Change of Fates (rewrite)

by Ventanus

The rewrite of my Change of Fates story, since there are many things I d like to change or wished I wrote differently. Bell will have three partners here. (third one cant be taken in the pull-down menu, so I take Lefiya since she is very important even when not Bell s lover here) Rating MA again.

10. Mock battle

Author`s Note: Hello everyone.

A special thanks to these very nice comments, stating that this is their favorite fic, I will do my best to keep it going well.

I would like to recommend the story "Is it wrong to try to take the next step in the Dungeon?" and its follow-up story, "It Is Right to Take the Next Step in the Dungeon."

The story is simply amazing, it´s about Ottar as the main character, following a What-If idea. Worldbuilding is about deep floors, top. Bringing more of Ottar´s character and personality to life, top. Showing more about Freya familia, and a few others.

Going deeper about Development Abilities and such, reminded me of what I tend to forget in my stories. The fights described are top-notch. Give it a read, it´s really good!

Now for the Reviews.

ALPHA02FURY97: Both had their own charm, maybe I will pick up the original one again, like a different version, but currently this isn´t planned, since the plot that will later happen in the story would be the same for both. But I have ideas for other ways, I have to see that. I still have the idea for a Bell x Mikoto story (not as long as the others), and even a Bell x Amid one, but a day only has 24hours sadly...

strikerstriker315: No Lily as a partner, she will get someone else. The partners for Bell were stated already, and it would change the story if I changed the partners. Lefiya will be someone very very special for Bell, but not a lover.

ban27: thank you.

Erebus: I delayed some parts of the story to wait for more world-building from Omori, to make my own story better, but finally he reached this point.

I also think that this display of Alfia´s magic has more impact and makes more sense.

About Filvis and Ryu, they will become very sibling-like. And of course, the gods will give Filvis silly aliases. Fil Noir sounds very good.

Indeed, Haruhime´s magic for Aisha will be used more rarely. I´m a friend of giving strong magic repercussions. Like for example people have problems in other stories getting adapted to the sudden level-up of Uchide. Or making Bell´s use of Argonaut more risky, the longer he charges, and the stronger the drain on his body.

Haru´s story in the Pleasure Quarter and her development will continue, I want her relationship with the various members there, especially the amazons, to influence her in some ways. Just like she influences them and Ishtar.

About Phryne, well there are plans to "deal with her".

The Development Ability Enigma will be mentioned in this story. In the main LN, it´s also called Mystery. But I use the word Enigma, just because I think it sounds cooler.

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"Ugh...if someone sees me like this, you will pay for that, Zard."

"I don´t intend to let anyone see you like that, Alfia."

"Ngh...good..."

It looked a bit weird how they walked through the narrow street of the Education District. Leon walked at least two dozen steps in front of them, not daring to turn around. Zeus walked next to Leon, chatting with the knightly teacher.

The reason why both didn´t dare to turn around, was Alfia´s current condition. Using her magic, even when it was only at about eighty to seventy percent of what she was once capable, exhausted her very much. So, Zard carried her in his arms, princess style. Her right arm hung at the side, Bell held her hand.

"Mom?"

"It´s alright...Sweety...I´m just exhausted..."

"You shouldn´t have pushed yourself so far."

"And you shouldn´t have used your skill, without knowing how to control it..."

"I didn´t intend to, it...it just happened, when I saw you."

"Hm.."

Alfia kept her eyes closed, her head leaned against Zard´s massive chest.

"Your chest is as hard as ever, old man..."

"Pff, and you complain like you always did, young lady. You seem fit enough for me to let you walk again."

"Don´t you dare..."

"I won´t, don´t worry."

"Hm.."

There were no students here, Leon led them ahead of the large crowd, the other teachers took care of the students. Quite a large number had fainted, those who stood the closest or were the most sensitive when it came to magic.

So, since they were alone, and neither Zeus nor Leon could see them, Alfia kept her head leaning against Zard, enjoying getting pampered by him.

As usual.

When both traveled together, they often slept side-by-side, especially when it was cold outside of their tent. A tent that Zard always set up, not because of chivalry...but because Alfia was too clumsy and no help at all. On these nights, she had snuggled up to him, putting her arms around his chest, after she put his arms around her.

There was no romantic reason behind it, just to get his body warmth. He had complained a few times, about getting used as a body pillow, until he gave up. Maybe Zard had spoiled Alfia too much during their travels, but he couldn´t help it.

Since Alfia had her eyes closed, she couldn´t see the grin appearing on his lips. He whispered so low that even Bell couldn´t hear it.

"I wonder if one of the girls here might be interested in Bell."

"Nnnnngh...don´t you dare..." Alfia growled softly.

"Heh, still having energy inside you?"

"Enough to send you fly..."

"Then you had to walk on your own."

"Mh...just keep walking..."

"Hay hay."

Bell looked worried, gently squeezing her hand. "Mom, are you really alright?"

"Yes, don´t worry...your presence already fills my energy up again."

"Uncle Zard, you will be careful too, yes?"

Zard winked. "Don´t worry, Bell. My fingers itch to fight properly for the first time in a while. And I want to see his strength."

"Ahm..."

"Yes?"

"Would it...would it be okay to ask...what were you talking about earlier?"

"Hm...Alfia?"

"Mh?"

"Do I have your permission?"

Bell felt how Alfia squeezed his hand gently for a moment. "Bell, this probably isn´t a nice story to hear."

"What is it about?"

Alfia felt how Zard took a deep breath. "About...Maxim´s end."

"Boss Maxim?"

"The one and only..."

"Didn´t he...I mean...that..dragon?"

"No, it came later. Bell, do you really want to hear it?"

"I.."

"It was quite the heroic end, I dare to say."

"Please tell me, Uncle Zard."

"To understand it, you have to be aware of something, Bell. You noticed that due to our training, your status grew."

"Yes."

"That is because adventurers give each other Excelia, through fighting with each other. The further one manages to beat someone, the more growth it gives. From what the old man told us, the Freya familia boys and girls train this way to get stronger. It's a cheap imitation of what we did in the familia."

They heard Leon from further down the street. "I remember you doing something quite similar."

Zard grinned and chuckled. "Didn´t kill you back then, boy."

Bell looked back and forth between Leon and Zard.

"Bell, it´s time for you to learn how our familias, in our endless kindness, tried to help the young generations to improve."

This time, it was Zeus who laughed.

While Zard carried the relaxing Alfia like it was nothing, he looked up at the sky.

"Our familias ruled Orario for a thousand years, the strongest opponent we had was the Osiris familia. They tried to overpower us, but they only had a few level sevens, so they were doomed to fall. Maxim laughed while he continued to punch Osiris´ captain into the ground. One of the reasons why Maxim was called the laughing warrior."

Bell saw the expression on Zard´s face, Maxim had been more than just a fellow familia member or his captain...they had been friends.

"I quarreled with Maxim quite often, he surely could pack a punch. In my prime, I even became a bit stronger than him, but it was quite close."

"Wasn´t he level eight?!"

"Yes, but there were circumstances."

Bell knew about Zard´s skills and magic, they wouldn´t talk about that in front of Leon.

"So, while he ruled supreme in Orario, fledglings grew up, as we grew older, and you know that we didn´t have any kids except you..."

Zeus laughed at the front.

"Why are you laughing, old man? Are there more kids I should know about?"

"Hey, some of the boys tended to play around with some amazons quite a lot. I know of at least one that Maxim had contact with. And you know that some of the others traveled around for a while, I think even to Telskyura."

Zard winked. "Well, let´s say it like that, you´re the only child that we know of. So, we were growing older, except for your Mom of course."

Alfia smiled pleased.

"The higher your level rises, the slower you age. Take me for example, I´m almost fifty, yet I look like I´m in my mid to late twenties."

Alfia mumbled with closed eyes. "Thirty."

"Well thanks, young lady."

"You´re welcome."

Zeus was always baffled by how Zard acted around Alfia, and she was around him. Was this the man who said in the past "No woman tells me what to do", and this the fearsome Silence? Sure, the peaceful life with Bell had changed them, but it was quite funny. If Zeus had to compare Alfia to something, it would´ve been a cat. She didn´t ask to get pampered by Zard, she demanded it.

Zard looked from Alfia to Bell again. "So, as I was saying, the higher your level, the slower you age. But even at our age, we would grow older. At his level, Maxim could´ve easily gone beyond the age of a hundred, as for the Empress...well you don´t talk about a woman´s age. Someone had to continue protecting the world, new young heroes had to rise. Maxim personally went to train with a few other familias."

"He trained with them?"

"Yes."

From the front, Leon sighed. "Say it how it was, he attacked the familias."

"Oh, please. Maxim went there for friendly quarreling."

"It wasn´t so friendly if you were on the other side of his fists."

"Only made you stronger. All of you got stronger."

Alfia groaned softly in Zard´s arms, demanding to be held tighter, she loved to get pampered by him.

Zard continued. "A lot of the fledglings got stronger because of us, if they want to admit it or not. Most of them thought we were just terrorizing them. But what if something happened to us one day? If they were all so weak, how would they protect the lower world then? For that, they had to grow stronger, taste what it feels like to get hammered into the dirt. Again, and again, and again. Only one of them came to us on his own will, Freya familia´s new captain, that Ottar boy. He challenged Maxim, the Empress, me, your Mom one time...but he never gave up."

He smiled. "I give him that, he was persistent, he had it in him to become a true warrior. And there was someone else, a cocky brat who loved to play with his sword."

Leon slightly turned his head. "I would appreciate it if you would tell him the truth, and not how you see it."

"Then do you want to explain it, boy?"

Leon didn´t dare to turn his head completely, not only because Alfia might get mad, but because his knightly demeanor forbade him to look at a woman in such a state.

"Bell...may I call you Bell?"

"Of course."

"I too got "trained" by them back then, it was quite unpleasant. But yes, it did make us stronger, helped us to understand the danger of the worlds."

"Oh."

Now Zard took over again.

"There were only two people among the fledglings who impressed us. Ottar with his persistence, and that sword boy over there."

"Mr. Vardenburg?"

"Yes, we may have been on slightly bad terms, but he was promising. He impressed Maxim more than he did me, that´s why Maxim chose him."

"Chose Mr. Vardenburg? For what?"

"Bell, what I´m about to tell you is delicate, don´t talk to anyone else about it. To understand Maxim´s decision, you have to understand his condition. After we lost to the dragon, Maxim has half-dead already, missing an arm and an eye. Even with his status, it was a matter of days, even with healing magic."

"Oh..."

Zeus went a bit slower. "Boy, may I take it from here?"

"Sure, old man."

Bell heard how Zeus took a deep breath. "Maxim was a good boy, the best among my boys. When the attack failed, just like Zard said, he was in a dire condition, dying. So, Maxim had to make a decision, on how to make the best out of the situation. And he chose young Leon here."

"In what way?"

