If I might voice something Lady Freya. How long do you intend to wait until you decide to enter the garden? It's been about five minutes, but it appears that even the boy has his limits with Allen." Ottar asked as he looked away from the window for a moment to see his goddess.
Seeing her smiling in content as she saw the onslaught between Bell and Allen occure. A test of sorts for Bell to take in order to enter and join her familia. While he did indeed pass it according to Freya, she has yet set foot outside to tell her children that it is official.
"Five minutes? Has it been that long already? It felt as though its been longer. I'm sorry Ottar. I was just so enthralled by my Odrs' ability despite being so undermatched." She said as Ottar looked back at the window down at the ring.
'Indeed. Against Allen, he had no real chance. But he took advantage of his stunned look after the first punch to get in some hits. And yet hes still fighting. After Allen practically making him look like a broken doll.' He thought as he noticed Bell struggling to get back up again and the crowd of their members cheering for him.
His cheek was swollen and bruised badly as blood escaped from his lips. A broken arm now dangling at his side as well as a leg. Balancing on one to hold himself balanced. But he was sloughing badly and clutched around his stomach area.
Most likely having suffered a blow there. Yet what remained was that ever-cheerful smile on Bell's face that showed he hadn't given up. He was determined to kick Allen's ass even if it would mean he'd most likely die.
Yet it looked like Allen still suffered even if he tried to hide it. The first punch Bell threw at the cat boy, was a strong hit enough to have Allen's nose keep bleeding. Even almost making it look broken or even crooked now on his face. His legs still shaking a bit and bent forward.
If Ottar were to take a guess at the beginning of the fight, Bell definably took his own words about this being a fight to literal heart. This wasn't an honor bound fight. No pride. No chivalry. Just a pure fight with anything goes aside killing your opponent. The number of times Bell aimed at Allen's crotch, possibly four to five times at best.
Even Allen's face looked a bit scuffed up with some scratches and even a shallow cut across his cheek. His chest was looking to slouch forward, indicating Bell also went for some blows there as well. Despite this looking like a one-sided match, Ottar would admit that Bell was improving even if he was losing.
"I suppose I should end this. Afterwards while I give him my blessing, I'll have Allen run to Mia's to reserve the pub for us tonight." Freya stated as she pushed herself away from the window and brushed herself off. Smiling as she swayed with a skip to her step as she made way to go see Bell.
Meanwhile out in the garden, barely standing was Bell who breathed heavily and had the taste of copper in his mouth. Smirking as he stared tiredly at Allen before him as he still winced from the pain and broken bones, he had now because of him.
"S-So...what was that needing healing after a second? Sure it wasn't meant for you and whatever you have for balls?" Bell taunted as he barely dodged the first punch to his face. But grunted at the kick to his side as he toppled down and rolled on the ground.
"Don't talk big rabbit boy! Look at yourself! Bleeding and broken on the ground like a corpse! Say that you'll give up and I'll let you walk away as you are now!" Allen sneered in anger as his eyes twitched at the sight of Bell getting up.
"Then let's keep going on with this baptism of yours dumb cat. What's this now? Round 7? 8? Hey pops, what's the number!? I kinda lost count after I think my third concussion!" Bell said as he put his arm up and smiled.
"It was seven concussions you idiot! And why the hell am I keeping tracks of how many rounds you think has passed!?" Hedin shouted as he was twitching in anger and wondered if this boy was truly a moron that their goddess wanted in their familia.
"But brother, you have been keeping count about how many times he's been concussed and the number of bones broken. So, you can't say you're not keeping count for him." Hogni said as he looked over at him and then to Heith.
"Think you can patch him up after this or will you find it annoying again? Otherwise, brother here will need to do a patch up before taking him to the Dia Saint." He said as Heith twitched a bit at hearing the name and scowled at him for a moment before looking back at the fight.
