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Knowledge is power.
This was a truth understood by all who sought strength.
From the Counter Force—Mika received the accumulated knowledge of the Type-Moon World, from its very inception—It was as if he had experienced the world's birth and growth through their eyes, witnessing its history unfold from their unique perspective. They shared everything, holding nothing back.
Knowledge, to them, was merely data, infinitely reproducible, easily shared. And since they desired his cooperation, they freely offered him everything they possessed, both the useful and the useless, overwhelming his mind with a torrent of information.
He fell into a deep sleep, his consciousness adrift in an ocean of knowledge, slowly absorbing and processing it. It was a monumental task.
"They're more generous than I anticipated," Yahweh chuckled, watching Mika sleeping peacefully, his head resting on her lap—She wasn't concerned for his safety. This experience, she believed, would be his greatest acquisition yet, besides his ability to travel between worlds:
The complete knowledge of the Counter Force—a treasure trove no God could ignore. Even she couldn't help but feel a pang of envy.
While the Counter Force might not value this knowledge—for a Goddess like her—it would have been invaluable, not just for enhancing her current power, but for unlocking her full potential, for illuminating the path to Godhood. She might have even been able to reach its pinnacle.
However, it was Mika who had received this gift. But in a way, it was the same. After all, they were...connected.
"We'll postpone the [God Cloth] project. Mika will need time to recover, to process all that knowledge. Our experiments can wait," She said, turning to Hephaestus. "Perhaps you should use this time to study the forging techniques he acquired."
"Very well,"
Hephaestus replied with a shrug, though she had been eager to begin. After all, it was Yahweh's promise of forging a [God Cloth]—along with the designs and knowledge from other worlds, that had persuaded her to join their cause. However, she still had the forging techniques Mika had acquired from the Counter Force to study.
And that knowledge—a fusion of techniques from various pantheons—otherworldly races—and even the Counter Force itself, had proven to be far more complex and intriguing than she had anticipated.
The Gods of this world, unlike those of Orario—were masters of combat and warfare. Their conflicts had real consequences, death was a constant threat. And this world had also faced external threats, invasions from other dimensions that had nearly destroyed their civilization.
These constant struggles had pushed them to refine their weapons and armor—their forging techniques far more advanced than those of Orario—Even the Counter Force had faced such threats, requiring powerful weapons to defend themselves.
"It seems you two are busy, then—I'll go explore," Saori said.
Saori knew Yahweh intended to stay and care for Mika, who, still mortal, required food and rest. And Hephaestus would undoubtedly be engrossed in her research. Only she was idle. And she wasn't content with simply waiting.
Saori also wanted to contribute. She could care for Mika as well. After all, his future was practically limitless. He was destined for greatness. However, Yahweh's position as his Goddess—and their unique bond, was irreplaceable.
'If only I had been the one to find him,' Saori thought, a pang of longing echoing through her heart.
"Then explore," Yahweh said with a nod. There was nothing Saori could do to help at this time. "Would you like a guide?"
Since the Counter Force had returned them to their original world after the knowledge transfer (they clearly knew Mika needed time to recover)—she could summon Artoria and Merlin from the Clock Tower.
After all, Saori Kido was a powerful Goddess from another world. Even Yahweh, at her current level, wasn't certain she could defeat her.
A certain level of respect was necessary...
"A guide... that would be helpful," Saori agreed.
She had invested much in Mika and intended to support him. Therefore, building relationships with his associates in this world would be beneficial.
Besides, as a wealthy heiress—not having fully regained her divine form, she was accustomed to having attendants—She wasn't used to being alone.
"I'll summon them, then." Yahweh contacted Merlin and Artoria through their unique connection.
They quickly returned to the Matou mansion, accompanied by Waver and Sakura.
Yahweh was delighted to see them again, though Merlin, Artoria, Waver, and Sakura felt a sense of—apprehension. Mika, their host and the one they were closest to—was currently indisposed. And they were now facing—Yahweh, his Goddess—and two other Goddesses from Greek mythology.
It was intimidating, However, Yahweh, having shared Gabriel's experiences and memories, despite the indirect nature of those experiences, still recognized their bond with Merlin and the others.
She quickly gained their trust.
After introducing everyone, she explained her request to Merlin and Artoria. They readily agreed.
