gotcha. Where's your blindfold."
Bell remembered the incident today and knew it was shredded.
"Might've accidentally ripped it to shreds when I was fighting. It's alright, though. I can always get another one if needed."
"Oh well, that's too bad; well looks like you're forced to wear the gift your amazing captain got you. Now then, let's eat."
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Astraea was walking to the dining room after making sure Ryu was ok.
The poor girl was sleeping in her bed with some water next to her in case she needed it. Astraea felt sad and angry at what happened to her.
She was thankful to Bell and Ardee for being able to save her. Who knows what would've happened if those two hadn't shown up?
Walking into the dining room, a small smile broke out of her face.
She saw Bell sitting at the table, eating and talking with the rest of her familia. She was glad he was socializing as he didn't do it much during breakfast.
Just coming in, grabbing a bagel, and leaving with Ryu to go on their patrol.
"Oh, Lady Astraea, I was about to come and get you," Alise said.
Astraea smiled at Alise. They had to put up the facade of everything being alright.
"Oh, I was just finishing up some paperwork and tax stuff. But I did smell the food, so I finished quickly. Ryu won't be joining us as today's attacks really wore her out, so save some food for her."
Astraea took her seat at the head of the table as Alise put a plate of food in front of her.
"For our lovely goddess."
"Thank you kindly, Alise."
Astraea grabbed her fork and began eating, watching as Bell socialized. She was a little worried he wouldn't socialize much after what happened with his aunt and uncle.
But it looks like her worries were misplaced. Especially with how quickly he and Ardee seemed to have hit it off.
"Um, Bell, can you stop staring at my ears, please? It's making me uncomfortable," Neze asked.
Bell blinked and looked away.
"Sorry, I haven't seen a werewolf before."
"I-it's ok, just try not to stare too much."
"So handsome. Where did you grow up? I assume it was somewhere remote if you haven't seen a werewolf before," Kaguya asked, leaning forward.
"It was, very mountainous and cold," Bell replied, sipping his water.
"He can also read as well," Ardee added.
Astraea giggled.
"Yes, I believe I called you a literate musclehead."
"That nickname better not stick," Bell groaned.
"So what else do you like to do besides reading and working out," Lyra asked.
"Uh, I don't know, that's all I've ever really done."
"So you didn't have any other hobbies or interests outside of those two things, like nothing else caught your interest. Like a family game night or roasting marshmallows by the fire." Neze asked.
Bell looked away as memories of his childhood came flashing back. The constant hours spent training with Alfia and Zald. Zeus teaching him about the wonders of women and having a harem.
Or how Zald taught him how to cook and live off the land. Alfia reading him bedtime stories or comforting him when he had a nightmare.
"Yeah, I used to have a family game night. We'd play board games or cards or some other game my Grandpa thought of. I also just remembered I liked cooking."
The tone of Bell's voice told everyone there he was sad. They didn't know about the questions that ran through his head. Only Ardee had the faintest idea as a theory devolved in her mind.
She would need more evidence to support her theory, however.
"Sorry if I brought up something bad; I didn't mean to," Neze apologized.
Bell looked back at her and gave her a soft smile.
"It's ok. I know you didn't mean anything by it."
Astraea sensing the growing discomfort in the room, cleared her throat.
"Well, I, for one, just want to say I'm happy everyone is back safely. But on an unrelated note Bell can I see you in my office after dinner"
"Hmm yeah, sure," Bell replied, taking a bite out of his garlic bread.
"Ohh, you're in trouble," Ardee teased.
Bell lightly elbowed her.
"Shut up"
Ardee didn't even attempt to get him back this time.
"Your spooky ghost powers make this game unfair."
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Bell walked into Astraea's office and heard her close the door behind him. Astraea walked past him and sat on the couch, and patted the spot next to her.
Bell hesitantly took a seat next to her. Astraea didn't try to touch Bell this time as she knew his infinity was most likely active.
