Bell arrived back on the first floor to a rather irate-looking Airmid. Her arms were crossed over her chest and she had an adorable pout over her face.

Bell held back the need to comment on that as her foot tapped against the tile. She seemed angry, and Bell didn't understand why.

He didn't do anything wrong, did he? At least he thinks he didn't.

"So...is something wrong?" Bell hesitantly questioned.

Airmid's eyebrow twitched. "Of course something is wrong! You fought a Minotaur! A Minotaur and you expect me not to be angry?!"

"But I won?" Bell reminded her, tilting his head as his face filled with confusion.

Airmid didn't respond, instead, she snapped her fingers and then pointed down. Bell raised a brow while Airmid gave him a stern look.

"I uh, I'm confused." Bell stuttered.

"Lean your head down," Airmid ordered.

Bell remembered the last time he leaned his head down when she told him to. "No." He replied.

Airmid's eye twitched again. "Oh, you seem to think you have a choice here." She dangerously cooed.

Bell took a step back. "I do, last time you did this you hit me. I'm not falling for that again."

Airmid pointed down again. "Lean your head down!"

"No, you're gonna hit me."

"That's right, you're an idiot and idiots need to get hit. Now lean down!"

Bell shook his head. "Nuh-uh, you can't make me."

"I'm your captain yes I can."

"Well, I disobey your orders."

"Then that's two hits. Now lean down."

Bell crossed his arms and turned his head. "No, it's not my fault you're too short to reach my head."

Airmid's face turned a deep shade of red as she jumped at Bell. Her open palms aiming for Bell's face. Only for the boy to simply lean back and watch her miss.

'That is so adorable.' Bell thought to himself.

Airmid hopped up again, her palm aiming for Bell's cheek. But the boy simply straightened his posture.

"Stand still!" Airmid growled.

"I am." Bell reminded. "You're just tiny."

Airmid hopped up a few more times trying her damnedest to hit him. But to Bell, she looked like a little bunny. Seeing as she couldn't reach his head Airmid stopped jumping and pouted.

Before she found somewhere else to hit.

Reeling her foot back she kicked Bell twice in the shins. Bell had to bite back a laugh as Airmid looked absolutely adorable doing this.

He didn't feel any pain of course, but Airmid let out a huff of satisfaction at her work. "There, that should teach you not to go off and do something stupid."

'Should I tell her that fight allowed me to level up, or that none of that hurt?" Bell wondered, before looking down at the satisfied Airmid who smugly walked away. 'No, not yet at least.'

Bell watched as Airmid went back behind the front desk. Part of him was a little worried for Fena, but he trusted that Airmid could heal her.

So making his way past her room Bell entered the lobby. He saw Roux, the blonde-haired half-elf sitting on one of the couches. A book in his lap he had gotten off the table.

Bell made his way over to him and sat down. The half-elf jumped in fright as Bell was like a giant compared to him. He also wasn't expecting Bell to sit with him.

"So, what are you reading?" Bell asked.

Roux looked at the title again and read. "The quickest way to pay back a loan. By Lord Dian Cecht."

Bell sucked in air through his teeth and pinched the bridge of his nose. Roux just looked at him confused before Bell grabbed the book out of his hands and set it on the table. "You don't need to be reading that."

"Why, is there something bad in it?" The boy asked.

"Just the ramblings of a deranged old man. You shouldn't let his words fill your head." Bell answered, already having experienced this with another old god he knew.

Roux nodded, more in confusion than understanding. Mostly because Bell didn't sound like he was making a lot of sense. But he was older than Roux so that obviously meant he knew better.

"So is Fena gonna be alright? She won't be sick anymore?" The half-elf asked.

Bell looked down at the kid and nodded. "Yeah, she'll be all better pretty soon." Bell gestured toward Airmid and the half elf looked toward her. "That lady over there is going to make your friend feel all better."

"She's pretty," Roux added.

Bell just chuckled. "Yeah, she is isn't she." He noted how her face turned slightly red. Causing him to smirk in victory. 'Payback for kicking me in the shins.'

"Will she also be able to help Ms Maria as well?"

