Chapter 260: [257] : Wearing Gold Cloth—The True Essence of the 7th Sense!
~ Support & Read 10 Advanced Chapters on My Patreon!
~ Thank you all so much for your support!
<><><><>
"Go, Unicorn!"
"Defeat him, Lionet!" Standing at the edge of the private viewing box, Mika's blood boiled with excitement as he listened to the roars of the crowd.
To battle before tens of thousands of spectators—with billions more watching the broadcast around the world—it was exhilarating.
The Saints, with their superhuman abilities, had captivated audiences worldwide.
Seiya's battle against the Bear Geki had been particularly impressive, their power far surpassing human limits.
After all, a Saint's strength was measured in tons.
"So, it's Unicorn versus Lionet today…" Although Mika hadn't checked the schedule beforehand, he now knew the identities of the combatants. He had met Jabu, the Unicorn Saint, the previous day.
Soon, the battle began. Jabu and Ban, traded blows. As newly minted Saints, their physical abilities were comparable.
However, battles weren't solely about strength and speed. Tactical thinking also played a crucial role, and in that regard, Jabu had the advantage. Although Ban briefly gained the upper hand midway through the fight, Jabu's experience and skill ultimately led him to victory.
"What are your thoughts on the match?" Saori asked Mika after the battle concluded.
"It was adequate. I've witnessed far more intense battles. The atmosphere here, however…it's quite exhilarating," he replied calmly.
Saori nodded.
His reaction wasn't surprising. After all, Mika's own strength far surpassed that of a Bronze Saint, and as a traveler between worlds, his experience dwarfed theirs.
He wouldn't be impressed by a simple duel between Bronze Saints. However, that wasn't her reason for inviting him.
"Mika, you mentioned being interested in the Gold Cloths and their techniques, didn't you?" she asked with a smile.
"Yes." He nodded, then, realizing her implication, he asked, surprised, "Are you referring to the Sagittarius Gold Cloth?" If she mentioned Gold Cloths and techniques, it had to be related to the one on display before them.
After all, it was the only one she currently had access to.
"Indeed. Would you like to try it on? Normally, only those who have achieved the Seventh Sense can wear a Gold Cloth, but with my help—it's possible. And perhaps you might even glean some of its techniques."
Mika's eyes lit up. Trying on a Gold Cloth was a tempting offer. Achieving the Seventh Sense was merely a matter of time for him. This would be a preview.
As for acquiring the Gold Saint's techniques from the Cloth itself, he wasn't particularly optimistic.
While he knew that Sanctuary had a collection of techniques for the Gold Saints to study and learn from, mastering them required considerable talent and effort. They were incredibly complex.
There was another method: the remnants of the previous Gold Saint's will residing within the Cloth. For a Gold Saint, with their immense Cosmo, imbuing a fragment of their will into their Cloth was a simple matter.
After all, the Gold Cloths themselves possessed Cosmo, nurturing and sustaining the spirit within.
In the near future—when Saga sent Aiolia, the Gold Saint of Leo—to eliminate Seiya and the others, Seiya would don the Sagittarius Gold Cloth, awakening the spirit of Aiolos within and using his power to suppress Aiolia.
Otherwise, with Seiya's Sixth Sense level Cosmo, he would have been no match for the Seventh Sense Aiolia. Therefore, it was likely that more than just a fragment of Aiolos's will resided within the Cloth; perhaps even his soul.
In that case, Aiolos's power would be finite, diminishing with each use. Mika suspected Aiolos was conserving his strength, intending to use it only in a dire situation, like when he protected Seiya from Aiolia.
Even so, experiencing the Cosmo within a Gold Cloth would be invaluable for Mika.
——
As the Galaxian Wars concluded, the crowd began to disperse.
By nightfall, the arena was deserted, save for Mika and Saori, walking towards the Sagittarius Gold Cloth on display.
"Are you ready?" she asked.
"I am."
Saori's Cosmo surged, and the Sagittarius Gold Cloth, responding to her power, glowed brightly, its container opening automatically.
The gleaming gold armor disassembled and flew towards Mika, encasing his body piece by piece. A wave of gentle Cosmo enveloped him.
"This is—the Cosmo of the previous Sagittarius Gold Saints!" He felt the energies of countless warriors flowing through him, revealing the true essence of Cosmo.
——
Under Saori's influence, the Sagittarius Gold Cloth manifested the Cosmo of its previous owners, the legacy of generations of Gold Saints. For a Gold Saint, their Cloth wasn't merely a weapon or armor; it was also a tool for Heritage.
