Morning started in Orario as the sun was getting up, waking up the early people. But it wasn't anyone that would wake up as Bell was soundly asleep in a bed that was four time his size, almost looking like a small child. His snores filling the room with the boy smiling in his sleep, seemingly having a good dream of his own.

Outside of his room, was the woman that he met just last night, Astrea. She was already wearing her clothes for the day, which was her normal attire as a goddess. In her hand was a nice cup of coffee, drinking it with a refreshed smile on her face. As she approached his room, she stopped on her track, looking curious as she peeked through the door, seeing the boy sleeping soundly in his new room, completely in the dark.

"He looks so peaceful like this, it's a shame I have to wake him up…" Opening the door, Astrea entered the room as the dim light from outside the room was guiding her towards his bed and window, which was just next to him.

With a push with her hands, Astrea opened the window, allowing the light of the sun to temporarily blind the boy, as he woke up from it. Bell woke up abruptly as he shielded his eyes with his right hand, his vision slightly blurred as he saw the figure of Astrea standing in front of him, a warm smile on her face as she sat on the edge of the bed.

As the room was basked in the light, the interior of the room was more visible with Bell squinting his eyes, still in a sleepy state this early in the morning.

The room was like you'd see from the rest of the mansion, although it looked more empty than anything else. Considering how Astrea seems to be the only one living there, it was expected. While that was true, it still had the necessity for the young adventurer to be comfortable with. A large bed almost 4 times his size, making him look like a child. There was a desk with a chair and a lamp next to it and a wardrobe for his clothes. Apart from that, there was also an armor holder next to the door.

~ Bell POV ~

Blinded by the sudden light coming from the room, my eyes were squinting, trying to adjust to the current lighting. It took me a couple of seconds, constantly blinking as I could only see a figure in front of me, but it was blurred. Even so, I very much knew who that was, or else it would be an embarrassment for me…

Finally, my eyes fully opened, seeing the more or less luxurious room I was in, with Goddess-sama sitting on the edge of what seems to be my new bed. She had a warm smile, her eyes glancing at me as I arched my back, a popping sound heard as I let out a quiet moan, feeling refreshed by the morning.

As soon as we made eye contact, she handed me a cup that had coffee filled to the three quarters of it. Taking a sip, I felt my body waking quicker than usual, as I greeted her with my own smile, feeling a bit sleepy but overall ready for the day.

"G-good morning Kami-sama!" But as I said that, I felt a pinch on my forehead as a stinging sensation was felt almost intensely as I held it looking up at her. She still had her warm smile, but I could see a slight irritation in her voice as she spoke to me.

"Bell-kun, isn't it a bit rude to address me so formally after I welcomed you with open arms? Just Astrea will do just fine." Hearing her soothing voice, I felt no choice but to comply, or else I fear what would happen if I anger a goddess…

"H-hai Astrea-sama…"

"Good enough I suppose. I've prepared some clothes for you, dress up and please meet me in the living room. It's time that we officialize your arrival as my first child, I'll be waiting for you Bell~."

With that, Astrea stood up and walked out of the room, leaving me with my thoughts as I smiled brightly, hardly believing that this was all happening. I mean, just yesterday I was so broke I couldn't afford a place to sleep.

Stretching my body to wake it up, I stood up and twisted my back slightly, until I heard a pop and did the rest of my stretching until I would be fully awake. With a bright smile I took the clothes that were hanging by the chair near the desk.

After a minute and half passed I was fully dressed up. The attire was nothing luxurious, far from it. It only consists of a long sleeve shirt of color black with loose pants of the same color. There was no design or anything, just plain and simple… just like me.

"This is the day, and yet I can't believe I'm here right now. But there's no need to dwell on my crappy last days. I should meet up with Astrea-sama!"

Closing the door behind me, I walked through the almost endless halls of this manor. It's no wonder that after a few minutes, I was already lost…

"I shouldn't have asked for directions, or a map at the very least…" Deciding to just go with the flow, I started to explore the mansion, losing the notion of time for a while.

It took me a while but after what seemed like an eternity, and a couple doors opened, I finally arrived at the living room, where she was waiting for me. Though how long was she waiting for me? I guess I'll never know…

"Ah, Bell, you finally arrived. I take it that you familiarize yourself with the place? It can be a bit confusing the first few times you walk around, but you'll get used to it."

No kidding, this was confusing, all the halls are the same!! Thinking of that by myself, I shook those thoughts and asked what she would do right now. I didn't really know what would be happening for now or as to how the process would be.