"Sorry about the girls at dinner. They don't have much contact with men as it was an all-female familia before you joined. You're also quite the unique individual as well."
Bell let out a small laugh.
"Yeah, it was nice...getting to talk to them. I liked talking to them."
"And I can tell they enjoyed talking to you."
The air in the room wasn't tense nor awkward. But something had to be said about what happened earlier today. But Astraea would talk about that later.
"Bell, can you tell me how long it took you to recover from your wound," Astraea asked.
Bell's hand subconsciously went to his scar. Images of Zald digging his greatsword into his chest and slashing it down repeated over and over in his head.
All that blood, his blood covering the mountain and himself as the people he saw as family, left him to die.
It was scary.
"About a year, he cut me down right after I turned 14. Spent most of this year recovering in my bed up in the mountains. The second I was able to make the journey to Orario, I did."
"And now you're here because you feel as if you failed to stop them. That's what you told me, correct."
"I did"
Another long silence was broken again by Astraea.
"Ryu was able to tell me what happened before you and Ardee arrived. She said that Zald and Alfia were there and that you could've chased after them. Why didn't you?"
Bell was quiet for a moment as he leaned forward. His gaze was on the ground as he lost himself in his thoughts.
Why didn't he chase after them? All he had to do was go down those stairs, and he would've caught up to them in an instant. Yet he stayed behind.
Why?
"I don't know. All I know is I had two options laid out in front of me. I could've given chase and caught up to them. But Ryu was crying and freaking out, and my Grandpa said to never leave a girl while she was crying. But I don't think that was the only reason."
"Do you think it was because she's a member of your familia that you wanted to help her?"
"I don't think so. My whole reason for being here is to help people by ending this dark age. I think I just didn't want to see Ryu so broken. I kinda liked how we were with her being kind of cold, but I knew she had my back if needed. It was also fun annoying her...do you think I made the right choice? In letting Zald and Alfia get away?"
Astraea sighed and smiled at Bell.
"I believe that you made the decision that was best for you. Sure, you could've gone after Alfia and Zald. But there's a chance even if you did, you wouldn't have caught up to them, and even if you did, you're still not certain they can't break past your infinity. In helping Ryu, you had a 100 percent chance of knowing you could help her."
Bell nodded his head as Astraea made sense.
"I see. Thanks for this. I was kind of beating myself up for letting them go. But you brought up some good points. There's too many what-ifs, if I went after them. Helping Ryu had only one outcome."
"No problem Bell, now go and get some rest. I'll see you in the morning."
Bell stood up and said goodnight to Astraea, and left her office.
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Two weeks passed without much happening. A few bombings here and a few there, as well as skirmishes in the street, but that was it.
Today, however, would be different.
"Alright, newbie, you're with your amazing captain today. Be sure not to fall behind," Alise teased as she and Bell began patrolling.
Bell gave a mock salute.
"Aye, aye, captain."
"See, you're getting used to this already."
The two kept walking. This time Bell was patrolling Daedalus Street as Evilus attacks were more likely to happen there.
"So, how's Ryu holding up," Bell asked.
"As well as anyone can after staring Gluttony and Silence in the face and live. She did eat something, though, so hopefully, she'll be well enough to patrol again."
"How long do you think we can keep what happened to her a secret?"
"As long as we need to. The rest of the familia isn't dumb. They know something's wrong with Ryu. They just don't know what's wrong, and we intend to keep it that way. So mouth shut about it, captain's orders."
"Don't have to tell me twice."
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After patrolling Daedalus for a couple more hours, the two stopped for lunch at a food stand. They made sure to pay extra as the vendor was risking their life to sell their goods.
Alise took a bite out of her hotdog.
"Alright, this has been bugging me the entire time. Take off your glasses," She ordered.
"What?" Bell asked, confused.
"Lady Astraea and Ardee have been talking about how cool and awesome your eyes look. Take the glasses off. I wanna see them. Captains orders"
Bell just sighed and rolled his eyes.
"You were right, Grandpa. Women are demanding."
