Meeting Hephaestus

A/N: Here we go a new chapter. Previously Jaune was able to fight side by side with the Loki Familia. He showed his semblance but, doesn't want to pursue him…for now at least. Even the most kindest of gods would try to ask others for assistants. They may need help to look for expeditions.

And with that black tar. Let's see how that goes I have an idea on what to do with that. And more to come with that.

Again I am going to try to make the time lapse with this series, so instead of Bell becoming a level 2 in a month and a half. I want to branch it out for 2 to almost 3 months! There is a reason for this trust me. So when you see me saying it's been 'this long' in the story that's why. Because the new enemies coming in, will welcome in some more things.

So without a further ado, let's get this started!

A few days have passed since the Monster Phelia incident. Bell was appreciating his new knife, and kept practicing with it. It truly felt like an extension of himself! He was done trying it out in front of the church.

As Bell came back in and went down stairs, he noticed how more homely, the church was. They managed to get three new beds for themselves, Jaune and Bell insisted getting a smaller beds for themselves, while Hestia gets a queen or a king sized bed.

'I still can't believe we managed to get this place more, well, homely.' Bell thought to himself looking around the place. After they gotten home Hestia told them she already ordered a bed. In her mind she was going to share the bed with Bell.

She thought that she could get 'closer' to him with that. She was going to keep the bed she slept on. It was still a great bed, clean, and still comfy. She was going to let Jaune keep that bed. But again, Bell and Jaune convinced her to get smaller beds for themselves. After much pouting from Hestia, she relented.

They managed to go by to where she ordered the bed at, and requested two smaller beds. The owner agreed almost instantly, and tried to sell them the most expensive. But Hestia, and Jaune saw through this, and got a cheaper one, just as good, much to the owners disappointment.

They also managed to scrub the place to make it cleaner, and got rugs to make it more of a home. They even managed to be able to get a lot of cooking materials, and an oven. They can now make their own food now, no more potato croquettes constantly.

No matter how much it made them drool

They can afford more fruits and vegetables more now, that is always a plus.

Bell looked around more, and seen Jaune and Hestia preparing to leave.

"Oh, today's the day isn't it huh?" Bell asked smiling at them. The two just nodded.

"Yep, we will be getting Jaune's sword back. It may take sometime so don't wait up on us, it may take a day or two ok?" Hestia said to Bell. Jaune looked at Hestia with some shock, he didn't know that it will take that long, just to get his sword back! But then he remembered, of Hestia telling him, Hephaestus wants to make his weapon better.

This also caused Bell to widen his eyes, so he is going to be alone for a little bit. He will have to be more careful going into the dungeon again. So he may not go too deep for now.

"Ok goddess, and Jaune, I will see you two later, and I promise to be safe." Bell said to them smiling a bit. The two returned the smile, and Hestia jumped and hugged him.

"Of course, we know you will Bell!" Hestia said to him, now letting him go. "Come on Jaune, let's get going." Hestia said about to walk out. But Jaune stopped her.

"Wait a minute Hestia" Jaune said to her causing her to stumble slightly and look back at him confused. Jaune then turned to Bell one more time, and smiled.

"Can I see your knife Bell? I want to see how it feels in my hand." Jaune asked Bell. Bell just smiled a little and handed Jaune his knife. When Jaune grabbed the knife, he seen it glow slightly, the hieroglyphs lighting up briefly. Jaune inspected it. This knife felt perfect in his hand. He gave a few practice swings, to test it out. It wasn't bad at all.

It was amazing!

It's just that Jaune wasn't good with knives. Not his preferred weapon, it was better with Bell.

Jaune smiled at the blade, and returned it to Bell. He smiled at his familia member, that he is starting to see him as a little brother.

"That is an amazing blade Bell, too bad I didn't check it out earlier." Jaune said to him. "It is great for you to have that knife, but don't let it be your end all, be all, use other things at your disposal. I made the same mistake as you know." Jaune said to Bell seriously. Bell looked at Jaune with shock, but then it turned to seriousness, and nodded his head in agreement.

