Inside Joseph's study four people are gathered seated down on the couches: Oswald, May, Liliana, and Joseph. Joseph and Liliana are booking at Oswald who has some cuts throughout his body, then they look at May looking for an explanation at what happened to their son.
“May, you call me to meet here, what happened to Oz? He told us he would be studying at the library.” Joseph asked.
“Well, my dear nephew. Explain what happened to your parents.” May said in a serious tone.
“Well, I didn’t go to the library.” Oswald was sweating as he took out the Blank Dungeon Pass and put it on the table, then started stretching his head as he began to speak again. “I kinda grabbed this to go to a dungeon and got caught by my Aunt May. Hahaha …”
“You stole a Blank Dungeon Pass from my stack!?” Joseph said as he began tapping his fingers on his leg. “Do you know how dangerous that is!? These passes leave no trace of who enters a dungeon. Had something critical happened to you, we wouldn’t know where you were.”
“Oswald, you just got out of the hospital a few days ago and now you are doing this.” Liliana scolded Oswald. “You have been so reckless lately, first you fight one of the Lunarian Rankers and now you go behind our backs STEAL a Blank Dungeon Pass and sneak into a dungeon. Your exam for your Adventurer’s License is in TWO months, couldn’t you just wait?”
“I have these passes because I am the head of the Deus Family and they shouldn’t be misused.” Joseph said. “If you are going to keep acting so reckless you leave me no choice. I will have a bodyguard assigned to you. You won’t even notice they are following you. They will be in the shadows and reporting to me.”
“But …” Oswald tried to argue.
“No buts. The Deus Family Tournament is in two months. If you perform well, I’ll stop sending a bodyguard with you.” Joseph said.
“Lucky you, Oz.” May said. “I didn’t have a chance to get the bodyguards off of my back. I had them until I was 22 years old when I first transformed into the Deus State. But this for the best, you better than anyone need a bodyguard.”
“Oz, we want you to be independent, but your recent actions have shown you are not there yet.” Liliana said. “Please don’t make us worry, do you know how much it broke my heart to see you in the hospital after your confrontation with Two?”
“I’m sorry, it’s … just, I want to become stronger as quickly as possible.” Oswald said with a determined look. “I’ll show you that I am capable enough of confronting the Lunarian Rankers. I’LL STOP THEM!!”
“Don’t worry about them. Let the rest of the Deus Family handle it.” May said as she touched her prosthetic arm. “Focus on something else, I worry about you. I don’t want to see you in a situation similar to the one six years ago.”
“I’ll call over your bodyguard so you can meet her.” Joseph said as he took out his phone and called one of his contacts. “Aria, could you please come to my study? I have a new mission.”
“Aria? Isn’t she your secretary?” Oswald questioned after Joseph hung up the call.
`“Of course, all our employees are powerful individuals. We only hire adventurers with Rank B or above for administrative positions and Aria is someone I trust, I’ve been keeping my eye on her since she was Rank F and now she is Rank A. Time sure does fly faster the older I get.”
“I still remember when she joined the Deus Guild at the age of 19, she was such a nervous girl.” Liliana added. “It’s been five years and now she is still quiet, but she is a fierce warrior.”
“She is also a beauty. Joseph, if she wasn’t your secretary, I would try to make her a model at my agency.” May said. “I found the perfect spot for a photoshoot in the dungeon and good thing I went or else who knows what would have happened to you, Oz.”
“So, I got caught because you were searching for a location for a photoshoot.” Oswald said. “How many models are in your agency, Aunt?”
“There are 10 including me and 1 new model in the near future.” May responded. “I already contacted Maria Kim, you know the famous healer from Rosemary High. She seems interested to get onboard once she finishes high school. Those old geezers at the Church won’t be scouting her as healer anymore and that is victory for me.”
“At least don’t say anything against them in public, May. You are a Deus afterall.” Joseph remarked. “And besides, Dad is still supporting Pope Marcus even after retiring as the head of the family.”
“I never liked that man, not even when Mom was alive and she visited the Church as the Saintess.” May said. “What about you Lili?”
“I feel he is hiding something. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but I don’t like him.” Liliana responded. “But with my title as Duchess Deus I have to meet him once in a while. I am still not used to being called Duchess, what about you Joseph?”
“I mean I was raised to compete for the position of the Head of the Family, so I am fine with being called Duke Deus.” Joseph responded.
“I guess I lucked out by not being born with any magic. Being the Dad’s position seems like a pain in the ass.” Oswald said. “I mean the only thing tying me to the family is the last name, I mean mostly everyone shuns me, including Grandfather for being magicless.”