"Hey"
Bell set his hotdog down and grabbed his sunglasses. He looked at Alise, who looked to be on the edge of her seat as he held onto them.
"Come on, take 'em off," She complained.
"You sound like a child."
Bell then took the sunglasses off, and the shining red orbs he called eyes were on full display.
Alise was immediately lost in the sight as to her. His eyes looked like they possessed a burning star. She watched as they swirled and danced as if giving her a show of what she wanted to see.
She was completely enamored by them.
"T-they're beautiful," she said without thinking.
Bell's cheeks had a hint of red as nobody ever complimented his eyes before.
"Uh, thanks," Bell said, putting his sunglasses back on.
Alise then grew a teasing smirk.
"What, never been complimented by a pretty girl before."
"Yeah, never really been complimented on my looks at all, actually. Well, except from Kaguya, but every time she does, I feel a chill go down my spine."
"Oh, so you think I'm pretty?" Alise asked, batting her eyelashes.
"Huh? What are you talking about?"
Alise just giggled.
"Never mind, newbie. Alright, lunch's over. Time to get back to it."
Bell shook his head as he threw his trash away.
Women are confusing.
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Alise stuck up three fingers.
"Alright, newbie. Three fun facts about yourself, go."
"Huh?"
"Come on, three fun facts about yourself."
"Why?"
"Because how can I get to know you better if the only things I know is that you like reading, working out, cooking, and you have a power that doesn't allow people to touch you."
"And you want to know more?"
"Duh, how else will your amazing captain be able to nurture and grow you into an amazing adventurer."
"By training me."
Alise waved him off.
"That's beside the point. Now three fun facts, come on."
Bell rolled his eyes and said the most basic things.
"I'm a guy. I have red eyes and white hair. There happy"
"Oh, come on, don't be boring," Alise complained.
"How about you tell me three fun facts about yourself? I don't know much about you either."
Alise smiled as she knew what to say.
"Alright, fine. I have red hair. I have green eyes, and I'm a woman."
"You're not funny," Bell deadpanned.
"What, can't take what you-
"RUN!!!'"
"IT'S EVILUS!!!"
"HELP?!!"
Bell and Alise immediately started running to where the screams were coming from. They crossed a corner and watched as a pink-haired woman slit a man's throat.
"Oh? Looks like more lambs have come to the slaughter."
The woman dropped the dead man and slowly walked toward Bell and Alise.
"Be careful, Bell, that's Valletta. She's a level 5 and not to be taken lightly."
Bell just smiled.
"Good, it means she has a chance against you."
Valletta just scoffed.
"Cocky, aren't ya brat"
"Wanna find out."
Valletta charged at Bell and Alise, her cursed sword in hand. Alise already had her rapier drawn and ran at Valletta as well.
The two swords clashed and were caught in an intense struggle for dominance.
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Thanks to Alise's Lubrude Bequia skill, it allowed her to fight on par with upper-rank adventurers.
Bell ran to Valletta's side and threw a right hook.
Valletta saw it coming out of the corner of her eye and kicked Alise in the stomach before jumping back.
Bell's fist harmlessly passed by her face, and she smirked in victory.
Before Bell, roundhouse kicked her in the face.
Valletta went flying through the air before crashing through a window. She growled in anger as she climbed out.
"You little bastard!"
Valletta's face was one of pure anger and rage. All the while, Bell just smiled at her.
Valletta threw a shard of glass at blinding speeds toward Bell. She smirked in victory as he wouldn't have time to react.
Only for her smirk to drop when the glass floated harmlessly in front of his throat.
Bell calmly looked down and flicked the glass away.
Valletta didn't have time to question anything before Alise stabbed Valletta in the hand.
Valletta screamed in pain and swung her sword down, cutting Alise across the shoulder. Alise yelped but didn't scream as Valletta cut her across the leg.
Alise backed off as Valletta tried to get her bearings.
