Chapter 8: "Finding a new familia".

The group arrives at a cozy inn nestled in one of Orario's quieter districts. The hustle and bustle of the city still hums faintly in the background as they step inside. The innkeeper greets them warmly and directs them to their rooms. After settling their luggage, they gather in the common room.

Zard leans back in his chair, arms crossed, and looks at Belle. "Alright, now that we're here, what's the plan?"

Belle adjusts the cloak over his shoulders and nods. "The first priority is for Bell to join a familia. Zeus' banishment means he can't act as a god here, so Bell needs a familia that can officially take him in."

Zeus chuckles lightly but quickly adds, "But if we want Bell to join a familia, it has to be one willing to accept all of us. Our presence isn't exactly ordinary."

Belle agrees, folding his arms. "Exactly. That's why this choice is so important. Bell, your first task is to find a familia that suits your goals and can accept us staying in the background for now."

Bell listens attentively, his gaze shifting between them. "How do I know which one to choose?"

Belle offers a small smile, his tone patient yet firm. "Start by looking for one that doesn't have many members or one that's just starting out. They'll be more likely to accept you, and it's easier to earn their trust. You'll stay with them for a month and see if they're okay with our presence and if they're the right fit for you."

Zeus grins. "But remember, kid, it's gotta be a familia that's willing to nurture you and your dreams. Don't rush the decision. Take your time."

Zard nods, adding his usual blunt wisdom. "And don't let anyone push you around. You're strong, and they'll see that soon enough. Just make sure you pick a familia where you can grow."

Bell takes a deep breath, determination flashing in his eyes. "Alright. I'll start looking tomorrow."

Alfia, who had been silent until now, speaks softly but firmly. "Choose wisely, Bell. Not all gods and familias have pure intentions. Some may see you as a tool, not a person. Trust your instincts."

Belle places a hand on Bell's shoulder. "We'll be nearby if you need guidance, but this is your choice, Bell. Make it count."

Bell nods, feeling the weight of their words but also their unwavering support. Tomorrow, his journey to find a familia—and truly begin his life as an adventurer in Orario—will start.

--

The sun rose over Orario, casting its golden light on the bustling streets as Bell stepped out of the inn. Determination etched into his features, he began his search for a familia, hoping to find one that would accept him.

He went from one manor to another, knocking on doors and speaking to members of various familias. Yet, each time, he was met with rejection. His youthful appearance and seemingly unimpressive demeanor caused most to dismiss him outright.

At one point, Bell found himself standing at the grand gates of the Loki Familia Manor, one of the most renowned familias in Orario. The guards at the gate barely spared him a glance before declaring, "You look too weak. We have no need for someone like you."

The rejection stung, but Bell clenched his fists and continued. By the time he reached his fortieth attempt, his hope had dimmed considerably. He finally stopped near a small food vendor, his stomach growling in protest. The vendor specialized in Jagamarukun, and the smell of the fried potato snack was too enticing to resist.

Behind the stall stood a petite, fair-skinned girl with blue eyes and long black hair styled into twin ponytails that reached her legs. Her hair was tied with white and blue ribbons, giving her a cheerful and approachable appearance. She wore a short, white dress with blue highlights, accented with a blue ribbon tied under her bust, emphasizing her small stature. Her bare arms and legs hinted at her simplicity and charm.

Bell ordered two Jagamarukun, handing over the coins as she handed him the snacks. Noticing his dejected expression, she tilted her head and asked with genuine concern, "Hey, are you okay? You look like you've had a rough day."

Bell hesitated before sighing. "I've been trying to find a familia to join... but no one wants me."

Her eyes widened, and she leaned forward, her expression softening. "You've been looking for a familia? Did you find one?"

Bell forced a smile, trying to mask his disappointment. "No... it seems like no one wants me in their familias."

The girl's demeanor suddenly changed. Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she perked up. "No one wants you? Then how about this—would you like to join my familia?"

Bell blinked in surprise, caught off guard by her words. He looked at her more closely, noticing the divine aura she exuded. His eyes widened in realization. "You're... a goddess?"

The girl smiled brightly and straightened up. "That's right! I'm Hestia, the goddess of hearth and home. And you are?"

Bell quickly bowed, his heart racing with both nervousness and excitement. "My name is Bell Cranel."

Hestia grinned and extended her hand. "Well then, Bell Cranel, how about it? Join my familia, and let's start this journey together!"

Bell stared at her hand for a moment, a mix of emotions welling up inside him. Could this be the chance he'd been looking for? Could this goddess, this kind and cheerful girl, be the one to guide him on his path? Slowly, a genuine smile spread across his face as he reached out and shook her hand.

"Yes, Lady Hestia. I'll join your familia."

As they shook hands, Hestia beamed with excitement. "Oh, and Bell, just call me Hestia, okay? No need for formalities."

Bell scratched his cheek, looking unsure. "I... I think that would be a bit disrespectful. How about I just call you Goddess?"

Hestia pouted, crossing her arms. "Hmmph, fine. But you're the only one who gets to do that. Deal?"

Bell chuckled lightly, nodding. "Deal."

