Chapter 2

"Man! Not bad for my first day here for my vacation." Issei said as he put his bags in the room. He was staying at a local inn that was actually set up for him since apparently the owner of the inn was a foreign exchange student back when his parents were his age, and Miki was great friends with the woman.

After setting his bags down, Issei stretched, letting out a satisfied sigh.

"Man, this place is nice," he muttered, glancing around his temporary home. The inn had a rustic charm, the kind that made it feel warm and welcoming. Wooden beams, cozy furniture, and a faint scent of lavender in the air—definitely a step up from the cheap hotels he originally thought he'd have to book.

It helped that the owner, Mrs. Thatcher, was an old friend of his mom from her exchange student days. As soon as Miki contacted her, she was more than happy to give Issei a room for his stay in Britain.

"Well, no point just standing around," Issei said, dusting off his hands. "Time to explore!"

He grabbed his phone, checked the local hotspots, and decided to wander the streets for a while. This trip was his vacation, after all—he might as well enjoy it before anything crazy happened.

Later That Evening

The streets of London were alive with activity, filled with both locals and tourists alike. Issei had spent the day checking out some famous landmarks, enjoying the local cuisine, and learning more about his English since he messed up a few times, which gained a few giggles from some of the locals, like the chess master he played three games with since the old chess master seemed a bit lonely.

It turns out the chess master was a nice old man who was hoping to teach a youngling a thing or two about chess. Issei did listen to the rules but sucked at the first two until he was able to get close to beating the master in the third game, which made Issei worried he'd pass out after laughing so hard until the old man, whose name was Odin. Issei was surprised by the name until he admitted he was visiting the pubs in Britain as well, which made Issei chuckle at the man's words until the man brought him along to said pub, which led to—of course—flirting with a few cute British girls.

Odin definitely enjoyed it, as did Issei. He admits that the women at the pub were beautiful, but he wasn't going to do any underage drinking, so he ordered some water and lemonade and put it on the old man's tab.

The day passed with many memories for Issei, which excited him since he also wanted to check somewhere out.

The Museum Visit

After leaving the pub, Issei wandered the streets of London, checking his phone for interesting late-night spots. That's when he saw it—The British Museum was still open for nighttime visitors.

"Well, why not?" he muttered, changing course. He always loved legendary heroes as a kid, dreaming of becoming one himself before setting his sights on being a True Harem King. Still, the stories of knights, warriors, and epic battles always fascinated him.

Stepping inside the museum, he walked through dimly lit halls, admiring the various exhibits. But one display in particular caught his attention—a diorama of the legendary Battle of Camelot.

Issei leaned in, studying the miniature warriors locked in combat. Arthur Pendragon stood at the center, Excalibur raised high, shining in the light of dawn. Excalibur was the legendary sword said to be wielded only by a true king.

Yet, something was off.

He scanned the information plaque below and frowned.

"The legendary sword Excalibur was never recovered after the fall of Camelot. Despite centuries of searches, the blade remains lost. According to legend, only a knight of the Round Table would be able to locate it."

"What the hell?" Issei muttered. "Nobody found it? Not even once?"

It was almost unbelievable. A weapon as powerful as Excalibur, just… missing? He was about to take a picture when a voice beside him spoke.

"That sword is cursed, you know."

Issei turned and saw a blonde-haired woman, arms crossed, eyes focused on the image of King Arthur holding Excalibur. She had an air of confidence around her like she knew things that others didn't.

"…Cursed?" Issei asked, raising an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

The woman let out a small scoff. "That so-called 'holy' sword is more of a curse than a blessing."

Issei blinked. "Wait, what?"

She gestured at the image of Arthur. "The king abandoned his humanity the moment he took up that sword. He became more machine than man."

That statement hit weirdly hard for Issei, but before he could process it, the woman continued.

"And Mordred should have claimed the throne instead."

Issei immediately frowned. "Hold on. Mordred literally tried to dethrone Arthur. Doesn't that make him the bad guy?"

The woman scoffed again, shaking her head. "Did he? Or did he try to take the burden away from a king who had lost his way?"

That… wasn't what Issei expected to hear.

Before he could respond, the woman turned and walked toward the museum exit. Issei stared after her, amazed at how much she knew about Arthur.

Who the hell was she?

And why did it feel like there was more to the story than he realized?

Said the woman continued walking away from the museum until she stopped at a fountain where a woman with shoulder-length blonde hair, a slim body, and blue eyes.

Her attire was that of a sorceress, with a huge blue hat with a black bow and yellow stars and a matching cape with pink flowers and a white interior.

