BobOfTheHedgeField
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A Meeting of Fools
🕑 Added 2025-06-01 04:30:27 +0000 UTCI hadn't fully understood why Rose was the Temperance arcana before that interaction, but it all made sense now. Temperance was restraint. While she had told me to restrain myself from doing stupid things Temperance also had another vital component, those of the Temperance arcana often are restraining themselves from a specific event or series of events in their life.
Rose had been hurt before, by what I wasn’t exactly certain but I could infer that it was most likely adventurers being assholes and throwing their lives away. I wasn’t going to be one of those adventurers, and I’d manage to get a happy smile out of her if it was the last thing I did!
Either way I’d follow her advice. No Dungeon for a week and I wasn’t lying to her either. I’d do everything she said, I’d even made a mental list! With a little bit of extra stuff added on.
No Dungeon for a Week
Get a new Party member
Get a new Best Friend Sword
Get more Supplies (Especially Potions!)
Train my new Party member if possible
The list covered my bases and also focused on the new companion I would recruit. I had no idea if they’d be properly trained or not, so I’d help them out the best I could. If they were an archer I’d have no idea what to do though. I always sucked with bows, so if they wanted to be an archer I wasn’t sure how much I could help them.
Whenever I got my hands on a bow I always ended up being within five feet of my opponent and just hitting them over the head with it or choking them out and switching to martial arts. I sucked with bows because they were nothing like me.
Bows were safe, bows were distant, bows were sneaky, bows were often part of a big group that took away individuality in the favor of a swarm. I wasn’t a bow, I was a bombastic blade! I’d exited and spotted my Goddess who still fretted over me despite my wounds already closing themselves as the blood coagulated.
“Alright, now that we have some Vali’s let's go buy you a potion alright?” I gave her a thumbs up. It was time to stock up on that good stuff. I’ll certainly have to hit Naaza with one of my ultimate techniques: quoting something she’ll never understand!
I burst through the door to a surprised Naaza and pointed straight at her while Hestia entered behind me.
“Potion Seller, I require your strongest potions!” She gave me a dull look before squinting at hestia.
“Can you even afford my strongest potions?” I gave a smile and shuffled the backpack on my shoulder.
“I sure hope so!” She eyed Hestia who gave a big smile in response to the look.
“So how is Miach doing?” Naaza clicked her tongue at the Goddess who gave her a confused look.
“He’s been running our shop into the ground . . . but he’s doing good otherwise Goddess.” She set the two potions I’d been offered for free originally and gave me a number.
“Miach originally wanted to give these high quality healing potions to you for free, so I’ll be charging you 25,000 Vali’s per potion instead of what I’d normally charge.” My eyes lit up at the small number while Hestia’s jaw dropped.
“I-Isn’t that a little expensive for a healing potion?” Naaza shrugged and seemed to consider her words carefully before speaking.
“You can’t waste any Vali’s on something that might save your life.” I gave a nod and smiled to Hestia.
“Don’t worry Goddess I made a lot today so we’ll be alright!” I opened the backpack causing Naaza’s eyes to widen alongside Hestia’s orbs.
“H-how much is this!?” I gave a shrug as I tried to recall the total number of Vali’s we had now.
“With the 4,000 from earlier we should have about 153,300 Vali’s.” Naaza gulped lightly and stared at the bag of money before giving me a shrewd smile.
“You said you wanted Mind potions as well?” I gave a nod while Hestia only looked at me in confusion.
“Ah! I forgot to mention it to you Hestia, the inner fire of my soul has been ignited by my dearest Sun! So I can use some basic fire magic now.” I held my hands towards the ceiling then pumped my fists. Her eyes widen in complete confusion before she pauses and nods.
“Alright then.” Such fast acceptance! Hestia truly is the best! Naaza looked confused for a moment before shrugging her shoulders and eyeing the Goddess for a moment and speaking.
“I normally charge something else for potions like these, but for you? I’ll sell these potions for 25,000 per.” Hestia let out a strangled groan but I just nodded in solemn acceptance. Consumables were expensive, but we had the funds!
“I’ll take two, and thank you Naaza. This really means a lot.” She just gave a shrug and snatched the Vali’s away after I counted them out with Hestia’s help.
“Just make sure you come back with more.” I gave a nod, she did care!
“Thanks for worrying about me Naaza! I’ll be back after my next Dungeon dive, but I’m taking a week off for some errands!” She gave me a curious look while Hestia looked at me in slight annoyance.
“Oh? Get cold feet for the Dungeon?” I just shrugged with a small smile at her pointed remark. I could hear the slight venom in her tone but I took it in stride.
“Someone I hold dear told me to take some time off to train. It’s not like I plan to die or anything so I’ll be working hard!”
“Whatever . . . just come back with more Vali’s next time.”
