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"My magic... it's gone!"
Sensing his altered state, Mika retreated hastily, shock coursing through him.
Upon reaching a relatively safe distance, he stared at his hands in disbelief.
"This is Alfia's magic?"
Although he had heard rumors in his past life about Alfia's overpowered abilities, experiencing it firsthand was a different matter altogether. Inwardly, he cursed.
"Magic that negates magic? How is that even possible?!"
"As far as I know, Alfia has three magic abilities, and each one is ridiculously overpowered!"
"So, she can use magic, but I can't?"
"Where's the logic in that?!"
Mika stepped back further, his eyes narrowing.
He had to find a way to escape.
Once he left the church, Alfia would likely cease her pursuit.
Since they were still concealing their identities, their plans must not be fully realized. They wouldn't risk exposing themselves prematurely.
"You've negated my magic. Are you trying to steal my martial arts?" Mika asked, resuming his fighting stance, a wry smile playing on his lips.
"Precisely!" Alfia replied without hesitation, a predatory gleam in her eyes. "Your martial arts... I see a path to huge power, a way to transcend my current limitations."
"I see. You also want to reach the 'Godly Domain'," Mika realized instantly, comprehending Alfia's ambition.
Alfia had reached the pinnacle of human potential in martial arts but could not see beyond.
Therefore, she hadn't pursued this path further.
However, she saw in Mika the possibility of surpassing human limitations.
This discovery filled her with excitement.
"It seems you've already glimpsed that level," Alfia said, her excitement growing as she noted Mika's terminology for the State.
The idea of achieving a divine level of martial arts through human effort was exhilarating.
"Since you understand, then show me your comprehension!"
With that, Alfia lunged forward, attacking Mika with blinding speed.
"No, I absolutely cannot reveal any more. If this monster reaches the Godly Domain, I won't stand a chance."
With this thought, Mika abandoned any offensive maneuvers and focused entirely on defense.
He activated his "Transparent World" skill to its fullest extent, observing Alfia's every movement to enhance his defensive capabilities.
"What is this?!"
Alfia was taken aback.
She felt as if she were moving through quicksand, unable to exert her full strength.
I've been restricted.
Alfia quickly understood.
"So, his greatest strength lies in defense?"
"To Enhance This defense, he must have trained under someone even stronger than himself."
"Who could it be? It must be his goddess, Yahweh!"
"I never expected this newly descended Goddess to be a formidable warrior. It seems joining the Yahweh Familia was a good choice for Mika."
A satisfied smile flickered across Alfia's face, though her expression remained focused as she continued her relentless assault on Mika.
Although Mika effortlessly parried each of her attacks, Alfia sensed a peculiar ability emanating from him.
It was a power of perception.
With this ability, Mika seemed to anticipate her every move.
"What a fascinating ability!"
Suddenly, Alfia's aura shifted, her fighting spirit gradually fading.
"What's happening?!"
As Alfia's presence diminished in his perception, Mika's mind raced.
"Monster! Freak!"
"How is this even possible? My Transparent World isn't a technique, it's a state of being!"
"Can you even instantly learn a state of being?"
Despite his inner turmoil, Mika's mind remained sharp.
He quickly grasped the situation.
Alfia's prowess had already reached the pinnacle of human potential, far surpassing the level required to comprehend the Transparent World.
She hadn't known about it before.
But after observing Mika, she had quickly grasped the essence of this profound technique.
"This can't continue!"
"If this goes on, she'll steal all my secrets!"
"This feels like she's the protagonist, and I'm just a NPC character handing her power-ups!"
Muttering to himself, Mika retreated rapidly.
"Wait! I give up! I don't want to fight anymore!"
"You don't get to decide that!"
Alfia, frustrated by Mika's sudden surrender just as she was on the verge of grasping the ultimate level of martial arts, felt a surge of irritation.
She couldn't let him escape now.
"Suit yourself. I'm done fighting. Even if you kill me, I won't lift a finger!"
Since he couldn't win and couldn't escape, he might as well try reasoning with her... or perhaps try being stubborn.
"Oh? You'd rather die than continue fighting?"
Alfia chuckled, observing Mika's defiant stance.
The next moment, she lunged towards him.
As Alfia approached, Mika remained motionless, his expression serene.
However, his heart pounded in his chest, a mixture of excitement and apprehension coursing through him.
Mika was gambling, betting that Alfia wouldn't kill him.
Even if he lost the bet, it wouldn't be a problem. He had already envisioned a new world in his mind, ready to escape at a moment's notice.
It was a win-win situation!
However, if he lost, he would be stranded in another world for a considerable amount of time, possibly years.
He focused intently on Alfia's movements, every sense heightened.
It would be incredibly embarrassing to be caught off guard and killed.
Just as Alfia's hand was about to connect with his face, she stopped.
"How boring. You can leave."
Seeing Mika's unwavering resolve not to fight, Alfia waved her hand dismissively.
She hadn't intended to fight him in the first place.
It was Mika who had initiated the conflict, capturing her attention with his martial arts skills.
That was why she had adopted an aggressive stance.
"I'm leaving then?"
Seeing Alfia relent, Mika quickly moved towards the church entrance.
As Alfia ignored him, he pushed open the doors and stepped outside.
Just as he was about to leave the church grounds, Mika turned back and said, "In exchange for sparing me, I won't tell anyone you're here."
With that, he turned and departed.
---
"Not tell anyone I'm here?"
Seated beside the statue of Hera, Alfia chuckled softly.
"It seems I can linger here a while longer."
Leaning against the statue, she gazed at her hands, recalling the sensations from her recent battle with Mika.