There was a saying among the Saints: A Saint wouldn't be defeated by the same technique twice.
This highlighted their ability to learn and adapt during battle.
Therefore, the fastest way for a new Gold Saint, often the key figures in a Holy War, to improve was to experience the Cosmo and techniques of their predecessors through their Cloth. Of course, this required passing their predecessors' tests.
Normally, Mika—who hadn't yet reached the Seventh Sense, wouldn't be able to access these memories. However, Saori, as the reincarnation of Athena—possessed the Divine Cosmo required to activate the Gold Cloth's full potential.
Therefore, Mika could now experience the essence of Cosmo firsthand.
He entered a deep meditative state, his mind incredibly active.
One by one—the previous Sagittarius Gold Saints appeared before him. Without a word, they attacked, their fists moving at the speed of light.
Mika's mind, unable to defend against such an onslaught, was struck repeatedly, hundreds of millions of times in a single instant.
Fortunately, this was a spiritual realm; otherwise, his physical body would have been obliterated. After all, a Saint's power was the power to shatter atoms.
However, although he was helpless against their attacks, each blow deepened his understanding of the Seventh Sense, bringing him closer to achieving it.
With his vast experience, all he needed was comprehension; mastery would follow.
This was why he was so confident in his ability to reach that level.
——
"Gasp…gasp…gasp…" Mika emerged from his meditation, drenched in sweat, his body trembling.
The Sagittarius Gold Cloth had returned to its container. He felt a cool breeze on his skin, his mind slowly returning to reality.
He had died hundreds of times in that spiritual realm, nearly losing himself in the endless cycle of death and rebirth.
However, the risk had been worth the reward. His understanding of the Seventh Sense was now deep.
He could achieve it whenever he chose. This was an opportunity unique to him.
Other Gold Saints had to reach the Seventh Sense before their Cloth would even acknowledge them. He, however, had experienced the Cosmo of countless Gold Saints while still at the Sixth Sense level, thanks to Athena's intervention.
"How was it? Do you have a better understanding of Cosmo now?" Saori asked, seeing him emerge from his meditative state.
"Yes. I've fully comprehended the Seventh Sense," he replied, nodding.
Saori smiled, pleased.
This was her reason for bringing him here, to help him understand the Seventh Sense. As the goddess of wisdom—she knew how to connect with him, to forge a bond between them.
She had learned, through their earlier conversations, that the best approach with Mika was honesty. And as a friend—helping him master Cosmo was natural.
Besides, she had another reason. With her awakening, returning to Sanctuary and defeating Saga was her next objective. And before that, she anticipated Saga might send Gold Saints after her.
After all, her actions with the Galaxian Wars had defied Sanctuary's rules, giving Saga—a valid reason to eliminate her.
She needed a trump card, a hidden ace to deploy at the crucial moment.
And Mika was that ace.
Therefore, helping him grow stronger was in her best interest.
"It's a shame I've only just awakened. Otherwise, I could have provided you with more guidance," she said, shaking her head slightly.
"This was more than enough," Mika replied. "Although I didn't acquire any of the Sagittarius Gold Saint's techniques, I've gained something far more valuable: a deeper understanding of Cosmo. And now, countless new possibilities are swirling within my mind, awaiting manifestation."
"Besides, I can achieve the Seventh Sense at any time. This means I can become a true Sagittarius Gold Saint whenever I choose. And when that happens, I will claim both the Cloth and its techniques."
Saori nodded. "However, I suggest you wait until you've integrated your other powers before reaching the Seventh Sense. It might enhance them."
"I see. I'll keep that in mind." Mika's excitement surged. To reach the level of a Gold Saint so quickly—it was exhilarating.
After all, for a Gold Saint—moving at the speed of light was normal.
Their attacks could circle the Earth seven and a half times per second, allowing them to strike any location on the planet almost instantly.
He was grateful to Saori for her assistance. He had truly found a powerful patron.
"Once I reach the Seventh Sense, we won't have to worry about assassins from Sanctuary. I will protect you, Saori," he said, his voice filled with integrity.
"I'll be counting on you then," she replied with a smile.
<><><><>
Support & Read 10 Advanced Chapters. Ahead of the rest!
https://p-atreon.com/dragonnx
(Just remove the hyphen to access Patreon normally.)
There is 9 Exciting Fanfics already available on my Patreon!