The next morning, the group gathered near the inn's front counter, where the innkeeper stood watching them curiously. Bill stood at the center, hands on his hips, a wide grin spreading across his face.
"Alright, everyone, it's time to pick your vocations," he announced, his tone filled with a mix of authority and enthusiasm. "Right now, you've only got three choices available—Fighter, Strider, and Mage. Each vocation has advanced and hybrid forms you can unlock later, but I recommend sticking with the basics until you've mastered everything they offer."
He gave a quick glance around the room, his eyes landing on Koneko,and Issei. "That said, I know some of you prefer fighting barehanded—but sorry, that's not one of the options here. You can choose not to pick a vocation, but… I wouldn't recommend it."
Grayfia, standing beside him with her usual composed poise, nodded in agreement. "I am in full agreement with Sir Strife," she said smoothly. "You should treat this as an opportunity to broaden your horizons and acquire new skills that may prove invaluable in the future."
Everyone nodded at her words, her calm authority carrying just as much weight as Bill's energy. With that, they lined up in front of the innkeeper, ready to make their choices.
Rias was first, stepping forward with confidence. She selected Fighter, receiving a sturdy iron sword and shield, along with a set of fitted leather armor. Sona followed, choosing Strider, and was given a pair of sleek daggers and a simple bow. Tsubaki, after a brief pause, decided to follow Rias's example and picked Fighter, while Akeno, chose Mage, receiving a basic staff and flowing robes.
Next up were the guys. Sam stepped forward, choosing Strider, nodding approvingly at the feel of the twin daggers in his hands. Saji picked Fighter, grinning as he tested the weight of his sword. Issei eagerly followed suit, grabbing his own sword with a determined look.
To everyone's surprise, Kiba selected Mage. When the others looked at him questioningly, he simply shrugged and said, "I'm already experienced with a blade. I want to try something new."
Bill smiled and said. "Didn't see that one coming—but I like it."
Next came Weiss's group. Weiss and Koneko both chose Mage, each receiving staves suited to their height and grip, while Blake and Bianca decided on Strider, adjusting their new daggers experimentally.
"Alright," Bill said once everyone had chosen. "The quest board's in the guildhall. Head there, grab a beginner quest, and set out. If you die, don't worry—you'll be teleported back to the inn. Oh, and make sure to grab one of the leather satchels on the table as you leave. That's your inventory system."
The group broke into chatter as they grabbed their satchels and filed out, excitement buzzing in the air. Once the last of them had left, Grayfia noticed three leather bags still sitting untouched on the table.
"Sir Strife," she said, turning to him with mild confusion. "It would seem there are a few extras."
Bill chuckled, shaking his head. "Oh, those aren't extra."
Before she could ask, he waved his hand, and a swirling portal opened beside him. From it stepped Sirzechs and Millicas, both looking around curiously.
"The kids are all at a point where they don't need direct instruction right now," Bill explained with a grin. "So I figured you and your husband could take your son on an adventure."
Grayfia's expression softened into a rare, genuine smile as Millicas ran up to her, his eyes shining with excitement. "Come on, Mom, let's go!" he said eagerly.
Sirzechs offered Bill a grateful nod. "Thank you for this, Sir Strife. Though… be aware, Serafall was quite upset about not being invited. She'll probably be pestering either you or Lady Fury about it soon."
Bill waved him off with a laugh. "Eh, I'll be fine. You three go pick a vocation and have some fun."
Sirzechs chuckled lightly, placing a hand on his wife's shoulder as the family turned to leave. "Very well. We'll make the most of it."
As the trio left the inn,Bill was about to close his portal—only for a sudden chill to sweep through the air.
Before he could react, a small girl stepped into view, standing silently in front of him. She had long, jet-black hair that trailed down her back, and dark, endless eyes that seemed to pull at the very air around her. Her bare feet made no sound against the floor, and the strange gothic dress she wore gave her an ethereal, unsettling presence.
Her gaze lifted to meet Bill's, unblinking. "Will you help me get my silence back?" she asked in a soft, emotionless voice that carried far too much weight for someone so small.
Bill froze for a moment, staring at the strange girl. "…Well, hell," he muttered under his breath, already pulling out his phone. With a few taps, he made a quick call.
"Yeah, boss, it's Strife," he said as soon as the line connected. "That little dragon girl showed up—just like you said she would."
On the other end, Tet's cheerful voice replied, "On it."
A kaleidoscopic swirl of light suddenly erupted behind the girl—Ophis—casting brilliant colors across the inn walls. Before Bill could say another word, a massive shepherd's crook shot out of the portal, its hook curling gently but firmly around Ophis. She blinked once, expression still unreadable, as she was pulled backward through the portal. It snapped shut with a soft whump, leaving the air strangely still once again.
Bill stared at the spot for a few seconds then.Leaning closer to the still-open rift of his own portal, he shouted, "Anyone else gonna jump through my portal before I can close it?!"
