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After the upgrade of Shaka, Saga, and Mu's Gold Cloths, a new energy filled Sanctuary—The three powerful Cosmos, surging from the Pope's chambers, had drawn the attention of all the Saints.
And as they returned to their temples, their newly transformed Divine Cloths, radiating a faint, golden aura, sparked envy and awe among their fellow Gold Saints, who quickly learned of the secret to their transformation:
—Achieving the Eighth Sense.
This ignited a new wave of competition within the Gold Arena, the battles between the Gold Saints growing even more intense.
Athena, though amused by this unintended consequence of Mika's actions, couldn't help but sigh. She hadn't anticipated such a reaction.
Fortunately, it was a positive development, though it did make her…busier. With the increased intensity of their training, the Gold Saints' injuries were also becoming more severe. She had to be present to prevent any unfortunate accidents.
Meanwhile, Shaka, Saga, and Mu, after a period of adjustment, had fully mastered their newfound power.
Once they were ready, Mika summoned them again, this time for a four-way duel, overseen by Athena herself.
A battle between four Eighth Sense Gold Saints was too dangerous for a normal pocket dimension—Therefore, Athena herself created the arena, her divine Cosmo maintaining its stability and preventing any unforeseen incidents.
And as she had anticipated, their battle was incredibly intense...
Within the specially created dimension, their attacks, each one capable of shattering mountains, clashed repeatedly, the very fabric of reality tearing under the strain.
Even Athena had to constantly reinforce the dimension to prevent its collapse—and with her maintaining its stability, they fought without restraint, their attacks growing increasingly reckless, unleashing forbidden techniques they wouldn't use in the real world...
If not for their Divine Cloths, they would have been annihilated.
——
"They're strong—" Yahweh murmured, watching the battle unfold, impressed by their power.
Mika, Shaka, Saga, and Mu were now stronger than even she had been before her ascension and her journeys to other worlds.
The Gods of the Saint Seiya universe, their Cosmo focused on combat, were far more powerful than the more magically inclined deities of Orario, though she was referring to her past self.
The current Yahweh, having shared Mika's experiences and acquired knowledge from countless worlds, was far stronger now.
Unlike Mika, whose power stemmed from the Starry Expanse, his ability to adapt to the power systems of other worlds, her own growth wasn't limited by such constraints.
Yahweh had grown alongside him, her power now surpassing even Athena's—at least in her current, weakened state.
"You're one to talk—" Athena chuckled, hearing her words.
"It was just a thought. I was remembering—the past," Yahweh said with a smile. "By the way, Mika is leaving again soon. I heard you're not going with him this time?" She was curious about Athena's decision to remain in Sanctuary, despite her obvious interest in other worlds.
"It's Mika's request," Athena replied, her gaze fixed on the four battling Saints. "He said this journey will be short—he'll return soon. And when he does, he intends to confront Poseidon. He needs me here, in Sanctuary, to prepare. As for that other world…he said I can visit it later, for as long as I wish. So... I decided to stay."
Yahweh smiled, sensing her reluctance.
But despite her desire to travel with him, she wouldn't disobey his request.
'She's just like me...' Yahweh thought, amused, though she kept her amusement to herself.
She turned her attention back to the battle, to Mika, who, despite facing the combined might of three Eighth Sense Gold Saints wielding Gold Weapons, was holding his own.
While initially pressured, he had quickly adapted, his diverse techniques and mastery of countless fighting styles, honed through battles in numerous worlds, allowing him to counter their attacks, a kaleidoscope of abilities keeping them off balance.
While still outnumbered, he prevented them from gaining a decisive advantage—and as the battle continued, he began to turn the tide.
He defeated each of them individually, though even in their first duel, despite facing all three at once, he had still emerged victorious.
He was really powerful...
After their initial duel, Mika began their enhancement training.
First, he faced Mu, who, while wearing his Divine Cloth, now also wielded a Gold Weapon. Even so, he was defeated.
Then came Saga, who, along with Mu, also wielded a Gold Weapon.
They, too, were defeated...
Finally, all three—Shaka, Saga, and Mu—fought him simultaneously, wielding their Gold Weapons.
