章 12: Chapter 11 - Supervision
A/N: Eager for actions everyone, someone tells me that they wanted some actions and forget about the foundations im building.
As Hestia's shift ended, she and Mat left the shop, heading toward the guild registration desk located at the base of Babel Tower. After some time of hestia's work, the hall was now alive with some bustling adventurers, the hum of talking between the shop owners and adventurers activity filling the air. Hestia walked beside Mat, her hands clasped behind her back, her face a mix of concern and curiosity.
"So," Hestia began, glancing at him, "how are you planning to handle your situation now? Without a god, you can't level up, you know."
Mat chuckled softly, his lie already crafted as naturally as he breathed. "I'll manage. At least I can earn some income as a Level 1 adventurer. The upper floors of the dungeon aren't too dangerous, and I'll stay there for now. Plus, it gives me time to work on some business ideas on the surface. Being an adventurer can support me financially while I figure everything out."
Hestia blinked in surprise at his optimistic tone, then smiled warmly. "You're a real positive thinker, aren't you? Most adventurers in your position would probably fall into despair. I mean, a god abandoning their child? That's tough."
Mat shrugged, his tone calm and measured. "My parents raised me to look at the brighter side of things. Grieving over what I've lost won't change anything. Instead, I try to focus on what I've gained and the possibilities ahead."
Hestia paused, her expression softening further. "Your parents sound amazing. They must've been wonderful to raise someone like you."
Mat felt a twinge of guilt at the sincerity in her voice but masked it with a small laugh. "They did their best, that's for sure."
Still, Hestia's concern didn't fade entirely. She slowed her pace slightly and looked up at him with a determined gaze. "Mat, I know you're trying to handle everything on your own, but if you ever need help... I mean it. I'll support you however I can. Just let me know, okay?"
Mat's heart warmed at her words. For all her quirks, Hestia's genuine kindness shone through. He gave her a soft smile, his voice quieter now. "Thanks, Hestia. That means a lot to me."
Hestia grinned and waved a hand dismissively. "What are friends for, right?"
They reached the elevator, stepping inside as Hestia pressed the button. The soft hum of the elevator filled the silence between them for a moment before she spoke again, her tone light and teasing.
"By the way," Hestia said with a sly smile, "don't think I've forgotten about your 'god.' I still think his the worst. I mean, who just leaves his child like that?"
Mat scratched the back of his head, forcing a nervous laugh. "Yeah, he were... something else."
Hestia smirked. "If I ever meet him, I might just give them a piece of my mind."
Mat chuckled, shaking his head. "I'll make sure to stay out of that crossfire."
The elevator dinged softly as it arrived at their destination, the doors sliding open to reveal the guild's bustling reception area. Hestia stepped out first, turning to Mat with a playful grin.
"Alright, Mr. Positive Thinker, let's get you officially registered. You're not getting out of this!"
Mat followed her with a wry smile, feeling a strange mix of relief and apprehension.
As the elevator began its smooth descent toward the guild at Babel's base, the hum of the mechanisms filled the quiet space. Mat leaned against the side rail and turned his attention to Hestia, who seemed to be in an unusually good mood.
"So, Hestia," he began casually, "what's your familia like?"
Hestia's eyes lit up instantly, and a wide smile spread across her face. "Oh, I'm so glad you asked!" she chirped, clasping her hands together. "My familia is the best—well, it's just Bell right now, but he's amazing! Bell Cranel, my adorable and determined adventurer! He's hardworking, brave, and so cool! You should've seen him last time he—"
She went on, her voice brimming with pride and affection as she recounted Bell's achievements. It didn't take long for her to start gushing about him in a way that bordered on comedic devotion.
"He's the kind of adventurer who can make your heart race! And the way he always says he'll protect me—ah, my dear Bell is the epitome of kindness and strength!" she exclaimed, pressing her hands to her cheeks as if she were about to faint from admiration.
Mat raised an eyebrow but kept listening, internally amused. Yup, just like in the anime, he thought. Hestia's love for Bell is as intense as ever.
Hestia was so caught up in her admiration for Bell that she didn't notice Mat stifling a chuckle. She then started talking about Bell's growth as an adventurer, particularly his encounter with the Minotaur.
"…and then he stood there, facing the Minotaur with nothing but his dagger!" Hestia recounted dramatically, her voice rising and falling as if she were narrating a heroic ballad.
But as she continued, Mat noticed a subtle change in her tone. Her voice softened, and a shadow of concern flickered across her face.
"Hestia?" Mat interjected gently. "You okay? You sound... worried."
Hestia paused, her smile faltering for a moment before returning, though it was tinged with unease. "It's just… Bell wants to get stronger so badly. I know it's good for him, and I support him completely, but…" She hesitated, glancing at the floor. "Every time he faces danger, I can't help but worry about his safety. I don't ever want to lose him."
Mat offered her a reassuring smile. "From what you've told me, it's obvious how much you care about Bell. He's lucky to have a goddess like you watching over him."
Hestia looked up at him, her expression softening.
