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-GUILD -
It started raining. Her pointy ears turned a slight shade of red from the sudden temperature drop as she gazed out the window beside her office. The patter of rain against the glass was oddly soothing, but her mind was elsewhere.I wonder if Bell-kun is okay,she thought, her fingers absently tracing the edge of a report on her desk.
Lost in her thoughts, she barely registered the sound of hurried footsteps in the hallway before the door to her office burst open.
"Eina!" a familiar voice called.
Startled, she turned to see a pink-haired woman standing in the doorway, slightly out of breath and grinning mischievously.
The elf sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Misha, could you keep it down?" she said, annoyed, though her tone carried the faintest hint of amusement.
"Oh, come on, Eina," Misha teased, stepping further into the room and plopping herself onto the nearest chair without waiting for an invitation. "Don't tell me you're still worrying about the white-haired boy. You spoil that kid too much!"
Eina frowned, trying to suppress the warmth rising in her cheeks. "I'm notspoilinghim. I just... want to make sure he's safe."
Misha leaned forward, resting her chin in her hand as she gave Eina a knowing smirk. "Safe, huh? You're blushing again. Admit it, you care about him more than just as a supervisor."
"That's ridiculous," Eina replied, shaking her head, though she couldn't deny the fleeting thought that crossed her mind.
Misha waved her hand dismissively. "Anyway, I came here to inform you, some Minotaurs have gotten loose on the upper floors, all the way up to the 5th floor."
Eina froze, her heart skipping a beat. Then, as the weight of the words sank in, she shot up from her chair.
"What?!" she exclaimed, her voice sharp with alarm. Without another word, she bolted toward the door, leaving Misha behind, who called after her, "Eina, wait! You can't just—"
But the elf was already gone, her feet carrying her swiftly through the Guild hall and toward the dungeon. Her mind raced as the rain pelted against the stone streets outside.
Knowing Bell-kun...
Her thoughts surged uncontrollably. She could almost see his face, that determined yet reckless expression he always wore when he threw himself into danger.
As she ran, memories began to surface, She thought back to the first time they had met.
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The boy stood hesitantly at the desk, trying to get the elf's attention.
"Hello, miss?" he asked softly.
But the supervisor in front of him didn't seem to notice. She was hunched over her desk, frantically shuffling through stacks of papers, her muttering growing louder.
"This is bad... I can't find the report... Royman'sgonna kill me!"
Her once-organized desk was now a chaotic mess of documents, scattered haphazardly as she dug through them. Finally, her eyes lit up as her hand landed on the elusive report.
"This... There it is!" she exclaimed, holding the paper triumphantly above her head. A bright smile crossed her face as she whispered, "Thank goodness..."
As her relief settled in, she caught a glimpse of something out of the corner of her eye—white hair. Realizing someone had been standing there the whole time, she quickly lowered the paper, revealing a boy with bright, curious eyes.
"I'm so sorry!" she blurted out, flustered.
The boy laughed awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's okay! You seemed busy, so I didn't want to bother you."
The elf's cheeks turned a faint shade of pink as she realized how disheveled her desk—and she herself—must have looked. She brushed a strand of hair behind her pointed ear, trying to compose herself.
"Well, um... thank you for waiting," she said, clearing her throat as she began tidying the mess in front of her. "How can I help you?"
The boy smiled warmly, the awkwardness melting away. "I'm new here... I'd like to register as an adventurer!"
Her blush fading as she nodded, quickly grabbing a clean sheet of paper. "O-of course! Let's get started!"
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Eina sat at her desk, observing the boy seated across from her. His white hair caught the light, and his striking red eyes met hers with steady determination. He sat upright, calm and composed, giving her the impression that he had already resolved to take this step.
Following the standard procedure, Eina adjusted the papers in front of her. She'd done countless interviews before, but something about Bell's quiet confidence intrigued her.
"Let's begin," she said with a professional tone, though her smile softened the formality. "What's your name?"
"Bell Cranel," he replied firmly, his voice clear and steady.
