Yes, I know what you're thinking. Hey, why are you starting a new story? Didn't you just do that?
To answer your question, this is a commission. My first one, so look at me. I'm in the big boy leagues now. So that means I got paid to do this.
But don't worry. My other stories are still ongoing and will be finished before I die.
Hopefully
Tired, hungry, in mild pain, and annoyed. These feelings best describe how Odin felt as he stumbled down the street of. Wait, where was he?
He assumed he was in Migard judging by the architecture of the gently slopes roofs to the tall scaffolding used to uphold small huts.
He limped down the street, holding his gut in pain as no one gave him more than a mere glance. Wandering through the street without purpose, Odin was lost in thought.
His divinity was depleted because of his death at the hands of Loki. But somehow, he was still alive and on Midgard. But where on Midgard was he?
He knew he was in an impoverished area of some city he didn't know the name of. But what was even stranger were the many Demi-humans.
His curiosity was getting higher and higher as he further walked down the streets. A city in Midgard where Demi-humans were immediately cut down was unheard of to Odin.
Stepping out onto a wider street, a great shadow looked over him. His eye widened in shock as he saw a great tower penetrate the clouds. It was then he realized he wasn't in Midgard.
He was somewhere else entirely.
Shouldering an elderly woman who gave him a glare, as he walked past, only to notice the divine aura that enveloped her entire being. A god? The same pantheon as that upstart Kratos?
Burying his rage, as his answer stood before him. Something was different about this place, and as he continued to walk, he found himself walking through the side streets, encountering others with a divine aura.
Some were minuscule traces while others held significant power hidden beneath their flesh, being his gift to gaze upon one's soul allowed him to even gaze upon the true nature of his fellow divines.
Walking past a child dressed in less than substantial clothing and pushing her without saying a word, leaving her groaning on the ground. So this is a world where the divine mingle with humanity. He could work with that.
He would first need to learn more about this new world. He wondered what secrets it held. But first, he would need a base of operations and a pawn to do his bidding.
Where was Heimdall when you needed him?
Oh, that's right, he was dead. Damned good for nothing, he ran his mouth and didn't see the bigger picture. But he was good at killing. Keyword was.
No, Odin would need someone new. Someone he could mold to be his perfect little solider. His champion. This world had a lot of people. Hell, this city alone possibly held millions. All he would need is one impressionable mind, and his plans could begin.
"Excuse me, sir. Are you a god?" A boy asked.
Odin turned his one good eye over to the boy and examined him. He was short standing at 5'4. His face looked young, more baby than man. He had some muscle to him, most likely from farm work. His most distinguishing feature, however, was his ruby-red eyes.
Yes, he would do nicely. He seemed maybe 12. No 14. No older than 14. Yes, he would work well. A farmboy who was most likely an illiterate country bumpkin. He would do nicely.
"Why yes, I am young man. What can I do for you?" Odin answered kindly with a smile.
It was clear the boy was tired and downtrodden, from his dirtied exterior and dulling soul.
"W-well, I was wondering if I could pleasejoinyourfamilia?" The albino bumbled out his words a mess, leaving the god confused.
"You're going to have to slow down, speak slowly. Surely you can do that, right?" Mouthing out slowly with a focus on slow-down, as he analyzed the boy.
Staring at him, the boy muttered out meaningless apologies, as the god stepped closer, leaning forward.
"Can I please join your Familia!" Yelling out, the boy stared at him expectantly.
So fate had finally arrived with good timing. Looking into the desperate eyes of the boy, it looks like he found his next pawn.
Hmm." Thumbing his scraggly beard, the god bent closer, looking into the nervous eyes of the boy, gazing upon his shivering soul. This could work, fantastically even for him.
Letting out a gentle laugh, "Of course. How could I deny one such as yourself? I'm quite adept at dealing with stupid, you punch, I think. Got It?"
The boy nodded as if he was about to change the fate of the world. What a bemusing thought.
Bowing before him, the god was left with quite a few questions, and now, with a pawn, where would he bunk for the night?
He was still exhausted, and his body was still bruised after his fight against them. Grinding his teeth, revenge would come later, if ever.
