Chapter 31: Altena. Athena

"We will arrive soon at the port of Altena, Lady Freya."

A member of the Freya familia spoke to the goddess as he kneeled to her in reverence.

"So it seems...have all the familia members remain on standby. Under no circumstances will you engage in any hostile activity. Am I clear?"

Freya spoke in a commanding tone. The familia member complied dutifully.

"As you wish, Lady Freya"

Freya watched with laced eyes as her familia began to ready themselves throughout the ship.

'You are quite the troublesome fellow to catch...aren't you, Odr?'

The goddess playfully thought to herself about the happenings which occurred.

After confirming Bell's presence was gone from the Artemis familia's camp, Freya's familia began to scour to find traces of the vigilante.

Where the Aphrodite familia failed...the Freya familia succeeded.

They were far more adept and skilled at tracking down individuals.

The whims of Freya tended to be far more intricate and more complicated to fulfill than those of Aphrodite.

'We were able to track him down after a while... Altena... what does Bell plan to do now?...'

Though Freya was willing to travel wherever to continue watching over Bell Cranel, Altena posed... a few problems for the goddess and her familia.

'We aren't coming with any ill intentions, and I plan for my familia to act more discrete during our stay...even if we get into a scuffle with ????, it will simply be a temporary setback.'

There was a reason Freya had ordered her familia not to engage any hostiles... because they would soon come face to face with the might that cemented Altena as a major power of the continent.

? ? ? ? ? ?

"Talk about the divine and they will surely hear, not a minute too soon, you're still as dutiful as ever aren't you...Athena..."

Freya said with a small smile on her face. Finding the entire response to her simple visit rather too much.

? ? ? ? ? ?

In a matter of moments, a ship far larger than the one Freya's familia had procured for their journey, positioned itself beside them.

The ship was a Galleon of intricate design and aesthetic.

Lines of powerful conventional and magical weaponry lined the sides of the ship.

A lone of silhouettes began to appear on the ship, said figures that soon leaped off of the large ship and landed deftly on Freya's ship.

Out of the many figures that lay before Freya, there were two that stood out.

A tall man of olive skin, white hair with red strokes, and donning upon his muscular figure an intricate armor of foreign design.

Beside him was a fair maiden who radiated the aura of the divine. With long lush creamy white hair. Her eyes appeared as if she could understand anything she looked upon.

Freya smiled as she moved forward to greet the figures she recognized in an instant.

"It is a pleasure to meet you once again. Odysseus, Athena."

Athena narrowed her eyes as she looked at Freya.

"I won't be giving away Odysseus, nor his wife Penelope, nor their son Telemachus, Freya."

Athena began to let her divine aura radiate off of her body.

The last time the two goddesses met, Freya attempted to recruit the Athena familia's most precious members for herself.

Odysseus and Telemachus made up the high ranks of their combat capability, and Penelope was a valued magic scholar of Atlena's academy.

Mortals whose capabilities and souls piqued Freya's interest.

So Athena was naturally hostile from the start.

"Calm down, dear Athena. There's no need to worry about that anymore. That was just a momentary whim. I have moved on to more...eye-catching pursuits..."

Athena began to analyze what Freya could've meant by what she said, but her thoughts were cut off as Freya began to chat with Odysseus beside her.

"Have you been well, Odysseus? How are your wife and son doing?"

The elite soldiers of Altena began to falter slightly as Freya's charm began to radiate off of her body.

It wasn't an intentional decision by the goddess. Merely the consequence of her sheer beauty.

But Odysseus remained unfazed. Seemingly unaffected by the goddess' aura.

"I and my family have been doing well, Lady Freya. Thank you for your concern."

Freya smiled silently as she observed him. His stoicism was what drew her interest.

'His soul would be a cold unfeeling shade of light gray... but it would soon become a beautiful cacophony of colors whenever he talked to his wife or son... it is a shame he's so loyal to Athena.'

Freya wished to acquire the entire family for her familia to appreciate the beautiful colors of all their soul.

'But now I have Bell. I no longer feel any desire for Odysseus and his family anymore'

The goddess' manipulating nature began to take hold. Something she put to a stop as quickly as it set on.

"State the business you and your familia have in Altena, Freya. I doubt the strongest familia of Orario decided to just take a vacation for the fun of it."

Athena spoke out to Freya in the same serious tone as before.

Her divine aura partially manifests a pair of divine constructs.

The silhouettes of a spear and an aegis.

Seeing the tense atmosphere and the less experienced members of her familia begin to almost break under the pressure exerted by Athena, Freya began to speak to clear up any misunderstandings.

"As it so happens Athena... we are visiting Altena for a vacation."

"..."

Athena stood silent. Her keen eyes began to observe Freya, though Freya was adept at negotiation and controlling her emotions, she could tell that Freya was telling nothing but the truth.

