Light shined through the curtains, the dulled light of the coming morning just strong enough to stir one from their rest.
Bell felt the light touch his eyes, waking him from his slumber. He opened his eyes to stare at the ceiling of his room.
He felt absolutely relaxed while laying in his bed, which was strange for him, given he was usually a morning person and bursting with energy at the start of the day.
It was then he noticed the weight on his chest and the warmth pressed against him. He looked down to see his vice-captain, Koukin Shuuyu, pressed against him. Her long locks of hair draped across both him and her, as if an additional blanket was covering them. He felt his hand was gently wrapped around her and he could feel the intimate details of her body beneath the blankets.
He remembered what happened last night. What he and Koukin both did with each other. He almost couldn't believe it, yet the proof was right next to him, slightly on top of him actually.
He looked back to the ceiling, recalling a night of pleasure shared between him and Koukin. A feeling of disbelief rose inside him at the truth of the matter.
'I became a man,' he realized , 'last night, I became a man.'
He still couldn't believe it. Shy little him actually managed to sleep with a woman. A beautiful woman.
A woman who he could see was slightly drooling on his chest, nearly making him chuckle, but the motions of his chest did stir her awake.
Koukin half blinked tired eyes, adjusting to the soft light permeating the room. She gave a soft yawn and rubbed at her eyes, blinking them fully this time and staring into Bell's bemused face.
"What?" she asked, "What's so funny?"
Bell only looked down at his chest in emphasis, an action that Koukin followed. She finally noticed the tiny puddle wetting his chest and blushed with embarrassment.
Bell gave a chuckle, drawing a slightly miffed look from his vice-captain, "I'm sorry," he said gently with a smile, "it's just that seeing you like that was cute."
Koukin gave a low growl at Bell's words but there was no real anger in it. Only embarrassment at being seen like that and being complimented as well.
A sudden gleam came to her eyes then and Bell was frozen stiff when that gaze looked deep into his.
"My apologies, captain," Koukin began, "it appears that, in my slumber, I made a mess on your chest," she leaned down to where the wetness was, the blanket slightly falling off enough to let Bell see some of the gorgeous figure he embraced, "let me clean it up for you," she finished, sticking out her tongue and doing something Bell didn't expect.
She began to lick Bell's bare chest, aiming for the spots she drooled on.
Bell was transfixed by the sight he was seeing and the sensation he was experiencing. He felt her tongue touch his skin, feeling the soft organ briefly but gently caress his skin and pick up the saliva, the action being redundant, given she was just making a thinner, smoother spot on his chest. She then stopped licking and began kissing his chest, bringing flutters of joy coursing through him. Koukin kissed up his chest, kissed up his collar, his neck, his cheek, before suddenly swinging herself over him and propping herself up on her hands.
Bell looked up at her, her ebony locks curtaining them again. Seeing her sly and playful face looking down on him, her gaze promising things that Bell experienced not long ago.
She leaned down, her chest pressing against his, her face moving closer to his. Bell could feel her hot breath, he wondered if she could feel the same? Their lips were so close to each other. Bell closed his eyes, anticipating the contact.
Until a series of loud knocks at the door broke their concentration. Koukin rose up again, sitting on Bell's legs now.
"Hey! You awake? Breakfast is ready!"Kallen said through the door.
Bell blinked at the voice and was about to reply before he caught a look pass over his vice-captain's face.
A cunning gleam in her eye, and a sinister smile.
'Uh oh,' Bell thought.
"We'll be down shortly, Kallen," Koukin said aloud, much to Bell's shock and horror, "don't wait up."
A moment of silence passed and Bell wondered if Kallen had even heard them.
The door opened with a loud bang as it hit the wall, revealing a shocked, red-haired Kallen gaping at what she saw.
"You know," Koukin began, unbothered at being seen nude and on top of her captain, "you should at least knock once more before entering."
Kallen tried to speak, she pointed at them, her face redder than her hair, bumbling with her words.
"I…you…him..wha-?"
"Don't worry," Koukin said, turning slightly and giving Kallen a side profile of her form, "we just have to finish up some things and we'll be right down."
Gaping like a fish, Kallen's expression did not change as she slowly closed the door. Bell and Koukin faintly heard her footsteps walk away.
"Well," Koukin began, looking back down at Bell, "I suppose the fun's over," she moved her hips and legs off Bell standing from the bed, "I confess that I wished we had at least five-," she paused in thought, "no, ten minutes together," she made to pick up her clothes and put them on, "a familiar wish, believe me. Hakufu and I were interrupted at some of the worst times," she finished putting on her familiar revealing dress, looking back at Bell and seeing his face, "Are you alright Bell?"
Bell was staring up at the ceiling again, mortification written on his features, "she saw us," he said, bringing his hands to cover his reddening face, "she saw us like that," he bemoaned, "how am I gonna look her in the eye after that?"
Koukin sighed at her captain's reaction. Even after a passionate night, he could still act so immature and ridiculous.
Granted, those attributes complimented him well overall. They gave him a sort of 'groundness' and approachability that made Bell such an endearing person.
