Bell Cranel lay on his bed, staring at the high stone ceiling, and listened to the measured, rolling snores coming from the adjacent cot. Kyle, their unfailing shielder, slept exactly the way he fought: thoroughly, loudly, and taking up a maximum amount of space. On the bed by the opposite wall, buried head-to-toe under his blanket, Leo was quietly snuffling.
In the first few days after moving in, sharing a room with guys he barely knew had seemed like an incredibly embarrassing ordeal to Bell. Having grown up in a quiet village, he was used to solitude. However, human adaptability, as he had already noted to himself with a smile, truly worked wonders. Furthermore, the harsh experience of sleeping out in the open during his and Rain's hunting forays—when he had to sleep with one ear open, listening to the snap of every twig in the forest—had forged him into someone capable of falling asleep even on bare rocks. Compared to those Spartan conditions, the spacious room in the mansion of a great Familia, with its soft mattresses and safe walls, felt like royal chambers. And he had gotten used to Kyle's snoring by the third night. Ultimately, the guys turned out to be open, friendly, and completely devoid of that elitist arrogance Bell had subconsciously expected to find in Orario's strongest faction.
Quietly, trying not to make the springs creak, the youth threw off his blanket and lowered his feet onto the cool wooden floor. Yesterday's grueling descent made itself known with a light, lingering ache in his muscles, but a contrast shower in the estate's spacious bathhouses quickly washed away the remnants of his fatigue, restoring his body to its usual lightness.
Dressed in clean everyday clothes, Bell left the residential wing and headed toward the main dining hall.
The sheer scale of this place struck his imagination every time. The enormous hall with its vaulted ceilings resembled a tavern during rush hour more than a place for breakfast. Dozens of adventurers were already crowding the space. There was an unimaginable din of laughter, the clatter of cutlery, and snippets of conversation about upcoming raids. The air was thick with such stunning aromas of roasted meat, freshly baked goods, and spices that Bell's stomach immediately responded with a demanding growl.
Joining a short but fast-moving line at the serving area, the youth began to study the massive chalkboard displaying the morning menu with interest.
During his first days here, intimidated by the wealth of options, he had modestly opted for the standard, free breakfast—a nutritious but rather bland porridge with bread. The food had been perfectly passable, but when the senior adventurers at neighboring tables were wolfing down juicy monster steaks, multi-layered cheese omelets, and exotic fruits, the comparison begged to be made. The Loki Familia dining hall operated on an interesting principle: basic meals were provided for free, but culinary delicacies prepared by the faction's best chefs had to be paid for out of one's own pocket.
The habit of trying new things had awakened in Bell after their first successful descent and his first honestly earned share. Rain always said that good food wasn't a luxury, but a necessary stimulus for a warrior and a way to maintain one's sanity.
Today, Bell's gaze caught on a line written in ornate handwriting: "Traditional Seafood Paella." The youth had no idea what paella was, but the word "seafood" sounded intriguing. Counting out the required amount of valis, he received a huge, steaming deep plate. The golden, saffron-infused rice was generously studded with shrimp, calamari rings, and open mussel shells.
Swallowing the saliva pooling in his mouth, Bell picked up his heavy tray and began navigating between the rows of oak tables, searching for an empty seat.
"Hey, Rabbit-kun! Over here!"
The ringing, energetic voice, cutting through the din of the dining hall, made him jump. Bell turned around. Sitting at one of the large, long tables by a massive arched window, waving her hand actively, was Tiona. The younger of the Amazon sisters was radiating her usual, infectious cheerfulness.
Approaching closer, Bell felt a light chill of timidity run down his spine. The company gathered at the table was more than impressive.
Besides the smiling Tiona, the Sword Princess herself was present—Aiz Wallenstein, melancholically eating a potato salad. Next to her, shooting the approaching Bell her trademark glances full of veiled suspicion and jealousy, sat the young elf Lefiya. And at the head of the table, unhurriedly sipping her morning tea, sat Riveria Ljos Alf—the high elf, vice-captain, and unspoken "mother" of the entire Loki Familia.
"G-good morning," Bell greeted politely, feeling as if he had accidentally wandered into a gathering of celestials. "Do you mind if I..."
"Just sit down already!" Tiona didn't wait for him to finish his sentence. She unceremoniously grabbed him by the sleeve and plopped him into the empty chair right beside her.
Bell barely had time to set his tray down before the Amazon immediately leaned into him, shamelessly pressing against his shoulder and peering into his plate.
