Hephaestus: Looks Like Hestia's Changed A Bit

Chapter 49 - Hephaestus: Looks Like Hestia's Changed A Bit

A rune appeared in front of Bell. It was the first rune he'd ever written.

"It's so hard to write these runes with mana," Bell murmured.

"The primordial rune isn't from modern magecraft. There are only 18 characters, each with different meanings."

This concept came from the item. The knowledge was vast and complex, enough to overwhelm anyone trying to learn it.

If it weren't for the System helping him absorb and organize all this information, Bell wouldn't have been able to understand it on his own.

Still, it'd take time to master all 18 of the primordial runes.

At the very least, Bell needed to write out all 18 rune characters.

"This rune magecraft looks super advanced, like something from Odin or Skadi/Scáthach."

Although Bell acknowledged Cú Chulainn's strength, but if that were the case, he'd have ended the Holy Grail War in a single day.

If he's not wrong, a proper rune can even force a Heroic Spirit summoned from the Holy Grail to exit. This isn't an exaggeration; it's just the truth.

Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Bell continued inscribing the other rune characters.

Thanks to his meditation skill, Bell's mental state was perfect.

"Very good! Let's start!"

Soon, he began drawing the second rune.

And so, the night passed.

Bell continued to practice until sunrise.

He'd spent the entire night writing.

By dawn, he had dark circles under his eyes, and they were bloodshot, but his expression was still cheerful.

"All done in one night."

He'd successfully completed the basics of rune magecraft, writing all 18 rune characters.

Maybe it's because of the Raiden Shogun template that his talents are beyond a mortal's.

Taking a deep breath, Bell moved his fingers quickly, inscribing each rune in the air.

Though it took nearly thirty seconds to draw all 18 characters, this was incredibly fast.

With further study, he knew he might even be able to draw runes without using his fingers—just by manipulating mana.

But that wasn't something he could master in a single night.

At least for now, Bell could finally rest.

But before that...

With his sore fingers, he traced three runes into the air.

The symbols glowed faintly blue and slowly merged into his body.

These runes were designed to heal him.

Gradually, his exhausted body recovered, and the dark circles under his eyes faded right before his eyes.

"As expected of a rune. The effect is really top-tier."

***

"It's so crowded here in the morning."

During her lunch break, Hestia, who'd been working in Hephaestus's shop, finally had some time to relax.

"After a certain time, adventurers start coming in to maintain their weapons, and that's when the store gets the busiest."

"But why is it so crowded in the morning?"

"Idiot, do you think weapon maintenance can be done easily? Plus, my Familia has limited members. Not every child can take on maintenance tasks."

Smiths and adventurers are complementary. Smiths help adventurers by crafting and maintaining their weapons, while adventurers use these weapons to fight in the Dungeon.

But not all smiths take on just any customer.

There are also Level 3 and Level 4 adventurers in the Hephaestus Familia. They generally don't accept orders casually.

Only the Level 2 smiths, who still need to train, are more flexible about accepting commissions.

Even so, there are few high-level smiths in the Hephaestus Familia, so appointments are necessary.

The higher the smith's level, the more appointments they receive.

Take Tsubaki; her orders are the most sought after, but she typically prioritizes large Familia clients.

It's not about arrogance but rather the fact that she's only one person.

A single smith can only handle so much work. After all, there's a limit to what one person can do.

That's why, during these times, there's an influx of forging and maintenance orders at the Hephaestus shop.

This kept Hestia busy all morning, as she was in charge of a lot of this work.

Hephaestus, noticing Hestia's gloomy expression, quickly figured out the reason.

"You're not looking too well today. Did something happen with Bell?"

"Not at all."

Hestia averted her eyes, clearly not expecting Hephaestus to care.

"Bell is perfectly fine."

"It's just that Bell's been pushing himself really hard lately, and he didn't sleep at all last night. I'm worried that if he keeps this up, it'll seriously affect his health."

"Oh~"

Hephaestus raised an eyebrow, a little surprised.

"For someone like Bell to suddenly chase after power... something big must've happened."

Hephaestus knew from previous interactions that Bell wasn't interested in glory or authority.

So what could have ignited such a desire for power in someone who seemed so modest?

"Hehe~ It must be some goal in his heart that he feels he can't reach without working hard."

Hephaestus looked at Hestia again; she didn't need to ask—she could already tell that Bell was pushing himself for her.

'The goal... it's definitely a big one.'

Hestia found it difficult to explain just how lofty Bell's aspirations were.

"He really is doing it for you, huh?"

Even for Hephaestus, it was hard to imagine just how grand Bell's goal was.

She had suspected that Bell and Hestia's relationship was becoming more complicated.

"Hestia, no matter how ambitious the goal, you need to persuade him a bit. He needs to take it step by step."

"If he neglects his health, how can he take care of himself, let alone you?"

Hestia, sitting on the stool with her chin resting in her hands, her feet in slippers gently swaying, sighed.

Hephaestus, noticing the confusion and helplessness on Hestia's face, figured that the idiot was struggling with how to advise Bell.

"Hestia, you should have a proper talk with Bell."

"The body is the foundation of progress. If that foundation weakens, there's no point in moving forward."

After saying this, Hephaestus waved her hand.

"You can head back after your work is done today."

"Huh? But isn't there more work this afternoon? You said it'd be even busier."

Hestia clearly remembered Hephaestus mentioning that the afternoon workload would be heavier.

"I'm giving you a half-day off today, for Bell's sake."

"Woo! Hephaestus, you're the best!"

An overjoyed Hestia leaped up from her seat.

Since she was granted leave, she wasn't going to waste time.

Bell had just fallen asleep when she left, and now Hestia was anxious about whether his late-night efforts would affect his health.

Without bothering to change out of her work clothes, she hurried out the door.

"I'll bring back the work clothes tomorrow!"

Watching Hestia leave in such a rush, Hephaestus shook her head slightly.

"Looks like Hestia's changed a bit."

She knew of several goddesses who'd become obsessed with their interactions with mortals.

And in her eyes, Hestia—who'd once seemed the most unlikely to change—had started to change as well.

It seems that life in the lower world really does alter even virgin goddesses.

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