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"Your adventures sound eventful," Mika remarked, listening to Mellie and Airmid's stories.
Unlike his own life, a cycle of training and battles, theirs was filled with variety:
Exploring the vast ocean—battling pirates—navigating political intrigue—and even leading a revolution.
Even just hearing about it made him feel a pang of longing for such a life.
"What happened after you overthrew the World Government?" Saori was intrigued by their tale.
"In a way—we ended up ruling the World," Mellie replied with a smile.
"While Luffy and his crew were strong, they were better at destruction than creation. Therefore, I took on the responsibility of...rebuilding."
"Did Dragon just—let you?" Mika asked, raising an eyebrow.
While Luffy might be more of a destructive force, his father, Dragon was a different matter.
His strength, his influence, his meticulous planning—all pointed towards a single goal:
Overthrowing the old order.
And Mellie, despite betraying the Five Elders and Imu at the last moment—was still a remnant of that old order. He wouldn't simply hand over the reins of Power to her.
"Dragon?" Mellie chuckled. "He wasn't a problem. While his ideals and ambitions were admirable, he was no match for me when it came to...revolution. I've studied the classics—He's still learning."
Mika, remembering her habit of collecting books and studying various philosophies and political theories in each new World, nodded in understanding.
According to her, such knowledge was essential for a Powerful mage.
She must have devoured countless books in both the [Type-Moon] and [Hunter x Hunter] Worlds, absorbing their knowledge and integrating it into her own strategies.
'No wonder Dragon couldn't match you,' Mika thought, amused.
"You're quite the manipulator, Mellie," Yahweh commented with a grin.
"I wasn't trying to manipulate them. I simply wanted to study the unique aspects of that World, especially the Devil Fruits. And with Esdeath—Dr. Stylish—and that brilliant scientist from the Marines, Vegapunk, we were able to achieve results—"
"—However, in a World where individual Power is so influential, any research that could enhance one's abilities would undoubtedly attract unwanted attention. Therefore, to ensure our safety and continue our research without interference, we had to become the dominant force."
"So, even though I wasn't interested in Power itself, I couldn't simply hand over control of the World to them."
Mika, Yahweh, and Saori nodded.
As travelers, while they enjoyed the adventures and new experiences—their ultimate goal was to become stronger.
Only by achieving Godhood, and attaining immortality, could they truly settle down. Until then, everything was temporary—And for Mellie, research and knowledge were her path to Power.
"As expected of you, Mellie. Always thinking strategically," Mika said, impressed. Compared to him, she was far more—cerebral.
"Of course. It's one of my strengths," she replied with a smile.
"What a fascinating journey."
"Let's toast to your success!" Yahweh raised her glass.
"CHEERS!!!" They all stood, their glasses clinking together, then drank.
Laughter and conversation filled the Yahweh Familia home as they celebrated their reunion.
———
———
The next day.
Mika woke up with a headache, the remnants of last night's celebration lingering.
He had indulged a bit too much.
And the cause of his current discomfort? God's wine, of course!
Soma, the God of Festivities, was quite popular among Orario's Gods.
Even without his Divine Powers, he still experimented with brewing Divine wine, though his attempts in the lower World had been less than successful. But, even his failed attempts were highly sought after by the other Gods.
And his True God's wine was practically priceless.
After all, the Gods of Orario were—above all else—Pleasure-seekers.
They would go to great lengths for a good time. And the wine they had enjoyed last night had been one of Soma's...better failures. Even so, it was incredibly potent, almost addictive.
"I'll just...go back to sleep."
———
It was late morning when Mika, Mellie, and Airmid finally emerged, their faces slightly flushed as they joined Yahweh, Alfia, Saori, and Ayu in the dining hall.
"You three certainly slept in. Just like children,"
Yahweh remarked with a smile, though her tone suggested something else entirely.
Mika, noticing the knowing glances from Alfia and Saori, and the pointed silence from Mellie and Airmid—knew it was time for damage control.
He took a pastry from Ayu and began to eat, changing the subject smoothly. "We didn't discuss our future plans last night. Perhaps we should do so now." He gave Ayu a thumbs-up, praising her culinary skills.
"Tsk. Trying to change the subject?" Yahweh glared at him playfully.
While she could easily have exposed their activities, she decided to let it go.
There were more important matters to discuss.
"I'll let you off the hook—for now." She then addressed the others, focusing on Airmid and Mellie. Mika had already told them about his plans after returning from the dungeon, a plan they had both approved of.
After all, simply obliterating the Black Dragon didn't seem—fitting, not for a creature that had single-handedly destroyed Orario's Strongest Familia.
"Since you two agree, we have no objections. But how do you intend to...Create these heroes?" Airmid asked.
Mellie simply nodded thoughtfully; she seemed to have an idea.
"You're planning to share some of the knowledge we've acquired from other Worlds, aren't you? Let me see—we can't share anything too supernatural; it would alert the Gods. That leaves—Breath Styles and Body Enhancement Techniques," she said, looking at Mika.
He nodded. "That's right. I'm planning to introduce the basic Breath Styles and Body Enhancement Techniques."
The Basic Breath Styles referred to The Five Fundamental forms:
Water, Flame, Wind, Thunder, and Stone, which he had learned in the [Demon Slayer World].
The Body Enhancement Techniques were from the [Akame ga Kill World]—where humans, through rigorous training, could enhance their physical abilities to levels comparable to a Level 4 adventurer in Orario.
Of course, this was only in terms of their base stats.
In a real battle, they would still be outmatched by a true Level 4 adventurer, who possessed skills and magic—Level 6 adventurers, especially, were practically walking cheat codes.
However, Mika believed that someone who mastered these Body Enhancement Techniques, combined with Falna, could easily reach Level 4, perhaps even surpass it.
Therefore, while the techniques themselves weren't groundbreaking, their purpose was to discover hidden talent.
Therefore, Mika believed there were countless talented individuals hidden among the ordinary populace, their potential untapped simply because of their humanity.
These Body Enhancement Techniques could help bridge that gap, giving them a chance to shine.
As for whether other races would also benefit from these techniques? It was irrelevant.
This World was defined by Falna, and what they needed was a chance to acquire it.
As for the Breath Styles, their introduction would increase the number of Level 2 adventurers.
After all, over half of Orario's adventurers were Level 1, trapped in the upper floors, the most cramped section of the dungeon, their progress hindered by their weak Familias and lack of guidance.
Even those with some talent would eventually lose their edge, their potential wasted.
However, the Breath Styles, by enhancing their physical abilities, would give them a fighting chance, the tools they needed to achieve a Great Feat and level up—While some might perish in the attempt, others would succeed—Opening up a new world of possibilities.
"By increasing the overall number of adventurers and providing a path to Level 2, we're essentially...boosting Orario's economy, both at the micro and macro levels," Mellie remarked with a smile, after hearing Mika's explanation. "I approve."
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