"Remember what Zard just told you, about Excelia, and beating."

"Hm...oh..."

"You probably guessed it by now. Maxim went back to Orario, to see Leon. Word already got around, Freya and Loki started to mobilize, to kick us out of the city. Maxim knew he had failed in the ultimate trial, but he refused to let it go to waste. They had hurt the dragon, oh, and how they have hurt it! That shitty beast! They took a third of his tail, crippled one of the wings, sliced off most of his left front leg, and dealt a few cuts so deep, that this thing will keep scars. Who knows, maybe it will even die from these wounds one day. But Maxim wasn´t done with it. There were two options, spending his last days in peace, or making his death count."

"So...he..."

"He chose Leon. Told him to take the Execlia from him, to grant him the death worthy of a strong warrior. Don´t think ill of Leon, Maxim chose him for a reason, he is promising. And so, Maxim´s death catapulted little Leon´s status to the maximum and let him level up to seven."

Bell looked forward to Leon, who tilted his head just slightly to glance with one eye at him.

"Be assured, Bell, it didn´t give me any joy or happiness. I was glad to grant this hero his last wish, used my sword how he asked me to."

Zeus sighed while he looked up to the smile, sad, yet he smiled. "Maxim went in the way he wanted to, spitting the black dragon and everyone else who was against us a last time in the eye, it was the death of a true warrior. And from what I´ve heard so far, little Leon here made it count, you´re stronger than Freya´s captain, hm?"

Leon raised a hand since it was against his behavior to shrug his shoulders. "I can´t say that, I´m longer level seven than he is, and I train every day, never missing one. I push myself to my limits so that his sacrifice will never be for nothing or gets forgotten. To show that I´m worthy of being chosen by him."

Zeus winked at Bell. "Don´t think of it that Leon killed Maxim. He granted him his final wish, and carries his legacy on."

With a soft laugh, Zeus put his hand on Leon´s shoulder. "To be honest, you would´ve been fine among my boys, Leon!"

"I seriously doubt that."

"Heh, with your knightly behavior, maybe one of Hera´s girls would´ve taken a liking to you. I heard the Empress was quite fond of you."

"My sword is my life."

"Oh, don´t let all the young girls and women here hear that it might break their hearts."

Zard looked at Bell. "Now you know what happened."

"Is that the reason why you don´t seem to like him?"

"Pretty much, yes. I know he carries Maxim´s legacy in him, but deep down...even when I know it wasn´t like that...is he the man who killed my friend. I know that he granted him a warrior´s death. But I want to see it. Do you hear me, boy?! You better show me that strength, or I will make you pay for it and let you eat dirt like in the past."

Leon nodded. "I will show you the efforts of my training. If that puts you a bit at ease, I will reveal a secret to you. What Maxim did got engraved into me, it even...became part of my magic."

"Hoh, is that so? You better show it to me."

"It is supposed to be a mock battle."

"Then, let us fight a mock battle that will impress your students, show me Maxim´s legacy!"

"Then, I will do that."

It would only take a few more moments to arrive at the arena of the Education District, which was used for combat training, and the ranking tournaments. There they would have an hour to rest, not for them, but for the students, who got shaken quite heavily by Alfia´s magic.

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Zeus looked at the clock on the wall.

"It´s time, let us go."

Zard nodded, holding his massive arms crossed. He looked at the bench that stood in the corner of the room. Alfia had recovered enough, Bell offered her a hand to help her up. She could´ve gotten up without his help, but she wouldn´t refuse Bell´s offer.

"Thank you, Sweety."

The room was nothing special, just something that students used to prepare themself for combat training in the arena, or squads for a tournament fight.

Bell looked to the gate. "I wonder how many are out there."

Zeus grinned wide. "Oh, Leon said most of the students, everyone who doesn´t fit into the ranks, will watch the fight with the help of a special magic device."

Bell gulped. "S-So...all of them will see it?"

"And us, yes."

"Oh..."

"Hehe, nervous? But don´t be worried. I guess all of them will either look at Zard, since he is Leon´s opponent, or will be blinded by your Mom´s beauty."

Alfia just rolled her eyes and sighed. "Let us go. And Zard?"

"Yes?"

"Don´t you dare lose."

"Pff, not against that boy."

Then he winked. "And not in front of your eyes, young lady."

"Good."

Since only Zeus was aware of Zard´s passive skill "Silent Guardian", he was the one who talked to Leon, to let them stand at the side of the arena. Like this, due to Alfia´s presence, Zard would be closer to his original strength than usual.

The gate slowly started to open.

"Let us go."

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"Uaah, so many are here."

"I heard from a teacher, that all students and teachers will watch this mock battle." Lefiya looked more energetic than usual.

"I understand why they showed us this magic...by the way, how are you feeling, Lefiya?"

"So so."

"You almost fainted there."

"It was quite something to see and feel."

"Nat did faint."

Both looked to the side, Natalinoe leaned slightly against Luke, she was still weak.

Alisa leaned forward on her seat. "I wonder what the point of this mock battle is? No matter how strong that man is, surely he can´t keep up with Professor Leon."

"I..wouldn´t be so sure. You saw what happened at the beach."

"True.."

The students had taken seats where anything was free, a few others sat in front of Lefiya and the others, but at least they managed to secure places in the second row. On the seat in front of Lefiya was a brown-haired half-elf, who had a few green strands in her hair. On her right side were two hume bunny twins. And left from the half-elf, were students who just recently joined the Education District. One was a dark elf, who wore a mask to cover her mouth and nose, then a young dwarf, and a pallum. In their row, on Luke´s right side, sat two other students they knew, a young werewolf, named Cole, on his right was a blond elf, named Mililia. Of course, there were tons of students around and behind them.

All in all, the arena managed to fit over two thousand people inside, which was quite something if one remembered that this arena was technically on a "ship".

The students got surprisingly fast quiet as the combatants entered the arena from two sides. Leon wore his normal clothes, his sword hung at his hip, while the man carried his huge greatsword on his right shoulder. The family of the man remained at the edge of the arena field. Alfia drew in the gazes of most students, when she looked up, most of them hastily averted their eyes. Lefiya was one of the few who didn´t do it.

And Alfia noticed that Lefiya shivered slightly as she looked wordlessly into her eyes. So did the young boy next to her, his eyes calmed Lefiya down a bit.

While they walked, a teacher made an announcement.

"Look and listen well, students of the Education District. Today you will have the chance to see what heights someone can achieve. But be aware of one thing, these heights can only be achieved through harsh trials and endangering one's life. You may begin."

If Lefiya had to give it a name of what she saw, it looked like Leon felt quite uneasy.

Zard walked with his greatsword on his right shoulder on purpose, like he always did.

"Now show it to me, boy!"

Instead of drawing his sword, Leon raised his hands and mumbled.

"Resound, afterglow. That is to say, twelve seats of valor. Blaze of Round."

Golden magic energy came out of Leon´s hands and formed into an object, a one-handed sword.

"Percil."

Zard slightly raised an eyebrow, this magic´s name sounded quite similar to Percival, a former member of his familia.

Coincidence?

However, Zard didn´t wait for Leon to say something or come at him. In one moment, Zard still stood in his position, in the next, he exploded forward so fast that most students didn´t even see it happening. The air shrieked as his greatsword sliced through it, hammering down at Leon. Leon evaded to the side, using his light sword to parry Zard´s attack to the side.

With a strange sound, the light-sword shattered.

"First Rank cleared, Second Rank, Gabel!"

The shattered sword got absorbed into Leon´s hands, forming a set of twin swords.

This time, Alfia reacted to the name. Could it be? There was a member in her familia before, Gabriela. And she too had used twin swords.

You cheeky brat.

Leon didn´t wait for Zard´s next attack, he whirled around with the twin swords and sliced at Zard´s back. The students were shocked. Shocked! That Leon´s sword got shattered with just one attack, that he didn´t even take head-on!

The sandy ground exploded as Zard ripped his sword to the side, most students thought of it as impossible, to wield such a giant sword with such ease and speed!

And not only did he move faster than the students could follow, he even started to chant, after yelling something.

"BELL! Engrave it into your memory! That´s how we fight!"

Even Leon was shocked at how fast Zard whirled around, only because he jumped backward and brought the twin swords up, did he manage to escape Grattor, Zard´s sword.

The twin swords shattered on impact.

"Second Rank cleared, Third Rank, Dalbazar!"

As the magic reacted again, Zard noticed how Leon got faster, as if something increased his Dexterity and Agility.

Enhancement magic...then let me show you something.

The great axe formed in Leon´s hands, and he swung it down with speed and strength, forcing Zard to block with Grattor. For a moment, both men stood face to face, Leon couldn´t hide his surprise.

"This is a mock battle!"

"A mock battle between heroes! Fight like one! Fight like HIM!"

Their weapons clashed and as both separated, Zard started to chant.

"Forgive me, father god. For partaking of the banquet of the gods. Hunger, entrapping tongue of flame. Devour all, fangs of scorching heat!"

Flames gushed out of his hands, encircling his greatsword.

"Rea Ambrosia!"

Zard didn´t unleash his full magic attack, this would go too far, but now he fought with his flaming sword. Trails of fire followed each swing of his sword, just as trails of light followed Leon´s grand axe, each clash of their weapons resulted in small explosions, strong enough to shake the students in the first rows.

Leon glared at Zard. "I see the Conquerer in front of me again."

"So be it, I want to see Maxim´s legacy in front of me!"

One thing got clear for Leon, Zard had never before attacked him with his full strength, not even close. Leon had trained like a madman, to be worthy of Maxim´s sacrifice, but outside of the dungeon, level seven had a hard time growing. The highest stat he currently had was higher rank D. And while Zard was weakened due to the Miasma, even when Alfia´s presence lifted quite a lot of the burden, two of his stats were maxed-out, one almost, while even Agility had reached B by now, only his magic lacked behind...yet was higher than Leon´s highest stat.

The great axe soon started to get first cracks, their blows were beyond powerful, so much so that the magical barrier at the edge of the arena reacted and the shield protected the students from the shockwaves of their attacks.

"Go wild! Go beyond what you are! SHOW IT TO ME!"

Bell had never before seen Zard so emotional. Even Alfia´s calm demeanor was just a mask at this point, she wanted to see it too.

Zeus bared his teeth. "Show me that you´re worthy of them, boy! Bell! Take a close look! Burn it into your eyes!"

"Yes, Grandpa!"

Zard's titanic muscles bulged and his tunic split open, revealing his sculpted torso and powerful arms.

Grattor swung through the air much faster than should be possible. While the students were nowhere near her strength and had never seen Grattor up close, they were able to piece together a few things.

How the greatsword split the ground under the first blow, how the ground tore open when Leon blocked it, how hard Leon had to fight against it with the great axe so that it could even resist his magical weapons!

The students knew that the stronger a metal, the heavier it was. And one thing became clear, no student here could even hope to lift this massive greatsword!

