The wide road stretched ahead, the entrance to the seventh layer faintly visible in the distance.
"What are you doing?"
Traces of tears still lingered on Lefiya's face. In front of her, the boy was pulling a sheet of parchment from his backpack.
"The sixth floor is almost over. I'm hand-drawing a map."
Bell relied on memory alone, skillfully tracing lines with his pen.
"Such a long stretch—how did you even remember it all? Doesn't the Guild distribute maps?"
Lefiya couldn't help but marvel at his drafting skill. In barely a dozen seconds, he was already finished.
"It's insurance. The Dungeon's layout might change," Bell replied honestly.
"Huh—was that part of your training too?"
To Lefiya, the boy seemed capable of handling every tedious task involved in Dungeon exploration: collecting Magic Stones, drawing maps, managing supplies—he did all of it perfectly by himself.
"Yeah."
"...Just who was your grandfather? Some legendary Adventurer?"
"Just an ordinary old man."
Bell recalled his grandfather's carefree, overly optimistic personality and smiled lightly.
As they chatted, they reached the end of the sixth floor. Cracking sounds echoed through the walls as several pitch-black shadows dropped onto the ground.
"...This many? Isn't that a bit much? You back up, I'll—"
Before Lefiya could finish, the boy had already charged forward.
"Ugh… you hot-blooded idiot, at least listen to me!"
Grumbling, she lifted her staff, preparing to chant a Magic. She didn't need to defeat the monsters herself—creating a loud enough noise would bring the Sword Princess and the others running.
But when she looked up, the sight before her left her frozen.
Under the pale green phosphorescence, white hair weaved through the shadows. The boy moved as though he already knew where every stab would land, slipping past each strike with uncanny precision.
Then, a blue-violet arc swept through the air.
"That dagger…"
Lefiya blinked.
The jet-black dagger in his hand seemed almost alive, glowing faintly blue-purple. One moment it cut in a sweeping arc, the next it pierced straight through.
Compared to the War Shadows, the boy and his dagger were faster, more lethal. For a brief second, Lefiya felt an illusion—the dagger was alive, holding hands with the boy as they danced gracefully across the battlefield.
The blade dance never stopped.
Lefiya watched in a trance, completely forgetting to chant her Magic. By the time she regained her senses, every monster had already crumbled into small Magic Stones.
"...You've only been in Hestia's familia for a few days, right?" Lefiya hurried forward to ask.
"Yeah, it's all thanks to hard work." Bell smiled softly as he gathered the Magic Stones.
"I—I won't lose either!"
Lefiya declared with fierce determination. Watching him move earlier ignited a competitive flame in her chest.
There was no doubt—just as he claimed, the boy was running forward, steadily and swiftly.
Lefiya absolutely could not lose to this idiot.
"By the way, did you just call me a hot-blooded idiot? I heard that." Bell walked toward the entrance to the seventh floor.
"...A refined elf would never speak ill of others."
Without hesitation, Lefiya used her fellow Elves as a shield.
"'A magic idiot?' I can accept that," Bell replied.
"A— a magic idiot?! Who told you that?"
Lefiya couldn't stop herself from shouting.
"...Just a guess. You were taken on an expedition but had no way to protect yourself. That means aside from Magic Power, all your other abilities must be low. Did someone actually call you that?"
"Uu… guh…"
Every word was like an arrow piercing straight into Lefiya's heart.
What was with this boy?
Did his brain work differently from hers?
Why could he guess so accurately?!
Her Familia God, Loki, often used those exact four words to describe her.
Lefiya lowered her head, a defeated smile spreading across her face. "You're right. I'm a magic idiot… uu…"
"But idiots have their own charm," Bell said. "Having you by my side right now, Lefiya-san, makes me really happy."
"...Are you treating me like a child? Do you think I'll just smile and accept candy from you?"
Lefiya puffed up her cheeks.
Then she suddenly remembered Riveria's remarks about her immaturity and hurriedly flattened her expression.
"Of course not. I meant it sincerely. I only just learned magic myself and had no one to teach me. Before entering the Dungeon, Hestia updated my Status and gave me a jet-black dagger."
According to Goddess Hestia, the boy awakened a magic called 'Firebolt.'
For safety reasons, and to ease the discomfort caused by his new Status, Bell had refrained from using magic in the previous battles.
"If that's the case…"
Lefiya turned her body slightly, trying to hide her embarrassment. "I… suppose I could teach you."
She had always been the one taught by others.
To suddenly be the teacher—it was so new and embarrassing she couldn't help fidgeting.
"Really? That's amazing, Lefiya-sensei!"
Magic was something every adventurer longed for. Hearing she was willing to teach him, Bell instantly changed how he addressed her.
"The 'sensei'… isn't necessary…"
Lefiya rejected the title verbally, but the silly smile on her face betrayed her delight.
However, that title only lasted a few seconds.
As soon as they stepped onto the seventh floor, several Purple Moths screeched as they dropped from the ceiling.
Bell raised his arm and shouted the spell's name.
"Firebolt!"
A crimson light burst forth. Flames shot out like lightning, leaving jagged afterimages in the air. With a roar and orange-red sparks flying, the monsters were reduced to charcoal.
Bell was startled by the unfamiliar power of magic.
But compared to Lefiya's reaction, his shock was nothing.
"No incantation… Quick-Cast Magic?!"
What had she said just a moment ago? Become this boy's magic teacher?
"This power… this speed…"
He had only just learned magic and was still a level one.
"You really shouldn't call me teacher anymore…"
Lefiya wanted to grab her earlier self and smack her over the head with her staff.
"Is something wrong, Lefiya-san?" Bell asked, respecting her earlier request.
"There's nothing I can teach you. The only thing worth mentioning is to watch your magic power consumption. Without a Magic Potion, using magic continuously will make you faint."
Thinking back on her bold words made her cheeks burn even more.
"Alright, I'll be careful," Bell nodded.
"Let's keep moving…"
Lefiya didn't know whether she should be frustrated or happy for him. But there was one thing she was certain of.
That Firebolt spell suited this idiot perfectly.
…
[Bell Cranel]
Lv1
Strength: F316 → F318
Endurance: D505 → D515
Dexterity: E496 → D501
Agility: E465 → D540
Magic: I0
Magic: [Firebolt] · Quick-Cast Magic
Skill: [Liaris Freese]
...