Nonetheless, now was not the time for him to be hung up on something like that.
Koukin finished putting on her clothes and walked towards Bell's desk, retrieving her glasses. She went over and gently removed Bell's hand's from his face and gave him a smile that made his heart skip a beat.
"Like this, Bell," she said, "you look her in the eye like this. Just like you do with everyone else in the familia," she gently rubbed his hands, comforting him, "we all knew this was going to happen one day," she sighed and let go of his hands, "some of us are bound to have a strong reaction to things like this here and there."
Bell could not argue that but felt a little reassured by her words. Koukin leaned and kissed his forehead, bringing a flush to Bell's face, "I'm afraid that is all I can afford to give you right now," she said with a smile, "you should get ready yourself. We have the whole day ahead of us," she made to his door and opened it, pausing long enough to say something over her shoulder, "if you ever want a repeat of what we did last night," she sported him a smile that was as steamy as the one she gave him last night, "you only need to ask. Though, that is unless the others would like a chance with you and you with them. I'm not a greedy woman after all," she closed the door, leaving Bell alone in his room.
He leaned back and let out an exhale, feeling as if he was holding his breath forever.
What a way to start the day.
Hestia could not believe how lucky she was right now.
"That negotiation," she breathed as she walked on, "could have been a disaster."
"I would say you honestly got off easy," a voice beside her said. Hestia turned to see her best friend Hephaestus walking beside her, nonchalantly, "granted, that was certainly the strangest negotiation I'd ever seen."
Hestia grumbled at her friend's word choice but could not debate the factual truth.
When Hestia had woken up inside Hephaestus's home. She was feeling the payback from all her heavy drinking last night. Hephaestus tried to stop her many times but Hestia managed to sneak a few drinks past her and down in practically one gulp. Needless to say, her hangover made her want to crack her head open and let it leak out. To make matters worse, one look at a nearby clock told her she had around an hour to meet with Goibniu about renovations to her home to welcome new members that were 'eventually' going to appear.
She had haphazardly gotten ready under the bemused and exasperated gaze of the forge Goddess and made to leave with her in tow.
Hestia rushed things too fast and her headache and stomach ache were greatly upset during the track to the other forge God's home. Hephaestus tried to warn her but Hestia chose to power through the pain.
That was a mistake…
When Hestia finally sat down with Goibniu for negotiations, she was fighting the urge to throw up and the urge to pass out from the headache she was experiencing. She carefully controlled her facial expressions to a mask of absolute neutrality, like Koukin showed her.
"It doesn't matter if you're not in control. What matters is that you look like you are in control."
The words of her vice-captain are what inevitably allowed her to lay out her offer to the stern face smith God. Goibniu listened, considering her proposal. Hestia was asking for a good deal to be sure and Goibniu could recall the last quote he gave her for more renovations and expansions, five hundred thousand valis at the minimum. What Hestia was asking in terms of number of rooms was increasing that quote. She wanted ten rooms for the expansion this time to prepare for some potential arrivals from outside the city.
Goibniu hummed in thought, calculating the labor, equipment, and time it would potentially take to get such work done. Last time he sent his children out there it was to fill up space available inside the church. Now it was a matter of adding space, that included clearing up the neighboring debris that surrounded the church.
It wouldn't be so simple a job like last time but it was still doable. Now it was time to discuss cost.
Goibniu laid out his offer, eight hundred thousand valis to clear the surrounding area, expand the property, and build the new rooms.
This was where the 'strange' part of the negotiation came in.
When Hestia heard the price Goibniu was asking for, add in her hangover she was trying to hide, and her nervousness at the meeting itself. She just nearly threw up from the stress alone.
Thankfully, Hestia kept her face in a mask of neutrality, giving nothing away about her internal struggle. Goibniu took her silence and stern face as a challenge to his quote and his professional pride as a craftsman and he increased the intensity of his glare at Hestia, nearly making the poor Goddess break and vomit then and there were it not for her astounding self control.
For a while they just stared at each other. Hestia's neutral mask against Goibniu's stern visage, with Hephaestus watching on with a calm expression but was, in truth, greatly amused by what she was seeing
Some time passed and it was Goibniu who broke the deadlock, closing his eyes and nodding his head in acknowledgement, "Very well," he began, "In addition to the rooms, I'll have my children build you a base level kitchen and bathroom. I know you have a small one of each in the basement, but for a potentially growing familia, you need bigger one's to support them that are much easier to get to," he rose his head to meet Hestia's gaze, just nearly making the hearth Goddess jump in her seat, "my price is the same though. I won't back down on that."
He was a professional after all.
Hestia didn't say anything, keeping her face as calm as possible, but raised her hand up to the craft God. Goibniu did the same and met her hand in a polite shake, finalizing the deal.
After a brief discussion on when they will be coming over to do their work, Hestia and Hephaestus made to leave, bidding Goibniu thanks and farewell.
Both short and tall Goddess walked down the street a ways, until they reached a spot that was well out of sight of Goibniu's familia. Hestia found a nearby trash can and emptied her stomach into it, her nerves and hangover finally having their outlet.