Leon bared his teeth as he blocked the flaming sword with his axe, which shone from the light.

Zard almost growled. "That´s Dalban´s axe, you surely got inspired by our help."

"I wouldn´t call it "help"!"

As Zard took a step back, Leon slammed the axe down, which shattered on impact.

"Third rank cleared, Fourth Rank, Filon!"

Alfia pursed her lips. Filoniel had been a member of her familia, a pure-blooded high-elf. The shield that formed in Leon´s hands, looked like the middle part of a giant´s dagger, just like Filoniel´s had looked like. She had been the shield of the Hera familia, with a defense that got broken only once time, by the black dragon.

And just like Filoniel, didn´t Leon only block Zard´s sword with the great shield, the tip was sharp like a sword, so he swung the shield around, to attack him.

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"A fourth version?! I thought Professor Leon only had four!" Alisa had jumped up on her seat.

Lefiya had to yell so that Alisa could even understand her. "Didn´t he speak of twelve ranks?!"

"You´re kidding me! Who is this man?! How can he keep up with Professor Leon!"

Luke frowned. "Open your eyes, Alisa! He isn´t keeping up with him! That man is stronger than Professor Leon!"

"No way!"

The teachers didn´t even try to keep the students down, cheers for Leon, cries, and screams filled the arena. Never before had the students of the District such a sight, such excitement!

But Lefiya´s eyes didn´t only follow the fight, she looked at the three other people. Lord Zeus was shedding manly tears over the fight, the woman who had impressed Lefiya so much stood there, her arms crossed under her chest, her hands clenched slightly at her elbows. And Bell...he drank in the sight in front of him.

And...he didn´t even flinch when the shockwaves washed over them!

"Just who are they..."

As the great axe had shattered, the third rank had increased Leon´s strength. So instead of getting pushed back like before, he was able to throw himself against Zard´s attacks, keeping up with him.

"Did Professor Leon just get stronger?!"

Of course, no student knew what exactly Leon´s magic did, only that he could create weapons with it.

Both charged at each other again, Leon swung the shield against Zard´s sword, who let go of the handle with one hand. His fist swung around and punched hard into Leon´s cheek, throwing him to the ground. The students cried out, but Leon was on his feet not even a second later, swinging the massive shield around. This time, Zard was a bit too slow, and the pointy, sharp tip got hammered against his stomach. Lefiya clasped her hands in front of her mouth, did Leon just kill that man?!

But...she felt sick when she saw it...the abs of the man had stopped the shield from piercing him.

Zard grinned wildly. "That´s it, that was good! It felt exactly like "her" shield did!"

"You clashed with her too?!"

"Of course we did! We all clashed with each other! Now show me who can wield a shield better, you or Hera´s paladin!"

Filoniel´s defense had been so absolute, that she sometimes went to fight Balor...for fun. She just stood there to mock the Monster Rex, blocking all of his physical and magical attacks with her shield, while the few familia members who accompanied her had waited at the edge of the room, mocking the boss and laughing amused. Until the high-elf had enough fun and exercise, then she had unleashed her magic. Leon couldn´t do that, only copying her shield...oh...how often had that high-elf beaten him up with that shield. And her magic, which was active in a passive version most of the time, absorbed the force of attacks until she decided to...throw it back, in an explosion of light.

The students watched in awe, how Leon´s usual facade crumbled slightly. This man was more than a teacher, more than a knight, he was also a warrior. But he didn´t turn into a berserker or wild warrior, he fought like a fierce knight would against Zard...and he didn´t even draw his real sword so far.

Eventually, Grattor got stuck in Filon, he pushed the flaming sword down further, until the shield split in two, letting Leon evade.

"Fourth rank cleared, fifth rank, Semelate!"

Semelar had been a half-elf of Zard´s familia. A cunning member, who claimed he alone owned more than half of the brain activity of his whole familia. He was the one who had written down everything about the dungeon since the others didn´t have the patience to do so...or the handwriting. Zard wasn´t the only one who got emotionally touched by it, Zeus looked like he was almost in pain, crying...yet grinning and laughing.

Leon´s style changed as he raised the big staff in his hands, the tip was glowing. Zard was a bit thankful, that Leon couldn´t use Semelar´s "Implosion" magic, that one had been nasty. He had once used it out of curiosity onto Udaeus. The giant skeleton had imploded, the whole fight had this way only taken about thirty seconds...and most of the time was just the half-elf chanting. His familia had been quite upset since he had destroyed Udaeus´ magic stone and potential drop items. But at least his curiosity had been satisfied...and Maxim had a good, long laugh. All of them had laughed at Udaeus´ pitiful form at the end.

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Bell watched the fight, how Leon summoned one weapon after the other, each getting destroyed by Zard...and every time...did Leon get stronger, at least it looked like it. For him was Leon´s summoning magic a bit similar to his own, even when Bell doubted he could summon so many after another.

Alfia and Zeus mumbled the names of the members that Leon´s magic resembled.

The next weapon was a khopesh sword, Aluon. Alfia mumbled the name of a female werewolf, Aluna. That woman had used two of these blades, she liked how the curve resembled the crescent moon, striking primordial fear into many men of Orario. This woman may have been the strongest of all werewolves, having a unique skill, that allowed her to go into beastification...on will!

The seventh weapon, Melvetore, resembled a giant warhammer. Melvetios was a bull man, probably the tallest and most massive member that the Zeus familia ever had. He had even dwarfed Zard, would let Ottar look slender and timid, but wasn´t even close to his strength. The Bullman had only been a fresh level seven, so barely counted as a high executive.

And then, eventually...

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"Seventh rank cleared. Eighth rank, Zaldor!"

A greatsword appeared in Leon´s hands, looking exactly like Zard´s Grattor.

Zard grinned wildly. "Hah! Looks like you got impressed by me too, boy!"

"You surely "helped" me more than enough in the past!"

"Then show me!"

Leon had gotten stronger and stronger during the fight, and Zard pushed more of his strength out. The two greatswords shattered the ground, split the air as they collided again and again. With sparks of light, small flames, shockwaves from the impacts, the arena slowly got scorched.

But the magic constructs couldn´t keep up with Zard´s real sword. After ten minutes, even Zaldor shattered, only to get replaced with Alfiar.

A scythe.

A warscythe.

Zeus laughed. "Hah! Alfia, you have an admirer."

"Silence, old man."

Bell heard Alfia constantly complaining, about how cheap Leon´s copy of her weapon and style was, counting the flaws in his movements.

"I would´ve defeated Zard thirteen times by now...pathetic."

"Mom, was that really your weapon?"

"Of course, it was, Sweety. It was a staff and blade weapon in one, perfect for me."

Zeus grinned. "And it was the perfect fit for your goth style."

"So?"

"I didn´t mean anything teasing or fun in it, it was just perfect for you."

Not only was Bell amazed by this weapon, how Leon wielded it. Since Lefiya was so deeply impressed by Alfia, her image engraved into her mind, she could only think one thing when she looked at the scythe, and then at Alfia´s dress.

A word came into her mind that most elves normally wouldn´t speak.

So cool...

She admired the style of the dress, except for the deep cleavage of course...

For Lefiya, in her current condition, this was what strength looked like. Strength to protect what was precious to her, what she loved, to never lose something or someone precious again.

Another ten minutes passed before Alfiar shattered, Lefiya watched every second of it, the style of how Leon fought with the scythe...and how unpleased Alfia looked as if she had a lot of complaints.

The name that came next, let even Alfia go a bit pale.

"Tenth Rank, Regnant!"

Alfia growled lowly. "How dare he put Regalia above me, hmpf!"

Leon now held a longsword in his hands, similar to his own. Now his fighting style changed a lot. Swinging Alfiar had created slashes in the air, which had a similar impact to Alfia´s Gospel, just much smaller, and sharper. Leon tried to cut things, but Alfia crushed them.

Bell´s eyes shone as he watched the fight. "This is...the sword of Aunt Regalia?"

Zeus got pale. "Bell! Never speak this word again! Hera might hear you!"

"You mean aunt?"

"No! The Empress´ name!"

Bell looked confused, then he heard the cries of the students. With each swing of Regnant, Leon summoned smaller magic swords, which launched at Zard, slicing more of his clothes, but leaving his body strangely unharmed.

"Oh thank the others in heaven he can´t use "that" magic."

"Which magic did Aunt Regalia use?"

Alfia chuckled, it amused her that Bell let Regalia sound older than her. "She could summon swords made of magic and launch them at the opponent. Not as impressive as my magic, but she got passing grades."

"Ahahaha..."

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In the ranks, Lefiya´s hands turned white, so hard did she clenched them into the backrest of the seat in front of her. These magic swords that got summoned and launched... reminded her of her magic, where she could summon burning, blazing arrows, but this...this touched something deep within her.

Her very soul reacted to what she saw here. She followed each of the glowing swords with her eyes, it was...majestic. Lefiya wondered what it would look like if she summoned her magic, and instead of arrows, countless swords would shoot out of the portals she summoned.

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Zard eventually got what he wanted when Regnant shattered too, Leon´s fists wouldn´t stop glowing.

"Tenth rank cleared. Eleventh rank...MAXIMUM!"

Finally!

What appeared in Leon´s hands, was a curved sword, it had only one cutting edge, with small rings attached to the backside of the blade. Maxim´s favorite sword, a far-eastern-style weapon.

A Dao.

"Huff...Huff...Huff..." Leon panted, drenched in sweat.

Zard gripped the handle of his sword harder.

"Now show it to me, Leon!"

It was the first time that Zard used Leon´s name.

"Show me that you´re worthy of what the Laughing Warrior did!"

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Not one student had a word for what they saw, at least for the things they could see, Leon and Zard were just too fast sometimes, it wasn´t the final form of Leon´s sword, but it was "just a mock battle" after all. Both clashed for almost half an hour like that. Zard went all out without trying to actually kill Leon, forcing that young knight to go all out as well. Their blades were schemes, while Leon´s sword was faster, due to its smaller size and lighter weight, Zard´s status and experience with his weapon were far beyond Leon´s.

Both got their fair share of shallow cuts, the students couldn´t believe that Zard managed to give Leon such a hard time.

When the mark of a bit over an hour arrived, a loud bell rang to signal the end of the fight.

Both were panting, but when Zard lowered his sword, he nodded. "That was good, I´m pleased. Maxim chose well."

"You have my thanks, Zard. I hope it was inspiring for the students."

"Judging by the looks, I guess so."

When Leon dissolved his magic and raised his right hand, the students exploded into an so far unheard volume of cheering and cries. More than one student was touched by what they had seen during the fight.

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When Zard returned to his family, Zeus slapped his shoulder two times. "Well done, boy."

Bell´s eyes shone. "That was so awesome, Uncle Zard!"

"Thanks, old man, Bell."

Alfia looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "You get a passing grade at most."

