Out of the surviving Flamechasers in this parallel Earth, only Hua hadn't touched complex information yet. Her progress with the Great Dao became extremely quick, however. It focused on mind first and foremost, a very strong aspect of hers after receiving thousands of years' worth of memories and experience.
All she had to do is for her energy aspect to reach up to the level of her mind. Add to that the "talent" granted by [World], she was able to reach the sixth realm of the Great Dao, Divine Transformation, in a few years.
Yes, several years.
Manipulating time and creating an isolated training chamber is easy for the current Aleph. Speeding up time tenfold or even a hundredfold is possible. Only two months passed in the outside world.
'Hm…'
Just then, he sensed something. It wasn't harmful per se. Gaining 'complete' control over time as the [Lord of the Mysteries] allowed him to see his most probable future.
What he didn't expect was that…
'I can do that..?'
…he would be using it for unserious things.
Looking at the scene, it was his bedroom. There are two girls, however, who are inside it.
Aleph stopped thinking immediately. He waited until the fluctuations of the two died down. The surroundings shifted to the ordinary courtyard and the time dilution caused by Aleph's authority went back to normal.
Their eyes opened up simultaneously. Their blue and red pupils glowed dimly. One was as flexible as flowing water; the other as unyielding as crimson flames. The two complemented each other.
"If I knew something like this, I would have beaten up that Cocoon a long time ago!"
"Stop being complacent. Our current strength isn't enough yet."
"We can beat Kevin now."
"..."
Senti was the first to stand from her crossed-legged position. She rushed towards Aleph's lap and sat on it. Their height difference of ten centimeters gave him a nice opportunity to pat her head.
Hua was the last one to stand up. Contrary to Senti's casual attire of a t-shirt and shorts, Hua wore her traditional outfit during her time as Taixuan's headmaster.
"It's unfair to Kevin. You are the first to receive my full-time blessing." Aleph stated. "If you use the Spirit I gave to you, you can walk sideways wherever you want."
Senti's eyes glittered at that thought.
"Stop causing unnecessary trouble."
"I know, I know." She replied to Hua's typical scolding. "I am saying we can do a lot of things compared to before. What about building an intergalactic dojo that spans everywhere?"
Hua did not stop Senti this time. She thought of the plausibility of what she said. Aleph did not mind this discussion, either. His mind was more on Senti's small movements on his lap. It just so happened to touch his thing.
As if aware of his thoughts, she cast a sidelong glance at him.
'...She's teasing me.'
He felt the small tremors of her body. She was shy, but her boldness overcame it.
Hua stopped thinking and stared expressionlessly at Senti. The two are the same person. With their metaphysical connection, as well as their new connection through the Great Dao, it wasn't difficult to sense each other's thoughts.
Upon being discovered, Senti did not flinch.
"Why stare like that? Haven't you done this with him too?"
She emphasized the words "too". It was an obvious show of her jealousy and regrets. Jealousy because Hua got to experience these things way earlier than her. Regrets because she did not gain the courage to confess until later on.
"I am awake every time you do that."
"..."
"..."
It was Aleph's turn to fall silent. Her blunt words made things more embarrassing. From kissing to touching her entire body, they explored it well.
"Do you want to do it too?"
"..?!"
Senti's jolted visibly. She did not expect him to say these words.
"We can make it even."
He cast an apologetic look to Hua, to which the latter sighed out of helplessness. Senti is technically her. She knew how stubborn she was once dead-set on things.
"I will cook."
Hua did not go any further. She let Senti have her fun.
'I need to make it up for her later.'
As he patted Senti's head, he realized some things about 'harem'.
'I need to make it up to her later.'
Equality is particularly important. He has to make sure no girls get the feeling of being left behind. It is his oversight if it happens.
In short, the love he receives is directly proportional to the effort he needs to exert—and that is something Aleph is willing to do to his fullest.
Just then, he received a piece of news:
Some Aeons are preparing to do several big moves.
'...Well.'
He sighed inwardly. It was to be expected after Equilibrium's non-existent presence was confirmed by him. It was easy for others to speculate that Equilibrium faced an accident.
Aleph's Spirit World went by unhindered. That alone was enough for them to be less restrained.
With a universe-threatening event in one hand and head patting Senti on the other, Aleph started another day of his double life.
*****
Simulated Universe.
It is one of Herta's long-term projects when it comes to Aeons. She simulated the presence of each Aeon in hopes of coming in contact with them. Of course, that requires their willingness to cooperate. Even if it was a simulated version of themselves, they could know about it.
"Hm..? You aren't expecting me, are you?"
Hearing the same egoistic voice, Herta made a flat expression.
"You could have called me in the real world."
"Do you want to be my beta tester?"
A sudden proposal was raised by her.
"I know you can disguise yourself as other Aeons."
Aleph knew that the conversation was headed in an interesting direction.
"Have you personally met Akivili?"
Akivili.
Aeon of Trailblazing.
These two points made him pause for some time. His agenda was to investigate HooH and Akivili. They are the ones who could help him destroy Finality's test.
"No. But I can become Akivili."
"...Was it related to the one you gave me?"
"Yeah."
Aleph's figure was swiftly constructed. Blue digital lights surrounded him until his entire body was made.
A familiar gaze descended on Herta. Her eyes widened momentarily.
For a moment, she thought the person in front of her was the Aeon of Trailblazing.
"Aki—"
Aleph's influence was halted. She realized what happened just now.
"...It's Time."
"Nice joke." Aleph commented. "Yes, I can control time. Good, right?"
Once again, the two masters of self-glazing clashed their domains together.