Third POV
~ Fourth Floor ~
"Behind You!"
Evan quickly ducks down to dodge a leaping bite from a big lizard and swings his sword at the exposed underbelly of the lizard, cleaving the lizard in half as it drops down.
"Thanks for the heads up!" Said Evan. "No problem!" Yelled Bell
Evan then approached the halved lizard and retrieved the magic stone and gave it to Bell to store it. Evan then said.
"I think this will do for now, let's rest before we advance."
"Gotcha." Said Bell as he nodded.
Evan and Bell cleaned up whatever remained of the dead monster and set up a resting spot and then they took a look at what they have gotten so far.
"It seems that we got enough to last the month if we're smart with the valis." Said Evan
Bell then spoke with enthusiasm
"But we're not gonna stop there!"
"Yes, we're not." replied Evan with a small smile "So, ready to go to the next floor?"
"You bet!" Bell said excitedly. "Then let's pick our things up and get going." Said Evan.
After picking up their stuff, Evan and Bell explore the 4th floor a bit longer until they get to the stairway that leads to the fifth floor. Bell went in first, followed by Evan.
~ Fifth Floor ~
Loki's Familia
"HAH!"
Bete quickly decapitates a minotaur's head with a kick, while Ais quickly dispatches another from behind. While swiping off the blood off her sword, she asks Bete.
"Is that all of them?"
Bete took a sniff to the air and said.
"No, there's one more. Come!"
Ais nodded and followed Bete to the last minotaur.
"This way!" yelled Bete as he and Ais turned the corner and ran through the hall.
As they ran and got through the hall, they spotted a minotaur about to smash a white hair adventurer.
'A rookie?!' Thought Bete. "Ais!"
Before Ais used her Ariel to close the gap, a familiar white hooded figure came out of nowhere and swiftly ended the monster while splattering the rookie with some of its blood.
"You okay?"
"...!"
Both Bete and Ais turn to look at each other before staring back at the duo.
~ Earlier ~
"How are you holding up Bell?" Asked Evan as he picks up the magic cores from the monsters they have slain.
"Yeah, I'm doing fine Evan, for better or worse." Said Bell as he pants from their latest fight with a group of monsters.
Evan nods and continues his work.
"Say Evan..."
"Yes?" Asked Evan as he turned to Bell.
"I've been thinking about this for a while...do you think that I'm a burden...?" Asked Bell as he turned his gaze down not looking at Evan.
Evan stares at Bell for a while before sighing and then knocks Bell's head with some force.
Ow! What was that for!?"
"For your self loathing." Replied Evan.
While rubbing his head, Bell decided to change the topic.
"So have you thought of who's gonna train me?"
"In fact, I do. Aside from me, I thought of two or three others that can help you."
"Who are they?" asked Bell.
"That'll for them to answ-"
Before Evan could finish, a roar cuts him off.
*ROAR*
"What was that?!" Yelled Bell. "Quick, follow me!" Said Evan.
As both Evan and Bell ran towards the sound. Once they turn the corner, they see a couple of adventurers being assaulted by what seems to be a couple of minotaur.
"What are minotaurs doing on this floor!?" Bell exclaimed. "Bell, what floor does the minotaur usually reside in?" Evan ask.
"From what I remember from Eina, I think they usually are from floor 15…" Answered Bell.
'Not good…' Evan thought.
Evan then turned to Bell
"Bell, I'm going to need you to go back up now."
Bell protested.
"But I can help yo-"
"No." Evan said in a firm tone.
Bell flinched at the immediate rejection from Evan.
"This is something that you can't do much to help...no…..more like rather you'll be the one in danger." Said Evan while glaring the direction of the roar.
Evan then turn back to Bell.
"Go now and don't worry about me, I'll be fine, okay."
Bell stares at him a bit, before he reluctantly nods and starts to run back towards the stairs to the upper level. As Bell disappears from Evan's view, a light appears from behind and a familiar hooded figure appears.
"Atro follows Bell and makes sure he is safe." Said Even.
Atro nods and quickly follows after Bell while Evan runs the other way towards the minotaur.
"Hey, you overgrown cows over here!"
Hearing his taunt, the group of minotaur turn its attention to Evan from the adventurers and one of them roar at him before charging at him followed by the others.
'Good, now come closer….'
He grasps his sword two handed and begins to charge up as his eyes change from brown to amber. As the minotaurs got within range, Even then swung his blade.
"Grand Slav!"
A large crescent wave of fire flew from the sword, cutting through and incinerating all the minotaurs in front of him, leaving the observing adventurers in awe. Evan's eye turns back to normal as he turns to the group of adventurers.
"Is everyone okay?" He ask.
The group quickly got out of their awe and one of them stepped up.
"We are, aside from a couple of heavy bruises and two injured party members.
Evan nods and quickly asks another question.
"Any idea why there are minotaurs on this floor?"
The fellow adventurer shook his head.
"No idea, these minotaurs came out of nowhere like they were on the run or something."
Evan raised a brow and put his hand up to his chin.
'Someone or something must've forced them up here…' Evan thought. "I see...anyway I must get going or otherwise my friend would get worried about me." Said Evan.
As Evan turned around, he was stopped by the adventurers.
"Wait, what about the monster drops!?"
"Yeah, you did kill them, surely you should take them." Said another.
Evan then took a look at the drops then proceeded to pick up some but not all the drops and then said.
"The rest is yours." Said Evan.
"Wait, are you serious?!" Said an adventurer.
Evan then nods with a smile.
"You all need it more than I do, although the prices of selling the minotaur drops are decent, the price of lives are not. So take the rest and use them to help your injuries." Said Evan.
The group of adventurers then proceeds to bow in thanks to Evan for his generosity. Only for him to humbly wave it off and run off to catch up with Bell. As Evan runs back where he has told Bell to run to, he sees a small red figure running towards him and before he realizes, both Evan and the red figure crash into each other.
"Oof…"
"Ow…"
Evan stood up, dust off the dirt on him, took a look at the person who crashed into him, and quickly realized who it was.
"Bell!?"
"Evan?!"
Evan then walked to Bell and helped him up.
"Good to see you're okay, but why are you covered in blood!?" Exclaimed Evan.
"Oh that..." Said Bell as he scratches the back of his head.
Then Bell proceeds to tell him what happened earlier.
~ Earlier ~
"You okay? Asked the Hooded Stranger
"...!?"
Bell stared at his savior in awe. His savior had golden wheat hair, cyan eyes, and a soft smile staring at him. Then as his brain rewired back to normal. He can't but flush at his did not know why Evan's friend was staring at him that hard. So Atro decided to break the ice and spoke to him. But before he could say anything Bell screamed.
"AHHHHH!"
Atro was struck with silence and confusion as he watched Bell run off. Atro then notices two presences and turns his head to see two familiar people.
"Ah, it's you two from then." Said Atro.
~ Present ~
"So you ran away from your savior…" Said Evan. "Yeah...I should've thanked her before running off." Bell said while scratching the back of his head in embarrassment.
"Her?" He ask. "Yeah, you should've seen how beautiful she is!" Said Bell.
Upon hearing that, it took Evan a few seconds to process what Bell had said.
'Oh, ooohhh. If only you knew the truth your savior is not a she but a he.' Evan thought. 'Atro, I don't know whether I should pity you or not.' Evan finishes his thoughts while trying not to smile or chuckle at this predicament.