The woman tched at the woman before sitting next to the girl, who let out an eep when seeing the woman sit next to him.

"O-Oh! H-Hi there, Mordred. Did you enjoy the museum?" The woman asked before Mordred replied.

"Like I care about some dumb museum."

"O-Oh. Then, did you at least locate the map?"

"Yep. It's under that dumbass diorama that this place made. Now, we need to bust in and take it, but why do we need it again when I can just find it with Clarent?" Mordred asked before Le Fay replied.

"Because the true Excalibur can only appear if we find the first clue at Arthur's final resting place, and in order to actually find his real body, we will need the map since your father ensured to hide the location of the true Excalibur and Avalon in separate locations," Le Fay explained, which made Mordred grumble at the annoying fact.

"Okay, I get it. And where's your brother who disrespects my dad's name?" Mordred asked until she was chopped on the head.

"Ow!"

"Your guards down again, Mordred."

"Fuck off, piss ant!"

"And it makes me wonder why you're a knight," Arthur Pendragon said, which made Le Fay sigh to herself since her big brother and Mordred never exactly got along swimmingly.

"Can we just focus, since according to our source on the inside of the Church Faction, they're sending their top assassin to make sure that the map to Arthur Pendragon's tomb is." Le Fay said, making Mordred forget her 'brother' and scoff at the faction.

"Oh, please. Those pussies couldn't even kill a Stray Devil properly." Mordred said before Le Fay looked at her with a serious expression.

"I really mean it since they're sending a user with three of the Excalibur Holy Swords, and our mole is with them as well."

"So who's this assassin anyway?" Mordred asked, picking her up until Le Fay replied.

"Azrael. The one who wields the Sword of Sin, the blads thay cuts down sinners and the truly wicked." Le Fay said, surprising the Knight and Arthur before the trio left, unaware that the assassin would meet someone but not them.

Evening.

Issei was sleeping back at the inn. He was glad to have had an amazing first day in Britain and even said goodnight to Mrs. Thatcher, who said goodnight to him back.

"Man, this is the best! Maybe I'll go see Odin tomorrow since he could teach me more about chess, and that was a fun game to play with him." Issei said before deciding to hit the hay and grab some Z's for tomorrow until he went to sleep, unaware of the watch's runes glowing as if they were detecting something.

And that night would be the one where Issei's life changed forever.

Museum.

A figure was walking in the light, and it was a tall man with a dark, armored look and a cowl and cape, resembling a knightly figure with a focus on the character's religious symbolism.

The man stood in front of the museum before punching the door in, only for his partner to shush him.

"Seriously Azrael?! Are you trying to wake up the dead? This mission is supposed to be secret!" Lint Sellzen shouted quietly, only for Azrael to look back at her.

"The Church Faction has received reports of the God of Mischief Loki and a witch by the name of Charmcaster. They stumbled upon the Sacred Gear Longinus, known as the True Longinus. Also, the fake Arthur Pendragon and his little group are attempting to find Excalibur, meaning we cannot let it fall into either of their hands." Azrael said with Liny sighing at her partner before the duo headed inside.

As Azrael and Lint stepped into the dimly lit museum, their shadows stretched long across the marble floor. The silence was oppressive, only broken by the faint hum of security cameras and the distant sound of traffic outside. Lint adjusted her gauntlets, her fingers twitching slightly.

"So," she whispered, "where exactly is this map supposed to be?"

Azrael didn't answer immediately. His glowing eyes, hidden beneath his hood, scanned the exhibits. His senses were sharp—keenly attuned to anything out of place. Finally, he pointed toward the center of the room.

"There. The Battle of Camelot diorama," he said. "The map is underneath it."

Jeanne raised an eyebrow. "You're sure?"

Azrael nodded. "Le Fay's little mole, Jeanne, wouldn't risk their life to give false information. It's thanks to her that we were aware of their plan, and the rumors of Loki being here make this more dangerous."

Lint sighed and approached the exhibit, glancing at the detailed miniature figures of knights locked in battle. The craftsmanship was impressive, and each figure was carved with care. She reached out and placed her hand on the base of the display.

"Alright, let's get this over with—"

CRACK!

Before she could finish her sentence, a surge of energy flared across the room. Azrael instantly raised his sword, his instincts screaming danger. Jeanne stepped back, reaching for her weapon.

The air grew thick with an oppressive aura, the kind that made even hardened warriors feel a chill down their spine.

And then, from the shadows of the museum, a voice spoke.

"So, the so-called 'Holy Assassin' and the Church's little experiment are here."

Azrael narrowed his eyes. "Who's there?"

