Bell paced through the dungeon, his breathing ragged with excitement and anxiety. He was on the first floor, facing the reality of being an adventurer. The environment was damp and dark, but the dim light filtering through the stone walls provided just enough visibility. At that moment, two goblins appeared before him, clumsily walking down the corridor.
Goblins were small, rather primitive creatures, with greenish skin and large, pointy ears. Bell watched them for a moment, holding his dagger firmly. He tried to remember everything Eina had taught him, though he couldn't help feeling nervous.
One of the goblins raised his rusty sword, while the other watched him, ready to attack. Bell took a deep breath. He was ready, or so he thought.
With a swift movement, the goblin on the right launched itself at Bell, arms raised, but its blow was inaccurate. Bell, with an instinctive movement, dodged to the side, almost tripping over a rock on the ground. The goblin continued forward, unaware of the small obstacle, and ended up hitting the wall.
Bell seized the opportunity. He stepped forward, dagger raised, and managed to land a small blow on the goblin, who had crashed into the wall. Although it wasn't a decisive blow, the goblin stumbled, surprised by the impact.
However, the other goblin, seeing his companion in trouble, tried to intervene, but his attack was equally clumsy. He lunged too hard, and Bell, rather ungracefully, blocked the blow with his dagger. The two struggled for a moment, as if they were in a street fight rather than an adventurer's combat.
The fight wasn't elegant or epic. Bell wasn't making any acrobatic or graceful moves; he was simply trying not to fall and stay on his feet. The stumbled goblin, after recovering, tried to attack again, but in desperation, ended up losing his balance and falling backward. Bell seized this moment and, with a quick stab, managed to kill him.
At the same time, the other goblin, who had been struggling with him, finally lost control of his sword in a misguided move and fell to the ground. Bell, somewhat disoriented, gave a small push with his dagger, managing to knock him down.
Both goblins were already dead. Bell stared at the magic stones they'd left behind for a second, his breathing ragged and his heart pounding.
"Did… did I do well?" he murmured, picking up the magic stones and putting them away. It wasn't an epic fight worthy of song, but he had managed to emerge victorious.
"This… is harder than I thought. But… I did it!" he muttered to himself.
Even if it wasn't the most impressive battle in history, it was his first step as an adventurer. And for Bell, that made it special.
Bell left the dungeon at dusk, his backpack filled with the small magic stones from the goblins he had defeated during the six hours he spent inside. He had killed several, 40 in total, which wasn't bad for his first day, but the satisfaction he had hoped for wasn't there. Instead of feeling proud, something inside him was making him uneasy.
Shoulders slumped, Bell walked leisurely down the path that would lead him back to town. The dungeon was already darkening behind him, and people were beginning to spill out onto the streets, creating a gentle bustle in the plaza. Bell glanced at the magic stones he carried with him.
"40…" he muttered, admiring the amount he'd managed to achieve. It wasn't a small feat, at least not for a beginner. But still, he wasn't satisfied. He thought about how he'd struggled, how his movements had felt clumsy, despite all the training he'd received.
"My fight was… pretty bad, actually…" he said quietly, almost as if talking to himself. "I wish I could handle my weapons better, or at least fight better…"
Despite the small achievements, he couldn't help but feel that his fights weren't as good as he'd imagined. He'd hoped that, on his first day, the feeling of victory would be much greater, more… heroic. But all he felt was a mild annoyance.
Bell walked a few more steps, staring at the ground as he thought about everything that had happened. He thought about his grandfather, about the stories he told him about heroes and great battles. He remembered how his grandfather always encouraged him to keep going, to never give up.
"Why do I feel so far from that?" Bell wondered quietly. "I want to be a hero, but my fights… aren't like the ones I dreamed of."
The truth was, there was a lot of room for improvement. Bell knew it. That first fight had been just the beginning, but the feeling of not living up to his expectations left him with a small pang of insecurity. The idea of being a hero, an adventurer capable of great things, seemed distant, something he had yet to achieve.