What Jaune was saying was true. He was so fixed on the classics, and not getting a form of mechashift weapon, or at least a side arm. He only went with a sword and shield. After the fall of Beacon, he then made it so his sword and shield could combine, but that still wasn't enough, with Cinder. He still died in the end, maybe if branched out in learning of other weapons, he probably be able to be a better fighter to use different styles, and switching things up.

"Alright, with all that done, lets head out now, I don't want to keep Hephaestus waiting for too long ok?" Hestia said to Jaune. She grabbed his hand with Jaune and Hestia waving Bell goodbye, with Bell doing the same. Bell was going to go the guild, and talk to Ms. Eina, about going deeper in the dungeon, due to his increased stats. Bell looked at the paper again, and promised Hestia to throw it into the Hearth in the end. He still couldn't believe how much stronger he became

Bell Cranel:

Strength: D-587

Endurance: C-698

Dexterity: C-625

Agility: B-702

Skills: -

Bell couldn't believe his eyes. His stats went up so much! He can chalk it up to fighting that Silver Back, all the damage he taken, and did, really helped out with that. And, that's not even counting how much he and Hestia ran around just to avoid that thing!

And finally all the dodging he did, fighting that creature helped him out a lot too.

Bell was so glad that his hard work is paying off, Jaune helps him in fighting where he can, but he still tells him that, 'he is not the best fighter.' By that it means that he is not a good teacher when it comes to fighting, but he shares what he can, especially when it comes to dodging, keeping his eyes open with all his surroundings, and always be on guard after a battle. He will never know when another monster, or the same monster to come back up with one last gasp.

That's not to say what Jaune's stats were.

Jaune Arc:

Strength: A-802

Endurance: S-920

Dexterity: C-630

Agility: D-569

Skills: Aura- Manifestation of ones soul, able to be a barrier for the bearer. Gives user super human strength, speed, and durability. Also grants healing to the bearer, able to heal wounds faster than others over time, but only when aura is activated properly.

Aura Amplification-Able to amplify the stats of others, including own self continuously. Able to heal, strengthen, reinforce, and rejuvenate others, and ones self. But, unable to amp ones self while boosting others, and vice versa. Increases aura of self and others to make it even stronger.

This was so astonishing, and utterly incredible, and a little concerning. Jaune was able to be a level 2, and he was only in this world for barely a month! Now he can't really say much about himself, he was making progress so much faster than any other person on record, to his knowledge that is.

But, then he had remembered, what happened during Monsterphelia. He helped kill monsters that even got the Loki Familia some trouble. So, for Jaune to help kill monsters like that, and he also killed some of the other monsters that escaped. Combined with all of that, it was no surprise that a level 1 to gain that much excelia that fast.

Even so, Jaune did seem to get excelia, as fast as him, well somewhat. While say he gets 200 excelia in total, Jaune might get 75 to 100. I could be because he is able to kill monsters easier than him, taking out stronger monsters, or heck, even just natural talent. It was anyone's guess.

Jaune did say that, he was only training and fighting for about a year, and nearly fighting on par with those who trained for years! That was truly something amazing! Bell also seen how he was killing and fighting monsters as time went on. The untrained will say he is very good, but others who are trained will say he is doing for a beginner. He knows that other people have a one up on him, due to fighting much longer than him, and having more better stats, and levels.

Bell was getting side tracked, he needed to get to the guild, and talk to Ms. Eina, about to at least to go down further in the dungeon.

Jaune and Hestia was walking to Hephaestus' headquarters, Hestia was having a little pep in her step, while humming happily. She was so glad that Hephaestus, was willing to help out Jaune for free at that! And she was willing to lower her debt by a huge margin, this truly was a blessing!

Jaune was following behind her with a slight contemplative look. He was having slight doubts about this, it's his family blade after all, and with Pyrrha's metals.