"Heh, guess I can´t expect more."

"And you smell of sweat."

"Never bothered you before."

"Of course it did."

"What? Don´t want me to carry you again like this?"

"Don´t you dare..."

Before they left the arena, a shy voice came from above.

"E-excuse me!"

When they looked up, they saw Lefiya.

"Th-That was impressive! T-The fight! And the magic as well! Especially the magic!"

Zard winked. "Thank you, young girl."

Alfia raised an eyebrow. "You didn´t faint?"

"Ahm...almost..."

"Hm."

Alisa appeared next to Lefiya, only daring to glance over the parapet.

Lefiya looked at Bell. "How long are you going to stay here?"

"Ahm, I think...only today? Grandpa?"

Zeus nodded. "It was just a deal for today."

Lefiya´s ears dropped slightly. "Oh..."

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"Actually, there is something I´d like to talk with you about, on Lord Baldr´s request."

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"Funyah!"

"A-Alisa?!"

Alisa fainted on the spot as Leon came to the group. One of Zard´s attacks had slashed Leon´s shirt, revealing most of his well-toned upper body. And since Alisa had probably the strongest crush on Leon...

Since Zard took a break, the fight had exhausted him more than it would´ve in the past, and Alfia held a towel and a water bottle to him...it was really "cute" for Zeus how "caring" Alfia could be...the old god stepped to Leon.

"What does Baldr want to talk about? I guess it´s "that"?"

He nodded to Bell.

Leon smiled. "So you saw through the intentions already?"

"Oh, please, boy. How old do you think I am? I´ve been down here for a thousand years already."

Lefiya gasped when she heard that, knowing that gods were immortal and hearing about how long they actually could exist were two different things.

Bell looked confused. "What do you mean, Grandpa?"

Zeus winked. "Just listen to little Leon here."

Leon nodded after looking at Bell for a moment.

"Bell Cranel. On Lord Baldr´s behalf, would I like to formally invite you to join the Education District as a student?"

"Eh? Me? A...student?"

"That´s right. While we´re currently not at a harbor and holding the enrolling ceremony, there are a few open slots. You expressed your wish to learn new things, many things, and Lady Idun confirmed that. Which is all that is necessary to enroll in the District."

"Oh.."

Zeus winked at Bell. "They were testing you from the beginning, not on purpose, but they are like that, they do that with everyone."

Lefiya was as quiet as a mouse, while she tried to hold the unconscious Alisa up.

Leon continued. "Enrolling here as a student would mean traveling around the continent with us. To learn so many things, see the world, learn about other countries, expand your horizons."

"That sounds good...but..."

"But?"

"I´m sorry...I have to decline."

Zeus´ eyes widened slightly, Zard and Alfia said nothing, Lefiya looked a bit sad.

Leon nodded. "I can understand every decision you would make, but may I ask why? Just out of curiosity."

"I don´t want to leave my family. Mom, Uncle Zard, and Grandpa...they´re everything to me."

Lefiya felt a known ache in her heart.

Mmmh...family...together...

Leon chuckled. "If that´s the problem, then don´t worry. Lord Zeus, Gluttony, Silence, Lord Baldr´s offer is also for you too. We are currently a bit short-staffed on teachers. What you showed the students today were very valuable lessons, and I strongly believe they could learn a lot from you. So, as long as Bell would study here, we would like to hire you as teachers."

Alfia raised an eyebrow. "Are you serious?"

"Very serious."

Zard exhaled through his nose. "Didn´t you complain not long ago about my teachings."

"What you did in the past doesn´t count as "teaching" at all."

Zeus grinned. "Me? A teacher? Hah! Would be a first time."

"You are not allowed to flirt with students."

"But other teachers are alright?!"

Leon sighed.

Bell still looked uneasy. "But..our home...our house..."

Zeus went to Bell and put a hand on his shoulder, the other over Bell´s heart. "Bell, a house is a house. Home is here, where your family is. Do you remember when Ms. Fallwind´s house burned down in an accident?"

"Yes."

"The whole village helped her build a new one. She had saved the most precious things to her, her children, and a few memories. But weren´t they happy with their new house?"

"They were."

"See? In four years, we all would´ve moved out of the house anyway."

"Hm..."

Leon looked at Bell with a calm expression. "From what I got, you want to go to Orario and become an adventurer in four years, right?"

"I do."

"We will arrive in Orario again in roughly four years. And you said you like to learn more about the wide world. It would be the perfect opportunity. Also, we will stay for almost three weeks here, so you have enough time to go back home, get everything, and come back."

"Hm."

"You don´t need to make this decision right now. If you and your family show up here again before we set sail, we will have our answer."

Leon now looked at the three adults. "I will be honest with you here, having you three as teachers would greatly benefit our students. Even if it would be "only" for four years."

Zard crossed his arms. "Never was a teacher before, what should I even teach?"

"Your experience, your fighting skills, is there anything else you can do well?"

"Cooking?"

"That is important, we have classes entirely about cooking, in the field or at home."

"Hm."

Alfia moved her hand through her hair like grace incarnate. "I don´t have patience with noisy kids."

Leon chuckled. "We encourage the students to ask questions and state their opinions, but in a civilized matter. Your knowledge, your magical skills, I´m sure they would learn a lot."

Now he looked at Zeus. "And I surely don´t need to talk about your experiences, Lord Zeus."

"Jup, I know everything there is."

Bell looked back and forth between them. "So, I would stay with my family?"

"Yes. We have a few small, empty houses. As a student, you would sleep at one of the dorms, during the days off, you could sleep at your family´s home. And since you want to become an adventurer, I would recommend you to join the combat studies, which means you would form a squad of four to five, five is pretty rare, with other students. But when classes are over for the day, you will be free to spend all the time you want with your family. Or maybe the new friends you would make."

"Hm."

Zeus grinned. "Bell, the decision is yours alone. But if I could give you my opinion, as the wise, old man I am, I would say, go for it. It´s the best opportunity you could get. To learn so many new things, and see the world, nothing can prepare you better to become an adventurer."

He leaned closer and whispered. "Or a hero."

"Hoh!"

Alfia looked displeased. "Zeus, don´t influence my baby."

"Girl, I´m just stating my opinion here."

There was a small, short stare-off between Zeus and Alfia.

Zard gently ruffled Bell´s hair and smiled at him in his fatherly way. "Since our deal still stands for the day, how about we go to the bow again and there you can think in peace. If you decide not to do it, we can still stay most of the day, does that sound good?"

"Yes, Uncle Zard."

Bell looked at Leon. "Can I think about it for a few hours?"

"Of course."

As Leon left, Bell looked up, Lefiya glanced down at him...if he had to name it, there was a plea in her eyes.

As if she wanted to say...please don´t leave me.

Without a word, both looked at each other for a few minutes, it got interrupted when Alisa groaned and woke up again.

"Ah...Professor...Leon´s...abs...auuu..."

"Alisa...snap out of it..."

"Ah, Lefi! Where is Professor Leon?!"

"He went away a few minutes ago."

"Mouh..."

While Alisa left, Lefiya looked down at Bell again.

"The District...it´s quite...interesting."

"Hm...I need to think about it."

Lefiya nodded, and left.

Zeus frowned slightly, Zard leaned to him and whispered.

"This girl is in a lot of emotional pain and stress."

"Indeed."

The four of them left the arena and slowly walked to the bow, at the end of the day, Bell would make his decision. Until then, he would talk to his family, whatever his decision was, they would support and accompany him.

Even when Alfia didn´t want to be a teacher, if it was for Bell, she would do it. Do everything.

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While they talked, other things happened on that fateful day, someone in Orario had to hold her crying child.

"*hic* *hic* *hic*"

"There there...Kaguya...there there..."

"*hic* *hic*"

"Oh, my child..."

Kaguya sobbed and hiccuped heavily. "Don´t you *hic*...don´t you dare..*hic*...tell the others...*hic*...that I cried..."

Astrea gently caressed Kaguya´s back while she held her, Kaguya´s face was buried in Astrea´s bosom. No matter how stressed one of her "daughters" was, this hug always comforted them.

"I would never, but please, let me be the first one to say this. Congratulations, Kaguya."

"*hic* Thank you..*hic*"

It was one of these very rare times, that Kaguya cried. Normally when she did that, she would do it alone. But she got a letter from the Dian Cecht familia hospital. Kaguya got so nervous that she couldn´t open it, in the end, went to her goddess. Now both sat on Astrea´s bed, Kaguya´s hands were shaking when she opened the letter. Then...the first tears rolled out of her eyes, down her cheeks, to her chin, and dripped down on the letter.

Astrea saw what was written there too.

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Kaguya was healed.

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After the dark times were over...a while after that horrible incident and after getting Alise back, Kaguya went to the hospital. She had talked with a healer of the familia about her conditions, what her clan did in the Far East. So, they had taken blood samples from her, as well as other samples of body fluids, tried many things to find a cure for the poison in her body.

And now...they had found a solution, Kaguya´s poisoned body got cleansed from the effect.

It had been one of Kaguya´s most intimate and important wishes, right after keeping her familia safe. Now that she was cleansed, she would get a chance that she otherwise only would´ve gotten if she returned for a while to her clan in the Far East, and it would be unlikely that they would´ve given her the antidote. So, Kaguya´s only other choice would´ve been to find someone who had a strong Abnormal Resistance, which would limit her options a lot.

She was finally free, free to find love, a lover, to kiss someone, to be with someone...to even dream of children in the future.

Even for Astrea was it rare to see Kaguya that emotional. It would take over an hour for her to calm down, and even then she refused to tell her familia at first, hiding in her room. Since she didn´t want them to see her with reddened eyes.

To see how much she cried.

But when she would tell them in the evening, the Astrea familia would throw one of their biggest parties ever. Kaguya had never looked at any men with interest, since they would´ve died if they did so much as kissing her.

But now...everything was possible for her.

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In another part of Orario, fate would start to change yet again. As if one event that changed resulted in a chain reaction.

"Lady Freya."

"Ottar, what brings you to me?"

"I would like to talk to you about something."

"Oh?"

Freya placed the cards she had just shuffled with divine skill on the table. Sometimes she did it just to pass the time. The weather was nice, so she sat on her enormous balcony, it was one of her days off from the pub.

"Please have a seat."

"Mh."

There were several seats available here, but most wouldn´t be able to carry his weight. Only one of them, a simple tree stump. Freya liked the different kinds of seats, so she could change between them how her mood dictated it.

He knew it amused her to see him sit down with his massive body.

"Do you want a drink?"

And again, so that she could follow her mood, there were several glasses, cups, tankards and even drinking horns here. Only one of them filled, Freya wouldn´t waste any liquid.

"I have water, beer, mead, wine..."

Since what he had to say came from him as a warrior, Ottar chose a big drinking horn and filled it with mead.

"Ehehee~~~"

"Lady Freya?"