Looking upon the kid, he offered a pat on the back, "The name's Odin. Don't wear it out." walking forward onto the main street. As a young woman entered seconds later, only to sigh in exasperation.
"Dang it. I missed him." She grumbled.
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"So, kiddo, would you perhaps have a place we can stay for a while? As you can see, I got into quite the tussle before coming here." Odin said, showing off his bruised and bloody arms and face off to the worried teen whose face suddenly sunk.
"Ah...great...fucking great," Odin muttered under his breath. No wonder the kid looked so down in the dumps.
Not that Odin cared, however. He was just annoyed it would be up to him to find himself accommodations for the night. He didn't feel like fighting with his current injuries.
But he was good with his words. Very good. He glanced over to the kid whose name he hadn't even bothered asking. But an idea did come to his mind.
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"Lord Odin, are you sure this is ok?" Bell asked.
"Of course I am. Now, don't question me. You can't expect me to sleep out on the streets when I'm like this." Odin answered.
He rubbed some dirt on Bell's cheeks and cut up his clothes a tiny bit. Once he was done, Bell looked pitiful, which was good. Odin wanted that.
"Alright, kiddo, you know what to do. You punch, I think. Now go out there." Odin coaxed, patting Bell on the shoulders.
Bell didn't protest before going out onto the street and getting on his knees. For the next three hours, Odin watched as the boy begged on the street, and with his cute face and appearance, he was able to get some currency from this land.
Taking ninety percent of it, of course. For all his effort and his plan. He was able to get himself a hot meal and a bed to sleep in.
Enjoying a lukewarm stew with his newest grunt, there was just something truly gut-wrenching about the image that a silver-haired werewolf paid for their meal. Well, who was he to complain?
Watching the kid nibble on some potato soup and stare in disgust at a mystery chunk of hair which floated in his soup that he swapped with the kid, maybe the kid had a name, who knows?
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Bell sighed in relief as he stared at the rundown house with chipped plaster that rained down upon you as you opened the door and wood that creaked every time you took a step forward. It was much more manageable.
At least the place had a roof. How his god had found it, he had absolutely no clue. Maybe that was better. After a few days of begging on the street and answering his gods' constant flurry of questions, he learned it had loosened up the man's antics.
The past few days had been painfully slow, with him begging on the streets for a few hundred valis to stay the night, forced to move every time a member of the Ganesha familia told him to leave. And without a blessing, what was he to do?
He had gone above and beyond in helping the rough elderly man, from doing small side jobs to begging late into the evening till his knees were bruised. And now, with a place of their own, he could finally take the first steps towards becoming a hero, and maybe just maybe saving a girl, and if everything lined up just right..they'd fall in love.
He hoped it would be an elf. They were so beautiful and elegant. Like fairies of the forest. Forever youthful and their ears. He liked looking at their ears. He wondered what would happen if he touched them.
Breaking out of his daydreaming, he climbed the steps to the second story, whereupon an old wooden chair Odin sat with a few books laid across his worn desk.
The furniture had clearly seen better days, along with the house as a whole, but with some a broom and a sponge, he could make significant progress.
"So what do you need, kiddo?" Odin asked inquisitively.
"Well...I was wondering when I would get my blessing." Gazing at him with exuberance to which, the god let out a chuckle.
"I see you're eager to work, boy. Nothing wrong with that. I actually like that." Odin closed his book. He had done some research into this world and learned about this falna and the Magic of this world.
Even with his diminished reserves and the limitations placed upon him by this world, he still had most of his abilities. Perks of being from another realm, he mused.
Odin materialized a dagger from thin air, causing Bell to back up a little.
"Lord Odin, please. I spent 600 valis on this shirt." Bell pleaded.
"Don't worry, kid. I'm not cutting up your shirt this time."
Bell nodded and began to take off his shirt in preparation to revive the falna.
"No, stop that. I have no wish to see your scrawny form."
"But isn't that how you're supposed to give me your falna lord Odin?" Bell asked, sliding his shirt back down.
Odin waved him off. "Don't worry about that. Now come here, kid."
Bell listened to Odin and walked forward as the old god cut his palm with the dagger. Blood dribbled down to his palm before coalescing in the center.
