The other gods living in the household also saw Ais sitting in the living room after waking up and heading out. No explanation was needed; everyone knew why she had shown up so early in the morning. However, today's unusually early arrival might cause some disruption.
For instance, two people were still fast asleep at dawn.
Ais, just like the other goddesses, was stunned, especially upon seeing Freya, Artemis, and Hephaestus—goddesses—gathered within Hestia's Familia. She was so shocked that she could hardly speak.
With Hestia, the Familia God of her own Familia, there, it was an overwhelming sight—four goddesses in one place. That was far too many.
What's more, besides Artemis, both Freya and Hephaestus had their own familias. Why weren't they staying with their own? What were they doing here?
Ais sat quietly on the sofa, puzzled, until her gaze landed on Loki as she returned.
But her attention didn't stay on Loki for long. Her eyes quickly shifted to the teacher standing beside her.
"Teacher."
Ais immediately stood up, her face expressing both apology and anticipation.
Bell rubbed his temples in exasperation.
He knew his student's personality well, and he knew what she was after. It was precisely because of that understanding that he felt a little helpless in the moment.
He placed one hand firmly on Ais's neatly styled hair and gave it a playful ruffle.
"You're way too early, you idiot."
After venting his frustration, Bell finally felt a bit better.
"Fine. I know your mind is on your parents. If I don't take you to pick them up, you'll probably spend your whole break stressing about it."
"Come with me."
Ais's parents had indeed planned to have her pick them up today, though it had come a bit earlier than expected.
Although Bell resented the early wake-up call, he had agreed to it and hadn't set a specific time. If he had, Ais wouldn't have shown up this early.
The real issue lay with him.
"Mhm…"
Ais knew she'd made a mistake and obediently followed behind her teacher.
After Bell led Ais away, the goddesses present turned their gaze toward Hestia, their expressions tinged with teasing.
"Hestia, did you rest well yesterday?"
Freya's comment immediately made Hestia's nose twitch with irritation.
"What do you think?"
She plopped down onto the sofa, sulking in frustration.
"It was supposed to be a peaceful rest. Who knew Loki's kid would be in such a rush? Ah, I wasted my precious morning cuddle time with Bell."
Hephaestus and Freya, who'd had similar experiences, knew exactly what Hestia was referring to.
Bell wasn't always the most reliable; sometimes, he could get clingy. Especially as their relationship grew closer, those moments of clinginess seemed to increase.
Freya and Hephaestus actually found this side of Bell rather endearing. As lovers, they enjoyed seeing different aspects of him. What made them the happiest was that Bell didn't hide his childish side—he just let it show.
"Huh?"
Loki, hearing this, glanced at Freya and Hephaestus. She couldn't remember any such moments.
"Really? I never saw that."
The three experienced goddesses exchanged knowing looks, then instinctively lowered their gazes slightly.
"Oh~"
The three of them wore knowing smiles, their pride unmistakable.
"Loki, you're still not up to par."
Hestia couldn't help but feel a sense of victory.
"Loki, this is a fundamental gap in conditions."
Hephaestus couldn't hold back a chuckle, the sense of superiority she felt almost tangible.
"Loki, your image and demeanor make it hard for Bell to want to act spoiled around you. I'd say when you're with him, you're the one doing all the spoiling."
Freya's voice, holding back laughter, grated on Loki's ears. She wasn't oblivious to the snide undertones in their words.
But when she thought back to her time with Bell, it seemed she was indeed the one who often acted spoiled.
It really seemed that way. Loki felt an inexplicable sense of confusion. Why was that?
Then, it hit her.
She glanced at the three figures before her, each standing with their arms crossed, as if deliberately emphasizing certain characteristics.
+!
Loki felt her temper flare.
"Do you think being big is all that matters?"
"Yeah."*3
"A woman's charm isn't just about that part!"
"But Bell likes it."*3
".....!"
Hestia, Hephaestus, and Freya's synchronized teasing left Loki speechless.
Two questions had been thrown right back at her, with brutally honest answers. Loki was fuming.
Meanwhile, Bell had already led Ais to his hidden underground workshop.
Ais, who wasn't fond of talking, was surprised when they entered the workshop, but she quietly followed behind her teacher.
After entering a deeper, more concealed room, Ais immediately sensed the environment had grown far more complex.
The walls of the room were lined with numerous vessels, each containing mysterious liquids whose nature was unknown.
Ais was curious, but remained silent.
She continued to follow, turning several corners before arriving at a quieter, more remote spot. Here, a large door stood.
Upon opening the door, Ais's eyes immediately locked onto the two figures inside—the figures she had longed for.
Her parents, inside the vessels.
"Father... Mama…"
Ais's trembling voice and the visible quiver in her skin betrayed her overwhelming emotions.
"Calm down, Ais. Too much magic power might cause the incubators to explode."
Bell's quick warning instantly stopped Ais's surge of emotion.
"Come inside with me. They've acclimated overnight; now comes the final step."
Suppressing her excitement, Ais followed him into the room.
Inside, the couple within the vessels gazed at their daughter with emotion-filled eyes.
...
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