"Hehe~~~ I should invite Horn to drink with me, using horns. I wonder which horn Horn would choose if I told Horn to choose a horn. Ahahaha~~~~"

While he couldn´t follow her thoughts completely, Ottar was satisfied that she was amused.

To follow his example, Freya too filled herself a horn, even when it was much smaller than Ottar´s, and took a sip. Of course, she was an expert on how to drink from a horn.

"Ah, that lets me feel like a warrior queen again."

"You are our holy warrior queen, the Queen of the Valkyr."

"Mh..I have the feeling what you want to say is as a warrior?"

"Indeed."

"Then out with it, my loyal subject."

"I watched the others during their training, it isn´t enough."

"You don´t like the baptism?"

"It helps them to get stronger, yet they...we lack the will to strife further. To become truly stronger again. Since the Great Feud years ago, there wasn´t a level up among the high executives, this has to change."

"You are all training each day for many hours."

"That is true, but it isn´t enough. Others keep getting stronger, go beyond their limits. I don´t feel this urge from the others."

Freya took a sip from her mead. "I know that you have your eyes on Balor, Ottar. But you´re not ready to face him alone."

"I am aware."

"You are unsatisfied that the others don´t try to achieve something great to level up?"

"I am. Orario is missing something...lost something."

"Go on."

"Ever since you took your rightful throne, ever since Zeus and Hera familias vanished...have we become too relaxed."

"When you say "we", you don´t just mean the familia."

"Indeed. Orario is...resting. We don´t strife as hard forward as in the past, with one exception."

Freya smiled slightly. "You mean yourself and Astrea´s familia."

"Yes. They also train hard, they venture into the dungeon, try to overcome themself."

"How do you know that?"

"I have my eyes on many adventurers."

"Heeeeeeeeeh?~~~~~~ Oh myyyy~~~ Ottar, don´t tell me?! One of them caught your eyes?!~~~~"

"I can´t follow, all of them caught my eyes."

"Hah...no it´s alright."

Freya knew that it was hard to tease Ottar, it wasn´t that he was dense, he was just completely uninterested in romance.

He continued. "They risk something in the dungeon, they don´t want the Dark times to return, so they strive to become stronger. We can´t stand aside and just train. Allen, Hogni, Hedin, the Brimgar...we fight so often among each other, that we´re blocking our way forward. To achieve great heights, for ourselves and what is more important, for you, Lady Freya."

"I know that you´re all training hard for that."

"But the training is too safe."

She raised an eyebrow. "You call that safe?"

"Compared to the dungeon, yes."

Ottar was the only one of her followers who ventured deeper into the dungeon on his own accord. Sure, the other high executives then also went into the dungeon, but mostly to try and stop him from getting ahead of them.

"This behavior is unworthy of true warriors, your warriors, Lady Freya."

"And what would you want to change, Ottar?"

"I will make them all strife forward harder so that we won´t get overshadowed by Loki familia and Astrea familia."

"Heeeeh~~ Astrea´s girls motivated you?"

"They follow the right way, risk something to overcome what they are, to get stronger. The "Angel of Justice" more than anyone else. We all should never forget what awaits us one day."

"The black dragon."

"Aye. When Zeus and Hera's familia couldn´t defeat it, what chance would we have? We are far beneath their strength, I won´t tolerate this any longer."

A special smile came onto Freya´s face. "Very well then, Ottar. I trust your warrior instinct. So, it is finally time that you truly act as the captain?"

"It is, I let it slide for too long, this has an end now. We will use Loki and Astrea familias to push ourselves further. One rival who is close to our strength, the other a younger one who has a fast pacing to catch up to us."

"Then you have a free hand. I will tell everyone to follow your words as if they were my own. I will encourage them a bit more."

"How?"

"With a reward for whoever did the best work during a week."

Ottar nodded.

"Yet, there will be but one condition, Ottar."

"Name it."

"You have to beat Loki´s familia when it comes down to dungeon exploration. I don´t care about the pleas of the guild, but I have a point to make."

"It shall be. I will promise you this, I will hammer it into them, they all shall aim for a level up yet again!"

"Just don´t kill or break them, Ottar."

"I won´t kill anyone."

He didn´t promise to not break them...

Eventually, Freya got up and gently put a hand on Ottar´s head. "My proud, strong, cute warrior."

"I´m a grown man, I´m not cute..."

Freya smiled in a very motherly way. "You will always be cute for me in at least one way. My Ottar."

He couldn´t reply as Freya gently hugged his head, she whispered the words that no one else was ever allowed to hear.

"My son..."

Freya was Ottar´s everything, he lived for her, for she had given him a life, a purpose, a name. She was in many ways like his mother, a mother he never had before. Yet, he would never dare to call her that. But he knew that Freya didn´t only see him like that, there were also the two cats.

"I can´t thank you enough for this opportunity you have given me."

"What do you mean?"

She let go of his head, raised an index finger in front of her lips, and winked mischievously. "That´s a secret.~~~"

Since Astrea´s familia went into the dungeon quite often, she would now get a better chance for her "projects". Astrea still owed her a favor for Ottar saving a few of her followers during an Evilus attack in the Dark Times, and Freya slowly got an idea of what she wanted.

"Then let us go and tell the others about your idea Ottar. I will silence any complaint."

"You have my thanks, Lady Freya."

"Oh, and one thing."

"Yes?"

"Don´t turn my cute Andhrimnir all into buffed warriors like you..."

"Al...right..."

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To make things easier for Ottar, Freya explained that it was her idea, like that, there were only a few complaints. Not against her idea of course, only that Ottar should have the command. With an amused chuckle, Freya offered everyone the captain´s position, who managed to beat Ottar in a fight.

Even when he ended up beaten up and bloody on the ground, Allen had at least tried to fight Ottar.

The cat man still bared his teeth and hissed, Ottar just crouched next to him and nodded. "You have the will in you to go beyond yourself, Allen. Now follow Lady Freya´s wish, I´ll take you on as often as necessary."

Freya then looked with a serious expression at all her followers. "I make myself clear here. No fighting on the way into the dungeon, in the dungeon, or on your way back from the dungeon. Is that clear?"

"""""""Yes, Lady Freya!""""""""

She just raised an eyebrow.

"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""YES, LADY FREYA!""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""

"Better. Hedin."

"Milady?"

"You have the command when you go onto an Expedition, decide who has to help you handing out commands. Heith, you will lead the Andhrimnir, listen to Hedin´s orders as if they were my own."

Both nodded, Heith bowed slightly.

"Hogni?"

"My blinding light in the darkness?"

"Since the familia doesn´t have much experience with Expeditions, and I won´t tolerate any failure, loss, or embarrassment for failing an Expedition, you will get a special job."

"Whatever your will is."

The smile that appeared on Freya´s lips delighted Hogni...and made him feel uneasy.

"Good, then come with me."

As Freya left, with Hogni walking a step behind her, Ottar turned around to the other high executives and Andhrimnir.

"Hedin, I leave the talk with the guild to you, Lady Freya said no one is more fitting for that."

"Naturally."

Ottar relied mostly on his instincts as a warrior, he didn´t have a cunning nature. Yet, he made himself a mental note. Remembering them that it was Lady Freya´s will and her idea, would help a lot.

"Allen, Gullivers, Einheryar, you are to go into the dungeon, seeking floors fitting your level. Lady Freya demands results and rare drop items. Whoever does the best work this week, will get a personal reward from her. The Andhrimnir will remain here for different training. You have to get used to looking out for yourselves more, and live with limited potions."

No complaints came, they simply left...in an avalanche of eager warriors, towards the dungeon!

Heith turned to Ottar. "Sir Ottar, what will our job be?"

"Brace yourself."

"Huh?"

Ottar turned to glare down at the Andhrimnir...all of them.

"You here will face me."

"Excuse me?!"

"No, you will not get excused. I will drill into you what will be necessary. You all too shall strife to level up again."

"I´m a level four healer!"

"Which means you have room to get stronger."

"We are meant to be the backline and heal the warriors!"

"Then we will change exactly that, and turn you all into true Valkyries."

She grit her teeth, Heith was the only one among the Andhrimnir to stand her ground against Ottar...at least for now.

"You don´t just choose to level up!"

Ottar´s gaze frightened Heith and the others.

"Why not?"

Ottar wouldn´t allow any excuses, the only ones who would get treated a bit softer were those that had "that time of a month", as Freya had strictly ordered it.

By the end of the day, the only Andhrimnir who could still move a bit was Heith, but even she was completely spent.

"Ouch...s-screw you..."

"Good, if you still have the energy to curse me, means we can improve the training tomorrow."

Finally, Ottar would act like a captain should, like the captain of this familia should, driving his familia forward.

There would be no excuses.

No mercy.

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Hedin on the other hand would ruin someone´s day. The day of a red-maned werewolf at the guild. Stating that his whole familia needed an "adviser" to communicate with the guild. Rose´s higher-ups were delighted to hear that the Freya familia would start to explore the dungeon eagerly now. So she would handle all the paperwork that came with it.

Against her will, Rose would have a lot of contact with the Freya familia now...not something she desired. At first, Rose would groan, complain, and sometimes curse, but it would become more bearable since she would get a not-so-small pay rise, mostly because Royman was very delighted and ordered her to do her best for the Freya familia. Seeing a chance that she was also the adviser of Loki´s vice-captain. The chubby elf saw this as an opportunity, to bring both familias on line, so they would become stronger once again. All this took a huge part of the stress away from Royman.

Which would lead to his fate changing too...

He would start to lose weight...

.

.

.

"Oh my, it´s quite loud here."

Freya stood with Hogni in front of the gate to the Stardust Garden, from the noises it sounded like they were having a party. Eventually, since some of them of course noticed the visitors outside, the door to the house opened and a slightly drunk Werewolf came outside.

"Oh, Lady Freya *hic*, welcome. *hic* What bringsh you here?"

"Ehehe~~ Good day, young Neze. I would like to talk to Astrea."

"One moment pleashe..."

Hogni looked with no great interest at the house, then at the many flowers. Unlike Folkvangr, the home of the Astrea familia wasn´t protected by a wall. There was only a fence, hidden in a hedge.

"Shall I observe this place, Lady Freya?"

"Mmmh...let´s call it observation, yes. But not this place."

"Hm?"

"You will see.~~~"

When Astrea came outside, she was accompanied by Ryu.

Heh, what a coincidence that she out of all people comes outside with her.

Then again, Freya could see the soul lights of the other familia members, Alise´s pulsed in the strong rhythm of being drunk, as well as Kaguya´s...And most of the others, even her cute Anya.

I´m glad she is having fun.

"Ah, Freya, what brings you here, my friend?"

"Hello, Astrea, young Ryu."

Ryu nodded slightly, then glanced at Hogni, who returned her gaze...without freaking out. Only Astrea´s presence made him slightly unwell.

Hehe, fascinating.

Astrea invited them into the garden.

