Chapter 51. Slurp
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"This..."
Hestia, Bell, and Cyd stared blankly at a piece of paper.
It was obviously just an ordinary piece of paper, but what was drawn on it was anything but ordinary—it was downright terrifying.
"All SSS," Hestia rubbed her eyes hard. If she hadn't drawn it herself, she would've thought some god drew it without thinking, just to brag.
"T-This is me!" Bell shivered as he pointed at himself.
The more you train a specific ability, the faster the corresponding stats rise, and the more noticeable the improvement in the ability. In theory, he should have been able to feel the difference from the skyrocketing stats, but why didn't he feel any changes?
He was still getting beaten to the ground by Cyd, muscles still ached, bones still broke.
"Is it SSS after E?" Cyd rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"As expected of teacher!" Bell's eyes widened in awe.
"That's impossible!" Hestia slammed the table. "And what are these new skills that just appeared?!"
[Healing Enhancement] — Increases recovery speed, absorption of healing potions, and the rate of wound recovery.
[Fighting Spirit Recovery] — While absorbing healing potions, it also stimulates the spirit.
[Tenacity] — The ability to resist damage increases with one's willpower.
[Evasion] — High probability of dodging non-area attacks.
[Aspiring Hero] — Immune to mental interference from those weaker than Cyd.
[Hero's Will] — Charges up for the next attack.
"Tenacity combined with Healing Enhancement and Fighting Spirit Recovery… doesn't that make Bell an indestructible tank?!" Hestia cried, holding her head in despair. "How did my Bell end up like this?!"
Cyd awkwardly looked away, feeling a bit guilty. "Isn't it a good thing? Look, he also has Evasion."
Healing Enhancement came from constantly beating Bell up and then giving him healing potions. Fighting Spirit Recovery came from Cyd saying motivational things to fuel Bell's dreams of heroism, making him eager to continue getting beaten up. Evasion came from Bell needing to dodge hits or get smashed.
Most of the skills were his doing.
Not bad, if I say so myself!
"See? Bell's become super reliable now," Cyd patted Hestia on the shoulder and gave her a thumbs up.
"Yeah, goddess! With these skills, I'll be even better at protecting my companions!" Bell said, his eyes sparkling as he leaned toward Hestia.
It was clear he hadn't considered how having Tenacity, Healing Enhancement, and Fighting Spirit Recovery together made him seem like...
A super masochist!
Hestia covered her face.
"Bell, you'll definitely become a great hero," Cyd wrapped an arm around Bell's shoulder and pointed at the stained glass on the wall, depicting a hero's tale—a piece created exclusively for the Apollo Familia. "Not maybe—you will appear there one day!"
"Mm!" Bell nodded enthusiastically.
Hestia folded the paper and stuffed it into her chest, then stood beside Bell with her hands on her hips. "Bell, you better not push yourself too hard."
"And goddess, you shouldn't overwork yourself either," Bell scratched his head. "You don't need to work so many jobs anymore."
"Bell... you're such a good boy!" Tears welled up in Hestia's eyes as she hugged Bell, burying her face into his chest. "I'm so proud of you!"
Cyd, ever tactful, let go of Bell.
"Mm, because the goddess is with me," Bell gently patted Hestia's back.
But looking at the height difference... who's comforting whom here?
"Remember to meet at the Hostess of Fertility later," Cyd ruffled Bell's hair.
"Got it," Bell nodded.
Judging by how tightly Hestia was holding onto him, it didn't seem like he'd be leaving anytime soon.
"Honestly..." Cyd shook his head and opened the door. When he saw a flash of gold and red, his instinct was to close the door again, but the person outside seemed to have anticipated this and stuck a hand in to stop it.
"Hey! Lonely teacher abandoned by your student? Need me to comfort you?" Loki said with a mischievous grin.
In contrast to Loki's casual and thick-skinned attitude, Ais looked down, seemingly thinking Cyd's sudden door closing meant she wasn't welcome.
Cyd narrowed his eyes and continued closing the door. When his fingers got caught between the door and the frame, Loki's grin vanished, especially as Cyd slowly and determinedly kept pushing the door.
"Don't do this! Please!" Loki pressed her foot against the doorframe, trying to force it open. "I've got information for you!"
Cyd was just about to let go and let Loki perform a self-inflicted door slam when he paused, intrigued. Loki took the chance to pull her hand free.
"Why do I feel like you're not so kind-hearted?" Cyd opened the door and stepped out.
"Hahaha, of course not, but if something happened to you, Ais would be sad, and if Ais is sad, I'll want to start a Ragnarök," Loki shrugged. "To prevent... hey, what's with that 'Can you even do it?' look on your face?"
"Well, aren't all you gods sealed from using your powers?" Cyd moved past Loki and stood in front of Ais, gently ruffling her hair. "I was just shutting the door on Loki, not you."
"Mm," Ais's eyes lit up. "Next time, I'll come alone."
"Hey!" Loki jumped on Cyd's back, expertly locking her arms around his neck. "Don't go luring my Ais away!"
"Shall we go?" Cyd chuckled, patting Ais on the shoulder. "You've probably got a place to discuss things, right?"
"Hey! Don't ignore me!" Loki tightened her grip around Cyd's neck, almost biting into him.
"Mm, follow me," Ais nodded.
"Even Ais...!" Loki exaggeratedly waved her arms as she continued clinging to Cyd. "I'm gonna wipe my tears and snot all over your neck!"
"If you actually do that," Cyd's mouth twitched, already feeling Loki's breath on his skin, "I'll have no choice but to bury you upside down in the ground."
"I really do love Ais," Loki whispered in Cyd's ear with an unexpectedly calm tone, completely different from her usual self. "If you ever deceive her or make her sad, Ragnarök really will come. Remember, Pure White Hero—Ragnarök isn't something I can do because I'm a god, but because I want to do it."
"Then you should just let Ais stay with me," Cyd rolled his eyes. "She'd be happy. Every time she leaves, she looks back with every step."
"Ahhh! In your dreams! Ais is mine! Slurp!"
"Arghh! You actually did it!!!"