Danmachi: The Quiet Reincarnate

When Hestia and Cael stepped back into the familiar, comforting confines of their small home, a wave of relief washed over them, quickly replaced by Hestia's usual spirited demeanor.

No sooner had the door clicked shut than Hestia spun around, her finger already pointing accusingly at Cael, her other hand firmly planted on her hip.

"Alright, listen up, Cael! You are not to go anywhere near another woman, understand?! Not even a glance! My eyes are on you!" she declared, her voice ringing with a mix of mock sternness and genuine possessiveness.

She tried to hold her ground, to truly embody the angry goddess, but the moment Cael's gentle, understanding gaze met hers, her resolve crumbled.

Her shoulders slumped, and a soft sigh escaped her lips as she dropped her hand.

"Ugh, it's impossible! I can't even stay angry at him," she muttered to herself, her voice barely a whisper, yet loud enough for Cael to hear.

Cael, ever calm amidst her playful storms, simply offered a gentle smile.

He reached out, his hand lightly patting his Goddess's head, a gesture of affectionate reassurance.

He had long grown accustomed to her childish antics; in fact, they had become a cherished part of their daily life.

Lately, these expressions of her affection had been increasing, growing bolder and more frequent, yet Cael never pushed her away.

Instead, he found himself enjoying them, a warmth spreading through him each time.

Beyond her playful demands, Hestia herself had undergone a subtle transformation.

She had become remarkably bold, especially concerning Cael's unique skill that nullified her divinity upon physical contact.

While the sensation of her divine power being momentarily suppressed left her feeling incredibly vulnerable, a raw, exposed feeling she had never experienced before, she no longer shied away from it.

Instead, she found a strange comfort in that vulnerability, knowing that with Cael by her side, she was always safe, always protected, regardless of her divine state.

It was a trust she had never imagined placing in another being.

The air between them, still humming with Hestia's playful outburst, softened.

Without uttering another word, Cael suddenly closed the small distance separating them.

His movements were fluid, almost imperceptible, until he was standing directly before her.

Gently, with a tenderness that surprised even Hestia, he leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead.

"Thank you, Goddess, for going out of your way for me," Cael murmured, his voice low and sincere.

Cael was not one to take kindness lightly.

When someone, especially Hestia, did something for him unconditionally, a deep, almost overwhelming sense of gratitude washed over him, making him feel as though he owed them everything.

Hestia froze, turning into an unmoving statue.

The lingering warmth of his gentle kiss seemed to burn into her forehead, a sensation that would forever be imprinted not just on her skin, but deep within her mind.

Her mouth fell open slightly, a tiny gasp escaping, and for a fleeting moment, a hint of drool escaped her lips, as if she were lost in a vivid, waking dream of Cael.

Suddenly, she snapped back to reality, her face flushing a furious crimson, a heat spreading from her cheeks to the tips of her ears.

Her heart thumped wildly in her chest, a frantic drumbeat against her ribs.

Feeling utterly embarrassed by her reaction, she managed to stammer out in a low, meek, and undeniably cute voice, "N-no problem."

Then, desperate to deflect from her overwhelming fluster, she quickly added, her voice attempting a cheerful, business-like tone, "W-well, let's get you ready with the sword, shall we? Now, off with your shirt, Cael! I'm gonna update your Falna!"

She hid her profound embarrassment behind this sudden burst of forced cheerfulness, hoping Cael wouldn't notice the frantic flutter of her eyelashes or the rosy hue of her cheeks.

Cael, ever perceptive, couldn't help but chuckle softly at her endearing, flustered expression.

He nodded, a small smile playing on his lips, and began to unbutton his shirt.

As he shed the garment, revealing his upper body, Hestia noticed something remarkable.

The numerous scars that had once marred his skin, grim reminders of his past battles and injuries, were now completely gone.

His new development skill, Self-Recovery, had worked its magic, leaving his skin unblemished.

Cael's physique had undergone a significant transformation since the Crimson Rebirth.

His body, once somewhat slender, was now undeniably strong and lean.

He had a decent amount of muscle, sculpted and defined, with well-formed abs that rippled subtly beneath his skin.

His shoulders were broad and powerful, his back wide and lean, tapering down into a perfect V-cut.

His lower body was equally well-proportioned, contributing to his overall athletic build.

His black hair, now shoulder-length, framed a face dominated by sharp, enchanting blue eyes that held a depth far beyond his years.

Hestia, who had been trying her best to maintain a professional demeanor, found her gaze drawn to Cael as he took off his now-tight shirt.

Her eyes widened, and she felt a distinct salivation.

The sight before her was nothing short of captivating; it felt like she was witnessing a private striptease, designed just for her.

She quickly coughed into her hands, attempting to regain some semblance of composure and desperately trying not to stare.

'His wounds are healed, there are no scars on his body. That's such a relief,' she thought, her mind trying to focus on his physical recovery rather than the alluring sight of his physique.

