Spoiler for LN 16

Freya POV

Oh, how magnificent. How truly and utterly magnificent. Seeing such a display makes the heart race and the knees weak. To beat a Minotaur with no arms oh I'm wet just thinking about it. Oh, you bright little boy I just want to gobble you up.

But no I must wait. I must wait for him to come to me. But he's so oblivious to my affection. Not even me playing as Syr has worked. Oh, why hasn't he come by Mia said he's been there before. You little bunny you I'll get you. But not now oh not now you need to grow even more. Shine even brighter all while I watch from afar.

Bell POV

I awoke early in the morning hearing voices coming from the main room. It sounded like Miach and Nazha plus another woman on the other side. Her voice sounded familiar but for what reason, I didn't know why. So I put on some new clothes and walked to the door Regis behind me.

"Do you think it's her?" Regis asked as he also felt the voice was familiar. "Part of me hopes it is part of me hopes it isn't" I replied. I opened the door and to my shock and horror, it was Demeter sitting down drinking tea with the two. Hearing the door creak open she turned around and a giant smile spread across her face.

"Shit/Fuck" Regis and I both said. She then charged at the both of us. Regis ran back into the room while Demeter picked me up and shoved me into her chest.

"Oh it's so good to see you again," she said shaking me from side to side. I could hear Miach and Nazha snickering and not helping me with my plight. I was able to get myself out of her grasp and took a deep breath before she looked at me with a pout.

"How come you haven't visited me yet? No, let alone tell me you were in the city" she said her arms crossed under her chest. "Would you believe me if I said I forgot?" I said letting out a nervous laugh. She looked at me with an I don't believe a word you just said look. I sighed. "Fine I didn't visit because I've been busy and it slipped my mind" I explained.

"Oh, I know you've been busy little rookie. But that still doesn't explain why you couldn't visit your auntie Demeter" she pouted again. "You'll have to excuse him Demeter" she turned to look at Miach. "Every time Bell steps outside he gets his ass kicked," Miach said. I gave Miach a betrayed look before Demeter moved my face to the side.

"Is this why you have these new scars on your face?" she said in an accusing tone. "Hey, I actually won most of the fights. Just not without a few scratches" I joke trying to lighten the mood. "Young man now is not the time for your jokes" she then cleared her throat. "Now with all that out of the way I expect you to visit me from time to time understood" she firmly said. I sighed in defeat before I accepted.

"Wonderful," she said clapping her hands together. "Now I must be going the fields won't work themselves," she said before giving me another hug. Albeit this one was more gentle.

"Take care of yourself Bell and remember to come and visit sometime. If you don't I'll drag you by the ear to the fields and make you work" she playfully said. Although I knew she was serious. She then said her goodbyes to Miach and Nazha before leaving to go to work. I could feel the teasing eyes of Miach and Nazha boring into my head.

"So Auntie Demeter huh" Miach teased. "Shut up" I spat.

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"So Bell what are your plans for today," Miach asked as we ate breakfast. "Probably go visit the orphans on Daedalus street. Been a while since we were there" I said handing Regis a piece of bacon. "Orphans?" Lena asked. I then explained the story of the silverback and how I met Fena. "Aw that's so sweet mind if I tag along," Lena asked.

"If you want I don't mind. How about you Aisha, Lili you wanna tag along as well" I asked the two. Both of them declined saying they don't do well with children. Which is understandable because not everyone is good with kids. Also, I'm afraid if Aisha were to come along she'd want a child.

"Oh, Bell before you head out," Miach said stopping me and Lena at the door. "Maria asked if you could pick up a fridge next time you visit. She's already paid for it just hasn't had the time to get it with renovations and watching the kids" Miach said handing me the address on where to get the fridge.

"Yeah, sure it's on the way so it shouldn't be too difficult," I said putting the note in my pocket. Lena and I then bid farewell to everyone else before we started walking to the furniture store.

"So Lena we really haven't talked since you joined the familia can you tell me a little about yourself," I asked curious to know more about her. She looked at me before a smile spread across her face.

"Well, I'm a level two. I like to dance and have incorporated it into my fighting style. My weapon is a scimitar and I'm in love with Bete logia" she said before putting her hands on her cheeks and moving side to side. I gave her a side eye with an amused look on my face.

"A girl in love huh" I joked. "Yeah he's so handsome and his kicks are so strong I think I get pregnant each time he kicks me," she said. This caused me to look at her worriedly. "Uh, Lena that's not how babies are made," I told her. After all the talks about woman and their cultures, gramps made sure to give me the talk and I hated it so much.

"Oh I know that but it just feels like it" I looked at Lena and I was honestly worried. "Should I be concerned about your love for him?" I asked.

"There's no need to worry about him. He's just a big tsundere" she said waving off my concern. I laughed at the term having a feeling that said werewolf would lose his shit at being called that. Even though I haven't met anyone from the Loki familia I knew who they were. I mean who couldn't their captain rides a lion and he's like a foot tall. I also know who they are because their familia along with Freya's killed my mother.