Hephaestus did laugh at her friend at that.
Which leads to now, as a tired Hestia walked side by side with her friend, thinking back on that negotiation and realizing how lucky she was right now.
She knew the price for the renovations were going to be much more expensive, how expensive she wasn't sure. If anything, she supposed, eight hundred thousand valis was a lot but her familia definitely could pay it. They had maybe just over a million valis in their available coffers. Certainly they would take a hit financially but Hestia was confident in her children's abilities to recover such a loss.
All the more confident when Bell summoned more allies to aid the familia.
"Well, Hestia," Hephaestus suddenly said, "this is where we part. I'm sure you can get back home on your own from here."
Hestia blinked and looked around, recognizing the familiar street. She was virtually a hop and a skip away from home in any case.
Hestia gave her friend a smile, "I can indeed," she said, "thanks for the help, Hephaestus."
The forge Goddess walked away, waving a hand back to her friend, "I didn't do much at all. You're the one who got what you wanted. Be happy about that."
Hestia had nothing to say in reply to her friend's words, she was speechless with gratitude. Hestia broke out of her stillness and made her way home. She couldn't wait to tell everyone the good news.
"You and Koukin did what?!"
Bell, along with everyone else at the dinner table, covered their ears at the short Goddess's outburst. Hestia had arrived just in time to join her children for breakfast and tell them the good news, that they would be getting new rooms added on to the home. When she mentioned the price, Bell had gone white as a ghost, hardly imagining spending that kind of money. Thankfully, Takeru and Ibuki comforted Bell and assured him that they would recover from this with little issue. A bit of time, sure, but no issue.
Hestia grumbled loudly at seeing her first child coddled so much but was mollified when Kallen slid a nice stack of pancakes to her. After finishing breakfast with everyone she asked them how their night was after the skill reveal.
It was Arue, who gleefully told her the news.
"Our captain and vice-captain shared a night of sinful passion together," the dramatic Crimson Demon said with a smile.
Hence Hestia's outburst.
Swiftly, the Goddess of the hearth zoomed to where Koukin sat, shaking her chief strategist's shoulders so hard and fast that her glasses were at risk of flying through the air.
"Not even a day after the reveal of the skill and you jumped into Bell's bed!" Hestia exclaimed with tears in the corners of her eyes, "Don't you have some self control."
Koukin pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose in a brief effort to keep them from flying, "Bell was still unsure about aiding us with the skill given his lack of," she had to pause when Hestia suddenly changed her shaking to side to side, "ex-experience. So I took it upon myself to teach him and let him be more comfortable with the idea," she looked to her captain, or at least tried to keep her eyes on him while she was being shaken, "n-not without his consent, of course."
Hestia stopped shaking her tanned and now slightly green strategist and looked towards Bell, "Is that true, Bell?" she asked, "Were you okay with it?"
Bell looked into his Goddess's eyes, flushing at what he was about to say, "It's true, Goddess. I was nervous that I wouldn't do well in helping with the skill but Koukin helped me by-," he blushed and turned his gaze to his vice-captain, "by being my first."
Hestia stared at Bell, her heart and emotions in a storm of different feelings. Her own constitution as a virgin Goddess rebelled against the idea that such a thing happened in her home. Yet, pragmatically, she knew it was also a matter of time in any case for it to happen. As it was the whole point of the conversation yesterday. Another part of her felt sad and a little envious that her child had his first time and…
Hestia shook her head before that line of thought could go anywhere else. Now wasn't the time for that. She took a deep breath in and let it out slowly, calming her emotions. She knew she was being immature, she had to make peace with the idea that Bell may be laying with different girls in an attempt to increase their growth, thanks to the skill they all shared. In addition, she knew it was a necessity for what may come their way.
'Thanks Freya,' Hestia thought.
With no argument to really bring up, Hestia walked to her first child. Looking up at him with a sincere expression.
"It wasn't uncomfortable, I hope?" Hestia gently asked, "Was it all alright for you and her."
Bell stared at his Goddess, wondering what to say. He decided honestly was the best answer, "It was amazing, Goddess," Bell said with a honest smile, "It felt magical."
Koukin gave a cough to cover up her expression at Bell's description, "Th-that might be a bit much, captain."
Bell looked at her, a curious and slightly nervous expression on his face, "Did you not like it after all?"
Koukin waved her hands and blushed red at the sincere question, "No no no Bell! Nothing like that! It was a great time. You were great, Bell! It's just," she paused, "your wording seemed a bit…much is all."
She hoped her words didn't seem insulting but Bell just smiled at her, "Well I think it's true. It was a magical experience."
Koukin blushed harder and tried to hide her expression from Bell, as well as the ridiculous smile that formed on her face from Bell's word choice.
Her captain was a force to be reckoned with.
Hestia saw the exchange and gave a weary sigh. She had to be professional and practical for herself and her familia, regardless of how hard it might be. This wasn't her domain in heaven where she could dictate things to her wants and whims. This was the mortal world and she had to compromise on some things if she wanted to run a successful familia.