"Normally I'd say its a pain and still do. But since he made that idiot Allen look like more of an ass and knocked him down a few times. I'll be happy to patch him up better than I do for you all."
"Oh? Don't want your competition to heal him?"
"Hell no! That bitch always assumes I half ass my work and you sending him there will have her complaining again how our familia only gets into fistfights for the sheer hell of it! Besides, it would be nice to have someone that's considerate for my wellbeing when healing you mooks." Heith said as she smiled, though flinched as she just saw Allen getting uppercut again in the face while Bell was knocked back again.
"Last chance rabbit brat! Ether give up and leave this place. Or I will cut your fucking legs off." Allen said as he brought out a short sword from behind his hip and cut him across his cheek to make a point.
Looking at the side of him and then back to Allen above, his eyes widened at how serious he was being right about now. Fully aware now that Allen took this as if his life depended on it. Knowing that what he could say next would determine his fate, but he couldn't stop himself from smiling.
Nor could he stop this trembling feeling inside that made his shoulders shake. Or the fact that his chest was swelling something to burst out. His sides, feeling them clench in agonizing pain as he gritted his teeth. The sensation of blood falling from his cheek cooling his face somewhat.
"Finally seeing it now? Shaking in fear? Good. Then start crawling back to that dumbass elf and redheaded bitch so you can leave once and-"
"Heeehhh. Hehehehe. Hahahahahaha!"
All surounding them were now shocked and confused for Bell. Even Hedin and Heith were worried for him at how he was suddenly laughing. Assuming now he had been broken and now on the verge of madness.
Recalling this wasn't the first time Allen or any of them had broken adventurers before with their sheer strength. Though the diffrence was that they were all adults or teenagers at the very least, while Bell was a child in comparison.
"Out of the way!"
"Move it you idiots! Let us through! Bell!"
Heith and Hedin called as the laughter was then becoming louder. Hedin able to see that Bell was now clutching his sides as he fell on the floor. He couldn't see his face as he was on his left side but saw his body trembling and shivering.
"What the fuck are you laughing about you rabbit!? Finally lost it!? It's over! You'll never be-"
"GYAHAHAHAHAAHAHA! I-I augh! I CA-Ca-I can't...Gyahahahahah! Y-You really are an idiot! A major idiot aren't you!? D-D-Do you know what you just did right n-now!" Bell said as Hedin and Heith now were in the front ring and saw Bell, rolling and looking up at Allen with tears in his eyes and smiling.
"I fucking cut you and you're laughing! How the hell am I an idiot!" Allen yelled in annoyance as he held Bell by the collar and yanked him up. Holding the short sword to his neck with a glare that could practically kill him.
For Bell, this did nothing for him but adding fuel to the fire in his stomach to cause him to laugh. Pointing to Allen's weapon in his hand against his neck several times as he still struggled to get words out until a minute had passed.
"Y-You said you'd kick my ass with your own fist if we did a baptism right? Earlier, you said that. But when you brought out your tiny sword, you practically were saying "I surrender!". Don't you see it now!?" Bell howled in laughter as he grabbed Allen's collar and to the surprise of everyone, headbutted the cat man as he dropped his sword and fell.
Bell landing but his leg wobbling from the sudden drop and his fatigue. Smiling up in the sky as he had his arm up in a fist. Yelling at the skies with what his voice could muster from his exhaustion.
"I've WON! I KICKED YOUR ASS AND LASTED LONGER THAN YOU IN THIS FIGHT!" Bell yelled in glee as he then fell back. Smiling as he looked up at the skies alone. Unable to stop the grin on his face.
"Bullshit! That doesn't mean you won!"
"But it does mean that you technically lost to him, Allen." A woman's voice called as all members flinched. Turning their heads and bowed as Freya entered the garden. Smiling and happily skipping with Ottar right behind.
