2 [2] Crazy people do crazy things
--- Chapter 2 ---
Calling this situation startling would be a understatement, without a doubt.
Bell had always thought that he himself would save a damself in distress. At the last moment, coming in like Prince charming on a white horse to save the lady. After all, who wouldn't dare to have thoughts about saving someone or something at the last moment?
Everything aside, he had never expected, even in his wildest dreams, that his dream of being the prince would suddenly shift into being the princess.
'...Huh?'
The dumbstruck boy lifted his head, bewildered by the drastic turn of events. His ruby-like eyes turned to gaze at the woman in front of him; body this time drowned by blood that wasn't his.
Unknowingly, his heart beat unevenly. The once rhythmic thuds turned chaotic, each beat sounding more thunderous than the last. Whether it was due to the adrenaline, or the girl himself was not known, even to himself.
He felt amazement. Eyes widened by the show of unmatched skill of swordsmanship that elicited wonder. Reminiscent of a white lily, yet its surrounded by thorns.
Alas, the sense of awe and astonishment quickly vanished with the imminent realisation.
Bell's face, that had already been soaked crimson, turned a shade lighter. A sense of embarrassment overcoming him when he thought of the possibility that she saw everything that had happened prior.
Not only that, but the shame he felt multiplied tenfold when he recognised who she truly was.
Ais Wallenstein - The Sword Princess.
A member of the Loki familia. One of the strongest powerhouses in all of Orario, perhaps even placed within the top 3. A family that accepts no one but the best of the best, the cream of the crop.
Even within that familia of monsters that included a variety of Level 5's and 6's in multitude, Ais Wallenstein was one of a kind.
A first class adventurer that reached Level 2, 3, 4 and 5, in record breaking speed - becoming the youngest ever adventurer that reached apex.
It was a sharp contrast with himself. Whereas she surrounded herself with many other people within her familia, Bell only had Hestia. While hers was beyond rich, the Hestia Familia could be considered the poorest of the poor.
If someone were to describe his Familia, they were most likely to say that the Hestia Familia could not even be considered to be within the barrel, but below it.
That was why it was quite surprising to see the meeting of Bell and Ais. One of the most powerful, and one of the most weakest. One carrying themselves in confidence, whilst the other in cowardice. It was as if both of them were polar opposites, never destined to join, but yet here they are.
A fated meeting.
"Are you okay..?"
Her voice as soothing as a melody, moved Bell out of his trance. The boy quickly felt inexplicably itchy. Feeling heat rise slowly, from his face, to his back, and then finally to his feet.
At that moment, Bell knew he was done for.
His body moved against his will. It stood up and ran, dashing away and leaving behind the confused girl who's beauty rivaled that of Goddesses.
The boy's eyes widened. Shocked, at the unexpectedness of his own heart.
"W-what-?"
Bell stuttered out as he hastened. His agility, that dwarfed any other stats on his Falna, displayed in full effect.
His body moved, fast. Steps, bouncing at his hair moved out from his face, displaying a slightly chubby face that hadn't matured yet. Even then, it looked quite charming.
For a moment, Ais thought of him as a rabbit. A cute one, especially since he had white hair and red eyes. However, that thought soon faded when she took in the situation.
"...He ran away from...me?"
With that said, the perplexed woman looked at the leaving figure of the ruby-eyed rabbit. Her thoughts wandering afar as she tilted her head at the bizarre result.
'I thought...people thank you when they are saved..? Was I wrong?'
Unknowingly, the poor boy's instinctive reaction had left the girl doubting herself. Her attention only coming back when the rest of her party members arrived at the scene.
Asking her about what had happened; and why she was so down. Unfortunately for them, Ais would never tell them that it was due to a boy.
* * *
Eina Tulle had experienced many things, but an adevnturer screaming out her name with such vigour and loudness was definitely a first.
"Miss Einaaaaa!!"
She looked away from the pages she was reading to look upon the boisterous adevnturer who had called her name, even though she knew very well who it was.
Her long, pointed ears - that displayed her elven blood explicitly - twitched slightly as she heard loud steps walking towards her.
'I'm glad he made it back quickly again.'
A smile graced on her beautiful face as she remembered how the boy she was in charge of came to register in the guild, exactly two weeks ago.
She recalled the image of a bright-eyed boy very well. After all, it was quite the memorable scene. A 16 year old, screaming on the top of his lungs to become an adevnturer with the most innocent smile she had seen.
A light shake of her head made the thoughts fade, as she readied herself to greet her dear adventurer. Thoroughly fixing her clothes, glasses and hair before presenting a bright smile.
"Welcome back, Bel-"
Her giddy voice was quickly cut off with a yelp as a bloodied figure ran through the door.
"Miss Eina, I need your help!"
* * *
"You know Bell, after getting covered all over in blood, you should really get a shower..."
Eina let out a comment as she scrunched her nose. Feeling the stench of Minotaur blood overwhelming her senses, especially since they were heightened due to her heritage of being an elf.
Bell knew very well that coming to the Guild, covered in crimson blood was nothing short of foolishness. But what else could the boy do when he felt like he was going crazy?
His eyes traced the expression of acceptance on the elf's face as his ears were dyed scarlet. Feeling a little embarrassed at the berating of his Guide.
"Anyways, why did you suddenly come here in such a rush?" Questioned the bespectacled as she raised her glasses. "Even if you really are that excited, you would've exchanged your loot for Vali's first. Yet here it is, hanging off your pouch."
Eina pointed her slender finger at the bag hanging off of Bell's cinder belt. Her flawless hand, holding her head high as she gazed at the squirming figure of Bell. Recovering quickly, in a business-like tone.
The boy glanced around erratically, eyelashes fluttering - almost as if he had something to hide.
"I-I was wondering if you had any information on Ais Wallenstein..?" stuttered the youth.
Eina raised an eyebrow at the bizarre question. However, the realisation immediately dawned on her when she pieced two and two together.
"You got saved by Ais Wallenstein, and then fell head over heels for her?"
Eina let out a short gasp of confusion, especially since she was sure that Bell had no troubles from the floors 1-5. Unless...
Her face got more frightening the more seconds passed. Eyebrows scrunched up in implicit fury, as she calmly let out her voice.
"Don't tell me you went to the deeper floors, even knowing very well that you are doing this solo?!"
Bell quivered at the wrath of the half-elf, even though it was silent.
"Bell?!"
Maybe not silent...
The boy let out his breath as his finger awkwardly scratched his cheek. Fully recounting everything that had happened. His eyes, frequently glancing to look at Eina with slight fear.
'I'm done for...'
His thoughts spiralled as his story continued. His nervousness causing him to fiddle with his thumbs.
Not taking awareness of a ring that had been wrapped around his finger since his departure from the dungeon.
---
[A/N: Bell will have his character development quite early within the story, so please bear with it for a few chapters. After that the story will truly begin.
This was more of a filler chapter to set everything in place and stuff, the chapters from now on will definitely be more interesting.
And please send comments, or even power stones for motivation. Anything will do ;( ]