"Come now, boy, and receive the blessing of the All-Father. Come forth and be my champion." Odin's voice bellowed.
Bell did what he asked without hesitation. He was only meant to punch, not think. Leave the thinking to Odin.
Odin dipped his thumb into his bloody palm and bathed it as Bell drew closer. Odin's eye began to mist over, and he reached out and grabbed Bell.
"Now you shall be my new pair of eyes. Boy."
Odin's bloodied thumb touched the boy's crimson eyes.
Burning pain blinded him temporarily as he could only wordlessly scream as the god's blooded thumb and ring finger touched his eyes.
Resting his head upon the boy's shoulder, he whispered into his ears as vibrant magic rushed into his body along with a fragment of his grace that made the boy's skin sizzle.
Slumping over, the god caught him, picking up the young man with ease as his own blood made its way through the mortal's body, altering it with the aid of potent magic and divinity.
For unlike the gods of this world, the limitations he held were a lot more lax, for as long as he didn't interrupt their game, they cared little.
Perhaps it was his time to shine. Letting his wounds close, he chuckled, his divinity finally taking hold of the boy's soul, augmenting it from its very foundation.
Setting the boy onto an old bed he had borrowed from the previous owner, in his hand, a paper materialized as the parameters of his falna were finally unlocked, being receptive to his magic.
Falna was less of a divine gift granted to mortals and more of a preexisting concept to which the gods could influence and awaken, using their blood as a medium to unlock one's potential without years of training or a powerful artifact.
It was an amusing parlor trick. One that Odin would use to his advantage. He would use this boy until his usefulness ran out. He was just a means to gather information for now.
Sure, he can go into the dungeon and kill monsters. It was just extra income for him in the end. He wouldn't arm the boy as his pawn should be able to do that himself.
Through him, Odin would gaze upon the dungeon and learn its secrets. He would learn them and then use his knowledge to get to the top of Babel Tower.
His rightful place.
Odin then materialized a piece of paper and looked at Bell's 'falna.'
"Oh, so that's his name." Odin mused.
Bell Cranel
Might: I
Vitality: I
Agility: I
Affinity: I
Technique: I
(-)
"Oh my, this is interesting. Seems like my 'falna' is different from the others." Odin chuckled.
But Odin didn't care much for the irregularity and set the paper back down on his desk. He sat back down and grabbed his book. He wanted more knowledge of how this new world worked.
Knowledge he would get through books and his pawn. His pawn who was currently asleep on the bed.
"No matter. Knowledge presents itself to those who want it. All I have to do is wait."
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Bell awoke the following day early in the morning. Odin still sat upon the old wooden chair reading his books.
He blinked a few times and rubbed the sleep from his eyes as he yawned. He saw Odin sitting in the chair, still reading.
"Lord Odin, have you been up all night?"
Odin turned the page. "I have, the pursuit of knowledge waits for no one, so sleep is unnecessary."
Bell yawned again and got out of bed. "That sounds unhealthy, Lord Odin. I can sleep on the floor if it's the bed you want."
Odin waved him off. "Sleep is needless for one such as I. You don't need to worry, kid. Now, it's time for you to head off to the dungeon."
Odin reached over to a coin pouch on the table and put some valis in Bell's hand.
"That should be enough for the basic equipment the guild is to offer. Anything else you want has to come out of your own pocket, got it."
Bell nodded and put his valis in his pouch.
"Good, now get out of here. Go earn us some more money in the meantime."
Bell bid his goodbye and began walking to the guild. The early morning sun was rising, and the streets were already jam-packed.
From vendors setting their stands up and adventurers heading down to the dungeon, the city was already awake.
Bell smiled as he would soon be a part of those who venture into the dungeon and slay monsters. He could see it now. Him going down there, growing stronger, and becoming a hero. While also saving a girl and falling in love with her in the meantime. Or maybe she would fall in love with him first.
He didn't know, but the thought of it made him smile.
When he arrived at the guild, he was surprised by its architecture. On the outside were large columns of marble with carvings of the gods on them.
It was made of brick and painted in a yellow-greenish type color. Bell walked inside and felt carpet beneath his feet. Looking down, he saw it was a green color as well.
