The plane for Italy arrived sooner than expected, Gabriel had already fallen asleep during the flight and Carmen who was sitting next to him tried to wake him up, a couple of minutes before landing, she managed to get him to stand up, soon the passengers exited the plane one by one and as soon as a yawning Gabriel and Carmen got off the plane and walked to the arrivals section of the airport, Nico was there to greet them. Wearing a very fine-looking suit and with a sign in his hands that had Gabriel's name on it. Both Gabriel and Carmen walked up to Nico who greeted them, Nico- Nice to see you again, Gabriel. Welcome to Italy. You as well, Carmen.

Gabriel-Hello, Nico.

Carmen-Nice to see you again, Mr.D'Renna.

Nico-Please, call me Nico. As part of Gabriel's team, you too are a part of the Vatican. I want you to see me as a friend.

Carmen-Yes, Nico.

Gabriel-So...What now?

Nico started walking and prompted Gabriel to follow him.

Nico-At first, I want to make sure you arrived ok. We are going to the Vatican's special grounds where the paladins and the squires train. The residential area is also there, I expected to see Mak though.

Carmen-Am I causing a problem?

Nico-Not at all, I just expected to see Mak so I made arrangements for Gabriel's room to house two single beds. I suspect you won't have a problem staying in the same room.

Both Gabriel and Carmen's faces turned red at that moment.

Nico-Ah, not to worry. I'll have you know that you won't be spending that much time in that room, Gabriel. The training is going to be somewhat intense.

Gabriel-Judging from how well you can fight, I guess the training is going to be rough.

Mike-(For a human pest that is.)

Carmen-Hm...

Nico-I am sorry about that, Carmen but I will need most of Gabriel's time. I didn't account for your arrival so I have to warn you. Due to some events, the entire of the Vatican grounds are protected by an ESP suppression system that will prevent you from using your abilities. You might suffer a little headache from time to time as well.

Carmen-That's fine. It's just that I wanted to...Spend some...Time with Gabriel...And maybe walk around and stuff...

Nico-I see...Well, if Gabriel proves to be capable. The training routines will get easier and thus leaving more free time. For now, though, I have to present you to the council.

Gabriel-Yeah, about that...

Nico-What?

Gabriel-What do they really want to see? Do they have some sort of mind-reading thing that's gonna determine whether or not I am suitable for a free agent?

Nico-No, what are you talking about? They are already aware of your feats, I have informed them of how good an ally you were, I left the part of you messing with the onmyoji aside for now. Don't go around telling people about that.

Gabriel-Right...

Nico-I have spoken with Asano a couple of days ago. He said no hard feelings. He understands the situation you were in and the fact that they refused to aid you was wrong but he refuses to apologize since you know...Broke his leg. He has a lot to deal with as well, he lost some precious friends during the incident with the Raiju but he is a strong young man.

Mike-(I think telling him we don't give a fuck is a bad idea.)

Gabriel-(You think?)

Carmen-I feel terrible for those guys. I can't believe what they went through.

Nico-There are plenty like us, Carmen. We all fight for a cause, we are all aware of the consequences of our actions. Nevertheless, losing friends and partners in this fight will always be hard.

Nico has led Gabriel and Carmen to the grounds of the Vatican, the first thing they saw was a huge pillar standing in the middle of a circular plaza, the Vatican City that the general public knows about, Carmen was astonished by the sheer mass of the structure and even Gabriel couldn't hold back that feeling he had, the whole place was marvelously built and the architecture was magnificent. Nico has led them through a few areas where people aren't normally allowed to enter, he used a couple of secret paths and soon they found themselves at an underground facility filled with storage units and chambers.

Nico-This is the residential area. Here is where you will come back after our scheduled work. There is already a room prepared for the two of you.

Gabriel and Carmen saw the room that they would stay in for the next days, it was a big room with expensive furniture, two single beds that rested a few meters apart from each other, even if the size of the room wasn't like the one he saw in Japan, Gabriel was still shocked by how well prepared the room was, there was enough room to bring his desk and his computer, Nico informed them about all the amenities that the Vatican would provide, TV, great food at a cafeteria-style buffet and wireless internet that spread along the entire residential area.

Gabriel-This is amazing.

Carmen-It's beautiful, Nico. Thank you.

Nico-Don't thank me, this is the place where all the forces of the Vatican reside. Don't get too attached though, we are going to leave soon for the meeting. It's not gonna take too long but we can't be late. After that is finished, I will show you to the training grounds, it is not far from here and we will go by car, its a remote location prepared with a harmless Glamour spell similar to what Mak uses. There, I will show you what I promised during our mission in Mexico.

Gabriel-That thing about artifacts?

