[272] : The Saints Training Pays Off—Marin's Defection

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Frozen wastelands. Volcanic Infernos. Crushing Ocean depths. Scorching Deserts. Poisonous Forests. and Realms of Endless Darkness—these were the harsh environments Mika had created.

Each more brutal than its real-world counterpart, pushing even Saints—whose bodies had been trained to the peak of Human Potential, to their limits.

It was within these unforgiving landscapes that—Seiya, Shiryu, Ikki, Shun, and Hyoga—honed their Cosmo, pushing past their physical limitations and unlocking their hidden potential.

Suddenly, a flash of light, and they reappeared before Mika.

"So, how was your training? I trust you've gained some valuable insights," he asked with a smile, observing their disheveled appearances.

"It's…over?" Seiya murmured, looking around, still disoriented from his ordeal.

The training had been—intense, pushing his Cosmo to its limits, forcing him to adapt and grow.

He had a newfound appreciation for his own power.

"Insights? Countless," he replied, his voice filled with a newfound confidence.

The others nodded in agreement, each having experienced their own Breakthroughs.

Mika sensed their growth.

Even Seiya—whose Cosmo had been the weakest among them, had reached the level of a Silver Saint.

Of the five, Seiya's base physical abilities were the lowest.

Ikki and Hyoga were roughly equal, having trained in the harshest environments: Death Queen Island, with its active volcano, and the frozen Siberian plains, respectively—The brutal conditions had pushed their Cosmo beyond that of the others.

Shiryu had the advantage of having been trained by Dohko, a Legendary Gold Saint, as did Hyoga, under Camus' tutelage.

And Shun? As the reincarnation of Hades—his potential was practically Limitless.

Only Seiya, raised in Sanctuary, lacked a similar advantage in his upbringing. However, Sanctuary's harsh training and the discrimination he faced as a Japanese Saint had honed his instincts and battle sense.

This was how he had been able to exploit Shiryu's momentary lapse in concentration during their duel, a fleeting opening of a thousandth of a second.

Therefore, while Seiya's physical abilities might be the weakest among them, he was a formidable opponent. Moreover, as the reincarnation of a Saint from the mythological era, his potential, once unleashed—was extraordinary.

——

Mika, observing their growth, nodded in satisfaction. Their progress was remarkable.

"This period of focused training has Improved your earlier gains. Now—it's time for the next stage of your development." Seeing his serious expression, they instinctively tensed, anticipating his next words.

"The Pope has sent Silver Saints to Japan. Your battles—have begun."

"Silver Saints…?" They had heard tales of the Silver Saints, warriors whose power dwarfed their own, dozens of times stronger.

Facing them before would have been a desperate struggle, a battle they might not have survived.

But now—they felt a surge of confidence.

"It seems you're not afraid," Mika remarked, seeing their determined expressions. He was pleased. After all, what was the point of fighting without confidence?

"Then prepare yourselves. Your battles against the Silver Saints are about to begin."

"Yes!" They replied in unison.

——

Mika watched from the rooftop of the Graad Foundation's guest house as the five Bronze Saints, clad in their Cloths, set off. "It seems they've reconciled."

"Good. After all, the enemies we face are powerful. We need to work together."

——

This time, Saga had sent four powerful Silver Saints, including Marin, Seiya's mentor. Facing four such opponents before would have been a near-impossible task for Seiya and the others.

But now, empowered by their training, they were ready.

Moreover, one of their opponents, Marin, was secretly on their side.

Therefore, victory was practically assured.

And when they returned, they brought Marin with them.

Since Saga's ascension as Pope, Sanctuary's atmosphere had changed.

Those who opposed his rule, like Marin—were persecuted, even though Saga hadn't given any direct orders. Marin, tasked with assassinating her own student, Seiya, had chosen to defect.

During the battle, she had sided with Seiya and the others, making it impossible for her to return to Sanctuary.

They brought her back with them.

——

"Marin, this is Mika, the one I told you about, the one with Gold Saint level power. With him, we're sure to win," Seiya said, introducing Mika to Marin after they returned to the guest house.

After their victory, Marin had intended to leave, to wander the world and find a new purpose. However, Seiya, now her equal in strength, had stopped her.

He knew the dangers she faced, having betrayed Sanctuary.

And when she expressed her doubts about defying Sanctuary, he had told her about Mika, whose power rivaled that of a Gold Saint.

Hearing Seiya's introduction, Marin looked at Mika, her expression complex.

She hadn't anticipated such a twist of fate.

When she received her orders from Sanctuary, she had been prepared for the worst. Sending four Silver Saints after a few Bronze Saints was excessive. After all, even several Bronze Saints working together were no match for a single Silver Saint.

Therefore, she had suspected she was the true target. And she had been right. In Saga's new Sanctuary, there was no place for dissent.

Those who opposed him were eliminated. She had been given a seemingly impossible task: kill her own student.

And if she refused, the other three Silver Saints would kill her. One to eliminate the Bronze Saints, two to ensure her demise.

It was a deadly trap.

She had been searching for a way out, a glimmer of hope, and now—Seiya's words offered that hope. She couldn't believe how much stronger he and his companions had become in such a short time.

"It's an honor to meet you, Mika," she said respectfully.

All Saints held the Gold Saints in high regard. Of course, there were exceptions, like Aiolia, who was currently ostracized for his brother's perceived betrayal of Athena.

He had stolen a Gold Cloth, a sacred treasure of Sanctuary, which was now lost. This had tarnished his reputation. Even though he was a Gold Saint, few respected him anymore.

"There's no need for formalities. You've joined us. You're one of us now. There's no need for such respect between comrades," Mika said, helping her up.

"That's right, Marin. We're companions now!" Seiya added.

Mika, sensing Seiya's unusual enthusiasm, was curious.

He had been unusually cheerful since their return. 'What happened?'

"Marin," Seiya blurted out, "That Hound, he said you were my sister. Is it true?" During his battle with the Silver Saint of Hound, his opponent had suggested as much, citing Marin's origins in the East and her missing younger brother.

While it seemed far-fetched, Seiya had been inclined to believe it, sensing a familial warmth from Marin.

Shiryu, Hyoga, and Shun looked at them, their curiosity piqued.

Marin turned to Seiya, but before she could answer, Mika chuckled.

"Seiya, are you that desperate for a sister?" He understood the reason for Seiya's excitement.

The mystery surrounding his and Marin's relationship had been a topic of much debate in his previous life.

However, as the story progressed, the truth had been revealed: they weren't related. Marin's brother was a character from a movie, and Seiya's sister would eventually appear during the Elysion arc. While Mika had once entertained the possibility of them being siblings, he had dismissed it. It would create plot holes.

"What do you mean, Mika?" Seiya asked, his voice filled with a desperate hope. The thought of finding his sister consumed him.

"I mean…she's not your sister," Mika replied with a smile. "I've learned a few things about your sister from Saori."

"Seiya, how long did it take you to awaken your Cosmo and become a Saint?"

"Six years."

"Six long years of training. And your sister disappeared after you were sent to Sanctuary. Marin was your mentor there. So, how did your sister manage to reach Sanctuary before you, instantly awaken her Cosmo, and become the Silver Saint of Aquila?"

Seiya froze, realizing the flaw in his logic.

"I guess…It was just—wishful thinking," he said, using Mika's earlier words, his voice filled with disappointment.

"Sister…where are you…?"

Shiryu, Hyoga, Shun, and Ikki exchanged sympathetic glances.

Shun and Ikki, especially—understood the pain of being separated from a sibling.

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