"So, what do you know about magic?" asked Issei as they arrived in a secluded forest. With a wave of his hand, a weak barrier was placed overhead to keep any normal people out of the way.

"I know next to nothing." Spoke Motohama, defeated.

Damn, thought Issei, this is going to take a while then.

"Ok, the basics. Magic is a power that all supernatural beings, minus dragons can perform. It's source of power depends on the person and the only factors separating a weak magician to another is magic reservoir, or mana pool, magical intensity, or power behind the spell, and of course imagination. Any strong magician will have a knack for the creative side of any task." Before Issei could continue, Motohama raised his hand as he would in class. Issei nodded,

"Why can't dragon's perform magic?"

"Dragons, instead of using their mana, use what's called their aura. Every creature has an aura; however, dragons are the only ones who can wield its power. For example, noticed how if I flare my power, you can see a strange glow." Issei flared his power to that of a low-class devil.

"Yeah, its golden." Spoke Motohama amazed.

"That was my aura. For normal people, it is just a sign of their life force and strength, but for a dragon that aura is their magic. They use it to create fire and ice and all sorts of other breath-based attacks. Now as far as you're concerned, I looked at your affinity. You have a strong Fire affinity which will allow you to cast fire magic." Issei stuck out his hand, forming a golden magic circle that began to beam with a red light. "Observe." Fire erupted from the circle, causing a massive inferno to spew forth engulfing a nearby tree before disappearing.

"So COOL!" yelled Motohama excited.

"You can also learn other elements as well such as ice or lightning, however without an affinity for them they will be harder to learn." Issei said with a warm smile.

"YO, Sensei." Said Motohama with his hand raised again.

"What?" Issei said starting to get annoyed.

" What affinity do you have?"

"Lightning and Ice, however I learned fire easily thanks to a good teacher I know."

"You have two! So cool." Issei mentally face palmed as he began to instruct Motohama on the basics of fire magic, nearly spending three hours getting him to cast his magic circle, which was a more basic version of the Gremory seal.

" Ok, Fire magic is special regarding other elements. Instead of it coming naturally, you must dominate the fire and become one with it." Motohama nodded, not before asking a million other questions. Issei watched as he summoned small sparks here and there, many of which causing burns on Motohama's arms, but that boy was determined as several more hours passed by in his attempts to conquer this basic form. Issei watched with amusement, simply enjoying this simple moment of time as a teacher.

Issei watched, giving passive advice every so often when his junior became stumped, but soon he managed to hold a spark in place. "Good work. Now that you have a flame, condense it and push power into it at a stable level. With more training you'll be able to do it faster so don't worry." Motohama took the advice and began to force his demonic energy, no matter how light into the tiny flame. Minutes passed since he was being more than weary about the flame as it had burned him dozens of times today. It grew and grew into the size of a person's head before disappearing, leaving a very much exhausted boy.

"How…was that?" he asked in panted breath.

"Good start." Issei responded warmly as he began to walk away lowering the barrier. He waved for Motohama to follow and the two took a more scenic route beside a nearby lake as they went home. The lake was a nice sight for Issei, as it reminded him of Artemis's home within Mount Olympus. The two walked for some time, not really saying much. Motohama was too busy creating small sparks every opportunity he got.

Are you sure you don't want to go back to him, Ddraig? He is a fast learner in magic. The dragon scoffed at the Idea.

He's only good because of the bishop piece he has.

Issei rolled his eyes at his resident's remarks. Internally, Issei wants Ddraig to leave…badly. Sure, the Idea of fighting the white dragon emperor sounds fun for Issei, however the constant fights the two dragons have inside were getting on his nerves. They were so destructive to his soul that the sounds of battle ring in his ears constantly.

"Hey, Issei?" asked Motohama who was trailing behind.

"What is it?" Issei asked, accidentally letting annoyance roll of his tongue. He turned to his friend and immediately wanted to kill him.

Plastered on his face a flushed, lecherous stare. "What do you think my chances are with Rias, or Akeno?" Issei just stared at the kid, distinctly remembering the constant smell of arousal that Rias and by some minor extend, Akeno, leaked when he interacted with them.

"Go for it." Issei said with a frown but accompanied by a thumbs up. Motohama's smile grew wildly and went into perv bliss.

Ignoring his friend's antics, Issei turned inwards, Ymey, did you happen to get a read on Motohama?

Indeed. He has the reservoirs of a middle-class magician, however now with the bishop he could easily go High class with some training. Ymey was impressed. While a high-class human magician was only a middle-class devil in terms of reservoir, it was still impressive for a newly reincarnated one to have. However, something kept biting at Issei about it,

Why?

I believe I can answer that, Issei. When I was observing him during our time at the academy, I felt magic constantly being used by him. I investigated and found that his ability to scan a women's breast size is related, although a horrible mutation, of a low-class analysis spell. I believe that his ancestor was a magician, and that skill was passed down.