And she couldn't just safeguard someone's chastity if they didn't want it guarded in the first place. She knew Bell would want to experience such things at some point. What young man like him wouldn't?
"Okay then," Hestia said, "If Bell was alright with it and you were alright with it, then there is very little I can say on the matter," she directed a stare at her vice-captain, "though I still think it was quite bold of you to do such a thing so soon after the discussion."
Koukin didn't seem the very least insulted by the Goddess's words, "I was raised and trained around bold characters," she said, "some traits of theirs may have rubbed off on me."
Hestia elected not to comment on that any further. There was another matter to address in any case. She turned again to look up at her first child, "Hey Bell," she said, "how about we update your status. I meant to do it yesterday but things were kinda…overwhelming at the time."
Bell actually lit up at the idea of a status update, wondering how much he grew since fighting the minotaur.
Hestia again directed a look at Koukin, "Let's check your status as well, Koukin," she said, "you still have your last status sheet from the incident, let's see how much you've grown after…sleeping with Bell."
Hestia couldn't say 'sex' just yet, the word not agreeing with her sensibilities just yet.
Koukin nodded and moved to stand, "That Was something I was about to bring up in any case, Goddess Hestia."
Nothing more to be said, the three made their way upstairs to Hestia's room to began their status update.
Those downstairs were left to wait and speculate. Wondering what their captain's and vice-captain's statuses would be.
"I imagine significant growth in the case of Bell," Arue said, aiding in cleaning the table, "his battle against the minotaur definitely should guarantee a substantial spike."
Kallen, also cleaning the table after breakfast hummed in acknowledgment, "I think so to," she said, "but I'm wondering what kinda stat boost Koukin got from sleeping with Bell," her face started to glow red, "she seemed pretty happy to continue into this morning when I saw her."
Arue giggled, seeing the usually hot headed woman seem embarrassed, "That's right," she said, "you saw them embraced this morning, didn't you?" Arue gave Kallen a smile that reminded her of a mischievous fox, "tell me, did the sight ignite sparks of passion in you?"
Kallen dropped a plate back on the table she was just picking up and looked at her one eyed ally with astonishment, completely baffled by the question.
Arue wasn't done and enjoyed seeing the look on Kallen's face, "Come now, you can tell me how you felt, or at the very least, what you saw. Were they about to make the morning hotter with their activities?" her smile became much more cunning, "I imagine finding them in each other's arms, making love to greet the morning. Their sweat steaming the room, their bodies colliding with each other's, their mouths-Kya!!!"
Arue was cut off by a firm hand chop from behind by a clearly unamused Takeru, "Enough of that," she said, lowering her hand, "any redder and I'm sure Kallen might burst a blood vessel."
Indeed, Kallen had gone so red in the face by Arue's imaginative description that it was beginning to look rather unhealthy for the poor girl.
Arue decided enough was enough and simply brought her hand up to the top of her head, masking her nursing the bump she received with one of her ridiculous poses.
Before anymore could be said, they heard a door slam open upstairs with enough noise that Elbia's tail and ears shot up in surprise. They all heard someone stomp upstairs and then downstairs, revealing it to be Hestia, sheets of papers in her hand.
She marched over to the dining table and slammed her hands on it, releasing a big exhale, "This day just gets more and more crazy," she said with a tone that wasn't angry, wasn't happy, but was certainly tired.
They heard much softer noises coming downstairs, seeing it was Bell and Koukin. With Bell stumbling the few steps as he tried to finish putting his shirt back on.
"Goddess Hestia," Koukin said, coming beside her on the table, "what in the world has gotten into you? You finished my update with no issue but then you practically threw the door open and marched out when you were done with Bell," she walked back and helped Bell adjust his shirt as she saw he put it on backwards.
Hestia only sighed and made an encompassing gesture to bring everyone near her, "I think everyone should see this," she held the bundle of papers up before selecting two and putting them neatly on the table.
It was Koukin's status sheet, both of them were, and the others could see just what Hestia was talking about, the first sheet they saw was her status prior to telling Bell about their shared skill.
Koukin Shuuyu lvl 1
S: 47-60
E: 34-51
D: 50-82
A: 39-57
M: 20-71
They ignored her magic and skills, nothing changed there in any case. They all then looked to the next paper, the one that showed her latest status after laying with Bell.
Koukin Shuuyu lvl 1
S: 60-110
E: 51-98
D: 82-127
A: 57-115
M: 71-112
Everyone's eyes widened at the number increase in her statuses. They had expected an increase but nothing as significant like this.
Koukin's eyes were wide and her glasses were at risk of falling off her face. She had hoped for a good boost in her status but this blew her expectations out of the water and opened her mind to the potential possibilities.
A few nights with Bell and she could be halfway to leveling up and the same could be said for the others as well.
She looked over to Bell to gauge his reaction. He seemed pleasantly surprised at what he saw, just as she was. She wondered what his thoughts were knowing it was because of him that she was able to have this kind of growth.
"Now that the easy part is over," Hestia said, moving the two sheets aside, "time to get to the really crazy news."
