This child has opened up a lot compared to the obedient and sensible girl from a few days ago.
Regarding this, Rias couldn't help but feel gratified.
Rias was not born divine; she just progressed very quickly.
For her, regardless of strength or weakness, all the group members could exist as friends.
Anyway, even those stronger than her now would eventually be surpassed in the future, so Rias never considered strength or weakness when making friends.
A true dragon can leap out of even a pond.
Half a month passed in a flash—
During this time, Rias's strength continuously improved.
Although she hadn't reached the limit of the Sixth Sense, she had already begun exploring the domain of the Seventh Sense.
In fact, the Five Senses, Sixth Sense, and Seventh Sense are not domains one can only enter after reaching the previous one's limit.
Many Sixth Sense warriors do not have overly sharp Five Senses.
Seventh Sense warriors are not proficient in the psychic abilities possessed by the Sixth Sense.
These are all normal phenomena.
To advance to the Seventh Sense, one either lets it happen naturally or frantically burns their Small Universe to the extreme, after which they can perceive the realm of the ultimate Small Universe.
Whichever method, for Rias, it was merely a way of progressing.
Compared to the humans of the Saint Seiya world, Rias's body harbored vast potential.
No matter how much she burned, more nourishment would integrate.
This nourishment was sufficient to forcefully push her to the immense level of the Eighth Sense.
"Truly incredible."
Rias exclaimed: "After your talent fully manifested, your progress speed is so astonishing. Even in this world where gods and demons coexist, you are now among the top ranks."
"But I still can't compare to Big Sister Rias~"
Little Yasuri Nanami nodded her head, her tiny feet swinging back and forth, looking extremely adorable.
"I started cultivating from infancy and took six years to reach this point."
Rias smiled and patted Yasuri Nanami's head, saying: "And you, in less than a month, have reached the realm of a Transcendent."
Transcendents, as the name implies, are those who transcend racial boundaries.
This was the first time Rias had seen a human Transcendent, and with her own rapid progress, she would soon possess a complete concept of it.
Copying and Disease Demon.
The two concepts gradually became complete, continuously absorbing nourishment from Rias.
"It feels unreal."
Yasuri Nanami said softly: "Only one thing is certain: my body doesn't hurt anymore, and the whole world feels full of hope."
"Being healthy, free from pain, able to think normally about oneself and one's own future—that's enough."
Rias said: "Humans and gods are the same in all but the things they can do."
After speaking, Rias stretched and said: "If you get bored, you could go to the school and be a teacher. Experiencing different lives leads to more insights and truly clarifies what you want."
Yasuri Nanami blinked, not quite understanding.
"A teacher... I've never been one, but that wouldn't be hard for me~"
Yasuri Nanami said.
Though very young, Yasuri Nanami was certain she could easily accomplish anything she set out to do.
Except when facing Rias.
Even after reaching what Rias called the 'level surpassing gods and demons,' she still couldn't see through Rias.
This made her even more interested in Rias.
"Understanding something and doing it yourself yield completely different insights~"
Rias smiled, then said: "Or if there's something you want to do, go do it yourself. Life's insights have nothing to do with talent; without experiencing it personally, you can't truly understand."
"I have some things to attend to next, so I'll be leaving for a while."
"Then, take care." Yasuri Nanami stood up and kissed Rias on the cheek.
Rias froze for a moment, looking at Yasuri Nanami's cute, natural face, like a blade of grass.
At that moment, Rias suddenly felt she couldn't quite see into Yasuri Nanami's heart.
Rias didn't feel discomfort at Yasuri Nanami slipping beyond her control; instead, she felt somewhat gratified.
This child finally seemed different from before.
Changed, huh~
Another person changed by me~
Like Jibril~
Smiling, Rias left Castlevania via Heavenly Transfer, while Yasuri Nanami stood there lost in thought for a while.
She remembered her past.
That person, very similar to her but clearly in adult form, seemed to be saying something.
"It hurts, doesn't it? So pitiful."
"Not even having the right to choose death, so pitiful."
"So pitiful."
Pitiful... such voices echoed like a haunting curse.
Am I... pitiful?
How... boring.
The scene shifted, and an expressionless young man appeared before her.
His expression was incredibly complex as he spoke with difficulty:
"I'm sorry, I have nothing I can teach you."
"You are too abnormal."
Again, utterly boring.
Boring people, boring judgments, boring outcomes.
Though her family, they only shared the similarity of being 'abnormal.'
Only when Yasuri Nanami's younger brother, Nanahana, was born did she feel a bit of anticipation.
He was a good child.
With one glance, Yasuri Nanami made that judgment.
And compared to her parents, Rias understood her immensely.
Whether in temperament or talent.
Yet, even when the two interacted, she never showed any unusual emotions.
She understood her own abnormality, knew how terrifying her talent was.
Yet, Rias still treated her as a friend.
Yes, simply as a friend.
As a friend, it didn't matter if she was abnormal, a monster, or even a god.
Because in Rias's eyes, Yasuri Nanami had only one identity: a friend.
Perhaps with a bit of a senior looking at a child?
Even though she's a year younger than me... whether that's truly the case or she's just hiding it well, let me verify it properly.
Yasuri Nanami's eyes regained their luster.
Her childish face bore a gaze so profound.
Within that profound gaze, there was also a hint of delight.
"Life is truly wonderful~"
Yasuri Nanami couldn't help but sigh again.
In the past, it was a life without secrets, without meaning.
Now it feels so beautiful.
Because the world is different?
No, even if the world is different, the essence remains unchanged.
The demons of this world are no different from the humans of her world.
Except for the vitality blooming in this city!
However, the birth of this city, its meaning, the source of its vitality, is that girl.
So, the world and life have no secrets and no meaning.
But after having her, they gained meaning?
Yasuri Nanami couldn't help but think so.
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