"Ha?-"

The absurdity of it made the dignified Athena act out crassly.

"Though it might be more apt to say it's only a vacation for me. It's tiring running the strongest familia you know? I'm sure you're quite aware as a fellow head of a prominent familia~"

Athena continued to be baffled by what Freya was saying. The Freya Athena knew was not a person who complained about work but the intention that she wanted to rest was nothing but a resounding truth in her mind.

"..."

But it was still too suspicious. Seeing the glint of distrust in her eyes, Freya began to appeal to Athena's sensibilities as a ruler of a nation-type familia.

"Economic investments and higher preference with lower commission rates for any requests you might have for my familia."

Hearing what Freya proposed, Athena began to ponder heavily on it.

Altena wasn't in particular need of any assistance, but the presence of the world's strongest familia would increase trust and confidence among citizens, travelers, and businesses in the nation.

Considering the current situation, Athena would stand to lose if she continued to press the issue...so she relented.

"Alright...but our forces will escort you to the port. Unrest may occur among the citizens if they see Orario's strongest familia enter the country by themselves."

With her entry assured, Freya happily complied.

"It will be alright, Athena. Feel free to keep watch on us for as long as you want as long as it keeps your mind at ease~"

Sensing the teasing superiority that underlined Freya's words, Athena simply continued to remain vigilant.

'Freya is here for something and if it's her it's someone she's after... someone who is currently residing in Altena...'

The goddess of knowledge began to formulate countermeasures should she get lost in her whims...

'Too many nations and settlements have fallen prey to strife due to the search of Freya's Odr...with Ottar by her side, a confrontation will be hard fought...but if Odysseus has enough time to prepare his magic...we might have a chance.'

Athena glanced at her familia's captain, Odysseus.

Though he was only a level six, if placed in the correct conditions... he could fight with the capabilities of a level seven.

'Freya will have her way one way or another... so better it is done on my terms.'

Athena observed Freya smiling giddily to herself as the ships began to make way for the port. Pity in her thoughts.

'Just what poor soul has become her Odr this time?... I can only pray they don't get played around by her whims too much...'

With the sea breeze blowing against her hair, Athena would soon learn who exactly the goddess' fated one is... in a more intimate manner than she expected.

...

..

.

'We meet again my archnemesis...long lines...'

Bell tiredly thought to himself as he looked at the number of people waiting in front of him.

'Immigration was already long enough...now I have to wait in another line...at least the weather is windy...I don't have to suffer for so long under a hot sun like in Orario...'

Though Bell hated waiting for so long... the unique scenery around him alleviated his grievances a good bit.

The white stone architecture incorporates nature and water into its aesthetic.

'The perfect mixture of sunlight and wind...the lively atmosphere...Athena is the goddess of knowledge. This level of urban development puts even Orario to shame'

Bell was quite ecstatic to explore the dungeon city he read so much about in his past life, but Altena beat it in terms of travel appeal if he ignored his emotional attachment to Orario.

'The only noticeable drawback would be the high population of elves...a good number of them came from forest settlements, so I have to keep my every action in mind to not offend their traditions.'

The elves that Bell had encountered in his brief walk around the nation all displayed a rather reserved nature.

Most of them avoid eye contact or any element that might trigger an interaction.

'Well, given most people come here to study magic, it's only reasonable that these types of people are more common...it'll be beneficial to me as well. I plan to devote myself to studying during my stay here after all.'

Such was the reason why Bell is currently standing in a line at this moment.

A queue of people lined up to a large complex of buildings built atop the waters of the coastline.

A design that evoked "fantasy" with every facet of its construction and appearance.

'The Altenian Academy of Magic...it's rarely mentioned, but the world of Danmachi has a rather complex robust educational system... all that was talked about in the novels were more on the adventurers than academics.'

Bell was lining up to enroll himself as a student in the prestigious school of magic studies.

'Through this, I'll be able to strengthen my foundational knowledge and gain access to the academy's robust library...I'm not confident in my ability to learn...but thankfully I have a cheat.'

Bell wasn't the best student in his past life.

Easily distracted and slow to process large amounts of information. He was below average in terms of intelligence.

Learning systematic knowledge would be a large hurdle for him to overcome...but with his magecraft, it was more than easy enough for him to overcome it.

'Trace a book enough times and you'll be able to understand it through brute forcing structural grasp on it... though this only works on books handwritten by the original authors... and it gives me a major headache...'

...It wasn't as omnipotent of a studying cheat as Bell wanted, but it was enough for him to progress faster than if he were to do it normally...

As Bell continued to contemplate his studying methods, he eventually reached the front of the line and was face-to-face with the registrar for enrollment into the academy.

"Name?"