Slowly, a figure stepped into the dim light to reveal a man clad in a sleek, silver breastplate with intricate golden etchings. His long, dark coat trailed behind him, and in his hand, he held a gleaming blade that pulsed with dark energy.

"Lancelot," Lint muttered, gripping the hilt of her sword tighter.

The once-legendary knight smirked. "Ah, so you recognize me. Good. That'll make this easier."

Azrael didn't waste time with words. In an instant, he lunged forward, his blade aimed at Lancelot's chest. But the fallen knight was fast—faster than Lint expected. With a swift motion, he parried Azrael's attack and countered, his sword slashing through the air like a blur.

Azrael barely managed to block in time, the force of the blow sending him sliding back.

"Tch," Azrael clicked his tongue. "You're strong."

Lancelot chuckled. "You won't survive the fall of Camelot without picking up a few tricks."

Limit stepped forward, summoning her sword. "We don't have time for this. We need the map."

Lancelot's smirk widened. "Oh, I know. That's why I'm here—to make sure you don't get it."

As if on cue, the entire museum began to shake. Jeanne turned her head slightly and saw more figures emerging from the shadows—warriors clad in dark armor, their eyes glowing with the same eerie light as Lancelot's blade.

Azrael exhaled sharply. "Tch. More of Mordred's lackeys?"

Lancelot shook his head. "No. These knights serve a different master." His smirk faded slightly. "And if I were you, I'd be more worried about them than me."

Lint and Azrael exchanged a glance before nodding. Whatever was happening, they needed to get that map now.

But one thing was clear—this mission had just become a lot more complicated.

Azrael tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword, his glowing eyes shifting from Lancelot to the shadowy knights standing beside him. Their presence was wrong—unnatural, even. He could sense something dark lingering in their aura.

"Who do you work for?" Azrael asked, his voice calm but firm.

Lancelot chuckled, twirling his sword with ease. "That's the wrong question. The better one is—who don't I work for these days?"

Azrael's eyes narrowed. Lint, standing beside him, shifted her stance, ready for a fight.

Before either of them could move, slow claps echoed through the museum. A swirl of green energy flickered in the darkness, followed by a soft, sinister chuckle.

"Well, well, well," a smooth voice called out. "And here I was worried this was going to be too easy."

From the shadows, two figures emerged.

Loki and Charmcaster.

Azrael immediately raised his sword. "Loki."

The trickster god grinned. "Ah, I love that. No 'Lord Loki' or 'Mighty Loki,' just Loki. So casual, so… disrespectful." He sighed dramatically. "Truly, the mortals of today have no manners."

Charmcaster rolled her eyes. "Just get to the point."

Loki turned his attention back to Azrael and Jeanne, his grin widening. "Right, right. You see, my dear assassin friends, I must thank you."

Jeanne frowned. "Thank us?"

Loki gestured toward the diorama. "For making our job easier, of course."

Before they could react, Charmcaster waved her hand. The diorama of the Battle of Camelot suddenly cracked and then shattered into pieces. Among the wreckage, a rolled-up parchment poked out, its edges lined with ancient symbols.

The map to Arthur Pendragon's tomb.

Azrael's heart pounded. He had spent years hunting for artifacts, retrieving them before they could fall into the wrong hands. And now, because of this damned distraction, they were about to lose one of the most important ones.

Loki casually strode toward the broken diorama. "Oh, you poor things. Did you really think the Church was the only faction after this? That you were the only ones who knew about its importance?" He let out a low chuckle. "The arrogance of zealots truly astounds me."

Lint gritted her teeth. "You bastard—"

Before she could move, Charmcaster reached into her pouch and pulled out some of her golems; as she let them emerge, their bodies pulsed with power, and their fists clenched tightly.

"As an act of mercy," Charmcaster said smugly, "we'll make your deaths painless."

The rock creatures stomped forward, cracking the marble floors beneath them.

Lancelot smirked and turned toward his knights. "You heard the lady. Let's make this quick."

Azrael prepared to fight, his mind already calculating their chances of survival. They weren't great. Lint cursed under her breath, gripping her sword tightly.

Then, the entire museum exploded.

A deafening BOOM echoed through the halls as a massive hole was blasted into the wall. Dust and debris filled the air, and out of the destruction, two figures strode forward, illuminated by the moonlight.

Mordred and Arthur Pendragon.

Azrael's eyes widened slightly. He hadn't expected them to make such a dramatic entrance, but he should have known better.

Mordred cracked her knuckles, her red-and-silver armor gleaming. "Sorry to crash the party, losers, but that map belongs to us."

Arthur stood beside her as his calm gaze swept across the battlefield before settling on Loki and Charmcaster.