However, even though his mind was filled with doubt, something inside him wouldn't let himself be defeated so easily. Maybe he couldn't be a hero yet, but at that moment, something inside him told him he shouldn't give up.
"I'm going to keep training," he said firmly, raising his head slightly. "I won't give up. I'll do better. I promise."
Although the day was over, Bell knew the real challenge was just beginning. No matter how clumsy his fights were or how much he still had to learn, the only thing that mattered was that he kept going. And that, at least, kept him going.
So, with his backpack full of magic stones and a feeling of discomfort, but also determination, Bell continued his way to the city, ready to take his next step in his quest to become the hero he had always dreamed of.
The sun had already set when Bell arrived at the basement of the abandoned church. He had traded the magic stones for Valis some time ago. It wasn't a fortune, but at least he'd have enough to keep him going, at least for a couple of days. Although he wasn't satisfied with how he'd fought in the dungeon, he was relieved to be back in a place where he could relax a little.
As he entered, a lamp gently illuminated the space, and Hestia was sitting at a table, seemingly waiting for him. When he heard the door open, he looked up and smiled.
"Bell, welcome back!" she exclaimed cheerfully, quickly standing up. "How was your day?"
Bell dropped his backpack on the floor and sighed, taking off his boots. "It was… a long day," he said as he headed to the table. "I got some magic stones, but my fights were a mess. It's not as easy as I thought."
Hestia frowned and approached him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry, Bell. The first day is always difficult. No one is born a great adventurer. But you've done something incredible, coming out of there and coming back with something. And that's not easy."
Bell smiled weakly, grateful for the support, though he couldn't help feeling a little frustrated. "Thank you, Goddess. Though my fights were clumsy. I really thought I could do better. I wish I were more… skilled, stronger."
Hestia nodded with a smile. "That's what happens when you decide to follow your dreams, right? It's not easy, but with time you'll get better. And believe me, I know you're capable of achieving it."
Bell felt somewhat comforted by her words, but he still couldn't shake the feeling that he wasn't living up to his own expectations. "I hope so," he muttered as he sat down at the table, staring at the backpack he'd set aside.
Hestia quickly headed to the small makeshift kitchen and began preparing dinner. "Well, no matter how frustrated you get, the most important thing is that you keep going. You have something many adventurers don't have: courage. That's what will take you far, Bell."
The aroma of cooking soon filled the room, and although the place was still simple and rustic, something inside him felt comforted. Hestia's company, her soft voice, and the feeling of having a home, however modest, kept him going.
"Thank you, Goddess," Bell said as he watched her prepare the food. "For giving me this place. I really don't know what I'd do without you."
Hestia smiled without taking her eyes off her food. "You don't have to thank me. I'm happy to have you here. And remember, I'll always be by your side. Whatever comes, we'll face it together."
After dinner, while Bell was resting at the table, Hestia asked him to lie down so she could update him. At first, it seemed like a routine procedure, but as she read and checked off sections of the form, something in her changed. Her expression went from relaxed to surprised.
Bell, who was distracted by staring at the ceiling, noticed Hestia's reaction and turned to her. "What's wrong? Is something strange?"
Hestia stared at the token for a moment, her eyes wide with surprise. "This… this can't be… Bell, are you sure you're not some god's impossible child?"
Bell frowned, somewhat confused. "What? What's so strange?"
"It's just…" Hestia couldn't hide her astonishment. "I just saw something new here, something that wasn't there before. A new blessing. It says… [Divine Blessing of Combat Mastery]. This is… incredible."
Bell stood still for a moment, unsure of how to react. "'Divine Blessing of Combat Mastery'? What does that mean?"
Hestia couldn't stop staring at him, her mind trying to process what she'd just read. "It means you have complete mastery in all forms of combat. It's as if you could wield any weapon, any technique, with absolute skill! But... that's impossible... for other adventurers. No one achieves anything like that; it's completely unreal..."
Bell was silent for a moment, processing Hestia's words. He remembered the wish he'd had when he'd left the dungeon: "I wish I could handle my weapons better, or at least fight better."