The elf clerk spoke with a monotone voice. The repetitiveness of the tasks comes through clearly in their voice.

"Bell Cranel"

"Place of birth along with identification seal?

"Colchis village...and here's my seal..."

"Installments or a single payment for enrollment?"

"Single payment..."

"Insert the necessary coins into the counter..."

The rather brisk and unemotional conversation continued for a few moments...and Bell was finally a student of the academy.

'When I heard this place was an academy...I expected an entrance test where I would encounter the cliche proud noble...it looks like my dreams to live that trope will be for another time...'

The system of education for the magic academy of Altena was quite different from the educational system of Bell's previous life.

It would be best described as "independent progression" if described shortly.

Resources of the academy are separated into grade levels.

One can increase their rank by choosing to participate in a monthly examination.

Due to the diverse age ranges and schedules of students wishing to enroll in the academy, there is no set schedule for them to undertake.

Instead, all students are given the resources befitting their rank and study independently until they can move up a rank within the academy.

'There is no itinerary for progression in the academy. So long as you continue to pay the tuition, you can continue to study with the resources of your rank.'

The personal library of the academy. Lectures on various subjects to take at your leisure. It gave students a huge sense of freedom to do what they want.

'Aside from the lectures, the academy may not seem different from a public library... but all of that changes at the higher ranks.'

The reason why so many people pay the tuition of the academy when they can just study at a public library... was because of the immense benefits one can gain at the higher ranks.

'Athena, as the goddess of knowledge, stockpiles immense amounts of rare books that become accessible at higher ranks. A tantalizing proposition to any scholar... in addition to that, the academy secretly serves as the familia's scouting area for potential recruits... as a result of this fact being known, the ranks of the academy became a major boon to a student's resume if they choose to quit studying and start working. On top of the rare possibility of being recruited into the Athena familia.'

It was a unique system of education... something that Bell liked immensely.

'This way I don't have to be pressured to find books that can work with my cheating strategy...it's time for me to channel my inner murim protagonist with an AI.'

Recalling scenes where a character would instantly memorize a book by flipping the pages insanely fast...Bell would one-up them by simply touching the books and understanding them completely.

'Watch out world...Bell Cranel will soon become the smartest mortal this world has ever known!'

Bell's confidence only lasted until he entered the first floor of the academy's library. A sector accessible to all students of all ranks, and the only sector new enrollees could use.

"..."

Bell's confidence was shattered immediately.

'I'm going to drink a lot of coffee... and touch a lot of books...'

...

..

.

Two weeks have passed since the day Bell's dreams of an easy student life flushed down the drain.

"And so... as a result of the civil unrest in the empire, caused by the appearance of a monster invasion brought about by the Emperor..."

A lecturer spoke eloquently in a hall filled with a few students.

It was early in the morning. A time when few of the academy's students were moving about...but Bell utilized this chance to listen to classes that were essentially impossible to get into later on in the day.

"Mister Cranel? Would you mind answering this question?"

The lecturer turned to Bell as he was the only student who was actively listening and taking down notes...the rest of the class being too engrossed in their sleep.

"Yes, professor. The socio-economic impacts entailed..."

Bell rose from his seat. A menagerie of journals and books surrounded him.

He answered the professor's question with perfect knowledge of the curriculum they discussed so far. Something that brought a smile to the old elven professor's face.

'Bell Cranel...many of the rank one students who enrolled, usually take too long to move along or simply take the resources of the academy for granted... but he alone has shown the most motivation out of all the students so far... perhaps I should write about him to the higher-ups of the familia to keep an eye on...'

The elf who was lecturing this class was a trusted associate of the Athena familia to discern talent among the masses of new enrollees.

He was extremely hopeful of what lay in store for the youth in front of his eyes.

"..."

But unknown to him...as Bell continued to write down notes in his journal...his thoughts betrayed the academic excellence the old elf saw in him.

'The only handwritten books are in the higher ranks... I just need to rank up a few times... and my cheat strategy will start working effectively!-'

Bell was simply motivated so that he wouldn't have to work as much in the future.

...

..

.

"Going to spend the night here again, Bell? I expect that more from the higher rank students, not a rank one. Don't burn yourself out too quickly..."

A night guard of the academy's library was making his rounds and encountered Bell who was beneath a mountain of books alongside a lantern and a concerning amount of coffee.

The elven guard came to know Bell after seeing him so many times. Quickly becoming comfortable enough to speak casually with him.

"Yeah... I appreciate your concern. But I know what I'm doing"

Hearing Bell affirms that his decision was something he truly wanted, the guard relented and went back on his way to continue his duties.

Once the guard was out of sight, Bell let out a heavy sigh. He was extremely tired.