She nodded, jotting his name down. "Your age?"
"Fourteen."
Eina paused briefly, surprised at how young he was, but his composed demeanor made her continue without hesitation. "Have you had any prior training as an adventurer?"
"Ehehe..." Bell laughed sheepishly, scratching the back of his head. "Unfortunately, I don't have any prior training..." he admitted.
Eina tilted her head slightly, her sharp eyes assessing the boy sitting before her.Hmm...she thought, observing his slender frame and youthful features.He certainly has the body of a 14-year-old kid...
Straightening her posture, she folded her hands neatly on the desk and fixed her gaze on him. Her emerald eyes met his crimson ones with a steady intensity, signaling that the next question carried weight.
"Well, Bell Cranel," she began, her tone calm but serious. "Why do you want to become an adventurer?"
Bell looked down at his lap for a moment, then raised his hand, palm side up to his face, as if carefully choosing his words. He met Eina's gaze with quiet resolve as he spoke.
"I want to become a hero... for those who didn't have the chance to have one."
His voice was steady, and there was no hesitation in his words. Eina could see the unwavering determination in his eyes, a fire that was both youthful and profoundly sincere.
Eina took a moment to absorb his answer.A hero, huh?she thought, her brow slightly furrowing in contemplation. There was something in his words that resonated deeply. Not many adventurers, especially so young, had such clear reasons for their ambition.
But Bell was different..
"Pfft..." Bell blinked in confusion as the elf suddenly burst out laughing. "What?" he asked, his brows furrowing slightly.
"Bwhahaha!" Eina laughed, wiping tears from her eyes.
Bell shifted uncomfortably, unsure of what had caused such an outburst. "Why are you laughing?" he asked, his voice a little more unsure now.
Still chuckling, Eina straightened herself, her face flushed with a mix of amusement and embarrassment. "I just—" she paused, catching her breath, "—I didn't expect that answer, that's all."
She raised a hand towards him with a smile, her eyes gleaming with warmth. "Congrats on becoming an adventurer... Hero-kun."
Bell, still slightly bewildered but now smiling at her playful tone, reached out and accepted her hand. "Thanks!" he said, his smile wide and confident. "Thank you for becoming my supervisor, Eina-san!"
Eina's eyes softened at the respectful addition of "san," and she couldn't help but smile in return. It was clear the boy was eager to start his journey.
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Eina arrived at the entrance of the dungeon, her heart pounding as she quickly scanned the area. She was looking for one person, one familiar face amid the chaos—the white-haired boy she couldn't seem to get out of her mind.
Her gaze shifted to the wounded low-class adventurers scattered around, some limping and others being carried by their comrades. Sweat dripped down her face, her nerves tight.I can't lose another one,she thought, her anxiety mounting.
She approached the closest group of adventurers, her voice sharp with urgency. "Have you seen a white-haired boy?!"
The adventurers shook their heads, their faces tired and strained. "Sorry, miss. We haven't seen anyone like that."
Her stomach twisted with frustration, but she pressed on.
"He has red rubellite eyes! Have you seen him?!" she called, her tone rising with desperation.
Again, no answer. Silence greeted her, only the sound of strained breaths and distant shouts of battle.
Her hope began to fray, her heart sinking lower with each passing second.Where could he be?
She moved on, calling out to another group, but the answer was the same. Her mind raced, and the pit in her stomach deepened.What if he's already—
"It's the Sword Princess move!"
"Woah!"
The crowd murmured in awe, their eyes glued to the scene unfolding before them.
Eina's gaze shifted to the entrance of the dungeon, where a figure caught her attention—someone was being carried, their form almost lost in the haze of dust and chaos.
Is that...
Her heart skipped a beat as recognition hit her like a wave.
"Bell!" she shouted, her voice cutting through the noise.
The golden-haired adventurer, who had been rushing past, paused at the sound of a name being called. She turned her head towards the source of the voice, her sharp eyes narrowing as she realized who it was.