Bell nodded. "Yes, Maria should be up and about in a couple of days."

Roux nodded and then a comfortable silence fell between them. Roux kicked his feet back and forth while Bell stared at the door. Waiting for Rye and this goddess Hestia to arrive.

"Mr, you never really gave me your name." Roux pointed out.

Bell just chuckled once more. "It's Bell, kid."

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Airmid sat at the front desk, filing Fena's and Maria's patient paperwork. She glanced up from time to time, watching as Bell entertained one of the kids he brought with him.

Part of her was still angry with him. Fighting a Minotaur by himself, and then not listening to her when she tried to punish him.

But that anger was slowly melting away as she was able to overhear most of Bell and Roux's conversation. She nearly facepalmed hearing the book Roux was reading.

'I told Lord Dian he needed to get rid of those books.' She thought.

Airmid finished with Fena's paperwork and filed it away. Then grabbed Maria's and began filling that out as well. Still being able to hear Bell's conversation. He seemed to be comforting the kid's worries.

"That lady over there is going to make your friend feel all better."

'Oh, so I'm just some lady now?' Airmid teased in her mind.

"She's pretty."

Airmid chuckled quietly to herself. She heard kids call her that all the time.

"Yeah, she is isn't she," Bell added.

Airmid felt her cheeks grow hot, she leaned her face down a little to hide it. But she knew Bell saw in the end.

'Where did that come from?' Airmid nearly sputtered. But she kept her mouth shut, she'd ask him just what he was thinking when they got back home.

It was another 45 minutes before Goddess Hestia arrived. In the meantime, Bell had kept Roux occupied by telling him stories of his village.

These ones were a lot more happy and upbeat than the ones she was told. But Airmid chalked it up to the age difference between her and Roux.

He got the kid-friendly version while Airmid got the adult one. Or at least that was what she liked to think.

Hestia was a short goddess, even shorter than Airmid standing at a whopping 4'7. She had long black hair which she had tied into twin tails. And wore a simple white dress which seemed way too small for even her. But the one thing that everyone, even Bell despite his best efforts noticed. Was her massive chest that seemed ready to spill out at any given moment.

'How is Rye even able to live with her?' Bell wondered.

Hestia was quick to rush over to him though. "Are you Bell? Are you the one who brought Fena and the others here?" She worriedly asked, her blue eyes alight with fear.

Bell cleared his throat and nodded. "Yes that's me, I assume you're Goddess Hestia?"

The short-stacked goddess quickly nodded. "Yes that's me, are Fena and Maria alright? Can I see them?"

Bell stood up from his chair and held his hand up. Airmid seeing the chaos made her way over. "Goddess Hestia, while I understand your worry I ask that you please quiet down. Ms Fena and Ms Maria are ok, I've given Maria some fluids and Fena some medicine. Right now they need rest and in Fena's case monitoring."

Hestia took a calming breath and nodded. "I see, thank you. Is it alright if I come by tomorrow and see them? It's getting late and I need to get the kids home for dinner."

Airmid gave her a curt nod. "That is perfectly fine, have a good night Goddess Hestia."

Hestia then ushered Rye and Roux away. Rye took one last look at Bell who gave the boy a knowing look.

Once the three left Airmid looked at Bell and smiled. "You did a good thing today, even if Lord Dian will surcharge them. You saved that girl's life."

Bell glanced down at Airmid and gave her a knowing smirk. "Don't worry, I took care of that too."

Airmid grew a tad bit amused. "Oh, and how did you do that?" She asked, slightly curious about what Bell did to stop Dian's greediness.

But all Bell did was shrug. "A magician never reveals his tricks."

Airmid rolled her eyes and went back to the front desk. She was starting to like having him around more.

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An hour later Airmid's shift ended. Martha and Bernadette arrived and took over. Saying their hello's to Bell who greeted them back.

Once they passed him the two started whispering conspiringly behind his and Airmid's back. When he looked at Airmid her response was to ignore them, they liked to gossip.

