"W-We should probably head back now…" I murmured, though for some reason, the walk from the shed to the main building suddenly looked a lot longer than before. I almost regretted bringing it up.
When I turned around, she was leaning casually against the wall. Her white top had turned slightly see-through, soaked from the liquid that had splashed on her.
I tried to look away, but no matter where my eyes went, things only got worse.
Her skin glowed softly under the light, and while most people might've been able to avert their gaze, I wasn't nearly that strong-willed.
Who in their right mind would ignore such a view? So, I didn't. After all, she wasn't stopping me.
"But it's nice and cool here… Besides," she said, a faint smile curling on her lips, "there's still more to do inside. I'd really appreciate your help."
I didn't respond—just nodded silently. She sprang up and wrapped her arms around me, sending a chill straight down my spine.
I tried hard not to focus on the soft, full curves pressing against my chest—especially since her soaked top clung to her like a second skin.
"Ohh, my hero," she teased. I couldn't help but smile; she just had to say it. Without another word, she tugged me back inside, and I followed. Hard to believe this all began only a few weeks ago...
Back then, I had just left my small countryside village for the big city—something Grandpa used to talk about all the time.
Orario—the labyrinth city. A shining jewel of the realm where adventurers came to chase fortune and glory. Or at least, that's how it once was.
You see, my grandfather, Zeus, wasn't just anyone—he used to be the god of one of the strongest Familia in the world. Together with the goddess Hera, he conquered the three great quests the world had ever known.
After defeating the One-Eyed Black Dragon, he chose to vanish from the public eye and live in quiet exile. That's when he decided to raise me, along with my Aunt Alfia and Uncle Zard.
The four of us made quite the family—loud, chaotic, and occasionally destructive. Aunt Alfia was constantly scolding Grandpa for being a hopeless pervert… something he proudly tried to pass down to me. Uncle Zard, on the other hand, was the calm one—the quiet peacekeeper. Kind, strong, dependable… just a terrible cook. To this day, I swear my taste buds never fully recovered from his "experiments."
Anyway, I still remember the day after my eighteenth birthday. One of Grandpa's old friends came to visit. She was… different—nothing like the people I grew up around. But considering my family, "normal" was never really part of the equation.
Grandpa explained that I had been given a chance to attend one of the most prestigious centers of learning in all the lands—the Orario Academy. It was a big decision, but I'd always dreamed of seeing more of the world. This was my chance, and I didn't even hesitate. I said yes right away.
Aunt Alfia and Uncle Zard were clearly sad, though they tried to hide it behind supportive smiles. That night, we had a massive farewell feast—thankfully, Grandpa handled the cooking this time, and everyone was grateful for it. Afterward, I packed my few belongings. There wasn't much to take, and my bag looked almost empty.
Before I left, Aunt Alfia handed me a small coin purse—her savings, pressed into my hand with a look that said she wasn't entirely happy but would never stop me. Then came the goodbyes, each one uniquely… them.
Grandpa, as always, tried to give me his version of "wisdom."
"Bell," he said with a grin, "it's fine to peek at girls changing—just don't get caught, that's the trick!"
Then came Uncle Zard, offering what he called "words of courage."
"Don't let anyone push you around out there. Orario can be rough. Remember—punch first, ask questions later!"
And finally, Aunt Alfia gave her heartfelt (and slightly terrifying) farewell.
"Take care of yourself, Bell. Have fun. Oh, and if you ever bring a girl home, tell her I won't go easy on her!"
Not exactly the kind of advice you'd find in a hero's handbook, but I took it all to heart nonetheless. After one last round of goodbyes, I set off for Orario with Lady Hestia by my side, ready to begin a new chapter of my life.
The trip wasn't long—just a couple of days—but Lady Hestia insisted we walk the whole way, even though renting a carriage would've been faster. I didn't mind, though. Those two days gave me a glimpse of more sights and faces than I'd seen in my entire life back home.
When we finally reached Orario, I was stunned. The city was massive—far beyond anything I had imagined. Thankfully, Lady Hestia had already arranged a place for me to stay, or I wouldn't have even known where to begin looking.
Though when she led me to what looked like an abandoned church, I couldn't help but wonder if she was serious.
"Well, here we are! Your new home, Bell!" she said with such cheerful energy that I couldn't bring myself to doubt her.
At least it had a roof—and that alone was more than enough for me. But stepping inside, I was pleasantly surprised. The place was clean and cozy, with a few rooms, a small kitchen, a bathroom, and even a spare guest room. It wasn't much, but to me, it was perfect.
I couldn't have asked for a better start—or a better person to share it with.