"I guess studying really is more based on listening and raw effort than stuff like IQ... I should be glad all my experiences until now have trained my self-discipline"

Bell's natural ability to comprehend information was beginning to improve as he continued to burn the midnight oil with all his textbooks.

He was improving at a rather impressive rate...but it wasn't enough for the goal he wanted to achieve.

'There's going to be an academy-wide rank examination in another two weeks...I wanted to rank up as soon as possible...but with the coverage of the exam and at my rate of learning...I might need another month before I'm confident...'

Bell was ready for the long haul when it came to learning...but he had a deadline of a year to achieve what he needed to achieve...

'The events of Episode Freya will generally start after a year from today...there isn't an exact date for when it began, so I will need to be in the Kaios dessert early to make sure I don't mess up the story...'

Bell wanted to possibly gain the assistance of the royal prince Arry, but beyond gaining the assistance of a nation, Bell had another reason.

'Arry was only saved because Freya took an interest in her soul while looking for her Odr...now that she has found me and doesn't have a reason to travel to the Kaios desert...there won't be anyone to save Arry and her nation from collapse.'

Confirming the time limit on his academics. Bell went back to work...only to find out he ran out of textbooks.

Seeing this, he began to move across the library. A book in his hand.

'A library map that's a book that would put encyclopedias to shame... how do the librarian of this place even sort this entire collection?...'

Bell pondered the absurdities of logistics this academy must've implemented as he began to scroll through a list of sections.

Crossed lines indicated a row of books Bell had already read and learned.

"Section A-25...A-26...A-27...I'll have to take the elevator to reach there"

With his destination being a floor above where he was at. He began to make his way there.

Walking through the vast shelves of books, Bell was already desensitized to the sheer scale and grandeur of the library.

Only the thought of how much more he had to study went through his brain.

"Collection of magical historical footnotes...where is it?..."

Bell was studying the development of esoteric magic of the past.

Scrolling through the books...his eyes eventually landed on a torn book that was hidden behind the rest.

"...this book better not be some cursed item..."

Bell was rightly afraid of such a possibility.

The librarians warned students to not touch any suspicious books, as the library's collection had some illegal entries of malicious cursed items disguised as books.

"I can't sense any mind...so it should be safe..."

Driven by his desire to break the monotony of his study sessions, Belk reached out to the mysterious book...and nothing happened...

"...well that was a letdown..."

Bell thought it was just a really old book that was simply forgotten... but he quickly changed his mind once he began to read the worn cover of the book.

"Esoteric telling of the arcane arts of the Alv Forest...written by...Riveria...Ljos...Alf..."

It took a few moments for the situation to click in Bell's mind... but once it did... he surged with a burst of energy.

「Trace On!」

Bell immediately began to analyze the book in his hands. Pouring every bit of mind he could into the process.

As Bell's structural grasp began to sympathize with the accrued experiences in the book, memories began to flash in his mind, and images of the green-haired high elf leisurely writing filled Bell's mind.

'So it's true... Riveria wrote this book... and the contents... it's a generalist textbook on numerous subjects!'

Bell became ecstatic. He hadn't processed enough of the knowledge yet for it to fully sink into his mind, but the little he did, he recognized it as extremely beneficial to the current subjects he was studying for.

'The way she explains the topic of magical foundations... I've only been studying for two weeks...and I can already tell how masterful this already is. Lefiya is lucky to have her as a teacher.'

Bell began to praise the high elf profusely in his mind. He was sure this book would be something he would come back to in the future to reference with great frequency...he even felt motivated to read it traditionally to truly appreciate it.

'With this...I'm sure of it...I can pass the upcoming rank examination...'

Bell began to smile widely as his plans were slowly coming together.

'This book is amazing...so why is it so broken and torn?...'

Bell was confused why such a book was so mistreated...and assigned to the first sector of the library of all places.

But then Bell remembered the events of Sword Oratoria in his mind.

'Oh yeah... Riveria and Lefiya are hated in Altena.'

A rule for the world of Danmachi was that the number of obtainable magic spells through the blessing of falna was capped at three for most people...but Riveria and Lefiya were exceptions to the rule.

Riveria's 「Chant Connection」allowed her to derive different spells of varying potency and effects based on the length of the chant she used.

She was able to make use of three separate chants, divided into three different lengths.

Effectively giving her nine magic spells. The basis for her alias 「Nine Hell」

Lefiya on the other hand possessed the magic「Elf Ring」allowing her to quickly learn and utilize any magic used by an elf for her own. Accruing the strengths of numerous elves for her own, she was named with the alias 「Thousand Elf」

'The scholars of Altena somehow find the idea of possessing more than three spells to be something akin to sacrilege... choosing to scorn them instead of acknowledging their efforts to master and effectively utilize so many magic spells... not studying how such abnormalities occurred in the Falna system... I don't get the minds of those people.'