"Oh Airmid, I noticed we were running low on a few things back in the house. Things like bacon, pancake mix, and the likes. So I was wondering while you're at work tomorrow if you could point me in the right direction of a store so I can get those things while you're safe at the clinic."

Airmid stopped in the somewhat busy street. Raising her arm and pointing down Main Street. "Keep heading down that road and take a right. After that you will want to take your first left, then the first right after that. Then you should come upon the market district and it should be smooth sailing from there."

Bell nodded, digesting the directions Airmid gave him. "Ok, so down Main Street, then take a right, then my first left, and then my first right again and I'll be at the market district?"

"Correct," Airmid answered.

Bell nodded once more and the two proceeded home. The sunset cast a beautiful orange glow over the city. Bathing it in its final light before the moon would rise to take its place.

Their walk was silent but peaceful. Airmid was proud of Bell for what he did. His actions were starting to paint Airmid a picture she liked seeing.

Bell on the other hand was glad he was able to save Fena. It felt good, it felt right. 'Make a habit of it Bell. Maybe that way you can make Master proud, make Grandpa proud."

Airmid was unaware of Bell's thoughts. Even as she opened the door to her house she was none the wiser. Too caught up in her own thoughts about how kind Bell seemed to be.

The boy shut and locked the door behind him. He watched as Airmid took her little nurse hat off and ran a hand through her long silver hair.

'I wonder how soft it is.' Bell thought, before quickly shaking the thought from his head. 'That was weird, don't think like that you're supposed to be her bodyguard. Don't take advantage of your position Bell.'

Airmid meanwhile didn't seem privy to Bell's thoughts. She set her little nurse hat on the counter before turning to Bell. "Do you want to go take a bath while I get dinner started?" She asked.

Bell blinked and cleared his throat. "O-oh you don't have to do that. I-I can start in dinner while you go and freshen up."

Airmid merely waved him off. "Nonsense, you were in the dungeon and helped take care of those kids. You can go first, and besides you're the one who's always cooking. Let me be the one to do it today at least."

Bell felt a heat rising to his cheeks. This felt weird, he was used to doing everything himself. His master always said he needed to rely on himself first, and others later.

And he had lived this way since he was eleven. He couldn't even remember the last time someone else made a meal for him.

He cleared his throat and quickly shook his head. He hoped Airmid hadn't seen him flustered like that. "Um...alright then...I'll go get cleaned up."

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Airmid watched as Bell nervously made his way upstairs. For some reason, her offer to make dinner seemed to fluster him. She didn't know why, but now she was curious.

'What made you like that I wonder?'

Airmid pushed the thought to the back of her mind for now. Grabbing her white apron and putting it on she began making dinner. Deciding on a nice healthy dinner with a chicken salad.

Just as she opened the fridge, however. A loud cracking and ripping sound came from upstairs. Airmid, in fear of something bad having happened to Bell.

Quickly rushed upstairs, only to turn the corner and see a petrified and confused boy having ripped the bathroom door off its hinges.

Hearing her arrival Bell slowly turned his head. His eyes filled with fear and his smile was extremely nervous, like he was still having trouble believing what had just happened.

"So uh...is now a bad time to tell you that I leveled up?" He asked.

Airmid said nothing and just face-palmed.

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Day six

Well, I leveled up. The feat that was required was fighting a Minotaur. The fight was easy, I was protecting Rye. The dumb kid had wandered down to floor five all on his own and was unprepared for it.

But he had a good reason for it so I can't be too mad. If our situations were reversed, and it was me who was in that orphanage. I'd probably do the same as well.

But I'm getting off track here. Minotaur on the fifth floor you're probably wondering. What appears to have happened is someone on the middle floors seemingly scared it. My guess is the blonde-haired swordswoman that was chasing it. But I'm not entirely sure, it could've been someone else. But for now, I'm assuming it's her.

Anyway getting off track here. Rye was down on floor five, alone and killing monsters. Somewhat decently on his way down. But when he arrived on the fifth floor, everything was dead silent.

If he was smart then he should've booked it out of the floor right then and there. But he was desperate and desperation can often lead to foolish decisions as master would say.