"I would like to talk to you about something, Astrea. I thought about the favor."

"Of course, what shall I do?"

"Not you personally, well not directly, just to allow something. My familia will soon start to explore the dungeon too, especially the deeper floors. We don´t have much experience in Expeditions, so I would like to have Hogni observe how you handle Expeditions accompany your children on the next one, and help you with your work. I don´t like to admit it...but teamwork isn´t our strength."

"Haaah?!"

It wasn´t Astrea who cried out, but Hogni.

"L-L-Lady Freya?!"

"Yes, Hogni?"

"Why me?!"

"Because I want it so?"

I-I-Is that so..."

"Do you have a problem with my wish?"

"No...*sob*"

Ryu frowned slightly. "Are you alright, my brethren?"

Hogni´s expression turned normal in the blink of an eye. "No problem here with my Lady´s orders, forestwalker."

Astrea blinked curious. "Forestwalker? Oh, I get it, because she is a forest elf. You´re quite creative, young Hogni."

"Y-Y-You have my thanks, Lady of Justice."

Freya could see in the pulse of Hogni´s soul, that it was the hardest fight of his life to keep his cool expression.

Astrea smiled. "I have no complaints or reason to decline your offer, Freya. But, I have to ask my children first, if they would have a problem to have a man accompany them."

"Of course, that is only fair."

It would turn more into a problem for Hogni, he couldn´t understand why Freya chose him of all people! But Freya was just too curious, not only why Ryu had been able to touch Hogni´s hand, even when he wore a glove, but also why Hogni didn´t freak out in her presence!

Most intriguing.

She was aware that she threw him into a large group of single women, but it would probably go well.

Freya looked up when it got noisier in the house.

"May I ask what the reason for such a party is?"

"We just celebrate something regarding Kaguya. And that our dear Ryu here has reached level five."

"Oh my, another level five, my congratulations, young Ryu. I bet Syr will be overjoyed to hear that, she is always so worried about you. But, I didn´t hear any news about this?"

"I didn´t announce it to the guild, I want to wait after the next Denatus."

"And why?"

Astrea sighed. "I don´t want the others to harass Ryu, or try to come up with a "cool" name...I want to spare her from that as long as possible."

In fact, Astrea wouldn´t say that out loud, but everyone in the familia expected Ryu to soon have her status higher than Alise´s. In terms of pure status, Ryu would soon be the strongest member they had. It would only lead to everyone else doubling their efforts, especially Kaguya, who didn´t want to fall behind her rival, or Alise, who still had the urge deep inside her, to protect everyone, to keep her familia safe.

Ryu nodded to Freya. "Thank you, Lady Freya. I will do my best not to worry Syr."

"Hehe, that´s good.~~ Oh, that reminds me, Syr told me she would love to have another sleepover with you or Alise, or both, and today is her day off."

Astrea smiled. "Syr is very welcome to sleep at our home too."

"Oh my, I will tell her. But no trying to recruit my child, Astrea."

"I would never do that."

"Hehe, good.~~ Now then, I will leave Hogni here so that you can get used to each other."

"Eek?!" Hogni´s shriek was quite...funny.

Astrea put a hand on her cheek. "My girls are currently going a bit wild, but I think Ryu will be able to keep things prim and proper."

Ryu nodded. "Of course, Lady Freya. Nothing indecent shall happen today nor in the dungeon."

Hogni almost cried when Freya left smiling, waving to him.

As the door opened, Freya soon heard Kaguya´s voice, she sounded quite drunk.

"What´sh tshat?! A dark-elf shtripper?! It itshn´t even my birtshday! *hic*"

Many of the other girls cheered loudly, she could even hear Anya.

"Sir Hogni is a stripper, Meow?!"

And Chloe.

"Nya! Meow wants to see a dark elf butt!"

Teehee!~~ I´m sorry, Hogni.

When Syr would arrive at the house in a few hours, Hogni would sit in a corner, looking scared, seeking comfort in Ryu´s calm presence, who made sure that everything remained prim and proper, with Filvis´ help. Even when they were just sitting there, Hogni looked a bit more relaxed. Filvis would look a bit worried, not sure how to act around a dark elf.

When Syr sat giggling next to Ryu and Hogni, the dark elf almost cried from relief.

It would turn into a very long evening, and the party would continue until late at night. In the end, Hogni sat on the rooftop, observing the area. Mostly since a drunk Kaguya had problems keeping her clothes on. Freya had just been a tiny bit jealous as Syr watched how Astrea sat on a couch, Anya resting her head on Astrea´s lap, purring while the goddess gently scratched the cat-girl´s chin and stroked an ear.

That used to be my privilege...

Freya also noticed how often Filvis glanced at Anya´s, Neze´s, and Chloe´s ears and tails.

But the day ended in quite a nice way since Ryu and Filvis shared a room, Syr couldn´t sleep in the same room, or Ryu´s bed... So, Syr invited the whole familia to a very special occasion. Syr´s room in Babel was enormous, the bed easily as big as ten normal beds, with several couches and armchairs. All of them, except for Ryu and Alise, who already knew it, were baffled by the sight from Babel. And it was adorable to see who slept close to who.

How Maryuu hugged Iska in their sleep, how she herself had to "fight" with Alise, as both hugged Ryu from both sides in her sleep, how Tione slept next to Astrea, resting in the motherly hug of the goddess. The familia members remained pretty close to each other. Freya was just surprised by one thing...not that Tiona slept naked...but that Ardee did that too.

Tiona had a strong influence on Ardee, always keeping her company, helping her a lot with her troubles. On some days, Ardee was almost too energetic, trying out all kinds of things, as if trying to make up for the two years she had lost in her coma. And how Tiona encouraged her not to be ashamed of having her scars seen. How she had promised to beat anyone up who dared to laugh at Ardee.

Well, Shakti and the whole Ganesha familia would bury this person anyway.

And Tiona´s influence got so strong, that Ardee had wanted to try the liberating feeling of sleeping naked, not being ashamed of her scarred body. It would become a habit.

A habit that would make Shakti cry if she knew her little sister did something like that. Yet, they weren´t the only ones, Kaguya did that too, but mostly because she felt wearing clothes in her sleep was a hassle.

Kaguya´s soul light was pretty beautiful tonight, Freya knew about Kaguya´s former condition but never revealed that she knew it. As a Goddess of Fertility and Love, she was happy about the outcome.

Freya started to think about proposing an alliance between the two familias. In case Astrea still had evil enemies somewhere, the thought of Freya intervening might stop anyone from attacking the familia.

.

.

.

In the home of the Loki familia, late in the evening, Riveria watched from a couch with joy in her heart, Ais was sitting at a table and playing cards with Anakitty, Raul...and Bete. While Bete slowly found different ways to vent his stress, Riveria was glad that Ais especially grew closer to the other two. And that all three were kind enough to give Ais a chance...since she had a horrible poker face.

It was the first time they had done something like that, Riveria hoped that many more times would follow, and other activities. Ais didn´t only need fellow familia members, but friends.

.

.

.

And in her room in the Pleasure Quarter, Haruhime felt protected while she slept, getting hugged by Aisha from one side, and Lena from the other. Both had noticed how troubled Haruhime had been, getting haunted by nightmares and bad memories. So they kept her company, promising to protect her at all costs. As she was their little sister.

Even when she was taller than Lena, she was still the little one.

.

.

.

.

Bell had taken longer with his decision than he thought, it didn´t happen in the evening, since Zeus told him he should maybe sleep a night over his decision. So, while he watched the morning sun rising...

He accepted the offer.

Not only would it give him the chance to see so much of the world, but to do it with his family!

But it wasn´t the only big news on this morning, Zeus had a serious talk with Zard and Alfia about something, while Bell slept. Both were aware of their body conditions and even when they felt better, their time was limited.

"Boy, I think it´s time we consider "that". It would make you stronger, give you more time."

"As if that were so easy, even when I have the st-"

"You can level up."

Zard´s expression went blank.

"What?"

"You can level up, for a while now."

"How? I didn´t see it in the sheet you gave me."

"Behemoth."

"That was an effort of both familias and support."

"Still, it was you who slew it, one of the three strongest monsters in existence. By eating its flesh and getting stronger, getting poisoned, you made it your destined enemy. Even when it was years ago, it counts as a great deed."

"Why did you never say anything?"

"I wanted to let you live this peaceful life. But even if Bell didn´t decide to accept the invitation, you two surely would accompany him to Orario, right?"

Both nodded.

"So, not only to have you be stronger...but also for a selfish reason I would like to let you level up."

"What reason?"

Zeus smiled sadly. "The events yesterday shook me...you´re the last one of my boys...I...don´t want to lose that."

"Old man...are you getting emotional on me now?"

"And what if that is the case? Do you think it left me cold to hear about you all dying? That you will die sooner than with such a strong body should be possible to live? You only have this one life, Zard! I want you to live it as long as possible..."

Zeus looked at Alfia. "And enjoy everything possible for you two."

Alfia frowned. "What do you imply here?"

"Nothing, Alfia. But Bell needs his mom, and Zard needs his partner. I´m sure, slaying the Leviathan will count for you as well. But...you would need to find Hera..."

"Or any other god, my status isn´t sealed."

"Hera didn´t seal your status?"

"I didn´t let her, Meteria forbid Hera from doing it. Hera tried to protest, but Meteria showed her "that" glare."

"That" glare was actually...Meteria´s puppy eyes. She had a true glare, a glare that Hera, Alfia, and even Regalia...as well as any other familia member had feared...

"Well I technically could update your status, but I wouldn´t dare if Hera found out that I "stole" from her...irgh..."

Alfia eyed the god. "Nor would I let you do it, or take my dress off in front of you."

Zeus sighed. "Girl, it might sound strange coming from me, but I don´t lust after every woman. You´re Bell´s mom, you´re not more a woman for me now than you are to him. Plus, you´re Zard´s partner, I know he would punish me too."

Zard looked at his hands, then at Alfia.

"He´s right, you know? Might give us more time."

"It might also cause trouble."

Both remembered what happened when Maxim and Regalia had leveled up to eight and Regalia later to nine.

"Maybe. Are you afraid of it?"

"I only fear one thing, and you know that."

"Hay hay, sorry for asking, young Lady."

"Hmpf."

Zard eventually nodded to Zeus. "Alright, old man, do it."

Zeus smiled wryly. "Time for you to keep chasing after Maxim. Do it for all the others, for me, and Bell."

Zard shrugged his shoulders, but Zeus saw that it was only a facade. He then got up from where he sat, taking off his jacket and shirt.

"Falna really is a blessing for you children, you didn´t train much in these years, yet you´re as muscular as ever."

"Won´t miss the peaceful days though."

"I´m sure even in the District, the days will often be peaceful enough."

Zard smirked while he sat down, his back towards Zeus, him facing Alfia. "I fully intend to drag Leon every day to the arena to train. And Bell."