As the sun began to dip below the horizon, Hestia led Bell through the lively streets of Orario. The crowd began to thin as they moved away from the bustling markets and toward a quieter part of the city. Finally, they stopped in front of a rundown church. The paint was peeling, the windows were cracked, and the roof had seen better days.

"This... is our headquarters," Hestia announced proudly.

Bell blinked, taking in the state of the building. "It's... cozy," he said, trying to be polite.

Hestia grinned, pulling him toward the door. "It may not look like much, but it's home!"

Once inside, the dim interior revealed a modest space with a small altar, a few scattered cushions, and a staircase leading to a lower floor.

Bell set his luggage down and turned to Hestia. "Goddess, could we do the ritual now? I'd like to get my Falna."

Hestia clapped her hands together. "Of course! Come on, lie down over there." She pointed to a small couch in the corner.

Bell removed his shirt and lay down as Hestia prepared the ritual. She pricked her finger, letting a drop of her divine blood fall onto his back. The Falna began to form, glowing faintly as his status appeared before her eyes.

--

Bell Cranel

Level: 2

Race: Human

Familia: Hestia

Strength: I 0

Agility: I 0

Endurance: I 0

Dexterity: I 0

Mana: I 0

Skills:

Dreamweaver: Increases the user's speed of growth. The more the user desires to fulfill their aspirations, the faster they grow. However, as a side effect, it nullifies all status alignments, preventing the user from having any specific affinities or weaknesses.

Development Abilities:

Clairvoyance: I

--

Hestia's eyes widened as she read his status. "You're... Level 2?!"

Bell turned his head slightly, confused by her reaction. "Is that unusual?"

Hestia nodded fervently. "Very! It's extremely hard to level up outside of Orario because there aren't enough monsters strong enough to grant excelia. How did you manage this?"

Bell sat up, rubbing the back of his neck. "I was trained from a young age, and I fought a monster in the North. It was a powerful one."

Hestia looked at him in awe. "That's incredible... but—" Her eyes focused on the details of his Falna. "This skill... Dreamweaver... it's practically a cheat!"

Bell blinked. "A cheat?"

Hestia nodded, her expression turning serious. "A skill like this is bound to attract attention. The gods love a good mystery, and they'll be all over you if they find out about it. Promise me you won't tell anyone about this skill."

Bell nodded immediately. "I won't. And... could you also keep another secret for me?"

Hestia tilted her head. "What is it?"

Bell hesitated before speaking. "I was in the Zeus Familia before. Please don't tell anyone."

Her eyes widened again. "Zeus Familia? But they were banished from Orario 15 years ago! Why keep it a secret?"

Bell looked down, his voice soft. "Because of the banishment. I don't want people to judge me for something that happened before I was even born."

Hestia placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry, Bell. I promise I won't tell anyone. Your secrets are safe with me."

Bell smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Goddess."

Hestia smiled back, her determination to protect her new familia member stronger than ever.

As the last rays of sunlight faded into the evening, a figure watched from the shadows, quietly observing the exchange between Bell and Hestia. The figure remained hidden, not allowing even the slightest sound to escape, ensuring that none of the people inside the church noticed their presence. The figure's eyes were sharp, watching every detail unfold.

"Good thing Hestia found him," the figure thought to himself, a small smirk forming under the hood of his cloak. He had been monitoring Bell from the shadows for some time now, It had always been part of the plan for Bell to join a familia, but he never expected Bell to find one so quickly, and under such unexpected circumstances.

Without hesitation, the figure turned on his heel and moved swiftly, vanishing into the night as silently as he had arrived.

--

Moments later, the figure reached the inn where Zeus, Zard, and Alfia were waiting. The air was thick with anticipation as they discussed their plans for the future. The cloaked figure slipped through the door and entered the room, his presence immediately noticed by Zeus.

"Bell has found a familia," the figure said, his voice steady.

Zeus looked up, a bit of relief visible in his expression. "Is that so? That's good news. What's the next course of action?"

The cloaked figure pulled back his hood, revealing none other than Belle. His sharp features were softened by the familiar smile he wore, but his eyes held a seriousness to them.

"We'll be moving. It's time to prepare for what comes next," Belle replied, his tone low and measured.

Zeus raised an eyebrow. "Should we inform Bell of the plans as well?"

Before Belle could answer, Zard, who had been listening in from the corner, spoke up.

"Bell's already been informed. We discussed everything this morning," Zard said, his arms crossed, his gaze unwavering.

Belle nodded in agreement. "Exactly. Bell knows what's ahead of him."

Alfia, who had been silently observing, finally spoke. "Where will we be moving to?"

Belle's smile grew wider, a glint of excitement in his eyes. "We'll be moving to the home of Artemis Familia."

There was a brief pause as everyone absorbed this information. Moving to Artemis Familia was no small thing, especially given the reputation of the goddess and her familia, but it was a strategic choice that made sense.

Zard raised an eyebrow. "Artemis Familia? That's an interesting choice."

Belle's smile remained. "We need to keep an eye on things, and having Artemis and her familia on our side will be... advantageous."

Zeus nodded thoughtfully, a knowing look in his eyes. "Alright then. We'll prepare to move out."