Everyone around her exchanged curious looks, wondering what she was talking about before realizing that there was on other person who had their status checked. Bell found himself at the center of everyone's attention and squirmed in place at the stares.
"Is…is it bad, Goddess?" Bell asked, his voice tinged with worry, "Is there something wrong with my falna?"
"Nope!" Hestia said, popping the 'p', "But this is something everyone should see," she placed the last paper down, "I just ask everyone to try and keep a cool head."
Everyone turned their attention to the final status sheet and understood why Hestia reacted the way she did when she came down here.
Everyone's jaws dropped at what they saw.
Bell Cranel lvl 1
S: 403-1091
E: 199-1019
D: 412-1098
A: 521-1337
M: 120-1110
These numbers had meaning and everyone who looked at them knew what it was. Their captain, Bell Cranel, could now level up. Bell Cranel could level up with such insane numbers.
Bell Cranel could level up after just a month and a half of adventuring.
Knowing that there was more to see, everyone looked down the sheet to spot his summoning magic and if there was anything new such as tasks or new summons from Bell's deeds.
What they saw shocked them even further.
Current tasks:
Obtain 5 silverback pelts
Mine 15 ore on floor thirteen or lower
Kill 6 infant dragons
Time to Complete: 10 days.
Bonus tasks:
Slay Minotaur at level 1-One Tier5 summon
Slay abnormal level 2 monster at level 1-One Tier5 summon
Obtain SSS rank in one status in less than a year at level 1-One Tier5 summon
Obtain overall SS rank or more in all status in less then a year at level 1-Four Tier4 summons.
Obtain overall S rank or more in all status in less than a year at level 1-Two Tier4 summons
Be eligible to level up to Two in less than a year- Three Tier3 summons, Four Tier2 summons, four Tier1 summons
Amaze the God of love and sex- Two Tier4 summons, Three Tier3 summons, Four Tier2 summons, Five Tier1 summons
Summon limit: Tier 1- Tier 4
Blessed Summons available: 46
Tier1- 14 summons
Tier2- 14 summons
Tier3- 7 summons
Tier4- 8 summons
Tier5- 3 summons
There was the sound of a thump from the assembled familial crowd but no one saw what it was, too busy staring at both the tasks Bell completed and the sheer amount of summons he earned from his actions.
They all had different reactions to what they saw. From neutral passive acceptance to frank open astonishment.
Koukin stared at the sheet of paper, taking in the information with clinical and encompassing precision. She processed the information and formulated conclusions the best she could.
Straight out of the gate, Bell was more than qualified to level up, something that he was sure to do knowing him. That would make him the new record holder and blow the previous record out of the water for fastest level up. A record held by the Sword Princess herself.
Next was the summons, by the heavens the summons. Koukin had to hold back her amazement at the sheer amount of summons Bell had accumulated from his deeds. Once renovations to the home were completed, they would have next to no issue filling them up.
Unfortunately, with grim remembrance, Koukin knew they couldn't just fill up ten rooms in a day. They couldn't just summon ten people in a day. Once again, she reminded herself that they had to do their utmost best to keep Bell's summoning magic a secret, less they bring the unwanted attention of more curious familias with more might behind them then they currently possess.
Like the Freya familia.
For now, the best course of action was to limit the summons. Maybe three or four at a time before they wait a few days and summon again. Less attention directed at them that way. They would simply appear as a marginally growing familia.
Though, the more she thought about it, she realized that Bell's level up could counteract that strategy but it could also legitimize its authenticity in a way. 'More members joining because of an upcoming rookie,' the plan could practically write itself.
She turned to share her thoughts with Bell, only to blink in shock and sigh in disbelief at the sight of her captain.
Bell Cranel had apparently passed out from shock at seeing his status sheet for himself.
'So that's where that thudding sound came from,' she thought, "Honestly, after last night, I thought your nerves hardened a bit more."
Bell apparently still had much to improve upon and given his status, he would do nothing but improve.
Eina Tulle was enjoying her day as a Guild receptionist. Things were going pretty smoothly and with great ease this morning. There were no rude adventurers complaining this early, she was caught up on her paperwork, and even her friend Misha was getting caught up on hers.
She picked up a cup of tea she had to the side, its warm aromatic odor soothing her nerves all the more and bringing a relaxed smile to her face.
"Yes," she said, "today is going to be a good day."
As she finished saying that, she looked towards the entrance of the Guild hall to see a familiar head of white hair. She smiled, recognizing Bell, who was flanked by his vice-captain, Koukin, and Arue to his other side. They walked over to her station, meeting the half elf with smiles of their own.
Though Bell's looked more nervous than happy and Arue's smile had the hints of anticipation played across it.
"Bell," Eina greeted when they reached her desk, "How are you? I haven't heard much since your last trip into the dungeon some time ago. Is everything alright?"
Bell fidgeted in place before replying, "I'm fine Miss Eina. I actually need to tell you about my last trip into the dungeon," he rubbed the back of his head, "the one I took a few days ago."