The guild was mostly empty, with employees waiting at their desks. Off to Bell's left was the exchange box. A place where adventurers give the guild their monster stones in exchange for valis.
On Bell's right were couches, which again were green. It seemed the guild really loved green. With those couches were big coffee tables in front of them.
Bell continued walking in, too busy taking in the scenery and not paying attention to where he was going. Which in turn lead him to bumping into someone.
A tall woman with red hair that went down to her shoulders. She had to wolf ears atop her head and was dressed in a guild dress shirt with a vest over it. She wore grey kakis along with black dress shoes.
Bell, seeing she was a woman, immediately bowed at a perfect 90-degree angle.
"I'm very sorry!" He said.
The werewolf sighed in annoyance before lifting his head up. Examining his features, she saw it was just some dumb kid who probably wanted to be an adventurer.
"You're loud. Now, what is it you want?" The werewolf coldly asked.
Bell stood back up and slightly shrunk under the woman's harsh gaze. He nervously rubbed the back of his head and looked away.
"I would, uh, eh, I'd like to register as an adventurer, please." Bell hesitantly asked.
The werewolf sighed again. Another dumb kid that would most likely die within the week. But she didn't care if he died.
"Very well, come with me." If the kid was in a hurry to die, who was she to stop him?
Bell followed the werewolf whose name he didn't know. But he assumed she'd tell him eventually. Bell arrived at her desk and watched as the werewolf grabbed a piece of paper, a quill, and ink.
"Fill out your name, age, familia, and place of residence."
Bell nodded before grabbing the quill and began writing. It was a short process, and once he was done, he handed the paper back to the werewolf.
"Hmm, Odin familia. Wasn't aware he descended yet. Doesn't matter, congratulations, you're an adventurer now." The werewolf lazily said.
She filed the paperwork away while Bell just stood there. When she turned back around, she gave Bell another look over and sighed.
"You're unarmed. Would you like to buy the guild starting pack for adventurers?"
Bell nodded. "Yes, I would like to Ms-
The werewolf sighed. She didn't really want to tell her name to the dead man walking.
"Rose. Now that will be 2,000 valis." Rose sighed.
Bell nodded and reached into his pouch, grabbing the valis and handing it to Rose. She lazily counted it before excusing herself.
Bell nervously waited, leaving back and forth on his heels for Rose to return. After a few minutes, she did and handed Bell a short sword, a chest-plate, a pouch, two health potions, a stamina potion, and a map of the first floor.
"Alright, here are your items. Now, would you like a lesson about the first floor of the dungeon before you go? They're highly recommended."
Bell nervously chuckled again. "I eh don't have any money for that."
He would've been mad at Odin, but Odin only said to get equipment. Besides, Bell only needed to fight, not think.
Rose pinched the bridge of her nose and shook her head. "The first one is free. It should only take an hour at most. I highly recommend you take it."
Rose didn't even know why she bothered. This kid would be like all the others and just rush off into danger before even knowing what awaited him.
"Oh well, if it's free, I'll take it. I want to know what I'm up against when I'm down there." Bell smiled.
Rose was caught slightly off guard but quickly recomposed. "Alright, follow me then."
Bell nodded and began following Rose, who started chastising herself in her head.
"Why are you doing this? The kid's probably gonna die anyway, so why bother?"
Leading Bell into a private room, Rose gestured for Bell to sit. He did, and the lesson began.
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After listening to Rose for an hour, Bell was ready to head into the dungeon. He attached the short sword to his hip and secured his two pouches to his belt. He kept his potions and his map in his pocket and then set off.
"Wow, Rose didn't know you cared for someone." Misha goaded.
Rose rolled her eyes and walked back to her desk. "I don't. Kid's just gonna die anyway. If Eina were here, I would've pawned the kid off to her."
"Well, sucks for you then cause Eina still has her vacation for the next week." Misha laughed.
Rose growled and went back to work. Bell, on the other hand, began his descent into the dungeon. It took him a few minutes to get down the stairs. He felt nervous and excited at the same time.
But once he set foot into the dungeon and his surroundings turned blue, Bell felt even more nervous.