"So Bell tell me a little about yourself" Lena cheerfully asked. I smiled feeling some of her cheer rub off on me and letting the dark thoughts fade away. "Well, I lived in the mountains with my Grandpa and Aunt my whole life. Started training at a very early age while also cultivating my man's core. I'm proficient in every weapon but I like to use my knife and bow the most as they were gifts. Although now I realize I should branch out a bit more" I chuckle.

"That's pretty amazing and scary at the same time. No wonder you were able to beat Aisha" she wearily said. I laughed at her nervousness. "That's because Aisha relied more on her stats than technique. Had she fought as she normally would have I would've lost" I said. "See got the proof right here," I said showing her my scars.

We then arrived at the shop and we picked up the refrigerator. The shopkeeper asked if we needed any help but we declined as I threw it over my shoulder and we walked out the door. We then started walking to Daedalus street making more small talk along the way.

"So Bell how much magic can you do," she asked. "Well, I can use fire, ice, earth, air, lightning, illusions, da-

"You can do illusions!" She asked cutting me off. I chuckled a little at her surprise. "Would you believe me if I told you illusions were my specialty" I asked giving a wry smile. "Who knows I might not even be the real Bell. I could be back at home sleeping right now" I joked.

"That's not funny don't start messing with my sense of reality" she pouted. I then summoned a clone on her left which tapped her shoulder. She jumped and turned around seeing the smiling face of my clone.

"Ok that's creepy and cool at the same time" she giggled. I then desummoned the clone to not confuse the hell out of people. "Yeah but I haven't been using it nearly enough in combat. That's one of the things I'm trying to work on as the clones use a lot of mana. But I think that problem will be solved once my core advances into the silver stage" I explained.

"Man it must be awesome having a mana core" Lena pouted. I chuckled a little. "I mean it's nice buts it's also another vital organ to protect"

"Oh yeah it's like a second heart isn't it," she asked. "I guess you could say that" we kept walking taking the different alleyways in stride. That was until I felt something was off and stopped. Lena also stopped and put her hand on her scimitar. "You feel it too," I asked setting the fridge down. She nodded and we turned around to see a person on the roof. It was hard to make out exactly who or what they were but I could see the black uniform with an emblem on it before the person ran away.

"Were you able to get a good look at them?" I asked Lena. She shook her head no before she spoke.

"Could just be a crazy stalker" she then looked at me. "But knowing your luck it's not gonna be that simple" I nodded in agreement before I realized what she said. "You think you're funny don't ya," I asked picking the fridge back up. "Yes. Yes, I do" she smugly said. I rolled my eyes at her before we finally arrived at the church.

The church looked much better than the last time I saw it. The shingles on the roof were no longer rotting or falling down. They had been replaced and looked brand new. The windows had also been replaced and were no longer dirty or nearly broken. The dead wood that had surrounded the church was also picked up and was thrown away. All in all the church looked brand new. Which left the question of how it looked on the inside.

"Cute little place," Lena said. "It's a lot better than the last time I was here" I replied walking to the front door. Lena followed and knocked on the door since I was holding the fridge. We didn't have to wait long as the door opened and Maria greeted us.

"Oh, Bell it's so good to see you again. Oh and I see you brought a friend" she greeted. "Yup this here's Lena she's a new member of my familia and when she heard I was coming here she wanted to come with" I explained. "Well, I bet the children will be glad to see a new face other than the construction people," she said opening the door wider. Lena and I walked in and I asked her where she wanted the fridge. She pointed to the kitchen and asked me to put it in there and that someone will put it in later. I did what she asked and placed the fridge in the kitchen. I then walked back into the courtyard where Maria took another look at me.

"Bell come here for a moment" she beckoned. I walked up to her and felt her hand move my face to the side. "And pray tell where you got these," she asked pointing out my scars. "I saved someone's life and now I have my badge of honor" I replied a smile on my face. She sighed before she spoke again.

"Honestly Bell you should be more careful. You're a good kid you shouldn't have scars at such a young age" she chided. I chuckled at her concern. I knew she meant well and probably saw me as just another child that needed care. "Trust me Maria I try you can ask Lena" I replied moving her hand away from my face. She looked toward Lena who confirmed my statement.

"He really does it just the dungeon doesn't like to play nice with him" she replied. Before Maria could respond we heard footsteps coming toward us. I turned and saw all three of the kids enter the main room. I assumed they had just woken up with how tired they were but once they saw me that went away as they broke out into a sprint.

"Big brother Bell!" They yelled as they piled onto me one after the other. I laughed as I was able to easily hold my ground against the three as they pulled back.

"It's good to see you three again as well" I chuckled. I saw them looking around at my legs. "Where's Regis" Fena asked. I laughed a little bit as I remembered Regis hiding under my bed when Demeter was there. Even after she left he still refused to come out saying he didn't believe me that she was gone.