"That…" Bell finally murmured. "That has to do with my desire. I always wanted to be better, more skilled. And now, it seems this blessing has given me just that…"
Hestia, still surprised, nodded slowly. "It's… it's as if the world has listened to you. Not only do you have skills, but you can even be an expert in combat. This is… a very powerful blessing, Bell."
Bell remained thoughtful. As the conversation faded into thin air, the feeling of holding something so extraordinary in his hands made him feel a mixture of awe and responsibility. He knew he now had a real chance to improve, to become the hero he always dreamed of, but he also knew that expectations for him could rise dramatically.
With a soft sigh, Bell looked up at Hestia, who was still staring at the token in disbelief. "Well… it seems my wishes are really coming true."
Hestia, with a spark of excitement in her eyes, quickly stood up from the table. "I have an idea! Why don't we go out to eat with the money you earned today? It's tradition! An adventurer's first paycheck should always be spent on a grand dinner, something to mark the beginning of their career. And that's exactly what we're going to do."
Bell, who was considering what Hestia was saying, thought for a moment. The idea of a celebratory dinner sounded good to him, but there was something else that worried him. He remembered the girl he had met that morning, and how she had been so kind to him. It was then that an idea occurred to him.
"Well, Goddess," Bell began, somewhat hesitantly. "There's a tavern in town called The Hostess of Fertility. And… I was wondering if we could go there. I think it would be a nice place to celebrate. Also… the girl I met earlier works there."
Hestia looked at him with a curious expression, clearly surprised by Bell's suggestion. "The Hostess of Fertility Tavern? Of course! It's one of the most well-known in Orario, not only for the food, but also for its welcoming atmosphere. And, if you say so, I also hear that the girl you're talking about is quite popular, so the place must be excellent."
Bell blushed slightly at the thought of Syr. Although he didn't know her well, something about her manner and attitude had left a good impression on him. "Well, yeah... she seemed very nice. And like I said, she works there. Maybe we can go thank her for being so kind."
Hestia smiled widely at Bell's reaction, noticing that his tone had softened when he mentioned Syr. "How sweet of you! Sure, let's go to The Hostess of Fertility, then. It'll be a perfect dinner to celebrate your first day as an adventurer. And since we have money, there's no reason not to treat ourselves, right?"
Bell nodded enthusiastically, still feeling slightly nervous, but also knowing that the idea of enjoying a good meal at a popular place like The Hostess of Fertility was something he needed to relax a bit after such a busy day. Together, Bell and Hestia headed to the tavern, ready for a pleasant evening, though uncertain of what would happen once they got there.
…
Upon entering The Hostess of Fertility, Bell and Hestia were greeted by the tavern's warm ambiance, the gentle bustle of customers, and the tantalizing aroma of food wafting from the kitchen. The dark wood walls, decorated with colorful tapestries, gave a cozy, almost homey feel. The tables were set with care, and the soft murmur of conversation filled the air, creating a relaxed atmosphere.
Syr, noticing their arrival, lifted her head from the counter and, with a charming smile, quickly approached them. "Welcome to The Hostess of Fertility! How are you? How nice to see you," she said, her eyes sparkling at the sight of Bell. She seemed especially happy to see her "new client."
Bell smiled shyly. "Hello again. I'm here with my goddess to celebrate… you know, my first day as an adventurer. We thought it would be a nice place to come."
Syr nodded, smiling even wider at Bell's words. "Great! I'm so glad you chose this place. Now, please follow me, and I'll show you to your table."
As they walked toward the table, Bell realized they hadn't properly introduced themselves on their first meeting. He thought it was a good opportunity to do so now. "Oh, by the way, I didn't properly introduce myself earlier... My name is Bell Cranel."
Syr, hearing her name, paused briefly, surprised that they had finally introduced themselves. "Oh! So your name is Bell. How nice. Well, I'm Syr Flova. It's nice to meet you again, Bell."
Bell nodded with a wider smile, glad to finally have done it. "The pleasure is mine, Syr."
