Gabriel and Levy found themselves in the all-father's throne room; both had taken the initiative to kneel to one of the two kings of gods and his wife. A mature woman sitting next to Odin motioned for them to stand, a deep frown was clear on her face. "Please stand; your creator was a good friend of ours. You two as far as we are concerned are family." Freyja said getting up she moved to cup both of their cheeks with one hand each.

The older of the two was taken aback, while his sister leaned into it. "Thank you for your hospitality, but we are here with business." Gabriel took out a box handing it to one of the Valkyrie who stood on either side of the two thrones. The maiden carefully examined the contents of a small chest that was a ring inscribed with ancient Hebrew. "The Ring of Solomon as promised, I do hope you won't have to use it." Said Gabriel, as the woman satisfied, gave a bow to him before presenting the chest to Odin while Freyja returned to his side.

Odin took the ring placing it on his right ring finger. The older gentleman was all serious from the moment the two angels walked in, but after a few seconds the features lightened up as he addressed the two causing Freyja to do the same. "I hope not, that's what you two are trying to prevent. The distasteful use of such items."

"That is all we can hope for sir." Levy reassured the god.

Freyja was next to speak as she took a comforting tone turning to speak to the young lady, "it's not something we gods are proud of. Sending little ones to fight an unfinished war and prevent an even larger one." She motioned to the guards at the door to retrieve the items they had prepared for this deal.

One guard brought over what appeared to be a large sword wrapped in cloth. When uncovering the sword Gabriel couldn't help but admire the craftsmanship. The blade was a steel and about 138 cm in length, about 13 cm wide, and in the middle of the blade was a line of gold ending at a point, near the end of the blade. An inscription in the gold read, "kongen av dyret slayer av alle". The hilt was wrapped in leather and had the handle of a dragon's head on one side and a winged wolf on the other. Gabriel took the scabbard he sheathed the claymore.

While this was happening a Valkyrie entered the room with Mjölnir. Levy seeing this her eyes lit up, much to the amusement of the two elder gods. She took a few swings of the war hammer giggling with joy when gusts of wind came from it feeling it's weight and a wild sense of power. It discharged controlled bolts of lighting, 'Don't worry you and I will get along just fine.' She thought to herself. Taking the weapon's sling, Levy holstered Mjölnir on her back.

"Mjölnir seems to be a good fit for you Leviathan, Don't you say dear."

"Quite, I am glad that our son found a fitting warrior for it."

"You say that as if he had a choice in the matter." Levy said with a cocky grin.

Gabriel looked at her in utter disbelief, Odin on the other hand blinked a few times before letting out a chuckle. "You might be right about that."

"Now that we concluded our business, how about you two accompany us and Gersemi the rest of the day. Gersemi had missed your visits, Leviathan." Freyja made a request to them.

Gabriel replied first with Levy nodding in agreement. "I do apologize, but we have duties to attend to. And some matters to prepare for."

Levy continued where Gabriel left off. "When we find time we will be sure to come by."

(...)

Issei sat at his desk staring out the window at the clouds as the bell signaling the beginning of the lunch period rang. An upbeat Mei connected her desk with his, getting his undivided attention. "Ise, do you mind if the three of us have lunch together first before we go see the club advisor?"

"Not at all." Issei replied.

The two were quickly joined by Makoto who shared Mei's desk. The three ate their respective meals mostly through the conversation of the two girls, although they tried to include him, Issei sat there mostly enjoying the two talk in silence. When they were all done Makoto got to the topic at hand. She turned to her two companions and spoke. "We should get going before class resumes. I spoke with Kristiansen-sensei, and she said she will be waiting in the staff room for us."

Getting to her feet Mei replied. "We shouldn't keep Elisa-sensei waiting then." After getting a raised eyebrow from Issei she decided to explain her use of the advisor's name. "Uh, you see her name was hard for me to pronounce so she let's me shorten her given name like I do with you and Mako." punctuating the sentence with a nervous laugh.

"I get Sugiyama since you two are close friends," he began. "But what about me? I doubt you have any troubles with my name and we have only been talking for a week. So we are not that close yet."

Mei's eye's shifted from Issei to Makoto in silent prayer, but her best friend wouldn't come to her rescue. Biting her lip while drumming her fingers she answered not being able to look the boy in the eye. "T-T-That's c-c-cause I want to become better friends," a brief thought of 'and even more' crossed her mind shaking off that and the pain in her chest remembering her brief interaction with him and Akeno the day before. After a short pause she found the strength in herself to continue with deep blush. "S-s-so that's why I-I-I..." Taking a deep breath she stopped herself from the nervous stutters. "That's why I use Ise instead of your name. And I want you to call me by mine, if you don't mind." She noticed Makoto's hand sneak into hers in silent support.