Seeing his expression, Eina could already tell that Bell pushed himself further than necessary when he last went in , 'This boy,' she thought , 'does he even remember our lessons on dungeon safety?'
She was about to say something like that to Bell but he waved back her words, "There's something I have to tell you, Miss Eina," he said, "something important."
Eina blinked at Bell's apparent insistence, she looked down to see he placed a sheet of paper on her desk. One look at it and Eina could already tell it was a status sheet.
A look at what was on it and Eina's eyes nearly shot through her glasses.
"Cheers!"
The Hestia familia and Lili toasted their drinks with wide smiles. Happy to be together and enjoy a drink to celebrate the good news.
In just a month and a half, Bell had leveled up. Already, in just a handful of hours, word had spread a good deal and Bell and a few others imagined it would barely take a day before every curious citizen to hearty adventurer knew of his advancement.
As concerning as the attention could be, the pros outweigh the cons. This was an achievement that was specific to Bell and now that his battle with the minotaur was on record, most would hardly have a difficult time not believing it given how hard Bell could push himself.
Though the fact that Bell was the sole male at a table full of beautiful women might raise some eyebrows, Hestia told them just to mention her and how she wanted to start a familia like her dear friend Artemis did. Only she didn't start as all female as she did.
It was a dubious solution and Koukin made sure to voice her opinion on it but Hestia was completely confident in the answer and Koukin couldn't bring herself to argue anymore about it.
Nevertheless, after reporting to the Guild, Arue suggested they celebrate their captain's achievement with a hearty lunch and some good drink. Something that was agreed by everyone, though Ibuki and Kallen were sent out to find Lili and tell her the good news and invite her along. Lili was more than happy to and upon seeing Bell, congratulated him enthusiastically. They all went to the Hostess of Fertility where they got themselves a table under the eyes of a bemused Mama Mia.
Bell drank slowly, savoring his beverage. His drink wasn't alcoholic, as he had some things he wanted to do today, the same could not be said to some of his familia members. That was their choice though and Bell was just happy they were earnestly celebrating with him.
"Master Bell," Lili called at his side, "it's amazing that you've leveled up so fast! Lili's seen nothing like it."
Bell smiled at his pallum friend, grateful for her words, "Thanks Lili," he replied, "though it was only because of everyone that I made it this far."
Be heard a snort come from Kallen, then a hiccuping laugh from Ibuki, and an exasperated sigh from Takeru.
"Captain," Hana said, "I think everyone at this table knows better," she raised a brow in his direction and continued, "and that you know better than to believe that."
Elbia, two roasted chicken legs in hand, spoke up, "Yeah! It's because you push yourself so hard that you got to level up so quickly," she munched down on her food and continued talking, somehow sounding clear despite the food in her mouth, "don't be too modest, Bell."
"Geez," Chitoge clipped, handing a napkin to the werewolf girl, "Say that without the risk of spitting everywhere, okay?" she looked at Bell, "but she is right. Have more confidence in yourself, captain."
Bell gave a self deprecating laugh, realizing they were right. He was perhaps being too modest and lessening his accomplishment. A bad habit that has been pointed out to him numerous times, but it was just something he couldn't help with most of the time.
Then again, that was also why he was glad his friends were here with him, to remind him of how significant his accomplishment was and how proud he should be. It made him all the more grateful that they were here with him.
'Friends,' Bell thought , 'they feel so much more than that to me,' he found his gaze drifting to Koukin, seeing her glasses gleam in the light as she downed her drink in a single pull , 'so much more than that.'
"Hello customers! We're here to bring you all some more food and drinks!" a jovial voice said.
"Please be careful with your consumption and try not to make too much of a mess or scene," a calm, cooler voice said.
Bell turned to his left then his right to see Syr and Ryuu coming at his sides, trays full of the mentioned food and beverage. Syr caught his eye and gave him a radiating smile, "Also, congratulations Bell! I almost couldn't believe it when I heard you leveled up. In just a little over a month too," she leaned closer and Bell found his gaze drawn into those silver orbs of hers, "you really are amazing, aren't you?"
Bell could barely get a word out before he felt something, or someone, press against his arm from the other side. An irate Lili had moved to his side when she saw Syr lean a little too close for her liking, "Master Bell is amazing," Lili said resolutely, "too amazing to fall for sudden seductions from random waitresses."
Syr wasn't the least bit offended by Lili's words, rather she was greatly amused by them, "But I'm not just a random waitress," she began, staring at the pallum in a way that made the short girl shiver, "I'm one of Bell's dear friends, aren't I?" She delivered the last question to Bell, who suddenly found himself at the center of both girls' and the attention of his familia now that he saw they were watching with bemused expressions. Or most of them were, Koukin was once again downing another drink delivered by Ryuu.
He had no reason to lie and simply gave his honest response, "She's right," he gestured to Syr, "Lili, this is Syr. She helped me feel very welcomed in the city and has been very kind to my Goddess, my familia, and myself," he again, gave Syr a smile, "she helped convince Mia to let us stay here after the Monsterphilia incident."
