Chapter 52: More Prep Work

(3rd Person: POV)

As Morax and Athena progressed to handle their business, the others members of the Athena familia weren't idle.

They too were handling various tasks in preparation of the guild assigned expedition.

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Walking through the streets of Orario Millhiore, Ryuu, and Diluc eventually came to a stop in front of a door.

One that belonged to a shop that sold potions, elixirs, and other magical items that adventurers wanted or needed.

This was the shop the Athena familia always used to procure said goods for their trips into the dungeon.

After all, they are still a small familia and if they tried to pay the outrageous prices of the Dian Cecht familia they would end up bankrupt before they could even blink.

They would only go to that familia in an extremely desperate situation.

As for the other known medicinal familia like the Miach familia, the Athena familia would've gone to them. But again, they found the store in front of them first and built up a good repour with its owners.

So this was their go too spot.

By the way the name of the store is Woodland Remedies.

Entering Woodland Remedies the trio was greeted to the familiar sight of shelves filled with multiple bottles and books.

Directly in front of them were the two owners of the shop.

Sisters.

Who are spirits.

Dryads to be precise.

The one currently manning the counter is the older sister Treyni.

She has long green hair and matching eyes.

[Image Here]

While the other woman currently attending to boxes filled with stocks of supplies for selling is the younger sister, Trya.

Just like Treyni she has green hair and matching eyes, but unlike her elder sister Trya's green hair is cut short.

[Image Here]

Spotting the group in front of her Treyni put a smile on her face. "Millhiore, Ryuu, and Diluc, welcome." She told them.

"Good to see you again Treyni." Millhiore said.

"Yes, nice to see you again." Diluc added.

"Hello." Ryuu said.

Turning to Ryuu Millhiore put a small frown on her face. "Mu Ryuu, come on. Put more emphasis into your greeting." She said.

As she did so Ryuu looked sideways, doing her best to ignore Millhiore's pouting face.

And her stare.

Seeing this Treyni let out a soft giggle. "Still awkward around people as ever I see Ryuu." She said.

"Y-yes. Sorry." Ryuu said.

As she did so Millhiore gave her a slight chop to the top of her head.

"Enough of that Ryuu." Millhiore told her. "No need to get down in the dumps. After all, you are working on bettering yourself aren't you?"

Ryuu nodded.

She's doing her best to get used to people outside of her familia.

Just like the other day when the girls went shopping and she was made to walk around without her mask and wear a dress.

It certainly wasn't because the females in her familia wanted her to show off her cute appearance.

Well, mostly.

No, they were trying to help Ryuu get over her social anxiety and phobia of unknown individuals.

Which is a slow-going process.

But everyone knows that rushing Ryuu would definitely do more harm that good. So they are taking baby steps.

Seeing Ryuu nod Millhiore smiled. "Ok then. Now that that's settled let's get shopping." She said.

The three then walked up to the front counter and started explaining to Treyni about their recent assigned task from the guild and which area of the dungeon they will be visiting.

Hearing this Treyni nodded.

"The Large Tree Labyrinth huh." Treyni said. "Trya, get a lot of elixirs please? As well as some magic potions as well. Oh and also some health potions, and several detoxification elixirs as well."

"Sure thing sister." Trya said.

She then stated gathering the material without delay.

Then once Trya collected it all the sisters packaged it up, and Millhiore payed for it.

The group of three then left Woodland Remedies, and bid the sisters farewell until the next time.

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*Huff Huff*

A man breathed heavily and he ran through the streets.

A bag of money in one hand and a sword in the other.

Running behind him were Gaul and Leonmitchelli. Meanwhile William ran across the nearby rooftops and tracked the man as well.

Since they are trying to catch him.

Despite getting a guild-assigned expedition the Athena familia didn't stop their daily patrols of the city.

They simply divided up which days each of them would patrol.

Today's group consisted of the de Rois siblings and William.

Their current target is a thief who has been terrorizing a small area in the south of the city. He jumps stall owners and beats them within an inch of their life, stealing all their money and goods any chance he gets.

No one has died yet, thankfully, but with the man having obviously no intention of stopping his crimes the Athena familia decided to step in.

Which is a good thing, since thanks to all the reports and eyewitness accounts they gathered from the thief's victims, they concluded he is an adventurer.

They have no idea which familia he belongs to, but they know he can't be more than level one or level two at the most. Since if he was any higher than that people would probably know his face.

After all, adventurers who make their way up to level three are celebrities in Orario. Since the number of adventurers who successfully level up and become second-class or higher is astronomically low.

Only about 4/10 of adventurers ever reach that level. Whether they put in effort or not.

But back to the main point.

The man they are chasing cannot be handled by ordinary people. So they are on the case.