She's from the Guild ,"She might know the boy's Familia",the Sword Princess thought to herself, her mind quickly processing the situation. Without missing a beat, she propelled herself toward Eina with the speed of a seasoned warrior, her golden hair trailing behind her flowing with the wind.
With a swoosh, the Sword Princess landed gracefully right in front of the distressed supervisor, her golden hair flowing in the wind. Eina barely had time to react as she called out Bell's name once again.
"Bell! What happened?!" Eina cried, her eyes filled with worry as she turned to the one carrying him.
The Sword Princess, her expression calm yet focused, gave a quick but reassuring glance. "I'll explain later, but for now, we need to visit Dea Saint."
Without another word, they both took off, running. The wind rushed past them as time seemed to stretch with every passing second, each moment making Bell's condition all the more urgent.
Eina's heart raced as she followed the Sword Princess, though she trusted the skilled warrior's judgment. Her mind, however, couldn't help but drift back to Bell. She couldn't let him down—she had to make sure everything was handled.
After a brief moment of reflection, she made a quick decision.I need to inform his Goddess.
Once they reached the hospital, Eina turned to the Sword Princess with a nod of gratitude. "Thank you," she said, her voice steady despite the worry in her eyes.
The Sword Princess nodded in response, understanding the gravity of the situation. Eina quickly left for the Guild, making her way back to her office to summon Hestia, Bell's Goddess, and inform her of what had happened.
As she entered her office, the familiar weight of responsibility settled over her. She sat down at her desk and began preparing the necessary message, her thoughts still with Bell as she sent word to his Goddess.I'll make sure she knows...
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Now, the Sword Princess was left alone with the boy, who lay unconscious on one of the hospital beds, his body covered in bandages. The harsh reality of the situation settled in, and the air felt heavy with the weight of it all.
What should I do now...?
She thought to herself as she approached Bell's bed. Her gaze softened as she observed him more closely. His white, fluffy hair was a stark contrast against the crisp hospital sheets, and his innocent face, despite the bandages, seemed so peaceful—so...fragile.
She found herself staring at him for a moment longer than she intended, admiring the delicate features of his face. His youthful innocence reminded her of something—someone—she had known long ago.
He's just like me...
Her hand moved on its own, brushing against his cheek before gently running her fingers through his white hair. She couldn't help it. There was something so familiar about him, something that tugged at her heartstrings. He looked just like a...
No, it's nothing,she thought, pulling her hand away as she cleared her throat. Her emotions were getting the best of her, and she couldn't let that happen. Not now. Not while he was still unconscious but she couldn't help but say it..
The soft creak of the door, and a tall figure stepped inside—a high elf with emerald-colored hair, her aura radiating power and grace. Riveria, the Sword Princess's "mother," stood in the doorway, her eyes sharp and observant as always, calling out the girl's name before she was cut off.
"Ai—"
"Bunny..."
The golden-haired girl froze in shock, her words hanging in the air. She stood still for a moment, processing what she had just said, before her gaze drifted to the boy she had been watching, realizing that she had referred to him as "Bunny."
Her face flushed a deep red, and she quickly turned around, startled to see Riveria standing right behind her.
"Riveria! When did you come in?" she asked, trying to hide her embarrassment. Her mind raced. Did she hear me?
Riveria raised an eyebrow, her voice calm as she replied, "Bunny, is it?"
The girl stammered, fumbling for an explanation, but all she could manage was a nervous laugh. Riveria's teasing gaze made her feel even more flustered forming a cute pout from her, but the elf said nothing more, instead focusing her attention on Bell.
Ais took a deep breath, trying to compose herself as Riveria's quiet scrutiny of Bell made the tension ease. She looked down at the unconscious boy, her previous awkwardness momentarily forgotten.
"Still, I'm surprised he made it out alive..." The high elf muttered, her gaze focused on Bell's bandaged form. "His wounds would've been enough to end his life."
Ais, still standing by Bell's bedside, turned to look at the high elf. "But he didn't," she said quietly.
