Chapter 7: The Athena Familia

Once Ryner, Millhoire, and I left the guild we started heading west.

As we did so I examined Millhoire even more.

And no, it's not in the way some of you perverts might be thinking. I am still only eleven years old. Puberty won't start again for me for another three years or so, right now I am only interested in becoming an adventurer and getting stronger. Then I can worry about relationships with women.

Speaking of which, should I or should I not try and create a harem?

That is the question.

But back to the point.

What I mean when I say I am examining Millhoire is that I am examining her equipment.

She is wearing armor and has a broadsword strapped across her back. So despite her nice demeanor and relatively docile-looking appearance I can tell she is a serious adventurer. Especially since her weapons and armor are in pristine condition.

They are literally shining as the sunlight is reflecting off of them.

The three of us walked for an hour.

Until finally Millhoire came to a stop.

Right outside of a two story home that looks big enough to fit a couple of people.

[Image Here]

"Here we are." Millhoire said. "Home sweet home."

Then the second after she did so the door to the home opened and a woman stepped out.

She is beautiful, with long silver hair and grey eyes. Her attire consists of a white-toga dress, golden sandals, a few golden accessories and a dark-blue flaurel crown atop her head like the ones they used to wear back in ancient Greece in my last life.

[Image Here]

The moment I laid eyes on this woman I felt an indescribable aura coming off her.

Which means she is one of the gods.

I've seen them on the streets of Orario many times, but I've never been up this close with one.

"Millhoire I'm glad you've returned." The goddess spoke. She then looked at Ryner and I, putting a soft smile on her face as she did so. "And I see you've brought company along as well. Greetings to you both I am the goddess Athena."

Athena.

The Greek goddess of battle strategy, wisdom, courage, war, handcraft, heroism, industry, and the cities.

I was a bit mythology buff in my last life.

Anyway.

From what I recall Athena is one of the more "agreeable" gods from any of the mythologies. So if that holds true even in the Danmachi universe then I don't think I'll have an issue joining this familia.

The Athena Familia.

I like the sound of that.

"Greetings goddess Athena, my name is Morax Lapis." I told her.

"And I'm Ryner Lute." Ryner said. A blush on his face while he is looking at Athena.

I can't blame him, she is pretty.

"Morax and Ryner, such nice names." Athena told us. "Well then, welcome to our home. Please come in?" She said.

Athena then went back inside, Millhoire, Ryner, and I following right behind her.

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Once all of us were inside Athena closed the door.

She then moved to take a seat on one of the couches.

Just after she did so two people rushed into the room.

Both of them cat people.

One of them is a boy and the other is a girl.

The former looks to be about my age with short white hair and yellow eyes.

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While the latter looks to be about 13 or 14 and has the same hair and eye color as the boy. Only her hair goes all the way down past her butt and she has a single braid with a red ribbon tied around it. As well as a cowlick

[Image Here]

Since the boy and the girl look similar I know that means they are related, most likely siblings.

"Millhoire welcome back." The girl spoke. She then sent a glare towards Ryner and I. "Who are you two?"

"Ah, Leon please wait." Millhoire spoke up. "I brought them here." She said.

Millhoire then quickly explained how we met at the guild and the reason she brought us here.

"So Rose recommended them to join our familia huh?" The girl called Leon mused. "I don't know they don't look like much, and they're just kids."

"You are the same." Ryner said.

"I'm not. I'm fourteen." Leon retorted. "A young lady."

"Sure." I said. Giving her a smirk as I did so.

When I did Leon's face flushed red. "Why you?!"

"Hahaha!" The boy laughed. "Nice one. I can't believe there is anyone around who can get a rise out of sis like that." He told me.

"Thanks." I told him. "By the way the name is Morax Lapis." I said.

"And I'm Ryner Lute." Ryner Lute.

"Nice to meet you both. The name is Gaul Galette de Rois." The boy told us. He then pointed to the girl. "And this here is my big sister, Leonmitchelli Galette de Rois."

"Gaul, don't give out my name so casually!" Leonmitchelli shouted at her brother.

"Wow, that's a mouthful." I said. Ignoring her protests.

"Yeah, that's why we just call her Leon most of the time." Gaul explained to me. He then got a serious expression on his face. "So then, you are looking to join our familia, for what purpose?"

"We want to become adventures and make better lives for ourselves." I explained.

But more than that I want strength so that I don't die again so easily. And if I have to risk my life to obtain said strength then so be it.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained as they say.

"What Morax said." Ryner echoed.

"I see." Athena mused. "Well if you wish to join us I have no issues with it. But it's really up to what my children think on the subject."

"I think we should let them join us. After all Ms. Rose recommended them once she found out that I wanted to invite them here to meet with us." Millhoire spoke.

"Yeah, I'm fine with it. They seem like ok guys." Gaul said.

Once he spoke we all looked at Leonmitchelli.

The moment we did so she leveled a serious expression at Ryner and I. "If the others agree I see no problem with you joining our familia. But let me make a few things clear. One, if you ever abandon anyone in the familia to save your own skin your dead. I'll make your life a living hell. Two, we never dungeon dive alone. If you want to go to the dungeon always bring another member of the familia with you. Three. We never stay out past night. Unless absolutely necessary. Follow these rules and we will be good. But screw us over and the consequences won't be pretty. Am I making myself clear?"

Ryner and I both nodded.

Sweating a bit as Leonmitchelli began excluding bloodlust in our direction.

It means she's serious about every word she just spoke. If Ryner and I were to ever betray the familia she would kill us without hesitation. I can see it in her eyes.

For her to have such eyes, I wonder just what her life has been like up until now?

Well since I have decided to join this familia I'm sure I learn about it someday.

As to why I have decided to join this familia, it's because they are decent and willing to give me a chance. At the moment I can't ask for me.

Besides, I have this strange feeling the Athena familia is where I am meant to me. Nowhere else.

So banking on that I am going full speed ahead and not turning back.

Eventually Leonmitchelli stopped excluding bloodlust.

Once she did I looked at Ryner. "So, what do you say? Since I have already decided joining these guys doesn't seem like a bad idea at all."

"I mean, since they offered I will accept. Besides, waiting for any other familia to take an interest in us seems like a real drag." Ryner said.

When he did so I put wry smile o my face.

Looks like Ryner's true personality is starting to show itself.

Most of the time this guy is lazy and really flippant unless it is about a serious matter or something that interests him greatly. Like earlier back at the guild.

But now that he's showing his true colors I know he too has made the decision to join the Athena familia.

Excellent.

"So we're in agreement then?" I asked.

Ryner nodded.

Once he did I looked at Athena. "Please take care of us?" I asked her.

When I did so she showed me a soft smile.

The smile itself saying welcome.