"Well...let's call it a day and get you cleaned up before the smell becomes worse." Said Evan.
Bell then sniffed himself and said.
"I think I am already smelling a little."
"Then let's go." Gestured Evan. 'I got to ask Atro what seriously happened.'
While walking behind Bell, Evan reaches out to Atro through his link with him.
'You called?' Asked Atro.
'Atro explain your side of the story when you rescued Bell because we have a problem involving you…'
'Okay...?' Atro said while confused.
Atro then proceeds to tell Evan of the events that happened as Evan and Bell proceed up the layers. Then Evan proceed to tell his part to Atro.
'So you're telling me that Bell thinks that I'm a woman and that he seems to have some kind of crush...?' Atro asked. "Seems like it from here." Said Evan.
"What makes you think it's like that?" Asked Atro. "Although I may be dense when it comes to this kind of stuff, I'm not that dense to not notice something is up." Answered Evan.
'Could've fooled me Evan. You say that when you don't even notice the same hints given to you from others back in our world.' Thought Atro.
"Not only that, I can't really tell Bell that you're a guy because Bell is gonna question me on how I know you." Evan said reasonably.
"I see...so we are leaving this misunderstanding as it is?" Said Atro. "For now at least till you two meet again." Evan responded.
Then Evan asked about the next topic.
"What about those two from Loki's familia?"
"They were asking where I was as they were ascending the layers, of course I answered them vaguely before disappearing from their view before they asked more questions." Answered Atro.
"Well, it could've been worse. Anyway good work Atro, you can return now." Said Evan.
"Farewell Evan."
Then Evan felt the link between him and Atro disappear and Evan can't help but sigh mentally.
'I gotta be more careful next time before I end up attracting more attention on me and Bell. Although I should be glad that so far only the Loki familia and a few others know of Atro's existence and that he is still a rumor.'
Evan's train of thought shatters as both Bell and him get back to the surface. When they got back into the guild to check up only to be scolded by Eina who was shocked to see Bell covered in blood.
~ Church ~
"You what!? How could just leave Bell like that?!" Hestia cried out. "I'm sorry for leaving Bell like that." Evan said apologetically.
"Hestia, you shouldn't blame him because he was doing what he thought was best. We also didn't know how many minotaurs there were around and where they were coming from. And besides, not all of it wasn't his fault." Defended Bell.
Hestia looks between Bell and Evan a couple of times before she sighs.
"I…Okay, I forgive you Evan, but please do better. I can't stand the thought of losing any of you two…" Said Hestia. "I…I promise to do better." Evan answer.
Hestia nods and says.
"Good."
Then Hestia turns to Bell and said.
"Bell let me update your stats and yours too Evan."
Both Bell and Evan nod their head. Bell takes off his shirt and lays on his front while letting Hestia update his stats.
Bell Cranel
Alias: None
Lvl: 1
STR - I 82 - 91
END - I 13 - 20
DEX - H 172 - 180
AGI - I 92 - 98
MAG - I 0 - 0
Magic
None
Skills
None
"Alright done, you did quite well Bell, you've got a good increase to your stats!" Hestia said with a smile. "Now your turn Evan"
Evan nods and sits down on the couch with his back exposed to Hestia. Again both Bell and Hestia winced again at his huge scar. When Hestia looks at Evan's stats, she can't help but notice something is off.
Evan Ashen
Alias: None
Lvl: ø (Null)
STR - D 563
END - B 751
DEX - C 676
AGI - D 563
MAG - G 281
Magic
Grand Slave
Skills
Valiant Slash
Brave Swords's Courage
Brave Spirit
Warrior's Heartbeat
Hero's Pulse
Evil Authority
Brave Fighting Spirit
Goddess of the Gate's Blessing
Iridescent Hope
Giselle's Kiss
Developmental Abilities
Abnormal Resistance - I
Magic Resistance - E
Mental Resistance - C
Luck - G
Mind Efficiency - D
Swordsmanship - G
Craftsmanship - F
Synthesis - F
"How strange...Evan none of your stats even went up…" Said Hestia. "Seriously, after killing all of those monsters with me, he didn't even get a single raise in stat?!" Exclaimed Bell.
"I don't think that's a big deal..." Evan said as he waved it off. "It's probably due to how weak the monsters are around the upper floors."
"That makes sense considering the monsters around those floors can't really do much against you…" Bell said in agreement.
Evan proceeds to put his shirt back on before asking Hestia.
"Hey Hestia, you want to come with me and Bell to the Hostess of Fertility? Bell and I got invited by one of the employees to visit their pub for a reduced price."
*Sigh* "As much as I want to come along with my familia, I can't go because I have to go meet up with a friend of mine...So you and Bell can go enjoy your time there without me for now." Hestia said with a sad and resigned tone.
"I see...well, come on Bell, let's get ready." Said Evan.
Bell and Evan prepare themselves and walk out of the church and towards the pub.
"Be back before it gets too dark!"
"We will!" Said Bell and Evan.
~ Location - Hostess of Fertility ~
"So this is the place…" Bell said as he observed the pub. "Seems so, come on let's go in." Said Evan.
As both Bell and Evan enter the pub and observe what's inside, well mostly Bell was and not the latter.
'Amazing, look at this place!' Bell thought as he looked around and seemed to notice that all the employees were all waitresses.
'This reminds me of the Slayer's Pub' Evan thought as he smiles a bit at his reminiscence.
While both of them were having their impression of the pub, they both heard a familiar voice.
"Hi, Bell and Evan and Welcome to the Hostess of Fertility!" Said Syr.
"Syr!"
"Well, we came here as promised." Said Evan.
"I thank both of you for coming." Said Syr as she bows to the both of them. "Lead the way." Said Evan.
"Of course, this way." Syr gestured towards the counter.
As both Evan and Bell sat down on their seats, they heard someone walk over to them and both of them were surprised to see a giant woman in front of them.
"So, you two were the customers that I heard from Syr eh?"
Evan composes himself quickly and politely responds back.
"Yes we are, I'm Evan Ashen and this is Bell Cranel."
"Nice to meet ya two! I'm Mia Grand, Owner of this pub. So what would you guys want?"
"Ah, I would like pasta." Said Bell.
Mia then turns to Evan.
"I would like whatever dinner special you guys are serving right now." Said Evan.
"Alright!" Said Mia.
~ Short Timeskip ~
"That was delicious." Said Bell. "Agreed" Evan said with a smile.
"Glad you both like our food." Said Syr as she sat next to Bell
"Uh, aren't you supposed to be working right now?" Bell asked. "Well, being a waitress is really busy but not as busy as you think it should be." Answered Syr.
"So...what's the history of this pub?" Evan ask.
"Well, this pub was created by Mia who used to be an adventurer..."
~ History Lesson Timeskip ~
"That's pretty nice. I think I understand how you feel." Said Bell. "Likewise." Evan said with a smile again at another reminiscence time back at his world. However the trip through memory lane was disrupted by someone who came into the pub.
"Good Evening!"
Everyone in the pub turns to see a familiar powerful familia.
"It's the Loki familia…" Said an Adventurer.
As the Loki familia was walking into their seats, Evan turned his head to Bell who was memorized and in awe by the powerful familia. However, he also noticed Bell's stare was also on a certain blonde whom he remember hearing from Atro.