He was finally in the dungeon.
"Ok, deep breaths. Grandpa always said fear is a ruler of weak men."
Bell took his time slowly moving his eyes, darting around his surroundings. He knew goblins, and Kobolds spawned on this floor.
But Bell had an unconscious fear of goblins. When he was younger, a goblin attacked him and hurt his hand pretty badly. But he did it protecting a girl, and his Grandpa was proud of him.
Bell sadly smiled, remembering his Grandpa.
Crack
Bell's head whirled around to the wall where a Goblin was forcing its way out. Bell quickly ran forward, his short sword drawn. He drove it into the Goblin's head right after it broke free from the wall.
He didn't know how to fight all that well, but he knew a headshot would kill it. It was also safer for him to kill it while it couldn't fight back.
"Well, now it's time to dig its stone out," Bell muttered.
He grimaced in disgust as he drove the short sword into the Goblin and dug around inside it before pulling its monster stone out.
He flung the purple blood off his hand before putting the stone in his pouch. The Goblin turned to ash as Bell stood back up, and a delighted smile appeared.
"I killed my first monster. I have to go tell Lord Odin." Bell thought.
Turning on his heel, Bell was about to run back up the stairs.
"Don't, stay and earn us more money!" Odin bellowed.
Bell quickly looked around the dungeon. He just heard Odin's voice but didn't see him. He scratched his head in confusion before shrugging his shoulders.
"Maybe I should just stay down here until-
Bell's shoulder exploded in pain as a Goblin dug its claws into him. Bell screamed before punching the Goblin in the face.
The Goblin fell to the floor, and Bell quickly slashed downward across the Goblin's chest. It didn't kill it, and the Goblin bit Bell on the calf.
Bell yelled again before kicking it away and driving his sword into the monsters skull. The Goblin twitched before dying, and Bell fell on his butt.
"Ow ow ow ow ow ow ow." Bell winced.
He quickly reached into his pocket and, grabbed one of his health potions and poured some of it on his shoulder. He then poured some on his calf before drinking the rest.
Bell sighed in relief as he felt the pain going away. He took a couple of deep breaths to calm himself down and remind himself that he was fine.!
"OK, I need to keep my guard up when I'm down here. That was a close one." Bell thought.
Taking a couple more seconds to calm down, Bell stood up and walked over to the Goblin. He once again grimaced in disgust as he once again dug around the Goblin's insides and took the monster's stone out.
The Goblin turned to ash, and Bell put the monster stone in his pouch. He furrowed his brow as something else caught his eye.
"Is that a tooth?" Bell wondered as he picked it up.
Bell further examined it and saw it was a tooth. He got lucky and had gotten his very first drop item on his second kill.
"Oh wow! A drop item on my second kill! That has to be rare! Oh man, I can't wait to tell Lord Odin about this!" Bell laughed.
Bell then proceeded to spend the rest of the day killing Goblins and Kobolds. Earning him and Odin more than they could make by begging.
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Bell exited the dungeon. Sweaty and covered in small cuts. But he was smiling. Both his pouches were full of monster stones and drop items. He didn't even know how he got so many, but he wouldn't question it.
Heading to the guild, his bright smile still plastered on his face. Passerby's gave him worrying glances, but Bell didn't seem to notice or care.
The sun was starting to set when Bell entered the guild. His goofy smile was still on his face as he approached the exchange desk.
To his surprise and Rose's bad luck, she was working there at that time. Rose was a little surprised by Bell's arrival. She thought he was dead meat that wouldn't even last five minutes in the dungeon.
"Hello again, Miss Rose. I'm here to cash in my monster stones." Bell happily said.
Rose groaned and slid the bin out. "Alright, put your stones in there."
Bell happily did so, pouring out his two pouches of monster stones and drop items. When he pushed the bin back, Rose raised an eyebrow.
"Bell, you know stealing is a crime, right?"
"But I didn't steal anything, Miss Rose!" Bell protested.
"You mean to tell me you, a rookie, did all this by yourself?"
"Yes, ma'am."
Rose just sighed and pushed the bin back full of valis. "I don't get paid enough to care if you stole or not. Good job, Bell, you made 12,000 valis first try."
