Just before sunset, Bell arrived at the Guild.
At this twilight hour, adventurers still laboring in the dungeon's depths hadn't yet returned, while those exploring upper floors had already come back.
This timing difference left the Guild pleasantly quiet, the day's bustle having just subsided.
Entering the hall, Bell immediately spotted Miss Eina at the reception desk. Relieved to avoid dealing with unfamiliar staff, he walked straight toward her.
"Miss Eina."
The busy receptionist looked up at the familiar voice.
There stood yesterday's rookie adventurer - Bell Cranel, that unusually self-aware fourteen-year-old boy.
Eina's expression grew more serious as she recalled their last conversation. Professionally, she'd done nothing wrong, but personally... those blunt warnings about his likely death had been unnecessarily harsh.
Especially for someone demonstrating such maturity. The realization prickled her conscience.
Yet as a Guild employee, maintaining professional distance was crucial to prevent accusations of favoritism. Her apology would come through improved service, not words.
Examining Bell closer, Eina noticed flecks of greenish residue on his face. Goblin blood. Fresh from the dungeon's first floor, then.
"Bell-kun, just back from the dungeon?"
"Yes. Just scouting the beginner area, learning about goblins. Actually fighting them made me realize even the weakest aren't easy prey. Without luck, today might've gone differently."
Eina studied the boy carefully.
Fourteen remained an age of recklessness.
A few more years might have served him better in the dungeon.
But she stifled her sigh. This wasn't her place to judge.
Adventurers dungeon-delved like fishermen sailed - an inescapable reality. Overstepping her role as receptionist would help no one.
"I came hoping Miss Eina could assist with something."
Bell cut straight to the point. Adventurers visited the Guild for two reasons: dungeon intelligence or selling loot.
Eina understood instantly, though why he needed her specifically puzzled her. The Guild had dedicated counters for magic stone transactions right nearby. Unless...
"Is there a particular reason?"
She didn't press further. Whatever his motive for choosing her, Eina simply nodded and rose, gesturing to a private side room.
"Then Bell, please wait in that room. I'll join you shortly."
"Thank you."
Bell appreciated her unquestioning acceptance. Perhaps Miss Eina's temperament was better than he'd assumed. Having her handle his magic stone sales moving forward might work well.
The designated room's door lacked exterior locks - simple to enter.
But closing it revealed multiple internal security mechanisms.
Once sealed, the space became soundproof, windowless, illuminated solely by orange-yellow magic stone lamps.
"This room's privacy is guaranteed. As long as no one sees me producing mass loot, my secret's safe. Unless Miss Eina gets mind-controlled... but no human could manage that. Only divine intervention might expose me, and with luck, someone this insignificant will stay beneath notice."
A long central table flanked by sofas dominated the space.
Bell remained standing until Eina arrived moments later.
Seeing him waiting, she blinked in surprise before gesturing to seats.
"Bell-kun, please sit."
"Mm."
He took the chair opposite without ceremony.
"Bell-kun, what business brings you here?"
Eina wondered why he'd requested privacy. Routine magic stone sales hardly warranted this. Professionalism mattered, but...
Bell wasn't here for routine matters.
Since future dungeon loot would require similar handling, Eina needed context.
He clasped his hands together, producing a peculiar rattling sound, then slowly parted them - unleashing a cascading torrent of magic stones across the table.
"Eh?"
Worldly Eina froze mid-breath. "What just—?" Instinct drove her to seize Bell's hands, inspecting his unmarked palms. Where had hundreds of magic stones materialized from?
Magic!
Understanding dawned. That conjuring gesture could only mean one thing. And recognizing this magic's nature explained Bell's caution.
"Bell-kun, was that... magic?"
A slight nod.
"Spatial magic? The storage variety?"
Another nod.
Eina buried her face in her hands. The implications hit like a warhammer - if this got out, every god in Orario would wage war to claim him.