"And honestly," Mat continued, "it sounds like Bell knows exactly what he's doing. He seems like a good person—loyal, determined, and focused. If he's working this hard, it's probably because he doesn't want to let you or anyone he cares about down."
Hestia's cheeks turned a faint pink, and she gave a small laugh. "You really think so?"
Mat nodded. "I do. Plus, think about it—if he gets stronger, he'll be able to protect everyone he loves and everything that's important to him. That's a pretty noble goal."
Hestia smiled at that, some of her worry easing. "You're right. Bell's heart is always in the right place."
Mat tilted his head curiously. "By the way, what made him want to get stronger in the first place?"
Hestia's smile turned a little mischievous, but she answered earnestly. "Well, he wants to stand on the same level as his crush. That's what drives him the most."
Mat pretended to be surprised. "Oh? A crush, huh? Who's the lucky girl?"
Hestia's face instantly darkened, and her cheeks puffed up in a grumpy expression. She crossed her arms and muttered through clenched teeth, "It's Ais Wallenstein. You know, that blond sword princess from the Loki Familia? Her goddess is Loki!"
Mat couldn't help but chuckle at her reaction. Her sudden shift from affectionate to jealous was as endearing as it was funny. "Ah, so it's Ais, huh? She is famous. Can't say I blame Bell for admiring her."
"Ugh! I know she's famous," Hestia huffed, waving her arms dramatically. "But why her? She's so… so… tall! And blond! And—and—Loki's child!"
Mat bit back a laugh, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Hey, I didn't say it was a bad thing. But I get why it might bug you."
Hestia glared at him for a moment before sighing dramatically. "Well, whatever. It's not like I can change how he feels. But if she ever breaks his heart, I swear…"
The elevator chimed softly, signaling their arrival. The doors slid open, revealing the bustling reception area of the guild. Hestia straightened up, sighing as she composed herself.
"Anyway," she said with a small smile, "thanks for listening, Mat. You're not so bad to talk to, you know."
Mat smiled back, a faint sense of warmth creeping into his chest. "Anytime, Hestia. And thanks for putting up with me."
Together, they stepped out of the elevator and into the vibrant atmosphere of the guild.
Mat and Hestia approached the bustling reception counter, weaving through a line of adventurers discussing their latest dungeon ventures. Behind the counter, a sharp-eyed receptionist with neatly tied auburn hair and a warm smile greeted them.
"Good Good afternoon!" she chirped. "Here to register? You must be new."
Mat opened his mouth to clarify, but Hestia cut in with a cheerful nod. "That's right! But there's a bit of a unique situation here."
The receptionist tilted her head, her interest piqued. "Oh? A unique situation? Do tell."
Mat raised his hand slightly. "I'm not actually in her familia. I belong to… well, a different one. Or rather, I was in a different one."
The receptionist's polite smile turned into a curious frown. "You're not in her familia, but she's helping you register? Why isn't your god handling this?"
Mat opened his mouth again, prepared to launch into his fabricated story, but Hestia held up a hand to stop him. "I'll take it from here," she said firmly. Mat blinked, nodded, and took a step back.
Hestia then launched into an animated explanation, her tone growing more indignant with every word. "Mat's god abandoned him. Just ran off! After giving him a falna, they up and left! Can you believe the audacity? A god doing something so irresponsible and cruel?"
The receptionist's eyes widened. "Wait, what? A god abandoned their child? That… that's unheard of!"
"It's the truth," Hestia said, her voice sharp with anger. "That's why I'm helping him. Someone has to. I couldn't just stand by and do nothing."
The receptionist glanced between Hestia and Mat, skepticism creeping into her expression. "That's… highly irregular. Forgive me for saying this, but how do I know this isn't some elaborate story? Maybe you're lying, and Hestia's just helping you bypass something."
Hestia opened her mouth to retort, but Mat smoothly stepped forward, cutting her off before she could escalate the situation. "It's a fair question," he said calmly, holding up his hands. "And I don't blame you for doubting me. But I have no reason to lie, and honestly, I don't think I could lie to a goddess. If you were to try and track down my god, I promise you wouldn't find them. They're gone. And I can't level up or grow without some kind of help. That's why Hestia is stepping in."
His tone was measured and sincere, his eyes meeting the receptionist's directly. "I understand this sounds absurd. Even I didn't believe it at first. But it's my reality. I'm just trying to make the best of it."
The receptionist studied him for a moment, her gaze scrutinizing yet softened by his honesty. She let out a slow sigh. "Well, you're right—it's hard to believe. Gods and goddesses, no matter how careless some of them might be, almost never abandon their children. Even if their child isn't particularly promising, they still stay. But…" She glanced at Hestia, who nodded firmly, her arms crossed. "If Lady Hestia says this is true, and you're adamant about it, then I'll trust your word."
Hestia huffed, still brimming with righteous indignation. "It already happened, whether people want to believe it or not."
The receptionist sighed again, visibly conceding. "All right. I'll take your word for it." She bowed slightly to both of them. "My apologies for doubting you."
