A big thank you to all my readers. Everyone reading and enjoying are what give me the inspiration to continue this tale of a new ally brought to bear in the world of Highschool DxD. :)

Dorian begins his new life in Asgard. With the aid of students, teachers, Valkyrie and more he must discover the strength required for the day ahead...

Dorian stood at the front of the room, feeling quite awkward upon realizing as expected he was the only man present.

"By special dispensation from Lady Freyja and the Allfather," the lead Valkyrie explained to the class. "Mr. Held will be joining us in our classroom sessions for the foreseeable future. I trust you will all make him feel welcome."

"Yes Lady Eir," the class replied in unison, their discipline was extraordinary considering none were older than Dorian.

"Very good, before we begin would you like to introduce yourself to the class?"

Dorian stepped forward awkwardly, quite amazed at how the classroom appeared. Despite the fact he was in a different realm standing before a room of literal Valkyries…it looked….normal. The unique architecture he had come to expect of Asgard was present, but factoring that out there were desks, tables, chairs...even a blackboard that currently had his name written out across it. The girls were wearing a white official school uniform with blue and gold accents matching the color scheme of the armor Rossweisse had worn the previous day. Dorian had been given his own set to wear as well.

"M-My name is Dorian Held," he announced to the class, bowing low. "It will be an honor to study alongside you."

A ripple effect of whispers and giggles spread throughout the room. More than one of the girls winked at him with a smile while the rest eyed him suspiciously no doubt confused as to why a man would be allowed among their numbers.

"You may take any available seat Mr. Held," the elder Valkyrie informed him.

Dorian walked past the rows, feeling every eye on him. He spotted a pair of open seats in the back, trying to keep his head down; he slid into the one nearest the window beside a blue-haired Valkyrie. She gave him a quick smile before focusing on the teacher.

"Excellent, now…today we will be studying reinforcement of runes. If you will look here…"

Dorian focused intently on the lesson, his amazement of learning that not only magic existing but he was capable of it not having yet died down. Despite his focus he could not help but think back on recent developments.

***PREVIOUS DAY***

"A Sacred Gear…" Dorian repeated as Odin and Freyja had sat him down within a large study chamber.

After the battle, the group had retired inside, the Norse gods purposefully ignoring Modi's unconscious body left in the corner. "He'll wake up eventually…hopefully with a bit more humility," Freyja had joked. Their assistants had accompanied them as well, Thrud standing beside her lady and Rossweisse took up position behind Odin's chair.

"Indeed," Odin continued. "They originate from the Original God of the Bible…devices granted to humans to perform miracles and enact his will among his followers."

Dorian looked over the glowing Azure gem in the center of his bracer. "If it was the Bible God who made them…why did you bring me to Asgard?"

Odin leaned back into his chair, sighing, his eyes subtly darting to each of the women in the room looking them up and down. Dorian assumed it must be a way he calms down…

"This particular Gear was not made by him."

Dorian sat in silence a moment, responding only after realizing the one-eyed god was not going to answer on his own.

"How…do you know?"

"We have…classified information that specifies no True Sacred Gears have been made in some time…yet yours is brand new and clearly not of artificial means. And that's not all."

"What do you know of Yggdrasil?" Freyja stepped in, alleviating some strain from her husband.

"Um, it is the World Tree…wrapped around Earth…Midgard," he corrected, trying to use their terminology. "Some legends specify it is responsible for creating the world."

"Well done, its branches stretch across the nine realms and while we don't know if it did create them…I would not be surprised if it did. Your Sacred Gear would have fused with your soul at birth…but your life essence masked it all these years."

Dorian nodded blankly barely able to follow what she was saying so far.

"When you died, that cover fell away…we were able to sense a piece of the Yggdrasil on Midgard…something that should have been impossible."

"Why impossible?"

"Because Yggdrasil is constantly growing, expanding across creation…and we are its caretakers. The tree is monitored at all times for any discrepancy, damage, a new world connected…you name it. You have a fragment of the tree bonded to your soul…when there is no missing fragment to be found."

"In addition…we have no records of any Sacred Gears in existence to possess cores originating from other mythologies…such a bond should be…impossible," Odin concluded.

