Chapter 25. Bell's Title
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"Heh!"
Bell shouted as he pressed his right hand against the rock and exerted force. The rock... creaked and moved forward a tiny bit.
"Failed again!"
Bell rubbed his right arm, feeling a bit disappointed.
The moment you say something is impossible, it truly becomes impossible!
Although Cyd had always told him this, when faced with this huge rock, he couldn't help but feel nervous. Could a human really break this?
Even though Cyd had dragged this rock over with one hand and smashed another rock in front of him, today's training had failed... But being able to shatter a rock on the first day would be too strange!
"Don't be discouraged," Cyd patted Bell's shoulder. "You can't do it now simply because your strength isn't enough, and you're not familiar with it yet. Just like with the Minotaur before, with practice, you'll definitely be able to do it."
"Teacher!" Bell looked at him with a face full of emotion.
"Speaking of which..." Cyd tightened his grip on Bell's shoulder, "It's about time you go and kill ten Minotaurs."
Bell froze.
"Leave it to me!" Ais stood up and waved her hand vigorously.
"There's no need for you. Be good and go back," Cyd sighed. "Being targeted by that troublemaker is a real headache."
"Uh..." After staring at Cyd for five minutes, Ais lowered her head in disappointment and slowly walked away. Judging by her constant glancing back, she was probably hoping Cyd would call her back.
So Cyd saw her off for half an hour...
"That little girl is finally gone," Cyd scratched the back of his head.
"Teacher... Ais is already very strong. Why does she still want to get stronger?" Bell asked, puzzled.
"She probably thinks it's not enough..." Cyd placed his hand on Bell's head. "She's different from you; she's very aware of her own weakness. She likely paid a huge price for it, so... she wants to get stronger no matter what."
"Teacher, I also understand my own powerlessness!" Bell shook his head in frustration.
"So that's why you were crying like a baby back then?" Cyd ruffled Bell's hair. "Like a little white rabbit being used by a Minotaur to wipe its butt."
"H-how could you say that!" Bell's face turned red. "It's not that embarrassing!"
"Let me correct that. A little white rabbit with a tiny sword, dreaming of being a hero, got caught and used by the Minotaur to wipe its butt," Cyd raised a finger.
"Ugh! What's the difference! Please stop talking! Teacher, you're a fool!"
Bell dramatically spun around a few times, covering his ears and squatting down.
"Don't feel ashamed. Men can't resist the lure of being a hero," Cyd patted Bell's back. "Even if you were used to wipe its butt, didn't you end up smashing it to pieces?"
"But teacher, the way you say it..." Bell covered his face, refusing to get up.
"Are you feeling ashamed?" Cyd tilted his head.
"Of course I am! I finally felt like I could be someone dependable," Bell pouted.
"I'm just trying to help you get used to it sooner," Cyd squatted beside Bell. "Do you know about the Gods' Naming Ceremony? On that day, they give upgraded adventurers their titles."
"Titles!" Bell's eyes lit up.
"You can't be that excited," Cyd's expression turned strange.
"Of course I am! Every hero needs a cool title!" Bell pumped his fist.
"It seems Hestia hasn't told you anything yet," Cyd sighed. "What do you think of the gods?"
"Uh... Goddess is very kind," Bell hesitated before answering.
"Hmm, for your own good, I'll give you a little heads-up," Cyd placed his hand on Bell's shoulder. "That ceremony is just a bunch of bored gods getting together to make fun of each other."
"I see! No wonder Goddess never goes!" Bell suddenly realized.
No, it's just that she'd be the one getting made fun of if she went.
"Do you think such a group of bored gods would seriously give you a title?" Cyd patted Bell's shoulder as if comforting him, as if he had already foreseen Bell's tragic future.
"You're kidding, right? Titles aren't something to joke about! They could become walking records of your embarrassing history!" Bell wailed. "No! Don't mess around where you shouldn't be joking!"
"Unfortunately, joking is their greatest pleasure," Cyd shook his head in regret. "Where do you think titles like 'Passionate Angel' come from?"
"That title actually exists?" Bell's eyes widened.
"I made it up on the spot," Cyd shrugged. "But at least I can guess some potential titles for you now. Do you want... to mentally prepare yourself?"
"O-okay!" Bell shivered.
"Goblin Slayer."
"Why!" Bell shouted, clutching his head. "I only killed a few goblins! Isn't that some other guy? Just someone else who also happened to be killing goblins!"
My foolish student, haven't you realized you're the adventurer people talk about who seems a bit crazy?
Or are you just refusing to admit it?
"Give it up. You're the only Goblin Slayer. No one else is going to keep guarding goblins," Cyd decisively shattered Bell's self-deception.
"But it was you who made me do it!"
"Well... Goblin Slayer sounds pretty cool, doesn't it?"
"Ugh..." Bell lowered his head and began drawing circles on the ground with his finger.
Goblins are notorious for being weak. Even though they can be terrifying in large numbers, adventurers don't pay them much attention, as some veterans can kill a bunch with a single swing. Goblin Slayer... It just sounds... weak...
"Crazy White Rabbit."
"What is that!" Bell's fingers dug into the ground.
"Well, you know how you were charging around the dungeon with your eyes glowing red... Doesn't that look like a crazy rabbit?" Cyd scratched his face.
"That was because you told me to charge straight ahead!" Bell collapsed on the ground in an 'orz' position.
"Then... How about 'The Little White Rabbit Used by the Minotaur to Wipe its Butt'?"
"That's just your personal bias, teacher!"
"Bell, my foolish student, the gods hold this ceremony just to come up with funny titles to amuse themselves," Cyd patted Bell's butt. "You... might as well give up!"
"Goddess! Goddess! She'll help me for sure!" Bell clung to Cyd's hand as if it were his last hope.
"Do you think... that person... has any say in this?"
With the background fading to gray, Bell was dragged back to the church by Cyd.