"Whoa! Paella! You've got good taste, Rabbit-kun! Let me have a bite, it looks absolutely killer!"
Before Bell, paralyzed with embarrassment, could even squeak out a response, Tiona's nimble fingers armed themselves with a fork and unceremoniously snatched the largest, juiciest shrimp from his plate. The youth flushed a deep, crimson red. The proximity of a beautiful girl, her absolute disregard for personal boundaries, and the brazen theft of his breakfast threw him into a state of total stupor. He tried to weakly protest, but the words got stuck in his dry throat.
Salvation came from an unexpected source.
"Tiona," Riveria's voice wasn't loud, but it carried such an icy, disciplinary steel that the Amazon instantly froze with the shrimp halfway to her mouth. "Mind your manners. Stealing food from junior comrades is beneath a first-class adventurer. Stop embarrassing the boy."
Tiona pouted guiltily, reluctantly placed the shrimp back on the edge of Bell's plate, and moved away to a safe distance.
"Aww, Riveriaaa... I just wanted a taste," she whined.
Bell, finally able to breathe freely, hurriedly gave the high elf a deep bow full of sincere gratitude.
"Thank you so much, Riveria-sama!" he blurted out fervently.
The elf merely offered a soft, slightly indulgent smile and with a light gesture of her hand allowed him to return to his meal.
While Bell enjoyed the incredible, spicy taste of the Eastern dish, the conversation at the table flowed on. The senior Familia members were discussing logistics and plans for future descents. For Bell, who was used to listening to Rain's survival lectures, this information was worth its weight in gold.
"...which is why going below the thirtieth floor with a small group right now makes no sense," declared Tione, the elder Amazon sister, speaking authoritatively as she walked up to the table and plopped into a chair next to Aiz. "The monsters there are fat and the crystals are large, but what's the point? Our bags get stuffed full in a couple of hours."
Bell swallowed a mouthful of rice and listened with interest. It turned out that for the elite of the Loki Familia, the problem wasn't the strength of the monsters, but simple carrying capacity. Large expeditions were held rarely due to the complex organization involved, and in their daily routine, even high-level adventurers preferred to hunt between the 20th and 30th floors. They had to group into large parties for deep descents purely out of practical considerations—someone had to carry the loot.
"But couldn't you sell the excess on the eighteenth floor?" Bell chimed in timidly, recalling the stories about the Safe Zone. "Rivira is there, right... the adventurer town."
Tione let out a loud, contemptuous snort.
"Rivira? Yeah, right! That rabble of merchants undercuts the buying prices so badly it makes you want to cry, and they sell potions at triple the cost. It's easier to haul the loot back to the surface on your own back than to feed those hyenas."
Bell nodded understandingly, committing this information to memory. The Loki Familia's pragmatic approach to Dungeon economics resonated closely with him.
At one point, Aiz, who had been silently observing the conversation, shifted her unreadable, golden gaze to the youth.
"Bell," her voice sounded quiet, but everyone at the table instantly fell silent. "How are you settling in with us? Are you... comfortable?"
The Sword Princess rarely took the initiative in small talk, so her question made Lefiya choke on her tea and caused Bell to blink in surprise.
"Yes, Aiz-san!" He hurriedly put down his fork and straightened his back. Absolute sincerity shone in his ruby eyes. "It was a little scary at first, since the Loki Familia is so huge and strong. But everyone around here has been incredibly kind to me. I have great comrades and roommates, and during training, they always point out my mistakes. I am very grateful for your care."
Tione, sitting opposite him, grunted in approval, leaned across the table, and slapped Bell so hard on the shoulder that he nearly face-planted into his empty paella plate.
"The kid is growing up!" she grinned with satisfaction. "We don't let anyone mess with our own, so come to us if anyone acts high and mighty!"
When breakfast came to an end and the dishes were emptied, Bell noticed Riveria giving Lefiya some quiet instructions, using complex, incomprehensible terms like "prana concentration" and "constructing verbal triggers."
The youth's ears instantly perked up. Magic.
In his childhood dreams, true heroes weren't just virtuosos with a blade; they could always unleash all-destroying magic upon hordes of enemies. He didn't have any magic of his own yet, but his interest in this mystical art hadn't disappeared. He looked at Riveria with undisguised, reverent curiosity.
The high elf, possessing sensory skills of the highest caliber, naturally couldn't help but notice this intense attention. She smoothly interrupted her lecture and shifted a strict yet warm gaze to the boy.
"Are you really interested in the magical arts, Bell?" she asked, raising an eyebrow slightly.