Syr blushed and glowed under Bell's praise, smiling wider all the while, "By the way, Bell," she suddenly adopted a curious look, "what do you think your alias will be?"
"My alias?" Bell asked, curiously, "what do you mean?"
"Oh! You don't know?" Syr asked, "I'm surprised, I thought it was something you would already know, given how popular it is when it happens."
Again, Bell was left confused. Clueless to what she meant.
"She means a Denatus, a meeting of the Gods," Ryuu helpfully informed, finishing putting a drink in front of Kallen, "an event that is often held between the deities of the city to discuss important issues. One of which is discussion of potential aliases for adventurers who have leveled up. Aliases are typically marks of honor for many adventurers. Names that hold a powerful meaning that reflects the adventurer's deeds and power."
Bell was taking this all in with amazement, the Gods themselves meeting to decide the potential legendary name that would mark an adventurer's reputation.
And he had the chance to get his own!
"I can see from your expression that you are quite excited for the chance to have an alias," Ryuu said, sporting a tiny smile at seeing Bell's face, "I would recommend having a talk with your Goddess prior to the event. Just like there is a chance at gaining a good alias, there is also an equal chance at getting a bad one…an embarrassing one."
…Bell had to get to Hestia…he had to get to Hestia right now!
"Ryuu!" Syr pouted to her friend, "You didn't have to explain 'that' much," she reached to pat Bell's head seeing his nervousness, "he's all worried now."
Before she could say more, a small object flew through the air and bounced off Syr's then Ryuu's head, making Syr cry in surprise and Ryuu a grunt at the pain.
"You two!" an angry Mama Mia shouted from the bar, "It ain't break time yet! Get your asses to work if you still 'want' a break time!"
"Yes Mama Mia!" both Syr and Ryuu said with an army salute and small tears in their eyes from the pain. Both left, with Syr giving Bell another pat on the head and a kind smile before departing.
Arue hummed aloud, drawing a curious look from Chitoge, "What's up?" she asked, "Something the matter?"
"Crimson Quill!" exclaimed Arue suddenly, making Chitoge jump.
"Huh?! What?!" Chitoge asked with wide eyes at her comrade's behavior.
"My alias from when I level up!" she posed from where she sat, "Crimson Quill! A perfect name for a writer and wizard like myself!"
Everyone at the table blinked at her, completely amazed by the performance and conviction she presented.
"Umm, Arue," Bell began, "I don't think that's how-," he was cut off by a sudden exclamation.
"Artist of the Mind!" Hana said with conviction, "Adventurer though I may be. It is my passion through my art that I wish to demonstrate the most."
Elbia joined in, "Then mine will be…be," she struggled to think of something, her ears and tail twitching, with her tail finally smacking the cat girl waitress, Chloe.
"Nya! Again?!"
"Beast Virtuoso!" Elbia decided, ignoring or not hearing the irate cat girl behind her.
Hana loved the name, "Excellent! Well decided, Elbia!"
"Uh, girls," Bell began again, "I don't think we get to choose what the names are."
"I'd like a name like Red Lotus," Kallen said offhandedly, munching on some fries, "it was something like what I went by in my old life."
Takeru nodded at her, "A fitting name," she said, "I would frankly like something more in line with my abilities but still subtle," she thought for a moment before saying, "Blade of Flame is on the nose but thematically appropriate I feel."
"I don't care what they name me," Chitoge said in a huff, "just as long as it isn't a joke name, I'll be fine."
"You have to have at least some idea of what alias you want, Chitoge," Ibuki said, pointing a fork in her direction, "I'm personally hoping to get something like 'Gorgeous Star' or 'Shadowed Beauty'."
Chitoge gave her a deadpan stare, "Aren't ninjas supposed to be unknown? Wouldn't it defeat the purpose of being one?"
Ibuki just smiled at her friend's words, "I am an amazing ninja, I'll have you know," she replied, "and I want to be well known as one as well!"
Again, Chitoge just stared at her, baffled by her words, "…Anyone ever tell you what an oxymoron is, sis?"
Bell watched his familia members talk with each other, each discussing what alias they'd want to have and workshopping it then and there at the table. Seeing them all energetic like this made Bell smile, glad to see his dear friends and familia members happy.
"Master Bell," Lili called next to him, he turned and looked into the curious pallum's eyes, "What name would you like to have the Gods give you?"
Bell thought about it, so many had already crossed his mind just after receiving the news. 'Crimson Thunderbolt', 'Fiery Eagle', 'Lightspeed Striker'. So many names came to mind that he couldn't even pick one to start with.
"His alias should be 'Mighty Emperor'," a familiar voice to his other side said. Bell was about to look at who spoke but he was prevented by a generously soft sensation pressing back against his head. He recognized the softness, the smell, the voice. He had heard it made all kinds of noises last night and he was very familiar with the body by now.
Koukin leaned over Bell, his head being pushed deeper into her generous cleavage, "'Mighty Emperor' is a title that would definitely be worth having. It's simple but powerful. It'll bring fame and envy from peers everywhere, and frankly," Bell felt Koukin release a sigh that reeked of alcohol overhead, "It just sounds fucking cool," she ended in a delirious chuckle.
