Chapter 2: Apprenticeship with the Kind Saga

“What is your name?” The Pope’s voice was gentle, yet brimmed with authority.

“My name is Feng Zhe! I am a novice candidate!” At this moment, Feng Zhe was not even a reserve Saint; he was merely a trainee.

“In that case, are you willing to become my disciple?” The Pope’s words instantly unsettled Argo Road, who hurriedly protested, “Your Holiness, this boy has committed a mistake…”

The Pope waved his hand and spoke, “I am already aware of this matter. There is no collective punishment in the Sanctuary. Argo Road, your duty is finished.”

Though Argo Road was reluctant, there was nothing more he could do; he could only bow his head and reply, “Yes, Your Holiness,” then left without looking back.

“I am willing. Teacher, your disciple greets you!” Feng Zhe did not hesitate, but accepted immediately. He knew well that the man before him was the kind-hearted Saga, and that when the story’s events began, he would take his own life before Saori.

But now, for Feng Zhe, kind Saga was undoubtedly the best teacher he could hope for.

“Very well. From this day forth, you are my disciple. I bestow upon you the name Alex!”

Feng Zhe’s mouth dropped open; he could hardly believe his ears. Never did he expect that he would become the legendary acting Pope, Alex!

…

One month later

Feng Zhe shattered a boulder several meters high with a single punch. Excited, he turned to the Pope and declared, “Teacher, I have awakened my Cosmos!”

“Excellent. To awaken your Cosmos without donning the Cloth means you already possess the strength of a Bronze Saint. Tomorrow, you shall wear the Cloth and begin to comprehend the techniques of the Altar Cloth.”

Kind Saga was indeed a remarkable teacher. Throughout the past month, he had not taught Feng Zhe any techniques, but instead started from the very beginning. Each day was spent honing the body and unraveling the mysteries of the Cosmos. It was precisely because of this that Feng Zhe progressed so swiftly.

For a Saint to learn techniques, apart from being taught by a master, he could also comprehend them from the Cloth itself. However, insight gained from the Cloth was exceedingly difficult, and the higher the rank of the Cloth, the harder it became. For instance, even Dohko, honored as the Libra Gold Saint, continued to use techniques from the Dragon Cloth.

The power of a technique, however, depended on the Saint’s Cosmos. For example, Dohko’s Rozan Rising Dragon at level 100 could easily overwhelm Libra’s ultimate move, Absolute Justice, at level 50.

Of course, if both were at level 100, Absolute Justice would still have an edge.

Feng Zhe donned the Altar Cloth and began his meditation.

However…

A day passed…

Two days passed…

A month went by…

Feng Zhe still failed to grasp any techniques of the Altar Cloth.

During this period, Kind Saga had given him an autobiography of the previous Altar Saint, which recorded the techniques of the Altar Cloth—Sacrifice!

Nevertheless, he simply could not comprehend it, which left Feng Zhe deeply frustrated.

Fortunately, the Pope encouraged him, saying, “To comprehend a technique surpassing those of Silver Saints right from the start is truly a daunting task.”

“If you truly cannot manage it, I shall teach you the Pegasus Saint’s techniques instead…”

A cold sweat broke out on Feng Zhe’s forehead. If he and Seiya both unleashed the Pegasus Meteor Fist in the future, it would be like two impostors meeting the real one—a most awkward encounter.

Feng Zhe quickly shook his head. “Teacher, please grant me a year.”

Behind the Pope’s mask, no expression could be seen; he merely replied calmly, “Very well.”

After that, Feng Zhe led a fulfilling life. Each day, apart from his arduous training, he would meditate before the statue of Athena. This was allowed by the Pope and was a privilege of being his disciple.

However, the endless meditation yielded no results; even after a full year, nothing changed.

Just when Feng Zhe was about to give up, a visitor arrived at the Pope’s Palace.

Upon seeing Feng Zhe, the newcomer greeted him with a smile. “Ah, Alex, still training so diligently?”

“Lord Deathmask, you’re teasing me again!”

“Haha, how would I dare tease the future acting Pope!” Deathmask showed not a trace of his usual cold cunning, especially toward Feng Zhe, the Pope’s personal disciple. He was all goodwill.

Feng Zhe now seriously suspected that Deathmask’s mind had been warped after being under the evil Saga’s control for so long; only then could he explain why the Cloth abandoned him in the end.

Thinking of evil Saga, Feng Zhe could only sigh. He felt that the Pope’s daily “meditation sessions” had grown longer and longer…

“Lord Deathmask, are you here to see the Pope?”

“Yes. There are signs of Underworld activity on Crete recently…” Deathmask did not conceal his concern.

Feng Zhe pondered Crete, and suddenly recalled that in the Underworld arc, both Radamanthys and Minos originated from Crete!

“That’s odd. Isn’t Dohko on Mount Lushan watching over the 108 Evil Stars?”

Feng Zhe muttered under his breath, but it could not escape the notice of Deathmask, who had already awakened the Seventh Sense.

“You know quite a bit, kid. The master on Mount Five Elders is indeed watching the Evil Stars, but in recent years, he seems to have fallen out with the Pope. There’s been no news from him for a long time.”

Feng Zhe showed nothing on his face, but inwardly, he already knew. With Dohko’s temperament, he never took Saga seriously. He was waiting—for Saori in far-off Japan to grow, waiting for a chance to turn the tables.

To him, the current Saga was nothing but a puppet guarding the Sanctuary.

“Come, let’s go see the Pope!”

Feng Zhe was well acquainted with the Pope’s Hall, so he led Deathmask there at once.

After a short wait, they saw the Pope, still concealed in his heavy mantle.

But this time, Feng Zhe’s hair stood on end.

The presence radiating from the Pope was filled with malice, and most striking of all, his hair was black!

Deathmask noticed nothing, simply half-knelt and reported the strange happenings on Crete.

Feng Zhe dared not move a muscle, terrified that this evil Saga might do something to him.

“Deathmask, you are to depart for Crete immediately to investigate,” the Pope commanded.

“At once!” Deathmask accepted the order and left the Pope’s Hall without hesitation.

Feng Zhe inwardly cursed his luck and prepared to withdraw as well.

“Alex!” The masked Pope suddenly spoke, sending chills down Feng Zhe’s spine. He suppressed his urge to flee and half-knelt before him.

“No wonder you are the Altar Saint—the most unique among the 88 Zodiac Saints…”

“Teacher, what is wrong?” Feng Zhe eyed the Pope warily, his hands unconsciously tightening into fists.

The Pope said nothing, but extended a finger. As swift as lightning, a beam of light shot forth.

It struck Feng Zhe squarely on the forehead.

“Ah!!”

Once again, Feng Zhe was completely paralyzed. Yet the terror this time far surpassed what he had felt before Argo Road a year ago!