"You've gone far enough," Arthur said coolly. "I won't allow you to defile my father's legacy any further."

Loki let out an exaggerated groan. "Oh, come on! Everyone's showing up now? What is this, a reunion?"

Charmcaster sighed. "This is getting annoying."

In the midst of the chaos, Azrael's sharp eyes caught something—the map was fully exposed in the rubble.

This was his only chance.

Moving quickly and quietly, he lunged forward, grabbing the parchment and rolling it up in one swift motion. Without hesitation, he turned to Lint and shoved it into her hands.

"Run." His voice was firm, unwavering.

Lint's eyes widened. "What?"

"Run," Azrael repeated, his tone deadly serious. "Don't look back."

She hesitated for a split second, then clenched her jaw and nodded.

With one last look at him, she turned and sprinted toward the nearest exit.

Lancelot caught the movement and growled, "She's taking the map!"

Mordred grinned. "Not on my watch."

And just like that, the battle erupted into chaos.

Azrael took a deep breath, tightening his grip on his sword as he faced the incoming wave of enemies.

He had bought Lint a head start.

Now, he just had to survive long enough for her to escape.

London Streets – Midnight

Lint ran through the darkened streets, her breath ragged as the sounds of explosions and clashing steel echoed behind her. She gripped the rolled-up map tightly, her fingers slick with sweat.

"Damn it… Azrael better still be alive back there."

The faint glow of streetlights barely illuminated her path, but she didn't dare slow down. She could hear them—heavy boots pounding against the pavement, closing in fast.

Lancelot and his knights.

Glancing back, her heart pounded harder. Lancelot led the charge with an effortless grace, his golden-trimmed armor barely making a sound. The knights behind him weren't as quiet, their armor clanking as they moved, but they were just as relentless.

And worse, behind them—Mordred.

"Outta my way, bastards!" Mordred snarled, shoving past Lancelot's knights like a battering ram in human form. Her crimson eyes glowed with excitement, her massive sword dragging sparks along the ground.

This is getting worse by the second.

Lint spun on her heel and fired, Holy bullets whizzing through the air. Some found their mark, piercing through the enchanted armor of the lesser knights. They staggered, collapsing with pained grunts.

But Lancelot? He moved like a phantom.

With precise, almost lazy movements, his sword deflected every bullet before they could touch him. His smirk didn't waver.

"You'll have to do better than that," Lancelot taunted, his golden eyes gleaming under the moonlight.

Then came Mordred, who didn't even bother dodging—she charged straight through the scattered gunfire. The bullets sparked harmlessly off her enchanted armor, and she laughed as if this was some game.

"Nice try!" Mordred shouted, barreling forward.

Lint gritted her teeth, seeing this, and knew she needed something bigger. With a quick motion, she reached into her belt, pulling out two grenades.

"Try dodging this!" Lint growled, pulling the pins and lobbing them behind her.

The resulting BOOM rocked the street, sending stones and debris flying into the air. The shockwave rippled outward, shaking buildings and rattling windows.

One of those buildings—

The inn that a certain moron was at currently.

Issei's Room – The Inn

Issei woke up to the violent shaking of the entire building. His eyes shot open, his heart pounding.

"What the hell!?"

The walls groaned, dust and debris raining from the ceiling. A second, smaller explosion in the distance made the floor tremble again. Issei heard screams from outside—people shouting in confusion and fear.

Then—

CRACK!

The wooden beams above him split apart. The room lurched as if an earthquake had struck the entire inn.

"Oh, shit!"

The ceiling collapsed.

Issei rolled off his bed just in time as a wooden beam crashed where he had been sleeping. His mind raced. 'This isn't normal! What the hell is going on outside!?'

"Mrs. Thatcher!" Issei coughed, stumbling to his feet, trying to push through the dust and rubble. "Where are you!?"

No answer.

His gut twisted. He pushed forward, ignoring the ache in his muscles. "Come on, lady, where are you?"

More of the inn caved in. The ground beneath Issei tilted. It was like the entire building was about to collapse in on itself.

Issei gritted his teeth.

"I refuse to die like this. Not before making my dream a reality. Not before finding Mrs. Thatcher!"

Then—

The floor gave out.

And Issei fell into the darkness.

Issei gasped, his vision flickering as the pain surged through his body. He was pinned beneath the rubble, dust clogging his lungs. His fingers clawed at the debris, but his strength was fading fast.

'Is this really it?'

No. It couldn't be.

Issei clenched his fists, forcing himself to keep breathing. He refused to die here. Not before he fulfilled his dream. Not before he found her.