Syr led them to a table in a quiet corner of the tavern, away from most of the bustle. As he walked in front of them, Bell noticed something curious. Although their interaction with him was warm and friendly, Syr seemed to go out of his way to avoid any direct contact with Hestia. He maintained a subtly awkward distance as he guided Bell and Hestia to the table, avoiding even eye contact.
Bell frowned, wondering what was going on. He didn't fully understand the situation, but something didn't seem right. Syr's attitude toward him was friendly, almost affectionate, but at the same time, something told him she was deliberately avoiding Hestia.
Syr finally led them to the table, where they both sat. As she placed the menus on the table, she leaned slightly toward Bell and, with a smile, asked, "Would you like me to get you something to drink first? Perhaps a glass of wine or cold water after your day of adventure."
Bell, still somewhat confused by Syr's strange attitude, nodded. "Water is fine. Thanks, Syr."
Hestia, who had been watching Syr closely, raised an eyebrow at the distance he kept from her. "So… how about a beer for me? I'm quite a fan of beer, you know?" she added, trying to break the silence in a friendly manner.
Syr, slightly surprised by Hestia's request, nodded quickly. "Sure, a beer for you. I'll bring it right away."
But before leaving, Bell took the opportunity to talk to her. "Hey, Syr… are you okay? I notice you're a little distant today."
Syr, hearing the question, tensed for a moment, but quickly regained her usual smile. "Oh, don't worry, Bell! I'm just a little tired today, that's all. Enjoy yourselves at the table, and I'll take care of everything." With that, she retreated to the bar, leaving the two of them alone.
Hestia, with a suspicious look, watched Syr walk away. "What was that? It seems like she's trying to avoid me… Don't you find that strange?"
Bell, though unsure of the reason, nodded. "Yeah, something's off. But I don't know what's wrong. Maybe she's just a little tired, right?"
Hestia wasn't so convinced, but decided to let it go for now. "Maybe... I don't like being ignored, though. But don't worry, Bell, let's just enjoy the food and relax."
While they waited for Syr to return, Bell continued to ponder the girl's strange behavior. He couldn't help but feel there was something else going on, something he couldn't understand. Why this distance from Hestia? And why did she seem so different around him?
The questions kept floating around in her mind, but for now, all she could do was wait.
While they waited, Bell began to observe the waitresses moving around the tavern, serving customers with admirable skill. However, what truly caught his attention wasn't their serving skills, but the numbers appearing above their heads. The horizontal bars, similar to the one he'd seen above Hestia before, indicated the status of their relationship with people, based on the [Divine Blessing of Grandfather's Wish] skill.
The first waitress to catch his eye was a light-green-haired elf serving drinks at a nearby table. The bar above her head displayed a number: 2. Bell frowned, wondering why her number was already higher than 0, given that he hadn't spoken to her at all.
Then his gaze shifted to a brown-haired cat girl. She looked extremely lively and energetic, moving back and forth between the tables. The bar above her head displayed a 10. Bell didn't find it odd; her friendly demeanor and outgoing nature probably helped her connect easily with people.
Nearby, another cat girl with short, dark hair watched him as he walked past. Bell noticed that, although she seemed more reserved, the bar above her head also displayed a 10. This did strike him as somewhat odd. Even though the girl seemed less expressive and more distant, her number was the same as the lively girl's. Bell wondered how that could be possible.
At that moment, his gaze shifted back to Syr, who had just returned with the drinks. The bar above his head had risen from 60 to 65. Bell couldn't help but be surprised. Although he hadn't interacted with Syr beyond a few minutes during their first meeting, his number had increased in just a few hours. Something seemed off to him. How could it have gone up so many points in such a short time?
Finally, Bell noticed a human waitress with short, light-brown hair waiting on a nearby table. Her number was marked with a 0, completely neutral. Bell wasn't sure exactly what that meant, but he interpreted it as a sign that he hadn't formed a connection with her yet.
Syr returned to the table with a tray full of drinks, carefully placing the glasses in front of Bell and Hestia.
"Thanks, Syr," Bell said, sipping his drink with a smile.