“Don’t worry, we will!” She gave a light hum and Hestia excited alongside me. Then the Hearth Goddess spoke up.
“So who is this person you ‘hold dear’?” Asking me about my companion? FOOLISH!
“Her name is Rose and she’s my Guild advisor! She’s super awesome and makes sure I don’t get killed by accident. Honestly I wouldn’t be back here without her help, she keeps me grounded. Just like how you push me forward!”
She blushed at my words causing me to let out a joyful laugh and the embarrassed Goddess. She softly pushed me causing me to hug her tightly .Foolish Goddess! Don’t you know I’m a master of grappling?
She let out an eep but didn’t refuse the gesture. She really was a cute little Sun! I let her go after a moment but she stayed pressed into me with a determined expression. I allowed the gesture obviously, I loved physical contact with my friends!
“Hestia, I'm pretty hungry. We should get something to eat!” She smiled up at me and nodded.
“Of course, you need to eat well and be strong!” We’d wandered through the city for a while before stumbling upon a nice stall that sold family made sandwiches. They weren’t anything like in my old world, but the ham sandwich was still pretty good! It was only 600 Vali’s too! Though that was because I bought two of them . . .
I was hungry, all right!
We inevitably made it back to the church, Hestia held my hand while we walked and I munched on my sandwich. I put our Vali’s under the bed in the basement and held her tight preparing for sleep. Then she asked me a question.
“So what’s your plan for tomorrow?” Did I not tell her?
“I’m probably going to look for a new party member.”
She looks bothered for a moment before freezing as though she’d recalled something and nods her head.
“It’ll be good for you to have someone to help you in the Dungeon.”
“I’ll be helping them too, Goddess . . . I’ll never leave behind the people I care about.” At those words my mind went back to my Family and I frowned. I’d left them behind didn’t I?
I held Hestia tightly as I considered the thought.
I could easily imagine what everyone would say about my current situation.
My Father would say ‘Make some new treasured companions, and move forward Andy. It’s alright to feel pain from losing us, but you can’t let that hold you back! Grieve, cry, accept, and understand every emotion you feel. To experience those emotions is not weakness, but a mental power-up of its very own! Once you’ve set the kindling, the fires within your heart will ignite the world!’
My Mother would say ‘Someone else will have to take care of you from now on. Don’t do anything stupid- Oh, Hell. We both know you will. Just try not to die sweetie, and I hope you can find someone you can count on.’
My Older Cousin would say ‘So the Dense Shounen Protagonist finally gets his wish? You better not waste it! Just try to avoid being dense, even though I know you won’t. I can only hope you meet someone who is as blunt as I am. See you in the next life, crazy disciple.’
My Younger Cousin would say ‘You need to farm aura, and fire off a massive attack that shakes the world. Be badass, be yourself. You’ve got this, you IRL Shounen Protagonist.’
My Teacher would say ‘The chance to finally achieve the perfection of your style? Don’t waste this chance brat. I know a little monster like you will always achieve something great, even if it makes no conceivable sense of how you’re able to do it.’
In a way they were still with me, but I’d died in my previous life. I didn’t exactly have the ability to go back either. I’d enjoy this new life, and I’d be sure to meet my family's expectations as well!
I had some new goals to achieve!
I gave a joyful smile to Hestia, as we cuddled on the bed.
This life would be one full of adventure, chaos, and awesome new companions who’d help me not only become stronger as a warrior. They would help me become stronger as a person as well.
. . .
I woke up in the morning and rubbed my hand along the fading scars upon my arm. Wow, Hestia makes me heal quickly! She truly is the gentle warmth that restores my body and mind! Such bliss!
I whispered my plan to Hestia and she nodded groggily before passing back out. I don’t think the Sun Goddess was ready for the morning just yet!
“Hesta, I’m going to look around the city for a new friend. I’ll see you later.” She threw her arms around me while asleep and I returned the hug for a moment before letting her go. Tears leaked from my eyes for a moment as I was forced to leave my Sun behind! I grabbed 2,000 Valis just in case I’d need some money and I set off into the city with the Sun only just peeking over the horizon.
I bought myself a kebab for 100 Valis and snacked on it while I walked around the city. The amount of people walking around was low, and I wondered if perhaps I set out too early. I sat myself on a bench and enjoyed my kebab while I glanced around the slowly filling plaza.
Maybe I should just ask someone random who looks ‘anime’, that could certainly work? Nah, it has to be a fateful encounter! Perhaps I should search for an arrogant young master bullying someone. Then I can add them to our Hestia Familia and we can get revenge! That sounds like a great idea!
I finished the kebab and wandered around for about two hours while searching for any signs of an arrogant young master. However it was harder than I thought, perhaps young master’s were a rare breed in this world . . . then I heard it. The signature cry of an arrogant young master!