Alfia frowned while Zeus started the ritual. "Bell also needs his free time."

"Of course he does, but I promised to make him as strong as possible before we go to Orario. I owe that to Maxim and the others, to look out for our last member."

Alfia snorted. "Bell is as much a member of the other familia as of yours."

"Yeah, but I think if he grew up under other circumstances, he would be better in our familia, except for living with his parents of course."

"As if I´d let Bell stay with you, ruffians!"

"Hah, and would you be more at ease having him surrounded by all those women in your familia, who all follow the rule of the one true marriage?"

"Of course,e I would blast them all away! As would Hera."

Zard suddenly groaned, his hands clenched.

Alfia smirked. "Do you want me to hold your hands, old man?"

"Better not..." He grit his teeth. "That hurts, Geezer!"

Zeus nodded, a faint aura of Arcanum surrounded the god. "I´m aware, bear with it, this isn´t easy for me either!"

It wasn´t only Zeus that seemed to "leak" Arcanum, for Alfia, it felt like Zard was the same.

"What are you doing to him, old man?!"

Zeus´ voice echoed heavily, it was what woke Bell up. The old man now sounded with every fiber like the true thunder god.

"You know fully well what this level-up means!"

Alfia almost flinched from this voice...almost.

One of the best-kept secrets of Zeus and Hera was what happened when a mortal went past level seven. Some level-ups had more meaning than others. The change from one to two was the difference between scrub and a real adventurer.

Two to three was good, but not the same enormous difference. Three to four was another jump, but four to five catapulted someone into the league of first-class adventurers. Five to six was a strong boost, but six to seven...that was where the ranks of the heroes began. The lowest rank of heroes, or the highest among first-class, depending on who they would ask.

But seven to eight...the gods had a saying, that the higher the level of someone grew, the closer they came to shed their mortality and grow closer to the gods.

Zard´s whole body shook and trembled, if he had held Alfia´s hands and clenched around them, he probably would´ve broken them. As his feet shook on the ground, the whole camp started to shake and quake, his feet alone caused a small earthquake. The air felt strange and different around Zard as if the world itself recognized that something happened.

Something unique.

Seven to eight meant...becoming something like a demi-god. Maxim had been like that, there was something on him that somehow made him more than just a mortal man. After all, Maxim and Regalia were both over a hundred years old, yet still looked like they were in their thirties. Regalia had been the older one...by far...but no one had dared to speak that out loud. While she didn´t have a problem with her age as much as Alfia did, it was still a bad idea to point out that a woman who wasn´t an elf was over one hundred twenty years old.

"Oh boy...there are some choices for you to make."

"Hurry up, old man! This seriously hurts!"

"That´s your stronger falna fighting the Miasma in your body. What are you, a whiny, little brat? Deal with it, Zard!"

The god continued. "You will get Healing Power in any way, but you have to choose between Swordsman and Flash Cut."

"Swordsman!"

"Are you sure?"

"YES!"

"Fine then...here we go!"

Zard didn´t groan or scream, he roared, loud enough to make Alfia´s ears seriously hurt.

The air shook around Zard, small lightning crackled around him. This lightning wasn´t something manifesting from magic, it happened because it was Zeus´ power that raised his level, it was a side effect.

Bell came out of the tent, just as Zeus finished the ritual, for a moment, it looked like a faint glow surrounded Zard, before it vanished into his body.

Alfia took her hands from her ears. "Zard?"

He didn´t react."

"Old man? Hey." She poked his muscular chest.

"I´m good."

She looked surprised, his voice sounded similar to Zeus´ when he let out Arcanum. "Zard?..."

"It´s alright...I guess." The strange sound vanished, his voice returned to normal.

"How are you feeling?"

"Weird, unpleasant. Didn´t miss the uneasiness of a level-up. But...strong. Very strong."

Zeus also looked exhausted after the level-up.

"Boy...I forgot how this felt back then with Maxim. Take a look."

.

.

Zard ******

Belongs to: Zeus Familia

Level: 8

Strength: S 999 - I 0

Endurance: S 999 - I 0

Dexterity: S 916 - I 0

Agility: B 710 - I 0

Magic: D 559 - I 0

Hunter: D

Abnormal Resistance: C

Crush: E

Strong Body: E

Supreme Fist: H

Swordsman: I

Healing Power: I

.

.

"Heh, looks like my fight with the boy gave a tiny grow."

"Yeah, 18 points in total."

"Not bad for my former level. But why did I get two development abilities?"

"Level eight is something else."

"Surely. Wait...what´s that? "Silent Guardian"? I get stronger when I´m close to Alfia?"

Alfia raised an eyebrow when she heard that.

Zeus shrugged his shoulders. "Not my fault, you developed the skill. You know, boy, there is a limit to how much you should protect and pamper someone."

"Pff, tell her that."

Alfia raised an eyebrow. "Am I a cat or what?"

Zeus´ look said everything.

"Still, geezer, Abnormal Resistance: C? I never heard of someone achieving that, not even Maxim or the Empress."

"Well, I can only guess that since your body is constantly fighting against the Miasma, it constantly slowly strengthens your Development Ability. Plus, if your body can withstand that stuff, barely anything else should affect you, not even Alfia´s cooking."

This got her infuriated. "I will Gospel you, old man!"

"Hey, don´t turn your spell´s name into a verb."

Zard looked at his hands again. "I wonder how much more time this will give me."

Zeus patted his shoulder. "More than before, that´s all that counts for me, my boy."

"And Healing Power...phew."

"Are you complaining now?"

"No, but it surely is convenient to get these."

"It´s what your soul wants. You want to live and protect Alfia. Wasn´t me who made that appear."

"Probably. It will take quite some time to increase these Abilities."

"Well, you have four years until we come to Orario, and I´m sure Leon will be "glad" to "help" you train."

"Then I will use this chance, for us all."

Zeus grinned. "I´m sure Maxim and the others will watch you from above. Don´t disappoint them."

"I won´t."

"You know, if your status grows, as well as your Development Abilities, you might even be able to withstand that desert. And get your sword back."

"Hm, that´s a thought for later. I wonder if my sword is still there, or if it has corroded already."

"A strong made of pure Orichalcum and with all these drop items? A sword that withstood the fight against Behemoth and killed it without breaking? I doubt it."

"I wonder what would´ve been different if I had it against the Black Dragon...or had my status updated back then."

"Can´t say."

"Why didn´t you level me up back then?"

"I upgraded all of your status, remember? It wasn´t possible back then. Your great deed isn´t only that you slew Behemoth, but also to withstand its Miasma for so long."

"Hm..."

"We can´t change the past, so let´s work hard for the future."

"As long as I live, I will do exactly that. I have to pay that shitty dragon back for a few things. I want to hear it screech and whimper in pain."

Zeus grinned. "That´s my boy!"

.

.

.

Bell was more than just shocked, and excited, to hear about Zard´s level-up. He congratulated him and asked him how he felt. It was a joy to see Bell so cheerful and excited.

Eventually, it was time to enter Hringhorni again and talk to Baldr.

.

.

.

Baldr opened his arms in a welcoming gesture, his eyes were closed as usual.

"I´m happy to hear about your decision to accept the invitation, Bell. Be very welcome here in the Education District."

"Thank you, Lord Baldr."

Then the god looked at the three adults. "And thank you all for joining and becoming teachers for the time that Bell stays here. Your help will surely be to our students´ benefit."

Zeus crossed his arms. "What shall I teach?"

"We have to look at it since you know most topics. Just like our others, you can sometimes take over classes of different topics, as long as you teach properly."

Zeus grinned. "Then we will find something."

Baldr looked at the others. "Silence, Gluttony, I think it would be the best to teach our students about the meaning and dangers of the world and becoming stronger. Also to join the combat study classes."

Alfia returned Baldr´s "gaze" with her own closed eyes...it was a weird scenery.

"Of course, I will teach the combat study classes, since Bell will join them too."

"I hope you won´t give him extra treatment?"

"Absolutely not. Study and training time are study and training time."

"Still, some other students might think he will receive extra treatment."

"What we do in our free time is entirely up to us, I will train him as harsh as the others, even harsher, for his own sake."

Baldr smiled. "Just...don´t go too far with the students, they´re still young, and I don´t want to scare them for life."

"What better place is there to let them face true fear and horrors, than this place? It will save their lives when they don´t freeze up in a dangerous situation."

"We will see how you do it."

Then Baldr looked at Zard. "I heard you´re good at cooking."

"I can teach the young ones many things no one else could ever teach them. And of course, combat classes."

"We also have a dungeon class."

"Shouldn´t be a problem. Alfia is passably good with magic too."

Alfia rammed her elbow into Zard´s side when he said "Passably". She hissed when it hurt. "Your body is too hard now, change that."

"Hay hay."

Baldr smiled amused. "So, Bell. Zeus told you about joining one of the classes?"

"Yes, he said it would be the best for me."

"He is right, you will join my class. It will make it easier when you join a familia in Orario, like this they don´t have to know about you being part of Zeus familia, which could cause you much trouble."

Zeus put his arm around Bell´s shoulders. "Don´t be worried, Bell. My blood will always be on your back. You will always be a part of my familia. After all, you´re the uncrowned prince of Orario."

"Prince?!"

"You surely are, hah! They don´t know what will come for them when these four years are over! I bet you will become super-handsome, like your old man here, and charm all the ladies just with your handsomeness."

Alfia shot him an icy glare. "I will not allow that."

A pretty energetic knock came from the door, Baldr´s expression just became a tiny bit stiff. "Please come in, Idun."

The door swung open. "I wish you an Aoharu day, Headmaster! Oho, our young visitors!"

"They agreed to join us, Idun."

"Wonderful!~~ Ah, I can feel the power of youth radiating from you two!~~" She pointed at Bell and Alfia.

Alfia looked at the goddess with closed eyes. "I will need your assistance."

"In what way?"

"Since I have no desire to look for Hera, I need someone to update my status for reasons."

"Hm, well I will help if I can, but aren´t Zeus or Baldr enough?"

"I won´t bare my skin to a man."

"Ah, a pure, young maiden!~~ How delightful!~~"

"Call it whatever you want."

Idun smiled. "Headmaster, may I borrow your office for a moment?"

"Of course."

Baldr went up, the other three went to follow him.

"Zard, stay."

"Hm? Scared without me?" He grinned.

"Judging by what happened with you, I might need someone to help here."

"Alright."

Idun tilted her head. "Didn´t you just say something about baring your skin?"

"Zard won´t look, I know that."

"Oh my, how cute.~~"

Alifa sighed. "It´s not cute, you gods are way too weird sometimes."

The blonde goddess just smiled.

"Besides, do you have to wear such a short skirt around the students?"

"Hm?" Idun looked down at herself. "The length is fine, though?"

"Your skirt waved up the other day."

"Ah, don´t worry, no one ever saw something."

