Days after meeting Midgardsormr, preparations for the battle with Loki progressed steadily.

The Occult Research Club and Student Council skipped school, with familiars mimicking us perfectly—my copy even nailed ero-talk with Matsuda and Motohama. Everyone else’s doubles were spot-on too.

While absent, we trained and rested. That’s the plan.

I was meditating in a corner of the underground training room, trying to contact the past Red Dragon Emperors within my Sacred Gear.

“Ddraig, can’t we do something about their grudges?” I asked.

“I’ve told you, their resentment is too strong. Even I can’t handle them,” Ddraig replied.

I sighed heavily. Their nagging to use Juggernaut Drive in a pinch is a pain.

“They sense your strength and want you to unleash Juggernaut Drive to destroy everything. If you lose control, this place would be leveled,” Ddraig warned.

They want that? I need to act fast. I’d ignored it since returning, but no more slacking.

I dove into the Sacred Gear’s darkness, arriving in a white void with tables and chairs, each holding a past Emperor—men, women, kids, elders—all expressionless, lifeless.

They awaken when I’m in danger, dragging me toward Juggernaut Drive.

I called out, “Hey, wake up. I know you hear me.”

No response. Shaking them did nothing. Same for the others.

Maybe groping a female Emperor would—nah, bad idea. Who knows what they’d do.

“Even if they’re unresponsive, that’s a terrible idea,” Ddraig said.

Yeah, yeah.

No progress. I gave up and returned my consciousness.

“Ugh, exhausting,” I said, lying down.

That place is mentally draining—resentment chokes the air.

Time for a shower; I’m sweaty and sticky.

As I stood, Akeno entered. “Here you are, Issei-kun. Good work training.”

“Not much training, just Sacred Gear stuff. What’s up?”

“Azazel asked for you. Mjolnir’s adjustments are done,” she said.

Mjolnir—the replica Midgardsormr mentioned.

“Got it. I’ll shower and head over,” I said, grabbing my jacket.

Akeno turned to leave, but her expression caught my eye. I called out, “Akeno-san, something’s bothering you, right?”

She flinched slightly. Her troubled look was obvious.

I knew why, but asked anyway.

“Why do you say that?” she replied, turning back.

“Your face looks pained,” I said.

She sighed. “I can’t hide anything from you.”

“Is it… your dad?” I pressed.

She looked down, silent.

“Sorry, I heard about you and Barachiel, and your mom,” I said, bowing.

“…I see,” she said softly, voice heavy with complex emotions.

I looked up. This might make her hate me, but—

“Akeno-san, about your mom’s death—”

“I know,” she interrupted. “That day, he couldn’t do anything. I was too shocked to think straight. Now I know he wasn’t to blame.”

She understood Barachiel didn’t abandon her mom.

“That day, I said awful things to him—’You killed Mom! I hate you!’ But it was my fault. She died protecting me. Yet I…” Akeno’s voice trembled, tears falling as she collapsed, clutching her shoulders.

“I hurt him so much… I want to apologize, go back to how it was, but…”

Miu was right. Akeno wanted to mend things with Barachiel but couldn’t say it.

I knelt, placing hands on her shoulders. “Then tell him how you feel.”

“…But—”

“Not now. When you’re ready. If you truly want this, I’ll support you. Share your feelings with him.”

She stayed silent.

“If you lack the courage, take mine. All of it,” I said.

If my courage could reunite them, it’s hers.

“Why… go this far for us?” she asked.

“Your dad’s a stranger to me, sure. But I lost a best friend once. Miu lost her real dad. We know the pain of losing someone precious.”

Akeno should know—separation can come suddenly. Even demons and Fallen Angels with near-eternal lives face that risk. I don’t want her to live with regret.

“Not today, not tomorrow, but tell Barachiel your feelings,” I urged.

She nodded silently, tears streaming.

I’d confirmed her feelings and shared mine. The rest was up to her.

Then I realized my sweaty hands were on her. “Sorry, I’m all sweaty—”

She hugged me tightly. “It’s fine… stay like this. Please, Issei.”

Got it.

I hugged her back, stroking her head. “Alright, a bit longer.”

We stayed like that for minutes.

Ten minutes later, Akeno and I reached the top-floor meeting room at my house. Gremory and Sitri groups, Azazel, Barachiel, Rossweisse, and Vali were there.

“Hey, sorry for interrupting your training,” Azazel said.

“Just Sacred Gear diving, no biggie,” I replied.

“Met the past Emperors? Any luck?” he asked.

I sighed, shaking my head. “Met them, but they’re unresponsive. Can’t talk.”

“As expected. Ddraig said they awaken for Juggernaut Drive or when you’re in danger. Don’t let it consume you—it’d level everything,” Azazel warned.

“I know. That’s why I chose a different path. So, Mjolnir’s ready?” I asked.

Azazel nodded. “Meant for gods, but Odin and I tweaked it for you.”

“Me? Not you or Barachiel?” I asked. A god’s weapon for me?