'I am so glad to get Crocea Mors back. But, I don't know about changing it too much. I want to make sure it is still from Remnant, not just another weapon made here.' Jaune thought to himself. 'Even though I love the look of some weapons here!' Jaune finished with slight giddy in the end.

But he still needed to ask, why? Why, does she wants his input on his weapon, what could she want? Jaune was thinking stuff like this in his head, he knows Crocea Mors is strong, and he can make it stronger if he needed to.

Jaune perked up slightly at that. That was it! She was curious about Mechashift! Hopefully she doesn't ask every little question about it. I only knows the basics of his shield, and combining his shield and sword. That was Ruby's department.

They walked for another few minutes in a comfortable silence. They eventually arrived at the Hephaestus Familia house/ forge. It was majority forges going off, and people working hard. Hestia turned to face Jaune giving him a beaming smile.

"Jaune Arc, welcome to the Hephaestus Familia!" Hestia spread her arms out, showing off the place. Jaune looked on with slight awe, it was big, with again forges working overtime. Jaune was seeing weapons being quenched. Armor being molded. Blades sharpening! It was amazing and all he could say is one thing to himself.

"Ruby would love this place." Jaune muttered to himself in slight awe. Hestia heard him, and giggled at that.

"Yeah, from what you told us about her, should would love it here, seeing new things being made and forged." Hestia said to him. She turned around and started walking.

"Come on, let's go see Hephaestus, but we got to meet her captain first." Hestia said to him walking in the direction, of the captain of the familia is supposed to be at. Jaune was curious who the captain was like.

'Is the captain tougher than nails? Is it a her or she? Are the older? Ugh, I am so nervous.' Jaune thought to himself, he was so nervous, he was able to meet 2 very important people today! Let's see how this goes.

Hestia stopped with Jaune doing the same. She was smiling at what looked like a buffed woman hammering something with her back towards them.

"Oiii Tsubaki, it's me Hestia, I am hear with my child for that meeting with Heph!" Hestia called out the woman known as Tsubaki who perked up, hearing the goddess calling out to her. She turned around to face them. She has brown skin, red eyes, with long black hair tied up to not get in her way. What stood out for Jaune was, the eye patch, on her left eye! Said woman smiled turned around and stood up. Spreading her arms in joy of seeing Hestia.

"Hestia good to see you, as always!" Tsubaki said to Hestia walking over and hugging her lifting her up, with Hestia laughing a little. As Jaune looked at her, he can proudly say she is busty.

She was almost as tall as Yang, just by an inch shorter than her. For some reason looking at her, she is just like Yang, just looks different. He looked on curious on how she lost her eye. That thought ended when Tsubaki turned her attention to Jaune. She was looking at him dead in his eyes for a few seconds, not intimidated by his height.

But Jaune on the other hand…..he felt intimidated.

He can already tell this woman was stronger than him. By a big margin! He will admit it now, that he didn't stand a chance against Cinder at first. Now, he feels that he could at least do some damage, and possibly fight on equal footing to Pyrrha of all people. Possibly even more. But This woman, similar to Tiona, Tione, and Ais. He was outclassed, and he was nervous that she will not like him. His train of thought was broken when he seen her looking him over, head to toe. She was looking at arms legs, groin, chest, back, etc.

She was busy looking at his armor. And she even touching said armor, nocking on it, feeling it's sturdiness. Seeing how it could be better, etc. Jaune decided to say….something.

"Uhhhh excuse me?" Jaune questioned, confused of what is going on.

Tsubaki stopped her inspection and stood in front of Jaune again. She crossed her arms over her breasts, and looked at him dead in his eyes. Jaune was afraid to have his armor criticized negatively. It was Pyrrha's metals mixed with his own, he won't stand for someone bad mouthing it.

But that didn't happen. Instead he had seen her smile joyfully at him, and started to laugh heartily. This confused Jaune and Hestia to no end. More so to Jaune. He just tilted his head slightly and let out a confused "Uhhh."

"Sorry, sorry about that. I was just looking at you and your armor. It is really well made, and protects what it is on." Tsubaki said to him. Causing Jaune and Hestia to smile at that. Tsubaki then had a smirk, and leaned forward towards Jaune.