"Now, please lay down on the couch. Oh and I'll also need you to take off your shirt~" Hearing her words, my whole face turned red. My whole face flushed, I stammered in my words, not able to talk correctly for the next few seconds.

"Wh-what?! Surely there's… like another way or something, r-right?" And I wish that was the case, but her smile was nothing good that I was hoping for…

"Fufu~, why are you so red Bell? You must know that this is the only way I can give you my Grace. Now, please remove your shirt and lay on the couch."

"Grace?"

As she saw my confusion in my face, despite the flushing expression I was having, I could hear her softly laughing. It wasn't a laugh to mock me, but more one of amusement. As she did so, she started to explain to me more in depth what will happen.

"You don't know about it? That's strange, it's like you're not even from here. Where were you living this whole time hm?"

"I-it was a long road from here, Astrea-sama…" This was true, the village I came from was not the door next to Orario to say the least.

"I imagine that is the case, but let's get back to the topic at hand shall we? So, you might know this too as a blessing or the general term, Falna. I can't exactly put it into words, but I'd say it's part of my essence that I'm giving to you."

As she continued to explain, I began to learn a whole new world that will be open to me. As she describes it, she'll deposit a droplet of blood on my back, as it will grant me heightened abilities and skills. Just like the adventurers, so that I can challenge the dungeon.

As I would level up, my abilities would be stronger, even if reset went zero. Another advantage that happens as I level up is my longevity. Since I will have her blessing, I will age slower than normal people, and it only goes slower as the level rises.

Reluctantly, I took out my black long sleeved shirt, blushing profusely, bit not hiding my body. I felt somewhat vulnerable in front of my goddess, but if she needed me to have my back exposed for the process, I'd definitely do it!

This is somewhat turning me on… NO; Focus Bell!!

Shaking my head in denial of my inner thoughts, I lay down on the couch, my back facing her, still blushing. I could sense her getting closer to me as suddenly I felt a weight over my thighs. I didn't want to see, but I knew that Astrea-sama was sitting on me.

"In sacred drops, the god bestows,

Blessings flow, power grows.

Back adorned, strength in crimson shows."

Hearing her voice saying those lines sent a shiver down to my spine, giving me goosebumps of how these words held authority and power in them. I became mesmerized for a moment, curious of the content of these words as I felt a humid sensation onto my back.

The moment I felt that sensation running through my back, like something was slowly changing within me. There was no pain or anything like that. No, it was more like I was feeling lighter, almost a floating sensation. Whatever it was, I never felt that good iny life!

"Now let's see your status, my dear child. Your attributes seem to be pretty basic, even weaker than the normal human. It's normal considering your frame. And of course you don't have… a… skill…"

The room suddenly felt silent. The atmosphere was thick, I didn't even want to utter a word. But this wasn't my only concern, my body didn't respond to me. What could have happened for a goddess like Astres to fall silent all of a sudden?

But after what seemed like a minute, she stood up from where she was as I felt her weight shifting. Giving me a hand, Astrea-sama helped me get on my feet as I get to my shirt, putting it on.

"I think I can officially welcome you to my familia, Bell-kun. Now that this is settled, how about we have breakfast before heading to the guild for your registration?"

I nodded quietly, deep in my thought as I had an unreadable expression on my face. Just a moment ago, she was staying silent when she talked about skill…

Did I have a skill right at the start? …There's no way it is, it must have been something else.

But this lingering feeling didn't leave me after this thought, something that tells me that she would be hiding something.

Putting that thought aside, I followed my goddess as she led me to the dining room, where there were already some meals cooked, covered by a stainless chafing dish cover.

Taking our seats, I was just next to my goddess as we took out the cover, the smell of blueberries flavored pancakes filled my nose, a smell that made me even hungrier.

~ Small Timeskip ~

After we finished eating the breakfast, which was undeniably one of the best I had, we went outside the mansion.

Well, when I say we, it's more like just me. Goddess said that she couldn't attend to it unfortunately.

"'it's not the time yet' she said… I wonder what she means by that. It's hardly been a day since I know her, but I can see she's a woman full of mystery. But if she is saying that, she must have her reason."

And here I was again, talking to myself again in the middle of the road as I walked towards the guild. I stopped in front of the entrance as the bustling noise was heard from outside.

"This is the beginning of my adventures… it's a new start for me!"

Eagerly, I opened the door of the guild building, as expectation was over the roof, hardly able to contain the joy within me!