Riveria turned her sharp gaze to Ais. "Hoh?"
Ais continued, her voice soft but unwavering, "When I arrived, he still got up, despite his wounds..."
She trailed off, her words barely a whisper, "...Like the heroes from the fairy tales..."
Riveria's pointed ears twitched, her extraordinary hearing catching every word. She turned to Ais with a slightly raised eyebrow, her tone more measured now. "I see. You admire him?"
Ais, flustered by the realization that Riveria had heard her, forming another cute pout "Hmmpp" looking away from the elf, but the look that was in her eyes spoke volumes. She couldn't help but be drawn to the boy's resilience, the way he refused to stay down even in the face of overwhelming odds. It reminded her of the strength she had seen heroes had from the stories she had read.
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With a loud scream, "AHHH!" the sudden sound broke the quiet tension in the room.
Ais and Riveria whipped around, both startled by the boy's outburst. Bell was sitting up in bed, his eyes wide with panic. His hand was outstretched in front of him, fingers curled as though gripping an invisible dagger, his whole body tense as if he was about to fight.
"W-what's happening?!" Ais's voice cracked with alarm as she rushed to his side.
Riveria stepped forward, her calm demeanor unwavering despite the situation. "Calm down, you're injured," she said firmly but softly, trying to gently guide him back down.
Bell blinked rapidly, as if struggling to make sense of his surroundings. His breathing was erratic, and his gaze flickered between Ais and Riveria, both unfamiliar faces. "W-who...? Where am I?" His grip on the air loosened slowly, his body still tense but confused.
Ais placed a hand on his shoulder, her tone gentle yet urgent. "You're safe. You're in the hospital." She hesitated for a moment, her expression softening as she realized she didn't know his name. "Are you alright? Can you tell me your name?"
Bell blinked again, his mind still trying to catch up. He looked down at his hand, noticing it was still shaped as though holding something—a phantom dagger. Slowly, he relaxed his hand, his breath steadying as he looked at Ais. "Bell," he whispered, voice shaky, but his determination slowly began to return. "My name is Bell... Bell Cranel."
"Uhmm... Bell, you're still injured, okay?" Ais said softly, supporting the boy's frame as she gently guided him back down. His body trembled, looking as though it might collapse from the strain.
Bell's eyes fluttered, his mind still clouded and dazed from the pain, but his pride made it hard to relax. "I... I need to stand," he murmured, trying to push himself up.
Ais placed a firm hand on his chest, urging him to stay still. "No, Bell. You need to rest. You're not in any condition to fight right now." Her voice was steady, yet filled with concern, her grip firm but gentle as she helped him settle back into the bed.
Bell's breath was shallow, and for a moment, it seemed like the weight of his injuries was finally catching up with him. His hand curled against the sheets, as if holding on to something to ground himself. "But I can't just lie here..." His voice trailed off weakly.
Ais looked at him with a soft, understanding gaze. "I know you want to get up, but your body needs time to heal. Please, let us help you," she said, her tone calm yet reassuring.
She's the one that saved me.. "Can I know your name, please?" Bell asked softly, his eyelids growing heavy as exhaustion set in. His voice barely above a whisper, he struggled to stay awake, his focus fading.
Ais smiled brightly at the boy, her expression warm and reassuring. She leaned in a little closer, her golden hair shimmering in the light. "My name is... Ais... Ais Wallenstein," she said in a gentle, cheerful tone.
Bell's heart skipped a beat as he heard her name, his eyes momentarily fluttering open in awe. Captivated by her beauty, he muttered the words without thinking. "Ais... Thank you for saving me..."
Before she could respond, Bell's eyes slipped shut, and he fell into a deep sleep, his breath evening out as he finally relaxed fully into the comfort of rest. Ais, watching him closely, couldn't help but smile softly at his words, a quiet warmth settling in her chest..
"You're welcome Bell.." She replied softly as she gently runs her fingers through the boy's hair.
-𝒟𝒶𝓃𝑀𝒶𝒸𝒽𝒾-