Makoto, taking advantage of the situation, makes a request. "Hyoudou... no Issei, I would like for you to do the same with me."

Issei thought to himself for a minute before asking. "Are you sure?"

"Yes!" Both girls answered simultaneously.

He let out a short breath before confirming. "Well... Mei, Makoto. I actually want to get closer to you two too." He said, rubbing the back of his neck.

Mei jumped from her seat before feeling a tug on her collar pulling back in her chair. Glaring at the offender she spoke. "What the hell Mako!"

The girl beside Mei had a disapproving expression. "Remember what I said yesterday, we wouldn't want to cause any unnecessary trouble." She said pointing at the members of the class eating in the room, currently staring at their little group. "Apologies Issei, Mei has issues controlling her emotions when she is excited."

"You make it sound like I have no self control at all." Mei says while pouting. Issei laughs, giving her a large smile. "Oh great, what am I going to do now? Mako you are the worst." Her pout now complimented by a blush.

"I don't mind trouble, anyways I would rather you be yourself then pretend to be something you are not." Issei said.

Mei now looking away from her two friends had her rosy cheeks deepened in color. Her eyes met the door. "We should get going huh, the period is almost over." Mei said, her voice barely audible.

The group cleaned up the waste from their lunch returning their desk to normal. Exiting the classroom they took the nearest staircase to the second floor. After a couple minutes of travel the three stood at a door marked 'Staff Room', and after getting permission they entered the room. It was sparsely decorated and the desk was in a grid like pattern. At the moment only one teacher was there.

"What a surprise, probably the last person I would think of getting an invitation to the Kendo Club."

[Interesting, she doesn't seem to be one of Sitri's servants. Be on your guard, she is a very strong Cambion.]

Makoto was the first to speak, introducing Issei. "Kristiansen-sensei this is Hyoudou Issei, he has decided to take us up on the invitation. He wanted to talk to you about a reduced role in the club since he is in another one already." After she finished, the very beautiful teacher with a short textured dark blue bob let her red eyes fall on the three with an amused grin, showing off her prominent fangs.

"Uhh...hello"

Kristainsen noticed Issei's general demeanour, deciding to alleviate what she thought the way he might see her by taking a more relaxed appearance. "I'm Elisabeth Kristainsen, I am the Kendo Club advisor." She said while getting up from her desk. "You may call me what you wish as long as you are respectful. Unlike this one." She said, jokingly pointing out Mei's nickname for her.

"Hey, I am respectful."

"Sure you are. How many nicknames did you go through until you found one." Turning her attention back to Issei she noticed a now pouting Mei. "Anyway, if I am getting this right our newest member can't commit fully. May I ask why?"

"I just joined the Occult Research Club recently and I don't want to leave it so soon sensei." Issei confirmed.

Elisabeth brought up a hand to rub her chin in thought. After a few seconds she looked into Issei 's eyes. "Well it should be fine, come by when these two don't have volleyball. I'm sure they would like that." She paused to gauge the two girls' responses, to her amusement their faces were red in embarrassment. "We can discuss scheduling then. And if you need anything, I'm usually here during breaks and have the last period off."

"I will keep that in mind."

(...)

Walking into the ORC club room Issei was greeted by Rias at the desk and Akeno serving her tea. Rias was flipping through documents when Akeno noticed him. "Hello there Hyoudou-kun, you're early, the others are not here yet. Would you like some tea as well?" Akeno asked with a bright smile.

Issei offered one back before taking a seat on a couch turning to Akeno before answering. "No thank you Himejima-san. Today we had a free period so I came earlier than I normally would." Now having his attention towards Rias "So what am I going to be doing today, please don't tell me I am covering for Toujou-san again."

Hearing Issei she put down her paperwork and answered. "No, until the situation with the fallen angels is dealt with we have paused all contracts, but since you are here me and Akeno can help you with getting your own familiar." A bat appeared in her hands as well as a miniature Oni in Akeno's. "I wanted to do this yesterday, but Koneko's contractor came up."

"That's fine, what about the others? I thought Himejima-san said they would be here."

"Koneko and Yuuto are going to help the student council with some of it's duties, so it's going to be the three of us today." Rias replied, earning a questioning look from Akeno. Her queen looked like she wanted to say something but decided against it. After quickly scribbling instructions for the other members leaving them on the desk she turned to the ones present. "Akeno if you would do the honors?"

Akeno stepped to the middle of the room, opening up a teleportation circle. Issei and Rias stood at either side of Akeno, and before he knew it they were in the middle of a large forest. A man with a backwards baseball cap came up to the ORC members bowing to Rias. "What do we owe this visit Lady Rias?"

Rias pointed to a dumbfounded Issei and began. "This is my new pawn Issei Hyoudou, we are here for him to get a familiar."

The man turned to Issei, giving him a bow as well. "Hello master Issei I am the Familiar master, Zatuji. It's a pleasure."

