::Author's Note::

After rereading and editing this chapter I realized it ends a little blandly. So I've decided to go ahead and begin editing chapter eight as well, which will be posted soon. As promised, I would like to take a moment to go ahead and thank all of those who have been following the story.

Special thanks: Apple424, Cheeki of de breeki, Codeeatersage, DaggerFan, Emiya Muramasa, He Who Sleeps462, Hysper, Jaron Lloyd, Kozak 11, Lightingbrain12, Obliumm, Rivzed, Saruto808, Sh4d0wSHunT3rSBl4d3, TheJSmooth, Venidoll, anothokuro, dragonbane522, jjtaclarangel, raio10, reiseverance11, and sykartracer.

And of course, thank you to all those who have visited and viewed my work. I now present to you Chapter Seven. I hope you all continue to enjoy.

::End Note::

Akeno lead Jon down the hallway towards his new room. As curious as he was about his accommodations he found it especially hard to focus on anything with the Asian beauty doing her damndest to make sure his eyes were glued to her backside as they walked.

"Isn't this exciting?" She asked in a chipper voice, a small bounce in her step. "You're one of us now."

That was one word for it. Another was overwhelming. The fact that he wasn't human anymore was something that was definitely going to take some getting used to.

"It's an adjustment." He admitted. "If you told me a year ago I'd sell my soul to a Devil so I could become one, I'd have probably cursed you out."

She nodded in understanding. "For what it's worth, I personally think you'll fit right in."

He smiled for her sake. "Thanks."

"Now then, here we are." She presented, opening the door to what was to be his new room. It was surprisingly nice for its size. Then again, Rias did say she would make him comfortable.

"I see you already moved in all my stuff." He pointed out, spotting a couple of his personal affects hanging on the wall. Including his original poster for the movie True Grit.

"We went ahead and settled your lease as well. Everything is here. Err...that is except...well…"

He turned and narrowed his eyes at her suspiciously. "Except what?"

"Your clothes." She stated apologetically. "Sorry, but Rias's exact instructions were to have them all thrown out."

"You threw out all my clothes?!" He asked angrily. "What the hell happened to just my hoodie?!"

"I'm really sorry." She bowed. "But it's not the end of the world, I promise. She's already got an entirely new wardrobe picked out for you."

His color drained. "Rias picked out my wardrobe?" Jon turned towards the closet, a palpable sense of dread looming over him. Since he had no clue as to her tastes, there was no telling what awaited him inside. But if it was anything like what Kiba wore, it would probably be tailored and covered in buttons.

"Right. Let's get this over with." He walked over to the closet and opened the door. Immediately he could tell he was completely wrong about what to expect.

It was so much worse than what he had envisioned.

Jon pulled out a pair of black biker jeans and matching studded leather jacket. "She cannot be serious."

"I think it will look great on you."

"Maybe if I was planning on joining the Hells Angels!" He bemoaned. "Seriously, what is she thinking?"

"She probably has a specific look envisioned for you. The President has always been very particular about that sort of thing."

"What look is she going for? A Roadhouse bouncer?" He tossed the jacket and pants aside and looked through his shirts. They were all the same thing, black denim button ups. While searching through the closet further, he found the next atrocity. A pair of black leather cowboy boots with what appeared to be a Chinese dragon burned into each one. But that wasn't nearly the most galling aspect of these particular boots. He pulled one out and showed it to Akeno.

"They have spurs on them!"

She bit down on her finger, considering the boots and nodding in approval. "They sure do."

He couldn't believe this. Akeno was actually getting turned on by this getup. As he continued to fiddle with the spur his eye caught something along the sole of the boot. A small indentation that looked almost like a button.

"What's this?" He asked before reaching to press it.

"Oh, careful with that." She quickly snatched the boot away. "Yeah, I almost forgot to tell you. We added a little something to your new boots." She pressed the button on the side of the sole and a three inch blade sprung from the tip of the boot. "Be very careful when using it, this thing is coated in grimshade root, one of the deadliest poisons you can find in Hell." She then retracted the blade by hitting the button again.