Bell couldn't understand the thought processes of the scholars who scorned Riveria and Lefiya.

'Aren't they given the title of scholar for their pursuits in expanding the knowledge of the world?...choosing to ignore such an interesting phenomenon because they're insecure...I hope I don't meet those people during my stay in Altena.'

Bell realized the foolishness that almost led to the destruction of such a well-made book.

Seeing the smile of happiness Riveria had while writing the book in his memories, Bell couldn't simply stand by as the book was lost to the hands of neglect and decay.

'I should work on restoring this book... there might be more books Riveria wrote that might just be laying around in some corner... now I have more of an incentive to complete my exploration of this library.'

Bell's path was now in his sight... all he had to do now was study like hell.

'I have a few more books to get before going back to my table... so I'll continue to trace Riveria's book as I walk...'

「Trace On」

Memories of the book's creation and contents began to enter Bell's mind. The memory of the sheer amount of information it contained began to solidify in Bell's mind.

'So this is how this concept works...then...wait...HUH?!-'

Bell nearly tripped over as he snapped out of analyzing the memories he had just received.

His face...was flushed.

A scene of a room bathed in gentle daylight.

The sound of serene humming and the stroke of a quill was all that was heard.

Riveria wore an expression that befitted a wise sage... she was happily writing the book Bell considered a masterpiece... wearing a shawl and a risqué nightgown as she did. Her figure was clear for Bell to witness in all its glory.

"White with revealing laces... Riveria hides it well under her robes... but she's quite the woman..."

Bell took a few moments to gather himself, before walking through the library once more.

He was tempted to sneak another peek...but then the smug image of his grandfather and Hermes speaking about a man's romance appeared in his head, clearing all of his worldly desires in an instant.

"Self-control Bell... self-control... you're the one in charge...not your little brother..."

Remembering the promise he made to his Aunt Idyia all those years ago to not become as horrible a pervert as his grandfather, Bell began to fill his mind with his plans for studying.

There was no better distraction from his desires than to bury himself with so much work, he couldn't even spare a lewd thought.

...

..

.

The early moments of dawn break.

The radiant sun rose slowly over the horizon. Shimmering a brilliant glean as it connected to the vast sea surrounding Altena.

The air was cold. Filling the lungs with a pleasant cool.

Walking along the empty morning streets of Altena, Bell was making his way to the academy. Reading a book in his hand as he carried a satchel containing more textbooks and his personal journals.

He has been studying immensely... because today was the day of the academy-wide rank examination.

"The kingdom of Lakrios fell due to a series of famines produced by a cursed monster that led to the kingdom tearing itself apart due to the citizens being unable to eat as the nobles hoarded all the food... leading to an event called 'The Bloody Afternoon'..."

Though it was called the magic academy, students at the lower ranks had to study a variety of topics in order to attain a rank up.

Only being able to specialize their field of study in the higher ranks, where the resources for more niche fields became more available for perusing and utilization.

"History of the ancient kingdom Lakiros is done...now moving on to Fantastic beasts and where to find them..."

As Bell began to rummage through his bag to find the next book he needed to study as he walked, his quill fell out and landed on the street.

Unaware of this blunder, a nearby girl began to smile brightly as she noticed this chance.

Walking up to Bell slowly, holding the quill in her hands as if she never wanted to let go. Her hair long hair lightly swayed with the morning wind, her violet eyes gazing at Bell and only Bell...the girl called out to him.

"Um...excuse me, sir? I believe this might be yours..."

"Hm?.."

Bell noticed a serene voice call out to him... the tone of it was... familiar to his mind. But he couldn't seem to get a grasp on it.

Turning his head to the person who spoke. He was immediately struck by her beauty.

The woman who had called out to him had long silk-like hair that reached to her waist. Styled to hang on her right side, covering one of her eyes, causing the other to become more prominent.

The shade of violet that it emitted was captivating for Bell. For a moment...he was charmed by her...

'Wait... doesn't she look familiar?...'

But before Bell could lose himself in admiration...his mind struck him awake. It was as if it stopped him from committing a mistake he would soon regret. He didn't know why...but his senses were screaming at him that he was in extreme danger.

'Gray hair that borders on silver in some parts...her bangs covering one side of her face...and violet eyes...wait...OH, FUCK-'

Bell was so immersed in his studies for the past month that he neglected a key detail of his travels...that being the fact a goddess was trailing him everywhere he went...alongside her children who could currently beat him senseless if he wasn't careful.

'That appearance should be Horn's...but it would be impractical for her to be here...so this must be Freya fully taking on her appearance...rather than the amalgamated form that was Syr...'

Bell concluded the truth of this situation in just a few moments...a few moments he analyzed in silence.

With Bell only staring at her, the goddess began to call out once more to him.

