At the top of a high tower nearby, Leon's lips curled into a smile. He could hear the Hathor familia partying away. As he was about to bite into his snack, he stopped, sensing the changed person coming closer, ascending the steps…
"You did good down there, Malik. Congrats on making level 7."
"Thanks… Leon?" Malik spoke with some degree of uncertainty in his voice.
"Hmm, what is it?"
"What exactly is that boy?"
"Well, you've known him just as long as I have. You tell me, what do you think he is?"
"Powerful… Enough so to render some hero tales obsolete… And simultaneously… He is still too weak… I feel like he could be far stronger, but I don't know how, or why…"
"Yeah, I felt that way after our first day of training. He was fast and strong enough to keep me on my toes." Leon chuckled. "We need to keep things safe enough for him and the others to grow…"
"..."
"I see you already understand why, don't you?"
"Yeah, Maxim and Empress were legendary with their strength. Lyca and Gale too… It's a shame that Alfia and Zald lost the will to fight the dragon-"
"I wouldn't go that far, Malik. Alfia and Zald are both still doing the most intense training they can. They aren't the type to wait around. The last time I saw Zald was on my delivery mission a year ago. He's still above me in all the ways that count. You know what he told me?"
"What?"
"He's training in the event Shurry needs him. He hopes that he won't be needed, but is preparing for it regardless. And doing it with the intention of standing at the front so no one else dies to the opening move."
"So that's how they're doing."
"Yes, Bell, and Meda are both growing quite well too. Meda is dead set on getting revenge for her mother, she's already a level 2. And on her way up to 3, she also wants to be strong enough to help her big brother Shurry."
"Heh, then it's up to us to get things settled, and keep them all safe until they are truly ready to fight against that monstrosity."
"Yes, and now that you're a level 7, I can finally talk about more of the falna stuff with you."
…
The next day, Ardee and Shurry departed from the familia home at the break of dawn, their destination, Ganesha familia…
Ganesha familia training grounds, a great number of adventurers laid on their backs exhausted, some even taking a sweet little nap when… A loud crash flooded their training grounds.
"What was that?! Evilus?" Shakti shouted out asking in case there was any clarification.
The poor members who'd been in the middle of a nap woke with a confused start.
"Hey, that's not nice, big sister! It's only been three months and you've forgotten me already!?"
"Huh?! What, no, I'd never forget you Ardee. Come give your big sister a hug!" Shakti said in a quick turn around.
"A demon trainer, with a fairy's heart the moment her sister comes into the picture."
"Careful or it'll land us in more training."
Shakti did manage to get a hold of Ardee, smothering, and sniffing her. "You're not injured are you? This boy didn't you know, do anything to you?"
"He'd never!"
"Really?"
"Unless I asked." Ardee said with a tease.
"What! So he would?"
Shurry was bored with the sister banter, and so, he struck a pose. "I AM-" He struck another pose. "SHURRY!"
"Ahahaha! And I am! GANESHA!" the elephant mask wearing, muscular man said as he too tried to recreate the showstopper he just saw. "Hehe, I see you were successful on your quest. So did you two, ya know?"
"Know what? Can you update Ardee's status? Oh, and I have a sealed letter for you, from Mother. She's the only one who knows what's in it, but she said I should give it to you now." Shurry said, handing a perfectly sealed letter with Hathor's initials, and signature written in her blood ichor. "She doesn't usually seal anything with her blood. So it must be important."
"Oh, come. I'll go ahead and see how Ardee's status is doing." He said, taking the letter… "Shakti, you come with me too, Ilta, you take care of things till Shakti returns."
"Got it. Alright everyone, it's break time!"
"FINALLY!"
…
Ganesha's office, rather the familia captain's office… Ganesha was never the type who liked offices, they're cramped, and exhausting. Even so, he has one of his own that's tiny and sound proof. He read the letter to himself, nodding along.
"I am Ganesha? Interesting, so she finally caved in and asked me to give Ardee my blessings for converting her into her familia."
"WHAT NO! NEVER! I CAN'T- I WON'T ACCEPT THIS!" Shakti blurted out so loud Shurry dropped his ears to dull the sound. "She's the last of my family! I can't do it! I can't!" She started crying.
"Shakti, calm down. I'm not going to agree just like that. The letter says I can make any demands of her familia, within reason of course."
"I can't lose my sister too! My family would all be gone…"
"She's not dying, and besides you're old enough to be thinking about a family of your own. Just like your mom, maybe it's time you thought of having some of your own… I am Ganesha, the god of the masses, I'll support your choice either way. Likewise I must consider the happiness of the masses as well."
"But…"
"Shurry, I know you and Ardee aren't ever going to part from each other. So I'll agree to the conversion, but I have conditions. I am the god of the masses Ganesha, I require a lot of manpower, and ideally strong manpower."
"What is it you want? If Mother says it's anything within reason, then I should be able to agree to it, I think anyway."
"First, I want you to promise me that the day Ardee asks you to fulfill her wishes, you'll do so."
"Done."
With a smirk he continued. "Second, once every three years, you'll aid my familia in an expedition, one that will inevitably result in level ups."
"Done."
"Third, I want the training method Zeus and Hera left you."
"A copy can be done, but I'll destroy the world before I give you the original book." Shurry answered, almost snarling.
"That's fine, I know you loved your aunt Lyca. Now… Fourth, Ardee will remain a member of my familia until she's 16, but she'll likely ask you for number one when she's 15."
"Done."
"Fifth, I want you to give Ardee a gift to show her, and I, just how much you care."
Shurry created a fairy with Luna's help, and gave it to Ardee. "Done."
Stunned… "Alright, and last up. I'll need quite a hefty sum of valis to be paid by the time Ardee is 16. 100 Billion."
"Fine. Though that feels icky to do. She's my girlfriend, not some good for trade."
"I understand. Think of it as paying for all the support my familia has given her, and the support we'll be losing out on for losing her."
"Alright…"
"ONE MORE THING!" Shakti glared. "You'd better treat her right!"
"Sister!" Ardee wrapped around Shurry's arm and smiled. "He's always been good to me. I love him! And so did our mother."