Soul Art

Once Kisuke set a slice of apple pie to each one of the Goddesses along with some tea, he sat down and started, "Once again, I'm honored to be able to entertain all of you... But why don't we skip the formalities and talk about your business here today?"

"Right! I don't really like formalities, so I'm going to ask directly." Loki then opened her eyes slightly and stared down on Kisuke, "Care to explain what happened last night?"

"Loki... I agreed with you to come here... But you can't force him to tell you anything." Hestia immediately responded... and then proceeded to take a bit from her apple pie.

"Shut it, brat! If not for my help, then an annoying woman would be coming after your children and you won't be able to do anything about it. So I at least has some right to know what exactly took place."

Hephaestus only quietly ate her apple pie and drunk her tea as she's only originally here because she didn't want Loki to come alone and pressure Hestia to do anything.

"Then I really do owe you an explanation." Kisuke answered, "First of all, let me thank you for covering up my blunder."

"Enough of that."

Kisuke didn't mind her words and explained, "I have this peculiar ability to enter a strange space inside me which I call my inner world."

All three of them then looked at him with surprise expressions, "Inner world?" Loki asked to confirm.

"Yes... That's what I call it at least."

The three Goddesses stopped what they're doing to think about his words for a moment. Kisuke understood their sudden quietness as the Gods probably has the same ability as default and this is their first time seeing or hearing someone who claims that can do the same. However, Kisuke maintained his poker face so that he would let out any of his thoughts. It's better to be suspected than caught lying when he makes a confused expression.

A minute later, Loki spoke again, "And? What does it have to do with last night's event?"

"Last night was the first time I've done it since receiving my Falna from Hestia-sama. When I entered my inner world, I noticed that there's a flaming golden orb that quietly floats around and I tried to touch it. It then suddenly connected me to Hestia-sama and I was able to talk to her through her mind. I don't know what happened on your side last night, but that's all I can tell from my side."

Loki confirmed that he isn't lying so she asked another question, "What else is inside this inner world of yours?"

"I believe that's only for me to know. Telling you the flaming golden orb is already my limit."

Loki scratched her head but she also didn't mind Kisuke's response as she's only trying her luck and see if he would answer. She then started eating her pie and drunk all of her tea before standing up, "Then I'll take my leave. I'm done here."

"Let me bring you outside." Kisuke also stood up and started walking beside her. The other two Goddesses didn't follow them and just enjoyed their snacks.

Once they got outside, Loki turned to Kisuke and suddenly asked with a smile, "How were you able to hide your soul from that woman?"

A tricky question, but something Kisuke is already expecting and is also something that he doesn't mind answering to further improve his relationship with this Goddess, "I wonder what you're talking about~?" He answered with a big smile.

Loki chuckled, "Thank you for your response~." Although she wasn't able to uncover his method, she was able to confirm that Kisuke was able to hide his soul from Freya, 'If he truly can enter his soul space, then it's impossible for him to have an ordinary soul.'

Kisuke didn't respond to that further and asked what he needed to know, "What about the deal between your Familia and my Hestia Familia?"

Shrugging her shoulders, she answered, "It's those children who'll take care of it. Just promise me that you wouldn't hurt them."

"I can't promise that."

Loki's eyes became sharp as she faces Kisuke. However, she waited for the continuation of his words.

"But I can promise that as long as we don't become enemies, I won't do anything that would become detrimental to them."

Loki's pressure eased up as she heard that, "I guess that's fine..." She then recalled something, "Right. What about Line-chan? She asked for my permission yesterday and I assume that you already know what is this all about."

"If you're asking about that, then I assume that you already gave her your permission. Well then, let me get straight to the point. Would you agree to transfer her to our Familia?"

"No." An immediate answer.

Sighing, Kisuke has no choice but to ask, "Will you be willing to reset her level?" Kisuke didn't ask if she can as he's pretty sure that she's at least capable of that.

Loki looked at Kisuke's eyes again, but this time, with a bit of animosity, "Do you know what you are asking?"

"Please enlighten me of the consequences," Kisuke replied simply.

Loki put her index finger on Kisuke's chest and put pressure on it as if she wanted to pierce through it, "It might be possible, but that is only meant for extreme punishment! For level 1, it wouldn't have much of an effect. For level 2, permanent injury is assured. For level 3, there are 9 out of 10 chance of death. For level 4 and above, death is assured and reincarnation is impossible!"

"I see..." Kisuke nodded, "I may not be able to do something about those in level 3 and above, but I can assure you the safety of a level 2... Coincidentally, Arshe-san is just a level 2."

Loki's eyes widened in shock at what she heard, "...You bastard... You're directly dabbling with soul?"

And Kisuke didn't need to answer that.

"That's a forbidden art, you know!"

"That doesn't mean I can't use it."

"If other Gods and Goddesses, especially those who look after balance and death, were to know of this, they'll be hunting you even if your soul is the process of reincarnation!"

"Figures."

Loki then started scratching her head in frustration, "Ahhh! What the hell! Do you think this is a joke!"

"Of course not."

"Then how can you act so nonchalantly! There's a possibility that you'll be damned for eternity!"

"It seems like you're misunderstanding the nature of my ability."

"What?"

"Soul manipulation... You're thinking of it as something that breaks the balance of the world and disrespect for death."

"Is it not? A mortal using such art would only result in that! There's already precedence!"

'There's precedence? Interesting...' But Kisuke knew that he should first focus on Loki, "I can assure you that I, of all people, respect balance and death." 'After all, I'm a Shinigami.'

Loki experienced another shock as she knew that he isn't lying. Kisuke just used the Gods' biggest advantage in the mortal world against one, 'A mortal who isn't corrupted by the art...? What is he?'