Bell leaned out of the softness that threatened to envelop him to stare at his vice-captain. Koukin had a dopey smile on her face and a red flush spread across her cheeks, her eyes were half lidded and clearly looking at something no mortal could perceive.
In summary, she was drunk as a skunk.
"Bell," she leaned forward to her captain, her breasts dangling before his eyes, just held back by Koukin's unique sense of fashion, "deserves to have a good name. I-I mean a v-very good name. Something that should s-strike fear into the hearts of m-men and entice women from all around."
"Th-th-that seems very unnecessary!" Bell exclaimed, leaning back from Koukin and towards Lili, "I don't think I'd want a name like that!"
Lili watched the exchange with wide eyes, surprised that the usual stern faced strategist was drunk out of her mind. She thought she ordered something light, unless…
"Miss Shuyuu," Lili began, leaning around Bell to meet the strategist's gaze, "are you perhaps…a lightweight?"
Bell blinked at Lili's words but Koukin just stared at the pallum with a blank expression.
Lili did not like that look in the mature woman's eyes, it spoke of nothing but trouble, in Lili's experience.
A second later, she was proven right.
In a blur of motion, Lili found herself briefly leaving her seat, traveling over Bell, and landing right in the lap of the thoroughly inebriated Koukin.
"Huh?! What just?!" Lili was caught completely off guard by this new series of events and was even more shocked by what she experienced next.
Namely, finding herself pressed against Koukin's large chest, her own head threatened with sinking into the vast cleavage.
"Miss Arde," Koukin said, her voice going from tipsy to steamy, igniting surprised looks from Bell and the others, "I have to admit," she leaned down towards the girl trapped in her bosom, "you are quite the cute one."
Lili was stunned by this development, just what was happening right now? One moment Koukin was talking drunkenly to Bell, the next, she was in said drunken girl's lap and generous chest.
"Let Lili go!" Lili exclaimed, starting to feel her face burn at the predicament she was in. She shivered when she felt Koukin's hands begin to slide around her body. One trailed down her back and briefly petted her magically disguised short chienthrope tail that sent a spark of pleasure through her. She felt the other hand travel up her back and felt its tickling fingers travel across her neck, making her shiver.
Bell watched this all, as well with a few others, with wide eyes. He wanted to do something…but he just couldn't look away.
"Oh Miss Arde," Koukin said, her voice as sweet as nectar, "how you remind me of two entertainers I knew from my homeland. They and I had moments like this quite often," she trailed her hand from Lili's tail to gently grab a small but well formed butt cheek, giving it a gentle squeeze and nearly making Lili make a sound that would definitely not be appropriate for a pub setting, "how often we would play together," she gave a giggle, "oftentimes without clothes on."
…Lili had to leave. She had to leave right now! She did not like where this was going and she was burning all the more with embarrassment at being handled like this in the pub.
She felt a delicate finger lift her chin up and found herself staring into the emerald green eyes of Bell's vice-captain, "Tell me, Miss Arde," Koukin began, "would you like me to 'entertain' you if you do so for me?"
Lili's face could be considered a cherry with how red it burned. Who asks a question like that? Who asks a question like that with their arms wrapped around the person?!
Thankfully Lili didn't have to answer, as divine eyes were looking down upon her and granted her mercy.
A wooden round tray flew through the air and impacted to the side of Koukin's head. Making her drop Lili and collapse to the ground with a thud.
Lili, Bell, his familia, and every patron in the bar looked to see who threw the tray. A thoroughly unamused Mama Mia had her hand outstretched from where she tossed the tray like it were a frisbee.
"Hey kid," Mama Mia said and Bell didn't doubt she was talking to him, "I run a pub, not a host club. You and your friend want that shit? Go to Ishtar's," she glanced down at Koukin, seeing her dazed face, she sighed, "tell your friend that too, won't ya? I run a well respected business," she turned her eyes around the pub, seeing the disappointed looks that were in the crowd for a show that stopped short, "anyone got a problem with that?" she asked, her voice promising something violent and painful.
That question stopped everyone's mood dead on and both patrons and even waitresses replied as one.
"No Mama Mia!"
"Thought so," she glanced at Bell's table, "I'd finish your food and drinks and head out. Before your friend wakes up and I have to throw something bigger her way."
Bell and the others took the hint and quickly finished their food and drink in record time. Paying for the meal, they picked up an unconscious Koukin and politely left the establishment.
Mama Mia watched them go, her face stern all the while. When they were all gone and out of sight, she softened her features and rubbed the back of her head.
"Geeze," she said with a sigh, "always something happening," she glanced over at the kitchen, spotting one of her more popular waitresses, "I'd definitely say you have your work cut out for you."
Syr merely shrugged, "That's fine," she turned back to the kitchen and made to pick up the next order, "I do prefer to earn what I want in any case."
She completely missed the look of concern and pity of the old Bar Maiden watching her. As if one of her daughters was missing something or ignoring something important.