"M-My goddess...I-I didn't mean to let this boy win and enter-"
"Come now Allen. I had asked for him did I not? I found him interesting from what Ottar and Hedin talked about. And I even invited him to come early for his interview and test." Freya said as she sauntered over to Allen as she lifted his chin to now have him face her.
"Though I had something else in mind for his test. I must thank you for providing me help to see if he was capable to join." She smiled at him, as Allen's heart swelled and couldn't stop his heart beating faster from his goddess's smile.
"Then is he-"
"Yes. Rejoice all, for tonight we shall celebrate for a new member joining us!" Freya said as she clapped her hands and smiled together. Her children cheering and laughing at Allen's now crestfallen face and jaw dropped at the results he wasn't expecting.
"To celebrate, we shall dine at the Hostess tonight. Make yourselves prepared and enjoy tonight's festivities in a few hours. You can all relax or ready yourselves till then. Allen, go inform Mama about us tonight. A table for...eleven and any other available tables for some of our active members."
"B-But my lady-"
"Oh right! Most of us wouldn't be able to attend due to the limited seating. Inform Mama to prepare some meals and deliver then to our home to make up to those that can't attend."
"T-Thats not-"
"Allen. Why are you here questioning our lady and not running to Mama Mia's right now?" Ottar said from behind their goddess. His scowling figure towering over their god spoke as if saying: "Run now or die".
"Very well my goddess. I'll make it quick and return as soon as possible." Allen said as he booked it fast passing his goddess and captain. Now only leaving a dust trail and many others of the familia dispersing and chatting amongst themselves.
Leaving only few in the garden surrounding Bell or standing close to Ottar and Freya. The goddess then looked over to her Odr and smiled at his grinning figure. Even more so the fact her children's souls seemed to shine brighter than before when conversing with him.
'How is it you are able to bring out my children's souls to shine brighter than before Bell Cranel? Allen's shined more vibrant when you and him had that little tussle. Hogni's now glows with anticipation for you.' Freya thought as she skipped happily to the rabbit boy.
'Aww how cute! Hedin's soul is practically frantic about you and even adorable when he's scolding you. Given your nickname for him now, and if I didn't know any better. I would have thought you two would be father and son. So cute!' She thought in a squeal at the sight of her vice-captain now scolding Bell like a father would while he layed there ignoring it and smiled.
'Even little Heith is happy for your victory and of course, teasing Allen. I can't wait to see what else happens with you in my familia my Odr.' She thought as she then fixed her dress as she then sat on her knees next to Heith, too enthralled in her focus on healing Bell to notice.
"Are you even listening to me brat! You're very lucky that you lasted this long! Never go rushing into situations you can't handle! I ought to recommend having watch guards keep track of you in the dungeon, so your stupidity doesn't kill you!" Hedin scowled as he looked down at Bell.
Irritated as his only acknowledgment from his scolding to the boy was a smile and his tongue sticking out to him.
"Nyhe! I'll just ditch them and go my own way. I want to have an adventure! Not being babysat pops! If you're that worried, why not come with me in the dungeons instead? It'll be fun! Plus, it gives me an excuse to go into deeper floors." Bell suggested as if it was nothing to worry about.
"Absolutely not young man!"
"You mind keeping it down Hedin? I'm trying to focus on healing his busted arm. Fixing his ribs was easy but I need to concentrate to accelerate the mending of his muscle fibers and bones together." Heith said as her hands glowed in green ruins and aura around Bell's arm.
"I think it's a perfect idea Hedin. Why not spend some time off from your duties and show your son around the dungeon and Orario. You deserve some time with your family no?" Freya said as that startled both Heith and Hedin.
Both adventurers looking to the side and immediately bowed their heads and apologizing to their goddess while the others, being Hogni and Alfrigg, snickered at their lack of notice and flustering looks on their faces.
"L-Lady Freya! I apologize for not noticing you!"
"Oh it's fine. I can understand you were worried about your son. Reckless and stubborn just like his father no?" Freya said as she saw his soul and being practically red and flustered the fact she implied them to be family.