Through gritted teeth, he whispered, "Someone… anyone… if you're listening… give me the power to survive this. I will make my dream come true, and I refuse to die here!"

As if in response, the watch on his wrist—the one his grandfather had sent him—began to glow.

A sharp chime echoed in his mind, followed by a mechanical voice:

[MAGITRIX ONLINE. BEGINNING CHARM OF REGENERATION. WILL BEGIN COUNTDOWN FOR TRANSFORMATION SEQUENCE ONCE HOST IS FULLY HEALED.]

Issei barely had time to process what was happening. A soft blue light surrounded his battered body. Warmth flooded his limbs as his wounds began to close, his broken ribs knitting back together. The pain dulled, then vanished entirely.

His breath hitched. 'What… what is this thing?'

The Magitrix's core pulsed, shifting through symbols at rapid speed. But then—

[Transformation of the user is too risky due to damage to his body. Alternate conclusion: Selecting female summon.]

The interface cycled through five glowing emblems, each one marked with a unique rune. Issei's breath steadied as he watched in awe.

Then—one of the charms locked in place. The Magitrix's energy flared.

A summoning circle ignited in the air before him, glowing with an intense blue light. The wind swirled around the rubble, scattering dust and debris.

Issei shielded his eyes as a figure began to emerge.

The glowing circle flared, and from its shimmering depths, a small figure emerged. At first glance, she didn't appear intimidating—she was only about three feet tall and wrapped in long, flowing strands of dark purple hair that shimmered under the mystical light.

Issei blinked, still dazed from his near-death experience. "W-What…?"

The Keraduella lifted her head, revealing piercing pink eyes that glowed with an eerie intelligence. The Magitrix pulsed on his wrist.

[Summon complete. Keraduella selected.]

The tiny being tilted her head, observing him. Then, without a word, her hair surged forward, stretching and twisting like living tendrils.

"Whoa!" Issei barely had time to react before the hair wrapped around the debris, pinning him down. The strands thickened, hardening like steel cables, and with a single effortless motion, she flung the rubble away.

Freed, Issei gasped for air, his body still aching despite the regeneration. He barely had time to recover before the Keraduella reached out, one delicate strand of hair brushing against his skin. It tingled, and for a moment, Issei felt an odd warmth.

"Are you… checking my condition?" Issei asked. The Keraduella nodded and then turned, sensing the destruction around them. Her long locks twisted and extended, sweeping across the ruins, searching—until they stopped.

A low, almost mournful hum came from her as her hair slowly pulled back, and Issei's heart sank.

"Mrs. Thatcher. She's gone, isn't she?" Issei whispered, clenching his fists. He was too late.

But before grief could fully take hold, the Keraduella looked back at him. Her expression softened, and she reached out again—this time, not just checking his wounds but offering silent comfort.

Issei swallowed hard. "Thanks…" He wasn't sure if she understood, but her eyes seemed to shine in acknowledgment.

Then, the ground trembled. In the distance, explosions roared as the battle continued. Whoever was responsible for this attack—was still rampaging.

His grief twisted into determination. He wasn't going to let this be for nothing.

He looked down at the Magitrix. "Alright, if you can summon her… then maybe you can do more."

The device pulsed in response. The Keraduella, sensing his resolve, nodded.

[Indeed, but are you sure that is wise? Your body is still lightly wounded. It would be better for you to rest and heal. My name is Alpha, and I am the Magitrix's personal AI here to assist you, Issei Hyoudou.] Alpha said, which surprised Issei before he shook his head.

"No! I vowed to become a true Harem King and an even greater hero than Gilgamesh. That is why I will not run or cower in fear, so if there is a way for me to fight, please tell me," Issei said, and the watch hummed a bit before it replied.

[Yes, but my plan is risky. Are you sure you wish to fight?]

"Yes," Issei said, his inner flame burning brightest. With his new companion at his side, Issei turned toward the battlefield.

"By the way, you got a name?" Issei asked the little one before she shook her head until Issei decided to give her one.

"How about...Shifter? It goes well with your hair powers, no?" Issei asked before the little Keraduella smiled as she used her hair to make a heart.

"I'm guessing you liked it?" Issei asked, with Shifter giggling at the said name before they headed to the battlefield. Issei was still speaking to Alpha to learn how to fight back.

The battlefield crackled with tension as Lint fired another burst from her holy bullets, forcing Lancelot to deflect them with his sword while Mordred barreled through the onslaught, her armor shrugging off the attacks like they were nothing.

'Dammit! Where is Azrael? He should've caught up by now, unless he's-no! Azrael is the strongest assassin who was trained by one of the Seraphim. There's no way he can lose to some mage and a wannabe god whose only trick is illusions.' Lint said in her head as she tried to put some distance between her and the knights, but it was not easy doing so with Mordred's persistence.