Realizing he had been caught red-handed, Bell scratched his cheek in embarrassment.
"Uhm... yes, Riveria-sama," he admitted, not daring to look away. "Magic just seems so amazing to me. It's... the embodiment of true miracles, right?"
There was so much genuine, pure passion and naive admiration in the boy's words that Riveria's lips twitched into a warm smile. As a mentor, she was always flattered by a sincere interest in her craft.
"If your curiosity is so great," she said with royal dignity, "then I see no reason to deny you. Lefiya and I were just about to hold a morning lesson. You may join us as an observer."
Bell beamed.
"Really?! Thank you so much!"
Lefiya, however, nearly choked on air upon hearing this. An abyss of despair opened up inside the young elf.
This... this damn rabbit!! she screamed mentally, her white-knuckled fingers digging into the edge of the table. Not only does he constantly orbit around Aiz-san, but now he's reaching his greedy paws out to Riveria-sama too?! I won't allow it! No way I'm letting this happen!
She had already opened her mouth to invent an excuse and shoo the insolent rookie away, when she suddenly noticed Aiz's strange, thoughtful gaze. The Sword Princess was staring off into the void, clearly plunged into deep thought. Lefiya's mood instantly switched from jealousy to genuine concern.
"Aiz-san? Did something happen?" the elf asked caringly.
All eyes at the table zeroed in on the blonde. Aiz blinked slowly, as if returning from another world, and answered quietly:
"No, it's nothing."
She shifted her gaze to Bell, who was glowing with anticipation, then to Riveria, and, to the great surprise of everyone present, added:
"Riveria... I'd like to sit in on your lesson today as well. If it's possible."
A moment of silence hung over the table. Aiz, a pureblood swordswoman, had never shown any interest in theoretical lectures on magic.
Lefiya melted into a puddle in her chair. We'll be taking a lesson together with Aiz-san! Such happiness! her soul sang ecstatically. But then her gaze followed Aiz's line of sight. The blonde was looking at Bell.
The realization crashed down on Lefiya like a heavy anvil. Aiz hadn't invited herself to the lesson for the magic. She was going because of him. Because of this white rabbit! Panic and jealousy spun in the elf's chest with new, redoubled force, threatening to spill over into a full-blown tantrum.
***
It was decided to hold the lesson not in a classroom, but in one of the mansion's quiet, spacious courtyards.
Though Riveria carefully hid it behind a mask of strict aristocracy, deep down she was a true, caring mother to this enormous Familia. Seeing the reverence and diligence with which the junior faction members reached out for knowledge genuinely warmed her elven heart. Therefore, today she had decided to step away from boring theory and conduct a maximally illustrative lesson, specifically for Bell, who had never seen the structure of high-level spells up close.
The youth sat on a stone bench, leaning forward completely, and watched the proceedings with his mouth hanging open.
Riveria stood in the center of the courtyard. With a movement of her elegant hand, she traced incredibly complex geometric patterns in the air. Mana obeyed her like a well-trained hound, flaring up in emerald, gold, and ruby rings.
"Magic isn't merely a discharge of power," her mentoring voice carried over the garden. "It is a dialogue with the world itself. Your will, backed by your magical reserves, must form an absolutely precise, stable construct before you unleash it into the outside. Any mistake in the incantation or mental visualization will result in either a dissipation or, even worse, an Ignis Fatuus—a magical explosion inside the caster."
Bell nodded, mesmerized. Although a good half of her terms flew right over his head, the sheer beauty and power of the magical sigils instilled a holy awe within him.
Having tasked a heavily panting Lefiya with maintaining three concentric magic circles simultaneously, Riveria smoothly stepped aside, approaching Aiz. The Sword Princess had been sitting quietly on the edge of the parapet the entire time, not taking her eyes off the magical formulas.
"So," Riveria crossed her arms, looking astutely at her ward. "Now tell me. What exactly did you want to know, Aiz?"
The girl didn't even flinch. She had known Riveria far too long to be surprised by her ability to read people like open books.
Aiz shifted her golden gaze from Lefiya's magic circles to the high elf's face. A rare, deep doubt could be read in her eyes.
"Riveria... is there any way to alter or strengthen my magic?" she asked quietly.
Riveria raised an eyebrow slightly. The question was unexpected.
"Aiz..." she sighed, searching for the right words. "You already know the answer perfectly well yourself. Your magic, Ariel, is unique. It already possesses its complete, absolute form. In essence, it is much closer to an innate ability and a combat skill than to the direct, classical magic that Lefiya and I use."