"First Atro, now her..." Thought Evan as he puts on an amused smile towards Bell.
"Did you guys know that the Loki Familia is one of our loyal customers?" said Syr. "Well, that just says more about your guy's cooking and services, having the number one familia as your loyal customers." Said Evan.
Then Evan turns to Bell whose head was now looking down as if he was avoiding being noticed. He can't help but notice someone was staring at him and Bell. With a quick side glance, he noticed a blonde girl...no, Ais the Sword Princess was looking towards Bell and his way as if she was sensing someone staring at her. Then her attention was quickly taken away from her rambunctious familia. As Evan looked on the number one familia, he can't help but smile at their comradery, friendship, and bonds they had. Reminding him of many of those people within his world waiting for him to return. However, such a thought quickly puts him in a melancholic state which was noticed by Syr but before she says anything, someone's action draws their attention especially Bell, Syr, and Evan.
*Thump!*
"Say Ais, why don't you tell us what happened earlier!"
Evan stares at the drunken adventurer whom he sees as Bete of the Loki Familia.
"What do you mean?" Asked the amazon woman whom Evan remember is Tiona.
"It was about the minotaur incident that happened earlier!"
What Bete had said now caught Evan's full attention along with Syr and Bell who winced a bit.
"The group of minotaurs that got away from us from floor 17 that made us have a goose chase on them. Yeah that group. Around floor 5, Ais and I were chasing the last of the minotaur till we saw a rookie. An utterly weak adventurer!"
From his word, Bell winced much more. Evan took notice and took on a silent glare on the drunken adventurer whom he and his familia doesn't notice.
"Hm? So what happened?" Asked the Red Hair. "The rookie was saved at the last second by that white cloak person, whatever their name is."
"Atro." Said Ais
"The rookie was covered in cow blood and looked like a tomato! Then he ran off screaming and crying at the same time! HAHAHAHAHA!" Said Bete as he laughed.
Bell trembles at Bete's words and Syr seems to connect the dots to who that rookie Bete was speaking of.
"Bell…" Syr said sadly.
Evan took a look at Bell and firmly put his hand on Bell's shoulder. Bell then looked up to see his face who was putting a comforting smile at him and from Evan's eyes, Bell could tell what message was being sent to him to "Hold Strong." Bell's body seems to ease on trembling a bit. Bete's laughing then stops as he then says.
"It pisses me off, you know. He-" Before Bete could continue, he was cut off by Riveria.
"You said enough Bete!" Riviera said in a scolding tone. "But it was so pathetic. He shouldn't become an adventurer if he's gonna cry like that." Bete retorted.
"Bete, it was careless of us for letting those minotaurs escape. We do not have any right to mock him or any adventurers that probably went through something similar. In fact I believe we owe him an apology." Said Riveria.
"As expected of the great and proud Riveria but what's the point of defending such hopeless cases like him and others like him. Garbage will always be garbage."
"Stop it" Intervened the Red Hair. "You're ruining the celebration."
"Yeah, yeah whatever." responded Bete, then he turns his attention to Ais and says "What about you Ais, what do you think of him?"
Bell then grits his teeth and trembles even more even though Evan is trying to calm him down. Then Evan looks back up at the current event and to a silent Ais. With Ais's silence, Bete then began running his mouth again.
"Hmmph, I bet you can't even answer yes. Him, a wimp can't even hope to stand by your sides or even deserve to stand at your side!"
"..."
"Trash like him is not suitable for you or even the dirt beneath your shoes!"
Bell suddenly stood up and even with Evan's grip on his shoulder, slipped through his grasp and ran out of the pub and into who knows where.
"Bell!?" Syr Cried out.
"Who the hell was that?" Asked Bete.
"Must be a dine dasher. I gotta say he has huge balls pulling that off in this place." Red Hair said casually.
Ais just stares at the entrance with silence then finally turns to look at Evan's back who was looking at where the boy ran off. As Evan looked on where Bell ran off to, all Evan could do was put on a sympathetic face. Then Evan took out a bag valis and put it by his plate and said to Mia who was nearby.
"Keep the change, I got a friend to look after."
"Mmmm." Mia nods in acknowledgement. "See you later and thanks for the food." Waved Evan.
"Have a good night and take good care of your friend." Said Mia.
He then stood up, fixed his cloak, and began to walk towards the entrance. However, Evan can feel someone's eyes on him and he turns around to see Ais was looking at him. Bete however seems to notice Ais's staring and sees her looking at Evan.
"Who are you looking at Ais? Some weakling that got your attention."
From Bete's words, the other members of the familia took notice and looked at Evan. Evan decided enough of this staring contest, turned around and proceeded to the entrance. Before he got to the entrance, he heard someone walking fast up to him and he turned around to see Ais.
"Do you know him...?" Ais asked. "Who?" Evan ask.
"The one who ran away…" Said Ais. "Yes, I do, he's my familia. Why?" Evan ask.
"I...I want to apologize to him for Bete's words." Ais proceeds to bow a little much to the shock of the others in the pub.
Seeing Ais acting like this improves Evan's opinion on the Loki Familia to which made him think that perhaps it's just Bete that is the bad apple among them but considering that he is drunk right now Evan will hold out his judgment of him for now. Evan then puts on a small smile and says.
"I'll see what I can do."
Evan then turned around and was about to walk out the entrance but was interrupted once again much to his annoyance as his cloak was being held by no more than a drunk Bete.
"So, I heard from your chat with Ais that you're that trash's familia."
Evan then puts on a stoic face towards Bete. Although he knew Bete was drunk, doesn't mean he can go on spitting on weaker people.
"Say, why does your familia even have such a worthless garbage in it anyways." Said Bete.
Evan said nothing, not wanting to give the drunk Bete any more reason to continue talking.
"Giving the silent treatment eh?" Said Bete.
"Would you kindly let go of me or otherwise there will be consequences..." said Evan with a dry tone.
"Hmph as if you had any bite weakling." Scoffed Bete. "That's enough Bete." Said Ais as she tries to intervene.
"Quiet Ais! This guy here thinks he has the guts to tell me what to do!"
Evan blankly stares at Bete and even he can see that some of the Loki Familia have had enough and are coming over to intervene. Even Mia herself seemed to have enough and was ready to intervene as well.
"Bete! Enough harassing others and return back to the table or else..." Riveria said in a tone that can send shivers through anyone's spine. "We've attracted enough attention here."
"Tch...Whatever." Said Bete as he relented.
Bete lets go of him and Evan then turns back to the entrance, ready to walk out. Then Evan froze on his next step from Bete's next taunting words.
"I bet your familia has a lot of dead people protecting trashy adventurers like him and you."
Evan then froze at Bete's final taunt. Frozen, blank look, empty eyes, as if he was reliving memories that he threw away or had forgotten them...No, more like sealed away. He can't help but feel powerless despite all of his strengths. Memories of friends, comrades, and more sacrificing their lives just so that their world and loved ones would live on without knowing that if their sacrifice was in vain or not. Memories that he knew that he could've done more, tragedies that he could've prevented, he witnessed worlds destroyed in front of him either from immediate destruction or a slow decay and for all of his power he can't even do anything about it. But what made Evan boil from the inside was his callousness even if he was drunk. A certain elf waitress watches on with a blank expression but had a distasteful feeling welling within from Bete's words. Evan turns around and walks back towards Bete and Ais, who is the next closest person to Evan can feel the air around him have changed.