"It's a pleasure," Syr replied, smiling softly before moving on to serve another group of customers.
After a moment of silence, Hestia looked at the menu with a thoughtful expression. "Bell, how about we order something more substantial? Today we celebrate your first day as an adventurer!"
Bell nodded, though a little cautiously looking at the prices. "Are you sure? Everything here seems pretty expensive…"
Hestia smiled enthusiastically. "Don't worry! It's a tradition to spend the first paycheck on a nice dinner! Plus, it's a chance to try the best dishes in Orario!"
With a nervous smile, Bell looked at the prices on the menu. All the main dishes were much more expensive than what he'd seen elsewhere. But he decided that since Hestia was so excited to celebrate her first day, it was worth splurging a little.
"Well… if you insist, then we'll have the main course of the day," Bell said, somewhat hurriedly trying not to embarrass himself.
Hestia smiled, her eyes twinkling. "That's it, Bell! You deserve it!"
They both indicated their choices and Syr quickly returned to the table to take the order.
"What would you like to order?" he asked with a smile as he approached.
Bell and Hestia exchanged glances, and then Hestia placed the order. "We'll have the main course, please."
Syr nodded and quickly went to the kitchen, but not before making it clear that, although the price was high, the quality of the food justified the expense.
Bell, although somewhat worried about the bill, decided to relax and enjoy the moment. "I hope it's all worth it…" he murmured as he looked around, observing how the tavern remained a bustling place.
Just then, as Bell and Hestia waited for their dishes, Syr returned with a tray in her hands, but something happened. As she took a step toward their table, she tripped over the edge of a chair and, in an instant, lost her balance. The tray she was holding flew through the air, and Syr began to fall toward the floor.
Instinctively, Bell reacted. He shot up from his seat and, with a swift and precise reflex, extended his hands. At the last second, he caught Syr by the waist, just before she fell to the floor. The image was like a scene from an elegant ball, with Bell holding Syr in the air while she clung to him in surprise.
The tray, however, continued its flight, but Bell wasn't distracted. With an almost imperceptible movement, he stretched his arm forward and, with impressive precision, caught the tray in midair, just before it fell to the ground. He had not only saved Syr, but also the food he had nearly ruined.
"Wow, that was impressive!" Hestia exclaimed from her seat, looking at the scene in amazement.
Applause was also heard from the other tables.
Bell, still holding Syr, quickly recovered and gently lifted her to make sure she wasn't hurt. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to... Are you okay?"
Syr blushed, her eyes wide and surprised. "Y-yes, I'm fine, thank you… What a surprise! I didn't expect someone to catch me so quickly."
Despite the somewhat embarrassing situation, Bell smiled at her with some embarrassment and set her back on her feet. "It was nothing. I just reacted instinctively."
Syr rubbed the back of her neck, somewhat embarrassed. "That was amazing… looks like you're a real hero, Bell."
Bell, sensing the awkwardness of the situation, blushed slightly. "No, I'm not a hero yet… just a rookie adventurer."
Syr gave him a warm smile. "Well, if you keep up those reflexes, I'm sure you'll be a hero in no time."
Hestia, watching the exchange, smiled widely and said, "It's official! Bell is destined to be the hero he always dreamed of being."
Syr gave Hestia a curious look, but then looked away, returning to her work. "Anyway, I'll make sure your food is ready soon. Sorry about the accident."
Bell, still a little nervous, nodded. "Don't worry. And thanks for the food…"
As Syr walked away, Bell noticed how his relationship score with her had risen a few more points. His bar was now at 70. Although he'd noticed it before, this time he couldn't help but wonder how something as simple as a rescue had managed to improve their relationship so much in such a short time.
The atmosphere in the tavern was still warm and relaxed, and Bell couldn't help but smile at the thought that, perhaps, life in Orario wouldn't be as difficult as he thought.
Bell watched the elf waitress as she continued to serve customers, and noticed that her number had risen to 5. At first, he had thought that the elf hadn't noticed or interacted with him, which explained their low relationship number, but now, seeing the increase, a possible explanation occurred to him.