Cael, oblivious to the full extent of Hestia's internal turmoil, calmly sat on the floor, turning his back towards her as she remained seated on the sofa.

Hestia picked up the newly acquired sword.

With a practiced motion, she pierced her finger with its sharp tip.

A single, crimson drop of blood welled up and dripped onto the sword's intricate engravings.

Instantly, the sword shimmered, its lines glowing brightly as it absorbed the blood, the light intensifying with each absorbed drop.

It pulsed with a faint, inner luminescence, a testament to its connection with her divine essence.

"Here, Cael, hold it," Hestia said, her voice a little steadier now as she extended the gleaming sword to him.

A genuine smile lit up her face as she watched him take the weapon, his gaze simple with an amazed, almost reverent look as he gripped the hilt.

'He likes it, hehe,' Hestia giggled to herself, a warmth spreading through her chest at his obvious delight.

She then let another drop of blood fall from her finger onto his bare back, directly onto the spot where his Falna was inscribed.

With a familiar, gentle touch, she began the process of updating his status.

===========

Name: Cael ArdentRace: HumanLevel: 2Age: 14Familia: Hestia Familia

Stats:Strength: I0Endurance: I0Dexterity: I0Agility: I0Magic: I0

============

After a few minutes, Hestia meticulously read his status twice, her eyes scanning each line with utmost care, determined not to miss even the slightest change or new development.

"Okay, done!" Hestia announced, and with a swift, practiced motion, she closed his Falna.

There was no need to print it, as nothing had been updated; his status remained exactly the same as it had been before.

"So, how does the sword feel, Cael?" Hestia asked, her gaze fixed on him, eager for his immediate impression.

Cael rose from the ground, the sword now comfortably in his hand.

He took a few practice swings, testing its weight and balance.

"It's a great sword, Goddess, truly," he began, his brow furrowing slightly.

"But when I hold it, it makes my grip feel… dull and hollow, almost unnatural."

He paused, considering his words.

"It's like I'm holding something that's not quite there."

He then explained that he believed this peculiar sensation was due to his ability.

Hestia nodded, understanding.

"Ah, yes, that's your skill, Bladebond," she confirmed.

"It makes you feel exactly as you described—dull and hollow—when you switch to weapons that you haven't used while injured.

It's a unique bond you form with a weapon during a critical moment.

But don't worry, you'll get used to it!

It just takes time for your body and your skill to fully synchronize with a new weapon."

Cael nodded slowly.

"I guess," he murmured, still testing the sword's feel.

He was undoubtedly happy to possess such a magnificent weapon, yet the subtle feeling of being unable to fully control it, as if there was a slight disconnect, lingered.

He sighed, a soft exhalation of lingering fatigue, and smoothly sheathed the sword.

The events of the day, particularly his time with Hephaestus, had been taxing, leaving him with little to no sleep.

A profound exhaustion now settled over him, pulling at his limbs.

"I'm gonna rest, Hestia-sama. I'm tired," Cael said, his voice a little softer than usual.

He then allowed his body to collapse onto the bed, sinking into the mattress, and almost immediately drifted into a quiet, peaceful sleep.

Hestia watched Cael, still shirtless, sleeping soundly without a care in the world.

His relaxed posture, the gentle rise and fall of his chest, made him look both adorably cute and surprisingly mature.

A sudden, profound warm feeling washed over Hestia, a sensation she hadn't experienced quite like this before.

It was a mixture of tenderness, protectiveness, and something deeper she couldn't quite name.

Driven by an irresistible urge, she carefully crawled onto the bed, positioning herself beside Cael, who lay with his back turned towards her.

'I've never felt like this before,' Hestia thought, her gaze fixed on his broad, powerful back.

'His back... it looks so strong. Is it hard?'

She slowly, tentatively, lifted her hand, her fingers trembling slightly with anticipation.

With the utmost gentleness, she placed her palm flat against his bare back.

'Hard!' Hestia thought, a surprised gasp catching in her throat as she felt the solid, unyielding muscle beneath her hand.

A deep blush spread across her face, intensifying as she began to softly rub her hand against his back.

It was like touching a perfectly sculpted rock, warm and firm.

The lingering effects of Grace of the Hollow Star, which had made her bolder earlier, seemed to amplify in this intimate moment.

She moved even closer, her head lowering until her nose was near his neck, and she began to inhale his scent, a soft, contented sigh escaping her lips.

'He smells so good,' she mused, a slightly perverted, yet utterly innocent, grin appearing on her face.

Her hands, now bolder, began to roam lightly across his body, exploring the contours of his back and shoulders.

Cael, though deep in sleep, was vaguely aware of her actions.

Yet, in his exhaustion, he couldn't bring himself to care.

'Sleep is more important,' he thought to himself, his mind drifting further into slumber, allowing Hestia to do whatever she wanted.

Her touch was so light, so gentle, that it actually helped him to go to sleep faster, lulling him into a deeper, more peaceful rest.

Though Cael was technically being taken advantage of, he didn't mind it one bit.