“So you’re rejecting me from joining your Familia then? After hearing what I’ll be capable of?” An incredulous high pitched voice echoed out and I perked up at the words.
“Look lady, you can’t join the Familia just because you have come from a wealthy family and claim to have great potential, we only accept actual fighters here and we don’t provide handouts.” I rounded the corner and a tall man with a massive shield was standing in front of a woman with long white hair and stopped her from entering the large building behind him.
https://i.postimg.cc/7ZtkFm9C/p1eafttmdg471.webp
She clicked her tongue before muttering something under her breath and starting to walk away.
“You’ll regret this . . .” Then she spotted me and perked up with a smirk and put a hand on her chest while speaking to me.
“You belong to this Familia right? Wouldn’t you mind putting in a good word for me? You won’t regret such a decision.”
She truly was an arrogant young mistress! I gave a small shrug and shook my head.
“Sorry Miss, I’m not part of this Familia. I’m just seeing the sights of Orario right now.” She let out a huff and her expression softened from the arrogance as the man went inside. She let out a groan as she held the sides of her head in annoyance.
“This isn’t going as planned at all!” I tilted my head lightly at the girl who I only barely noticed, but her eyes seemed to sharpen slightly at my next words.
“What’s not going as planned? Is everything all right Miss?” Even if she was an arrogant young lady, I wasn’t going to antagonize her . . . yet. I took a seat on some nearby steps and she let out a sigh and took a seat next to me much to my surprise. The dress she wore got slightly dirty from the action
“Sorry, about that whole display. When I get stressed out I tend to act a little bit differently.” She let out an awkward chuckle at that and faintly blushed. I gave her a smile.
“I’m actually the same way, when I start fighting it’s like my personality changes completely!” She looked intrigued and her smile faded as she put a black gloved hand on the side of her face.
“How interesting . . . so you’re an adventurer then?” I gave a nod to her.
“I’m pretty new, and it hasn’t even been a week since I’ve started . . . but things are going pretty smoothly so far.” Her expression seemed to fall in disappointment for a moment before she gently smiled again.
“So what you must be from a strong Familia then right?” I laughed at the question before shrugging.
“We actually just started out, just me and my Goddess. I’ve only been in the Dungeon twice too.” For a moment she seemed to lose interest before pausing. Whatever she was thinking about I wasn’t sure, but I decided to continue. After all this felt like a fateful encounter! Even though I was apparently recruiting the arrogant young lady!
“You seem new to Orario, and while we don’t have much I’d be glad to welcome you with open arms. Isn’t this meeting an odd coincidence after all? Like fate has brought us together!” I stood up and pointed down at her as she raised an eyebrow at my finger.
Then like a switch as flipped she let out a laugh and covered her mouth with a hand.
“Alright then, I’ll join you. My name is Isabelle Cranel, but please," She gave me a wide smile and her face darkened slightly. "Call me Belle” I gave her a winning smile.
“Andrew Ariti, and the pleasure’s all mine, Belle." It truly was, I always loved making new friends!
I am thou, thou art I. Thou hast acquired a new vow.
It shall become the Wings of Hope that break the chains of thy Fate.
With the Birth of the Fool Arcana, You have obtained the winds of blessings that shall lead to freedom and new power. . .
Rank 1: Call to Adventure - Increases Exilia gain of the Fool Arcana.
The Fool. . . I-what?
AN: Gods and Goddesses have a built in lie detector, luckily the Goddess of Scamming Naaza knows how to play around it! Truly the dog girl has no equal! He didn’t get a Confidant Rank up and he didn’t mention it either because he only sees the Rank ups as natural progressions of the relationship, not a means to get power. He’ll never get mad/annoyed for not getting a Rank up because of that.
Andrew doesn’t get edgy of his lost family, instead it ignites his soul! Though now he’s got some new goals on the list as his brain delusioned itself into hearing their voices. He is insane to be honest. Also yes the younger cousin did literally say ‘eye-are-el’ the kid has the brainrot.
Belle is kind of a sociopath, she’s a Fool, and as a Fool, she has the ability to wear any face she needs for the situation. Though her actual personality is kind of distorted. She can be cute and fun but turns arrogant and selfish when something bothers her. When she has a goal in mind . . . she’s scary. She’s a lot like her aunt in a way.
Also our protagonist is only a Fool because of the system and while he does have some Fool traits he is much more fitting with the ‘Chariot Arcana’ in my opinion.
I read all comments and questions so feel free to drop 'em down below!
Thanks for reading and I’ll see you next time!
Comments
dracospikex2
The Naaza redemption arc will go hard, trust
Justin A Kimbriel-Cope
God I hate Naaza so much in this fic.