"You're getting on my nerves, exorcist!" Mordred growled as she planted her feet on the ground and then surged forward with unnatural speed.

Before Lint could react, Mordred's gauntleted hand clamped around her throat and slammed her into the ground. The impact cracked the earth beneath them, sending dust flying.

Lint coughed; her sword and gun were knocked from her hands as Mordred leaned down, a sadistic grin spreading across her face.

"Any last words before I pry that map from your cold, dead hands?" Mordred sneered, tightening her grip as Lancelot was about to attack Mordred as well, but before Lint could respond, a shadow loomed over them.

"SMASH HER!"

WHAM!

A massive, hair-covered fist crashed into Mordred's side, sending her hurtling through the air like a ragdoll. She smashed into a ruined wall, dust and rubble cascading around her as she let out a sharp grunt of pain.

Lint gasped, blinking in shock. "What the hell—?"

She turned her head just in time to see a small, strange figure stepping forward—wrapped in an overwhelming mass of shifting, living hair. Standing beside her was a teenage boy with brown hair and eyes. He had a strange device on his left arm that seemed to be glowing with a rune on top of it, and his expression hardened with a fury she rarely saw in humans.

Lint slowly got up and coughed into her fist until Issei's eyes locked onto Mordred. Then, she shifted to Lancelot, who was already raising his sword in caution at the new opponent.

"Are you the ones responsible?" Issei's voice was low, edged with something raw. His fists clenched as the Magitrix on his wrist pulsed. "Did you destroy that inn? Did you kill the innkeeper?"

For a moment, there was silence.

Lint was shocked because she thought the explosions wouldn't have been so powerful to cause that much destruction and was scared by the rage in the boy's eyes.

Mordred, still sprawled in the rubble, let out a low chuckle as she pulled herself up. She rolled her shoulders, her crimson eyes gleaming with something between annoyance and amusement.

"And if I did?" she taunted, a savage grin splitting her face. "What are you gonna do about it, punk?"

Issei didn't respond right away.

Instead, the Keraduella shifted beside him, her hair rising and twisting into massive, clawed tendrils, her pink eyes narrowing with focused intensity.

Mordred still raised a brow at the small creature before she smirked. "Oh… now this is getting interesting."

Mordred then dusted herself off and cracked her knuckles.

Lancelot, however, sighed and took a step forward. "How annoying. You're all making this messier than it needs to be." He then turned his gaze to Issei, assessing him with a calculating look. "You don't seem like the type to get involved in battles like these. Why don't you walk away before you get yourself killed?"

Issei's jaw clenched. His fingers curled into fists as the Magitrix glowed brighter.

"I'm not sure I understand most of what's going on here because I'm really out of my depth right now. But what I do know is that YOU, too, are the bad guys here! You're trying to hurt someone who did nothing bad to you! You killed that kind innkeeper and nearly killed me! And THAT is why I'm standing here in front of you!"

Unnoticed by either Issei or the knights, but noticed by the Limt, was that as the brunette spoke, a green glow started building up around his left hand, tiny particles of light coalescing towards the back of his fist. Unknowing of this, Issei continued.

"I'm the type of guy who likes helping others! And that's why I won't back down! I won't give up! I will take you down. I will save the girl right there... And I'll live on and accomplish my dream! I WILL GET MY HAREM!"

With fires of determination blazing within his eyes, Issei brought his clenched left hand over his heart as he made that final, heartfelt declaration. He was surprised to feel a pulse of warmth on his chest before an explosion occurred.

Powerful winds reached the four present individuals, ruffling their clothes and temporarily defeating them. Red light filled their vision, causing the giant to look away, while Issei could only gape silently at what had happened.

"This... What is this?"

"A sacred gear user? No, a magic user, perhaps? Now, isn't that more interesting!" Lancelot said with intrigue since he's hardly seen many in the humans he kills but is aware of the Sacred Gears or magic awakenings.

After all, it's not every day that your hand turns into a red gauntlet, a myriad of spiked sections throughout it, and a bright green gem on the back, while a massive surge of energy rips through your body, taking away your fatigue, soothing away any aches, and making you feel as if you could take on an entire army!

Issei, still distracted with the gauntlet, did not notice as Mordred's face turned a scowl his way before going towards him, moving faster than anyone her size had a right to.

"Watch out!" Lint shouted. However, just before Mordred could kill him, the Keraduella sent her flying back with another fist to the face while the Magitrix on Issei's wrist pulsed brighter, its glow intensifying with raw energy. The Keraduella beside him tensed, her hair shifting in anticipation, while Lint pushed herself up, watching with cautious intrigue.

