Ken moved first, shooting straight at her.
Marcarita vanished instantly.
They flickered across the sky above the God of Destruction's world—appearing, disappearing, leaving afterimages behind.
A minute passed.
Ken swung a palm at her.
Marcarita's body turned hazy, and his strike cut through empty air.
"Oh my… impressive," Marcarita's voice called from far behind him.
Ken turned and let the light around him fade.
That one minute was enough. He understood the gap.
A single level difference meant overwhelming dominance.
And Marcarita hadn't even gotten serious.
If she did, I'd lose badly.
"Not bad," Ken said, nodding.
"Now you understand the difference between us?" Marcarita asked, amused.
"Doesn't matter," Ken said. "I'll surpass you someday."
It's one level.
I'll just climb past it.
"At my pace, I'll reach level 66 like you in less than three months," Ken added.
Marcarita fell quiet.
This little angel is improving too fast.
If he's telling the truth, I'm in trouble.
Do I really have to marry him then?
I'll need to train too.
Angel training is supposed to be steady and gradual.
Then Ken showed up, and he and Merus started pushing each other harder and harder.
They pushed for a while, and Merus nearly snapped from it.
Do I join them?
"Let's stop here for today," Ken said.
"Where's Bier?" Marcarita asked, suddenly remembering.
"In your room," Ken said after a brief check. "Her angel power's faint, but she's there."
Marcarita and Ken exchanged a look and rushed over.
In an elegant courtyard, Bier was sprawled across a pink bed, sleeping without a shred of dignity.
Marcarita stopped.
Ken looked Bier up and down.
She might be slow, but her figure was hard to ignore.
"Don't angels not need sleep?" Ken asked.
"Angels don't need sleep," Marcarita said, "but that doesn't mean we can't sleep. Same as how we don't need to eat, but we can."
"This is your room?" Ken asked, glancing around.
"It is," Marcarita said, letting out a tired breath. "That's my bed… and I just changed the sheets…"
"Cut her some slack," Ken said. "She wandered in space for a year before she finally found this place—and she thought it was Universe 12's God of Destruction's world."
Marcarita didn't answer.
"An angel this dumb should be erased," Ken said, sighing. "She's embarrassing the whole angel race."
"Who are you calling dumb?" Bier's eyes snapped open, glaring at Ken.
"You weren't asleep?" Ken asked.
"Hmph. I just fell asleep," Bier said, pouting. "Then I heard you calling me dumb, and you woke me up."
Ken didn't reply.
"Marcarita, where did Martinu-nee-san go? When is she coming back?" Bier asked.
Marcarita didn't answer.
"But Martinu-nee-san is so nice to me," Bier said with a giggle. "Did she build this room just for me? I love it. The sheets, though… I don't like this color."
Marcarita sighed and looked at Ken. "Your suggestion just now… might actually be worth considering."
"Told you," Ken said, nodding.
"What are you two talking about?" Bier asked, suspicious.
"Where's Belmod?" Ken asked, switching topics. "Why haven't I seen him?"
"Ken, what are you talking about?" Bier said, pouting again. "This is Universe 12. Universe 12's God of Destruction is Gin, not Belmod. The dumbest angel here is you!"
Ken ignored her.
Marcarita didn't say a word.
"Wait…" Bier clapped her forehead, realization dawning. "Did Belmod come visiting with Marcarita too? That's why you're here! But then why aren't Martinu-nee-san and Gin home? I get it—something came up, so they went out. You two are waiting here, right?"
"Marcarita, let's talk outside," Ken said. "If I stay here, I'll get dumber."
Marcarita nodded.
They left the room quickly.
Behind them, Bier stuck out her tongue at Ken's back.
You're the dumb one!
She bolted after them.
"Marcarita, give me three years," Ken said. "I'll surpass you."
"My promise only counts for this year," Marcarita said quickly. "And I decide what that means."
Ken stared.
"You're cheating," Ken said.