"Excuse me...sir?"

Waving her hands lightly in front of his face, Bell snapped out of his thoughts immediately. Readying a reply quickly.

"Oh!- I'm sorry. Was a bit lost there for a moment...thank you for picking up my quill. It would've been very troublesome for me to lose it today of all days..."

'Well. I could project one at any moment if I really did lose it...'

Finally hearing Bell reply to her, the disguised goddess was ecstatic and began to move the conversation along under a new person she had developed for herself.

"Then I'm glad that I found it before it was too late... you must be a student of the academy of magic. Only students tend to carry such thick robes and that many books."

The disguised goddess commented on Bell's appearance. A black turtleneck with an equally black pair of baggy pants, all covered by a long and thick red wool cardigan.

Spending so much time in the library that would get rather cold late at night as he studied, Bell adopted the clothes most of the other students wore while inside the academy.

The magic academy didn't have a prescribed uniform for students. The only semblance of attire uniformity would be the specially made cloaks reserved for higher-ranked students to distinguish their position within the academe.

"Well, I wouldn't blame you...wearing these clothes is more practical for how long I study HAHAHA!"

Laughing at the comment of the woman. Bell turned to her after inspecting himself for a bride moment.

'Let's see the background Freya has adopted for this new persona of hers...'

"By the way...it would seem that we forgot to introduce ourselves. Bell Cranel. A traveler, and currently a student of the Altenian Academy of Magic"

Bell said as he extended his arm to the woman. A gesture she immediately reciprocated with a soft handshake and an introduction.

"It's nice to meet you Bell Cranel. I'm Mardoll. My father and mother run a bakery together by the port."

Mardoll gently clasped her hand on Bell...the sensation of his rugged fingers on her own...it was difficult for her to keep her desires in check at that moment.

"A bakery? No wonder you have the smell of bread on you... what's the name of your family's shop? I'll see if I can stop by after the rank exam. I have been feeling a desire for some bread as of late"

Bell spoke as he released the handshake the two shared, something that disappointed Mardoll in her heart.

Hearing his question, the woman began to answer it naturally. The fact it was a ruse she had been creating artificially for the past few weeks didn't show on her face, the emotions as she talked about the bakery...as if it was something she had known for her entire life.

"Please do come! I can guarantee the bread my father and mother dearest bake is one of the best in all of Altena! We have quite a number of customers every day you know!"

Bell couldn't help but find himself impressed at how naturally Mardoll acted. If he didn't have his knowledge as a reincarnator, he would've believed every word she had said.

'Freya's acting really is superb... if her acting skills were transformed into a developmental ability, no doubt it would reach the rank of S with how well she can immerse herself in a role...'

But as Bell was about to conclude the conversation...he realized something that he needed to do.

'Wait... I should probably give some service to Freya...she might be more reserved with me due to her new philosophy of watching the development of her Odr as opposed to actively involving herself... but I should at least keep her satisfied... I wouldn't want her to begin acting rashly because of a build-up of dissatisfaction... the original Bell's obsession with Ais caused so much trouble after all.'

Bell decided to play with the disguised goddess. He hoped it would keep her complacent for a while as he continued his journey...for now wasn't the time for Bell to take action against Freya and her familia.

"I see... Mardoll? Do you help out in your family's bakery?"

Hearing Bell's question, Mardoll immediately replied with her answer. She had been doing her best to immerse herself in her new identity. The goddess will not commit any mistake that might break her role.

"Hm? Oh, I work the counter of our bakery. I'm not skilled enough to work in the kitchen, so I mostly handle the customers as my father and mother bake in the back."

Mardoll spoke with a charming smile. She was confident that there were no holes in her acting... but Bell would soon make the goddess falter.

"wh-?!"

Mardoll flinched as Bell brought his face closer to hers. His sky-like blue eyes gaze directly at her...the proximity of their faces, his heated breath reaching her as white mist under the cold morning air, it was too much for the goddess to handle all of a sudden.

'Is something wrong with what I said?...it can't be...there should be no mistakes for him to pick up on...'

Moving her mind away from the glee she felt being so close to her Odr after such a long time, Mardoll began to wonder what caused such a change in attitude, the goddess didn't even consider the possibility of flirting... she didn't think it possible from what she knew of Bell's personality.

Bell too wouldn't have gone so far as to flirt with the goddess...but after gaining some confidence with how passionate Artemis was with him... Bell took the leap and began to play with the divine heart of the woman who was so enamored with him.

"You work the counter?... You sure it's your parent's bread that made your business so successful, Mardoll?"

Hearing Bell's response, Mardoll was confused at what he could mean. But before long... it became clear to her.

"I mean...with a girl as beautiful as you...I wouldn't hesitate to come by every single day to get even just a passing glance at you."