[MAGITRIX SYNCHRONIZATION COMPLETE. BEGINNING ARMOR OF BEZEL MANIFESTATION.]

A brilliant glow erupted around Issei, engulfing him in swirling, arcane energy. The very ground beneath him trembled as symbols of unknown origin flickered in and out of existence, forming a circle beneath his feet. The air crackled with pure magic, sending a shockwave outward that forced Mordred and Lancelot to brace themselves.

Then, from the ether itself, the Armor of Bezel began to form around Issei. Piece by piece, the dark, battle-worn armor materialized over his body—first the protective chest plate, then the pauldrons, gauntlets, and greaves, each piece locking into place with a surge of ancient power. The Keystone of Bezel, a glowing core embedded within the armor, pulsed as it fully bonded with him.

The moment the Transformation was complete, an eerie silence fell over the battlefield.

Mordred, who had been cocky just moments ago, narrowed her eyes, gripping her sword tighter. "What the hell…?"

Lancelot took a step back, his brows furrowing as he examined the armor. He could feel it—raw, unfiltered magic radiating from its core. It wasn't just some enchanted suit; this was a relic of incredible power.

Issei opened his eyes, now burning with determination. He clenched his fists, testing the armor's weight. It felt… natural as if it had been made for him. As if it had been waiting for him.

He extended his hand, and immediately, the Charms of Bezel activated. Blue flames danced across his fingers before shifting into arcs of electricity. The air around him stirred, and suddenly, a strong gust of wind burst outward, sending debris scattering. The very earth rumbled beneath his feet as he exerted his newfound control.

Mordred bared her teeth. "Tch. So you got yourself some magic armor—big deal!" She pointed her sword at him. "Let's see if it can handle this!"

With a battle cry, she charged.

But this time, Issei didn't flinch.

His gauntleted hand shot forward, and in an instant, the very ground beneath Mordred exploded upward, forming a jagged wall of stone that sent her skidding to a halt. At the same time, he raised his other hand, sending a whip of fire and lightning crackling toward her.

Mordred barely had time to react before she was forced to dodge, her cocky smirk replaced with a scowl.

Lancelot, watching the exchange, exhaled slowly. "This just got a lot more interesting."

Mordred, still catching her breath, chuckled. "You're telling me."

Issei, standing tall in his new armor, stared down his opponents. His firm and unwavering voice cut through the tension.

"You destroyed that inn. You killed the innkeeper and tried to kill me. And now, I'm going to make you pay for it." Issei said, thinking he might have a chance thanks to Shifter and the armor.

However, his bad luck always seems to happen at the worst of times since just before the battle could continue, a giant spear impaled Issei, pinning him to a wall.

Blood dripped from the wound as his breath hitched, pain lancing through his body. His vision blurred the adrenaline that had fueled him moments ago, now fading into cold shock.

"Loki," Lancelot muttered, narrowing his eyes as the trickster god materialized before them, his ever-present smirk twisted with amusement. "I was about to see what he could do."

"Oh, calm down, Lancelot, this was an emergency." Loki mused, his emerald eyes gleaming with mischief. "And I do believe that little girl has something that belongs to us."

From behind a nearby tree, Charmcaster emerged, her cloak billowing slightly as she stepped forward. In her grasp, Lint struggled against the grip of a stone golem, and her face twisted in frustration and fear.

"Let me go!" Lint shouted as she tried to kick the golem in the face, but it had no effect; Charmcaster took the map and placed it into her pouch.

"Thanks for the map, darling," Charmcaster purred, pulling the bloodied spear from Issei's chest. Issei let out a strangled gasp as his body slumped, barely conscious.

"D-Dammit. I'm not...done yet..." Issei panted as Charmcaster by the boy's resilience before she dodged a slow punch and snapped her fingers. The golem let Lint go and punched Issei's face as he flew into the wall again.

"That was a cute attempt, but that's all it was. Adorable." Charmcaster said as Lancelot took a step forward, his grip on his sword tightening.

"What happened?"

Loki twirled the spear after being given it by Charmcaster before tossing it aside casually. "Oh, before we could finish off that troublesome assassin, my dear father decided to intervene. It was quite the spectacle." Loki sighed dramatically. "And now he's on our tail, which means we have to make ourselves scarce."

Mordred, still shaking from her earlier battle, clenched her fists. "You're not going anywhere—"

Before she could strike, Charmcaster raised her hand, and with a flick of her fingers, two bodies were dropped at her feet.