"Oh my… by your calendar, today is December 25," Marcarita said, smiling. "Six more days and the year's over. What can you do in six days?"
Ken didn't answer.
"Marcarita, talk properly," Ken said, voice tight. "Don't push me."
"I am talking properly," Marcarita said, smiling back.
"You're sure it's only this year?" Ken asked.
Marcarita laughed softly. "Ken, you look good when you're serious."
Ken held his stare.
This woman is trouble.
"Fine," Ken said, taking a slow breath. "Then I won't hold back."
"And how are you not holding back?" Marcarita asked, eyes narrowing a fraction in teasing.
"Even as an angel, my base nature is still Saiyan—the warrior race," Ken said.
"And what does that change?" Marcarita asked, smiling.
"Do you know why I kept my tail after becoming an angel?" Ken asked. His silver-white tail swayed behind him.
"Because it makes things more… interesting?" Marcarita said, thinking.
Ken didn't blink.
"Oh, I only know about that because I accidentally saw certain… human scenes," Marcarita added quickly. "I've never done it myself."
"Human scenes? Marcarita, what do you mean?" Bier asked, lost.
"Go play somewhere else, kid," Ken said. "Adults are talking."
Bier stared.
"And this is Universe 11," Ken added. "Are you seriously still confused?"
"U-Universe 11? You're lying! I'd know what universe this is!" Bier huffed.
Ken vanished.
He reappeared behind her and tapped the back of her neck.
Bier dropped without even getting a chance to react.
Marcarita stared.
"Let the dumb angel sleep over there for a while," Ken said, hoisting Bier and laying her on a nearby lounge chair.
Marcarita didn't comment.
Ken turned back to face her.
"Do you still want to spar?" Marcarita asked.
"I don't want my wife slipping away," Ken said seriously.
"You need to beat me before calling me your wife," Marcarita said, rolling her eyes.
Ken didn't argue.
"Fine," Marcarita said. "We'll spar again. But this time, I'm getting serious."
"Let's pick up where we left off," Ken said. "Where was I?"
Marcarita blinked. "Your tail."
Ken lifted his right hand, and a star-bright sphere of angel power formed in his palm.
"This is… condensed angel power," Marcarita said, surprised. "Are you planning to hit me with it?"
"Not to hit you," Ken said. "If I hit you, I'll regret it."
"You didn't hesitate at all when you hit Bier," Marcarita replied.
Ken flicked his hand upward.
The sphere floated into the sky, shining like a miniature star above the planet.
"I still don't understand," Marcarita said, looking between the sphere and Ken. "Is that supposed to supply you with angel power?"
"After I got this tail, I studied my body nonstop," Ken said. "Even more seriously than I studied yours."
Marcarita stared at him.
"I found something," Ken continued. "Even though I've condensed into a true angel, there's still a trace of Saiyan blood in me."
"Oh?" Marcarita blinked.
"That trace gathered in my tail," Ken said, the tail swaying once.
Marcarita nodded slowly.
"See that sphere above us?" Ken asked.
"I see it," Marcarita said. "I still don't know what you're doing."
"You probably don't know Saiyans that well," Ken said. "Full-moon light carries Blutz Waves. A Saiyan absorbs them through the eyes, the tail reacts—and the Great Ape transformation kicks in."
"So you're saying you can transform too?" Marcarita said, finally following.
"I trained into a true angel, but I kept a trace of Saiyan blood," Ken said. "I've been trying to merge that trace with angel blood. After a long time, I found a method."
Marcarita pointed up. "And it's connected to that sphere?"
"Same concept," Ken said. "I condensed that sphere from angel power. Once my eyes absorb it, the reaction goes to my tail—and the transformation completes."
Ken lifted his gaze and locked onto the sphere.
Golden light exploded from him.
His hair spiked upward. His pupils turned gold.
His tail shimmered gold as well.
Marcarita's mouth fell open.