"Issei's just fine, it's nice to meet you too."

"You honor me. My apologies Lady Akeno, I did not see you there."

"That's quite fine, you don't have to worry. We are both here for Hyoudou-san anyway."

The man then turned towards the forest edge. "Well that's interesting."

"What is?" Rias was the first to question the man.

Zaruji did not take his eyes from the tree line, seemingly on guard. He unsheathed a dagger from his side preparing for a fight. "It's the queen of the forest, she always keeps to herself most of the time it's rare to see her this close to a guest."

"What should we do?" Akeno asked

Not taking his eye from where the presumed queen of the forest is supposed to be he motioned for Rias' peerage to stay behind him. A rustle from the foliage directly ahead of them was heard, and before any of them could react a lioness came from behind a tree charging straight for the group. Zaruji, being the first to respond, took a defensive stance with his dagger. The lioness was on top of him before he could complete the action, When Issei activated the boosted gear now in front of the two girls as a barrier.

"[BOOST!]"

The cry got the lioness' attention changing focus as she phased through Zaruji's dagger swing now slowly approaching Issei. "Kid, be careful. She is nothing you want to trifle with." Zaruji said, concern clear on his face.

[Partner, I need you to trust me on this.]

'You better know what you are doing.' Issei responded in thought, letting his instincts take over the gauntlet activated and came to the lioness, palm upwards inviting her to come closer. The action surprised all but the two involved. A green wave of energy came from Issei and for a split second a dark-skinned woman in crimson armor appeared for the big cat mimicking Issei's actions before fading away. The lioness quickly approached the teen sniffing the gauntlet covered hand before standing on its hind legs having its front rest on his shoulders. To everyone's surprise the animal started licking Issei's face. "Hey, knock it off that tickles." Issei exclaimed through bouts of laughter. The lioness taking it as a commend got off Issei and bowed her head at his feet. "You didn't do anything wrong, so you don't have to do that." Issei began to pet the head, scratching behind the ears of the lion. She then came to stand next to Issei nuzzling into his side. "I guess that means I don't have to go shopping for another, since we have started bonding. So what happens next?" He asked.

Zaruji stood there dumbfounded, Akeno snapped him out of it when she asked, "Is something wrong? Is this going to cause problems? You did call her the queen of the forest."

"N-N-No. Nothing like that. It's just..." Turning to look at Issei playing with the lion. "She was the first king's familiar, She had no master since her death. So it was a surprise that she was taken to someone after so long. Your pawn Lady Rias must really be an amazing man."

Rias was overjoyed at the information looking at Issei and his soon-to-be new familiar. "Yes, I am truly blessed to have a household such as I have." She spoke with a small smile on her face. Not only did she have the red one as a pawn, but he had a ridiculously strong second gear that was Longinus class or even greater and now he was about to inherit the first king familiar.

Zaruji nodded to Rias. He took out a piece of paper from one of his pockets and moved towards Issei. "Well master Issei, if you are satisfied with your choice then we will move to the pac-"

"That's not necessary." The lion growled out. "I will give myself to my master of my free will, you dare question my loyalty." Her eyes met his before she turned to Issei. "I will happily serve you with my heart and soul, master. Just as I have done in the past, if you will have me."

Issei, not missing a beat, looked at the lion then spoke. "I would love to. So do you have a name or should I come up with one?"

"I would like to be called by the name that I remember my master by, Petra. If you don't mind." She said looking down. Issei then came up, putting a hand to her head.

"You must have cared for her very much, it's fine Petra. I actually like the name." When Issei finished the gems on the boosted gear glowed. The lion was replaced by a kneeling woman. She had dark olive skin and was in a white Egyptian Kaftan and had a circlet in her black hair tied in a single braid resting on her right shoulder.

The woman looked up, her lion ears now sporting two piercings in the left twitched at Issei's touch. The gentle smile on her face grew larger. "I am glad master, I will be at your side always." Petra said before dissolving into Issei's shadow his boosted gear was unequipped shortly after.

Issei turned to the group that was currently looking at him with mixed expressions. Rias notices that the symbol of the house of Gremory was glowing, but was now complemented by intertwining lines that moved up his forearm.

(...)

Issei, leaving the ORC club room, was greeted by the Kendo club advisor leaning by the door. When he entered her field of vision she pushed off the wall looking him straight in the eye. "Well Hyoudou, it looks like you had quite the eventful day." Elisabeth said with a toothy grin. Noticing him on his guard she tugged at the collar of her plain white t-shirt revealing the symbol of the house of Gremory under her right collar bone, as well as red glowing veins covering the right side of her torso ending at the base of her neck. Her red eyes had now changed tint and her fangs at their full length. "As you can see, we are basically family. My master wants a word."

A/N: Edit 2021-11-08: Grammatical errors and typos