J
@qeeh @Drone205
There was a point where it was stated that you could fill up on xp all you want but until you did something massive that tested your soul to the breaking point, something that would win the favor of the gods, you would never level.
So sitting in a safe arena, dueling against others without risk of death might work for raising your stats it will never count as a great feat for gaining a level.
Bell truly was risking everything he had to save his Familia and the home he had gained for himself from someone who wanted to destroy it on a whim, for amusement.
Think of how hard you would fight to save the single most important thing you had if someone else wanted to destroy it for laughs.
Plus, Orario (i know, spelling) forced Ares to give up almost every single soldier that he brought in the invasion force. Why? To deny him the high class Falna they had gained facing against some of the top Familias of the city. So people know you can stat raise vs other people, but it seems to be like martial arts training in reality.
If you do not face opponents who are strong, you will gain nothing, and can even loose the honed edge of skill.