"But seeing such a handsome face, and nice body not covered completely is a crime to me." Tsubaki said in a teasing smile. This caused Jaune to blush brightly. And Hestia to blush slightly as well.

Hestia may be head over heels for 'her' Bell. But she will stop to see Jaune sometimes as a cute/ handsome boy, and she accidently seen him washing himself one time, and she will say personally, he has a nice body. She still can't look at him all that well again for now.

Tsubaki walked up again looking him over but with less detail.

"You need another pauldron on your shoulder. Armor on your legs, something protecting your sides and finally." Tsubaki was saying, and slightly groped him for some reason. And squeezed slightly, and hurt him slightly. This caused Jaune to move back in mortification, and slight pain, and Hestia jumping in front of him, spreading her arms out, protecting Jaune.

"What do you think your doing?!" Hestia yelled out, blushing, while angry. But Tsubaki ignored her.

"And something to protect your groin." Tsubaki said still having her and open. But she was thinking about what happened.

'Damn it! I didn't mean touch him like that, I was trying to make a point of having armor in the right places! At least I managed to show him the issue of that.' Tsubaki thought to herself, but she was blushing a bit too.

'But, he sure is 'well built' down there, I can tell he can get bigger, I worked on a lot of people over the years and I can tell he is truly blessed down there.' Tsubaki thought to herself, still feeling his lower appendages in her hand. But she collected herself and smirked friendly at them.

"I'm sorry about that, but I was trying to make a point of knowing where to have protection at. All men know being hit there, is going to bring you to your knees." Tsubaki said to them, this caused Jaune to get his bearings better, since aura helped heal him in a second, and Hestia lowering her arms but still having her guard up. Tsubaki continued on with that.

"That being said, your armor is really good. You just need coverage in the sensitive parts of you. And as an apology for violating you like that, which again, I am so sorry for doing. So again, I will be willing to put the pieces together for you. And discounts on future upgrades you would like to have." Tsubaki apologized to Jaune for what she did. And offered him discounts for new upgrades!

Jaune stood there wide eyed, and Hestia just stood there the same as Jaune, but her jaw just dropped! Jaune gets to get all these things, where was this help for her, before all of this dang it?!

But then she thought how much of a free loader she truly was in the past. So she has no right to complain. This was huge for Jaune! He lost his life in his world, and sent to a whole new one, with new rules, nothing but the clothes on his back, and revolutionary type sword and shield. He needs every advantage that he can get.

Hestia then shook her head, to compose herself. She then walked to her, along with Jaune. He composed himself as well, and approached as well. Jaune spoke up first.

"I wouldn't mind the help at all. And I understand that you were making a point, it was weird of course, but I can trust you with this. Am I right Hestia?" Jaune finished. He looked at Hestia, with Hestia smiling slightly.

She knew Tsubaki was telling the truth about helping him, and she was genuinely sorry, so she will allow this.

"Mmhmm, I agree Jaune." Hestia nodded to him. She then looked at Tsubaki. "And I trust her to make good on that deal, she makes some of the most best weapons, and armor in all of Orario, so you won't have to worry Jaune." Hestia said smiling towards Tsubaki. Tsubaki grinned in both pride, and happiness. She was glad to have a client, who her goddess was so giddy about.

Something had her goddess jumping in happiness and eagerness she never seen in a while. She was curious of what she saw, and already she can see part of the reason why she was interested.

"Thank you so much for accepting, you will not regret this." Tsubaki said bowing slightly. Jaune smiled at her, it truly was like seeing Yang, just a little older, she looks like she maybe about a few years older, so he feels that he can at least get along with her. While he wasn't as close to Yang back at Beacon, he always felt that, she was his friend. And that biggest kiss she gave him, was truly something. Pyrrha was the only girl to kiss him, and now another 11 out of 10 to kiss him, and not only that, tongue wrestle him, was crazy. Tsubaki was seeing him blush looking at him, and she decided to tease him a little, but not as much as before.