She shook her head slightly.
"Honestly, even on the verge of death, I still cling to these competitive urges."
"If only I could have glimpsed the 'Godly Domain' in my prime. Perhaps things would have turned out differently."
"But now, even the most powerful martial arts are useless. I've reached the end of my journey."
Raising her head, she gently caressed the statue of Hera.
"But the Hera Familia... it hasn't completely vanished yet."
A contented smile spread across her face.
...
"Ugh, that was rough!"
Hurrying away from the church, Mika winced, feeling the aches and pains throughout his body.
Alfia had been holding back during their fight.
Perhaps she wanted to observe his martial arts, or maybe there was another reason.
Whatever the cause, she had shown restraint.
Even so, Mika felt like he had been through a wringer.
"Is this the embodiment of Orario's talent? I'd rather face a horde of monsters than fight her again. She's a true monster!"
However, amidst the pain, Mika also sensed a hint of concern from Alfia.
She hadn't intended to harm him.
"So, is that why they did what they did? Because the current Orario lacks the Zeus and Hera Familias?"
"So, others bear the consequences?"
"Unbelievable!"
Mika shook his head in disbelief.
That was one of the reasons he had promised Alfia he wouldn't reveal her location.
Besides, even if he informed Finn, there was nothing he could do.
With the current strength of Orario's Familias, even if they surrounded Alfia, they couldn't capture her.
If she wanted to leave, no one could stop her.
Moreover, both the Loki and Freya Familias were preparing for expeditions.
Revealing Alfia's presence would only serve to disrupt their preparations and wouldn't achieve anything positive.
"Time to head back."
Mika hastened his steps towards home.
"I'm still not strong enough..." he muttered to himself, clenching his fists.
...
"Mika, why are you so late? I thought you were going to stay at the Astraea Familia's place!"
Hearing the door open, Mellie looked up from her seat in the living room, where she had been waiting for Mika's return.
She was greeted by the sight of Mika's grim expression.
Seeing his face, Airmid, Mellie, and Yahweh immediately rose to their feet.
"What's wrong, Mika?!"
"Nothing much. Just ran into Alfia again," Mika replied nonchalantly.
"What?!"
Mika recounted his encounter with Alfia to his companions.
"That's incredibly unlucky!" Mellie exclaimed after hearing his story.
"However, it wasn't entirely unexpected," Yahweh said thoughtfully. "Due to the Hera Familia connection, you and Alfia share a certain bond."
"Places that hold sentimental value for you might also hold significance for her."
"Therefore, for the time being, it's best to avoid any locations associated with the Hera Familia, just in case."
"I understand," Mika nodded slightly.
He had come to the same conclusion on his way back.
"I'll have to be extra cautious from now on."
"Let me heal you. You said your body aches all over, right?" Airmid offered, extending her hand and beginning to chant.
"Healing drops, tears of light, eternal sanctuary, I call upon the light's symphony. Three hundred sixty-five melodies, the calendar of healing shall mend all creation."
"Come forth, banish the darkness. Seal the wounds, dispel the pain, send curses to the other side, usher in the light's cardinal. In the name of the divine, I heal."
"Dia Fratel!"
As Airmid finished her chant, a brilliant light enveloped Mika.
A warm sensation spread throughout his body, soothing his aching muscles.
A wave of relief washed over him.
"Ah, that feels so much better!"
He smiled contentedly and looked up at Airmid. "Your healing magic is getting stronger and stronger!"
"Of course! An adventurer's magic improves with their level. Airmid is currently at the peak of Level 3, on the verge of reaching Level 4. She's Orario's strongest healer!" Mellie chirped, hugging Airmid's arm.
"Orario's strongest healer? I'm not that amazing!"
"Yes, you are!" Mika joined in the praise.
"You know, there's no other pure healer in Orario at Level 3."
"Moreover, your healing magic is undoubtedly the most potent in the city."
"How could you not be Orario's strongest healer?"
"That's not true!" Airmid blushed, flustered by their compliments.
Observing the scene, Yahweh chuckled. "Alright, alright, stop teasing Airmid. Mika," she turned to him, a mischievous glint in her eyes, "you lent so much money to the Astraea Familia. Didn't they offer anything in return?"
"Anything in return? What do you mean?"
Mika stammered, suddenly recalling the feeling of Astraea's soft hands on his shoulders. "N-Nothing really..."
"Oh, really?"
Yahweh's eyes narrowed as she noticed Mika's flustered expression. A playful smile spread across her face, which quickly morphed into a mock frown.
"Mika, I warned you not to lie to a god. We can see through your deceptions."
"You remember that quite clearly, don't you? Yet you still chose to lie. What prompted such a decision?"
Airmid and Mellie's gazes sharpened as they listened to Yahweh's words.
Realizing he couldn't avoid the topic any longer, Mika sighed and confessed. "It was nothing. She just gave me a shoulder massage as a thank you."
"Oh, is that all?"
"That was thoughtful of Alise," Airmid and Mellie said, relieved.
After all, they frequently gave Mika massages.
Unlike Airmid and Mellie, Yahweh considered another possibility.
"Astraea herself did it?"
"..."
"Wait, Astraea herself gave you a massage?" Airmid and Mellie exclaimed in surprise.
"It seems you have some complaints about me, Mika," Yahweh said, a sly smile playing on her lips. She walked over to Mika and stood before him.
"Allow me to give you a proper massage!"
"No! Please, no!" Mika cried out in mock terror.
His cries echoed through the Yahweh Familia home.
And his ordeal lasted for a very, very long time.
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