But Bell was there to intercept her, uppercutting her in the jaw. Valletta swung her sword at Bell's neck but was stopped by his infinity.
Bell punched her in the face before grabbing her waist and tackling her into a building. The brick wall broke under the two's combined weight and Bell had Valletta on the ground.
Bell turned Valletta over onto her stomach before pressing his knee into her shoulder blade. He grabbed both of her arms and pinned them behind her back.
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"Stay down," He grunted, holding her down.
Valletta struggled and kicked her feet wildly, trying to break free.
"Let me go, you little shit," she cursed.
How was a level four able to keep her pinned?
Valletta tried to push herself to her feet, but Bell slammed her back down.
"I said stay down."
"You got her?" Alise asked, stumbling into the building.
Her shoulder and leg were bleeding from Valletta's cuts, and since it was a cursed sword, magic, and potions couldn't stop it. She'd have to stop the bleeding the old-fashioned way.
"Yeah, but she's struggling. I'll take a look at that when we get back," Bell replied, tightening his hold on Valletta.
Alise reached down to her belt and grabbed some handcuffs before handing them to Bell.
"You know first aid?"
Bell slammed Valletta down again before handcuffing her.
"Yes, it's a very useful skill to have"
Bell then grabbed Valletta by the arms and lifted her up.
"Well, that's one new fact I know. Two more to go, rookie."
Bell rolled his eyes.
"Another fun fact I just helped take down a high-ranking-
"Gospel"
Both Bell and Alise were sent flying back through the brick wall and slamming into another one.
Alise's ears, nose, mouth, and eyes started bleeding, and she felt as if her bones were turned to mush. She couldn't see or hear anything around her.
She felt like she was dead but still had a Conscience.
Bell was ok, as his Infinity had absorbed most of the blast. But that wasn't what scared him. He knew who casted that spell, and he knew who was on the other side of that wall. But the thing that made him truly sacred.
Was that Alfia broke through his infinity.
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"Do you think she bought it?" Erebus asked.
"Bought what your little lie about Bell's infinity?" Zald answered.
"Of course, what else would I mean."
"With you, I don't know what you're talking about half the time."
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"Oh, heyyy Alfia, mind breaking me out of these pretty please" Valletta asked.
Alfia just scoffed as she broke the handcuffs.
"Leave," she ordered.
Valletta didn't have to be told twice.
Alfia slowly walked through the hole in the wall and watched as Bell pushed himself up. The streets were deserted, and Alise was on the ground, unmoving.
"I see you've gotten rid of the blindfold," Alfia commented.
"Of all the people to break past it. Of course, it had to be you. You really are an incarnation of talent."
"That name annoys me."
Bell charged at Alfia but was stopped by a simple spell.
"Gospel"
Bell went flying back and landed in the same position as last time. He let out a groan of pain as he could feel the bruising on his back.
He pushed himself to his feet again.
"Feels like training all over again."
"You should go home, Bell. This isn't a place for you."
"And let you and Zald run amuck, killing whoever you wanted? Not a chance."
"A shame, very well if you want to play hero. Then strike down the villain."
Bell focused cursed energy into his hands and threw Blue at Alfia. She used her staff and batted it away, causing it to explode a nearby roof.
Bell ran at her, his hands still imbued with cursed energy as he threw a right hook.
Alfia dodged it with ease hitting Bell in the knee with her staff as she did so.
Bell went to backhand Alfia, but his hand was batted aside by her staff, leaving his guard open. She jabbed him in the stomach before cracking the staff against his head.
Bell's glasses fell off as Alfia hit his other knee. Bell felt it give out from under him before Alfia hit him in the face.
Bell fell on his side, his red eyes staring up at Alfia.
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"You're scared, Bell. You're wondering how I can break past your infinity, aren't you? I raised you to be smart, so you'll figure it out."
Alfia then cracked the staff against Bell's temple, knocking him out.
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Bell's eyes shot open, and he saw he was back in his room. It was dark as the sun was setting, but Bell quickly pushed himself to his feet.