"Ara, you feel something for me, be careful, I'm hard to keep up with, and besides I'm 38, I'm old enough to be either your aunt, or mother." Tsubaki said, with a grin, leaning in front of Jaune, but not exposing her breasts, she didn't want to tease him like that like last time, and lose his trust completely.

Jaune just had widen eyes, seeing an older woman, not even looking older than his sister Saphron!

"W—w-wha, h-h-how?!" Jaune asked with a flabbergasted look. Tsubaki just laughed at his look. And, Hestia was holding back her giggles, in truth, she liked seeing other peoples reactions hearing how old Tsubaki actually is. But Tsubaki decided to keep it a secret.

"Sorry, boy, that's a secret for now." Tsubaki said to him, still having a teasing smirk, and a holding a finger up to her lips. "Come on you two let's see Lady Hephaestus, don't want to keep her waiting too long." Tsubaki said, walking ahead of them, and guiding them.

Jaune just stood there still flabbergasted, and just started slowly following her. He felt Hestia, tugging on his sleeve. Jaune looked down to see her, telling him to come to her, wanting to whisper something to him. So Jaune leaned down, and Hestia cupped her hands around his ear.

"You see, those with Falnas have reduced aging. So when you would pass away from old age like for humans 70 or 80 years, you could possibly live for 120 years, and look only 40 years old! And that is only just humans!" Hestia whispered to Jaune.

Jaune just froze and slowly turned to Hestia's smiling face. He will actually live longer than others. Aura, can already make you healthier than most, and retain your looks as you get older. But, now that she says that. He will always look like a young man, even when he would be considered old! He looked to Tsubaki, seeing that women like her will always be gorgeous going forward in life, and able to live longer than others.

It's probably due to adventurers, always wanting to fight, that's probably why.

Jaune just composed himself and kept walking after Tsubaki, with Hestia next to him. After a minute or two of walking. They arrived to Tsubaki's office.

"Alright here we are, I got to get back to work, I will see you all later." Tsubaki said to them walking away, but stopped and looked at Jaune.

"When everything is done with her, make sure you come by to see me sometime. Got to get the pieces fitted on you properly, got to get all of the measurements for you, and for future outings, ok?" Tsubaki said to him smiling. Not teasing, but professional, and as a friend even. Jaune just smiled to her and stuck his hand out to her.

"You got, ma'am." Jaune said to her being polite. Tsubaki gained a bigger smile, and gripped his hand hard and shaking.

"Hey don't call me ma'am, I'm not your boss, or a stranger, like that, you call me Tsubaki got it?!" She said shaking Jaune's hand vigorously and Jaune slightly winced at her strength.

"Y-you got Tsubaki." Jaune said to her with a slight hitch to his voice. 'By the gods, she is really just like Yang! She is super strong!' Jaune thought to himself in the end.

She let him go, waved and started walking off. When she was far enough away she looked at her hand, and started flexing it. She had a somewhat deep thought after that handshake.

'He, is far stronger than a regular level 1. That hand shake would put most men, especially level 1s on the ground in pain. I saw he was struggling to keep his composure, but he is….unique.' Tsubaki said to herself, and she still thought about grabbing his crotch. Felling it in her hand. She did feel bad for doing that, but she can't help but fantasize about that. She hasn't had sex in a while, so she is probably just thinking way too much about it. She started shaking her head, trying to get that thought out of her mind.

'Stop it Tsubaki. You just met him, he is younger than you, and your just going through a dry spell. You need to be better than this. You volunteered to be his personal blacksmith, this is professional, but build a genuine friendship at least first.' Tsubaki thought reprimanding herself, thinking about a guy she just met. But yet, she gained a happy smile, if Hephaestus saw something with this boy's, weapon, armor, and possibly him! This is a great challenge she can take!

'I am so glad to meet you, Jaune Arc. I hope to see you again, and be safe.' Tsubaki thought to herself, eager to get back to work.

