chapter - 2: A feast to remember

Three months had passed since Belle's arrival in the past. In that time, Belle had taken it upon himself to train young Bell in swordsmanship.

Under the warm afternoon sun, the two sparred in the open field behind the cabin. Bell, holding a wooden sword in his small hands, charged forward with determination, his youthful energy driving his every move.

"Take this!" Bell exclaimed, swinging his sword with all his might.

Belle, standing firmly in place, effortlessly parried the strike with his own wooden sword. The movement was so smooth it seemed like second nature. Without shifting his position, Belle countered with a swift but controlled swing, tapping Bell lightly on the shoulder.

"You're too open," Belle remarked with a calm tone. "If you telegraph your moves like that, you'll never catch your opponent off guard."

Bell pouted, lowering his sword. "But you're so strong, Belle! How am I supposed to beat someone like you?"

Belle chuckled, kneeling down to ruffle the boy's hair. "You're not supposed to beat me yet. You're supposed to learn. Strength isn't just about power—it's about control, strategy, and knowing when to strike. You'll get there, little Bell. Just keep at it."

Bell's eyes sparkled with determination. "I'll become a hero like you someday! Just you watch, Belle!"

Belle's expression softened, a mix of pride and melancholy crossing his face. He saw a glimpse of his younger self in Bell's enthusiasm—a time when his dreams of heroism were untainted by the harsh realities of the world.

"One step at a time," Belle replied, rising to his feet. "Let's try again. This time, focus on keeping your stance balanced."

"Got it!" Bell said, gripping his sword tightly and preparing for another round.

As they resumed their training, Zeus watched from a distance, a satisfied smile on his face. Though he didn't fully understand how Belle had come to be here, he was grateful for the bond forming between the two. For now, life on the farm felt peaceful, and the promise of something greater lingered on the horizon.

-- three months ago

Three months ago, after Belle's surprising arrival and their initial conversations, he approached Zeus with a request.

"Zeus," Belle said, his tone firm yet respectful. "I need you to give me your falna."

Zeus raised an eyebrow, his expression shifting to curiosity. "Why would you need my blessing, lad? You're already far stronger than most mortals could ever dream of."

Belle nodded. "I know. But if I'm going to be here for a year, I might as well be properly registered. Besides," he hesitated for a moment, "I have something I need to do. I'll leave after a year, but I'll come back once it's done."

Standing nearby, little Bell's face fell at the thought of Belle leaving. "Why do you have to go?" he asked, his voice trembling slightly.

Belle knelt down, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder. "I just have something important to take care of. But don't worry, little Bell—I'll be back. And we still have a whole year together. Let's make it count."

Bell wiped his eyes and nodded with determination.

Zeus, touched by the moment but also curious, relented. "Alright, lad. If you want my falna, let's do it."

--

That evening, inside the cabin, Zeus prepared the ritual to bestow his blessing. Belle removed his shirt and lay on his stomach, exposing his back. Zeus pricked his finger with a needle, letting a drop of ichor fall onto Belle's back. The room filled with a faint golden glow as the falna took form.

As the light faded, Zeus retrieved a piece of parchment and pressed it to Belle's back. When he lifted it, his eyes widened in astonishment as he read Belle's stats.

--

Level: 9

Strength: S 999

Agility: S 999

Magic: S 999

Dexterity: S 999

Endurance: S 999

Skills:

Argonaut (Heroic Wish): Allows a charge for an active action.

Ox Slayer: Increases stats against bull-type monsters.

Vanadis Tevere: Raises all stats and regenerates stamina and mind when Charm is used against the user.

Mana Burst: Releases explosive mana when attacking, greatly increasing stats.

Tsuki no Kizuna: Exponentially increases stats at night; boosts mana recovery during a full moon.

Tsuko no Sōmei: Grants heightened perception and the ability to see through objects.

Magic:

Firebolt: A simple, fast-acting magic spell.

Kaze no Jingi: A two-phase defensive magic.

Lunar Lance: A magic spear imbued with lunar energy.

Development Abilities:

Luck: A

Abnormal Resistance: D

Escape: C

Chain Attack: D

Magic Resistance: A

Swordsman: C

Spearman: C

Tsuginami: B

--

Zeus leaned back, whistling in amazement. "Well, well, well. You're not just strong—you're a monster. Level 9 with stats like these? No wonder you're so calm all the time."