“I’m guarding Odin, so I can’t fight. You or Vali are our top fighters,” Azazel said.

“I don’t need it. I’ll fight as White Dragon Emperor,” Vali said.

“So, Issei, you take Mjolnir,” Azazel concluded.

Feels like I got it by default, but whatever.

Vali’s all about mastering Heavenly Dragon power. I better train hard or he’ll outpace me.

“Here’s Mjolnir’s replica, courtesy of Odin-sama,” Rossweisse said, handing me… a regular hammer. Ornate, but fit for carpentry.

Not what I expected from a god’s weapon.

“Channel your aura,” she said.

I did.

Flash!

Blinding light forced my eyes shut. When I opened them, the hammer was triple its size—huge!

It got heavier too. Does size scale with aura?

“Exactly,” Azazel said. “More aura, bigger and stronger. Max aura could wipe out the area with high-energy lightning. Don’t swing it recklessly.”

This hammer’s insane! Why bring it to Kuoh!?

I stopped the aura; it shrank back. Safe for now.

“Read the manual later for details,” Azazel said.

“Manual!? For a god’s weapon!?” I exclaimed. “That makes it sound cheap!”

“Everything has manuals—TVs, games. Especially dangerous stuff,” Azazel retorted.

“Gods are like humans, huh? Odin’s just a pervy old man,” I said.

“Exactly. Even your martial arts god mentor was a perv. Worlds don’t differ much,” Azazel laughed.

Didn’t need to know that…

Azazel cleared his throat. “Strategy time. We wait for Loki at the summit. Sitri group teleports you and Loki’s crew to a sturdy mining site. He’ll expect it but come head-on and let himself be teleported. Fight freely there. Issei and Vali handle Loki. Gremory group, Vali’s team, Tiamat, and Tannin take Fenrir and Hel. Bind Fenrir with chains, then defeat him. Tiamat leads against Hel.”

I’m with Vali on Loki. Tough alone, but together, we might manage. No room for mistakes—he’s that strong.

“Don’t let them near Odin, especially Fenrir. His fangs kill gods, even Odin. Stop them at all costs,” Azazel stressed.

“Yes!” everyone but Vali replied.

Fighting a Demon Lord in another world, now gods here—my life’s a rollercoaster.

“Dark Elves are handling the chains. Saji,” Azazel called.

“What, Azazel-sensei?” Saji replied.

“Your Vritra Sacred Gear is key,” Azazel said.

Saji’s eyes bulged. “Me!? I’m not on Issei or Vali’s level!”

He’s stronger from my training but not god-tier. Frontlines would crush him.

“I know. You’re not fighting upfront—you’d die. Support Issei and Vali. Your ability’s crucial,” Azazel said.

“Support?” Saji asked.

“You’ll train for it. Sona, I’m borrowing him,” Azazel said, grabbing Saji.

“Where to?” Sona asked.

“Grigori’s research facility in the Underworld,” Azazel grinned mischievously.

Saji’s doomed. Azazel’s new toy.

I gripped Saji’s shoulders. “Saji, I’ll never forget you.”

“Don’t jinx me! Am I dead!?” Saji wailed.

“Let’s go, Saji! To the lab!” Azazel laughed.

“Nooo! Sona, save me!” Saji begged.

“Endure, Saji,” Sona said coldly.

Saji was dragged to the Underworld.

Meeting over, Azazel and Saji left. Barachiel and Vali exited, Miu went to her room.

“Rias, can we use the training room?” Sona asked.

“Of course. Training?” Rias replied.

“Yes. We’re on Odin’s escort after teleporting. No time to waste,” Sona said.

They’d teleport us and guard Odin—a critical role.

“I’ll join later. Use it freely,” Rias said.

“Thanks. Everyone, change and meet downstairs,” Sona ordered.

“Yes!” her group replied, heading out with Kiba and others.

Only Rias and I remained.

As I turned to leave, Rias stopped me. “Issei, a moment?”

“What’s up, Buchou?”

“Akeno. She looked brighter after fetching you. What happened?”

Sharp as ever.

I smiled. “Just heard her true feelings.”

“Her true feelings… I see. Can she move forward?” Rias asked.

“It’s up to her, but she’ll be fine,” I said.

Rias sighed, relieved. She’d been worried about Akeno.

Akeno’s strong. She’ll share her feelings with Barachiel. I believe in her.

“Issei, you’re here,” Mom said, entering in long sleeves, pants, and gloves, dirt on her hands from the rooftop garden.

“Know where Dad’s toolbox is? I need a hammer,” she said, spotting Mjolnir’s replica on the table. “This’ll do. Can I borrow it?”

“Uh…”

“I was tending the garden, but a bench nail’s loose. Couldn’t find the toolbox,” she explained.

A hammer for repairs. Wait—

Bad feeling.

“I’ll return it soon,” she said, grabbing Mjolnir and skipping out happily.

Rias and I stared, dumbfounded.

Seconds later—

“Wait!” we screamed in unison.

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