"A Saiyan's transformation is called Super Saiyan," Ken said. "So I'll name mine Super Angel."
Marcarita didn't answer, clearly sensing his angel power surging higher and higher.
"And for reference," Ken added, "a Super Saiyan boosts power fifty times. Mine doesn't go that far, but it's still about ten times."
Marcarita stayed silent.
"Don't worry," Ken said. "This is a transformation I only figured out in the last year. It's not stable yet—one minute, max."
Ken smiled, sharp and confident.
"Run, Marcarita. I hope you can last one minute without losing!"
Marcarita's expression tightened.
At that instant, she could clearly sense it—Ken's angel power purity had climbed to at least level 67.
Two full levels, straight from 65.
"Oh my… I didn't know you could transform," Marcarita said, then suddenly looked past him. "Grand Priest? You came to see Ken's transformation too?"
Ken paused and glanced back.
There was nothing behind him.
When he turned again, Marcarita had already fled the planet, a star-bright streak shooting into space.
"Marcarita, I'm not bullying you," Ken said calmly, pulling out his staff. Through the crystal ball, his voice carried to her. "I'll give you a thirty-second head start."
"Countdown starts now. Thirty… twenty-nine… twenty-eight…" Ken continued.
Marcarita accelerated again.
For some reason, hearing him count made her pulse jump.
Even as she ran, she called back in a voice meant to hook you. "Come chase me. Catch me, and I'll let Vados marry you."
Ken went still.
"What does that have to do with Vados?" he said.
The moment the words left his mouth, the sphere above shattered, scattering into countless sparkling fragments that rained down over the planet.
"Heehee. Your transformation is because of that sphere, right?" Marcarita's voice rang out. "I destroyed it. Now how are you transforming?"
She looked back.
Ken was still glowing gold. He didn't revert at all.
Marcarita stared, confused.
"I forgot to tell you," Ken said with a grin. "That sphere was just for style. Even without it, I can transform like this. I already got used to using my tail to absorb my own angel power and trigger the change."
Marcarita didn't reply.
She sped up again.
"I have to run. If he catches me, I'll have to marry him."
"Eight… seven… six… one!" Ken finished counting.
Then he turned into a golden streak and shot after her.
As a Super Angel, Ken's level had reached 67—one above Marcarita.
Before, at 65, he'd been the one below her. She'd held back so he wouldn't lose too badly.
Now that he'd surpassed her, Ken returned the courtesy and held back in turn.
He pushed his speed to the limit, gold light trailing behind him like a long ribbon.
The distance kept shrinking.
Marcarita's jaw set. In speed alone, she couldn't match him.
She flickered repeatedly, leaving afterimages across the air.
Ken stayed on her.
About thirty seconds later, Ken appeared behind her and tapped her shoulder.
Marcarita stopped.
"Want to keep going?" Ken asked, smiling. "I caught you."
Marcarita took a slow breath, then shook her head. "Fine. I lost."
"That's more like it," Ken said, grinning wider.
"Didn't you say this only lasts one minute?" Marcarita said, watching him. "A minute's already passed."
Ken was still in his golden form.
"Well… last time I tested it, one minute was the limit," Ken said after a moment. "Maybe it improved on its own. It's about a minute and a half now."
Marcarita didn't speak.
"Alright," Marcarita said at last, giving him a teasing look. "By the agreement, I'll let Vados marry you."
"I'll pursue Vados myself," Ken said immediately. "I want you."
"I can marry you," Marcarita said, smiling. "But if you marry me, you can't marry Vados or Kusu."
"Then let the two of them be my lovers," Ken said, thinking it over.
Marcarita stared at him.
"As an angel, don't be so greedy," Marcarita said with a quiet sigh.
"Before my transformation fades, I'm leaving a mark on your face," Ken said.
He closed the distance in a flash.
He kissed her cheek.
Marcarita didn't pull away. She just looked at him, quiet for a beat.
"You really are something," she said.