“Oswald that is …” May said.
“... not true. You think I don’t know that many people would have preferred I died six years ago when Four attacked instead of Grandma dying and you losing your right arm, Aunt.” Oswald interrupted May. “The only ones that are on my side are you three, my sister, my cousin Leon, and Uncle John.”
After Oswald stopped talking, the room fell in silence. The three adults didn’t know what to tell the teenage boy, as they were aware of the opinions the rest of the family held towards him. The tense atmosphere was cut by the door opening. From the door a blue-eyed brunette woman, Aria, entered the room. She was wearing a dark blue suit and her hair was in a ponytail.
“I have arrived, sir.” Aria said. “What is my mission this time?”
“Until further notice you are Oswald’s bodyguard.” Joseph said.
“The Young Master Oz’s bodyguard, huh?” Aria said. “Sounds like fun. I can finally put my shadow magic into practice/ Don’t worry Young Master, you won’t notice me.”
“Huh, why would you find this fun?” Oswald questioned.
“Observing young people and their drama is quite fun.” Aria responded. “And you just got a girlfriend, young love is so exciting.”
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“Joseph, Aria is such a fun person. Hahahah.” May laughed. “Aria, we should drink sometime.”
“Only if you get me some Tequila from Cuquio.” Aria responded.
“You want the good stuff, eh?” May said. “Let’s go to the liquor store.”
“I want to join in then.” Liliana said. “I’ll do the cooking. We can drink here.”
“Those three hanging out together sound like trouble.” Joseph complained.
“What do you mean, Dad?”
“I mean just look, they are already lost in their own world making plans.” Joseph said. “Last time May and Liliana hung out like this I had so much paperwork for all the trouble they caused.”
“Then, I’ll be going back to my room. I’ll invite Hannah over.” Oswald said.
“Alright, but you and your girlfriend better stay in the living room or if you go to your room, have the door open.” Joseph said as Oswald exited the room. His eyes were focused on the trio hoping this time they would not cause any trouble.
Meanwhile, inside a three bedroom house in the outskirts of Zapotes City, Hannah was reading a romance comic titled “Romance In The Dungeon” inside her bedroom. She wore a big smile while thinking of Oswald and how close they are to getting their Adventure’s License. After finishing the comic she put it back on her bookshelf and pulled out her “Magic Theory Vol 23” textbook. She started studying and after a few minutes she heard the door open. Her cousin Amy and her uncle Jin just came back from her trip to Palo Alto. Hannah headed towards the living room to greet her cousin.
“Nana, We are back!” Amy said. “I had so much fun, I wish you could’ve gone with us. But it looks like Oz is now your boyfriend. Congrats. I was gone for a few days and such a big thing happened.”
“Well you never know what will happen.” Hannah said. “I’m glad you had fun”
“Hannah, I need to talk to you in private in my office.” Jin said. “Amy, my dear, finish your homework. I’ll get you a cheesecake from Moon Cafe later.”
“Thanks, Dad!” Amy said with a big smile and then she hugged Hannah. “I’ll catch up with you later. You have to give all the details. Your messages were not enough to satisfy my curiosity.”
Amy separated from Hannah and headed to her room on the second floor. Jin then motioned at Hannah to follow him. THey went down the statues towards the basement. In the basement there were two doors, one leading to a restroom and another one leading to Jin’s home office. They entered Jin’s office, Hannah closed the door while Jin took a seat at his desk. Hannah sat down in front of Jin.
“Now explain to me why you chose a Deus as your boyfriend?” Jin asked in a cold tone. “You’re aware of what his grandfather, Victor Deus, did to us Lunarians.”
“Oz has nothing to do with Victor’s actions. And have fallen for him.” Hannah responded.
“That good for nothing magicless guy.” Jin got up and slapped Hannah. Hannah touched her cheek with her hand while holding back tears. Jin sat down and continued to glare at Hannah. “If you were going to make a Deus your boyfriend, it should’ve been someone who has a chance at becoming the head of the family. He might be Joseph’s son, but a magicless brat has no place in the Deus family or in this world. I should have killed him 6 years ago when I killed the Saintess. At least the Saintess would’ve died with her grandson instead of all alone.”
“After all this time, I still don’t understand why you killed Saintess Mary.” Hannah said with teary eyes. “She always spoke positively about the Lunarians.”
“Because she was Victor Deus’s wife. He deserves to suffer as much as possible.” Jin responded. “Mus I remind you what the Elite Deus Unit and the Holy Knights did. I mean you were there and even witnessed your parents being killed. You lost your mother, my precious sister, and your father. I lost my wife and many other Lunarians were masacared and the Church has the gall to cover it up and call it the Lunarian Mass Suicide. We can’t even say anything because Pope Marcus is against us for coming from another world and now Amy has to live with this prejudice even though she was born here on Earth and not on Lunaria.”
