The competition in the Colosseum was booming. However, this was not a competition of strength but creativity and skill. In the venue for the match, Issei saw the crowd of people gathered. It was more than he thought. He attributed the crowd to Hephaestus' beauty. She was one of the most beautiful people he had met in Orario. There was Syr, but he didn't like her very much. He could tell that she was pretty scheming. He didn't think the crowd had anything to do with him. But it did. People wanted to see the person from the rumors that defeated the Sword Princess.
Issei said to Hephaestus, "We've got one hell of a crowd here," He looked around and saw no available seats. They were full to the brim.
Using his magic sense, Issei can tell that more people wanted to watch the match live but couldn't. He added, "Well, then. We must give them a show they would never forget".
Hephaestus nodded her head in agreement. "I agree and plan to forge with the best of my abilities and authority."
She took out her hammer and activated her Arcanum. She was serious. This is when all these people will witness a weapon forged by a Goddess using her Arcanum. They could not wait to see what they had in store for them to see.
An announcer came to the stage and announced what needed to be said. Starting with, "Ladies and Gentlemen! Today, we have a special event. A competition between a Human and a Divine! This is quite unprecedented. No mortal has ever had the guts to straight-up challenge a Divine! Isn't this quite a treat!"
The crowd went wild. They can't wait to see what happens in the end. The announcer added, "Now before you all think this is a fistfight between a Human and A Goddess, you are wrong. No, these two will compete to see who is better at forging! Thus, they would give it their all to make something of immense power. As a result, Goddess Hephaestus is permitted to use her Arcanum!"
The crowd went, "Whoooooooa! Ooooooooooh!" the excitement could be felt a mile away. The people that were not aware of the competition felt excited as well for no reason.
The announcer said, "Now! Let me introduce you to Goddess Hephaestus! Everyone already knows her as she is the Goddess who owns the greatest forge of Orario! Give a round of cheering for our lovely Goddess!"
A round of cheering for her was heard. Others even shouted that they loved her and wanted to marry her.
The announcer continued, "Now! We have an unknown! Well, for those who are not that well-informed, at least. This newcomer has exploded since he got here. He has made great achievements that would make everyone like noobs! He is the man that defeated the Sword Princess, Hyoudou Issei!"
Loud cheering different from Hephaestus was heard. There was a shock in the cheering.
Deep within the dungeon of Babel, Issei-II and Ddraig were having a hard time, but they made progress. They were one floor deeper.
[Partner! Quickly move to your right!] warned Ddraig. As he said this, Issei-II took no time and moved to his right. As he did, the area burst into flame as a monster attacked it.
Issei-II saw the damage and said, "G-Good timing, Ddraig! Any second later, I would have been toasted."
He added, "When do you think my counterpart will come here?"
[Not sure. I think you should be glad that he isn't here. Otherwise, you would be in deep trouble. I have a feeling that he has passed us by already] said Ddraig. He was afraid of Issei just as much as Issei-II was afraid.
Issei-II held the sword he had on him and got ready to head deeper into the dungeon. He said, "Do you think we would ever reach the 50th floor? I want to do my best, but I doubt achieving such a feat without you."
[I think you'll do fine if you get your head in the game] said Ddraig. He believed that wholeheartedly.
[You have immense potential deep within you, but it is buried in your perverseness. Lessen that a fraction, and you may be able to reveal a glimmer of your potential] added Ddraig.
Back with the competition, Issei and Hephaestus were already hammering their metal. They are genuinely pushing themselves to the limit. Issei has no visual effect that shows he is giving it his all, but the invisible aura around him says otherwise. As for Hephaestus, her usage of her Arcanum is visible, as is her divinity.
In Issei's hand is his hammer. It allows him to push his blacksmithing further.
In the crowd, two were the loudest when cheering for Issei. One shouted, "Ise! Show her what you can do and claim her heart!" this was Raynare. She was shamelessly revealing what she realized about Hephaestus.
The other one shouted, "Show her that her doubt about your abilities is unfounded! Defeat her, and I will do things you've only dreamed of!"
Issei rolled his eyes. Even without that incentive, he would give his best, which excited him.