Hestia knocked on the door to Hephaestus' office. She heard the muffled "come in" and opened the door. Jaune and Hestia walked in to see Hephaestus sitting behind her desk, Crocea Mors on her desk, and Hephaestus looking at him with the utmost focus. She wanted to use her arcanum, to see the history, and the workings of this marvelous weapon before her, to her.

"Hey Heph, it's me and I brought my child Jaune!" Hestia greeted happily and she spread her arms out presenting Jaune. Jaune just laughed slightly at her antics. That caused Hephaestus, to pear her focus off the weapon, and looked up at them. She finally stood up, and Jaune can see she is gorgeous too!

'Why is every woman I have met in the last year, drop dead gorgeous!' Jaune thought to himself. The eye patch got him confused, who would hurt a goddess like her. He hasn't spoken to her, but he can tell that she seems like an alright person at first glance.

Hephaestus walked up to Jaune with a small smile on her face.

"Hello Jaune Arc. Hestia has told me a lot about you, and her other child Bell. She really speaks highly of you two, and she has really changed for the better, she wasn't responsible at first, and unmotivated. But you two, has lit a fire under her. She is my friend, and you helped her so thank you so much." Hephaestus said to him. Causing Hestia to tear up in happiness, hearing her best friend speaking so highly of her and her children. She will truly work to be even better! Just like her children!

Jaune smiled at that. He was so glad to hear how he inspired people. And a goddess at that. That is why he wanted to be a huntsman. To inspire others, bring hope, and to see others improve. Pyrrha saw this of him, and she trained him to be better. He is starting to see what Pyrrha saw in him. He is so happy right now he could cry!

But not in front this goddess. At least not yet. Jaune just sniffed a bit and rubbed his eyes. That caused Hephaestus to smile even more gently at him, he was moved.

"Thank you goddess Hephaestus. I try my best to be better, not only for myself, but for those who I love and care for." Jaune said to her. Hephaestus kept her happy smile. She was liking this boy more and more. Kind hearted, dedicated, and humble. She loved seeing that, and a rare trait. Especially with all those together.

Hephaestus nodded, but went down to business.

"Ok, with greetings out of the way, let's get into the details of this weapon of yours." Hephaestus walked over to her desk, with her guests following along. "I would loke to know how your shield is able to fold like this, and still be so powerful, combining together for it to become a great sword, for it to become a sheath, and for your shield to changed position for it to become from horizontal, to vertical!" Hephaestus was talking with giddiness that Hestia didn't even know she had, and Jaune could see her eagerness, tamer than Ruby.

Jaune stopped her. And went forward with story about his weapon. She was intrigued with his story. Hearing about this blade has been through with his family. Jaune gave up some stories his father told him about his grandfather, that he didn't tell Bell or Hestia yet. They were both intrigued by it. But Hephaestus was curious about something.

"Oh wow, I knew this blade has had a huge history, and to still be this well off for decades, on in, is truly mind boggling." Hephaestus said to him, causing Jaune to smile happily at her. But, his smile dropped when he heard her speak again.

"But, I can't help but find it odd. Your stories has truth in it, but in certain details, like location, and monsters seem….not the truth, so why is that?" Hephaestus questioned him, with a serious look, and her arms crossed. Jaune and Hestia both flinched, not knowing what to say. Jaune knew that he can't tell anyone from where he is from and how his "skill" works, and his origins.

Everyone will come after him trying to get their hands on his skill. They would either try to kill Bell, kidnap Hestia, or even break him temporarily to do their bidding.

He swore to himself to only tell those he truly trusted. The Loki familia members were of the heat of the moment, and he felt that he could trust them for now. But this is a different goddess. He barely knows about her, and doesn't know any motives of her yet.

But, she is also Hestia's friend, and was willing to help her. And Hestia told him that, "the kind of blade she made, would technically be a disgrace for a smith." Thinking of that made Jaune perk up. A literal smith goddess put her own pride on the line just to help her friend. She is literally the goddess of the forge, and to do that, she is trust worthy.

