1 - Welcome To Orario

Approaching the huge gates ahead of him, a boy with white hair and ruby eyes looked upon it with an expression of enlightenment. He has a slim body and no equipment whatsoever, except for a knife that was attached to a scabbard at the side of his hips. His clothes were all black and were a bit baggy, letting the boy free will on his movement.

Without faltering his excited expression, the boy passed the gates, where the sun hit him for a few seconds. It was only afterward, in the crowded streets of the city and the chatters all around him, that he saw the scenery in front of him. His hands were trembling from the sheer happiness he was experiencing, setting his feet in the city.

People didn't pay much mind to the boy as he was getting bumped by some older guy in clad armor with a two-handed axe in his hands. Most of the people were wearing armor and having weapons within themselves as they walked the streets, this wasn't new for the white-haired boy as well.

After all, this was the city of adventure, Orario.

Bell POV

I finally arrived in Orario! It's been so long since I was waiting for this moment. But seeing it on my own is really something else! There are so many people, I feel a bit out of place though…

Walking through the main streets, I could see many shops that were selling diverse objects that had their own utility. So many of them I didn't know what bit even was, this is awesome! But I'm not here to buy things today, I have to find a familia as soon as possible…

I'm new here and I have no equipment nor do I have the Valis to sustain myself, this is really not starting well. I sighed knowing that I went to Orario in haste, not thinking over things like these. But that doesn't mean I'll give up either, even if I have to go through every familia in the city!

It was no use to sulk around and do nothing, so, I went to talk to people around finding clues about gods that could recruit new adventurers. Going through the shop[keepers to the passersby on the streets, I wanted to know if any god would accept someone like me.

This went out for a few days, trying to get invited to a familia but nothing happened. I was declined by most of them, even saying that I shouldn't waste their time! This was getting really frustrating, but I wasn't giving up on hope, I'm sure someone would take me in their familia!

Although giving this has been a few days, and I have next to no Valis, my clothes were starting to accumulate dust and being ragged. I couldn't afford most food but by helping some people, I was able to get at least a meal per day. It may have been miserable, but it was way better than nothing.

Today was another day that I was denied by many familias, even if I couldn't get the chance to meet their God. I was walking near the tower of Babel, the main place for adventurers, since it was at this place that the dungeon took place.

No one knows how many floors there are in this tower, as some say that the building itself was piercing the sky at how high it was from the whole city. Being at the center of Orario, no one could miss it, and was even a point of guidance for those still new to the city, just like me.

People kept entering and exiting the tower, more injured than most as I was admiring it from afar. Since I'm not in a familia, I can't enter the dungeon, it would be complete suicide for a rookie like me. As the sun was setting down, I looked at what little valis I had for the last few days and it wasn't even near enough for satisfying my hunger.

Slouching my back at the wall close to me, I was about to sit down as I sensed a pair of eyes staring at me. It was unsettling and I looked to see who was looking at me from up there. When I raised my head to see the person in question, I saw a pair of golden eyes gazing at me, a curious look in their eyes as their face was stoic, demonstrating no emotions.

"Are you an adventurer too?" She was asking me with a tone of voice that was as stoic as her facial expression. I was taken aback since this was the first person that engaged in a conversation with me! I was shocked for a moment, keeping my eyes on her.

She was beautiful with her golden hair going with the flow of the wind, and her pair of golden eyes l; looking down at me. Her body was rather slender as she was wearing some kind of armor, one that was light enough to not render her movement. After some moments of staring at her, I came back to my senses and blurted out incomprehensible words.

She seemed to be more confused than anything and after a while, I took a deep breath, concentrating, trying to avoid getting embarrassed with my flushed cheeks deepening in red.

"I, erm… want to be one, but I haven't found a familia that would accept me…" Saying that I was sure that she would leave me, but I was surprised when I felt movement next to me, now the girl sitting next to me.

"Wh-what are you doing…?"

"You seemed lonely." Her answer was short, but I couldn't help but sheepishly smile at this. It made me feel good that someone was kind to me like this. I could cry right now if I wanted but her presence was rather soothing for me, feeling warm beside her and making the atmosphere more comfortable to talk between us.

"I'm new to the city, so I don't know m-many people." Even though it felt easier to talk to her, I couldn't help feeling shy with a girl, I mean this is technically my first time talking to one!

"So you don't have a familia?" She tilted her head to the side slightly, looking at me. It was honestly cute seeing her acting like this. Although I know she was right, I didn't want to be avoided when she is the first person that stayed with me.

"I, well umm… yeah." But I was also awful at lying or keeping secrets. There's no real reason behind this, I just hate keeping things away from people. But as the seconds passed after my answer, the girl didn't move from her position as she was maintaining eye contact with me.

"Hm, I can always offer you a place in the Loki familia." D-did she just say Loki…? Like, the Loki familia?! Is she a member of it, that would be incredible!!

To say I was in stupor was an understatement, I had no words that could come after this, so I was silent for a while. Looking at Ais, I could see that she looked at me with slight concern in her eyes, since she has no expression on her face.

"Did I say something wrong?"

"N-no, not at all! I was just surprised that you would mention Loki of all the familias. You must be really strong if you are one of its members!!"

"Yes, but I want to be stronger." Her look in her eyes changed in a matter of seconds as I could see her determination in her eyes from the very words she said. I was taken aback by this but at the same time, I envy her resolve. I know that every adventurer has a similar goal, but her passion was something that I didn't see in anybody I encountered.

"That's amazing…" She seemed to be surprised by it as she looked away from the scenery of the busy streets of Orario, bounded by people doing all sorts of business. It was only after a few seconds that she turned to me.

"What's your name?" Her full attention on me, that look of curiosity made me flustered, looking down at the concrete. A wide blush spread on my cheeks as even the tip of my ears was having a faint reddish color.

"B-Bell Cranel, that's m-my name."

"I am Ais Wallenstein." The moment I heard her name, My head rose up to meet her eyes still staring at me. My heart was beating at an alarming pace just by looking at her golden irises.

Growl

The moment the sound was heard, a deep red blush went across my cheeks, even redder than before. I was so embarrassed that I just wanted to walk away this instant. Another growl went by as I was looking down. I want to be away in this very moment…

"Are you…hungry?" She asked me in such an innocent way, I couldn't deny it and slowly nodded my head. I then heard movement next to me as I see Ais standing up as she extended her hand to me. Although she wasn't smiling, I can see the kindness in her eyes. It's weird, in that short amount of time that I've met her, I can tell how she expresses herself through those two golden orbs.

"I-I can't accept Ais! You've already done so much to me." But even with those words, she wasn't moving as she kept having her hand within reach of me as she waited there.

"Are you not hungry? Your stomach was making sounds." I was about to argue about that but then she said something that just made me have no counter.

"And if you're new here and aren't in a familia even if you want to be an adventurer, doesn't that mean that you have no Valis?" Although this was hard to digest, she was telling the truth. I guess I don't have much choice here…

I smiled at Ais as I took her hand, she lifted me up without any effort as I matched her pace of walking. All around us, people were whispering to each other. Some were laughing as others blush looking at us, I wonder what they are saying, maybe Ais is really famous around?

"We're here." It was after a while that she stopped walking as we were faced by a building that looked fancier than the others around. There was a lot of chatting inside, but we only could hear muffled noise.

Looking up, there was a sign that was dangling with the wind that has an inscription on it.

Hostess of Fertility

…Somewhat, I feel like this could sound so wrong.