"He's hiding under my bed right now" I responded. "Why?" Fena asked. "Because someone we know from before we came to Orario came to visit. And we'll let's just say she's a bit overbearing when it comes to affection" I chuckled. Fena didn't seem to understand but shrugged her shoulders.

"Who's that?" Roux asked. I turned and saw that he was pointing at Lena. "That's Lena she's a part of my familia. Lena say hi" Lena waved at them and then Rye asked me a question. "So is she your girlfriend" before I could respond Lena did it for me. "No, I'm not. While Bell is very cute for his age I already have someone else I love" she then looked at me with a knowing look. "Besides my friend is after him and I'd be a terrible friend If I came in a swooped him off his feet" Lena teased.

I gave her a 'really' look before I spoke myself. "You would not sweep me off my feet" I replied. "Oh, you would reject such a beautiful lady" she put her hand over her chest and gave a mock hurt expression of hurt. "Well, when a beautiful lady shows up can you let me know" I joked.

She gasped before playing hitting my shoulder. The children as well as Maria laughed at our display. "Big brother Bell can you show us magic," Rye asked. "Yeah I wanna see some fire," Roux said. "Oh, can you show us your lighting," Fena asked. I chuckled and told the kids to settle down and gather around.

They listened and gathered around in a circle. I told them to back up a little so they wouldn't get hurt. Again they listened and once I felt they were far enough away I summoned a flame in my hand.

The children were amazed at such a feat. To be able to summon fire from thin air like it was nothing was pretty cool to the kids. I then decided to manipulate the shape of the flame and turned it into a cat. I made the cat walk around on my palm and do tricks making the kids cheer in excitement.

I then brought up my other hand and made a dog out of lightning and had it interact with the cat. I made both of them play in the sky the kid's eyes glued to the spectacle of lights. I did this for several hours entertaining the kids to give Maria a break for all the work she does. Lena had also joined in the crowd of children taking Fena in her lap which the younger girl didn't seem to mind.

Seeing as the kids were close to falling asleep I decided to end the show with a bang. Using water and ice magic I combined the two causing a little explosion in the air and causing snow to rain down. The children ran around and giggled as they played with the snowflakes. Maria was standing next to me smiling at the kid's joy.

"I'm glad these kids met you Bell" I turned to face her. "Thanks to you these kids have a better future. I was even able to get them to school can you believe that" she said. "I'm glad I met them too. I know what it's like not having parents. My situation was different from there's as I had an aunt and a grandpa raise me. But they're gone now. So if I'm able to bring these kids even a little joy in a bleak situation then I'll be content" I replied. "You truly are a kind soul Bell. I hope you live a long and happy life"

"You're not the only one" I joked. I heard her laugh beside me and watched as the snow stopped. Maria then clapped her hands getting the children's attention. "Alright children it's time for bed," Maria said. The children didn't protest as they were quite tired from watching and playing with the constructions of magic I created. It took a lot of mana but I was able to replenish it quickly with a trick I learned from Arthur's journal.

It was incomplete however as I didn't have a dragon teach me it so I could only use it while not in combat. I then felt someone tap me on my shoulder. I turned and saw Lena smiling at me. "You ready to go boss," she asked. I nodded and bid farewell to everyone and headed home.

"You're pretty good with kids you know," Lena said. "Thanks, I guess?" She then gave me a knowing grin. "So I guess that means Aisha chose right," she said. I sighed in annoyance before I playfully punched her. "Yeah yeah laugh it up," I said rolling my eyes. Lena laughed until we arrived back home. "Man we were out late," Lena said seeing how empty the house was. "It's a good thing we ate there or else we'd be going to be hungry" I replied. "Well goodnight Bell see ya in the morning" she waved as she went to her room. "Night Lena" I replied as I opened the door to mine.

When I entered I saw Regis in his dog bed asleep. I kicked off my boots and set them at the end of my bed before laying down and staring at the ceiling.

Haruhime should come back tomorrow and then we would be headed for the middle floors. Alfia said they were a lot more challenging than the upper floors. But I had confidence in having Lena and Aisha in our party. They had experience down there. Aisha was also a level three so if things went wrong she could get us down to at least the 17th floor before running into issues.

But something feels wrong. Who was that person spying on me and Lena? No one expect for Miach, Nazha, and Astraea know my identity. So who could it be? It couldn't be Soma as word on the street was he had changed. How much I don't know but he knows he can't get revenge on me.

Could it be Loki or Freya's familia? But I haven't met any Loki familia and I met Ottar briefly but it wasn't him following us or else neither of us would've picked up on him. Then another player has entered the scene. Who it is I don't know but I need to be ready and a good way to be ready is to be rested. I then shut my eyes and let the darkness overtake me.

Another party has entered into Bell's life. Who could it be? What do they want? You'll just have to wait and see. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I hope you like the bond I'm building between Bell and Lena. I'm also letting you know that they will not end up together nor will Nazha and Bell as they already have their own partner or person they're after. Now with that out of the way feel free to ask questions and I'll answer them as best I can without spoiling.