With that Jaune closed his eyes, took a deep breath. He made a decision, that could change a lot of things…for better or for worse. Jaune let out a breath, and opened his eyes, and smiled, he looked at Hestia, much to her confusion.

"Ok I will tell you the whole truth about me." Jaune said to Hephaestus. Said goddess looked on with slight confusion, this seemed like a deep reason, but why such, pressure of doing this? Hestia on the other hand yelled out and jumped on him.

"Jaune are you crazy?! You know you can't tell anyone!" Hestia yelled at him, while wrapping her arms and legs around him looking at him directly in his eyes. Jaune just smiled at her, and unhooked her from him and placing her down. He knelt down slightly looking her directly in her eyes. He still kept smiling at her.

"Hestia, you trusted her with your life, by taking care of you, and you convinced her to make a weapon for Bell, and getting a huge dept." Jaune said to her. Hestia just looked down with a blush, of embarrassment. "You told me, and Bell that knife should not exist, and she broke her pride as a black smith just to create that weapon. And she is willing to lower the dept, and make my weapon stronger than it is now." Jaune said to her. Making Hestia feel guilty for trying to keep him a secret from her friend.

"It's only fair, for her to know my, no, our secret about me. You trust me, and trust her right?" Jaune asked, with Hestia nodding. Jaune got a stern look at that. "Then trust me, about sharing who I feel it is right to share this with." Jaune said with conviction.

Hestia's eyes grew wide. She has seen conviction like this before. With her Bell, and seeing this from Jaune, it was so surreal. If Jaune was born here he, and Bell would have been brothers. Hestia smiled at him, with slight tears in her eyes, seeing how much conviction he had in this. She wiped her eyes, and nodded her head.

"Ok Jaune, I trust you with this." Hestia said. She turned to Hephaestus. "And please, Heph, keep this a secret it is really important." Hestia said to Hephaestus. Said goddess got confused at this, seeing how serious it was, was a little unsettling. They were willing to trust her with a big secret, but she did make a blade for Hestia's child, and did it herself. But this isn't about a debt. This is about a secret between all of them, and the trust and friendship she had for them right here right now.

Hephaestus just smiled at them, and nodded in agreement.

"My lips will be sealed Hestia. So what is this secret of yours?" Hephaestus questioned them. Hestia went next to Jaune, holding his hand, intertwining her fingers with his, to give even more support. Jaune looked down at her smiled, and nodded. He took another breath, and spoke.

"I….am not from this world." Jaune said to her. A long paused happened. Hephaestus tilted her head confused.

"Excuse me?" Hephaestus questioned.

So after that Jaune told Hephaestus about himself. Where, he is from, what his world was called, the monsters he had there. And what his weapon style is called. It is known as mechashift. About his team, what huntsmen are. His team, how he got here everything.

With everything said and done. Hephaestus looked drained. A world outside of their own. Different gods, that aren't with them. Soulless beings attracted to negative emotions. Fear, anger, sadness, anything with negative feelings, that is crazy. And learning how their souls can be used as a shield and weapon if need be.

It was crazy, it was unbelievable! If it was another god, or Hestia herself saying this. She would have told them or Hestia to leave and never come near her or even speak to her ever again. But hearing this from Jaune himself. She can tell that all of this is the truth. This….this was historical, amazing, crazy, and revolutionary.

The gods believed that there was more than one realm, or universe out there, but they never tried to do anything about it. Feeling that it was just a weird pipe dream, but this young man.

No…this young hero in front of her was living breathing proof, of life outside their world, and realm!

Just like Hestia, Hephaestus sees him as a hero, for taking down an evil, that slaughtered thousands of innocents, for power. He made the ultimate sacrifice for everyone. He mentioned and confessed how he was clouded by vengeance rather than seeking out justice. But, he tried to stay true to himself. And helped others regardless of the pain, and anger he was going through.

That made him a true hero in her eyes….well eye.