Arthur and Le Fay.

Both were bruised, battered, and unconscious.

Mordred froze.

Charmcaster smirked. "Stand down, girl. Unless you want them to perish."

Mordred gritted her teeth, her entire body shaking in frustration. "Cowards," she spat, gripping her sword until her knuckles turned white. But she didn't move. She couldn't.

Loki gave a mocking bow. "Oh, thank you, dear Mordred. Always such a joy working with you." With a wave of his hand, a swirling portal opened behind him.

Charmcaster dragged Le Fay and Arthur through, which made Mordred growl as the golem followed while carrying their prisoners. Lancelot hesitated only a moment before stepping through as well, casting one last glance at Issei before disappearing.

As the portal began to close, Loki turned, offering a mocking wave to Mordred. "Really, thank you for all your help. It would've been much harder without you running around and causing destruction. Thank you, your Highness."

This made Mordred grit her teeth in anger, and with a final smirk from Loki, they were gone.

Mordred let out a sharp growl, turning back toward Issei, kneeling beside him.

"Wake up, you moron. I need your help!" Mordred said as she slapped Issei to try and wake him up before Shifter scrambled toward Issei, pressing her hands over his still-bleeding wound.

"D-Don't die! Please don't die!" Shifter whimpered, shocking Mordred since she couldn't have guessed the midget could speak. The armor of Bezel was already working, faint blue energy pulsing around the injury, but it wasn't enough.

Then—

A golden glow illuminated the battlefield.

Standing tall, with an air of divine authority, Odin stepped forward, his one eye sweeping over the battlefield. Beside him, Azrael stood, bloodied but alive, his breaths ragged as he stumbled toward Lint.

"Are you alright?" Azrael asked her.

Lint, still shaken, nodded. "I… I'm fine. But Issei—he saved me. And now he's dying."

Odin's gaze settled on the wounded boy. With a wave of his hand, golden runes shimmered to life, wrapping around Issei's body and lifting him into the air. The healing intensified, the bleeding slowing.

"I will take him with me," Odin said, his voice calm but firm.

But before he could turn—

Mordred stepped in his path.

"If he's going," she growled, "then I'm going too."

Her eyes burned with fury. "I owe that bitch Charmcaster payback for what she did to Le Fay and Arthur. I won't sit this out! Not with my siblings in danger and captured by that bitch and bastard."

Azrael straightened, his wounds still fresh but his determination clear. "Neither will I."

Lint hesitated, glancing at Issei before clenching her fists. "Same here. I've come this far; I'm not backing down now."

Odin studied them all for a long moment before exhaling.

"So be it," he said. With a gesture, the golden runes expanded—and in a flash of light, they were gone.

Scene!

I wanted to show that Issei won't be OP in this story even though he has the Magitrix, a magic-based version of the Omnitrix. It also has the Charms of Bezel, but some were created or fused together to allow the user to use other charms, such as the Charm of Regeneration, which is still the Reincarnation charm but has a different name.

Anyway, of the first ten aliens Issei has in the playlist, five are summons to assist him in battle, which works with him when he has the armor to battle. The other five are transformations, but Issei can't summon any of them unless he turns back to normal and summons them.

However, should Issei transform into one and summon another, the strength of both forms would be cut in half so that both can use their strength.

Now, the team has been put together since Odin will help each of them grow into warriors as they attempt to stop Loki and his plans for Ragnarok.

As for Shifter, she's an alien that was made in Devainart that I got permission to use for my story.

Species: Keraduella.

Name: Shifter.

The Keraduella is a species of alien that tends to appear physically weak. Its small bodies typically don't grow over three feet tall.

However, though small, the Keraduella have amazing control over the alpha keratin found within their bodies. This allows them to manipulate their own hair in just about any way they can think of, as well as create claws and horns.

Though their bodies may be short, they can use this amazing power over their hair to appear much larger than they really are and form hair constructs that can frighten others away.

The Keraduella have an amazing sense of awareness. Even one single strand of hair can sense what's going on in their surroundings, alerting them to what's going on or even who is around them.

Though soft and silky, a Keraduella's hair can be as durable as armor. It is more often than not wrapped around the species' body as a protective layer or even formed into clothing. Their hair can also be used as an insulator to keep them warm in the cold and even cool to a certain point.

Despite their appearances, which often seem intimidating and off-putting, the Keraduella are very friendly, fond of taking care of hair, and very proud of it. Keraduellas can easily get along with those who know how to handle their hair properly. They can also be quite shy without a layer of hair around them.

I hope that clarifies her powers. Let me know if you have any ideas for other transformations or summons.

Bye for now!