Just like last time, Bell gained three Development Abilities options with this Level Up.
Eina tilted her chin, pondering as she spoke: "[Magic Resistance]... That usually appears on level 4 adventurers."
Development abilities are similar to Skills, manifesting based on personal experience. As one descends deeper into the dungeon, monsters wielding magic power bombardment become more common. Thus, [Magic Resistance] isn't unusual for adventurers at level 4 and above.
"Bell... You've already developed [Magic Resistance] this early? What kind of attack did you encounter...?"
Just imagining Bell enduring a magic explosion with his Lv.2 physique sent a chill down Eina's spine.
"Something happened."
Bell quickly changed the subject. "So this ability literally reduces damage from magic blasts, right?"
"Exactly. Actually, I possess [Magic Resistance] too."
Riveria nodded and continued, "I used to trade magic shots with monsters frequently. From personal experience, this ability is quite practical."
Eina adjusted her glasses and spoke softly, "The second one is [Abnormal Resistance]. That usually manifests early in an adventurer's career, due to the poisonous scales of Purple Moths."
She tilted her head in puzzlement, looking at the boy. "Does Bell frequently encounter poisonous monsters?"
"Well... I suppose so..."
Bell gave a helpless smile, keeping his suspicions to himself. Syr's bento had been growing increasingly strange lately. There was always this odd sensation when eating it... Bell simply couldn't bring himself to share this observation.
"Hm..."
Eina paused, then continued, "That leaves only the last one. To be honest, I've never heard of this ability before. Does Riveria-sama know anything about it?"
Eina's sweet voice was filled with confusion.
"No, I know nothing about it either."
Riveria-sama answered truthfully.
[Sacred Flame]. This was the final option for Development Ability. Its effects were unknown, and the reason for its appearance was unclear.
"Did Hestia say anything about it?" Eina inquired.
"No, Goddess-sama doesn't know the specific effects either."
Bell made no attempt to conceal this from the two.
According to Hestia, flames themselves were divided into many types. The goddess Hephaestus presided over [Forging Flames], while the flames she himself wielded were more akin to [Hearth Flames]. These differ significantly from [Sacred Flames].
"The only clue is that it relates to the god Prometheus."
Bell suspected his Awakening Magic was influenced by Riveria's [Alf Regina], and perhaps she knew something about the [Sacred Flame] as well.
"I've heard that tale," Riveria interjected. "The God Prometheus stole the Primordial Flame of Heaven from Tenkai and bestowed the Sacred Flame upon mortals below."
Legends of the Primordial Flame of Heaven exist in many versions. Some say the flames instead provoked a fierce counterattack from monsters, giving birth to unbeatable beasts. Others claim Prometheus never stole the Sacred Flame; it fell to the lower realms during his struggle with the god Zeus. Still others recounted Prometheus's punishment: chained to a mountain, its liver pecked out by an eagle each day, only to regenerate by night, enduring the agony of its return.
Eina spoke up with a suggestion: "Looking at the myths and legends, it's hard to discern any clues... Considering Bell's experiences, that might actually be easier, right?"
"I agree. Bell Cranel, tell us about the adventures you've encountered."
Riveria added gently, "Of course, feel free to skip any uncomfortable details."
"Alright."
Bell slowly recounted his experiences as he gathered his thoughts. From the Golden Casino to the Sword Smithing City Solingen. After participating in the War Game, he crossed the Spirit Land and endured the deadly battle in the Great Tree Sea.
After listening, Eina couldn't help but feel tears welling up in her eyes. Riveria, too, remained stunned and silent for a long while. Even with much omitted, the boy's battles had been far more perilous than they had imagined.
"I think I'm starting to see a pattern."
Riveria broke the somewhat somber atmosphere first. "Bell Cranel, what I'm about to say is merely my conjecture. Please do not risk yourself."
The experiences of the [Saint] and the youth shared a common trait: they never truly ended. The god Prometheus endured fatal torment yet did not perish. The youth, too, faced death time and again.
Amidst the mutated Venenthes's trap, he shielded Lefiya. Though pushed to his absolute limit, he still rushed to the side of the goddess Astraea. When the Fire Dragon crashed into the Sacred Tree, the youth endured the magical explosion at point-blank range—his very survival was a miracle. Facing the ancient monster, he bore the crushing weight of divine power as a mere mortal—an act of reckless daring that should have killed him a thousand times over.
Riveria speculated that the [Sacred Flame]'s effect was to resist death under certain conditions. No matter how severe the damage Bell sustained at once, he miraculously survived.
"Thank you for your advice. I'll take it into consideration."
Bell said gratefully. If this conjecture held true, it would be akin to the teardrop-shaped ornament Syr had gifted him—capable of withstanding one fatal blow. The difference lay in the Sacred Flame being a permanently active Skill. Its activation interval likely depended on the ability's level.
"Bell Cranel, I must stress this—it's merely my wild speculation. Please, don't risk yourself recklessly."
Riveria said with concern.
"Yes, I'm well aware of that. Thank you for the reminder."
Bell wore an intensely serious expression. Life and death were no game. Bell chose the [Sacred Flame], treating it as an insurance policy that might not always activate.
As the discussion on Development Ability concluded, Eina remained frozen in place, motionless.
"Eina, what's wrong?"
Riveria asked softly.
"..."
Eina snapped back to reality, shaking her head frantically. "N-nothing... it's nothing..."
Riveria sighed softly. "If there is something, feel free to speak. It's just the three of us here; there's no need to overthink it."
Eina shifted nervously, lowering her gaze to the tabletop. "Well... hearing you talk about life and death... it just makes me feel like Bell might leave me at any moment... I'm sorry! I didn't mean to speak such unlucky words..."
"I see. That worry is precious indeed. You should cherish it."
Riveria comforted her gently.
"Hmm... This is different! Riveria-sama, you've lived so long, yet you don't understand a girl's heart!"
After hearing Bell's story, Eina's mind was in such turmoil she blurted out a rebuttal to the Elf Princess.
"Eina... Did you just say something?"
Riveria fixed her gaze on the girl's pupils, her voice still maintaining its "gentle" tone.
Eina blinked, belatedly realizing she'd spoken forbidden words. "Eh? That... I'm truly, deeply sorry!"
"Bell, why are you laughing? Quick, say something for me..."
"Waaah... Riveria-sama is bullying me....."
Amidst the boy's and Riveria-sama's smiles, Eina shouldered the responsibility of settling the bill.
...
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