"Bete of Loki familia..." Said Evan.
Bete turns around and says.
"what do you want weakling?"
"Can you repeat what you just said?" Evan ask in an unnerving tone.
Everyone in the pub suddenly went in full alert at his change of tone and air aside from the drunken Bete who still doesn't seem to notice the change.
"I said I bet "a lot" of your familia died protecting trashes like you an-"
Next thing Bete knew, he was tossed outside from the entrance of the pub and crashed onto a wall of a building opposite of the pub. Everyone was surprised seeing how fast Evan grabbed Bete and threw him out of the pub.
"Ughh, you bastard, you want to go!" Bete yelled as Evan slowly walked out of the pub and put himself in a fighting stance. "If that's what you want then fine! Let's go!" Bete yelled as he charged him.
Bete threw his fist and feet wildly, using only his speed and brute force to hit Evan. To which Evan were dodging them well enough although some of Bete's hits were connecting but none of them were decisive hits. As for Evan, he would dodge and weave between Bete's attack and counter attack back at Bete. For a couple of hits, Evan deliberately takes them from Bete in order to strike a well placed counter. As Bete and Evan's brawl continues, they are being watched by not only by the Loki Familia but by many bystanders as well.
"Isn't that Bete from the Loki Familia?!" Said a bystander. "Who is that guy fighting him!?" Said another.
As for the Loki Familia, while some of the members are worried about Evan, others are intrigued by him.
"Hmmm, what an interesting turn of event." Said the Red Hair.
"I agree Loki-sama." Said Finn. "Although shouldn't we stop the fight already?" Finn asked.
"Nah, look at this brawl, it's exciting. Besides, I think Bete deserves a bit of humbling for his actions even though he's drunk." Said Loki. "I hope the fight will be over soon. This brawl is attracting a bit too much attention here." Said Gareth.
"I agree with Finn that we should put an end to the fight." Said Riveria. "We will if it escalates." Loki said as she waves Riveria off nonchalantly.
As the fight continues, Bete was getting frustrated at how his strikes are being dodged, blocked, or even being tanked by this nameless nobody that is landing hits on him, him! As the Loki Familia watches on, Gareth can't help but point out something that those more perceptive would notice.
"That boy...his fighting stance..." Said Gareth as he looked at Evan and his stance.
"What do you mean Gareth? What about his stance?" Tiona asks. "It's getting better." Stated Ais as she looked on with intrigue
"Wait so you're saying that fellow is not fighting with something optimal to his style and yet is getting better that quickly!?" Exclaimed Tiona.
"Yes it is as Ais said. That person's stance was sloppy at first, a novice but as his fight against Bete goes on, it's becoming more and more refined. However, from what I can also see is that his body is not suited for that kind of fighting style and I don't know why he went with that style."
*Smack!*
"How do you like that!" Yelled Bete. 'Damn that hurts my fist...it's like punching a steel wall with my bare hand.' Bete said internally.
Bete manages to land a decisive blow against Evan's face. However despite the blow, Evan was still standing firm and stance ready. Both Bete and Evan were bruised and battered although the former was worse than Evan who had a couple compared to Bete's tens. Throughout the fight Evan studied Bete's fighting style and came to the conclusion that Bete's fighting style is more suited in dealing with monsters than humanoid opponents like him but then again does it matter if speed and brute strength is only needed. However, this fight has gone long enough and any steam of anger that Evan had been long vented from this fight. Seeing that it's already becoming night, Evan decides to end this. He then concretes his power around his body. Bete seeing that Evan isn't doing anything charges in as Evan's eyes change from brown to light gold and the next thing Bete felt was pain on his lower jaw and his body flying backward while feeling something just electrocuted his body.
"What just happened there!? He struck so fast there!" Said a bystander.
Seeing what just unfolded before everyone, especially the Loki Familia was now amaze and intrigued even more about him. Especially Loki who stares at Evan with glinting eyes.
"Ughh...What did you just do to me?!" Bete groaned as he stood up massaging his lower jaw with great effort due to how stiff his body felt from Evan's attack. Bete then looked at him with slight confusion.
'What the hell happened to his hair and eyes?'
There stood Evan in a different fighting stance but however his eyes were different along with patches of his hair, where the brown of the hair became a dull gold in color. Evan then imitated a fighting stance that a martial art school once taught before its destruction in the war for survival against the gods in Grand Gaia.
"Time to end this." Said Evan as he charges at Bete, however Evan is not charging alone as a voice of an old man came into his mind.
'Duck.'
Evan followed the order and dodged one of Bete's strikes before following up with a combo that Evan saw from a memory from that old man who was guiding him.
'Two quick jabs' Evan told himself.
He threw two quick punches on Bete's body and then back stepped one of Bete's kicks to which Evan followed up with his own kick. He threw a left high kick at Bete's face, Bete quickly blocked the kick with his right arm but the kick did its job staggering him, giving Evan more than enough time to drive a right uppercut and as Evan's fist went up, lightning then formed and crackled from his oncoming fist. Then it connects.
*Boom!*
The hit sent Bete flying once more from Evan but this time as he landed back down, unconscious and spasming from the electricity.
"Wow! he actually knocked Bete unconscious! Amazing!" Said Tiona.
As Bete's unconscious body lays there ahead of Evan. Evan stands there breathing deeply as sweat appears on Evan as he is trying to calm and cool his body down.
'It appears that I exerted my body a bit there' Evan thought internally while looking down at his trembling right arm.
'You've done well Evan.' Said an Old Voice. 'No, it's thanks to you, Rahgan, for allowing me to emulate your martial arts.' Said Evan.
"If I were still alive, I would've gladly taken you under our school and teaching of the arts." Said Rahgan.
Evan could feel the old man smiling.
"I appreciate the thoughts, Rahgan." Said Evan as he inwardly smiles. "No problem child, call upon me if you need me again." Said Rahgan as Evan feels the link between him and Rahgan disappears.
Evan's body returns back to normal with his hair and eyes change back to their usual brown and Evan was suddenly greeted by a young energetic amazoness whom he remembers as Tiona.
"Hi there, I'm Tiona and what you did there was awesome!" Said Tiona. "Ugh, thanks?" Evan said confusingly.
As Tiona went on how awesome Evan was on beating the hell out of Bete. Evan quickly reminded her.
"You should better go and pick him up for treatment."
"Ah, right!" Said Tiona as she ran off to Bete's unconscious form and proceeded to pick up Bete like he was baggages with one arm.
Seeing how dark it is already, Evan then turns around and begins walking back to the church only to be stopped by an inquisitive Loki who decided to stand in front of him.
"Say, what familia are you from?" Loki asks with a smile.
Evan stood there contemplating his next decision but seeing that his time is running short and that Hestia would already be worried about him and Bell. Y/N decided to answer so that he can get this over with.
"I'm Evan of the Hestia Familia."
"Hah? So you're from her familia."
"Any more questions? If not, then I have a fellow familia to go after and to return back home on a strict schedule with my goddess."
Loki looks up and down at Evan and then starts walking around him, looking at him. Once she looped around him twice and stood in front of him, she said.
"Evan, I want you to leave your current familia and join mine."
Everyone present was stumped by what Loki had said. It is rare to see someone from the most powerful familia be defeated but it was definitely very rare to see someone invite someone to join their familia especially if the goddess of the familia is inviting them. However, Evan had other things in mind.
