19 019 Customized weapon.

019 Danmachi

It was Hestia who exclaimed due to her surprised, she find it unbelievable. Her two bright azure eyes are looking at her friend incredulously like she's a big Pink Panda.

Gods and Goddesses can sure be whimsical sometimes or even most of the times but this... It's still a little too much!

Before meeting Bell, Hestia had spent almost half a year with Hephaestus, freeloading in her familia since the first time she had descended from the heaven.

It may not be a long time but it's still enough for Hestia to learn some important things about her friend's familia since Hephaestus didn't really hide anything to her.

Hestia knows how valuable this sword was for Hephaestus, no, to her familia itself.

In Hephaestus familia, all smiths are required to go through a rite of passage before thy can join, like a ceremony. Every single one of them had to experience the same without exception.

All of them are shown this one sword. Then Hephaestus will ask them question. Only when they passed that would they be allowed to join her familia.

A single sword on top of a pedestal connected to the wall.

The sight of this one weapon alone had sent chills down the spines of all the members of Hephaestus familia the first time they saw it. It inspired them and also, had crushed the arrogance inside them.

And now here she is, offering that sword to Bell... To a boy she only had met today for the first time, and to someone that wasn't even a member of her familia!!

For a moment, Hestia even doubted her ears are malfunctioning. It's either she had heard it wrong or this friend of hers has gone crazy...

Hephaestus didn't know what's going on inside Hestia's mind and even if she did, she might not care much. Right now, she's more interested on what Bell's answer would be. She's full of anticipation for some reason.

" Hmm.... " Bell slightly bite his lower lip and stared even more closer to the sword. He would be lying if he will say that he didn't want this sword at all. Like... 'Who would not want such a high quality weapon? ' Only the biggest dumbass of all time would be like that.

He stayed like that for awhile before he finally spoke.

" You jest, lady Hephaestus. I of course want that sword but..... It's not like I'll be able to-...sigh.. That sword was nothing more than a useless weapon for me. "

" Bell, what are you saying.... " Hestia felt like she was about to get crazy because of these two people.

Just what's wrong with these two? Why are they both acting weird?

First was Hephaestus trying give away the most precious treasure of her famila to a stranger and now, here's Bell rejecting it. He even called the sword 'USELESS'.

Hestia then looked at Hephaestus afraid that Bell's words might have offended her but what she saw was the exact opposite.

She's smiling. Hephaestus's beautiful face was beaming with joy. Like as if she's waiting for Bell to say something like that.

Did she really had gone crazy? Thought Hestia.

Still having that satisfied smile, Hephaestus continue looking at him, waiting for Bell to continue. It's obvious that she didn't plan to say anything yet.

Bell can only sigh. It seems like this goddess wasn't done testing him yet. How troublesome..

" That sword..... it rejects me. No, to be exact, it's rejecting the Falna on my back so I really can't use it. That's why it's useless for me. " he paused for a moment. " That sword has a similar aura to you, lady Hephaestus. And though I cannot read or understand those hieroglyphs imprinted onto it, I can at least tell that only the children of your familia are allowed to use that sword. But only if they are strong enough to use it. "

Honestly speaking, Bell actually doubted that there will be someone in Orario that can really use this sword at all. That's how insane this sword was. Though it looks very small and harmless as it hangs there on the wall, it definitely wasn't the case.

With his keen insight, Bell can tell how heavy that sword was without actually lifting it. The reinforced wall and the high quality metal that was supporting the sword was the huge proof to that.

Perhaps the only known level seven adventurer in Orario, Ottar can do that but he's already a member of Freya familia so he is out of the question too.

As for Bell, there's no need to even think about it because if compared to Ottar, the way he is right now was no different from a weak helpless chicken.

" Hee - hee - hee.... Ha - ha - ha! " Hephaestus suddenly began laughing merrily.

Seemingly finding the notion truly amusing, she placed the palm of one hand over her mouth trying to contain herself.

He's really a real deal.. Sigh... If only he's also a smith in my familia... She thought to herself as she appreciates Bell.

Hephaestus was actually still testing Bell's abilities and how sharp he was when she offered him that sword. She never plan on giving him that sword because she knew that he cannot use it. But as expected, he's able to see through it completely which made Hephaestus feel a little bit embarrassed but also very happy at the same time.

" You really are sharp, Bell. Seems like I had disgraced myself in front of you by trying to test you like that. I'm sorry.. " She then poured her cup a tea and then took a sip. " Are you sure you haven't forge anything before? You're insight alone was already in a master smith's level.. "

" You flatter me, lady Hephaestus. "

" Hee -Hee.. Of course my Bell is awesome.... " Hestia said, very proud of Bell. " So Hephaestus..... about the deal earlier..."

" Mn. " Hephaestus nodded her head knowingly. But since your child didn't want that sword then, let me offer him something different instead.. "

" Different? " both Bell and Hestia repeated.

" That's right. You can either choose piece of weapon or equipment displayed below or I'll make you a customized weapon. I will leave it all for you to decide. "

"...." "...."

" And of course, it will still be free of charge. Consider it as a gift or payment for answering my questions excellently. "

Anyone can tell that's she's a very good mood just by looking at her. And that's all because of Bell so Hephaestus decided to reward him instead or to give him something in return. She can also use this chance to help groom/help this promising child that she approved.

As for Bell and Hestia, they are both delighted. Coming here was really the right choice. But of course, all of this will not really happen without Bell's skill to begin with.

Bell then said his thanks to Hephaestus and the two no, the three of them began discussing about his customized weapon of Bell.

By the time Bell came out of the shop, it's already two in the afternoon. It took quite a lot of time because Hephaestus also had invited the two of them for lunch which they agreed.

He's now alone because Hestia, that loli goddess insisted on staying behind. She said that she wanted to help in making Bell's weapon so she has to stay and be Hephaestus assistant. It will take more than a day to create a weapon especially the one Bell had requested so he didn't really have any reason to stay there.

As for watching Hephaestus work, that does not interest him at all. He already had set that alluring woman as his rival when it comes to forging. What's the point of watching her?

But Bell's surely looking forward to seeing his new weapon soon.. He can barely contain himself to be honest.

With that thought in mind, he headed towards the Miach familia's shop to get some potions.

He heard from his goddess that she agreed to let the Miach Familia pay potions for those Papillon Wings from before so he didn't have to pay for anything today.

Finished doing his business there, Bell rode a horse carriage towards the market area of North Main. He still has to buy new weapons and other things since he plan on going back to dungeon tomorrow.

The sun was about to set when finally bought everything he need and head back home..

0.-.0