He stumbled to his door and threw it open. His legs felt weak, but he kept moving. Using the wall to support himself, he half ran to-
Wait, where was he going?
"Bell?" Celty called out.
Bell stopped walking and looked at the elf in front of him.
"Celty? Where's Alise? what's going on?" He asked in a panic.
Celty put her hands up to calm Bell down.
"Hey, it's ok, she's fine. Airmid and her staff were able to treat her, and she's resting in her room. We expect her to wake up tomorrow," Celty explained.
Bell breathed a sigh of relief at Clety's words before speaking.
"Where's Astraea? I need to talk to her," Bell asked.
"She's in her office, follow me," Celty said.
Bell followed Celty for a minute until they arrived at Astraea's office. Bell knocked on the door and heard Astraea tell him to come in.
Before Bell entered, however, Celty called out to him.
"I'm glad you're ok, Bell."
"Um, thanks. I'll see you around," Bell replied.
Celty then walked away, thinking to herself about how beautiful Bell's eyes were.
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Bell opened the door to Astraea's office. Her face brightened when she saw Bell up and about. She quickly gestures for him to sit on the couch, and he did so.
She sat next to him but didn't touch him as Bell still kept his infinity on.
"I'm so glad you're awake. But what happened? Alise looked like she was dead when I got to the hospital."
Bell then remembered exactly what happened, and he started to shake.
"Alise and I, we fought Valletta, and we won. Had her in cuffs and everything. Then Alfia showed up, and everything changed. She was able to break through my infinity Astraea."
Astraea's eyes widened in shock as she heard the news. Hearing her what-if actually, be right scared her. Knowing that Bell's shield that, made him nigh invincible could be broken through.
It was scary for her to think about. She could only wonder how it affected Bell.
"How, how was she able to break through it? Do you know if Zald can break through it?"
"I'm assuming if she can, he can as well. Now I just feel foolish for even thinking I can stop them. I mean, I was relying on that to be able to stop them. Looks like I was just playing myself for a fool."
Astraea frowned at Bell's attitude. But she had a way to fix that.
"Bell, I believe you're selling yourself too short. You're only a level 4, and while yes, you have amazing powers and talents. You're still a level 4 fighting against level 7s in a caliber of their own. So what if they broke past your infinity? I believe if you get to their level. You can stop them."
Bell softly smiled.
"You're just saying that to cheer me up."
"That's one reason, yes. But I also do believe you can do this. Why don't you level up right now so I can show you."
"Alright, I guess it's time for it. Wonder what my numbers are at now?"
"Alright, lay down while I get the letter opener."
Bell took off his shirt and laid down on the couch. Astraea grabbed a letter opener and climbed on top of Bell's back. She pricked her finger and allowed her blood to drop on his back and unlocked his falna.
Bell Cranel
Astraea familia
Level 4- 5
Strength: SS- 1300- I-0
Endurance: SS- 1290- I-0
Dexterity: SS- 11250- I-0
Agility: SS- 1500- I-0
Magic S- 1100- I-0
Skills:
Heroic Will: Provides user with accelerated growth.
Six eyes: Allows user the ability to manipulate their cursed energy down to an atomic level. While also granting the user the ability to see cursed energy as well as giving them such good eyesight they can see miles away.
Infinity: the convergence of an immeasurable series, anything that approaches the infinity slows down and never reaches the user. This is because the technique takes the finite amount of space between the two subjects and divides it an infinite amount of times.
Immeasurable Cursed energy: The user's cursed energy is not able to be measured. Therefore it is assumed the user has an infinite amount at their disposal.
R???r?? ??r?e? T?????q????????
Astraea copied his stats on a piece of paper and handed it to him.
"I can't even read the last thing," Bell said.
"I can make out a few letters, and that's it. How come you don't have any development abilities," Astraea asked.
"Because of my six eyes and limitless. They kinda cancel out any development ability I could get."
"Why?"
"I don't know? Gotta ask the old man on that one."