"H-H-He's not my child! Do we even look similar to each other!?"
"Ah! How hurtful pops! Why must you forsake your own son? Are you ashamed of me?" Bell said in a mocking hurt tone. Playing along with Freya's teasing as that earned a giggle from the goddess while Hedin scowled at him.
"You know brother. Now that I look more closely. Baring the blonde hair and ears. You both do have those red eyes of yours. And come to think of it...didn't you have a thing with a certain woman a few years back?" Hogni said, also catching on and putting his part with his goddess's antics.
Both Bell and Hedin blinked and looked at each other. Red eyes starting into one of their own before looking back at Freya who was sitting there smiling. Even Ottar stepped forward and looked at the two of them.
"Hogni does bring a point. Half elves don't always have elven traits. And genetics could determine who's was stronger. Cranell. Do you know about your parents?" Ottar asked as that brought a sour look on Bell.
"Nah. I honestly don't know anything about them. I've been alone most of my life, well, technically. I only had one family member. Until he died a few months back. But...its something I don't want to get into." Bell said as he staired back into the sky. The melancholy feeling unsettling inside him as he let out a sigh.
"Mind if I asked, who was it that passed on?" Freya spoke as she pouted sadly seeing her Odr looking moody.
"It was my gramps. Though he was a bit of an idiot, and kind of an ass. He was all I had ya know. So, some feelings are there." Bell said before he blinked. Once, then twice before shooting upright. Stopping Heith from healing his leg and looking at Freya's eyes.
"I didn't know Syr had a sister in this familia! Granted I didn't ask about her life but still, I can see the resemblence!" Bell said in a surprised voice with his eyes widened. As were the others and Hedin's jaw dropping at the bluntness he had. Although Freya was smiling and blushing at his unintentional praise.
"You idiot! Did you become deaf in your fight!? Weren't you listening to what we've been refering to this whole time!?" Hedin said as he smacked the boy upside the head. Earning a sharp whine from Bell as he rubbed his head and looked back at Hedin.
"I'm not Allen Dumb pops! You called her Lady Freya right...AH! EHHH!?"
"You realize it now young man, you are in the prescence of-"
"So you're Syr's mom and a goddess! Sorry for mistaking you, but, you just look so young to be her older sister! Is that what being a god does!? Make's people look young!?" Bell said with no hint of hesitation, but still lacking in awareness of his words. Causing Hedin to grit his teeth while the others snickered or jaws dropping again at his bluntness.
"My what a charmer you are! Do I really look that young to be mistaken for a teenager?" Freya asked with her hands on her cheeks. Her face flushed in pink at the praise from her beloved and enjoying every second of it.
"Yeah! I'd say maybe you're older than her by a year or two. But I didn't expect you to look so young and vibrant with such beauty!"
"Oh please do go on~"
"My goddess. Please stop adding more to the boy. Cranell. Sorry to say but while the resemblance is there, Lady Freya and Miss Syr aren't related. She is our goddess. And today, she is also your god." Ottar explained as now on the look of Bell's face, it was finally sinking in.
"Oh! Well thank you for accepting me in! And I look forward to adventuring with everyone here!" Bell said as he bowed his head before his new goddess and smiled. Though while Freya was happy to now have her bunny, she pouted a little at the fact Ottar had to ruin her fun for a bit.
"I also enjoy looking forward to see how you grow alongside my children Bell Cranel. Now, while Heith is tending to you right now. I think it best to be the perfect time to give you my blessing. A necessity if you do plan to have more of these adventures you desire."
"Alright, so how does this work?"
"You have to strip."
"Oh okay! Give me a second."
"Wait wha-AHHH!? Bell do not unzip your shorts! Lady Freya why would you say something like that! He can't even move his other leg yet!" Heith shouted as she blushed at the fact Bell was just willing to strip naked right here and now.