"While I appreciate your offer, but I'm afraid I have to decline considering my current impression." Said Evan. "I knew you were gonna say that but I can't blame you since your first impression of us is kinda ruined." Loki said while scratching the back of her head.
"But leaving aside first impressions, what are your other reasons for declining? Even though my familia had much more to offer than your current familia." Loki asks. "Logically thinking yes, your familia provides more benefits for me but that doesn't erase the fact that one of your members spits upon the weak. Not only that but I've made a promise to someone, nothing more, nothing less." Said Evan.
Loki silently nods at his answer.
"Now, with that done, I should return back to my familia now." Said Evan.
Evan then walks past Loki and takes a look at the other members of her familia and then finally his eyes fall onto Ais and his thoughts trace back to her wanting to apologize to Bell. Evan then sighs and says
"Look, I'm pretty sure that your familia is great and all but please try to restrain your more brash members more before more incidents like today happen again."
With that said, Evan proceeds to walk back home.
'Great, now I have the attention of a goddess from the strongest familia, great going Evan great going…' He said internally.
*Rumble*
Evan quickly looks up to see that the dark sky is now filled with clouds about to pour its content upon Orario.
'Great, now it's about to rain.' He sighs internally as rain begins to fall.
Evan raises his hood up and proceeds through the rain back home. However, Evan never came to notice that someone watched the entire event with elasticity.
Freya POV
'My, my, Evan, look at what you have done, you've made me excited!'
I've watched his fight with Bete with glee. I watch how his soul swivels between his emotions. I felt how intense his soul was when he coldly asked that wolf to repeat what he said. At the soft melancholy he showed during his time at the pub. As my lovely Bell, I felt his rage, his anger, not at that wolf but himself. I wonder...what would you do my Bell. However what got me the most intrigued was how I felt there was another soul within his body during the final bouts of the fight. Amongst his unique soul was a soul of a dim dull yellow appearing by his soul. A dim soul that I see amongst those of old age or the dying. Why such a soul is next to my precious Evan I do not know but I find it intriguing nonetheless. Not only that, that old soul seemed to have some kind of effect on him as his eyes changed along with patches of his hair. I was elated with glee to see Evan quickly ended the fight after his sudden change in four hits. Shortly after that bout, I noticed that the second soul within him disappeared as if it never existed. After his short talk with Loki and her familia, I can't help but think of the promise that Evan supposedly made but shook it off and thought to myself as I watched him walk off into the distance under the start of a storm. I took one final look at his soul before heading back. Despite the uniqueness and intensity of his soul, I can't help but think upon what I saw within his soul, something familiar. Throughout my observation, I'm sure that if any other god or goddess were to see it, they would come to the same conclusion as I.
Divinity.
Divinity in a mortal? One could say that is impossible and I am one among them but yet the proof in front of me says otherwise. How he did it, I do not know. But now, this is going to be interesting for the future.
'Till we meet again. Hope you don't die too early'
~ Church ~
Third POV
Evan searched around the city for Bell and didn't find him anywhere so he assumed Bell ran off back to the church. As the sight of the church comes into view, Evan breathes in and out and prepares himself mentally for an angry goddess and a sad Bell. He walks up to the door and puts his hand by the door.
*Knock* *Knock*
As Evan stood there, he heard small footsteps coming behind the door.
'Here we go.' He thought to himself.
*Creek*
Evan sees Hestia opening the door and what he saw wasn't a mad Hestia but a face of relief and worries as she quickly spoke to him.
"You're here now! Quickly, help me patch Bell up!" She said with urgency. "What? Patch Bell up?" Evan ask with a sinking feeling.
"Yeah! Bell told me that after he ran away from the pub, he ran straight to the dungeon!"
"...!?"
Evan quickly followed Hestia inside to a unconscious Bell. Then Evan went to inspect Bell to see that, although Bell suffered some cuts and bruises here and there but nothing life threatening. To which Evan sighs a breath of relief as he looks at Hestia and thinks to himself.
'Man, I got worked up by Hestia's exaggerated words. Making me think that Bell took a lethal blow or something.'
His train of thought was interrupted by a now mad Hestia.
"Where were you when Bell irrationally ran into the dungeon!?"
"I was stopped and..." Evan said as he glanced to the side. "And...?" Hestia asks with her arms cross and tapping feet
"And I ended up fighting someone." He said with a sigh. "You what?! Tell me what happened!" Demanded Hestia.
Evan went and recited everything that happened at the pub.
~ Quick Timeskip ~
"And that's how it ended." Said Evan.
"Evan...you…"
"Yes, I know. I'm an idiot for escalating it to a fight when I could've just left then and there."
"No! I'm proud of you, idiot!" Said Hestia. "Proud of me...?" Evan said while confused.
"Yes, I am. Although you should've avoided the situation altogether, but you not only manage to beat a level 5 adventurer but that adventurer belongs to that flat board Loki!" Hestia said proudly.
"Flat board...Oh...Oh."
"Not only that, you rejected her invitation as well! So I count it a win." Hestia said with a triumph smile.
Evan then smiles a bit and nods at his goddess.
"I see, then I guess I'm going to sleep. Good night." Said Evan. "You too Evan." Replied Hestia.
'I guess future problems can be dealt with later as the attention is going to be on me and not on Bell or Hestia…' Evan thought to himself.
But deep inside he knew that soon or later he was going to have to tell them who he really is and where he is from.
~ Unknown ~
Evan POV
'Where am I?' I thought to myself as I stood up, I felt my body shiver at how familiar the surroundings were to me...empty...quiet…
"I see that you are awake now."
I heard a familiar toneless voice and turned my head to see someone I dare hope not to see for some time.
"Kranus…"
There "it" stood before me.
"What do you want, Kranus..." I growled at "it"
Kranus stood there in silence, just staring at me and I doing the same back at "it". Then Kranus raises one of his arms and I instinctively reach for my sword but I just end up grasping empty air. I realize that whatever dimension or dream state I am in, I currently have no way to defend myself aside from my summons although I'm not sure even that would work in this dream world. As I brace myself for the worse, Kranus hand stops a few inches from my head and just stands there with its arm reaching out. Nothing happened for a few seconds until…
"Aggghhhhh!" I grasp my head tightly as I felt huge amount of pain going through my head before dropping to my knee and looking up at Kranus whose arm is lowered.
"W-What did y-ou do to m-me?!" I said as the pain in my head intensified and I dropped on my knees.
"You will soon know in time, but not now." Said Kranus.
"W-What are you e-ven t-talking about?" I ask as pain I felt in my head slowly fades away but the same could be said with my consciousness as I slowly blackout, I heard something that caught my attention more.
"The Queen in Cobalt..."
'What about her…' I said internally as I blacked out.
~ Church ~
I suddenly woke up on the couch in cold sweats, breathing heavily, and with an aching head.
'Huh, so it was real, yet at the same time a dream.' I thought to myself as I slowly lay back on the couch looking up at the ceiling.
"Just what about the queen are you talking about Kranus?" I questioned before slowly drifting off to sleep once again.
~ Next Morning ~
Third POV
Bell woke up feeling someone on top of him, only to see it was his goddess hugging him. With a blush face, Bell was thinking of a way to get out of his current predicament only to see Evan walk into the room and see what is unfolding to him.