Dorian looked over the device clinging to his arm once more, shocked that such an impossible item was right in front of him…a part of him…

"Your duties as my retainer shall commence tomorrow," Freyja commanded, her Queenly tone returning. "You will begin the day with studies of our culture and practical skills in the morning with the other Valkyries. The details have already been worked out, but come the evening…you shall be mine."

"Consider yourself lucky kid," Odin leaned back with a chuckle. "She hasn't requested my nighttime skills in years."

"Allfather!" Rossweisse called out behind him before Freyja could raise her hand to strike. "Please control yourself and stick to the matter at hand!"

Odin just groaned, leaning forward rubbing the back of his neck.

"Have to suck all the fun out of everything don't you?"

"I'll…be studying with Valkyries?" Dorian asked. "Wouldn't I learn with other Einherjar?"

"I did not think that would be…prudent," Freyja answered. "They learn little in Valhalla as their skills are meant to be at their peak before entering there. It is a reward more than a training ground. The training regimen of the standard warriors of Asgard would be…insufficient for you and Valkyrie are trained from a young age to harness magic, runes and combat all at once."

"Smile my boy," Odin slapped Dorian hard on the back. "Starting tomorrow you'll be a real stud."

Rossweisse finally stepped aside as Freyja's hand connected with the back of his head.

***PRESENT DAY***

"Block when you must, dodge when you can…and strike!" Thrud commanded.

Dorian complied, barely parrying her overhanded swing, though he could tell she was holding back considerably. He was informed he would attend general Valkyrie classes, however due to the nature of his Sacred Gear it was felt he should receive private lessons in combat apart from the rest. Thrud and Rossweisse once again rose to the task.

They had been fighting in a clearing just outside the Valkyrie training building for the better part of an hour. The class Dorian had been learning alongside had their own regimen…yet it appeared most had decided to forego their routine to witness his spar with Thrud. They were all leaning against the fence, watching on with bated breath.

"We seem to be rather popular," Dorian pointed out as he ducked a follow-up swing.

"Ignore them," she commanded. "Focus on me."

Dorian complied, but the eyes of dozens of girls was difficult for him to forget, he could only imagine what they were whispering. Ever at the forefront was the blue-haired Valkyrie he had chosen to sit beside.

Thrud knelt low, spinning to clip his legs out from under him. Somehow Dorian managed to jump in time, dodging her strike at the last possible moment.

"Your reflexes are improving," she complimented. "Bring it out."

Nodding, Dorian focused on his right arm. On command his Sacred Gear appeared, the process of bringing it forth infinitely simpler than the first time had been. Ooo's and aahh's could be heard from their unintended audience.

"Excellent," Thrud complimented. "Today I want you to flex its muscles so to speak. Try and use it."

"Use…it?" Dorian just looked at the bracer on his arm as if an instruction manual was about to appear. No matter how hard he stared nothing seemed to happen.

Come on…a little help here…I have an audience and everything.

As if taking pity on his request the azure gem in the center began to pulsate, the light spinning clockwise round and round. Dorian even held his arm out, aiming it away from the audience just in case. The light flared to an almost blinding degree before dying down…receding back into the bracer and shrinking to a single dot. Dorian shook his arm and held his ear up to it as if diagnosing a broken watch.

Before Thrud could remark, the dot of blue light blasted forth from the bracer, rocketing into the sky disappearing into the distance. For a half a moment Dorian thought he could see a circle…like a hole had been punched through the air itself, however after a single blink it was gone. The tops of numerous trees were sheered clean along its path. Many of the younger Valkyries ducked for cover at the beam of energy…all save the young blue-haired girl who remained standing.

"Is…is that normal?" Dorian asked, panting heavily upon the realization that the blast had fired while mere hairs breadths from his face.

"It is…expected," Thrud replied at length. "Many Sacred Gears require the wielder to be strong enough to call forth its power…it seems you do not yet meet its minimum requirements to do more than release the accumulated energy all at once."

Ouch.

"You can train your body and magic," Rossweisse stepped up, offering words of encouragement and extending a hand to help him up. Given time we will discover your Gear's purpose." Dorian smiled appreciatively at her words, gripping her strong arm and hoisting himself back to his feet.