Somehow, it was hard for Alfia to talk with this goddess, she was in some ways much different from any other goddess she had ever met.

"Let us begin."

"Alrighty then! Let´s have an Aoharu time!~~~"

Alfia just sighed as Zard locked the door. Then he sat on a chair in front of her and closed his eyes, holding his hands forward. Alfia moved her hair to the side and pulled the straps of her dress down so that her upper body became bare.

"You scold me, yet you´re the one not wearing a bra?"

"It´s unnecessary with this dress and makes me feel unwell."

"Hm, well, your breasts are quite big, I can understand that."

One of the benefits of a high level was that the body of a person remained in good shape, even denying the call of gravity for certain body parts. Alfia´s body was just as youthful and perfect as she was at the age of twenty-one when she had reached her peak condition.

"Let´s get started."

Alfia let her hair hang down at the front, so anything important was covered anyway, not that it was necessary, she trusted Zard not to peak. Idun was a bit surprised when Alfia put her hands on Zard´s.

"Might hurt, old man."

He smirked with closed eyes. "We will see that."

.

.

.

As Idun started the ritual, a woman of cruel, fearsome beauty, far away from the Education District looked up, a certain feeling bubbling up in her.

"You ungrateful child, how dare you..."

Hera could feel it, a blessing she had given didn´t vanish, it got overwritten.

"So you´re still alive and well, Alfia...maybe I should look for you too."

The goddess was surrounded by a dozen followers, all women, all with the same attitude as their patron. She couldn´t sense in which direction Alfia was, just that the number of blessings got lower, but not because the bearer died.

.

.

.

"Irgh!"

Idun groaned as she updated Alfia´s status. "Owie, that hurts!"

She never had updated someone beyond level three, so this was something entirely else.

"What is that with your status, why are you so insanely strong?!"

Alfia didn´t make a noise, not a single one, not even groaning. Yet, she started to sweat, her hands clenched around Zard´s, who endured without too many problems. Unlike Zard, Alfia´s legs didn´t shake.

But...the whole office started to shake, quake, and tremble.

Where Zard´s level-up was a physical manifestation of power, Alfia´s was more magical. Magical energy poured out of her body, filling the air around them with a strange feeling and taste.

Breidablik, the main tower, started to quake at its full height, alarmed by the dangerous feeling, Leon rushed to the tower but was stopped by Baldr. If he would barge into his office, seeing Alfia like this...she would do terrible things to him. Also, it would heavily hurt Leon´s knightly honor, to barge into a room with a woman who was halfway undressed.

Alfia grit her teeth, this feeling was really disgusting, she had forgotten how it felt to level up. And this level-up was different from all her others before.

Shockwaves of magic energy hammered out of her, so strong that Idun could barely remain on her feet. It would´ve thrown Alfia off balance if Zard wasn´t there. She looked into his calm expression, a slight smile on his lips.

"Don´t break everything in here, Alfia."

"It hurts..."

"I know, and I know that you can bear with it. I´m here, I will be at your side as long as I live."

"I know that."

"Try to focus these magic waves on me, I can endure it."

"It will hurt."

"Maybe, do it, young Lady."

"As you wish, old man."

With no one else, Alfia felt so protected as when she was close to Zard, his skill showed that he was her protector after all. Idun groaned from relief when Alfia managed to send the magical shockwaves mostly in Zard´s direction.

"You will get two Development Abilities! Ouchie!"

"No choosing?"

"No!"

When Idun finished updating her status and initiated Alfia´s level-up, Silentium Eden turned off on its own. Since Alfia´s dress acted like a smaller version of her spell and was now halfway taken off, the effect was also reduced.

Idun screamed in pain as Alfia´s magic started to screech.

Loud.

It was more unpleasant for Alfia than it was for Idun.

After a few moments, Idun was finally finished, and Alfia got herself slowly under control, even when she felt very strange and weak.

"Hah...hah...hah...level...eight... unbelievable...even little Leon isn´t that strong...here..."

Idun let herself fall onto a chair, handing Alfia a sheet of paper.

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Alfia Cranel

Belongs to: Idun Familia

Level: 8

Strength: D 550 - I 0

Endurance: G 222 - I 0

Dexterity: S 999 - I 0

Agility: S 999 - I 0

Magic: S 1010 - I 0

Mage: C

Abnormal Resistance: E

Magic Resistance: E

Spirit Pleasure: E

Supreme Light: H

Healing Power: I

Enigma: I

New Skills:

Mother´s Love, Partner of Sin

Mother´s love: Increases growth of "Son" when close by. Will always know in which direction "Son" is, will know if "Son" gets closer or further away. Increases own condition due to motherly love.

Partner of Sin: Increased condition and slight status bonus when close to "Sin".

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Alfia frowned. "Two development abilities as well...my status grew a bit...two new skills, hm. I guess Sin is you, Zard."

He shrugged his shoulders with closed eyes. "My alias is supposed to be one of the deadly sins, that would make sense."

Idun panted, sweating pretty strongly, yet the goddess didn´t smell unpleasant in any way, if any, she smelled quite good, and a bit like fresh apples.

"Hah..hah...are none of you talking about the fact that your status is just crazy? Over 999? How?!"

Alfia shrugged her bare shoulders. "It´s just like that."

"Phew...I hope the next update will be less problematic."

Alfia took the tissues that Zard handed her, wiped her upper body from sweat before she put the dress back on.

Meanwhile, Idun looked around. "Phew...I think Baldr will not be happy when he sees that..."

Most of the office was pretty damaged now.

Idun smiled. "Well, better his office than mine! Nice to have you on board, Alfia! I wish you an aoharu day and stay here, until later!~~~"

Alfia didn´t react, her eyes were glued to the word Enigma.

"Can I open my eyes?"

"Yes, I´m dressed."

Alfia let him look at her status after she had seen the calm expression in his eyes. "What? Were you worried about me?"

"About my partner maybe breaking all the stuff in here? Sure. About it being too much for you? That too."

"Pff, do you think of me as that weak?"

"Well, you were just level seven."

"Pff."

While she felt a bit weird and wobbly, Alfia did indeed feel better and stronger.

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The family left the Education District an hour later, to travel back to their home, pack everything up, and wish it goodbye, before gifting it to the village. They would arrive at the Education District a day before it would set sail.

Something happened that should bring the mortal world to a hold. Two new level eights appeared, making the Education District the currently strongest institution in the whole world.

Yet...no one outside was allowed to know that. Only Zeus, Idun, Baldr, and Leon knew about it, for everyone else, it was top secret. Alfia and Zard had demanded this condition, for helping the District for the next four years. Since they wanted Bell to live as "normal" as possible.

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Three weeks later.

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Lefiya was a bit sad, that she only had met this boy for such a short time. They would set sail tomorrow, all monsters that had migrated to this area had been wiped out by the students, they got passing grades.

She sat next to Alisa in one of the big classrooms, Leon said there would be an announcement and some changes for the squads, due to new students joining. This wasn´t uncommon, problematic squads got split up quite a lot, or for other reasons.

"So, everyone, please pay attention, class will start now."

The students became quiet as Leon stepped to the pult in front of them.

"I don´t want to talk long around it, first, please welcome a new student and classmate, who will join Baldr class and the combat studies."

Naturally, the students turned around to look at the door as it opened. Lefiya made a surprised noise as she saw who had come inside.

It was Bell, wearing the white uniform of the Education District.

"Eh, you?!"

She called out before she could stop herself, but Bell was too far away and too nervous to hear her. He slowly walked down the stairs, blushing heavily as the students eyed him. Eventually, he stood next to Leon, who smiled gently.

"Please introduce yourself."

"M-My name is B-Bell Cranel, I joined today. I hope w-we can get along!"

A chorus of voices answered Bell, the students always got excited about someone new joining them. Asking him from where he came, which level he was.

But Leon raised his hands. "Please, keep the questions for after class. The class won´t take long anyway. I will need someone to show Bell around the District a bit, explaining things to-Oh...we already have someone."

Lefiya had raised her arm before Leon finished his sentence. Bell had saved her, it was the least she could do.

"Thank you, Lefiya."

"No problem, Professor Leon!"

Alisa chuckled and whispered. "Already claiming the new boy for yourself, Lefiya?"

"B-Be quiet, Alisa..."

Normally, Lefiya wouldn´t react much to teasing, but she slowly opened up more to Alisa.

"Now for the announcement of the changing squads, regarding Bell and the other newcomers. Squad 7 will get a member change. Lefiya Viridis, you will change into a new Squad, so that there is someone with a bit of experience there, also for another reason."

"Understood, Professor Leon."

"Squad 7 will get joined by Mililia Soltz and Cole Kluster. Alisa, you showed your wish to change the direction of your study field, so you will be part of the team as an observer."

"""Understood, Professor Leon!"""

"Nina Tule, Rapi Flemish, Lapi Flemish, your Squad 13 will get joined by Legi Gigi, she is also new here, show her the District and the ropes."

"""Yes, Professor Leon!"""

The three looked at the dark elf, who still wore a mask to cover her nose and mouth, and only nodded slightly.

"Squad 13 is now full. Now for a new Squad to be formed."

Lefiya went quiet, all of the students here now belonged to a squad, except for her and three others...

"Squad 14 will now be formed. The members will be Iglin Mars, Christia Elva, Lefiya Viridis...and Bell Cranel."

The four young people looked at each other.

Bell saw them, a male dwarf, with a quite impressive beard for someone of just thirteen or fourteen years. A cute prum, he guessed it was a girl, and Lefiya.

While Lefiya looked at him.

"Lefiya Viridis, as the one with the most experience, you will be the squad leader."

Such a squad promised to become interesting. Elves and dwarves didn´t get along well, prums were treated as the weakest race, while humans were treated as the "blankest" race.

"U-Understood, Professor Leon."

"Good."

Leon looked around. "A last thing, three new teachers will join the Education District for a time of four years. They will have to get used to teaching on their own, so don´t be too harsh on them."

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Author`s Note2: The next chapter will feature Bell´s introduction to the District and his squad, how everything works there, what happened during the three-weeks-time skip to poor Hogni during the Astrea Expedition, and the Far Eastern Week of the Pleasure Quarter, and who might go there to visit it. And of course...what Astrea familia did to Souma familia.

As for Bell and Lefiya, they won´t grow into something like real siblings, also not lovers. It will be something between a lover and a super best friend. While they will love the others to no end, it isn´t meant in a romantic sense, yet also not a family way. But you will see.

For those wondering about the wounds of the OEBD. We don´t know if they actually wounded it or got defeated like nothing. I like to see it more that they indeed inflicted some wounds on it before they got defeated. Since if they managed to kill Behemoth and LEviathan, and the OEBD would defeat them like nothing, it would be way too strong, that´s why I go with the lost leg, crippled wing and partly cut-off tail, as well as deep scars running over the body. Got the inspiration from Bayle the Dread.