Nico-Yes, as a new squire and also someone who worked with a Paladin before, you will also be allowed a personal arsenal of artifacts that match your fighting style. I will show you how to use the technique we use, Invocation.

Gabriel-Invocation?

Nico-It is the method used to invoke the true form of an artifact and also seal it back into an inconspicuous form. Unlike that unholy, unreliable method you used before. Invocation is perfectly safe and will allow you to use the true power of an artifact with no side effects.

Gabriel-I can't wait to get new weapons. I mean... I have an Uzi...

Nico-Conventional guns can be effective but they won't serve you like an artifact crafted by the Vatican would. We have access to the best artisans in the world. Their skills are so good that they can provide a specific item out of any material, although certain materials are best used for certain things. The Wyrm scales that you got at that time would provide excellent raw materials for armor.

At that moment, Gabriel remembered that not only did he not bring the Wyrm scales with him but he also forgot to bring back Nico's enchanted bag.

Gabriel-Yeah...About that...

Nico-Did you bring my bag with you?

Carmen interrupted them at this point,

Carmen-I have it, Nico. I was sure that Gabriel would forget something so I asked Mak about what to bring with me. He told me that this was your bag. Unfortunately, there were no scales within it. Mak said he took them out.

Nico-I suppose Mr.Kevin would like to experiment on them?

Carmen-Yeah, would that be a problem for you?

Nico-No, there are plenty of free agent craftsmen, to be honest, most of them don't want to stay in the Vatican. They prefer their own workshops for these kinds of work. The Vatican collaborates with them and provides them with the materials and the crafting order. Maybe Kevin would also find a position in our organization, if he manages to become good at that sort of thing, haha.

Carmen-Professor Kevin is really invested in that kind of work. I am sure he will come up with something useful.

Gabriel-(Come on, Carmen. You could have said that I didn't forget about it.)

Mike-(Useless esper.)

Nico-You can rest for a bit. I will come to get you as soon as the meeting starts.

Gabriel-Alright.

Nico left the room and now Gabriel was alone with Carmen, for just an instant, the idea of reciprocating to Carmen's feelings crossed his mind but no for long. They were in a strange environment and despite Gabriel's facade, he was a bit nervous. Carmen couldn't really read his mind, because of Mike of course. She did, however, see some signs of anxiety on his face, as such, she tried to calm him down.

Carmen-This is great, Gabriel. Finally, you are getting closer to what you wanted.

Gabriel-Yeah. I guess it's a good thing.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Carmen-Are you nervous?

Gabriel-How can I not be? This is the Vatican. What if they don't approve of me?

Carmen-I'm sorry, Gabriel. I am not as smart as Mak so I can't help you. I bet you would feel way better if he was here instead of me.

Gabriel-Not at all! What use do I have for a short ugly goblin? All he does is talk bullshit.

Carmen-Hahaha.

Carmen's laugh had a positive effect on Gabriel, it kind of calmed him down. Seeing her laugh lifted some weight off the situation and he felt more relaxed. Time wasn't on his side though, as soon as he began to feel relaxed. There was a knock on the door. It was Nico, he told them that the council is ready to see Gabriel. On the way to the meeting room, Gabriel saw something that completely shocked him. He wasn't sure if it was true but for a single second, as they were walking through the square in the Vatican City, Gabriel laid his eyes on something he never expected to see again. That something was Helen. She was wearing a nun's outfit but Gabriel singled her out of the crowd in a second. He was sure that he saw her but the doubt and the anxiety in his heart didn't let him leave Nico's side and walk up to where he thought he saw her. That's when he remembered what Nico said before. That after the events with Marbas, the orphanage was taken over by the Vatican. It wouldn't be so weird to see a familiar face around here. That feeling of uncertainty and the anxiety he as already feeling overwhelmed Gabriel to the point of completely ignoring Nico's words. What previously was normal speech now sounded like dim mumbling to Gabriel. He never felt so scared and uncertain until this moment. Not after the change that happened more than a year ago. When he met Kevin. Where he woke up in a strange bed inside a lab that he had never seen before, with a strange man looking at him. Not even a situation like that managed to scare him as much as this instantaneous sight of who he thought was Helen. Now in this state, there is only one person that can help him.

Mike-(Snap out of it, Gabriel.)

Gabriel-(You saw it too, right? Right!?)

Mike-(If you are not certain, how can I be?)

Gabriel-(You are not helping at all.)

Mike-(You need to focus at the matter in hand. We are soon going to meet the people that lead the Vatican. After we get their approval, we can look for your woman.)

Gabriel-(You are right. Wait, she is not my woman!)

Mike-(Strange, if I recall, you always wanted that woman. But now, you are confused, you don't know which one is deeper in your heart. That woman or the esper girl.)