"It must be because I helped Syr," Bell thought, watching the elf pass by him, absorbed in her work. "If she's Syr's friend, she's probably grateful for what I did. Maybe that's what caused her number to go up."
"Funny how these things work," he thought, his gaze following the departing figure of the elf. Although the waitress wasn't paying much attention to him, Bell felt that, in some way, he was being acknowledged for his actions.
The food arrived shortly after, steaming hot and smelling delicious, making Bell's stomach growl as soon as he saw it. Syr placed the plates in front of them with a kind smile, and Hestia enthusiastically thanked her, while a somewhat nervous Bell did the same.
The dish was generous, with medium-rare meat, fresh vegetables, and a thick sauce that coated everything with a tantalizing sheen. Hestia picked up her knife with a satisfied smile.
"This looks much better than the potatoes we were eating before, huh, Bell?"
Bell nodded with a smile, already with a piece of meat in his mouth. "It's delicious!" he replied, his mouth half full, which made Hestia laugh softly.
For a few minutes, the two of them ate in silence, enjoying the flavor, the lively atmosphere, and the comforting feeling of having achieved a small milestone. It was their first day as an adventurer and their first paycheck, and although the journey had started chaotically, at least this part felt like a just reward.
Hestia watched him out of the corner of her eye as he ate enthusiastically. Though she was still worried about the strange blessings she'd seen in his condition, she couldn't deny that Bell looked happy. And that, for now, was enough.
Bell took the small white ceramic jar next to the salt shaker without looking too closely. While still chewing a bite of meat, he confidently tipped it across his plate.
A few white particles fell onto the food… but as he took the next bite, Bell stopped dead in his tracks.
"Hmn?"
He made a strange face and looked at the plate as if it had betrayed him. He looked back at the jar. He smelled it. And his eyes widened with a mixture of surprise and embarrassment.
"…That wasn't salt."
Hestia watched him curiously, bringing a piece of meat to her mouth.
"What did you do?"
Bell swallowed the sweet bite with difficulty before responding with an embarrassed smile.
"I added sugar…"
Hestia burst out laughing so loud that several people at nearby tables turned to look at them. She leaned back in her chair, trying to catch her breath.
"Bell! How could you confuse salt with sugar? You're ruining your first paycheck with a ridiculous mistake!"
Bell laughed too, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly.
"That's what I get for not looking. Although... well, it's not that bad. Just... sweet."
He took another bite, made another face, and finally pushed the plate a little toward the center of the table.
"Okay, yes it's bad…"
Hestia couldn't help but laugh again, while he made a tragic face. Although it was silly, that small, absurd moment made them both relax even more. Because even in the city of adventurers, surrounded by mysteries, monsters, and strange abilities, there was always room for making mistakes as simple as confusing salt with sugar.
Returning to the church—or rather, the barely renovated basement they now called home—Bell and Hestia changed slowly, weighed down by the day's accumulated fatigue. The lights were dim, the night breeze snuck in through a crack in the wall, and the silence of the night enveloped the place with a welcome calm.
Bell set his backpack aside and flopped down onto the old couch that served as a makeshift bed. Hestia yawned and crawled into the blankets of the single bed, not bothering to hide how cozy it felt to be in a safe place, with someone she trusted.
"It was a good day," she murmured, already half asleep.
Bell smiled as he looked at the cracked ceiling. "Yeah… weird, but oh well."
The conversation faded into darkness as they both fell asleep, unaware that at that very moment, something else was silently adding to Bell's condition.
There, beneath the blessings previously inscribed on her back by the power of Hestia, arose a new line of text, forged not by struggle or the need for power, but by a particularly… sweet culinary lesson.
[Divine Blessing of Sodium Knowledge]: You will never confuse sugar with salt and vice versa.
Because even the world—or whatever that mysterious force was that seemed to want Bell to become a hero—understood that every great adventurer needs to start with the basics… and that sometimes the difference between a glorious bite and a cakey tragedy could lie in the humblest of toppings.