2 Is it wrong that I like her already?

Tia... Or rather, Hestia led me through the labyrinth that was Orario and pulled me into a bookshop. The owner smiled at us as we entered, but then left to give us some privacy.

After that, Hestia led me to a room in the back, filled with towers of books all around. As she did, she turned to me and said, "I'm sorry, Bell. It's a bit messy, but I wanted to welcome my first Familia member in a place surrounded by books."

I shook my head. "It's fine, Tia. I'm rather fond of books myself."

Hestia gasped and stared at me with sparkling eyes. "Really?!"

I nodded. "Really. Though... with the rate I read them, I guess it probably looks the opposite..."

Even Bell used to read those storybooks his grandfather gave him. As for me, well I burned through hundreds of thousands of words every day and wrote thousands, so... yeah.

Hestia smiled. "Amazing! This... maybe my luck's turning around?"

"I'd say it's more my luck." I let out a wry smile and said, "To be honest... I don't really have much to offer you, Tia." I hefted my bag and said, "All I've got are the clothes on my back and this bag, you know?"

Hestia shook her head. "It's fine! I don't want my Familia to worry about that!" She puffed out her chest and said, "Leave it to your goddess!"

I smiled and said, "Then I won't say I'll pay you back. Instead... I won't let you down, Tia."

Hestia smiled back at me. "Then... should we get started?"

I nodded and pulled over a chair. Afterwards, I spun it around and sat down. When I did, I took off my shirt, exposing my back to Hestia. "Like this?"

"B-Bell!" Hestia stammered and covered her eyes. "A-Aren't you embarrassed?!"

"Hm?" I paused and then nodded. "Well, I guess. My body's still not very well trained, so it's a bit embarrassing to show off this scrawny build, but it's not like I have anything to hide."

"That's not what I-" Hestia sighed and then shook her head. "Never mind." She pulled over a chair and then sat down behind me. "In that case... Shall we welcome you into my family?"

"I'd be delighted."

I couldn't see her from my point of view, so I just waited.

"Then I'll start." Hestia's voice echoed, and then a sharp scent filled the air. Blood... but sweeter than that. At the same time, I felt something 'else'.

Similar to the presence I felt everywhere that was 'off', but different at the same time.

Before I could dwell on it, something light brushed against my back.

And then my world changed.

Was this what it was like seeing color for the first time?

All at once, I could 'see' everything that I was feeling. A thin mist cloaking everything that felt warm and fluffy. 'Mana.' Not only that, but a pure and pristine white light emanating from behind me, feeling like a soft campfire. 'Divinity', or rather, Hestia's divinity.

Not only that, but I could sense something being added to me. And with that addition, a connection. Warm, just like Hestia. No, it 'was' Hestia. Her blood, her essence, her divinity.

"H-Huh?!"

Hestia's surprised voice echoed from behind me.

I glanced back and said, "Is something wrong?"

"N-No. But... Um, Bell... Your Status..." She shook her head and then handed me a slip of paper. "Here. Take a look first."

I grabbed it and did as she asked.

xxx

[Bell Kranel]

Lv. 1

Strength: I 0

Endurance: I 0

Dexterity: I 0

Agility: I 0

Magic: I 0

Energy Manipulation: I

Compilation: I

[Magic]

Quantum Magic: Instant Magic

[Skills]

Liar's Phrase - Reality is nothing more than the lies we tell. Growth is determined according to the user's will. External influences are subsumed and overwritten.

xxx

"...Huh."

Bell didn't know much about stats... but from Hestia's reaction and my vague memories, I was pretty sure my status was off.

For one, I was pretty sure 'Energy Manipulation' and 'Compilation' weren't stats.

For another, I was ABSOLUTELY sure Quantum Magic wasn't a normal thing. Especially if it was Quantum in terms of physics and not Quantum in terms of having miniscule amounts of something... No, even in that case, it'd be pretty extreme.

But the most important part was that skill.

"Liar's Phrase?"

Hestia nodded, a strained smile on her face. "That's right! Bell is... really special! Having magic, a unique skill, and then two unknown developmental abilities... You should be happy!"

Was it because she was afraid I'd leave her after seeing my status? She was clearly pushing it.

I lowered the piece of paper and shook my head. "Don't worry, Tia." I smiled and said, "If you're concerned about me leaving... you're the only person who gave this helpless kid a chance, so I won't leave you behind. Besides." My smile widened and said, "We're family now, aren't we? And family doesn't betray each other."

Hestia stared at me, mixed emotions running through her eyes.

I stared back, keeping on a warm smile.

And then...

"Bell!"

...Hestia let out a watery smile and jumped to hug me.

"Ah! W-Wait, Tia!"

xxx

"I'm sorry, Bell."

Hestia... No, since we were officially family now, Tia and I were heading back to her... 'our' home.

She was leading the way, but because she seemed guilty about knocking me over, she kept glancing back.

I let out a warm smile to reassure her and said, "It's never wrong to express your happiness. Well, unless that happiness has you going around ruining the happiness of other people... But Tia's not the sort of person to do that anyway."

"...You're too nice to me, Bell."

"Only because you're so considerate of me."

Hestia gave me a bright smile... and then that smile started to fade when we arrived.

It was an abandoned church. A towering goddess statue stood in the center of it, but the features were long ground down by the elements.