So when Rye came face to face with the Minotaur he did the smart thing. He ran, unluckily for him though he ran into a dead end. That's where I came in and saved the day, like a regular old hero.

Now I get a level up and two Minotaur horns I need made into weapons. Grandpa said smiths would be in Babel Tower from floors 4-8. So maybe I could find someone there to make me a weapon?

In other news, I fixed the lock on Airmid's door yesterday morning. Only for me to rip the door off the literal doorframe when we got home. Safe to say she wasn't happy, so now she has to have somebody swing by and fix it.

Door frames are out of my area of expertise sadly.

Well, this is all I can think of writing down for today. Monsterphelia is coming up in a few days. I'm going to be spending the day at the stadium mostly helping with any injuries.

Who knows maybe I'll enjoy the event. Even if I find it kind of dumb. I mean really, bringing monsters up to the surface to put on a show of taming them?

What is the city thinking?

Bell placed his pencil back in his journal and closed the book. He was staying in his room right now while Airmid bathed. It was the least he could do to give her privacy.

'I still can't believe I ripped the door off. Good gods, how much stronger have I gotten thanks to this level-up?' Bell wondered.

He mentally kicked himself before Airmid knocked on his door frame. He turned to see her fully dressed, though she looked a little irate still.

"I'm ready to go to work." She stated.

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Bell followed the directions Airmid had given him as he walked down Main Street. He was ranting off a list in his mind of things he needed to get.

'Uh let's see, bacon, pancake mix, bread, milk, probably some meat will be good. Could get some stuff for a stir fry as well. Maybe something for a stew? Yeah, a nice hot stew would sound nice."

Bell entered the Market district and saw the Tower of Babel looming over him. He felt the Minotaur horns by his side and sighed. Change of plans it would seem.

'Well, I can always come back to the Market district, right so new plan. I go and find a smith to turn these horns into weapons. Then come back here and do some shopping for stuff we need. Then I should check in with Airmid before heading down to the dungeon for a little bit. It's best I get used to this new strength so I don't rip to door off its hinges again.'

With a new plan in mind, Bell started a light jog to the Tower of Babel. He enjoyed the wind blowing past his face and running through his hair.

He liked this feeling, it was freeing and made him feel alive.

'I think I'm going to start morning runs after I drop Airmid off. I miss this feeling a lot.'

People got out of Bell's way as he went past. The Tower of Babel grew ever closer with each step he took. And five minutes later he arrived at the entrance of the tower.

'Aw, that was too quick.' Bell thought in disappointment. He wanted to keep running, but then he remembered that he still had other errands to do and could run to those as well.

'Alright, go inside, find a smith, and get Rye a new weapon from whatever the smith makes. Sounds simple enough.'

So with a pep in his step, Bell entered the tower and then realized something. 'Wait a minute, Grandpa and Master said there was a thing called an elevator that would take me up to the floor that is needed. But I don't have a single clue what that looks like.'

So Bell stood there, in the lobby of the Tower of Babel looking like an absolute idiot. 'Alright, this shouldn't be too hard. From how they described it the elevator should go up. So find someone going up and you should find the elevator.'

That was it, Bell's a genius for thinking this way. So he waited, looking at each and every person around him. Until he saw one man enter into what appeared to be a cutout portion of a wall.

He watched as the man disappeared. Feeling as if he was getting closer to what he was looking for Bell made his way to that wall, only to see a metal gate shut in his face, and the man from before started to rise up into the tower.

'Ah, so this must be the elevator. But wait...that man took it, so what do I do now?'

Bell stood there pondering what he would do next. Until the elevator came back down and opened up for him.

'Huh, that's convenient.'

Bell walked inside the elevator and his eyes were assaulted by a bright bronze hue. The entire thing was pure metal and Bell looked around in astonishment.

'Woah, this is so...so cool!'

In his excitement about new things, Bell didn't notice a cloaked woman entering the elevator. She was alone, and quite tall for a woman as well. Standing at around 5'7. But she was just shy of being Bell's height.

"Ahem." She cleared her throat.

