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"The Embodiment of Talent, Alfia…"
Bell murmured, the name echoing in his mind—his eyes widening with a newfound excitement. He had never imagined a legend—would be related to him.
"Mika, do you know anything else about my aunt?" Bell asked, eager to learn more.
"Alfia…? I do know a few things," Mika replied, a subtle smile playing on his lips.
Under the cover of night—he shared Alfia's story with Bell: her extraordinary talent, her tragic illness, her decision to become a stepping stone for the next generation of heroes, sacrificing herself for a better future.
"So… that's what happened," Bell's eyes welled up as he listened.
For a hero of her caliber to die as an enemy of Orario—it was a cruel twist of fate, especially since she was his aunt, his only remaining family.
"Why, Mika? Why did it have to end like that?" Bell asked, his voice filled with confusion and pain. Mika hadn't hidden his own role in Alfia's death.
However, Bell didn't blame him.
He knew Mika had been forced to act.
But he couldn't understand why Alfia had chosen such a path.
Mika's expression turned serious. "Bell, there are many kinds of heroes. Some choose to become—foundations for others, stepping stones for the next generation to rise. Alfia and Zald were such heroes."
He recalled his battles against them, his voice softening. "They were both dying, Bell. Zald was poisoned, and Alfia's illness was consuming her—They could have lived out their remaining days in peace, their names remembered as heroes of a bygone era. But they didn't. They didn't care about fame or glory. They chose to challenge Orario, knowing they would likely die, becoming—fuel for the next generation of heroes, paving the way for a brighter future. Orario today owes much to their sacrifice. And it was in that battle that I reached Level 6."
He paused, giving Bell time to process his words.
"So—there are heroes like that…"
Alfia and Zald, whose earlier exploits had been the very embodiment of Bell's heroic ideal, had, in their final act, become something even greater, something beyond his comprehension.
But they were still heroes. Of that—he was certain.
"Bell, we are both descendants of heroes. And we are also their inheritors—" Mika continued.
"Inheritors?" Bell was puzzled.
Bell understood being a descendant, but what did inheriting their legacy have to do with him? Surely, that applied only to Mika.
"Yes, inheritors. A hero's legacy isn't just about bloodlines, but about their spirit, their will. I inherited Alfia's will. And when I created the Breath Styles and shared them with the world, that, too, was a form of inheritance—You learned those Techniques, Bell. You are my inheritor. And now, you've joined my Familia. Isn't that... inheritance?"
Bell's heart surged with a newfound determination.
Mika smiled and patted his shoulder. "Therefore, Bell, I believe you, too, can become a great hero."
"A-a hero… like you?"
"Of course!" Mika pointed towards the sky.
"Look, Bell. We are a Familia of Gods, under their protection. When we die, our souls don't reincarnate—they return to Heaven. Your parents, along with the members of the Zeus and Hera Familias, are watching over you—We carry their hopes and dreams."
"My…parents… they're watching me?" Bell looked up at the sky, tears welling up in his eyes.
"Yes. So become a hero, Bell—Just like them, like the heroes of the Zeus and Hera Familias. And—perhaps you could even surpass your aunt, Alfia, the one whose talent was admired even by the gods. With your shared bloodline—it's not impossible."
"Surpass…Aunt Alfia…?"
"I…I understand." Bell's expression turned serious. "I will… I'll strive to reach her level. I want to be a hero just like her."
——
——
"It was you, wasn't it, Mika?"
Alfia's voice echoed in his mind the next evening as he was meditating.
Before he could respond, she continued, her voice laced with a mixture of amusement. "No one else would know those details, let alone share them with Bell. And all those stories…you fabricated most of them, didn't you? The 'Twin Stars of the Hera Familia'—it was so embarrassing!"
"What were you thinking?!"
"Are you finished?" Mika asked calmly, after her outburst.
"Yes!"
"Then I'll explain," Mika said. "I told him those stories to—inspire him. Unlike you, I believe Bell has immense potential. He only lacks the… focus, the drive to unlock it—Therefore, I shared Alfia's story, with a few… embellishments, to strengthen his resolve and give him a goal, hoping to awaken his hidden power."
Alfia, however, was skeptical. "Will that really work?"
"Why wouldn't it?" Mika chuckled. He knew, from the original story, that Bell's Liaris Freese had awakened after he was rescued by Ais.
However, he didn't believe it had been romantic love that triggered it, but rather… admiration, a deep longing to become like her, just as his skill's description suggested.
It was akin to a fan's adoration for their idol.
Bell, having always dreamed of becoming a hero, and having been rescued by one in his moment of greatest need—had experienced a powerful emotional surge, a merging of fantasy and reality. And that was what Mika had tried to replicate.
"It seems my plan worked." He smiled, looking out the window as Hestia rushed towards the manor.
——
——
"Gasp…gasp…"
Hestia's breath came in ragged gasps as she ran.
Having lost her divine powers, her physical abilities were now those of an ordinary human. She was exhausted, but she didn't slow down.
She was too excited.
Bell's awakening had been a miracle.
As her first, personally recruited Familia member, she cared deeply about him—She had been so concerned about his safety after Mika assigned him a special mentor that she had immediately gone to the Yahweh Familia manor to demand an explanation.
Mika had then revealed Bell's connection to Alfia, explaining his intentions, earning Hestia's approval. After all, Alfia was not only Bell's aunt but also a legendary adventurer, considered one of the most talented in Orario.
And she was now Mika's associate.
Entrusting Bell's training to her had been the safest option.
Moreover, he might even achieve a brighter future under her guidance.
And before she left, Mika had made a strange request: to inform him immediately if Bell awakened any skills.
This had puzzled her.
While it was understandable for him to take an interest in Bell, due to their shared connection to the Hera Familia, requesting to be notified about any skill awakening seemed excessive. After all, Skills weren't that rare.
Most adventurers above Level 2 possessed them.
Skills, after all, represented an adventurer's potential.
And potential was unpredictable.
Many Skills had nothing to do with combat. And their effects varied greatly.
Therefore, while most Level 2 and above adventurers possessed Skills, it was those with rare and powerful Skills that were truly exceptional, even rarer than magic.
However, Mika hadn't specified rare skills; he wanted to know about any skill.
Now, she understood.
Bell had awakened two Skills.
And they were incredibly rare, practically unheard of.
Everything was proceeding according to Mika's plan.
This realization only deepened her confusion—How had he known?
Filled with questions, and excitement at Bell's newfound abilities, she rushed towards Mika's room.
"Two rare Skills?!"
Both Mika and Alfia exclaimed upon hearing Hestia's news. This hadn't been part of their plan. Alfia hadn't believed Mika's story would actually work.
And Mika hadn't anticipated such exceptional results. Two rare skills at once?
Hestia, seeing Mika's stunned expression, was puzzled. Wasn't this supposed to be part of your plan? Why are you so surprised? Was I mistaken?
Mika quickly regained his composure, adopting an expression of knowing amusement.
"Two rare skills, you say? Hestia, did you bring a copy of his status sheet?"
"Yes!" Hestia, startled by his sudden shift in demeanor, handed him the paper.
And there, they saw it:
[Liaris Freese]
Precocious.
Effects are linked to feelings of yearning or aspiration.
The stronger the yearning, the greater the effect.
[Hero's Legacy]
Ability Inheritance.
Can inherit a single skill or magic from someone who acknowledges them.
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