The building itself was crumbling apart. While there was an iron fence around the perimeter to provide protection from people randomly looking in and there weren't any open holes in the building facing out, a few places were crumbled, letting in the elements. While I was sure that wasn't the case for all the rooms inside, it seemed like there should be at least a few.

Even so...

Hestia lowered her head and said, "I'm sorry, Bell. For a new goddess like me, this is the best I can do."

I placed my hand over her head and said, "It's great, Hestia."

And it really was.

While the place was crumbling apart, it wasn't cold. Maybe I would have thought so before getting my Falna, but I could see it now.

Traces of Hestia's presence. Her warm aura all over, reminding me of a comforting fire and home.

The entire area had her wishes inscribed into them. So even if it was falling apart, that pure wish made up for it.

To me at least, it was more comforting than anywhere else I'd been in this world as either Bell or 'me.'

Hestia glanced over at me, her eyes wide. "You're... not lying?"

"Why would I lie to my adorable goddess?" I patted her head and then laughed before saying, "Now come on. Why don't you give me the grand tour?"

Hestia sighed and said, "Bell... Has anyone ever told you that you're too nonchalant?"

"Many times. But hey." I pulled my hand back and said, "I'm alive. I've got a roof over my head. I have family now... and I've got a beautiful young woman caring for me." I smiled and said, "How could I be worried when I have all of that?"

Hestia blushed and then poked me in the side. "...Stupid Bell."

I laughed.

"Well..." Hestia unlocked the front gate and said, "I'll show you around then. It isn't much, but..." She turned back to smile at me. "It's home."

xxx

After giving me a brief tour of everything, mainly showing me the bathroom, the bedroom, and a basement for storage, Hestia made some tea and sat down on an old couch in the living room.

...Well, I called it the living room, but it was actually a small room off to the side that probably used to be for prayers.

Anyway, we sat down together on the couch and decided to talk about the future. Mainly...

"So what brought you to Orario, Bell?" Hestia sipped her cup of tea and then set it down on the table in front of her. She stared at my clothes... mostly at how worn they were and frowned.

I sipped my tea and then shook my head. "It's just something that I've always wanted to do." I smiled and said, "My grandfather used to always tell me stories about heroes and adventurers. Now that he's gone... and since I didn't really have much else, I decided to go take my chance and try it out." I laughed and then rubbed the back of my head. "Of course, it seems like I underestimated things a bit..."

Honestly, Bell... If you wanted to be an adventurer, you should have at least done some light training! Running, sword swinging... Hell, even some walking! Not only that, but coming here without even making proper plans...

It really wasn't any surprise that guy struggled so hard until I showed up.

Hestia frowned. "Your grandfather's gone?"

"Ah. Yeah." I nodded. "My parents died shortly after I was born and Grandpa took care of me afterwards. When he died a few weeks ago... I didn't really have much else, you know? So I figured I might as well give trying to be an adventurer a shot."

A wave of emotions and memories swelled up at that time. Bell's... and now mine.

As it did, I realized it.

He didn't just want to come to Orario to become an adventurer and be famous. Or rather, should I say that wasn't the only motivation?

It was quiet. Maybe Bell didn't even realize it himself. But I could.

'Does it matter if I die trying?'

A carefree attitude that didn't care whether or not he succeeded. Since he didn't have anything left, he would give it his all. And while he was covering that up with his desire to be a hero...

Underneath it all was a sad and desperate young boy- No, young man who just wanted to find something, anything to hold onto now that his world fell apart.

A pair of warm arms, and then something soft pressing against my body. Hestia.

"I'm sorry, Bell."

"Hm?" I blinked and looked down.

Hestia had given me a hug, putting her head against my chest. "I didn't know."

I smiled and hugged her back. "It's fine, Tia. Well, I guess that's a lie. But it's better now. And that's all that matters."

Hestia leaned back and stared at me, as if trying to see if I was lying... No, not 'as if.'

I felt a strong gaze, similar to the one that I had walking in the alleys. Hestia's divine aura... presence... Authority? Examining my words for falsehoods.

But it wasn't a lie.

Seeing that, Hestia sighed and gave me a faint smile. "You're strong, Bell."

I nodded. "Well of course. All adventurers have to be, don't they?"

Hestia laughed... but then she seemed worried. "But... Do you really need to be an adventurer?"

"Hm?" I frowned. "Why? Do you not want me to be?"

I didn't have too much of a problem with that. Since I got this second lease on life, I was more than happy to spend it doing other things.

...Though, I had a feeling that things weren't going to be that easy.

Hestia shook her head. "No. If you really want to be an adventurer, that's fine. And to be honest... we really do need the money." Hestia shifted her gaze to the cracked walls and sighed. "But even so, to send my first child into the dungeon..." She lowered her head and said, "I'm such a useless goddess... If I was only good at something like Hephaestus or Miach...!"

Her clear blue eyes started to tear up.

Seeing that, I sighed and patted her head. "You aren't useless, Tia."

"But-"

"No buts. And don't worry." I smiled and said, "The dungeon might be dangerous, but I won't take it lightly. I'd never forgive myself if I died and left you all alone, so I'll make sure to run away first. Being an adventurer is cool and all... but being with family is more important. You know?"

I wanted to comfort her. I wanted to make her stop crying.

Unfortunately, I underestimated how emotional Hestia was.

"Bell!" Hestia sniffed and then hugged me, tears streaming down her face.

"H-Hey! Tia- Hestia! Stop that!"

"I can't help it! You're... you're too nice!"

"Tia!"