And this time, Mika barely managed to secure a hard-fought victory—
This battle had finally made them realize the true extent of his power.
Mika grew stronger with every fight, their pressure only serving to accelerate his growth.
If they had used their Gold Weapons from the start, they might have been able to win. Therefore, they unleashed their ultimate technique:
Athena Exclamation, at Eighth Sense level.
——
The power of Eighth Sense level Athena Exclamation was beyond anything Mika had imagined.
As it was unleashed, a wave of pure destructive energy washed over him, a chilling premonition of death that made him gasp, his carefully crafted defenses crumbling like paper before its might. Then, with a flash of white light, he vanished.
He reappeared beside Athena and Yahweh, Shaka, Saga, and Mu also transported back, still reeling from the attack.
While they had unleashed it, it was as if the resulting explosion had been beyond their control.
"That was scary..." Mika murmured.
The others nodded silently, still shaken by the experience, the raw, destructive power, the feeling of the world ending, etched into their memories.
"That's why it's forbidden," Athena said, shaking her head.
Even a God wouldn't face such power directly. She looked at Mika, who was sitting on the ground, deep in thought—
Ever since he received the Counter Force's knowledge, Mika had developed a habit of falling into these contemplative trances, seemingly drawing inspiration from everything around him.
And each time, he emerged with new insights, new ideas that gradually enhanced his already formidable power.
Shaka, Saga, and Mu, watching him, couldn't help but feel a pang of envy.
This effortless growth was remarkable!
As his frequent sparring partners, they knew firsthand how quickly he improved, his power seemingly increasing with every battle. Even his quiet moments of contemplation seemed to enhance his abilities.
——
Mika, after a while, emerged from his trance, his Cosmo burning even brighter.
He was fascinated by Athena Exclamation, this forbidden technique that had pushed him to his limits.
It was a new challenge, a new peak to conquer.
By comparing the Eighth Sense version to the Seventh Sense version he had experienced earlier, he began to unravel its secrets, though he still couldn't withstand it.
However, it had provided him with valuable insights, enhancing his other techniques.
His Enuma Elish, for instance, now resonated with this newfound power, its destructive potential amplified significantly—and these were merely the obvious improvements.
There were countless other, more subtle enhancements as well.
However, he hadn't fully mastered it yet.
Such a feat would require a God-level intellect—not God-level power. Therefore, he set it aside for now, his attention turning towards other worlds.
——
He opened his eyes and saw the familiar ceiling of his apartment, the place he shared with Rias.
"The High School DxD world—I'm back."
Memories of his time there, of Rias, Akeno, Issei, Kiba, Koneko, Asia, and Xenovia—his friends and companions—flooded his mind.
The time he had spent with them, the bonds they had forged, felt like yesterday, though years had passed.
However, in this world, where time flowed differently, thanks to his manipulations, it was practically yesterday. He had slowed time to a near standstill before leaving, so for them, his absence had been but a fleeting moment.
"I've missed them," Mika murmured, a smile touching his lips.
Just as he was about to get out of bed, a gentle weight on his chest stopped him. He remembered.
He had left this world in the morning, after a night of passion with Rias, knowing they wouldn't see each other for a long time.
He looked down and saw her sleeping peacefully beside him, her arm wrapped around his chest.
He smiled, his earlier nostalgia replaced by a different kind of warmth.
He looked at the sunlight streaming through the curtains and abandoned his earlier plans to explore. After all, such explorations could wait.
There were other priorities.
He snuggled closer, pulling her into his embrace.
Rias stirred, awakened by his movements, then, sensing his intentions, she responded in kind, her soft moans filling the room.
——
After their morning exercise, she was fully awake.
"I thought you were leaving today," Rias murmured, her voice still slightly breathless. "I thought you'd be gone when I woke up. Did you change your mind?"
"I did leave. And now—I'm back," he replied with a grin, his arm now her pillow.
"You left? When? I didn't even notice!" Rias sat up, pushing herself up with her hands on his chest, her surprise evident.
"That's the point. To leave and return without you even realizing. This way, in your memories, we were never truly apart."
"Mika~~" Rias looked at him, her eyes softening with affection.
They gazed at each other, their love unspoken, yet palpable, and they embraced once more, their passion rekindled.
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