Belle smiled faintly but stayed silent as Zeus kept scanning. His eyes lit up mischievously when he noticed one skill in particular.

"Tsuko no Sōmei," Zeus muttered, grinning wickedly. "So... have you ever used this to peek into bathhouses? Or, you know... to see women's clothing?"

Belle's face reddened. "Absolutely not!"

Zeus slumped back in his chair, clearly disappointed. "Why not? These are the blessings of being a man! It's the ultimate romance!"

Belle sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose. "You're impossible."

Zeus chuckled, unfazed. "Well, it's your loss. But still, lad, you're impressive. With stats like these, you'll be ready for anything."

Belle gave him a small nod, already focusing on the year ahead. Despite Zeus's antics, Belle couldn't deny he was starting to feel a sense of purpose in this strange new timeline.

After a long day of training in the fields and sparring with wooden swords, Belle returned to the cabin carrying a small stack of books. Bell, now used to Belle's rigorous schedule, looked curiously at the pile.

"What's all this for?" Bell asked, tilting his head.

Belle set the books down on the wooden table, dusting off his hands. "These are for you. It's time you started learning more than just swordplay. A strong adventurer isn't just about muscles and skills; sufficient knowledge makes a huge difference."

Bell frowned, flipping through the pages of the top book, which was filled with complicated words and diagrams. "But why do I need to read all this? Can't I just fight and get stronger that way?"

Belle shook his head, sitting down beside him. "That's a common mistake young adventurers make. Charging headfirst without understanding the Dungeon, its traps, or its monsters will get you killed. Knowledge is your best ally in surviving out there. It gives you an edge even when strength fails."

Bell looked at him skeptically. "But it's just reading… What does that have to do with fighting monsters?"

Belle chuckled softly. "A lot more than you think. For now, these are basic books—geography, history, and some general knowledge about Orario. Once you're done with these, we'll move on to the ones about the Dungeon: its floors, the types of monsters you'll encounter, and their weaknesses. You'll thank me when you know how to avoid a monster's ambush just because you read about its habits."

Bell's eyes widened at the mention of the Dungeon. "Really? You'll teach me about the Dungeon too?"

Belle smiled and nodded. "Of course. But only if you finish these first."

With a renewed sense of excitement, Bell grabbed the first book, determined to prove himself. As he began reading, Belle leaned back, watching him with a mix of nostalgia and hope. He knew the boy had the potential to become a true hero, but it would take more than raw talent to get there. Knowledge, discipline, and patience were just as important as strength, and Belle was determined to help him develop all three.

Two more months passed, and Belle could see the results of their daily training reflected in Bell's movements. They stood in the clearing near the cabin, wooden swords in hand. The morning sun cast long shadows as Bell lunged forward with newfound precision, his strikes sharper and his footwork more fluid than ever before.

Belle parried the attack with ease, but there was a glint of satisfaction in his ruby-red eyes. He spun his sword, deflecting Bell's strike, and countered with a light swing aimed at Bell's side. The younger boy reacted quickly, dodging to the left and raising his sword to block.

"Not bad," Belle said, holding his stance. "Your footwork has improved a lot. Your balance is steady, and you're reading my movements better."

Bell grinned, a bead of sweat trickling down his cheek. "Really? You mean it?"

Belle nodded, stepping back to give him a moment to catch his breath. "Absolutely. You've progressed faster than I did when I was young—even when I was older than you are now."

Bell's eyes sparkled with pride, but he quickly lowered his wooden sword, scratching the back of his head. "It's only because you've been teaching me, Belle. If I didn't have you here, I'd probably still be tripping over my own feet."

Belle chuckled, resting his sword on his shoulder. "Maybe so, but don't sell yourself short. Talent and hard work go hand in hand. You've got both, and it's showing. Just don't let it get to your head, alright?"

Bell nodded eagerly, but his excitement was hard to contain. He adjusted his stance, gripping the sword tightly. "Can we keep going? I want to get even better!"

Belle smiled. "That's the spirit. Alright, let's see if you can break through my defense this time."