“I know, but why are you killing innocent people?” Hannah asked with an angry expression. “You are just like them.”
“You have no right to question me.” Jin responded “I took you in because you are my sister’s daughter, but you’re also that man’s daughter. I hated him for taking my sister away from me. You know, I wish you had died in that attack instead of my sister.”
“You know, I can always tell Amy that you are Four.” Hannah said glaring at Jin.
“Are you sure you want to?” Jin said. “Imagine how her world would crumble upon learning that I am a Lunarian Ranker. Do you want to see Amy in such pain, Hannah?”
“I don’t want to see Amy hurt.” Hannah responded with a defeated look.
“Good girl.” Jin said with a smirk. “One of the Lunarian Rankers positions will soon be left vacant. I’ll convince the others to make you a Lunarian Ranker. You can finally make yourself useful.’
“I don’t think Ryuji will accept it.” Hannah said. “As my father’s friend he doesn’t want me following the path you guys have followed.”
“Ryuji’s opinion doesn’t matter. He might be strong, but I am stronger.” Jin said. “I mean the other day he attacked your school as Two, he didn’t hurt Oswald more severely because he is afraid of Joseph. I will eventually kill Joseph Deus, he is Victor’s favorite child after all. Victor didn’t even care when I cut off May’s arm, he only cared that I killed his wife.”
“You’re no different from Victor.” Hannah said. “Sometimes I wish Ryuji had taken me in instead of you. I hate you, but I hate the Holy Knights even more.”
“That's the right attitude. Remember I only care about Amy and myself. Hahahah.” Jin laughed. “Have you mastered the Armor Ascension?”
“I have. Let me show you.” Hannah closed her fists and started to concentrate her magical power throughout her whole body. After a few moments her whole body was covered in a white light and after it disappeared, it revealed Hannah wearing a black armored tight suit and a helmet.
“Good. That is the basic requirement for a Lunarian Ranker. You need it to hide your identity and it’s also proof that you are a Lunarian.” Jin said. “Fine play with your little boyfriend for now. The position will be vacant by the time you finish high school. But keep in mind if when I am out as Four I happen to go against Oswald, I will not hesitate to kill him.”
“You gain nothing by killing him. He is magicless. What harm can he do to you?” Hannah said as she returned to normal.
“It just feels like I left a job incomplete. Six years ago if May and Saintess Mary had not protected him I would have killed him.” Jin responded. “Eventually he will confront me to get revenge. And that’s when I’ll kill him.”
Hannah glared at Jin. Jin smirked and placed his hand on her cheek. Jin used magic to heal Hannah’s cheek.
“There you go. Now Amy is none the wiser of what happened here.” Jin said “You better keep her in the dark about the Lunarian Rankers or she might break and neither me or you want that. You may leave now.”
Hannah left Jin’s office and returned to her room on the second floor. Her tears started to flow. She opened one of her drawers and took out a picture of when she was a little kid with her parents.
“Mom, Dad I miss you.” Hannah whispered. “Mom Uncle Jin became a monster. I swear I’ll make the Pope and the Holy Knights pay. Please forgive me for my future actions.”
Hannah heard a knock at her door.
“Nana, are you there?” Amy asked.
“You can come in, Amy.” Hannnah answered. The door opened and Amy got in the room. Amy looked at Hannah and she quickly went to Hannah and hugged her.
“What’s wrong Nana? Why are you crying?” Amy said.
“I was just thinking about my parents.” Hannah said. “I wish they could be here.”
“Nana, I’m here for you.” Amy said. “I know that pain. I miss my mom, but at least my Dad is alive. I can’t begin to imagine also losing my Dad. Talk to me whenever you need someone. You also have Oswald and also Jack is there.”
“Thanks Amy. You’re like a sister to me.” Hannah said. Hannah’s phone then rang with a notification sound. Hannah took her phone and read the message. As soon as she read the message she started smiling. “Oz is inviting me to his house to see a movie. He is going to pick me up in a bit.”
“Then, I’ll go back to my room.” Amy said as she exited the room. “You better start getting ready now. Later, Nana.”
As soon as Amy closed the door Hannah put away the picture and started to get ready. The outfit she chose consisted of a red sweatshirt, red sweatpants, and black sandals. After 30 minutes from receiving the initial text, Oswald texted Hannah he was outside. Hannah grabbed her bag and headed outside.