"Okay...I'll admit that's actually pretty neat. But still, after the boots I half expected to find a hat in there as well."

She gave him an awkward smile. "Second drawer on the left."

His entire body slumped. Jon went back to the closet and pulled out, what was indeed, a matching cowboy hat complete with spaces to hold a line of ammo.

"So why is it that yall get to dress like normal people and I have to dress like a freak?"

Akeno laughed in spite of his offput demeanor. "Oh come on, it's really not that bad. And besides, we have to dress normally because we need to blend in." She then added with an admiring tone. "But just about everyone in the Underworld knows who you are, Jon. I imagine Rias wants you to stand out."

He took a moment to look at it all. The new clothes, the new room.

The new guitar.

"Wait, what's this?" He asked, going over to the instrument.

"Oh yes." She brightened again. "Rias thought you might want a new one since your old one was…" She coughed awkwardly. "...well anyway, I hope you like it."

Jon picked up the instrument and inspected it thoroughly. A custom black Fender with an ivory finish. It was tuned perfectly and couldn't have cost less than four hundred thousand yen.

"Can I ask you something, Akeno?"

"Of course."

"Why is Rias so transfixed on me? She says it's not just about the mark but…"

Akeno shook her head insistently. "I can assure you that if power was all she cared about, there are easier ways for her to acquire it than through you."

Jon wasn't sure whether he should have felt relieved or insulted by that statement.

"Honestly, I can't say for sure why the President is the way she is." Akeno took a seat on the bed, crossing one leg over the other. "I've known her practically my whole life and even I still can't figure out why she does things the way she does half the time." She gave him a suggestive smirk. "But with you, I think I understand what her interest was."

He looked up from his guitar and stared at her curiously.

"You're a handsome man, Jon. But I suspect you know that already." She had the most playful little look in her eyes as she spoke. "It's not just your looks or your mark that makes you you. It's something much deeper than that. A sort of inner fire that's impossible to describe, but once you see it it's also impossible to ignore. I believe that is what Rias initially noticed in you."

He didn't know what to say. No one had ever paid him a compliment quite like that before. Not even Yuma.

Akeno stood up and showed herself out, turning back to him at the door. "And honestly Jon, I'm starting to notice it too." She said before leaving, an alluring gaze in her eyes.

He smiled as she left, taking a moment to strum a few cords on his brand new Fender. This was a cage he was in, there was no getting around that. But damn if it wasn't a pretty one.

Jon didn't sleep much that night. Not only because his Devils blood made him restless in the dark. He had a lot on his mind. After all, the past forty eight hours of his life had been pretty crazy, even by his standards.

Rias seemed trustworthy enough despite their turbulent beginnings. But then again, he thought the very same thing about Yuma and look where that got him. He wouldn't be so quick to just open up to her the way she wanted him to. Not that it would change much. If she desired something from him she would have it. He no longer had a say in the matter.

But after having some time to think about it, he decided he was fine with playing Servant for now. Jon was used to following orders. After all, he'd spent most of his life under the heel of the Church. And at least this time around, his coworkers consisted primarily of attractive women.

But all of this was an afterthought compared to what weighed on his mind the most. It was strange. He wanted to hate Yuma more than anything. In the back of his mind, he knew she had to die for what she did to him and to his family. He wished he could erase the image of her napping on his chest in the middle of the park and focus on the black winged monster she truly was. But he couldn't. As much as he wanted to say he no longer had feelings for her, to do so would ultimately just mean deluding himself. He loved her once. And he still sort of did. That didn't change facts though. She was the one responsible for taking everything away from him.

And he was determined to return the favor.