Mat gave her a small smile. "No need to apologize. It's your job to be thorough, and honestly, I'd probably be skeptical too if I were in your shoes."
With the tension defused, the receptionist handed Mat a registration form. "Here's the paperwork. Fill this out, and I'll guide you through the process."
Mat took the form and began writing, his mind half-focused on the questions while the receptionist explained the guidelines. "Since you're in a unique situation, we'll be labeling you as a special case. Normally, adventurers are registered under their familia's name, but since you don't have one, we'll register you as an independent adventurer under provisional supervision."
"Supervision?" Hestia repeated, her brows furrowing.
"Yes," the receptionist said, nodding. "You, Lady Hestia, will act as a supervisor of sorts. Mat will technically remain independent, but you'll be responsible for monitoring him and providing guidance if necessary."
Mat blinked in surprise. "Wait, so... I'm not actually part of Hestia's familia, but she's still involved?"
"Exactly," the receptionist confirmed. "This arrangement doesn't make you a member of her familia. You'll still be considered an outsider, and your actions won't reflect on Lady Hestia or involve her in any potential conflicts you might have in the future."
Hestia crossed her arms, her expression thoughtful. "So it's like I'm a mentor, but without any official ties."
"Essentially," the receptionist said. "This setup is rare, but there's precedent. There was a case years ago with similar circumstances, though that adventurer still had their god. Mat's situation is even more unusual because he's been abandoned outright."
Mat paused mid-writing and glanced at Hestia. "Are you okay with this? I don't want to impose on you."
Hestia placed a hand on her hip and grinned. "Are you kidding? Of course I'm okay with it! Someone has to make sure you don't get into trouble. Besides, I already said I'd help you, didn't I?"
Mat smiled, genuinely touched. "Thanks, Hestia. I mean it."
The receptionist finished her explanation as Mat completed the form. She took the paper, scanned it, and nodded. "All right, everything looks good. Welcome to the Guild, Mat. You're officially registered as an adventurer. Remember, this is a special case, so be mindful of the rules. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask."
"Will do," Mat said with a nod.
As they left the counter, Hestia patted Mat on the back with a wide grin. "See? That wasn't so bad! Now you're officially an adventurer. What's next?"
Mat chuckled, feeling a mix of relief and gratitude. "Next? I guess I figure out how to make this crazy situation work."
Hestia laughed. "Don't worry, I'll make sure you don't screw it up. That's what supervisors are for, right?"
"Right," Mat said, smiling
As Mat and Hestia began to walk away from the counter, Mat suddenly paused, turning back to the receptionist. "Oh, wait. Before we go… do I get an advisor here at the Guild?"
The receptionist, who was tidying up some papers, looked up and smiled. "Yes, every adventurer is assigned an advisor to help guide them, especially when they're just starting out. Since you're a special case, I'll be handling you personally."
Mat blinked in surprise. "Wait, you're going to be my advisor?"
She nodded, her smile widening. "That's right. My name is Leira Vanhart, and I'll be your point of contact here at the Guild. Given your situation, it makes sense to have someone familiar with your case guiding you. Don't worry—I'm good at what I do."
Mat chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "Well, I didn't expect that. Thanks, Miss Vanhart. I'll be in your care."
Leira waved a hand dismissively. "Just call me Leira. No need to be so formal." She glanced at a clipboard. "By the way, when do you plan to start exploring the dungeon? It'll help me prepare the information you'll need."
Mat considered the question for a moment, his gaze thoughtful. "Tomorrow, I think. I want to get started as soon as possible, but I also need time to mentally prepare."
Leira nodded approvingly. "That's a good choice. Starting early will help you get a feel for the dungeon. I'll meet you here tomorrow morning, and I'll go over everything you need to know before you head in—rules, safety tips, and general advice. It's a lot to take in, but we'll make sure you're ready."
"Sounds good," Mat said, bowing slightly. "Thank you, Leira. I appreciate the help."
As they turned to leave, Hestia raised an eyebrow at Mat, a playful smirk on her lips. "So, you're starting tomorrow? What about your work at the potato stall?"
Mat let out a soft chuckle, sensing the mock concern in her tone. "Well, I figured I'd focus on the dungeon tomorrow. But don't worry, if I have the time and energy, I'll still swing by the stall. I'm curious about how things run there, and it might be good to have a balance between adventuring and surface work."
Hestia crossed her arms, eyeing him skeptically. "You're curious about adventuring the dungeon? Really?"
"Hey," Mat said, holding up a hand in mock defense, "it's not just about curiosity. It's about staying grounded. Plus, it's nice to have a little variety in life, you know? Keeps things interesting."
Hestia sighed dramatically but couldn't hide her amused grin. "Fine, fine. Just don't overwork yourself, okay? Between adventuring and working at that stall, you're going to run yourself ragged."
"I'll be fine," Mat assured her. "Besides, I have you keeping an eye on me now, don't I?"
Hestia rolled her eyes but smiled warmly. "You bet I'll be keeping an eye on you. Someone has to make sure you don't do anything stupid."
As they continue to chat, someone called hestia from afar.
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