I see. Issei was somewhat intrigued by his friends interesting, although, pointless ability. If only he could use to better use.

Exactly. Ddraig spoke this time in a panted breath. If he would have used it to find out about devils, he could have easily gotten trained years ago. Then I would have been inclined to stay with him.

Issei knew thinking about what if scenarios would just make him regret, so he decided to ignore the dragon and continued the walk-in abject silence. It was calm, and something that Issei really needed for his mind. The further they walked, the more his head seemed to be eased of battle. Unknowingly, Issei's mind began to wander.

His thoughts suddenly became plagued by visions. Of a woman with maroon hair, that seemed to edge closer to dried blood in color. Her eyes a wonderous silver that enraptured him, A figure to die for. He thought of her, slowly going more and more lecherous, of peeling of her clothes, of doing…

Nope…snap out of it Issei. Issei thought as he slapped his cheeks together. What is wrong with me?

Issei, you know full well what's happening. Ymey cut in.

Oh, seems my host has a mate in mind, Humm. Ddraig's voice sliced through Issei's ears finally bringing the boy a blush, thankfully hidden away from Motohama.

Ymey, Ddraig. If either of you speak of this. I will make your lives hell, because remember that my soul is exactly that, MINE. I can bend my will over both of you regardless of your strength. Don't. Speak. A Word.

Issei's proclamation only earned a scoff from Ddraig, however Ymey agreed with a nod that Issei could feel. Ymey knew not to cross with his host on such matters, especially after last time.

Flashback

A younger Issei stood in a forest. The forest was the home and hunting ground of Artemis, the goddess of the hunt. Some sources claimed that she was too a goddess of Chasity, however that was partially untrue. Something that she had explained to Issei when he asked about it.

She claimed it was due to her being the goddess of childbirth, that some mistranslations caused her to be known as Chasity. Something that spread like wildfire due to its relatability to the female population at the time. The other reason being that she simply hadn't done it with anyone, so when the rumor got out about that it caused some myths to be strewn. All the same, Issei still found himself in the forest of her domain, firing arrow after arrow at moving holographic targets that either sprung in the air, ran away on the ground, or charged him. Each were a figure of either great importance within the world political realm, or legends of Greek myth.

After his thousandth arrow, Issei was drained of energy. His breaths were heavy and his lungs and body from overuse, however he was still standing which caused the training bot to mistake him for being ready for more. A hologram of Hercules, someone that Issei had a great respect for the longer he was present at Mount Olympus, charged him axe in hand.

Uh-oh. Issei thought as the axe slammed into him, launching him a good few meters into a tree nearby. The system finally recognized his defeat and disabled the training simulation.

Issei sat dazed, his back sliding down the tree that had a very noticeable crater in its bark. His eyes fluttered between open and closed as he felt a very warm liquid run down the back of his head. He tried his best to stand, however over exertion got the better of him as he fell face first into the grass below. This caused him to lose the will to stand. Well, at least until he heard a feminine giggle ring out, a good distance away.

He heard her walk closer. The chain on her armor clicking together with each step. Issei could feel her presence, her power. It enveloped over him in a silver haze, and it brought him only warmth while others would feel fear. Fear of her ability to kill and dominate.

"Oh, Ise. You really should know when you're at your limit." She said in a worried giggle. Her voice as it reached into Issei's ears melted his heart in a stupor.

"I'm pushing myself." Issei said rising very slowly. "To better myself. To be worthy of being your hunter."

"Oh, Ise." She said as she reached down with magic enveloping her hands. She brushed her fingertip along Issei's hair causing him to feel a tingle on his scalp as she did so. He could feel the wound, wherever it was beginning to close, his blood disappearing alongside it. "Your already worth it."

Issei blushed from her words. He felt more warmth than he had ever felt before, even when he was within Hephaestus's workshop. He rose just enough to face her. His vision was still blurry, but he could make out her silver eyes. Those eyes…

"Haha, it seems you're my partner's mate." rung a dragon's voice. A small venomous light appearing on Issei's left hand. The voice causing a small uncontrollable giggle from the woman and an instant crimson blush on Issei's face, alongside with an ever-lasting burn of revenge.

Flashback End.

As Ymey thought of the night after, he shuttered. The constant humiliation he received in the form of being turned into a crying whelp of a boy that got his ass handed to him night after night, by a very angry Issei. He was pretty sure that it left some scars on his scales.

I'll be quiet, Issei. Ymey muttered much to the satisfaction of Issei and the bewilderment of Ddraig.

Oh, so the mighty king of Evil dragons fears a mere human. Bahahaha this is just too much.

I wouldn't be saying that if you knew of his wrath, Ddraig.

Oh? His wrath? You must be joking.