While he had a lot of trust issues to work through, so long as Rias allowed him to exact his revenge, he could put up with whatever requests she had. Even if it meant dressing in that ridiculous outfit. As Jon inspected himself in the mirror the following morning he couldn't help but be impressed. She'd done an amazing job with the fitting, though he wasn't sure he wanted to know how she got his measurements. The pants, especially, offered more ease and range of movement than he had anticipated. This clearly wasn't just a costume, it was designed with mobility and comfort in mind.

And as much as he hated to have to eat crow, he had to admit it didn't look half bad on him. Especially with his darker hair. That didn't stop him from feeling kinda silly in the thing. But if Jon was stuck with the "Cowboy from Hell" theme then he was at least determined to own it.

He was due for a shave, and this time around he decided to do something that matched the look. He worked on a fine grain while using his electric razor, and shaved away any trace of fuzz making everything smoother and sharper. The look had more bite to it, and once it matched up with his clothes he felt he had a better grasp of what Rias was trying to do.

He didn't look like any kind of Little Bear anymore. This new look indicated danger. Once he was done shaving he put on his pants, boots, and one of the black denim shirts, deciding to forego the jacket and hat for now and simply roll up his sleeves.

With the ensemble complete, Jon made his way to the Chapter Room to see what his new Master had in store for him. She'd been incredibly vague up until now as to what exactly he would be doing for her. Which made him a little uneasy.

He hoped that today he'd finally be getting some answers.

Rias was at her desk that morning, listening to Akeno give her a report on the current state of affairs. Whatever those were supposed to be.

"So that's everything then?" Rias asked, sounding somewhat stressed out.

Akeno nodded solemnly. "I'm afraid so. We've lost all contact with our Demon in Northern Ireland."

Rias sighed wearily. "Well that's just wonderful. We had just established influence in that-"

All conversation stopped the moment Jon caught their attention. Both girls considered him thoughtfully, both with the same looks on their faces.

"Well? What do you think?"

"I think…" Rias bit down on the cap of her pen. "...that you do not give yourself nearly enough credit, Jonathan Hyodo."

Akeno giggled coyly while blatantly checking him out.

"Akeno, leave us for now." Rias commanded, returning to her paperwork. "I would like to speak with my newest Servant alone."

She bowed respectfully. "Yes, Ms. President." Akeno sauntered away towards Jon, running her fingers along the arm of his jacket as she passed by.

Jon smirked at Akeno as she left before taking his place in front of the desk.

"You seem a little stressed." He observed.

"It's nothing. Just another headache I have to take care of." She assured. "Have a seat." Rias offered, still working on her paperwork.

At that moment a chair appeared behind Jon, seemingly from thin air. He cautiously sat down and relaxed, crossing his arms before awaiting her next words.

"How are you settling in?" She asked, looking up from her papers and setting her pen down.

"Fine, I suppose." He shrugged. "Still not sure why I had to move all of a sudden. I had a perfectly good apartment."

"I like having my Servants close." She spoke frankly. "As you're my newest that goes doubly so in your case."

He nodded. "Fair enough. So let me ask, what is it exactly you would have your Servant do?"

"Whatever I tell you to, naturally." She responded coyly.

"Yeah yeah, I got that." He replied, slightly frustrated. "I mean what specifically? What is my role here?"

"Your 'role' as you put it, is to assist me with my work. The work of my House."

"But what is it we do here?" He insisted, leaning forward in his seat. "No offense but yall have been leading me around like a hooded hawk. I'd feel a lot more comfortable if I had a better idea of what's expected of me."

She twirled the pen around in her hand, considering his question thoughtfully. "Tell me, Jon. What do you know about Devils?"

He smirked. "Less than I thought, more than I should."

She chuckled at his comment. "I imagine your former order had its own interpretation."

"Something to the effect of, Devils bad, Angels good, go to Church." He stated jokingly. "Hell, I don't know. They barely every told me anything. And to be perfectly honest, I never really bothered to ask. So long as they gave me a target and a location that was all I needed."