The two clashed again, wooden swords ringing out as they struck and parried. Belle moved fluidly, his experience evident in every step, but Bell's growing confidence and determination pushed him to fight harder.

--

After the intense sparring session, Bell wiped the sweat from his brow and sat at the wooden table inside the cabin. Before him lay a stack of papers, a "little exercise" that Belle had prepared for him to gauge his knowledge.

Bell groaned as he looked over the questions. "These are harder than the fights!" he muttered under his breath, picking up his pen and getting to work.

Belle leaned against the wall, arms crossed, silently observing as Bell scribbled down answers with a mixture of determination and frustration. Time ticked by, and Bell finally pushed the last paper away with a triumphant sigh. "Finished!"

Belle stepped forward, picking up the papers and flipping through them. His eyes scanned the answers carefully, his expression unreadable. After a few moments, he placed the papers back on the table. "You barely passed two of them with a score of 51. But you failed the other two…47."

Bell's face fell, and he scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "That bad, huh?"

Belle raised an eyebrow. "Bad? I wouldn't say bad, but it's far from good. If you're serious about becoming a true adventurer, you need to work harder—not just with the sword but also with your mind."

"But your tests are ridiculously hard!" Bell protested, crossing his arms.

Belle chuckled, walking over and patting the boy on the shoulder. "Life as an adventurer is hard, Bell. The Dungeon won't give you multiple-choice answers or hints. Every bit of knowledge can mean the difference between life and death. If you want to pass these tests, you know what you need to do."

Bell looked up curiously, and Belle grinned. "Read more books."

Bell groaned dramatically, slumping in his chair. "More books? You're going to bury me under them at this rate!"

"Better buried under books than in the Dungeon," Belle replied with a playful smirk. "Now, get some rest. Tomorrow, we'll review what you missed, and I'll add some extra reading for you."

Bell sighed but couldn't suppress a small smile. Deep down, he knew Belle was right. Even if it was tough now, he was determined to grow stronger and smarter.

As Bell groaned over his test scores, Zeus entered the room, his booming voice cutting through the quiet. "Dinner's ready, you two! Come on before it gets cold!"

Bell perked up instantly, his earlier frustration forgotten. "Finally! I'm starving!" He jumped up from his chair and rushed toward the table, with Belle following more leisurely.

The moment they reached the table, however, Belle froze in his tracks. Before them was an assortment of dishes that looked more like experiments gone horribly wrong than actual food. Zeus beamed proudly. "Dig in! I made it with extra care today!"

Bell hesitated for a moment before his stomach growled loudly, forcing him to sit. He cautiously picked up a spoon, but Belle gently stopped him.

"No," Belle said firmly, his ruby-red eyes narrowing as he scanned the table. "Absolutely not."

Zeus frowned. "What's wrong? You don't like the way it looks? It's an acquired taste, I'll have you know!"

Belle sighed deeply, rubbing his temple. "Zeus, whatever this... 'creation' is, it's not fit for anyone to eat. I'll cook instead." Without waiting for a response, he rolled up his sleeves and headed for the kitchen.

Zeus blinked, surprised, but then shrugged and sat down. "Suit yourself. Let's see if you've got the skills to back up that confidence!"

It didn't take long for the tantalizing aroma of freshly cooked food to fill the cabin. Bell's eyes widened with excitement as Belle brought out a steaming pot of stew, freshly baked bread, and an assortment of side dishes. Belle set the table with precision, and the difference was night and day compared to Zeus's earlier "feast."

Bell eagerly took a bite, his face lighting up instantly. "This is amazing! It's so good!"

Even Zeus, after taking a cautious bite, had to admit defeat. "Not bad, not bad at all. I'll give you this, Belle—you've got a talent for cooking."

Belle smiled faintly, watching as both Zeus and Bell ate with enthusiasm. It was a simple moment, but one that brought warmth to the cabin, a reminder of how even small joys could create cherished memories.

The evening passed in laughter and good food, with Zeus occasionally throwing in his usual exaggerated stories, much to Bell's delight.

As the meal wound down, Belle leaned back slightly, his faint smile still lingering. Moments like this, though fleeting, were a reminder of what he wanted to protect.