"Ugh… I'm going to explode!"
Hestia felt a tight ache in her chest.
She hated this—hated it so much—but she couldn't refute what Hephaestus had said, nor could she completely deny Artemis.
After all, Hestia already understood very well from Freya just how troublesome a goddess in love could be.
Freya had gone completely off the deep end the moment she set her eyes on Bell.
She'd even seized the chance to meet him by forcing her way in ahead of everyone else.
If Artemis ended up like that too…
Hestia shuddered and shook her head hard. Artemis wouldn't throw away her dignity like that. She couldn't possibly do something so shameless.
"No, I have to go talk to Bell!"
Right now, the only person who could calm her was Bell.
Today was supposed to be Artemis's turn, but after what happened, the rest of the evening definitely wouldn't be going to her.
…
Meanwhile, Bell was still in his room, working through his Cognition and adjustments regarding his Authorities.
"I've finally grasped the initial concept of 'Omnipotence.'"
Reaching a state of true omnipotence was Bell's next direction.
He wasn't yet anywhere near mastering 'Omnipotence,' but he had the basic awareness now—and more importantly, a method to step beyond his current realm and touch upon the 'Omnipotence Domain' ahead of time.
But Bell also understood something else.
"Trying to reach the 'Omnipotence Domain' just by brute-forcing omnipotence isn't the best path."
"It's better to reach the concept of 'Omnipotence' through a small set of Authorities. That's how you get the greatest benefit."
"So… has the time finally come to choose a specialization?"
It was a path everyone had to face eventually, but for someone who had only just reached the Lv.7 limit, choosing an Authority this early did feel premature.
The timing was early, yes—but preparing in advance would let him step into the 'Omnipotent Realm' more solidly.
To Bell, that mattered a lot.
As for the supposed limit that humans couldn't reach the triple-digit "Omnipotence Realm," Bell didn't see it as a true restriction.
Humans couldn't reach triple digits—but no one said they couldn't break past four digits in a way equivalent to triple digits.
And as for double digits… Bell didn't think it was impossible for him.
It just wasn't something he could realistically aim for within a few short years.
"For now, I need to make every preparation I can."
"The more I settle ahead of time, the smoother my path forward will be."
Bell could faintly sense that his next breakthrough was close.
Once he fully mastered his Authorities and solidified the principles behind them, then even after abandoning the "Type-Moon System," he wouldn't lose his grasp on what he already had.
But bringing up abandoning the "Type-Moon System" immediately made him think of Artemis.
"I hope the progress on the 'Simulated Star Chart' speeds up. Then I'll finally have the means to meet that other 'World.'"
"Artemis's allegiance is still held by that 'world.' I need to talk to them."
Artemis was non-negotiable. Even if he discarded every other power in the "Type-Moon System," Bell wouldn't feel an ounce of regret—but Artemis was the exception.
Since he'd already decided, there was no chance he'd let Artemis slip away.
Bell knew this was greed on his part.
But he'd already accepted it.
A little greed wasn't so bad. He just needed to push others away—otherwise Hestia would absolutely explode.
…
"Bell!"
As the door opened, Hestia's voice filled the room.
Bell turned toward her and saw Hestia standing in the doorway, looking miserable and pitiful.
He frowned and appeared right in front of her.
"What's wrong? Did someone bully you?"
Faced with Bell so close, Hestia—who hadn't even been that upset originally—suddenly felt overwhelmed and just wanted to stay in Bell's arms.
Without trying to suppress the feeling, she pressed her face into Bell's chest.
That overwhelming sense of security eased her frustration.
Only after resting like that for a long time did she begin explaining her grievance.
"It's Artemis!"
She had been betrayed by one of her best friends in the Tenkai—right after Hephaestus, no less!
"..."
So it was about Artemis. Whatever irritation Bell had felt moments earlier vanished instantly. So all this fuss was because of Artemis.
But that only made Bell more awkward.
If Artemis was the reason Hestia was upset, then he was basically a culprit himself.
But as a man, he should take responsibility for this.
"Hestia… some of this isn't Artemis's fault."
What?
Hestia froze completely, and then she understood exactly what Bell meant.
Bell looked a bit embarrassed, but he had no choice but to be honest.
"Actually, this probably has to do with me inviting Artemis out today."
"A date!?"
Hestia's voice shot up.
In an instant, everything clicked for her. Artemis had come to confront her today because Bell had invited her out—and they'd even agreed on something together before leaving.
Hestia grabbed Bell's shirt tightly, her whole aura turning sour.
"Why am I only learning about this now?"
Shouldn't she have been the first to know something that important?
"Uh… actually, Freya mentioned it this morning when I woke up. She said I needed to handle things concerning Artemis too. When dealing with you and Hephaestus, I didn't take the initiative, so Freya suggested I should try being more proactive with Artemis."
Freya, you busybody! Hestia was gritting her teeth in pure fury.
No wonder Artemis, who never made a move, suddenly chose today of all days to confront her.
So that was the story behind it!