"That doesn't surprise me. I understand the Church is very protective of its secrets. As I'm sure you've gathered the truth of our existence is far more complicated than they would have you believe."

"Maybe so, but that doesn't mean I know everything." He countered.

She straightened the papers on her desk as she spoke. "Our legend has been recorded in dozens of texts over dozens of various religions around the world. And while most have been grossly mutated, for all the allegories and dogma, there is a granule of truth in just about each interpretation."

"I'm more interested in the whole truth."

"Where to begin, then?"

"I want to know everything." He spoke earnestly. "As much as you're willing to tell me."

Rias contemplated his request for a moment. "Hmm, it would take too long to tell you everything. Our people's history spans eons. Our realm has existed since the creation of the Earth itself."

He nodded in understanding, still undeterred. "The cliffnotes version then."

"Very well." Rias relaxed back in her seat, crossing one leg over the other. "Our realm is the counterbalance to that of Heaven. The negative force to the positive one. The Christian Bible, as I'm sure you know, teaches that our people came into being when Lucifer, the oldest and most powerful of God's Angels rebelled against his father and fell from Grace." She grinned at him. "All lies."

"Which part? That he rebelled? Or that he fell?"

She shook her head. "Neither. The truth is, Lucifer was never an angel to begin with. The name Lucifer is a title bestowed upon our rulers that stems from the original Lord of our realm. But he was born a Devil, same as me."

"Sort of like Caesar?"

She nodded in confirmation. "Our realms have coexisted for eons. Two forces forming a symbiotic relationship between the astral realm and the physical one. Heaven and Hell, with Earth in the middle. That is how it has always been."

"So what changed? "

She frowned slightly, recalling the history of her people as it was once told to her. "The Noble Houses of Hell had a falling out with the realm of Heaven after they began the practice of banishing Angels who did not adhere to God's teachings down to our realm. Angels are timeless, nigh immortal creatures." She explained. "And God could not bare to kill his own children. So instead, he stripped them of their grace and banished them to hell where they became mortal."

"I take it you lot were none too happy about that?" Jon surmised.

"Lucifer was furious." She continued. "He demanded the banishings cease but his words always fell on deaf ears. Heaven outright refused to acknowledge the sovereignty we held over our own realm."

Jon scowled upon hearing this. "I understand the feeling of being ignored. And being looked down upon."

"The problem only evolved from there. The Fallen Angels, stript of their Grace, began to thirst for a new source of power. And so they began attacking us. Augmenting their abilities with Devil's blood and corrupting them into beings that crave magical power."

"They...drink Devil's blood?" He asked disbelievingly.

Rias nodded her head grimly. "The blood has twisted them into something neither of Heaven nor Hell. They walk a constant limbo between both realms. It is a hollow existence, devoid of any purpose beyond obtaining more power."

And that's what Yuma was. A hollow creature incapable of truly loving another. It really stung to know that not one part of her truly cared for him. That the time they spent together was little more than dust in the wind.

"As more Angels fell the situation only got worse and worse. Within a century we had lost half of our domain. We eventually managed to recover some of it, but the losses were great."

"And Heaven seriously just kept ignoring you?"

"It got to the point where many of our realm accused Heaven of purposefully sending them down as an invasion force. Naturally, retaliation was imminent."

"So what happened?"

"I'm not sure who struck first, but the end result was what we called the Great War. A conflict took place between the three factions that lasted for unfathomable eons. All magical creatures save for a few scarce races living within the physical realm abandoned their planet to take sides in the conflict. By the wars end, the damage done to each side was catastrophic and the Earth had been destroyed and remade no less than eight times. We eventually reached a ceasefire of sorts, but tensions still run high to this day." Her somber demeanor lightened. "Earth represents the bridge between our three factions, with humanity now being the most wide spread sentient race on the planet. Whoever controls them, controls Earth, and gains the decisive advantage of the war. We intend to make sure that's us by any means necessary."