"From now on, you're my woman," Ken said. "If anyone dares bully you, tell them my name."
Marcarita didn't answer.
Ken let the golden light fade and took a deep breath.
Marcarita studied him and saw no sign of weakness.
"When I reach level 100, I'll come back and marry you," Ken said with a smile. "Later, Marcarita-chan."
Marcarita's eyes narrowed.
Ken didn't hesitate. He turned into a star-bright streak and vanished into the sky.
Marcarita floated there, completely thrown off.
He kissed me once, then ran.
He said he'd marry me, but only after level 100?
Can he even reach level 100?
The Grand Priest trained for countless ages and still isn't level 100.
That goal is absurd.
In the end… he's still a brat.
But maybe that's good.
Marcarita exhaled, a little relieved.
At least for now, she still had no desire to marry anyone.
Ken, in truth, knew exactly where he stood.
I'm level 65. Even with the transformation, I only jump two levels, and the gap between me and the Grand Priest is still huge.
My future father-in-law is a level 95 angel.
If I can't surpass him, how am I supposed to marry three daughters?
One might be negotiable if I play it right.
Three?
The Grand Priest would teach me how to be an angel in about three seconds.
So Ken stopped while he was ahead and left Marcarita with that mark.
He also felt his Super Angel transformation still had room to develop.
Too bad Super Angel only boosted him around ten times. It couldn't compare to Super Saiyan.
Still, he didn't complain.
This was an angel transformation—ten times the purity of angel power in one leap.
Which angel can do that?
If I keep developing it, there will definitely be Super Angel Two and Super Angel Three.
There will.
There has to be.
Ken's mood soared.
As he streaked through the stars, he spotted a planet that looked familiar.
Pride Planet.
Since he was already in Universe 11, he might as well visit Pride Planet and talk ideals with Jiren.
Ken curved through space and shot toward it.
...
Belmod's Planet.
Not long after Ken left, Bier slowly came to.
"Ken! You hit me?!" Bier sprang up, furious. "In my Universe 12, you still dared to hit me?!"
Marcarita watched her calmly, saying nothing.
"Marcarita, where's Martinu-nee-san? She still isn't back?" Bier demanded.
Marcarita didn't answer.
"When Martinu-nee-san comes back, I'm making her hit him back!" Bier snapped. "Since I was born, no angel has ever hit me!"
Marcarita didn't speak.
"Marcarita, say something!" Bier insisted. "Don't you think he went too far?"
"Bier," Marcarita said with a quiet sigh, "this is Universe 11."
Bier's expression slowly locked up.
She stayed silent for a full ten seconds.
"Universe 11? Hahaha… no wonder the layout and style felt different," Bier said, rubbing the back of her head with an awkward laugh. "I thought Martinu-nee-san renovated while I was gone for a year… misunderstanding, misunderstanding."
Marcarita stared at her.
"Where's Ken?" Bier asked.
"He already left," Marcarita replied.
"Left? That's disgusting!" Bier gnashed her teeth. "He hit me and ran?"
"Bier, as an angel, you should keep a calm heart," Marcarita said. "Don't get angry so easily."
"I'm going to report him to the Grand Priest!" Bier huffed.
A staff appeared in her hand. She tapped it lightly against the ground and turned into a star-bright streak, shooting into space.
Watching her vanish, Marcarita sighed.
Can you even find Zeno-sama's Palace?
That's the wrong direction.
Marcarita's head started to ache.
But more than anything, she was still shaken by Ken.
A human who trained into an angel… in just twenty-something years, he'd already reached strength beyond true angels.
Incredible.
Maybe he really can reach level 100.
If he does…
Marrying him… might not be so bad.
Maybe we could even have a very high-quality little angel.
No. I need to stay away from Bier. If my baby angel ends up as slow as her, I'll lose my mind.
Marcarita realized she'd drifted into too many thoughts...
[End of chapter]
[100 Power Stones = Extra Chapter]
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