It was very early in the morning... the sun had yet to rise.
Judas Spade, washing his face, looked up at the mirror and stared at his reflection.
'Just how monstrous do you have to be to earn the title "Monster of Talent"?'
That was how the gods and adventurers once described her... back during the reign of Zeus and Hera.
Even Ais, the daughter of a spirit whose fame and skill were known across the world, had never received that title.
And Bell from the original anime, who shattered countless records, hadn't been given that honor either.
His mind drifted back to the conversation he'd had with Loki the previous night.
"You know, kid, I'm starting to think locking you up in the mansion might not be such a bad idea."
Loki muttered.
Judas shot her an incredulous look.
"Don't look at me like that."
She said flatly.
"Who's the one going around causing trouble everywhere?"
"You? Afraid of trouble? The Goddess of Mischief?"
His eyes widened into full circles... those were the last words he thought he'd ever hear from someone like Loki.
"Don't talk."
Her expression darkened.
"Because of you, I might not be able to drink anything for a while."
A gloomy aura radiated from her, and Judas immediately understood.
'Ah... I see.'
With the destruction on the city wall, the Guild would no doubt hold the Loki Familia partially responsible.
They walked in silence for a while before Judas spoke again.
"About the plan we discussed earlier..."
"We'll have to wait for Finn and the others to return before putting anything into motion."
Loki replied.
"Until then, go ahead and play disciple-and-master with Silence. The last thing we want is for her to go on another rampage."
She paused, then smirked slightly.
"Besides... it might actually be good for you. Having a Level 7 as your 'master' might be exactly what you need."
When Judas opened his eyes, he grabbed a towel and dried his face.
'A master, huh?'
"Although she says that... why do I get the feeling that training with that woman is just getting beaten up over and over again?"
Still, he couldn't deny that training with Alfia had its benefits.
The amount of high-quality excelia he could rack up just from sparring with her... Judas thought... was comparable to facing a Floor Boss or even a Monster Rex.
After putting on a fresh set of clothes, he nodded once at his reflection and left the Twilight Manor.
The morning air was cold and still... yet heavier than usual.
The eastern section of Orario's wall, once a proud symbol of the city's strength, now bore a jagged scar.
The cracks looked as though the whole structure might crumble at the lightest touch.
Guards patrolled the area, keeping civilians at bay as repair crews began their work.
A lone figure sat quietly atop the wall... one leg propped up, the other dangling off the edge.
'She never specified where we'd meet... I guess I have no choice but to come back here.'
He'd considered meeting at the abandoned church where Belle and Alfia lived, but that would raise too many questions.
There was no reason he should know that place existed.
Since Alfia had told him nothing, he assumed she meant for them to meet at the same place where they had fought.
That was when he sensed two presences approaching.
Strangely, though, he only heard the footsteps of one person.
'She's here.'
He never questioned why that woman made no sound when she moved... only the identity of the person she'd brought with her.
Judas turned his head slightly and caught sight of a familiar silver-haired figure.
Alfia stood at the edge of the wall, watching him.
Without a word, she gestured to someone behind her.
"Huh?"
Belle muttered, stepping forward hesitantly.
She squinted up at Judas, disbelief crossing her face.
"Wait... no way. I-Is that... Mister J-Judas?"
Belle's breath hitched; her words stumbled as her face turned red.
Judas Spade... the person she admired... was right there.
The man who single-handedly resolved the Dungeon Disaster, and the one who shattered the record for the fastest rank-up in history.
And now... the very figure everyone in the city was talking about was sitting right there, staring at her.
'Ah... he's looking at me.'
She fidgeted and clutched the hem of her dress.
'What am I doing? Stop shaking!'
She mustered the courage to glance up at him but, like a startled animal, her gaze snapped back to the ground.
'He's going to think I'm weird!'
Her hands grew clammy as she silently screamed at herself in panic.
Overcome with embarrassment, Belle turned around and tried to run away.
"Where do you think you're going?"
Her aunt's hand landed on her shoulder like an iron clamp before she could take a single step.
"I-I h-have to go to the bathroom!"
Belle blurted out, thinking up an excuse on the spot.
Alfia's eyes narrowed as she stared straight into Belle's red ones.
"No, you don't. Stop making excuses to skip training, or I'll beat the living crap out of you."
Her cold tone made Belle sweat even more.
"Y-Yes, mother."
Knowing Alfia's spartan methods, she understood that if she resisted any further... things wouldn't end well.
"That boy over there... from now on, he'll be your training partner."
Alfia said as Judas walked up to them.
"Hello, nice to see you again, Miss Belle."
He greeted her with a faint smile.
'H-He remembered my name?!'
Belle's heart pounded even faster.
"N-Nice to see you again as we-ell."
She replied, her voice cracking at the end.
She flinched, feeling as though she'd just been possessed by the spirit of awkwardness.
'Come on, Belle... stop being such a nervous mess!'
She mentally scolded herself, then slapped both her cheeks, leaving a visible imprint on them.
"It's an honor to be training with you, Mister Judas."
She said, bowing deeply after a deep breath.
Judas blinked, puzzled, clearly trying to make sense of why Belle had just smacked herself.
"Yeah... we may be from different familias, but I hope we can work well together."
He said, offering her his hand.
Belle's eyes widened.
Realizing he was offering a handshake, she grabbed his hand with both of hers and shook it frantically.
"Okay, that's enough introductions. You're getting too noisy."
Alfia cut in sharply, her gaze now fixed on Judas.
"Now then... let's start today's training, my dear disciple."
---
+15 chapters at patreon.com/drdedot