"That's why you care so much about the fate of human souls." Jon surmised.

"The Church represents Heaven's presence on Earth. Where once it held absolute dominance, its power has begun to wane. The Fallen Angels continue to expand their influence through Organized Crime and the Black Market, but their hands can only reach so far. We are in the optimal position to expand and achieve dominance."

"What resources do we have?"

She grinned at him. "Economic superiority. We have invested heavily in the planets global economy. More than half of the world's fortune 500 companies are all run by Devils. As the influence of the Church decays, our influence has begun to rise dramatically within the last century."

Jon looked genuinely stunned.

"Hard to believe, isn't it?"

He shook his head. "No. Not at all. If anything, this just explains a lot."

She laughed in agreement. "Regardless, we are on track to becoming the dominant force on planet Earth. But something to keep in mind, is that as we rise to power, each Noble House is also competing with each other for who will claim the top spots in the hierarchy. My House has maintained a legacy of being one of the strongest in the realm of Hell. And I intend to ensure that legacy remains intact." Rias smiled at him. "And that's where you come in, my Hunter. You will assist me in establishing a stronger presence on Earth, by forming pacts with humans and silencing anyone who gets in my way."

Jon took a moment to consider all of this. Finally he looked up at his Master and nodded in understanding. "Alright. I've got it."

Rias gave him an approving look. "Continue to prove yourself and you will have whatever you desire. Riches, servants..." She gave him a wicked grin. "...a throng of obedient sex slaves?"

Jon cocked a brow at her. "You have some weird ideas about what I'm into."

"I'm only teasing. But in all sincerity, so long as you serve me without question you can have whatever you want. No need to be shy about it."

"That's all fine and well." He stated sincerely, his expression darkening. "But you should know already there's only one thing I want right now."

"I do know." She assured. "And believe me Jon, I intend to let you have your revenge. Truth be told, I was going to send you after your Ex whether you wished it or not."

"You were?"

"She's become a pain in my side and must be eliminated." She sighed, gazing at him with concerned protective eyes. "But Jon, you're not ready for that yet. There's still so much you need to learn between now and then. All I ask is that, in the meantime, you try to be patient with me and trust that I will keep my word."

He didn't respond. Jon wanted to trust her. He really did. But…

She reached over her desk and placed a hand over his own. "Give it time. I swear to you I'll earn your trust."

Jon opened his mouth to speak but decided against it. Simply nodding his head in understanding.

She smiled at him again. "Excellent. In the meantime I have your first assignment ready."

He stiffened in his chair. "What am I doing?"

"I need you…" Rias bent over behind her desk and rose back up with a giant bundle of flyers that she placed in front of him. "...to deliver these to the post office."

Jon looked at the flyers and then at her, and then at the flyers again. "That's it?"

"Yes. Why?" She asked curiously.

"Oh, I mean…" He shrugged awkwardly. "I don't know, I just wasn't expecting something quite so…"

"Mundane?" She finished for him. "There will be plenty of time for killing Fallen Angels and making pacts with questionable humans later. For now, I need to get these mailed to my distributor."

The delivery didn't take long, but Jon questioned why he had to go in the middle of the day. The afternoon sun was beating down on him harder than usual, and though the forecast insisted it wasn't supposed to be warm today, it felt like Summer to him.

He hated how tired the light made him feel. Jon never had bad allergies growing up but now whenever he went out during the day it was like hay fever season was in full swing. His whole body felt like it was trying to fight off crap that wasn't there. So despite the fact that the bundle of flyers he delivered couldn't have weighed more than twenty pounds or so, Jon felt himself getting winded by the end of the trip.

"Ah, there you are." A chipper, eloquent voice spoke to him.

Jon returned to the ORC house after his delivery to find Kiba patiently waiting for him outside. Seemingly no less bothered by the days sun than any normal human would be.