Bell's eyes widened in shock and joy as he quickly stuffed the valis into one of his pouches. He turned to leave and waved goodbye to Rose.
"Thanks, Ms Rose. You've been a big help."
Rose just scoffed and rolled her eyes as Bell left.
"You getting soft on us, Rose?" Misha asked.
"Wasn't funny the first time, isn't funny this time."
Misha leaned back in her chair and smirked. "Ah, come on, don't tell me he's actually making your ice-cold heart beat?"
"Misha, I will smack you. Claws and all."
"Don't threaten me with a good time."
Rose just growled and ignored the pink-haired girl.
"Tease."
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Bell continued his walk back home. He passed by a pub that seemed to be in the middle of their dinner rush. He didn't get the name of it, but he did see a Far Eastern woman dressed in a green maid outfit.
Paying no mind to the pub, he continued walking home, still with that happy smile. He had done it. He went to the dungeon and killed monsters. So many monsters that now he had more money for himself and his god.
He hoped Odin would be proud of him. Or at least praise him for his efforts. Entering the ruins they called home, Bell walked up the creaky stairs and to the room Odin was in.
When Bell entered, Odin was still in his chair from the morning, another book in his hands.
"Lord Odin, I'm back! I made quite a lot today!" Bell cheered.
Odin shut the book and set it down before giving Bell a smile.
"Good job, boy. Now hand it over so I can add it to our familia coffers." Odin said, gesturing with his hand.
Bell did as he asked and handed Odin the pouch. Odin took most of the money out and set it in his own pouch before tossing it back to Bell.
Bell looked inside and saw around 3,000 valis for him to use. He was a little disappointed that most of the money he worked for was gone. But he didn't get some words of praise from Odin, so he was alright with it in the end.
"Now get some food and sleep. I want you back in the dungeon first thing in the morning, boy."
Bell nodded and grabbed some bread Odin had on the table and a cup of water. Odin didn't say anything, so Bell ate the bread and drank the water before going to sleep.
Once Bell was asleep, Odin went over to his 'falna' and examined it.
Bell Cranel
Might: I
Vitality: I
Agility: G
Affinity: I
Technique: I
(-)
"Hmm, only agility changed. Well, that won't do. That won't do at all. I need a strong champion. Not some boy who doesn't know how to fight. Looks like I have to do everything around here."
Using his magic, Odin siphoned some power from Bell's falna and felt a minuscule amount of his own power return.
"Now, to make sure the boy can actually fight."
Odin cast another spell, and a blue mist hovered over Bell's head for a second before disappearing.
"There now, he should be better when he wakes up. Or he'll at least have some experience."
Odin then got off the bed and went back to the chair. He picked the book back up and continued reading.
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Bell awoke in a strange place covered in mist. He couldn't see far in front of him. Just mist. But what he found most odd was he had his short sword by his side.
He didn't know where he was. Wasn't he just asleep in his bed? What was with this strange mist that surrounded him?
That's when he saw it. A silhouette of someone standing directly in front of him. He couldn't tell who it was, but it was someone.
"Lord Odin?!" Bell asked.
The figure jerked unnaturally and in a supernatural way. Their head leaned back way farther than it should have.
Bell saw glowing orange eyes from the mist before the figure ran at him. Bell fumbled around for his short sword but dropped it in his panic.
The figure, which was made of black bones and rotting flesh, jumped on top of Bell. Bell fell to the ground with the Drauger on top of him, snapping its jaw at Bell's face.
Bell was panicking and was trying to keep the Drauger off him. He pushed his arm against the Draguer's chest while he tried to reach the handle of his short sword in his panic.
His fingers brushed against the handle, but he couldn't get his grip on it. The Drauger kept getting closer and closer to Bell's face, causing Bell to double his efforts.
The Drauger got even closer, and by a stroke of luck, Bell was able to grab his short sword and stab the Drauger in the head. It stopped moving, and the light in its eyes faded as it fell limp on Bell.
Bell let out a few shaky and panicked breaths as he pushed the dead Drauger off him. He got to his feet and noticed more figures in the mist.