——
With Yahweh, Saori, Hephaestus, Alfia, Merlin, Artoria, and Sakura now residing in the Matou mansion—it was once again filled with life. Sakura, having returned from England, was finally home. Merlin and Artoria, when not traveling with Saori, preferred staying at the mansion rather than their home in England.
Only Waver, still fulfilling his duties as a lecturer at the Clock Tower, couldn't remain in Japan indefinitely.
However, unlike his future self, burdened by the weight of his responsibilities, he now possessed a youthful energy, his Falna having eliminated his earlier health issues. He no longer seemed to be on the verge of collapse at any moment.
Meanwhile, Mika, his mind awash in the Counter Force's knowledge, slumbered deeply, slowly absorbing and processing the vast amount of information. Some of it immediately enhanced his abilities, while other parts, requiring further study and adaptation, became part of his growing foundation. After all, he was still mortal, not yet a God.
But he knew it was only a matter of time. He was close.
He continued absorbing the knowledge, his mind working tirelessly, until, finally, reaching a critical mass, his consciousness—which had been overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information, reasserted itself.
He awoke, not to an unfamiliar ceiling, but to Yahweh's smiling face.
"You're finally awake." Despite the playful annoyance in her voice, he felt only her love, her concern.
"Am I being given a lap pillow, Yahweh-sama?" He asked, his voice still thick with sleep, instinctively recognizing the familiar position, though it was usually Airmid or Mellie who provided such comforts.
"Of course. I seem to recall you enjoying this, though it's usually Airmid or Mellie who provides such services. Don't you like my lap pillow?" She asked with a sly grin. Despite her smile, he felt a chill run down his spine.
"I love it—" He replied quickly, both out of fear and because it was true.
"Good. I'm glad you appreciate it." She gently poked his cheek.
"Since I'm getting a lap pillow right now—I must have been asleep for a short while," He mused. Lost within that ocean of knowledge, he had lost all track of time.
"Wrong. You've been asleep for nearly a year. And I couldn't have held you like this the entire time," She chuckled. "I only sensed your awakening and wanted to surprise you."
"It's the best surprise ever," He murmured, his eyes drifting closed, savoring the moment. If she had sensed his awakening, it meant she had been by his side the entire time, caring for him. It was a comforting thought.
"You've been asleep long enough. Get up," She said, her smile widening, as if about to pinch his ear.
"No... I want to stay like this... forever..." He turned over, snuggling against her, his body curling up like a child's.
Her smile softened as she watched him, her hand, which had been about to pinch his ear, gently stroking his hair.
"Then sleep...until you're ready to wake up."
——
When he awoke again, the scene was the same. He looked at Yahweh's smiling face and sat up.
"Done sleeping?" she teased.
"A child, no matter how small, eventually grows up. It's time for me to—wake up," he replied, getting out of bed and stretching.
"I see. Then tell me, how much have you grown during your slumber?"
"I'm about to find out." He closed his eyes, focusing inwards, assessing the changes brought about by the Counter Force's knowledge.
Knowledge was power. And having absorbed so much, he couldn't have remained unchanged.
His Cosmo had grown significantly. He had reached the peak of the Eighth Sense—Just one more step, and he would transcend his human limitations, entering the realm of the Gods—the Ninth Sense. He had reached the pinnacle of human potential in terms of Cosmo.
"This is unexpected." Mika was surprised.
While absorbing the Counter Force's knowledge, he had, in a way, experienced their existence, their perception of the world, as if he had lived alongside them—witnessing the world's history through their eyes.
This experience, this vast influx of knowledge, had not only enhanced his understanding of the Type-Moon World but had also, inadvertently, deepened his understanding of life itself, accelerating his journey towards the Eighth Sense, a state intrinsically linked to one's spiritual development.
He had bypassed the usual need for—years, even decades, of experience—reaching the peak of human potential almost instantly.
If not for the immense chasm between the Eighth and Ninth Senses, the true realm of the Gods, he might have even reached the peak of the Ninth Sense.
After all, the Counter Force's knowledge was practically infinite.
However, while his Cosmo had reached the peak of the Eighth Sense, it was a passive advancement. He hadn't truly mastered it yet. But that wasn't a problem.
With practice, he could easily consolidate his newfound power.
After all, he now had Yahweh, Hephaestus, and Saori—three Goddesses capable of unleashing their full power in this world, unlike in Orario—as sparring partners. With their help, mastering the Eighth Sense would be a simple matter.
"It seems I'll be quite busy," he chuckled.
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