"Hey, Kiba." Jon coughed into his arm and took a seat on the steps to the house.

"You alright, my friend?" Kiba asked, taking a seat next to him.

"I'll be fine." He assured. "Let me ask you something, though. I see you come and go throughout campus all the time during the day. How is it you're not bothered by this?"

Kiba offered him a polite smile. "Having trouble adapting to the light, are we?"

Jon leaned his head back, resting it on the top step. "I feel so sluggish. It's like my body is constantly being drained."

"Well, technically it is. Light is poisonous to our kind. Even sunlight. Though the effects of the sun are quite diluted compared to holy weapons and light based magic. So you don't have to worry about it killing you. But it will cause you to feel sick."

"So why doesn't it seem to bug you at all?" He asked him in frustration.

"Because I've gotten used to it, I suppose."

Jon lurched up, an intrigued look on his face. "You can do that?"

"Certainly." Kiba replied with a curt nod. "Our weakness to light is not an immutable law as the Church would have you believe. Dark creatures can adapt to it, just as you can build up a tolerance to most poisons."

"Sort of like adapting to the extremities." Jon guessed.

"Exactly. Just as the Church teaches its Hunters how to fight better in the dark, you must allow your body to adjust to the light again. It will take time, but the process can be sped up by regular exposure and exercise."

Suddenly it became clear why Rias was making him run errands in the middle of the day.

"But it's good you're back." Kiba continued before standing up and offering him a hand. "We need to get you equipped."

Jon shot him a curious look.

"With your new weapons." He finished with a hint of glee.

Kiba lead Jon down into the cellar of the house. The entire underground room had been converted into an area where the Devil's of House Gremory could train in combat, including a firing range equipped with straw dummies and a boxing ring for sparring. In addition there were several punching bags hanging on the wall as well.

Along with the training area, the underground cellar also boasted a repository for alchemic supplies and a lab station with which to work with them. As well as a sacrificial altar for less wholesome projects, complete with a ritual krys.

"Feel free to come down and use the equipment however you see fit." Kiba offered. "My only suggestion is that you ask for help before handling anything you're unfamiliar with. Some of this stuff is...volatile." He warned.

Jon nodded in understanding, his attention more on the punching bags than anything. "Duly noted."

They both entered the repository, where Kiba guided Jon to a nearby table. Upon the table were two boxes of noticeably different sizes. The first box appeared to be a jewelry container and looked just big enough to hold a ring or small pendant. The second was much larger, about the size of a cigar box.

"Now then, first things first." Kiba offered him the smaller box. "As you are a Devil now, it is important you learn and understand the basics of magic."

Jon opened the box he was offered and gazed curiously at the contents inside. Two small metal rings crafted into the shapes of skulls rested within. Each skull had two blood red gems in the spots where the eye sockets were located.

"Well go ahead, try them on." Kiba encouraged.

He hesitantly placed the rings on one hand of each finger. The gems in the skulls immediately reacted, beginning to glow with mystical power.

"What are they made of?" He asked. "I can feel my hands vibrating."

"The rings themselves are nothing special. Just stainless steel bands." Kiba explained. "The gems, however, are a different matter. They give you better control over your power and help to perform magic."

"Okay, so like a magic wand only more stylish."

Kiba chuckled at his jest. "Essentially. Try placing your hands out in front of you as if you were holding a ball. Like this." He showed him as he explained.

"Okay?" Jon did as instructed. "Now what?"

"Now focus your energy like you did the other day. Only this time, picture it concentrating within the space between your hands."

Jon concentrated his energy as directed. Eventually he began to feel a warm glow emanating from the space between his palms, followed by a few pops and sparks going off like tiny little fireworks. Before he knew it, a small ball of fire formed and floated between his hands.

"Holy shit!" He nearly fell backwards in surprise, almost losing the fireball in the process.

"You've got it. Well done." Kiba congratulated.

"I can make fireballs?" He asked incredulously.