Cheers could be heard in the distance; apparently his display of raw power was quite popular. Thrud hoped the girls wouldn't be so hesitant around him in the future…each one of them knew far more about magic runes than he and would be instrumental in expanding his knowledge.

"For now," Thrud interrupted again, wiping a bead of sweat from her brow. "It is past time to report to Lady Freyja, she was most insistent you meet with her as soon as our training was concluded."

"Right," he replied, eager to begin. "What is the fastest way to her office?"

"Did you learn the flight rune today?"

"Um…" Dorian grimaced, not recognizing that skill among the multitude that Eir had gone over during the hours indoors…

Frejya's Office…

A knock alerted Freyja to her visitor…he was late.

"Enter," she called out.

Dorian limped inside panting heavily. With no flight capabilities in his repertoire he had been forced to run the whole way to her chambers on the opposite side of the Palace. The one silver lining he could think of was the chance to work on his cardio.

"I'm…sorry…for my…tardiness," he gasped, finally approaching her desk.

The goddesses' table was the definition of organized chaos, covered from end to end in papers, documents and memos. Despite their uncountable numbers she worked calmly, signing some, filing others and responding to requests. The room was otherwise pristine, a roaring hearth providing warmth and ambiance in the corner. He could not help but smile at noticing a pair of small black cats lounging by the fire, their tails lazily whipping back and forth as they slept.

"I will have Rossweisse and the teachers focus on flight runes tomorrow," Freyja responded calmly. "How is your penmanship?"

"Immaculate," was his only response. He allowed a smile to slip through; across the various countries he had studied he had always been complimented for his handwriting."

"Excellent, then for now…please take a seat and write what I say."

Dorian complied, locating a blank piece of parchment and pen nearby, nodding when he was ready.

"Dearest Zeus, King of Olympus and highest among the Greek Pantheon," she started. Dorian was amazed to notice that as she was dictating the reply that she was simultaneously working on no fewer than two other documents. Her multitasking skills were flawless. "We are pleased that you agree with our proposition. When time allows we hope that you will see fit to receive our envoy to finalize the agreement. Until that time I pray you good health and safe travels. Your ally, Freyja, Queen of Asgard and the Vanir."

Dorian finished the letter, handing it off to her outstretched grasp. She quickly folded and placed it within an envelope, sealing it with an ornate stamp.

"So…Mount Olympus exists too?" Dorian asked hesitantly as she handed him another letter to take down.

"Of course," she answered quickly, still focused on her paperwork. "I am sure many of the mythologies you have heard of over the years exist. Creation is a big place, how was your first day?"

"It was ok; I still hope you have a backup bodyguard on hand. Apparently I do not yet meet the minimum requirements to use my Sacred Gear properly."

"I would be surprised if you did, few can wield their Sacred Gears while still human and you are but a single step higher up that ladder. The curriculum will last for several weeks. Study hard; train harder and we'll discover its purpose in no time."

"Thank you Lady Freyja!" Dorian felt much better. Her assertion felt genuine rather than a means to wave off his concerns…if he just worked hard…

"If you want to take it for a test run…next week Thrud will be fulfilling an oath to clear an undesirable hiding on Midgard. If you feel up to the task you may join her."

"I…of course Lady Freyja," Dorian bowed despite the fact he was still sitting. "I won't let you down!"

"See that you don't dear boy," she threw a motherly smile his way. "Now, come come, these letters won't write themselves. What was next? Oh yes, 'Good Azazel, we would be honored aid in the mediation of your dispute. Please provide a date and we may lay the groundwork for this momentous occasion…"

Later…

Dorian jogged back to his room, the hour had grown quite late to make up for his tardiness reaching Freyja for the first day of his retainer duties. He breathed a sigh of relief that she only had him writing her letters and filing old documents…they were tasks he actually knew how to perform.

Dorian had been provided a room of his own on the other side of the campus for obvious reasons. He even had a gorgeous view of a large tree outside his window though couldn't have even begun to guess its species but between the captivating lilac leaves and oddly luminous bark he did not care. According to Rossweisse, Odin had attempted to bunk him with the other girls but she'd shot him down immediately. He thanked her for that kindness…it was no wonder Freyja was so harsh on her husband with his habits. He could only imagine how awkward that would have become.