Riveria took a step closer, her gaze turning instructive.
"Your spell is instantaneous. You don't need to waste time reciting a lengthy magical formula, you don't need to build complex circles and hold your mind's concentration while under enemy attack. You simply call upon the wind—and it obeys. For your fighting style, for you as a pureblood, genius swordswoman—it is the ideal, perfect weapon. But..."
The elf paused, carefully monitoring Aiz's face.
"...it is precisely because of this instantaneous summoning nature that you cannot directly influence the spell's effect. You cannot alter its structure, weave in additional mana streams, or amplify it using classical magical techniques, as is done with traditional, formula-based magic. Its strength grows exclusively in tandem with your level and basic stats."
She believed she had provided a comprehensive answer. But, glancing at Aiz, she saw that the doubts in the swordswoman's golden eyes had only multiplied.
"What exactly is troubling you?" Riveria asked directly.
The swordswoman stayed silent, merely casting a fleeting, barely perceptible glance toward Bell, who was still enthusiastically watching the flashes of light at the other end of the clearing.
A while later, as the sun began its slow descent toward the west, Riveria and Aiz returned to Bell and Lefiya.
By this point, the younger elf presented a truly monumental spectacle. Lefiya, literally drenched in buckets of sweat, breathing heavily and raggedly, was continuously reciting complex, melodic lines of incantations. Her hands trembled from colossal mental strain, while in the air around her, various magic circles replaced one another at a frantic pace, pulsing with alternating blue and green light.
And all of this was taking place under Bell's continuous, incredibly attentive, piercing, and studying gaze. The youth, without realizing it himself, had switched into that very analysis mode Rain had taught him: he was trying to calculate the patterns, to catch the connection between the sound of Lefiya's voice and the changing shapes of the glowing symbols. For Lefiya, however, this gaze felt like a ton of bricks pressing down on her pride. She felt as if this "damn rabbit" was evaluating her, and she was maintaining control on pure stubbornness and her last dregs of strength, terrified of disgracing herself in front of him.
"Lefiya, Bell, that is enough for today," Riveria's resonant voice shattered the pre-evening quiet.
Bell immediately perked up, obediently stopped watching the elf, and turned toward the mentor's call.
The very second the boy averted his heavy gaze, Lefiya, sensing it, literally collapsed onto the green lawn, completely drained of energy. Her legs gave out, her mind spun from exhaustion, but deep down, the elf felt a sweet, triumphant, and airy victory. I did it! she rejoiced, greedily gasping for air right off the grass. I didn't fall while he was watching! I didn't show this rabbit my weakness!
Riveria, stepping slightly aside with Bell into the shade of a sprawling maple, came to a halt. Aiz stood just behind her, maintaining her silence. With mild bewilderment, the youth noticed just how concerned, serious, and even somewhat grim the great sorceress's gaze had become.
"Did something happen, Lady Riveria?" Bell asked with concern, shifting from foot to foot.
The elf looked at him for a long time, as if steeling herself for a difficult step. Finally, she took a deep breath and spoke. Her voice lacked its usual aristocratic detachment—in it rang a pure, heavy seriousness.
"Bell... What I want to ask you about... Let's just say it isn't exactly customary among the adventurers of Orario. Every Familia, every fighter has the right to keep their secrets, and you... you have the absolute, unconditional right to refuse to answer me. I will understand and will not press you."
The youth grew even more bewildered, feeling a strange tension brewing inside him.
"But still," Riveria took a step closer, looking him right in the eyes. "Aiz and I... we are asking you to tell us about the magic your friend possesses."
The words fell into the silence of the courtyard, heavy and weighty. Riveria and Aiz froze, tensely awaiting an answer, prepared for any reaction—for withdrawal, for the protection of another's secrets, for the caution the black-haired adventurer himself was renowned for.
Instead of all that, however, they received something entirely different.
Bell Cranel's face instantly smoothed out entirely, losing all its seriousness. His eyebrows shot up, his mouth fell slightly open, and his ruby eyes reflected a colossal and absolutely genuine surprise the likes of which Riveria had not seen in a long stretch of her life. The youth stared at the elf as if she had just declared that the Tower of Babel was made of sweet cookies.
"Rain's... magic?" Bell asked again, stunned and stuttering. A long pause ensued in which the boy tried to process what he'd heard. And then he blinked in confusion and added with complete sincerity: "But... Lady Riveria... Rain... I... this is the first I'm hearing of him possessing any magic."