Gabriel-(It's not that simple you know. Helen was always there for me, she always spent time with and she was sweet to me but...But...Carmen also cares for me, even when she isn't sure of herself, despite all the horrible things she has gone through. She is still with me...)

Mike-(I told you to focus in what is in front of us, we are already outside of the door.)

Gabriel-(WHAT!)

Nico and Gabriel were standing in front of the door to the meeting room. Gabriel couldn't help but to make a weird image in his head, he visioned the council members sitting in huge desks looking down at him, judging his every move, he envisioned countless old men staring down at him while he is sitting in a small chair, that's what anxiety has done to him. Imagining a terrible scenario where every move he makes is judged by others. He doesn't have the luxury of time though to fight that anxiety. Nico pushed open the door and then all of Gabriel's negative feelings disappeared. In a single second, the vision he had about the council room crumbled as he saw a few men and women, just sitting casually in a long table with a single laptop computer in front of each one. Nico announced their arrival and the reason they were there,

Nico-I am the Paladin, Nico D'Renna. I am here to present a new squire that wishes to join the fighting force of the Vatican as a free agent.

A woman stood up and walked up to Gabriel.

Cathie-No need for that type of staff, Nico. I am Cathie Montee, a member of the Vatican council and representative of the free agents. I am pleased to meet you, Gabriel.

She extended her hand to shake with Gabriel, he also extended his hand while they were shaking, she continued with explaining.

Cathie-I can see a bit of nervousness in your eyes, Gabriel. Nico has always been hardheaded when it comes to formalities, he must have given you a wrong idea of this meeting, he is like a golem, haha.

The situation lightened unexpectedly. Gabriel felt completely relaxed after Cathie made a joke at Nico's expense.

Nico-I am not a golem, bishop Montee.

Cathie-I told you to call me Cathie. Our ranks are similar, you being a Paladin shouldn't feel the obligation to address me so formally.

Nico-And I told you that this doesn't suit me.

Gabriel-What's going on here?

Cathie-Nico didn't tell you because he wants a golem buddy. Your addition has already been approved. You have been a free agent from the moment I signed this document yesterday. As the representative of the free agents, I am your link to the Vatican, whenever you are needed, I will call you. Whenever you need us, I will be there. We will exchange cellphone numbers and I will also assign you an Aeolus phone as well. It's a communication device that links two devices through a wind thread.

Gabriel's mind suddenly flooded with information, he was never too quick to catch on to information about magical stuff even when Mak tried to explain it.

Cathie-With the Aeolus phone, we can talk directly to each other without any concern for signal or information leakage.

Gabriel-Alright.

Cathie-Welcome aboard, Squire Gabriel. You are dismissed and await further instructions.

Nico and Gabriel walked out of the room and as soon as the door closed, Gabriel turned to speak to Nico.

Gabriel-You could have told me they are kind people and not some sort of formal douches.

Nico-I don't like the fact that you refer to my formality as douchy and the fact that bishop Montee is so kind shouldn't prompt you to start casually conversing with everyone inside the Vatican. There are plenty of people here that wouldn't even want to talk to you simply because your rank isn't similar to theirs. The Vatican follows a strict military program and bishop Cathie always gets in the way of our pride and formality.

Gabriel-It sounds like you don't like her.

Nico-It's not that I don't like her. It's the fact that I don't want to get too close to anyone, I am always on the field and if I ever become close to someone, my death would only bring them sadness.

Gabriel-You are such a downer, dude.

Nico-To be honest, you might be the only person I have ever interacted to this extent. It certainly is pleasant to know that there is someone to look after my back but our work is dangerous, don't ever forget that. If I were to give you a piece of personal advice, I hope you keep a distance from those you hold dear. For their protection and yours.

One image popped in Gabriel's head at that moment, the image of Helen. If that truly was Helen, what is his next plan? What is he going to do if he sees her up close, what happens if she recognizes him? Gabriel is supposed to be dead, how would he get to speak with her one more time? There are plenty of confusing questions in Gabriel's mind at the moment and Nico just told him not to get close to anyone for their own safety. Despite that advice, Gabriel has brought Carmen with him on this trip, his mind might be playing tricks on him with what he saw previously but even that has left him confused. Nico excused himself and told Gabriel to wait back in his room for him to come and pick him up for the training. Gabriel was walking alone to his room and he wasn't sure how he was supposed to feel at the moment. The sure thing is that after talking with Cathie, he feels more relaxed about his reputation with the Vatican. It would probably work out. What troubles him the most is the look on Nico's face when he told him that advice, it was the look of someone who has suffered before. Gabriel respected Nico and his experience as a soldier so he took his words very seriously. That troubled him until the point where he opened the door of his room and once again saw Carmen's smile.