Bell jumped and quickly spun on his heel. Coming face to face with the woman, though her gray cloak covered her face so Bell couldn't make out any features.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Bell said giving her some room.

She further entered the elevator leading Bell to stand in front of the panel. He looked at it inquisitively, not really understanding how it worked.

"Is everything alright?" The woman asked.

Bell blushed slightly in embarrassment. "I uh...I don't know how to use this thing." He let out a nervous chuckle while rubbing the back of his neck.

The woman found this amusing as she let out a small giggle. Bell found the sound to be very cute and lighthearted. "Oh you're adorable, but it's quite simple. Press the number of the floor you want to go to. And then the elevator will do the rest."

Bell oh'd and nodded. "I see, that makes sense. Yeah, that makes a lot of sense."

Bell read the numbers until finding the number four. He pressed it and the gate from before closed Bell and the woman inside the elevator together.

It then shook before rising up. 'Woah, this is cool.'

"Ah the fourth floor, I take it you're getting those Minotaur horns made into a weapon?" The woman inquired.

Bell nodded. "Yes ma'am."

"And what weapon is it you intend to make for yourself?"

"Oh no, not for me. It's for a kid I'm keeping an eye on. He's kind of hotheaded, but he tries to do the right thing. So I'm trying to make sure he doesn't get himself killed. One way I'm helping is to get him a decent weapon that'll last him to the middle floors at least."

Bell heard an amused hum leave her lips. "Hmm, that's very kind of you. Most people would just sell the Minotaur horns and keep the Valis for themselves."

Bell shrugged. "Well, I'm not that type of person."

The elevator then stopped and the gate opened. "Uh...is this my floor?" Bell asked.

"Yes, it is." The woman answered in an amused tone.

Bell nodded and stepped out of the elevator. He turned around and gave the woman a small smile. "Thank you for helping me, ma'am."

Part of the woman's hood lifted slightly allowing Bell to see her lips. They curved into a beautiful smile that captured Bell's eyes. "You're very welcome, now I do wish you luck in your search for a smith."

The elevator then closed once more, and began its ascent.

'Huh, nice lady. Pretty smile too.' Bell thought to himself.

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The elevator opened on Babel's top floor and the cloaked woman stepped out. The top floor was an assortment of luxury. Velvety red carpet from the depths of the Kaios desert.

Paintings of sex, battle, and feasting from the merchant city of Santrio Vega. Made by some of the best artists the world had to offer.

Knightly armor placed on armor stands. Loot from skirmishes against Rakia that her familia had beaten back time and time again.

But the thing that grabbed the woman's attention the most as of right now was her seven-foot-tall bodyguard. Standing directly in front of the elevator where she had just exited.

"Lady Freya, did you enjoy your walk?" His deep monotone voice asked. Though there was a small hint of frustration the woman could pick up on.

"Yes I did, and I met an absolutely wonderful boy on my way back up here." The goddess answered. She took her hood off revealing long silver hair that cascaded down her back, with violet-colored eyes burning with possessive intensity.

"And this was after you ditched your guard and snuck out of the tower correct Lady Freya?"

Freya nodded before heading to her room. "Why of course, I doubt that sweet boy would've talked to me if you were hovering over my shoulder. Oh Ottar you should've seen him, he was so adorable not knowing how an elevator worked."

The man, now known as Ottar was a seven-foot tall Boaz-man made of pure muscle. If one was looking at just muscle he could give Bell a run for his money, and his were actually visible. He had rust-colored hair with matching eyes, and wore no armor besides a red muscle shirt and black pants.

He dutifully followed his goddess as she made her way back to her room. Rambling on and on about some boy she had just met. Ottar didn't really care much for the boy.

He was just someone who would catch her interest for only a little while before she found another mortal that tickled her fancy.

Freya opened the door to her room. An oak door with ornate carvings of men and women in the throes of pleasure. Yet neither paid any mind as Freya threw off her cloak and dropped it on her bed.

The goddess was dressed in an odd sense of clothing. None of it was connected together, and it all hung loosely to her. As if the slightest breeze would blow it away.