"Uhh...A little help?" Bell asks.
Evan smiled in amusement and walked over to the bed and proceeded to wake up Hestia. As Hestia got off of Bell, Bell went to explain what he did when he ran into the dungeon. Much to Hestia's horror. Bell then asked Hestia to update his stats. As Bell lays there back expose and Hestia updating it. Evan noticed something was wrong from the astonishment from Hestia's face and the jealous aura that was coming off from her. After she got off of Bell, she went and explained to Bell that for some reason Bell is gaining stats faster than the usual adventurer.
"So please, Bell, do be more careful next time okay…" Hestia pleaded.
"I will. Besides I got Evan to look after my back if any big trouble comes our way."
Hestia sighs then looks down on a piece of paper on the table and says.
"Evan look after Bell for me today, I got to attend a party hosted by a friend of mine."
"Will do and hope you have fun over there." Evan said with a nod.
"So, uhhh, Evan when will the training begin?" Bell asks.
Evan turns to Bell and says.
"Before anything related to training, first we...no, you got to apologize for running off from the pub."
"Oh yeah, right..." Bell said while embarrassed. "You go on ahead and apologize to them, while I prepare for your training." Said Evan.
Bell nods and stands up, puts on his shirt and gear goes off. As he disappeared from sight, Hestia approached Evan and said.
"I got something important to discuss with you Evan…"
Evan looks at Hestia and from her serious tone, he nods and sits down on the bed next to Hestia as she shows Evan, Bell's stat.
Bell Cranel
Alias: None
Lvl: 1
STR - I 91 - G 221
END - I 20 -H 101
DEX - H 180 - F 313
AGI - I 98 - G 232
MAG - I 0 - 0
Magic
None
Skills
Realize Freeze - Immense increase to stat growth as long one's feeling/emotion are focused on one's goal and allows the 'limit' to be surpassed.
His eyes widen at such a skill, a similar skill like his own but different when it comes to activating it either directly or passively.
"You know what this means do you…" Hestia said quietly. "Yes...We have to keep this skill a secret from others…" Replied Evan.
"Right...I can't believe it!" Yelled Hestia.
Hestia's outburst caught Evan by surprise.
"What do you mean?" He ask. "What I mean is that Bell got feelings for some girl out there or something!" Hestia yelled with a jealous face and pout.
Evan can't help but smile and chuckle a bit at the goddess. But with that said, Hestia stood up and was going to go to the party she was invited to until he said this.
"By the way Hestia, you wouldn't mind updating my stats cause I got into a fight against a level 5 and I want to see if any of my stats went up."
Hestia looks at Evan before saying
"Alright, I still have time."
Evan took off his shirt, showing his back to Hestia as she went to update his stat and to her surprise Evan's stat did go up even by a little but what worried her most was his new ability...
Evan Ashen
Alias: None
Lvl: ø (Null)
STR - D 563 - D 569
END - B 751 - B 769
DEX - C 676 - C 683
AGI - D 563 - D 566
MAG - G 281 - G 281
Magic
Grand Slave
Skills
Valiant Slash
Brave Sword's Courage
Brave Spirit
Warrior's Heartbeat
Hero's Pulse
Evil Authority
Brave Fighting Spirit
Goddess of the Gate's Blessing
Iridescent Hope
Giselle's Kiss
Developmental Abilities
V̸̧̛̹̙̯̼̪̠̥́̅ͅo̴͈͊̅͗̉̃͑̄͝i̸̞̠͂̍̀́̌̓͘͝d̷͙̻̱̺͚̤̥́̏́ ̷̗̻̟̿̉̾̆̈́̈́̈́I̴̢̜͉̭̣̹̲̥̊͂́̐̍̃̐̌ņ̵̛̖̪͔̠̖̅̂͆͋̍̄s̶͔̜̬͋̇̽̆͌̌̆̓̊͘î̷̡̫̦̰͉̳̳̅̀̓̆͠ͅģ̸̛̘̖͉̤̠̙͉̎͆͆͒̓͆̆̈́̄h̷͍̅͋̈͗̈̃͆̀͝t̶̢͈̑ ̴̜̥͙̱̣̰̪̓̉̅͊͊̽̇-̵̡̨͕̯̺̩̹̙̠̜͗̓ ̷͔̖̗͓̜͈̖͙̏̈̽͘ͅA̸̢̨̡̫͎̮͔̭̱͌̑̉̊̈͝ͅ
Abnormal Resistance - I
Magic Resistance - E
Mental Resistance - C
Luck - G
Mind Efficiency - D
Swordsmanship - G
Craftsmanship - F
Synthesis - F
Hestia can't help but feel that her entire existence shivers when she looks at his new ability even reading it was hard and feels like something was watching her. She took a look at Evan and it seems that he doesn't even know of such an existing thing. Just like Bell, Hestia swore not to tell Evan of this. She doesn't want to burden him more than he has now. Then she went to write off his stat change without the new ability being written on the paper and went off to show Evan his stat.
"Huh, I guess there is a small benefit for me fighting that guy..." Says Evan as he looks at the small stat change. But considering the fact Evan wasn't even going all out on Bete, made him impressed at the stat gain. To which made him wonder how powerful the level 6s from Loki's familia and the 7 from Freya's familia were like and how much stats increase would he get from fighting them.
"Well I should be going now, take care of the church and train Bell well!" Said Hestia as she waved Evan goodbye.
"Sure thing." Replied Evan.
Evan watched Hestia leave and when out of sight, he took a look at the patch of empty land by the church and began thinking about who to bring out to train Bell.
~ Meanwhile with Bell ~
Bell POV
As I walked back to the Hostess of Fertility and walked in the pub. I heard someone yell out.
"Hey! It's the guy who dined and dashed us! Quick ge-"
*Slap*
Before that waitress even finished her sentence, she was cut off by the elf waitress.
"Quiet, we are still working."
"Uhhh…"
Then I heard someone running down the stairs nearby and turned my head to see Syr there.
"Ah! Bell! Why are you here?" Syr ask. "I came here to apologize for running away yesterday" I said as I bow down to Syr.
"No need to apologize, Bell. It was understandably reasonable for you to be very upset especially after hearing what that dog said about you." Syr said distastefully.
Her tone surprised me quite a bit. I didn't expect her to have that kind of viciousness in her. Syr, then ask me something.
"Say, are you going to the dungeon today?"
"Well...not today because Evan is having some friends come over to train me along with him back at the church." I replied.
"I see..." Said Syr.
Then I saw Syr brought out a basket to me
"Here, take this and say that I say hi to Evan too okay!" Syr said with a smile.
I was surprised by Syr's kindness, but I can't just say no...
"Well...thanks Syr, I'll be sure to say that to Evan."
"So the brat is here." Said Mia as she came from the kitchen. "Uhh...good morning Mia."
"Hmmph, good to see you are okay brat." Said Mia. "Thanks…" I replied.
"Don't feel too bad about what that guy yesterday had said about you." Mia said with a smile. "Your friend took care of him very well and how good for him of being considerate when taking the fight outside of my place." Mia finishes.
"What fight? Did something happen after I ran away?" I ask. "You should've seen how Evan wiped the floor with Bete after he insulted both you and him some more."
"Wait what! He did what!?" I exclaimed. "You heard her right kiddo, your friend fought against a level 5 for you and won." said Mia with a small smile.