Raynare asked Serafall, "Hey, do you think Ise could beat Hephaestus? She is a Goddess in this field. It would be challenging."
Serafall thought momentarily before saying, "I believe he can. Goddess or not, Ise is just as amazing at blacksmithing. While Hephaestus has her Divinity and Arcanum, Issei has his hammer and flame. I'll say they are neck and neck, but he has the advantage."
Raynare asks, "Why do you say that?"
Serafall replied, "Because Ise once told me he could analyze his Sacred Gear and how they work."
Raynare exclaimed, "No way! This is his win. From what I can see in this world, their weapons are simple. If Ise was to make something akin to a Sacred Gear, then there is no way he would lose."
Serafall said, "That's true. The only problem is that Sacred Gears have souls in them to power them. Ise does not have a single soul he could use to make a true Sacred Gear. But, he might be able to find a workaround that somehow."
Raynare smacked Serafall on the shoulder, saying, "Why do you have to say it in a negative then a positive way? I thought creating a Sacred Gear would have been useless."
Serafall was right. Issei was making an Artificial Sacred Gear. One that requires no souls. However, it wasn't easy since he needed to make something similar to a Mana Pathway in the item. Difficult but exciting. If he accomplishes it here, he could make other Artificial Sacred Gear.
Time passed, and Hephaestus was done in her creation, but Issei was not. He was concentrating and needed to do so since he had one shot to do it since this was a competition.
Once Issei was done, people stared at his creation. It was a sphere. That was it.
The announcer said, "Hephaestus-sama has made a powerful, indestructible sword! Can you guys feel it? The power emitting from the sword? Please, Hephaestus-sama, explain to us your weapon."
Hephaestus nodded, saying, "I call it Celestia's Blade. The sword is crafted from a mythical material that can only be found in Heaven. It is as light as a feather yet possesses the strength of a thousand mortal swords combined. When wielded by a worthy and pure-hearted individual, the sword becomes an extension of their will, granting them exceptional strength, agility, and skill. Celestia's Blade can cut through almost anything, whether armor, stone, or magical barriers. Its edge is so sharp that it leaves no resistance, slicing through foes effortlessly. This, however, is dependent on the wielder's stats."
The crowd went wild. They wanted to acquire the weapon, but the words of Hephaestus shut them up, "Unfortunately, I do not plan to sell this weapon. It will be sent to Heaven."
The announcer nodded and said, "Now! We have the…uhm…thing that Hyoudou Issei has created! Whatever the heck that is. Could you please tell us what it is that you have created?"
Issei nodded and said, "This is a Sacred Gear. It doesn't look much right now, but once you integrate with it, you should be able to see what it is. So, can I please ask the Sword Princess to come down here? I did create this for her."
Ais Wallenstein looked at Issei in surprise, but she came down the stage. As she arrived, Issei handed the sphere to her, which he taught her how to integrate. Once done, he asked her to activate it.
The crowd went wild. Ais Wallenstein, in her civilian clothes, was now dawning a new armor and sword.
Issei said, "This is Dragon's Dawn. The materials used for it were Uru and Vibranium. The armor grants its wearer unparalleled protection, rendering them nearly impervious to physical harm. Swords and arrows seem to bounce harmlessly off its surface, and even the most potent magical attacks struggle to breach its barrier.
Whenever the wearer faces injury or fatigue, the armor emits a gentle, warm light that soothes and heals their wounds. This healing aura extends to nearby allies, restoring their vitality and bolstering their resolve. It also allows its wearer to fly, soaring through the heavens gracefully and swiftly. This ability grants a newfound perspective and tactical advantage in battle.
Those are active skills. The passive is Extreme Adaptation. No matter your environment, you'll adapt to it in no time. Plus, the armor would evolve with the wearer and, if given time, gain sentience to assist you in battle."
Taking the sword Hephaestus made, Issei struck Ais, but it merely bounced off.
Hephaestus had her mouth open in shock. She said, "Yeah, I don't even have anything to say to that. I can create a growth weapon, but nothing like yours."
Hephaestus admitted defeat. The crowd went wild. But there was nothing but a smile on the Goddess' face.
