Chapter 104: Let's Make A Deal

(3rd Person: POV)

A skip in her step like usual Loki arrived outside the Athena familia home.

Riveria on her right and Ais on her left.

They are her bodyguards today.

Walking through the front gate they reached the entrance of Owl House and then Loki knocked.

A second after she did so Millhiore opened the door.

"Please come in, and follow me." She said.

After she did so Loki, Riveria, and Ais stepped inside and Millhiore closed the door behind them.

Once she did so she guided them to the meeting room. She then opened the door and ushered them inside.

Where Athena was waiting. Along with Morax, Leonmitchelli, and Echidna.

As Loki took a seat on the couch opposite of Athena, Millhiore closed the door.

The moment this happened Athena pointed to the cookies and tea on the table. "Please, help yourselves." She said.

Since Athena takes being a good host seriously.

"Don't mind if I do." Loki said.

She then started enjoying the cookies and tea in front of her without hesitation.

Sighing at her goddess's antics Riveria lightly shook her head before before claiming on of the cups of tea for herself.

Meanwhile Ais simply stayed standing and kept looking at Morax and the others.

One thought passing through her mind.

'Strong.' Ais thought.

From just a quick glance she knew Morax and her friends were strong, stronger than her.

Which makes sense since Ais just recently became level four.

Moving on.

After eating and drinking for a bit Loki sat back on the couch. She then put on a serious air and looked directly at Athena. "So, are you serious about the proposal you made in your letter?"

"Naturally." Athena said.

Not flinching under Loki's gaze.

As to the contents of the letter Morax and the others delivered to the Loki familia the other day it is the following.

Athena wanted to make a deal with Loki.

She would supply her familia with Grimoires, and in exchange Loki would have Riveria tutor Ryner and Echidna in the ways of magic.

Since just like the jade-haired elf both Ryner and Echidna could use more magic than the three spell slots the falna gave to all who received it, thanks to the skills they acquired.

And to truly help the two of them grow to their fullest potential because of these skills, she wanted someone who was similar to train and instruct them how best to do so.

Riveria fit the bill.

This proposal is what shocked Loki and her top executives the other day when they read the contents of the delivered letter.

Since Athena was so blatantly asking for a member of another familia to train members of her own.

The practice itself isn't illegal, but rather its one of those many unspoken rules between familia that their members do not train the members of other familia unless expressly given permission by their god or goddess.

And even then, the training is never done too deeply.

That is simply because familia develop training methods which they wish to keep to keep to themselves, and also training the members of other familia risk a familia's secrets being discovered by outsiders.

Which would be very bad.

Again, this is why training between members of two different familia is usually heavily monitored.

And asking another familia to train members of your familia, well that is something else entirely.

Hardly anyone does it.

Since all familia have their own pride.

But in Athena's mind, pride doesn't come into the deal she is asking for.

She simply wants her two children to grow stronger.

On the surface that is.

But underneath the training Athena wants to show Orario her familia is making a deep connection with the Loki familia.

Since if people see the Athena familia has a good and working relationship with one of the two most powerful familia in the city, then they will won't mess with them at all.

Since it might incur the wrath of Loki and her children.

Which is exactly what Morax was going for when he proposed the premise of this deal to Athena and the rest the other day.

If Loki takes the deal Ryner and Echidna get stronger, and learn to better use their magic copying skills.

Sure, Morax knew that this deal would also make the Loki familia stronger, since giving them Grimoire would allow more of their members to learn magic but sometimes you have to give to get.

On another note if this deal goes through Morax will be able to get closer to Riveria. Which will make making her apart of his harem easier.

But that's not the only reason he proposed this plan.

Absolutely not.

It's like half at best.

Anyway.

Loki went quiet and simply looked at Athena and her children.

But the goddess and her familia members gave nothing away with their facial expressions.

Loki couldn't get a read on them at all.

Though she really didn't have to. Since Finn deduced the plan of the Athena familia and told Loki about it before she came for this meeting.

Well Athena and Morax already expected this, given who smart Finn was.

But even so that didn't change things in their minds.

If Loki took the deal they offered it would be great, and if they didn't well they would be slightly upset but not so much so they couldn't simply move on.

This was a business deal after all, not personal.

"So, if I were to agree to this deal how many Grimoire's would my familia get?" Loki asked.

"Two a year to start out with." Athena instantly replied.

"Only two?" Loki questioned.

"Don't be greedy Loki." Athena instantly retorted. "You know Grimoire's take both time and a lot of materials to make. Not to mention my little Echidna is not going to stop living her life just to make those things." She explained.

Which is true.

Echidna had no intentions of stopping going into the dungeon with the others in her familia and getting stronger.

She still wants to get stronger and go farther with all of them.

Even if she also has a side hustle now.

"We will also have other clients besides the Loki familia." Athena said. "So two a year is the most I can promise right now. That is if you take the deal of course." She spoke.

Taking a sip of her tea after she did.

Rubbing her chin Loki thought about all the pros and cons of the deal on the table in front of her.

Then after a moment she decided on her answer.

"Alright. I'll take you up on your offer." Loki spoke. "Two grimoire a year and in-exchange mamma Riveria will tutor your Solomon and cute white-haired witch in magic." She explained.

Ignoring the glare Riveria shot her when she called her the M word.

"Excellent." Athena said.

She then snapped her fingers.

The moment she did so Morax reached behind the couch and picked up three books. He then walked over to Riveria and handed them to her. "Here you are."

"Your first payment, with a little extra." Athena explained.

Giving Morax a nod Riveria took the three Grimoire from him.

Officially sealing the deal between the Athena familia and Loki familia.

Which would have future effects.

Especially on the relationship between the famous Nine Hells and Alcyoneus.

But that is a story for another time.