"I can see your point," Kyle said, remembering how the Array of Stars had not backed him up against the Contrast Empire, even though they had the power.
"I also can't trust the Contrast Empire," Star Genesis said. "They protect their people, but it's only because the Emperor said so. Most people do not truly believe in the Emperor's words. As soon as there's a feasible explanation to circumvent the rules, they will abandon their people. The Countess could have argued that I should return with her after I've lost to you, but she didn't."
"If I'm going to join another Organization in the future, it will be Inner World. They truly protect their people, unless they break the rules."
Kyle nodded. "I can see that. Then, I'm glad that coming here wasn't too bad a choice for you."
Star Genesis also nodded.
Then, several seconds of silence passed.
Kyle took a deep breath. "About what I've written in the letter..."
Star Genesis held up her hand, telling Kyle to stop talking. "I've read it. Yes, I have been interested in you, but you were also right back then. We do not have the luxury of time. For now, I don't want to enter into a romantic relationship. Additionally, the fact that you were a member of the Cult for the entire time also doesn't help."
"I am not entirely against this entire thing. I like you, Kyle, but forcing a decision right now is too risky. For now, we should just be companions. If it's meant to be, we will become closer. If it's not, that's also fine."
Kyle took a deep breath. "Not sure how she's going to react to this."
"You want things to be in your control, right? You told me so," Kyle said.
"Yes," Star Genesis said, her voice a bit more distant than before.
"I'm not sure if there will ever be certainty in this matter," Kyle said. "There will always be uncertainty when entering a relationship."
Star Genesis' brows furrowed. "I'm not a child, Kyle. I know that. Are you suggesting that making a final judgment on this matter, after you've told me that you've lied to me for thousands of years and that you've been working for people who want to kill me and everyone in existence, is the right moment?"
"Okay, yeah, you're right," Kyle said, looking to the side. "This might not be the best moment."
Star Genesis nodded. "I'm giving this entire thing a chance by not making a decision right now. Don't try to force things."
"I won't," Kyle answered with a clear nod.
"Good," she said before sighing. "And thank you for inviting me. Despite how I might have sounded, I actually appreciated the invitation."
"Thank you for accepting," Kyle said, a friendly smile returning to his face.
"You can call the others back. We know where we stand now." Star Genesis released a deep breath.
"Sure."
The others returned, and everyone quickly started talking.
Apparently, Star Genesis had also managed to become a Legendary Crusher before becoming a Sage. Eventually, the topic changed to her powers.
Star Genesis had a Level Five Infused Center Law, made from all the Level One to Level Four Laws of Light and Darkness. On top of that, she had an External Level 3.5 Complex Law made of Fragments of Space and Gravity.
This surprised Kyle since Star Genesis didn't have an Affinity for either of those. He also wasn't entirely sure why she had chosen to make an External Law out of these Fragments.
Yet, when Star Genesis explained her reason, it made a lot of sense.
Formation Arrays.
Over the past millennia, Star Genesis' combat style had specialized further. Instead of only sometimes using Formation Arrays in battle, she focused on them now.
Usually, Formation Arrays were used as fortifications for a base, but Star Genesis had abandoned this aspect. She focused on Formation Arrays that didn't need a lot of space and could be set up quickly.
Light and Darkness referred to the addition and subtraction of mass. With her Infused Center Law, she could mimic the properties of different materials. As long as she knew the composition of the material, she could simulate it. This gave her the power to quickly set up Formation Arrays during a battle. Of course, these Formation Arrays were not permanent and used her Center as their Energy Source, but they also didn't need to be.
"That's like towering," Sebastian commented.
"Towering?" Kyle asked.
"Yeah, I've played some strategy games back on Earth," he said. "Towers are usually meant to fortify your base, but people also used them offensively. They ran into the enemy base, kept the armies at bay, and built towers directly in front of them. She's doing something similar."
The more Kyle thought about Star Genesis' new combat style, the more he realized its advantages. She didn't need to use materials. She had insane versatility and could build whatever Formation Array she needed. Her power during a battle would keep growing as more time passed. Lastly, and this was also the best part, this didn't cannibalize the growth of her Momentum. After all, building a tower in one's base wasn't dangerous, but building one in front of an enemy was.
'I wonder how strong she is,' Kyle thought.
It was difficult to rank Star Genesis' power in the group. At her baseline, she was definitely stronger than Fierce Breaker. She was also definitely weaker than Sebastian and Kyle. However, a fight between her and Manny wouldn't have a clear outcome. The levels of their Laws were identical. Manny had an Imposing Law, while Star Genesis had a ton of Formation Arrays at her disposal.
'If Manny gets to her early, he will probably win. If she manages to buy time, she will probably win.'
As the group kept talking and improving their powers, more time passed.
One century.
Two centuries.
The date of departure was less than a century away.
It didn't seem like Swamp Dragon was coming, and yet Manny kept saying that he would come.
Whenever Kyle asked how Manny could be so sure, Manny just smirked.
And then, one day, Sebastian got a message.
Everyone looked over.
"Seems like he accepted," Sebastian said with uncertainty. "Or this is some kind of trap to kill me."
Sebastian had never seen Swamp Dragon, but what he had heard about him didn't make him seem like a person who would accept Kyle's invitation.
It was possible that Swamp Dragon activated the signal so that people from the Array of Stars could ambush him.
"Don't worry," Manny said with a reassuring smile. "Swamp Dragon won't ambush you. Nothing will happen."
Sebastian wasn't reassured, but he left regardless.
Everyone waited for a couple of weeks, and eventually, Sebastian returned.
As he passed through the door, everyone could see Swamp Dragon.
Yet, when they saw him, their eyes widened.
Sages could descend Dimensions safely and remain there, which was how Star Genesis, Fierce Breaker, and Manny were here.
However, there was also another way to get to the Hell Dimension...
Everyone looked at Swamp Dragon...
And his True Sin Aura.
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