In the evening, Bell returned from the Dungeon in silence.
Today, under Adam's guidance, he had visited the 18th Floor for the first time and witnessed Rivira — the bustling city that adventurers had built in the Dungeon's safe zone of the middle floors.
Yet seeing such spectacular sights only deepened his depression.
Raised on his grandfather's teachings and dreams of encountering maidens deep within the Dungeon, Bell finally understood just how naive those thoughts had been.
He should have known it from the moment Ais saved him — the deep levels of the Dungeon were far beyond his reach.
Following Adam's lead today had shown him just how much stronger this new Familia member was, and by comparison, how weak he truly remained.
"As expected, someone as weak as me isn't fit to be the Familia's Captain. It would be better if Adam took over, after all I..." Bell curled into a ball in the corner, wallowing in self-pity.
Adam watched, a vein throbbing on his forehead.
His intention had been to demonstrate the dangers of the deep floors while proving his strength — how had it ended up crushing the boy's fragile spirit instead?
Was the kid made of glass? The kind that shatters at the slightest touch!
Still, Bell finally recognizing his own weakness meant the goal had been achieved.
Addressing the youth who sat questioning his existence in the corner, Adam said, "Hey, Captain! Didn't I tell you that being Captain isn't just about strength — it focuses more on other qualities?"
"..." Bell looked up, his already red eyes growing redder as he gazed pitifully at him.
"Why are you so discouraged just from visiting the 18th floor?" Adam encouraged, "Think carefully, Bell. Goddess Hestia knows about my strength. Yet even knowing how powerful I am, she didn't hesitate to choose you as Captain, and even said there was no one else but you. So stop being so humble — stand tall and properly accept the role of Captain, what do you say?"
"Does Goddess Hestia... know about your strength?"
"Ah, yes, yes." Seeing Bell's mood lifting slightly, Adam pressed on with his encouragement, "Before joining the Familia, I was honest with Goddess Hestia, and she said I was a special case."
"I see." The little rabbit's emotions were too delicate — he bottled everything up inside and overthought constantly, always convinced he wasn't good enough.
"You want to become stronger, don't you?" Adam didn't give him a chance to make excuses, "Before Goddess Hestia left, she told me that you wanted to become stronger."
"...Yes, I want to become stronger."
Bell softly spoke his wish, and despite his quiet voice, Adam could hear the determination in his tone.
"No matter what, I want to become stronger, so I can get closer to that person again."
"Mm, very good." Adam was satisfied with his strong resolve, "In that case, I'll give you a little help, Bell."
"Don't understand? I mean, let me train you a bit, how about it?"
Just 7 days! Until Hestia returns and the Monster Feria ends — these 7 days.
Although she didn't want to burden him, Adam could accept spending this much time if it was just one week.
"So, what do you think, Bell?" He asked considerately to the one huddled in the corner, "If you want to refuse, that's fine too."
"No! Please teach me, Adam!" Hearing that a strong person would train him, Bell immediately agreed, his desire to become stronger leaving no room for hesitation.
"Well then... without further delay, let's begin now."
"First, let me see what you can do." Adam cleared some space in the empty church, "You know my strength, so there's no need to hold back. Show me just how strong you are right now."
"Yes! Please be careful!" Bell drew his short dagger and charged straight at him.
Adam didn't draw his sword or even move. He stood perfectly still, as if unaware of the attack coming at point-blank range.
Only when Bell's dagger was about to pierce his shoulder did Adam react — twisting his waist and shifting his shoulder to dodge the strike while extending his right foot into Bell's path, instantly tripping him to the ground.
"Your intentions are too obvious, Bell." He said to the youth lying face-down, "Your eyes were fixed on my shoulder from the start. Were you trying to repeat what you did before when you defeated the Kobold in the Dungeon?"
"Bell, humans are different from monsters. The monsters in the Dungeon have no reason — they only fight to the death. But humans have wisdom and rationality, and eyes that are good at detecting things, just like how you notice monsters' stiff movements when they attack you. Pay more attention to your opponent's movements and make better use of your talents."
Bell silently got up from the ground.
Though he didn't speak, he had taken the teachings to heart. Now, he was eagerly absorbing the experience being passed down by the strong.
"Yes! Please be careful!" Bell charged forward once more.
"Use 70% of your strength and keep 30% in reserve! Don't just attack with full power — you need to keep some energy for changing moves, otherwise your body will become stiff and show openings."
"Speed is your natural talent, but it's not just for running away — it also lets you attack enemies more quickly."
"Stop closing your eyes when attacking! If you can't see, how will you dodge incoming attacks?"
And so, under Adam's guidance, Bell would get up only to be knocked down again with increasing frequency.
They only ended the training when Bell was black and blue all over and completely exhausted.
"Are you alright, Bell?"
"You can't even speak clearly and you say you're fine." Adam shook his head, helped him sit against the church wall, and used〘Heal〙on him.
One thing worth praising was that despite the beating, Bell didn't cry about giving up like the crybaby Subaru would. Instead, he gritted his teeth and trained desperately, all to become stronger.
Green light emanated from Adam's hands, enveloping Bell's body. Moments later, his injuries were completely healed.
Bell stood up, testing his arms and legs, amazed to find his body — which had been too battered to move moments ago — was now completely fine.
"This is your magic, right?" He watched the light fade from Adam's hands, his eyes full of envy, "That's wonderful... I wish I had magic too."
No Skills, no Magic. After Hestia had hidden his only talent, seeing Adam use Magic only intensified Bell's yearning for it.
"About magic..." Adam thought for a moment before continuing, "You know, Bell? There's a special kind of Grimoire that can teach Magic to people who still have empty magic slots."
"Really?!" Bell's excitement was immediate.
"It's true, I guarantee it." Adam nodded, "These Grimoires can be purchased, though they're often in short supply. But as long as you have enough money, you can definitely buy one."
"Short supply..." Bell seemed to catch on, "You mean Grimoires are very expensive?"
"Ah, very expensive. One Grimoire costs around 200 million valis."
"T-Two... hundred million?!!!!" Bell's voice shot up several octaves.
"By the way, Bell, you seem like you really want magic."
"No, no no no no! I don't want it, I don't want it at all!" Bell backpedaled, frantically waving his hands and speaking words that contradicted his heart, "I don't want a 200 million valis grimoire at all!"
"Hahaha, don't be scared." Adam patted his shoulder encouragingly, "If people don't have dreams, how are they any different from fish? So... 200 million valis, isn't that exactly the kind of small goal you should set for yourself, Bell?"
"What do you mean small goal? That's 200 million valis..."
"Just 200 million! You need to have confidence in yourself!"
Seeing Adam so excited, Bell could only sigh helplessly and stopped arguing.
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