She got up from her desk, and walked toward him. She looked at him for a little bit, with Jaune looking a little drained. It still hurts deeply, it's only been about a few weeks, it will take time for things to get better. But with great people around him, things will get better. And then, one of the most craziest things happened.

Hephaestus practically leaped at him hugging him. This shocked them, Hestia was super shocked, she never really hugged anyone like that! Only those she felt so close to!

"I am so sorry Jaune Arc." Jaune heard her say. "I am so sorry for you to lose your life like that, and end up in world not your own, and having to leave everything behind." Hephaestus said to him, hugging him tighter. Jaune returned the hug. It felt nice to be hugged like this again.

Hestia wanted to hug too, so they all started a group hug around Jaune. Jaune started to tear up, at the love he felt from them. Especially from Hestia, since she is his goddess, it was so great!

Hephaestus eventually broke the hug and rubbed her eye. And looked at him.

"Thank you for sharing this with me. And I promise not to tell anyone without your permission." Hephaestus said to them. This caused Jaune to smile and nod. And Hestia to jump in joy.

"With that being said, can you show me how to take your shield apart so I can know how to make it.?" The goddess of the forge asked him. Before he said or did anything Hephaestus stopped him.

"When I figure out how to replicate your mechashift, I want to give your royalties Jaune Arc." Hephaestus said to him. Jaune and Hestia's jaws dropped at that. She was offering….what?!

"This technology, and truly help the world a lot. And I don't want anyone to believe that you stole my work, when this is yours technically. They will try to steal your weapon from you, and never be able to use my works ever again." Hephaestus said to them, in a serious voice.

This caused both Jaune, and Hestia to freeze at that. She was right. Hearing that Hephaestus made mechashift will really shake up the market, and bring in even more money to her, and seeing Jaune having a weapon without The Hephaestus Familia mark or stamp on it, will have Jaune's weapon confiscated, and be banned from getting weapons, armor, accessories, etc. from them in the future.

This can not happen. So Hephaestus doing this for them is a big win for them.

Jaune looked to Hestia, and smiled at her.

"I agree to the royalties, what is the process for this?" Jaune asked her. Hephaestus smiled at him, glad that he agreed.

"We will figure that out later but first, we have work to do." Hephaestus said to him. Hestia was about to join them but was stopped by Hephaestus again.

"Hestia, doesn't your shift start soon?" Hephaestus said, bringing up Hestia's uniform that she still had on her. Hestia sighed sadly and grabbed it, and walked out of the office with her head held low.

Jaune looked on with a sweat drop on him. He forgot that she is still paying off the dept for Bell. Hephaestus tapped his shoulder, and the goddess of the forge grabbed his hand pulling him towards her desk.

"Now Jaune Arc, let's get to work. I want to see how this works. And let's upgrade your blade too. The metal is perfect already, and I still have of Mithril to use. I know we said the knife I made for your captain was dishonorable for a blacksmith. But I am making an exception here too. You gave me a new motive and this is composition enough for the upgrade." Hephaestus said to him with gratitude, and in her face and eye, a lit with determined fire.

Jaune felt the same looking at her. He just nodded his head, and went to the desk.

"Alright, lets do this. First I need this kind of screw driver, if you have it." Jaune began teaching Hephaestus how to take apart his shield for deep cleaning. He feels that he made a new friend.

She was almost like Ruby, but older, and not as bubbly, hyper. So he felt that, they could get along perfectly.

"Oh and by the way. This may take a few days, so I will have food and water sent up here for us ok?" Hephaestus said to him. Jaune sweat dropped at that.

Yup, just like Ruby, in a way.

A/N: Another chapter in the books. This took longer than expected of course. Now we start with Jaune getting Crocea Mors upgraded, and learning about Mecha Shift.

I will be skipping over a few things, we know what happens with Bell after the meeting with Eina. But we will be going in with learning magic!

I won't do Bell's inner monologue, we all know what how it works, but I may make it a little different, still debating that. But, I have an idea of what Jaune's going to be, and I will give you a hint. It involves, light.

Until next time people. May God Continue To Bless You All!