"Shit, shit, shit!" The man cursed, turning another corner and picking up his running speed as he did so.

But it didn't matter.

The de Rois siblings and William easily kept up with him, despite his attempts to escape. Actually the siblings having recently both become level three were closing the distance without even trying.

Slightly turning his head back and seeing both Leonmitchelli and Gaul closing in on him the thief started sweating even more than he already was.

"Fuck!" He cried.

The man knew the walls were closing in on him.

He had heard of the Athena familia.

Although they were still considered children in the eyes of many, he had heard they were all talented adventurers who were steadily getting stronger and leveling up to reach greater heights.

Something a guy like him who had been an adventurer for over a decade couldn't achieve.

The man also knew that just like the Astrea familia, the the Athena familia acted as a sort of police force in Orario.

So he knew as soon as he was caught his life was over.

Not wanting this too happen the man became even more desperate to escape.

Dropping the bag of money in his hands he started to run even faster than before.

But it didn't matter.

The siblings kept up with him, and William kept an eye on him from the rooftops.

Noticing this the man cursed heavily without stopping. While trying to find a way out of his situation.

As he was the man noticed himself approaching several people.

Laying eyes on this he instantly ran towards them.

"Shit!" Leonmitchelli cursed, seeing what the thief was thinking clearly. "Run!" She shouted.

Since she knew the man was about to take a hostage.

But her order to run came too late.

Reaching the people the man grabbed a woman and then placed his blade on her throat.

"Agh!" The woman screamed.

"Quiet bitch!" The man shouted at her.

As he did so the other people around him quickly ran away.

But to the man it did not matter. He had what he need to escape the situation. A hostage.

Or so he thought.

Seeing the woman taken hostage William took his bow and then took an arrow out of his quiver.

He then aimed it right at the man and released it.

When he did so his arrow struck the man in his left eye, sending a shower of blood out into the air as it did so.

"Aghh!!" The thief screamed at the top of his lungs.

While doing so his gripped on the woman he had taken hostage loosened up long enough for her to escape his grasp.

Then before the man could even make another move the siblings reached him. Gaul then went up to him and delivered a punch straight to his face.

Knocking his head into the ground.

Which caused the thief to fall unconscious.

As this happened Gaul moved to secure him, while Leonmitchelli comforted the woman who he had taken hostage.

"Thank you, thank you." She cried.

"It's no trouble." Leonmitchelli said.

She then looked up at William standing on the roof and gave him a thumbs up.

One which he easily returned.

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In the Owl House Ryner and Echidna sat across from each other at a table in the room they designated as the library.

Each of them a book in front of them.

The contents of both books pertaining to magic.

Both of them were studying diligently. Since for mages this is one of the best ways for them to improve, unlike other adventurers.

There is a lot that goes into magic. The different types, how much mind should be put into a spell, the ability to shape magic produced by a spell, etc..

Growing up in Altena and as a former member of the Hecate familia, Echidna understood the importance of all of this.

Ryner did as well. But since he never had any formal training when it comes to magic he decided to ask Echidna to personally tutor him so he could improve.

Not only for himself but also to help the others.

She agreed, since she liked his determination.

Finishing their books the mages of the Athena familia closed them and then stretched.

"Ha, as usual studying is no joke." Ryner said.

"Yes, but doing so will definitely help you improve." Echidna added.

Ryner nodded. "Yeah, it will." He said.

As he did so Ryner thought about the new spell he had acquired during his most recent level up. It is unique to say the least.

More so than his first spell [Izuchi] for sure.

But that uniqueness will make it difficult to master. Ryner also knows this.

Still that won't stop him from doing so.

Because he really loves magic. Ever since he began really immersing himself in the art he can't get enough of it.

So that's why he studies all different types of magic, because it is truly a passion of his.

Echidna is the same way.

For the most part.

But unlike Ryner she longs to be able to use the magic she finds interesting. Not just the spells granted to her by the falna.

Echidna knows this is extremely greedy, but she doesn't care.

That's just her personality.

As Echidna and Ryner finished their short break they went back to studying.

Neither of them realizing their passion was giving birth to interesting and powerful skills within each of them.

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"Guh!"

Releasing a grunt as he was slammed onto his back Rogue looked up at the person who just tossed him around like was nothing at all.

Kaguya.

Ever since the Athena familia had returned from their first expedition to the 18th floor Rogue came to understand just how much he was lacking when compared to his comrades.

Not just in his level, but in his fighting ability as well.

Even with the training they all started receiving from the Ganesha familia, he still felt uncomfortable.

Especially since no one in the Ganesha familia knew how to really teach him the ways of the katana blade. His main weapon of choice.

They showed him basics of course, but they could never help him draw out his weapons true power.

