"Bell... Bell..."
A melodious voice echoed in his ears, the faint murmurs gradually becoming clearer. Bell opened his eyes to find Hestia's youthful and beautiful face looking at him with a puzzled expression.
"Bell, I know you're exhausted from your journey. I'm sorry to wake you, but it's time for your Status Update." Hestia spoke gently. Outside the window, dawn hadn't arrived yet, and the last traces of night still lingered, bringing with it a sense of drowsiness.
"I woke up early just for you, Bell."
The Status Update should have been done last night. However, Hestia had found Bell already fast asleep in bed. Understanding how tired he was, she hadn't disturbed him from his deep slumber.
"Mm... Goddess-sama? I understand..." Bell's memory was a bit foggy. Apart from the dream, which was wrapped in mist, he remembered reading a book that Riveria had handed him. The blurry conversation could be ignored for now. Even if it was a Grimoire, it wouldn't have transported him from the desk to the bed, right...?
Just then, the movement beneath the covers answered Bell's question.
"Mmm... Is it morning already?" Laurier lifted her sleepy head, peeking out from Bell's right side. Her golden hair cascaded over her shoulders, her delicate, slender body barely covered by lingerie. In the dimly lit room, her flushed cheeks looked incredibly enchanting.
"Wh-what?! What are you doing, you blonde elf?!!" Hestia's shout echoed through the house, shattering the quiet of the early morning.
Daphne suddenly jolted awake, instinctively reaching for the dagger beside her bed.
"Not again..." She sighed softly and lay back down.
Cassandra, still holding her pillow, muttered in her sleep, "Hehe, trusting me that much, this... this is so embarrassing..."
Neither of them paid any attention to the shout. Only Airmid was different. After waking up, she sat on the bed, her legs crossed. The Saint stared blankly out the window, lost in her thoughts.
Since moving into the manor, the early morning noise had become part of the daily routine at Hestia's household. With Bell away on his travels, it had been quieter for the past few days. But the moment he returned, the noisy scenes had started all over again.
As Hestia put it, the true cause was, of course, the shameless blonde elf. Laurier always sneaked into Bell's room during the quiet of the night, and then would wake up in the morning acting all shy.
Hestia simply couldn't bring herself to ask what exactly had happened between them. Ironically, the Apollo Familia, who had built this mansion, placed a great emphasis on personal privacy. Unless someone pressed their ear to the door, no sounds from within would ever escape. Naturally, Hestia would never do something like that.
In fact, even now, she still refused to face the reality of it all.
"Seriously, why doesn't Bell just kick that lecherous elf out!"
Hestia, sharing a room with the boy, muttered her complaint in a huff.
Bell understood this was the goddess speaking in anger. He gave a helpless smile and replied,
"If Goddess-sama snuck into my room, I wouldn't kick you out either."
"...You, what nonsense are you spouting? How could I possibly do such a thing!"
Hestia protested, her face flushing crimson.
If she did nothing, just holding him while sleeping... well, it wasn't entirely impossible...
In fact, back in the church basement, the goddess had already harbored such thoughts, but had never dared to act on them.
"Hmm... I need to update your stats."
Hestia straddled Bell's back, drew a needle, pricked her finger, and let divine blood seep out.
Bell's Status had all reached A-rank or higher, with Endurance even hitting SS.
What kind of hell had he endured out there…
Hestia once again felt the boy's resolve to protect the girls.
With that realization, all traces of her earlier shyness and complaints vanished.
What remained was simply a goddess deeply concerned for her Familia member and filled with yearning for the boy.
Suddenly, Hestia's hand froze.
"Bell... magic is manifesting again!"
She cried out joyfully, swiftly translating and transcribing the sacred script.
Ever since learning of the boy's resolve, Hestia had held nothing back. Letting him know his physical condition would help him better manage risks.
Bell gazed at the magic [Argo's Ship], lost in thought.
The effect of Granting's magic, which can selectively boost speed or strength, could be invaluable in critical moments.
However, the final annotation—grants magic based on the partner—remained somewhat baffling.
Just like when he underwent Awakening of [Argonaut] before, experimentation was in order.
"Goddess-sama, do you know this magic's purpose?" Bell inquired.
"No, I've never seen an Ability-Granting Magic like this before. Like your other skills, it likely belongs to the [Unknown] realm. It seems to suit you perfectly. Congratulations, Bell."
Hestia climbed off the bed and headed toward the door, adding as she walked,
"Why not try it out on a girl?"
"Hmm, I'll ask Laurier and the others—"
Before Bell could finish, the blonde elf appeared in the hallway.
"Whatever you need, I'll do my best."
Hestia frowned.
"Are you some kind of golden retriever?! Where the heck did you come from?! We haven't even sorted out this morning's mess yet! You're coming with me right now!"
"Ugh..."
Laurier was dragged away by the goddess, her face full of resentment. Their backs disappeared at the end of the corridor.
Just as Bell was about to seek help from Airmid, a shout came from outside the mansion.
"Bell Cranel!"
Alicia stood outside the gate, holding a crimson fruit.
"Alicia-san, what brings you here so early?" Bell approached and inquired.
"You. Eat this."
Alicia handed him the apple in a commanding tone.
"Now?"
Bell instantly recognized it as the precious healing fruit from the Sacred Tree.
"Eat it now!"
Dark circles marred Alicia's face as her tone grew impatient.
Since returning to Orario yesterday, she'd been tormented by doubt—had Riveria fed the apple to the boy? This was a legendary fruit said to fulfill romantic desires. If its effects were real...
The more Alicia pondered, the more restless her nights became. She resolved to give her own apple to the boy. Bonds of fate were but threads—perhaps having the boy eat another fruit could undo Riveria's love connection.
Sensing no ill intent, Bell sighed and ate the fruit. Alicia departed satisfied, though to the boy's surprise, this was merely the beginning.
On this ordinary morning, the Hestia residence buzzed with activity. Syr smiled as she handed him a fruit.
"Bell, Ryuu gave this to me. You must eat it right in front of me."
Syr bit into the apple with a mischievous grin, then offered him a sweet, refreshing kiss. Silver and white hair intertwined, melting into a passionate embrace.
After Syr reluctantly departed, Ais visited the mansion.
"Bell, let's train..."
"This... the apple Lefiya gave me... it can heal injuries, but it can't be kept too long... so I'll share half with you..."
Perhaps it was the effect of the healing fruit. During this training session, Bell fainted more times than ever before.
By the time he returned to the mansion, the sun had already risen.
"Oh, Bell, I've been waiting for you for ages." Hermes leaned against the wall.
"Hermes-sama, did you get an apple too..." Bell murmured under his breath.
"An apple?" Hermes chuckled. "No, it's about something important concerning Laurier."