Almost as if on cue, a sleek black cat padded out of the shimmering gateway. Its golden eyes gleamed with mischief, and two tails flicked lazily behind it.
Bill stared flatly at the creature. "…I was fucking kidding."
The cat simply tilted its head, utterly unbothered.
Bill sighed, rubbing the back of his neck before bending down to scoop it up. "Yeah, I know who—and what—you are," he said, meeting the cat's eyes with a knowing look. "Leave your baby sis alone for now. She's training. But if you're bored…" He smirked faintly. "You can pal around with me while I keep an eye on everyone. That sound fair?"
The cat gave a slow, deliberate nod before leaping onto Bill's shoulder, curling comfortably against his neck.
"Good," Bill muttered, finally closing the portal for good. With the two-tailed feline perched on his shoulder, he turned toward the exit of the inn, shaking his head in disbelief.
"Never a dull damn day," he said under his breath as he walked out into the sunlight.
Meanwhile, in Tet's realm, the gods of his pantheon sat around a long table on Terminal Island, their gazes fixed on the quiet little girl sitting at the end. Ophis nibbled on a cookie that Hestia had handed her, crumbs dusting her small fingers.
Hermes leaned back in his chair, raising a brow as he said dryly, "What the hell—fine, I'll ask. What the fuck is this?"
"Hermes, language," Hestia scolded, though she sighed afterward. "But… I agree. Why does this dragon bear the concept of infinity?"
Tet leaned forward, resting his chin on one hand as he replied calmly, "In her universe, she's one of the three strongest beings around. Ophis, the Ouroboros."
Artemis choked on her drink, coughing into her hand before blurting, "The Ouroboros exists?! But it's supposed to be a massive snake—not a small girl!"
"Technically," Tet said, waving a hand lazily, "she can look however she wants. And she's over eleven thousand years old, give or take. But mentally, she's still basically an eleven-year-old. A literal child."
Hades crossed his arms, expression unreadable. "What are we doing with her, then?"
"I agree," Persephone added softly. "If we're voting, I'd prefer she not be harmed."
"Seconded," Artemis said, raising her hand.
"No one said we're going to hurt her," Apollo interjected, his eyes narrowing slightly. "But… what are we doing with her, Tet?"
Tet shrugged. "Well, I was going to have her accompany another god—someone who could properly raise her. She is a child, after all. So, who wants the responsibility?"
Instantly, every god at the table, including Hestia, chorused, "Not it."
Tet groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "You guys suck. Fine. She can stay on an island in our realm until I find her a cosmic nanny. That work for everyone?"
Everyone nodded—except Hades, who lifted a finger. "Wait. I have an idea. How about my daughter, Makaria? I was about to give her more responsibility anyway by putting her in charge of Heaven after I merge it with Elysium."
Tet blinked. "You're going to merge Heaven with Elysium?"
"It'll be more efficient," Hades explained matter-of-factly. "Consolidating the afterlives across the multiverse makes sense if we intend to keep expanding."
"Fair point," Tet admitted. "Makaria's the goddess of blessed death, right?"
Persephone smiled softly. "Indeed. She runs Elysium and the Isle of the Blest. Expanding her duties and giving her Heaven will not only strengthen her but might also help her come out of her shell a bit."
Hades nodded in agreement. "Exactly. And by making her this infant goddess's caretaker, she may finally grow as a person."
Tet glanced around the table. "Does that work for everyone else?"
A series of nods followed, and Tet sighed in relief. "Good. Now I just have to figure out how to tell thousands of angels that their home's about to undergo a major overhaul. I don't really care about the angels from Terra Superno, but the ones from the DxD world are good people. I don't want to cause too many problems for them—though Michael might actually appreciate stepping down. The guy really needs a break."
He clapped his hands lightly. "Alright, any other business?"
Apollo raised his hand. "Yeah, what are we doing about our other selves?"
Tet tilted his head. "Your other selves aren't really you. You're the only versions that matter in this multiverse. The others might not know it, but deep down, they exist only with your permission. Do with that info what you will."
Hades let out a yawn. "In that case, I'm probably gonna kill the other me. He's literally everything Zeus tried to paint me as—and more. I haven't been that disgusted with a version of myself since I saw Disney's Hercules."
"I'll give my other self a chance to submit and join the Hunt," Artemis said coolly, setting her drink down. "If she refuses, I'll assimilate her."
Tet raised a brow. "Dark. But it's your decision."
Hermes chuckled. "I'll leave my other self alone… for now."
Apollo leaned back, a mischievous glint in his eye. "The other me on that Earth is fine, but when we reach a certain world later on, I'm killing my counterpart there—multiple times."
Tet groaned. "Apollo, spoilers. I know what world you're talking about, and I'm not sure I even want to go there."
"Oh, trust me," Apollo said with a grin, "you're gonna want to."
Tet paused, eyes narrowing. "Why would I—? Never mind. Don't tell me." He stood up, brushing his hands together. "Meeting adjourned."