Bell fired his arrow with precision... and it hit Mardoll's heart perfectly. The unexpected compliment pierced through her mind completely.

"I- Wh- Huh?!-"

Mardoll began to redden profusely as a result of Bell's flirting. The goddess invested so much in breaking through to the heart of her Odr... that she neglected her defenses entirely.

Seeing the fruits of his charm taking effect almost immediately, Bell began to slowly scurry away as he laughed lightly. He didn't want someone like Allen or Hedin to attack him out of sheer anger.

Even at this moment, he could feel the heightened anger of Freya's hidden guards all around.

"There's no need to react so violently, Mardoll. It's a fact that you're beautiful, do you not get compliments like this all the time?"

Hearing Bell's question, Mardoll began to get a grip on her bearing... at least whatever she could get a hold on before replying back to him.

"I-I didn't expect a person I just met to be so... forward with their mind. That's all..."

Mardoll portrayed her reaction to be the result of them just meeting but in her heart, the goddess thought differently.

'It's only natural I would act that way, Odr...masses of gods and goddesses can extoll my beauty for centuries... but a single word from you...would outmatch them all in an instant...'

All the grievances Freya had been accruing from Bell running away from her sight... and being seen philandering with a goddess aside from herself... all of it began to melt away as her passion became ignited.

"Well, just expect me to be more of the upfront type of person...I prefer seeing a person for who they are rather than the smoke and mirrors they often make for themselves."

Mardoll became quiet at what Bell had said, a small tinge of guilt struck her heart, the only meaningful connection she had to him was through the disguises and deceit...with all the time she had spent with Bell as Syr... she had begun to question herself.

'I am a goddess...but I felt the most alive as Syr...surrounded by friends...and cherished by the person I love...who is even...my true self anymore...'

Identity crisis.

For the goddess who survived through cunning.

For the goddess who pushed through by covering her fragile self with layers upon layers of acting; appearing like an infallible goddess of beauty, intelligence, and power.

She no longer knew who she truly was...distorting herself to get closer to whatever form gave her the most sense of being alive...she discarded any semblance of identity to give meaning to her existence.

"..."

Seeing Mardoll turn quiet at what Bell said, he could only think to himself with a soft gaze.

'Another goddess I have to treat with therapy...is there no god or goddess of mental health in Tenkai?'

Bell could only empathize with the broken minds of the deities of Tenkai.

Artemis was a severe case on her own but Bell could feel that Freya's mental scars ran far deeper than the goddess of the moon's.

'Now isn't the time to resolve them. I'm not yet strong enough, not yet allied with enough stronger people. Only when I can topple the empire Freya had built to hide her true self... only then can I unravel who she truly is...only then...can she be set free.'

Now wasn't the time to swear hypocrisy under twilight but Bell would at least make sure the goddess didn't break down as she waited for her Odr to arrive.

"Bell... feel free to call me Bell, Mardoll... it's quite awkward for me to be called by my surname."

Bell spoke with light laughter at the end of what he said. Breaking Mardoll out of her contemplation.

"Expect me to come by your family's bakery later this evening... I'm going to be celebrating a big occasion for myself."

Seeing that Bell was slowly beginning to end the conversation, Mardoll could only regretfully reply back.

"... Is that so?... Then I'll reserve some of our bakery's best sellers for you to try...Bell..."

The goddess was still recovering from her sudden bout of introspection... but that was broken once more by Bell.

"I look forward to it! See you soon, Mardoll!"

Bell spoke out loudly with a wide smile, his brilliant blue eyes narrowing as he did.

Waving his hand in exuberance, the genuine expectation that Bell conveyed warmed Mardoll's heart... her emotions reinforcing themselves even more...

Once Bell was out of sight, Mardoll continued to remain where she stood, her breath heated with desire.

"Haa~...there's no denying it any longer...I really...really want to be yours...Bell...my sweet...sweet Bell... Odr... Odr~"

Where Bell wanted to simply comfort the goddess...he had stirred the obsessive flames in her heart to burn even brighter...his knack for agitating the flames of a woman's obsession threatened to manifest as a skill.

"Allen, Hedin, Ragnar...all of you are to watch over Bell in the academy. Some elves can be quite the proud race, should any of them even consider starting something with my beloved, I expect them to be dealt with quietly but not swiftly, let them regret ever considering harming him, so much so that it sticks with them even in death."

The three familia executives exited the shadows as they conveyed their compliance with a bow.

But Allen spoke up in concern about another matter.

"Lady Freya, who shall escort you? The Gulliver brothers should arrive in a few minutes...so we must wait until their arrival before we can carry out your will"

Freya simply replied back to Allen with a response of her own. Her disguise faltered slightly as her divinity began to mix with her carnal desires. Her violet eyes shifted from violet... to gray... then to a glowing silver hue...