If you think what I do to you is bad, he will make it worse. Humans are scary creatures when they want to be.

Ddraig felt his dragon senses, all practically begging for him to keep his trap shut. So, for the first time in over twenty generations. Ddraig finally learned to keep his mouth shut for once.

Issei and Motohama had finally reached the edges of Kuoh town, much to the satisfaction of Issei who was getting tired by this point. Although the sun was still high in sky, roughly around 4:30, Issei was feeling grimy due to him having not changed or showered in a few days. "Motohama, can you get back to the school without me?"

"What kind of question is that? Of course, I can." Motohama said in puff as he walked away from Issei as he made his way to the academy. Finally ridden of his failure of a junior. Issei activated a magic circle and disappeared in a silver light.

Zeus sat on a marble chair, overlooking the endless skies that surround Olympus. He ran his hand through his beard, something he always did in times of distress or deep thought. His brow was furrowed, and his eyes heavy. Evident that he had sat there for an incredibly long time at this point.

His peaceful meditation, if one could call it that, was ended when he heard the clacking of heels upon marble. The clacking accompanied by the clicks of chain as it came closer and closer to the god of lightning. He rose his head, and saw a maroon headed woman standing nearby. Her arms crossed in a relaxed yet accusatory position. "Zeus."

"Artemis, how can I help you?" Zeus said as he waved her over. Artemis obliged, moving with swayed yet controlled hip movements, her silver armor shined as it closed the distance to Zeus's lightning radiance.

"I was wondering something." Her tone was warm yet cold. Like she was trying to be a comforting friend and an accusing enemy.

"And what would that be?" Zeus asked intrigued.

"I was wondering when you were going to tell Issei of his divinity." Her question caused Zeus's brow to furrow even deeper as he chewed on the question, trying not to allow his frustration to rise against his favored amongst the gods.

"Ymey has done a good job of making him believe that he is simply a lightning drake. I see no need to tell him an…" Zeus was cut short when Artemis lowered her head to his sitting level.

"I wish for him to know, Zeus. I wish to be with him, not as his goddess but as…something more." She said with a blush following.

"I know of your attraction to him; however, I do not believe that is the best choice for him."

"Why not. He wields your lightning with mastery. His drive to succeed is matched by none. He is more of a god than any of the lesser." Artemis said, her energy flaring without her consent as her anger began to rise. Her fists were clinched hard, so hard that they were turning white.

"I wish for him to enjoy his life, Artemis. As his…as his father, I will not allow another one of my sons to go down the path of ruin." Zeus's eyes threatened to tear when he thought of the misfortunes that Hercules went through in his mortal life. All caused by Zeus's wife when she found out he was her son.

"I know of Hera's rage, however If he were to become a full god. To partake in the ritual, then I…"

"You know the ritual would make you two one, right? Are you truly concerned for his safety or are you trying to force a marriage upon the two of you?" Artemis's face became as red as her hair at the question.

"W-why…not both…" she stammered out in embarrassment. "He is the first I have ever wish for this. Do you deny me this…my first love?"

Zeus sighed. He truly wished to protect the boy, no his boy from the ruins of demi divinity; however, he didn't wish to rip his life away from him. If wished to be made a full god then so be it, he would allow it, however he didn't wish to force the issue. He knew that his boy had feeling for Artemis, thanks to the conversations that he and Ymey had when Issei was asleep whenever he slept within the hero's chambers. That fact, however, did not change his stance on the Issue. It was his mother that had made the decision to make him ignorant of the fact and he wished to follow her request. Even if her life was taken so long ago.

"You know it's only going to be so long before Hera finds out. IF she did so, with his strength and her cruelty, a war would break out between the two. A dragon's pride can only be jabbed at for so long before he comes for his vengeance." Artemis said, closing the distance between her and Zeus. Her lips mere centimeters from his ear. "You know he can do it too. Rip her to shreds, destroy everything you have built. His strength is ever growing, not limited by the need to have worshipers to give him strength. As a dragon, you know what he is capable of."

"I do…" Zeus whispered, "however, I still wish for him to remain ignorant. Even if its only for a short time." Zeus was nearing tears at this point. His son had always been a soft spot for him. Back when he lived with him and his mother, back when everything was right, he knew that this would come. However, he still wished to leave it be for as long as possible.

Artemis was furious and yet understanding of his position. While she had never had a child herself, she knew the love after all, she was the goddess of childbirth. "I will protect him from Hera in the meantime then. However, I can't do it forever. Lord Zeus." The use of his title shot deep into Zeus. She was the only one out of all the gods who he allowed for his name to be spoken without it. This only made her use of it more…

…

…

Painful…

Shorter one? yea.

No fights, or the like? yes.

do I care? no.

Hope you guys are having a wonderful day/ night. thanks for reading.