"Well, congratulations, Bell. You're a level five now. One step closer to your goal."
"Thanks. Now can you get off my back? This feels weird."
Astraea quickly got off him as Bell stood up and put his shirt on. He didn't notice the small blush on her face as her back was turned to him.
"Well, I'm gonna go eat as I'm starving. Hopefully, some food was saved for me."
Bell then walked out of Astraea's office and headed to the kitchen.
Astraea, however, was left to her thoughts.
"Why did I get on top of him? Why did I tell him to lie down? This isn't like me. I don't like this at all."
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Bell walked into the kitchen and saw a plate of food with a small note on the counter.
He walked over to it and picked up the note.
Sup handsome.
Saw what happened to you and the captain today. Thought you'd be hungry once you woke up, so I gave you some food that wouldn't be cold.
Dig in.
With love
Kaguya
P.S. You ever feel lonely, my room's always unlocked.
Bell just chuckled as he put the note back down on the counter. He looked at the plate of food and saw jerky with some apple slices and a glass of water.
He grabbed a piece of jerky and took a bite out of it. Didn't taste half bad.
"Bell, is that you?" Ryu called out.
Bell turned around and saw Ryu standing at the entrance of the kitchen.
"Yeah, it is; how ya holding up."
Ryu took a step into the kitchen closer to Bell and was caught off guard by his eyes. She was lost in them for a minute.
"Uh, Ryu, you ok?" Bell asked.
Ryu shook herself out of her stupor before answering.
"Yeah, I'm ok; I should be able to go back on patrols soon. Are you ok?" She asked.
Bell took another bite out of his jerky.
"Yeah, I'm fine, just a little banged up."
Ryu nervously shook her head.
"Alright, you're acting weird; what's bothering you?"
Ryu took a deep breath before answering.
"When I was in the church, Erebus mentioned you by name or referred to you by the boy with the six eyes or this pesky infinity. How did he know all that stuff about you, and why do you look similar to the Silence?"
Bell sighed as he put the jerky down and looked around to make sure no one else was around. He looked back to Ryu, who was expecting an answer.
"Can you keep a secret?" Bell asked.
Ryu slowly nodded her head.
"I have a connection with Zald and Alfia. They're the reason I'm here."
Ryu's eyes widened in shock as she heard those words.
Someone who knew Zald and Alfia was in her house. What were his intentions?
"H-how do you know them"
"I can't say, but just know I don't associate with them anymore."
That calmed Ryu down a little, but she wished he told her how he knew them.
"And the other things he said?"
"They're my abilities, and I want you to keep these secrets to yourself. I'm not ready for the rest of the familia to know this."
Ryu looked at Bell for a moment. Nothing was heard in the kitchen except for their breathing as Ryu thought of her answer.
"Fine, my mouth's shut. But tell them eventually; we're your teammates and family now. So please trust us."
Bell flinched at the word family, and his hand went to his scar, which Ryu noticed. It raised her suspicions on who Bell's family was. Like Ardee, she had her theory.
"Ow damn," Bell grunted, covering his eyes with his hands.
"What's wrong?" Ryu asked.
"Headache, have you seen my glasses," Bell asked.
"Um, no, but I believe I heard they were in your room."
Bell nodded his head as he walked out.
"Thanks, see you tomorrow Ryu."
"Yeah…see you tomorrow."
.
.
.
.
"Lord Ganesha, we have news about an Evilus hideout," Shakti said.
"Good, do you have its location," Ganesha asked.
"We do, Lord Ganesha," Ardee answered.
"Very well, assemble a strike force here and ask Astraea to lend us some help. Make sure Bell is there. I have a feeling he will be a good asset."
Both Shakti and Ardee bowed.
"As you wish, lord Ganesha."
Well, chapters done, and Bell knows he's not invincible anymore. How will this affect his journey? Who knows.
Anyway, I hate writing fights as I suck at them, so I hope this one was at least bearable.
Alright later.