"I'll be fine on my own Allen...Odysseus and his son Telemachus are keeping track of my presence as we speak. Should I encounter any danger, they would no doubt arrive soon to deal with it."

Being reminded about the fact his goddess was being watched like some dangerous beast, Allen alongside Hedin and Ragnar began to seethe with barely restrained fury.

Seeing the behavior of her children. Freya could only sigh before sending them off.

"I understand your anger...but don't cause any trouble...any disturbance to my observing of Bell...and it will be your heads..."

Freya's divinity sent a cold chill down the spines of the level six adventurers. She didn't mind conforming to whatever role or position was given to her. If it meant she could admire the beauty that captivated her eyes...she would be willing to do anything.

"My apologies, Lady Freya."

The three executives immediately apologized with discipline. Freya only responded to them with a dismissive tone.

"It's all right. Start working diligently to make up for your slight... I have some personal business to attend to."

With that, the three executives blended into the darkness once more.

Now by her lonesome, Freya began to make her way to the mansion her familia has rented for her during their extended stay in Altena.

The goddess needed to deal with an aching...one coming from her womb.

"I can continue to deal with this by comforting myself...but aphrodisiacs and sex toys can only do so much. The pleasure of taking Bell for myself... and him taking me for his own... devolving into only our base desires... heated... humid... as I become covered with every part of who he is..."

Freya began to imagine various scenarios in her head.

She had accrued a number of kinks and desires throughout her long life. Imagining herself and Bell in various scenarios with different plays... public... bondage...even imagining herself in a threesome with Bell... Freya considered sharing Bell with another woman in her life, given the fact that she couldn't bear his child as a goddess.

"Ryu really is the best candidate for me to share Bell with, we are quite close as friends and I've detected that her feelings for him have been growing. I also wouldn't mind sharing a bed with someone as beautiful as her."

Freya thought to herself as she reminisced on the fantasy she had constructed where Ryu and herself serviced Bell... all day... all night... without rest... without hindrance.

"...looks like I'll be fantasizing about a threesome today...not that I mind~"

Freya arrived at her mansion and made her way to a deep room inside the premises...far away from the public...where her cries of love couldn't be heard.

? ? ? ? ? ?

A luxurious bed presented itself inside the room, various tantalizing aromas and phallic objects were seen by a desk and on the bed, a plushie constructed in the image of Bell, something she had ordered Ottar to commission in secret.

Entering her fantasy and seeing the plushie as if it were Bell himself...

?????

Freya locked the door behind her as she began to approach the bed.

She tantalizingly moved her body close to the plushie's ear and announced softly.

"Let's consummate our love...my dearest Bell~"

...

..

.

Situating himself in a large lecture hall and preparing himself for the rank exams.

Bell felt a chill run down his back, a similar sensation he had felt when he was reminiscing on Lili just the other day.

"Is someone thinking about me right now?"

Unaware that he was developing a problem his future self would regret, Bell began to focus on his exam.

"Nevermind...I should focus on reviewing...I spent so much time disguised as Gray Ghost, now wouldn't be a bad time to start accruing fame as myself, right?"

Bell intended to make his presence known during his stay in Altena in preparation for the day he would reveal his true identity as a vigilante. Bell would start building up a list of achievements as his true self to make it all the more believable.

"A hero is not only defined by their virtue and adherence to their morals and beliefs but because of their competence as well"

Bell wanted to leave his mark on the sacred halls of learning of the academy to become a scholar of great renown.

Unknown to him at the time, his desire would connect him to a goddess he didn't expect to be able to meet in the first place.

Sipping on a cup of tea as she sat by a balcony overlooking Altena and the sea, situated inside a divine temple that housed the nation's royal family and their patron goddess the Acropolis.

"The wind seems rather gentle today... I wonder what good omen this could bring?"

The goddess of knowledge contemplated the meaning of the mystical nature hidden among the winds.

"I wonder if it will bring something that can satisfy my curiosity..."

Athena looked out to the sky, her eyes piercing gaze running across the endless expanse, she could feel it, an emotion she rarely felt with her broad intelligence and wisdom.

Expectation.

...

..

.

Editor:

Editor-kun#4796

AN:

Thank you for reading this chapter.

Sorry if I disappointed some of you guys who were expecting some face-slapping in the academy's entrance exam that would lead to a duel that would increase Bell's fame HAHAHA.

Give me your thoughts and expectations for this arc. I wouldn't mind inserting some extra events from the comments if I like the idea.

I was luckily able to write this chapter relatively quickly. I've been breezing through my subjects lately...maybe it's due to the fact I no longer have to learn calculus before I graduate.

Anyways, thank you again for reading, and I hope you look forward to the next chapter! Have a nice day!