Once Rogue realized this he came to the conclusion he needed to seek out help elsewhere in order to grow stronger.

Doing so one person came to mind.

Kaguya.

From what Rogue had heard about her she originally came from the Far East, just like his absentee father. Not only that but she was skilled with a katana blade and knew various forms of Far Eastern martial arts and sword techniques.

As soon as Rogue heard this he realized Kaguya was the perfect person to help him improve his skills.

The only problem is, they didn't get along at all.

Rogue found Kaguya to be infuriating. Especially when he realized her cute appearance held a really nasty and crass personality behind it.

Add to that how they first met with her in her underwear, and well....

Let's just say their relationship was not the best.

The two of them constantly argued with each other almost every time they met. Their fellow familia members had to break them up several times.

It seems the two of them are completely incompatible.

So Rogue decided not to ask Kaguya for any help.

But the more time passed the more he felt his friends improving faster than him. Even the new recruits that joined the familia.

So reluctantly Rogue decided to swallow his feelings and ask Kaguya for assistance in his training.

One day he tracked her down when she was by herself and did the deed.

As so why he did so when she was alone it was because he didn't want any weird rumors to spread amongst the members of both their familia's.

Since everyone liked to tease and poke fun at the two of them, and always imply they were a couple.

Which they both denied.

Since they are not in that kind of relationship.

However their familia members still persisted to tease them. So the two just gave up and went along with it.

So that's why Rogue did things the way he did.

Because he couldn't handle anymore teasing.

Although his mental strength is strong, it is not infinite.

Basically, he couldn't deal with an increase in teasing.

Rogue expected Kaguya to outright deny his request. But she didn't.

Instead she agreed to help him, which he got excited about.

But as soon as he noticed the smirk on her face at that time a shiver ran across his entire body.

Rogue was right to be afraid.

Kaguya is a merciless teacher. Even when he is tired from the dungeon or his patrols with his other familia members she still comes at him full force in their training sessions.

Which take place in a secluded park that none of their other familia members ever visit.

They worked this out beforehand.

Needless to say Rogue is in a hell of his own personal making.

But seeing that his skills are improving he will endure it.

"Fufu, are you done already?" Kaguya asked, a smirk on her face. "I didn't think you would be finished so quickly. I'm ready for several more rounds, but you seem to be one and done. So sad, too bad."

'Why you!' Rogue thought.

He couldn't help but catch the innuendo in Kaguya's taunt just now.

As soon as he did so Rogue sprung to his feet, ignoring the pain all over his body. "I can keep going." He told her.

"Alright then." Kaguya said. "Then let's get back to it." She told him.

Kaguya then threw several palm strikes at Rogue, but he blocked them all easily.

He then lashed out with a kick, which Kaguya jumped back and avoided.

Leaping forward Rogue began sending several punches in Kaguya's direction but she either blocked or evaded them.

Then when she saw her chance she grabbed his outstretched arm and placed it in a joint lock.

But as soon as this happened Rogue dropped to the ground and Kaguya fell with him, losing her balance due to the sudden change in gravity.

This allowed Rogue to slip free of Kaguya's joint lock, and then allowed him to move in for one of his own.

Grabbing her left wrist Rogue twisted Kaguya's arm behind her arm.

However before he could secure his lock he suddenly felt pain in his left side.

Couresty of Kaguya.

Who was delivering a squeeze to his gut with immense pressure.

Feeling this Rogue ended up releasing Kaguya from his lock and allowed her to get him in a head lock before he even realized.

"Too naïve." Kaguya said, pressing the headlock tighter around Rogue. "You allowed a tiny bit of pain to stop you from completing your move. In battle that can get you killed. So learn to tolerate it and finish through with your moves." She explained to him.

"Yes." Rogue said, as Kaguya continued to apply pressure with her head lock.

Which he wasn't even trying to escape from.

Incidentally while doing this Rogue's face was pressed into Kaguya's boobs.

But that's definitely not the reason he wasn't trying to escape from her headlock. No, definitely not. Since he certainly isn't enjoying the feeling of Kaguya's boobs on his face.

Most certainly not!

And Kaguya definitely isn't feeling a bit warm inside with Rogue pressed up against her chest.

Absolutely not!

The two of them don't like each other after all.

(A/N: Who are they trying to kid. They definitely have the hots for each other :)

Deciding Rogue had had enough Kaguya released him from her headlock.

Both of them a bit sad that it ended.

Though neither of them will say so out loud.

Getting up they resumed training.

Neither of them noticing the faint smiles on the others face as they did so.

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A/N: So like I keep saying this story isn't all about the MC but the entire Athena familia. So there will be chapters like this to show their character development and their lives as well.

As always, thanks for reading.