Nearing the building he stopped to catch his breath, having held a jogging pace nearly the entire way. It had not taken nearly as long as he thought, his new body was really something…perhaps he'd keep running at the end of the day and save flight for when he was in a hurry…

He jumped as an acorn bounced off the ground nearly hitting his foot. Taking a step back he glanced upwards towards its source. The tree bore no such hangings, however he spotted a small red and white squirrel peeking out from behind a branch having apparently thrown the projectile.

I didn't know they had squirrels in Asgard; he chuckled, bending down to retrieve it.

"It's ok little guy," he tried to sound as friendly as possible, holding out the acorn. "You don't have to waste your food on me…I won't take it."

The squirrel scurried down the trunk closer but maintained a distance from him, no doubt mistrusting someone so close to its home. Its nose was absolutely adorable as it twitched, looking him up and down quizzically.

"Ok then, cherry on top," he muttered to the tiny rodent. Reaching into his satchel he removed a small strawberry he hadn't finished from lunch. Squishing the acorn into the side of the fruit he held it out again, smiling as serenely as he could so as not to scare it.

The squirrel snuck closer drawn by the added promise of the strawberry. In a swift motion he snatched them both from his hand, bounding back up the tree to enjoy the meal amid the safety of its boughs.

"Enjoy!" Dorian shouted before making his way to his new home.

Pushing open the door to his room he stepped inside. It was a modest dormitory though considering every room was made for at least two and he was alone it was quite spacious. There were two beds across from one another overlooking a large window overlooking the grounds and tree nearby. From there he could see the field they had been training in earlier that day and the rainbow bridge, the Bifrost, beyond. He even had his own small kitchen space though he knew little of cooking…perhaps he could try to learn.

Much of the day's lessons had been on the forming and holding of basic defensive runes. The basic premise revolved around density over size, which had been the mistake he made during his spar with Rossweisse. He had been so focused on making the rune larger he completely missed that the bigger it got the thinner it became until it popped like a bubble. He would not make that mistake again. The entire way back he would create a tiny version in his hand as practice to see how dense he could make it. It was only about the size of a coaster…but it was a start.

Exhausted from the day and eager to start the next, Dorian stood before his bed, falling down backwards like a plank on top of it.

"Oof."

Dorian froze at the grunt beneath him, his eyes shot open as he rolled over…hesitantly glancing under the covers.

Beneath it was a beautiful girl, he immediately recognized her as the blue-haired Valkyrie from his class. The one who always seemed to be studying on her own at the desk beside his. She was dressed solely in a black leotard similar to Rossweisse's…no doubt the combat attire of a Valkyrie before she earns her armor. Her long hair was styled into a single long ponytail nearly reaching her waist.

"Wh-wh-wh-what are you doing here?" Dorian asked, immediately dropping the sheet back over her upon noticing how little she was wearing. "This is my room!"

"M-mine as well," the girl replied timidly, remaining under the sheet.

"But…Lady Freyja informed me I would be rooming alone!"

"I was informed we were one overburdened by the Allfather," the girl finally poked her head out from under the blanket. "I was selected to be the odd woman out to sleep with you rather than my sisters."

He probably lied to her too; Dorian shook his head, trying to ignore her poor choice of words.

"I-I'm sorry," he retreated to the opposite bed. "I can discuss this with Lady Freyja tomorrow. You won't have to room with…"

"But I want to!" The girl suddenly became bolder, throwing off the blanket entirely. Dorian diverted his gaze to the wall as if he were analyzing the paintings. "Though…the others would be jealous of my honor, please don't mention anything of my stay with you!"

"E-even though I'm a guy…?"

"You are the first man to study here with us…it is a once in a lifetime occasion and it would be my privilege to be your bunkmate!" Her eyes were practically glowing as she inched closer. "I-if I am too much trouble, I can help you with the curriculum…I am well versed in defensive runes!"

The young woman held out her hand, a familiar shielding rune shimmered to life in her palm. As Dorian looked on she generated a second, spinning in tandem the two layered themselves atop one another…creating what appeared to be an entirely new design as the two symbols met.

"You…can make more than one?"