"Oh? Which leg are you referring to Heith?~" Freya asked oh so innocently as Heith then looked back at Bell's lap. Her hands had moved back a bit from her goddess's sudden demand to strip that now it was over his crotch region.
"My left leg actually. I kinda messed up and that damn cat bastard got the jump on me. But why do i need to strip?" Bell said as then he was having his ear pulled by Hedin.
"She meant to say remove your shirt. The process involves having her blood drop onto your back to give you her blessing. This also is done to update your status so you can better increase your skills after times spent in the dungeon." Hedin explained as he let go of his ear with a small jerk, causing the boy to rub his now red ear to sooth the burning sensation.
"Well you could've said that before? Alright, so I just gotta show my back. Give me a sec." Bell said as he fiddled with the buttons on his yellow button up, though stained and with bits of splattered blood he was surprised it wasn't that mangled up too badly.
Unknowist to him, the others saw his body once he removed the shirt. They were surprised at how such a physique he hid and what he went through was hidden with just an oversized shirt. Though faint, small and scars could be seen.
Freya worries became immense once she saw the many faint scars on his body. Growing more the closer she inspected. His body looking malnourished and pale, though still healthy enough. The feint scars she could tell, they were from fights with weapons and jagged object.
Though, even though she couldn't see it. And it was nowhere even on his body. The view of his chest, she thought it was real at first sight. The sight of a large, jagged scar of a X on his chest. Looking as if he had been pierced through his body by a weapon. Blinking, she was relieved it was her imagination messing with her mind.
"Alright, I'm ready when you are. Will this hurt?" Bell asked looking behind him to Freya as she shook her head. Ottar handing over a knife to his goddess as she pricked her finger a bit to draw enough for a drop of blood.
Holding the finger over his back, her divine blood falling down, dripping on his back as his body began to glow in a feint silver light. Black markings soon forming on his back in the shape of the Freya Familia's emblem. Shaping itself into that of a man's head, wearing a feathered helmet inside a ring.
Atop the ring were two pegasus facing each other as though flying, and below was a pair of wings on the bottom ring. Forming below the lower ring's wings were sigils and runes. Written and formed on his lower back until the silver light dimmed down.
"Someone, paper. Now."
"Right away my lady!" Hogni said as he ran back inside the manor quickly and back. Bringing a sheet of paper to her as she immediately applied it to Bell's back. Placing it and tracing over the large emblem that now took most of his upper back. Light began to shine on the paper and letters and numbers burned into it.
Pulling it away as Ottar, Hogni and even Heith and Alfrigg's eyes widened and looked back and forth between Bell and the sheet of paper. Noticing now that Bell was putting back his shirt as Hedin helped him back up on his feet. As did Ottar with helping Freya stand.
"So did it work? And what's with the paper?"
"It's needed to show your status. Often the Guild will need you to show proof, so you're cleared to go down further in the dungeons on your own."
"Wait you mean I'm restricted to go down to lower levels? That's kinda dumb. What are they stupid or something? How are we supposed to adventure in the dungeon when we're stuck on weak floors."
"It's so to prevent morons like you from dying early. Well, what's the results of his status my lady? Is... everything alright?" Hedin asked as now he was growing concern. The fact that all of them were looking back and forth from the paper to Bell.
"I'll just up and ask, what the fuck did you do to get these stats?" Alfrigg bluntly asked as Bell looked at the armored pallum brother in confusion and tilted his head to the side as to question what he meant.
"What? Wait are my stats that bad that I can't go into deeper levels anymore?! Damnit! Dumb guild and their dumb ru-"
"Wait a second, deeper levels? You've been in the dungeon?"
"Yeah? I needed to make money and couldn't live in the streets? I told Ottar this before when we first meet. But yeah, I was running low on funds and went down to the dungeon to make some cash. I think...the lowest I've been on was about Floor Eleven?" Bell thought trying to recall what floor did he end up on as his farthest down.
