The majestic Sanctuary stood atop the mountain peaks. Twelve Gold Temples surrounded the central Pope's Chamber like stars, reflecting dazzling golden light under the setting sun.
Ancient stone steps wound upwards, flanked by statues of Saints from past generations.
A breeze blew past, carrying the distant shouts from training grounds and the clanging of Bronze Cloths.
Asmita led the two through the Twelve Houses, arriving at the Pope's Chamber.
Within the deep, solemn hall, Pope Sage sat upon the high throne, his aged face concealed by a golden mask.
"Your Holiness." Asmita gave a slight bow. "These two youths encountered Atavaka's projection in the wilderness and managed to repel him. They wish to become Saints who protect the earth."
Pope Sage's gaze lingered on the two for a moment, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. "Surviving an encounter with Atavaka… you have already proven your strength."
He paused. "However, Sanctuary has its rules. Even for you, you must first train as Candidate Saints."
"Yes, sir!" Both replied without hesitation.
After the two withdrew, Asmita remained in the hall, his voice low. "Your Holiness, that youth named Setsuna… his body contains a terrifying dark power. That power even startles me. Can he truly be trusted?"
Pope Sage was silent for a long while, finally shaking his head. "Asmita, the nature of power has never determined a person's good or evil."
He rose and walked towards the hall entrance, gazing towards the distant Gemini Temple.
"Defteros is the shadow of Gemini, regarded as a 'malefic star' since childhood. Yet both you and I know that within his heart lies a purity of goodness surpassing anyone else's."
Pope Sage said gravely, "Although Setsuna's origins are unclear, he did not retreat when facing a Specter. With the Holy War approaching, we need to unite every possible strength."
Asmita pondered for a moment, then nodded slightly. "I will continue to observe him."
"Go," Pope Sage sat back upon the high throne. "Sanctuary's future rests upon these young people."
…
Sanctuary's dormitories were built against the mountain. Stone walls were covered in ivy. Through narrow windows, one could see the distant spire of the Scorpio Temple.
Inside the dormitory were only two granite-carved stone beds. A bronze oil lamp in the corner cast flickering shadows on the stone walls, giving a sense of weight from passing years.
"This is great, Setsuna-nii!" Dohko excitedly sat on a stone bed. "We got assigned the same dorm!"
Setsuna smiled and asked, "You're really looking forward to becoming a Saint?"
"Of course!" Dohko's eyes shone. "Protecting the earth, fighting evil… that's what a real man should do!"
From outside the window came the sound of a training horn in the night, along with the faint shouts and clashing of Bronze Saints.
Setsuna looked up at the starry sky. He hadn't expected his current transmigration to be to the generation of the Holy War before Seiya's time, and moreover, a different timeline from the official history.
...
At the first light of dawn, the two stood in a mottled, circular arena.
This ancient training ground had weathered millennia. The stone steps were covered in marks from swords, blades, and fists.
Dozens of Candidate Saints gathered here, their eyes constantly scanning the two newcomers.
"What's the background of that black-haired youth?"
"I heard he's from some Land of the Immortals?"
"A mysterious ancient Eastern Country?"
Compared to Setsuna, Dohko undoubtedly received more attention.
The reason was simple: Setsuna's age was 'too old'.
Although he looked only eighteen or nineteen, for a Saint, this was already 'advanced age'. Most Saints earned their Cloths' recognition before the age of fifteen.
Amidst the whispers, Dohko somewhat uncomfortably rubbed the back of his head.
Suddenly, the ground trembled slightly.
"Haha, everyone's here early!"
A thunderous laugh boomed as a burly figure stepped into the arena.
"I heard two more newcomers arrived today. I'm your instructor, the Taurus Gold Saint, Rasgado."
Seeing Rasgado, Setsuna inwardly felt a pang of regret.
If he hadn't already decided to focus on the soul during this trip to the Saint Seiya World, the strength-specialized Taurus would have been an excellent master to learn from.
Rasgado was one of the three most senior Gold Saints. Not rigid but rather hearty, he said cheerfully, "Every time newcomers arrive, I have to reiterate the beliefs of the Saints as a matter of routine. Don't find me annoying."
"The age of myths hasn't passed for too long. This earth still has spirits, fairies, werewolves, vampires, centaurs, wizards, and the enemy of all living beings… the Specters!"
"Compared to these monsters, humans are so weak. To protect this earth, we can only rely on our strength, on our Cosmos. Only those who comprehend the Cosmos and awaken the Sixth Sense can become true Saints."
"And to awaken the Sixth Sense, one must undergo extreme training, pushing the five senses to their limits, merging with nature and the universe, truly unlocking the human body's potential to reach the realm of the Sixth Sense."
Rasgado looked around. "Now, who wants to experience a guidance match first?"
The arena fell silent. Several more senior candidates unconsciously took half a step back, the memory of a challenger from last year bedridden for three months still vivid.
Then, a hand rose.
"I'll go." Setsuna stepped forward.
Rasgado raised his thick eyebrows. "Haha, the newcomers sure have spirit. Kid, state your name."
Setsuna said seriously, "Chiaki Setsuna."
Rasgado nodded. "You can attack first."
Setsuna warned, "Be careful. My strength is quite considerable."
Rasgado laughed heartily. "Haha, I am a Gold Saint, after all. Your strength won't be able to shake me."
The moment the words left his mouth, Setsuna's figure vanished!
Boom!
An ear-splitting roar echoed as Setsuna's fist slammed heavily into Rasgado's chest.
A terrifying impact force erupted instantly. The air compressed into a visible ring-shaped shockwave.
Rasgado's entire body flew backward like a cannonball.
"What?!" The watching Candidate Saints widened their eyes, almost unable to believe what they saw.
"Rasgado-sama was sent flying?!"
"That's the Taurus Saint, the symbol of strength!"
Rasgado's body traced an arc through the air before landing heavily, his feet plowing two deep furrows in the ground, sliding back dozens of meters before barely stopping.
Setsuna was equally shocked.
He hadn't held back with that punch. In theory, it was powerful enough to flatten a mountain range.
Yet Rasgado was merely forced back, not even cracking the ground beneath his feet.
Clearly, Rasgado had absorbed the entire impact force by himself, with no power leaking outward. Rasgado's control over power was far superior to his own.