"A-Amazing...he did that for me…" I said quietly. "Kid, you got a great friend. So be sure to get stronger if not for your own sake but for his. So that you can one day stand proudly along with him." Said Mia.
I became lost in thoughts as I remembered what my grandpa had told me long ago with what Mia had said today. I grip my fist with a feeling of determination welling within me.
"I...I will! I will get stronger not only for him but also for my dream!"
"Good." Mia said with a huge grinning smile "Now off you go to your training!"
I turned around and began walking out after saying goodbye to them and left back to the church wondering who would help Evan train me.
~ Church ~
Third POV
On the empty plot of land by the church, stood Evan and three other figures. The first being a young man with red hair, blue eyes, wearing a green cloak with some golden plating with red engraving, while wielding two knives. The second figure was a woman with blue hair, one light lilac eye color with a eyepatch, wearing what seems to be armor mixed with many things ranging from bits of forged plated armor to skins of unknown monsters and animals that made her look wild, while wielding a large sword. Finally, the final figure was that of an old man with a huge scar on his stern face, wearing some lightweight black plated armor on top of his clothes, while wielding a unique sword.
"So where is the boy that we are supposed to train?" Asked the Old Man. "He should be coming back right now." Evan response.
"Hmmph."
"So how are we gonna train the boy?" Asked the Woman.
"I splinted up Bell's training into three parts." Said Evan. "Starting with your training Signas, you are gonna teach Bell survival skills."
He then turns to the other two.
"Owen is gonna be responsible for the physical training of Bell while Zelnite would train Bell in weapon technique and style since both of you are similar in that field. After that, we-"
Before Evan could finish, Bell came back.
"Sorry for being a bit late." Said Bell as he came in view of the four. "Oh, yeah before I forgot, Syr wanted to tell you that she said hi and she made some food for our training." Said Bell.
"I see, I'll thank Syr later." Said Evan before Owen stepped forward and looked down at Bell with a stern look, studying him.
"So, this is the boy you wanted us to train?"
Bell couldn't help but freeze up from the gaze of Owen until he felt both of his cheeks were pinched and stretched around a bit by Signas.
"Look at you! So cute!"
"Owowow! C-can you p-please let g-go!" Pleaded Bell.
Signas release Bell from her hand and Bell turns to see Zelnite leaning against the church's wall watching on with amusement. Bell then turns to Evan and asks.
"So, are these the people who're gonna train me?"
"Yes, they are Bell." Evan said with a nod before pointing at Signas. "Signas here is going to teach some survival skills to you in case you get lost, separated, or going alone into the dungeon."
Then he points towards Zelnite who simply wave.
"Zelnite over there will teach you how to handle your weapon better and will probably help teach you a couple of fighting styles or help refine your current fighting style."
Then finally he points towards Owen.
"And finally...Owen...he's the one who's going to do some physical training with you...hopefully he doesn't kill you with his 'training'..." Said Evan as he muttered the last part and prays to Bell to forgive him for what he's gonna put Bell through.
"Oh yeah, they are gonna be residents of this place for the time being as well."
"Did you tell Hestia about it?" Bell asks. "I...did not. But I'm pretty sure Hestia wouldn't mind." Evan said while looking away.
Bell just deadpan at him before walking up to his three new mentors.
"It's nice to meet you all." Bell said as he bows to all three of them.
"Boy."
Bell froze up from hearing Owen speaking to him.
"Y-y-yes?" Bell said while stuttering nervously. "Are you even sure you can do this? Considering your shaking, are you scared?" Questioned Owen.
"I am nervous and scared." Bell answered hesitantly.
Owen stares at Bell in silence.
"But not of you or anything that comes my way!" Bell said with a determined face.
"Hmmph. We shall see." Said Owen as he turned around, walked back and sat down on a tree stump. "Well? Are we gonna begin or sit around and do nothing?" Asked Owen.
Evan then gesture Signas to begin her part. Signas walked up to Bell and said with a grin.
"You ready boy?"
"I am!"
Bonuses
What if Story - Chapter 1 - A Different Start
Evan POV
"Hey, hey, Evan wake up!"
'How annoying...let me sleep some more.' I thought.
"He's not waking up"
"W-what should we do?"
"Hmmmm…"
'Can they not be anymore quiet?' I said internally.
"Oh, oh I know! We should drop a bucket of cold water on him!"
"I-isn't that a bit too mean?"
"Nah, considering how he's able to sleep through all of this. The cold water will be a nice wake up call. I'mma head out to get a bucket of water, be right back!"
"Tiona w-wait!"
Silence then finally came as the noisy amazoness left. But considering what I just heard...I think it's best for me to wake up…
"Man, you girls know how to be loud don't you" I said as I rub my eyes and slowly get up.
"I wasn't loud."
"Well, then most of you girls are" I said while stretching my arms out and then I asked.
"Why are you guys here anyway, got something to ask of me?"
"How did you get so strong?"
I turn to the blonde girl.
"Is that always gonna be your question, Ais?"
Ais nods.
"Well, I-"
Before I could even start a sentence, Tiona came running back.
"I'm back with the bucket!" Yelled Tiona, then she saw me who's now awake. "Awww, your awake now..."
"You can kindly put that bucket back now Tiona." I said.
Tiona puts the bucket down and then walks towards me.
"You need something Tiona?" I ask. "Nope, just interested in how you'll answer Ais again." She said.
I've been barraged with the same question from Ais ever since that incident and it has gone to the point where she even stalks me unsuccessfully, mind you from time to time much to my dread as I felt one of them giving me a death glare through my skull. I internally sigh.
'What kind of mess did I even get into after getting out of the void.'
~ Flashback ~
"Ughh, where am I?"
I looked up to see a massive...no humongous bug like monster in front of me.
*Screech!*
Then the giant bug sprayed some kind of dust around and before I noticed something wrong about it.
*BOOM*
I covered myself with my arms from the explosion before I took a look around and noticed that I wasn't hit, however I soon realized that someone was next to me.
"What the?"
I turn my head to see a blonde teenage girl with burnt marks on her body and I soon realize that she got me out of that explosion but she didn't come out unscathed. Looking here and back where I was, seems like we are a good distance away.
"Go." She said. "Huh, me?" I pointed at myself.
"Go over there and hide." She said as she pointed somewhere over the distance and from he can see, there were others there.
"What about you?" I ask in a serious tone
"I'll be fine..." she said as she stumbled to get up.
I looked at where the giant bug monster was at and then looked back at the girl and shook my head.
"No, I can't leave you to fight that monster alone, especially with those injuries caused by my mistakes." I said even though my mistake was appearing at the wrong time and at the wrong place.
"No." she said "I'm fine."
I looked at her before asking
"What's your name?
The girl turns her attention to me looking confused as if she thought I knew who she was.
"You don't know me?" She asked. "Honestly, I don't." I answered.
The girl looked at me for a bit before saying her name.
"Ais."
"I see, then you can call me Evan."
*Screech*
The giant bug monster seems to have finally found us and then it charges at us. Ais tries to stand up but ends up stumbling down a bit. I looked again at her injuries and saw that one of her legs was worse for wear. Then I stood up and said in a calm and yet confident tone.
"I got this and you can stay put."
"...?"