"And combine their properties…I can show you…"

Dorian's ears perked up at the last part, he was looking for ways to improve as quickly as possible…a private tutor in the same building didn't sound so bad.

"Only if you are absolutely certain…you have a deal!"

"Oh thank you," the young Valkyrie lunged forward, wrapping him in an embrace. Dorian stood straight as a board, shivering as he suddenly realized she was rubbing her hands up and down his back. "The Allfather mentioned…that we can grow closer if you desire…"

Dorian's hand snapped out, gripping her shoulder and keeping her at arm's length.

"Th-the tutoring will be just fine…thank you. I don't even know your name, I'm Dorian."

"Of course I know your name," she giggled. "My name is Kara."

Freyja's Office...

"Report," Freyja commanded after Dorian had left for the evening.

"His strength is adequate," Thrud reported. As she spoke she produced a food bowl, sliding it towards the two cats Freyja ever kept by her side while making sure to scratch them behind the ears as they lapped up its contents. "It is nothing the legends will write of, though it has risen drastically above what he was capable of as a human. Given time and dedication he will make a fine warrior…if he lasts."

"And a fine man?"

Thrud lowered her head, obviously hiding the blush from the memory of the proclamation of his opinion of women.

"He…does not show any habits of the Allfather if that is your concern."

"And his Gear?"

"We may have a breach."

Freyja turned towards Thrud, interested for the first time in her report. "Explain."

"Dorian released all his accumulated energy from our sparring in a single blast. He did not realize it; however it was obvious his Gear…punched a minuscule hole in the realm for a fraction of a second. Something may have crossed over."

"It is capable of rupturing the fabric of the realms?"

"Apparently so, though Mr. Held is far from possessing the power to do any true damage."

"Who was it that came through?" Freyja groaned, burying her face in her hands as she full well knew the answer.

Days of Peace…

The following week proceeded for Dorian, each day he strove to improve in one topic at the very least. Fortunately for him the first rune as Lady Freyja promised had been the power of flight. He had some difficulty mastering it; however the entire class was more than willing to assist him. It seemed Thrud was quite the celebrity among young Valkyries and the fact he was receiving personal training from her caused a bit of that wonder to rub off on him by proxy.

"She is not alone," Dorian had remarked to Herja, a cute yet stern blonde Valkyrie who sat two seats ahead of him. She was more muscular than the others and had her hair tied up into a pair of buns on her head. "She is my personal trainer for martial combat…Roshweice has been tutoring me in rune manipulation and general magic.

The girl chuckled at his mispronunciation of her name; no matter how hard he tried he just couldn't master it. "No one's told you about her?"

Dorian shook his head.

Herja lowered her voice, "She used to be in this class not long ago, she never did anything that wasn't related to her studies...total social outcast."

"Aren't…we supposed to be focusing on our studies?"

"Not THAT much, she never went out with us after hours…she turned down EVERY invitation. She even refused to sneak on over to…say hi to the Einherjar that sometimes visited from Valhalla."

Dorian understood her last meaning but proceeded to just nod his head without drawing attention to it.

"Zero fun," Herja continued. "It got so bad we just stopped acknowledging her...eventually someone started calling her the ugly Valkyrie who's never had a Boyfriend and it just sort of stuck."

This time it was Dorian who let out a laugh, stifling himself upon realizing many eyes were now upon him during their self-study time. There was no way Herja was being honest with him.

"You have to be messing with me…is beauty measured differently in Asgard than on Midgard?"

"Not that I am aware of…why?"

"Then how in any meaning of the word is she considered ugly?"

Herja threw her hands up in the air, "I don't know how men think…but why else would she not have ever had a boyfriend yet?"

"That is a very good question…if she is considered ugly then I must say Asgard is populated with blind or foolish men."

Herja giggled at his last line.

"What's so funny?"

"Got a thing for your teacher?"

Dorian's cheeks flushed red; he buried his face in the nearby textbook and mumbled something about the passage about Thor's exploits being interesting. With only being a year younger than her he'd never pictured Rossweisse in a teacher role. Peaking over the top, praying to change the subject he spotted Kara. As usual she was studying alone, he had wanted to sit by her but remembered the request to keep the class from realizing they were rooming together…he knew full well how merciless the rumor mill could be. Even so he felt bad for her, she seemed so alone…not even once deeming to raise her hand to answer a single question despite her impressive knowledge. Could she have been ostracized by the others like Rossweisse for her above average interest in her studies?