"And you did that all without a blessing!? You're lucky to even be alive at that level. Most new rookies have a hard time on Floors 5-7." The pallum brother shouted in astonishment and shook his head in surprise the fact he traveled that down below.
"Meh. I didn't have too much trouble. My gramp's training on teaching me about dunegons helped me. His dreams and wishes for me in Orario were stupid. But they had their uses." Bell said with a slight frown at the memory of his grandpa's dreams in the dungeon for him.
"Well...dispite your rather idiotic decision to travel that far. Your grandfather's training was fruitful to have helped you survive that many floors down. But, what is his status my lady? It's nothing too bad is it?" Hedin asked as he reached out his hand asking for the paper.
"Aww you do care for your son after all."
"Shut the hell up Hogni."
"His status...frankly I'm surprised. He's got quite a lot of status numbers to nearly become a Level 2. And there are some skills he has." Freya said as she handed over the paper to Hedin as his eyes widened and looked at Bell's status sheet. His goddess was indeed right.
BELL CRANEL
Level 1
Straight - 0 C 306
Vitality - 0 G 725
Dexterity - 0 F 200
Agility - 0 A 504
Magic - 0
SKILL:
Liaris Freese
Wild Child
"I suppose his little escapades in the dungeon are what helped him develop such status numbers. As well as this recent tussle with Allen. Pretty soon you'll become a Level 2 soon. You're verry interesting Bell." Freya said with a satisfied smile.
"Wait my lady, but what does this skill here-"
"Yeahhhh! I'm close to Level 2 after joining!? This is great! I'm definitely gonna celebratefriggg hard at the pub again tonight! Gah! Oh no...MY FOOOD!" Bell said as he had his hands on his head. Clutching his hair and shaking it in a panic as he squatted down.
"What's the deal with-"
"Pops dragged me out of the pub while I was eating Syr's food. Those tasty meals...my pasta and bread...now cold. Waith a sec..." Bell said as he looked up. Jumping off the ground and grabbing onto Hedin's shirt tight. And to the surprise of everyone, he was running off out of the gardens with Hedin dragged like a doll.
"I'll see you again at the Hostess tonight Lady Freya! Pops owes me another round of food for making me leave the pub without finishing!"
"HOW THE HELL ARE YOU STILL HUNGRY AFTER TWO COURSES!?"
"SYR'S FOOD WAS DELICIOUS! I HAVE ROOM FOR MORE AND YOU'RE PAYING POPS!"
"Hedin!~ Be sure to take Bell clothes shopping for something else. I'll have Allen pay you back for everything! Make sure our new member is dressed well than what Allen ruined!" Freya called out to them as though she was a worrying mother calling out to her two mischief kids.
"I don't know whether to feel pity for Allen or laugh at the crap he's been through today...nah it's too funny!" Alfrigg said before snickering at the events the moronic and painful cat had today. Thinking now how much more would he suffer due to the new guy in their familia.
"Did he just say Syr's food was delicious...you sure he doesn't have an extra skill that explains how he could eat her cooking?" Heith asked in concern as the realization hit everyone aside Freya and looked at the fleeting dust cloud grow smaller in the distance.
But to their surprise another dust cloud was soon headed there way, and as it grew, they saw Allen hurrying with a panic look on his face.
"I-I'm back my Lady. I've told Mama about our celebration. She said while she wouldn't mind it as it mean's good business. She informed me of a part reservation we would need to share with for tonight."
"A reservation?" Freya asked as she picked up Bell's status sheet off the floor while looking down at Allen's kneeling figure.
"Yes. It's Loki and her children from her familia that returned recently from their latest expedition." Allen said as now her children flinched. Feeling the anger of their goddess as she clutched the status sheet in her hand and a frown now growing.
"That flat chested bitch and doll of hers...they'll pay if they try anything tonight to ruin our celebration!"