Ais stared at me and at what I'm going to do and saw me grab something from my bag. Seeing this big monster charging me and Ais, I knew what to get from my bag and I brought a small purple sphere that soon glowed in my hand and then transformed into something invisible.
*Screech!*
As it got close, the monster swung one of its wings to strike me but before it did.
"Melord's Core!"
The next thing that happened was now the monster flew back crashing down on its back.
Third POV
Ais's eyes widened at what Evan had done. He knocks over the monster with one 'ability'. Taking this opportunity, Evan withdraws his sphere, and draws his sword out. Ais then looks over at him with interest especially when she can sense that Evan is going to do something. As the monster was picking itself up, he held his sword with both hands, and muttered something that Ais couldn't pick up. Then his sword began to glow along with the rest of his body with a light red color. The monster that just got up, also stared at Evan's glowing figure but made no move forward.
*Low Screech*
Much to Ais's confusion and astonishment, the monster was slowly backing away from Evan as if it sensed something coming from him that made it fear him. Then the glow on Evan's body then disappeared, revealing Evan with his hair now red, along with light red eyes, and what was most surprising was his clothes which now changed into a resplendent attire, along with a beautiful sword that radiates with power.
"Let's end this." Said Evan as his sword began glowing and amassing power.
*Screech!*
The monster, upon sensing the rising power, charges him to prevent whatever he is doing. But Ais was one step ahead.
"Ariel!"
Ais lashed out a powerful aerial that staggered the monster. The monster tried desperately to move but would always be attacked and slowed down by Ais. Then Ais heard Evan yell at her.
"Ais! Get back!"
Ais does as he told her. Then Evan unleashed his attack with an upward strike.
"Eneoscalibur!"
*SCREECH!*
A wave of intense heat and light washes over the monster as it screams in pain before its scream ceases to be. Once the flame settled down, the lower charred parts of the monster was what remained of it as the rest fell down and melted away. Silence filled the air not from Ais but those of her familia who watched the entire event with awe and interest. Evan stood there before letting out a breath and reverted back to his original form. Then he turned around to the injured Ais and took out something from his bag.
"Here, drink this." Said Evan as he brought out a small emerald colored engraved bottle
Ais's eyes darts between the bottle and Evan a couple of times before he lets out a sigh.
"It's a healing potion." Said Evan as Ais looks at him in the eye to see any deceit then reaches out and takes the potion out of his hand.
Ais then opens the potion and drinks a bit to taste a sweet watery like flavor and proceeds to drink the rest. To her surprise, she felt all of her injuries were disappearing quickly and felt a bit invigorated. Just what kind of high quality potion did she drink? She then without a word hands the empty potion back to Evan who looks confused at her action but takes it back and places it back in his bag.
"Ais!" Someone cried out.
Both Ais and Evan turn their attention to see people running towards them.
"Your friends?" He asked. "Familia." Ais replied.
"Hey, hey how did you do that Ais?!" One of them asked.
"I didn't Tiona." Said Ais as she points at Evan "He did."
"Hi, I'm Tiona. So how did you even do that?!" Tiona asks excitedly.
Evan seeing that the others of Ais's familia were closing in thought to himself.
'This is gonna be a long day…'
~ End of Flashback ~
"Come on, come on Evan! Tell us how you get that strong!" Tiona asks.
"Trade secret." I said with a smile.
"Awww, come on why do you have to act like that!?" pouted Tiona.
Then the next thing he didn't expect would be that Ais took hold of one of his hands and dragged him along with her.
"Where're you taking me this time, Ais?" I ask. "Training. Sparring." Stated Ais.
Evan mentally sighs at Ais's determination and persistence for trying to figure out his power. But...
'I guess at least this would be an interesting adventure.' A small smile appeared on his face as he was being dragged.
Alternate Fight Scene - Evan vs Bete
Next thing Bete knew, he was tossed outside from the entrance of the pub and crashed onto a wall of a building opposite of the pub. Much to the surprise of the others seeing how fast Evan grabbed Bete and threw him out of the pub.
"Ughh, you bastard, you want to go!" Yelled Bete as Evan slowly walked out of the pub and took his stance. "If that's what you want then fine! Let's go!" Yelled Bete as he charges Evan.
Punches and kicks collided with one another as the fight accelerated faster and faster. However, for Bete with every hit he lands on evan, the more he feels his fists and legs ache. Not only that, Bete, although intoxicated, can sense that Evan is getting faster and stronger as the fight continues. As for Evan, he came to notice that Bete's fighting style wasn't meant to combat other people but monsters but who cares when brute force can force a win. If Evan was a normal person. But he is far from normal.
*Smack!*
He gets struck in the face by Bete with enough force to stagger Evan back.
"Hah! How do you like that!" Taunted Bete.
However, Bete fails to notice a glint in Evan's eyes. As Evan steadied himself and fix his positioning. All of sudden, Bete suddenly felt something heavy was on him. Bete then saw Evan cocks one of his fists back. He then lets his fist go flying towards Bete's face. Bete tries to dodge but whatever mysterious force upon him wouldn't let him and his face get hit full force by Evan's fist and...
*SMACK!*
His world went to black. Bete's body flew across the street, skipping in between the bounce before finally stopping when his body hit a wall with a huge mark on his cheek.
"What did I just see!? A level five beaten sent flying by whoever that guy is!" Yelled a bystander.
Everyone watching the fight was shocked by what has transpired aside from the few who watched with interest. Evan looks at Bete's unconscious figure while shaking his hand for a few seconds before turning around to head home. No one made a move to stop him. Till a curious Loki stood in front of him with intrigue.
Alternate Scene - Pacifist Route(Kinda)
"Can you repeat what you just said?" Evan asked in an unnerving tone.
Everyone in the pub suddenly went in full alert at his change of tone and air aside from the drunken Bete who still doesn't seem to notice the change.
"I said I bet "a lot" of your familia died protecting trashes like you an-"
Before Bete could finish his sentence, suddenly a huge pressure fell upon him, upon everyone. A lot of people suddenly were having the feeling of something crushing upon them, while some others were having a hard time breathing. However, Bete was taking Evan's silent ire, full force. He was on his all fours, with one hand on his throat trying to breath as Evan stared down on him with blank eyes until...
"Evan...!"
Syr's cries snapped him out of it and Evan turns to Syr and silently looks around the room to see everyone was staring at him with reserve fear aside from Bete who was now panting heavily to Ais who had her hand grip on her sword's handle ready to strike him. Evan then turns back to Syr and says.
"Sorry, Syr...It appears that I've lost myself for a moment there." He apologizes. "I'll be leaving then sorry everyone for ruining your time here." Evan said in a monotone voice as he leaves the pub while everyone continues to stare at him in silence.
"Evan…" Syr said with sadness.
"Well, well that was interesting." Said Loki.
Author's Note
Alright there is one more chapter to post for this story, once I am done with posting the last story after this I can continue working on the newer chapters and hopefully by then I have decided upon the name for the MC.
Now to the explanation especially with the fight between Bete and the MC. I explain much of it on my wattpad post but to make it short here, I took some liberty to have some fun to extended some possible capability of summoning and its uses. And yes I took some inspiration from other medias such as the fate series and others. As for the new ability that the MC got, it is both related to BF and this story as the MC will use it to prevent future tragedies and who knows who's future would changed and at what cost.
Anyway see you all on the next chapter. Hope you all have a good day or good night.