Bell nervously swallowed as he held his short sword in his shaky hands. The Draugers seemed to sense Bell's fear, and they all ran at him.
Bell raised his sword and fought back.
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Bell awoke with a start. His breathing was quick, and panicked. But he soon calmed down, feeling the sun on his face.
He squinted and looked over to Odin, who was reading another book. Hearing his pawn wake up, Odin shut his book and spoke.
"Ah, I see you're awake. Did you enjoy your training?" Odin asked.
"My what?!" Bell nearly shouted.
"Ah, no need to be so loud. Your training, did you enjoy it?"
"You mean that place full of mist?!"
Odin nodded.
"No, I didn't enjoy it! What even was that place?! I thought I was going to die!"
Odin raised his hand, signaling for Bell to be quiet. "Eh, don't worry about dying. That place is in your mind."
"My mind?"
"Yes, your mind. It's your own little training area courtesy of me."
Bell shook his head. "Why would you do something like that? Are you even allowed to do something like that?"
Odin waved him off. "Don't worry about that. Remember you punch, and I think. Besides, I need you to not be so pitiful with your fighting skill."
Bell lowered his head under Odin's criticism. It was true he was a lousy fighter. He didn't know anything besides just swinging the sword and hoping for the best.
"That's why I shall nurture your prowess while you sleep. Now, off with you, it's time for you to make us some money."
Bell nodded and got off the bed. He grabbed his equipment and put it on before running out the door. But before he left, he turned back to Odin.
"Lord Odin."
"Yes, boy?"
"Do you think I'll have magic someday?"
"Yes, probably. Now go, you're wasting daylight."
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For the next week, Bell would go into the dungeon and stay there for the entire day. At night, he would train in his mindscape thanks to the spell Odin casted on him.
His progress was slow at first. He didn't have any form or semblance of fighting. Just swinging his sword and cutting through Draugers.
However, one thing he did notice was that the Goblins and Kobolds moved a lot slower after he first fought the Draugers.
So slow that they look like snails compared to the first time Bell fought them. Which in turn led him to earning a lot more money. He would kill until his pouches were full. Go to the surface and cash in. Then, drop the money off with Odin and go back down and kill again.
This routine caused Bell to earn a lot of money and to also see Rose a lot. Despite the werewolf's annoyance at Bell, she had to admit he lasted a lot longer than he thought she would.
She was surprised that he was already down to the fourth floor. Such a thing wasn't heard of before. Everything seemed to be looking up for Bell.
He had a god who 'cared' for him. He was able to go into the dungeon all the time and earn money. He had already earned well over 75k. He was getting better at fighting, and Rose seemed to tolerate him a little more.
She was still cold and dismissive to him, but Bell didn't seem to care. His Grandpa always said he should treat women with respect. However, the one thing Bell wanted most he didn't have.
Magic
Every time Odin looked at his 'falna,' Bell would ask if he had magic. Every time, Odin would say no, and Bell would feel sad. He had wanted magic ever since he was a young boy. To be able to shoot fire or lighting from his hands was something he dreamed of.
However, after a week of Bell moping around, every time he didn't have magic, he made a glove with a fire rune on it and gave it to Bell so he would shut up. It was a simple brown leather glove with a red fire rune on top of it. Bell wore it on his left hand.
"So how do I use this, Lord Odin?!" Bell excitedly asked.
"It's simple boy. Either snap your fingers for a small direct attack that you can aim. Or make a fist and punch something, causing a small explosion to hit whatever it is you punch."
Bell nodded and pressed his fingers together. Right when he was about to snap, Odin harshly grabbed his hand to stop him.
"Not in the house, you dunce! What do you think would happen if you used that in a wooden house?!" Odin chastised.
Bell blushed in embarrassment and nervously chuckled. "Right, that would be dumb."
Odin let go of his hand and sighed. "I'm already regretting giving you this."
Bell looked around and rubbed the back of his head. Odin just waved him away and told him to go to the dungeon.
Bell excitedly did so, running faster than he usually did, excited to play with his new magic. However, on this day, Bell would finally have his fateful encounter.
Oh, how this encounter would turn his life around. For the better, of course.