"With a bit of practice you'll be able to do a lot more than that."

Jon extinguished the flame and then inspected the mark on his left hand. "So how come I still can't draw out my Sacred Gear?"

"The first awakening of your power is always the most difficult." He explained assuredly. "It typically requires a little something extra. Sort of like uncorking a bottle of wine for the first time."

"What kinda something extra?"

"It honestly depends. I wouldn't worry over it too much. You'll have it in time."

Jon nodded, still looking slightly concerned.

"In the meantime." Kiba continued in an excited tone, motioning to the other box. "I have one more thing for you. And this I think you'll be particularly interested in.

Kiba opened the ornate black box and allowed him to peer inside. A giant grin immediately enveloped Jon's face.

Inside was a black Colt Single Action Repeater with an onyx grip. Grey decals formed intricate patterns along the barrel and cylinder. It was unlike any weapon he had ever seen before. Like a hunk of ebony crafted into a gun. Jon picked up the weapon and inspected it. Holding it in his hand sent a charge through his entire arm causing his rings and mark to instantly react to it.

"It's incredible." He marveled.

Kiba smirked with pride. "The metal alloy used in its manufacturing is a unique substance known as Black Brass. Lighter than normal gunmetal, yet three times as sturdy. It is obtainable only through a unique and complex alchemical process. In addition, the weapon was soaked in the blood of an Angel ritually sacrificed upon one of Hell's Crimson Altars. You'll find no weapon in Heaven or on Earth quite like this one."

"And the ammunition?" He asked, still marveling at the craftsmanship.

Kiba picked up one of the shiny bullets in the box and offered it to him. "The shells are depleted uranium with a sulfur core. A unique Black Powder mix acts as the propellant for the bullet. As for the casings well…open the cylinder."

Jon did as he asked. The moment the cylinder slid open the bullet in his hand flew from his palm and slid straight into one of the six chambers.

"Each casing holds a magically controlled magnetic charge that is opposite the charge in the cylinder. This weapon hungers for death and will deliver it with every pull of the trigger." He concluded. "To put it simply, you'll find no better weapon against both Heaven's forces and the Fallen Angels."

Beautiful, deadly, and without a shred of remorse. It was twistedly ironic, Jon felt, that his new revolver reminded him so much of the woman it was destined to kill.

The week went by with little to no trouble to speak of. Jon spent the majority of his time running odd errands for Rias, practicing his magic and with his new revolver, as well as pretending to be a normal College student. During this time he only spent about twelve hours sleeping.

Then again, that was all he needed. As Rias explained, Devils only slept to replenish their reserves of magical energy faster. They didn't need constant rest like humans did. He was fine with that. Sleep for him meant nightmares and the less he had of those, the better.

Jon was quickly falling in love with his new firearm. The gun had virtually no kickback despite the caliber of the round or muzzle velocity. This weapon was beyond lethal and he couldn't wait to try it on a live target.

It was during one of his practice sessions one evening that he was called up to Rias's office for what he assumed would be another errand.

"My first Pact?" He asked again.

"That is correct." Rias responded, wrapping a towel around her hair, having just stepped out of the shower. "Koneko was accidentally double booked tonight so I'm giving you the smaller job. It'll be good practice for you, and this way she's not pulling double duty."

"That would be rad." Koneko said completely dispassionately from the nearby couch.

"You'll be meeting with a client in Nagano. I expect you to do your best to fulfill your duties as a servant of House Gremory."

"Hold on. Nagano?" He sounded confused. "That's eighteen hours away by car. You planning on airdropping me to the client?"

She giggled at him and shook her head. "No no, nothing like that." Rias adjusted the towel around her waist as it threatened to slip down and expose her breasts. "You'll be summoned there."

He was about to ask another question when she cut him off.

"Oh and one more thing. Be sure to get your coat and hat." She grinned at him wickedly. "I'll be watching as you work."