It was a black and red cloth that covered her most intimate areas first and foremost. But there was one that went down her leg while also leaving her other leg bare. There was nothing to tie the clothes together, they just sort of hung onto her.

Ottar didn't even seem fazed as she did this. He just watched as she walked over to her heart-shaped bed and laid down. The mid-morning sun shone down on her smooth pale skin.

"And you enjoyed your talk with him, my lady?" Ottar asked.

"I did, oh he was so adorable. He didn't even know how to work the elevator Ottar. You should've seen how his face scrunched up in confusion."

Ottar simply nodded and let the matter drop. "Is there anything I can do for you, my lady?"

Freya sighed and sunk further into her bed. "No, I think I just want to relax for a while."

Ottar gave a slight bow. "As you wish my Lady." And then he left, shutting the door behind him and leaving Freya alone.

The goddess just let out a content sigh as she thought back to the boy in the elevator. 'Country boy in the big city. But what a beautiful soul he had.'

Thanks to Freya's divine eyes she was able to see Bell's soul. And it was something she hadn't seen before. One half was pure white, while the other was a dark rich green.

'Hmm so beautiful, so very beautiful.'

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Bell wandered Babel's fourth floor. Walking around and looking through different shops. He didn't want to buy anything of course, but it didn't hurt to browse in case Rye wanted to swing by one day.

'Hmm, this stuff doesn't look half bad. Maybe when Rye gets deeper into the dungeon I can give him some better armor as a good job gift. The one the guild provides should last him until floor seven or eight at least.'

Bell exited one of the armor shops he was in and began wandering around some more. 'Alright, enough browsing, time to find a smith and get this weapon made. Rye has lessons with Eina for at least a week. So that leaves me time to do this.'

Too lost in thought Bell didn't notice the red-haired man in front of him. He was tall, only an inch away from being as tall as Bell. He was dressed in a black shirt with a blue scarf around his neck and white pants. His eyes were blue and there was noticeable muscle underneath his shirt.

The two bumped into each other and the redhead toppled to the ground while Bell still stood unfazed.

"Oh crap, I'm sorry I wasn't paying attention to where I was going." Bell quickly apologized, he stuck his hand out to help the man up.

The man rubbed the back of his head as he accepted Bell's hand. "Ah, it's alright. Simple mis-

He noticed the two Minotaur horns by Bell's side and immediately shot up. "Woah are those Minotaur horns? Where'd you get those?"

The man examined the horns by Bell's belt causing him to nervously chuckle. "I uh, I killed it."

"And you were lucky enough to get both horns?"

Bell scratched his cheek. "I uh, ripped them out before grabbing its monster stone."

The man put his hand on his chin and nodded. "I see, I see. And what is it you're planning on doing with it."

"Well, I was hoping to get it made into a weapon for someone."

"Not one for yourself?"

Bell looked to the wall and rubbed his neck. "Uh, let's just say weapons and I don't get along too well."

The man quirked an eyebrow but didn't question it any further. "Well if it's a weapon you want to make you will need a smith. Lucky for you I just so happen to be one."

Bell felt a small weight lift off his shoulders. It seems a smith had found him instead of him finding one. However, he needed to be through here.

"Are you any good as a smith?" Bell asked.

The man scoffed. "Of course I am! What you think that since I'm a level one I can't create anything decent?!"

Bell was quick to raise a placating hand. "I meant no disrespect, I just wanted to know if your creation would shatter at first contact with something."

The man took a calming breath. "That's fair, that's fair. But look at it this way, why would I offer you my services if it was going to break?"

"To scam me."

"Hey! I take pride in being a blacksmith, if I make a bad product I won't sell it, it's that simple." The man declared.

Judging by his posture and tone of voice he was either a really good liar. Or he was telling the truth. But Bell was hoping it was the latter and so took the horns off his belt and handed them to the man.

"Before you take these, tell me your name," Bell said.

"It's Welf." The man answered.

"Good, and Welf. Don't let this be a scam."

Welf got the subtle threat loud and clear. "I promise it's not a scam. Now what type of weapon do you want?"

I bet you Sword Astraea folks are suffering right now because of that cliffhanger, aren't ya?