As luck would have it, Rossweisse would be training him that day as Thrud watched from the sidelines. She had already put him through the strength and physical regimen she had developed. Her status as Thor's daughter was painfully obvious, if Dorian had to guess she was even stronger than Modi.

Without needing to be asked, Dorian raised a defensive rune, tacking on a second layer for good measure using the trick Kara had taught him. The first rune would provide overall defense while the second reinforced his elemental resistances. Rossweisse raised an eyebrow at the unexpected addition.

"You can overlap runes already?"

"Yes Ms. Roshwice. I have been practicing."

"That's…Rossweisse," her serene smile crumbled away into an annoyed scowl, even her hair seemed to rise up behind her as if attuned to the annoyed anger coursing through her. In an instant a half dozen runes started to appear over her shoulders each with various offensive elemental properties. Without giving him a chance to defend or apologize she launched her attack.

Dorian's defense held against the first barrage…and the second, though cracks started to form with the third. Focusing hard, Dorian lifted slightly off the ground, finally putting the flying rune he had learned and etched into both boots to good use. Rossweisse fired again, the fireball sailing past him as he evaded her attack and ducking past the next.

Rossweisse huffed, clearly frustrated at her lack of contact despite the purpose being to improve his skills…not kill him. With a quick inhalation, the annoyed Valkyrie lifted off the ground herself, matching he elevation in an instant.

Uh oh.

Dorian attempted to swoop around her, but she was much faster, cutting him off and twisting towards him. In a flash a yellow rune crackled to like in her hands, he barely had time to reinforce his remaining defenses.

It did not matter, a string of lightning erupted from her hands. A moment before they would have struck his strengthened barrier it forked, bypassing his defense entirely and striking him clean in the chest. Dorian spasmed in mid-air at the energy traveling through his body before plummeting to the ground…crashing into the dirt in a heap. Rossweisse remained on the warpath, falling towards him with an outstretched foot, clearly going for a drop kick.

"I'm sorry Ms. Rosh...ROSE!"

Rossweisse's foot stopped just before it would have impacted his throat. Her eyes had gone wide and a light blush was forming on her cheeks as she pulled back her attack, finally regaining her mature composure.

"Wh-what did you call me?"

"Well…" Dorian stumbled to his feet. He was surprised at how little the impact hurt, the fall would most certainly have killed a human yet he barely felt it. "I clearly have trouble pronouncing your name…I mean no disrespect I swear. So…until I get the hang of it…may I call you Rose?"

Rossweisse spun in place, coughing several times into her hand awkwardly. Even Thrud had leaned forward, a sly grin present on her face at the nickname she recognized.

"That would…*cough*…be acceptable for the time being….temporarily…"

"Thank you…Rose." She was absolutely adorable as she refused to make eye contact with him.

Ugly Valkyrie my ass…she couldn't be more beautiful. If she's ugly then I'm the second coming of Thor…

Not Far…

"It's sickening," Modi muttered, spotting the trio sparring across the field. He was expertly hidden thanks to the skills of his ally.

"I could not agree more," his associate replied, remaining to the shadows so only their silhouette could be barely made out. "The decrepit Allfather and his whore of a wife bring in those of lesser mythologies…enlisting even your honored sister in their…mixing. Perhaps a change in leadership is required."

"They have too many loyal followers, my father and sister among them," Modi fumed. In a fit of rage he punched a nearby rock, turning it to powder in an instant.

"Ah…but if something were to…befall our beloved Allfather then surely it would not be out of place for us to…step forward and fill the void?"

Modi glanced over, his face awash with both trepidation…and excitement.

"What did you have in mind?"

"What do you know…of the blade Hrotti currently residing in Asgard's vault?"

Dorian learns...growing in power and knowledge, his oath-keeping mission with the beautiful and strong Thrud fast approaching. Will he succeed in proving his worth before the Daughter of the God of Thunder? As always Read and Review...but most of all Enjoy! :)