A massive pillar of light stood in the distance, with countless stars dotting the world. Jean carefully examined her surroundings and found herself standing above the void. However, she didn't feel like she was going to fall. It was as if some unknown force was supporting her feet.
"Klee, Lumine, Paimon, and Takagi are all here. Wait, where is Barbara?" Jean asked anxiously.
"Don't worry, Barbara is right ahead." Takagi put one hand on Jean's shoulder and pointed forward with the other. Jean looked up and indeed saw Barbara a dozen meters away. At this moment, Barbara was stepping towards the pillar of light not far away.
"Don't go over; this is a critical moment." Takagi held back Jean, who wanted to run over, and said solemnly.
"Takagi, what do you mean by a critical moment? Also, where is this place?" Jean asked.
Takagi: "A space in the universe where an Aeon might cast a glance."
Jean: "Universe space? Wait, you mean an Aeon might cast their gaze on Barbara here?"
"Exactly!" Takagi nodded slightly and said: "Only Barbara's consciousness was supposed to come here. But because of my Blessing, my consciousness and the consciousness of those who came with me can briefly enter. In this space, the flow of time outside is almost zero, so you don't have to worry about monsters like the Outworld Blaze being able to harm our bodies."
Lumine: "So, Barbara will be the first among us to step onto a Path?"
Klee: "What about Hook? Why didn't Hook come here?"
Takagi: "Little Hook wasn't covered by my Blessing, so she couldn't come here. But Klee, you can rest assured; once Barbara succeeds, you will be able to see Hook again."
Hearing this, Klee immediately relaxed and turned her curious gaze towards Barbara. Paimon also looked curiously in Barbara's direction. If Takagi hadn't stopped Jean from going forward earlier, Paimon would have already gone to where Barbara was.
"Finally, I can know about the Aeons. I wonder if an Aeon is as powerful as Takagi said," Paimon muttered.
As soon as she finished speaking, a burst of intense light suddenly erupted in the distance. It attracted the attention of Paimon and the others.
"Wh-what is that!" Paimon widened her eyes, looking at the giant figure appearing in the pillar of light. Her eyes were slightly closed, and a gentle light shone upon all corners of the universe, appearing so noble. However, the eye-like objects growing on her multiple arms and legs made her appear slightly eerie.
Even so, Paimon, Lumine, Jean, and Klee all had to admit the greatness of the being before them. This feeling seemed to appear in everyone's hearts subconsciously.
"That is the Aeon of Abundance - Yaoshi," Takagi said.
As soon as he finished speaking, the Abundance Aeon's slightly closed eyes gradually opened and looked at Barbara. Immediately, Jean and the others saw layers of faint green light surging from Barbara, enveloping her entirely.
"What powerful strength; has Barbara successfully stepped onto a Path? And that Abundance Aeon... it's truly awe-inspiring. Are there such great beings in the universe?" Lumine said with deep emotion. The moment the Abundance Aeon opened her eyes and cast her gaze, Lumine felt her heart skip a beat. Facing the Abundance Aeon, she couldn't muster any resistance. And this was even when the Abundance Aeon was not looking at Lumine, but at Barbara.
Like Lumine, Paimon, Jean, and Klee were equally surprised.
"Is this Path power? It made Barbara's aura instantly surpass mine," Jean exclaimed.
"This is great! Sister Barbara has become even stronger," Klee raised her hands excitedly.
"A Path... it can really make a person stronger quickly. And Aeons... do they really exist?" Paimon stood rooted to the spot, mumbling these words unconsciously. When the Aeon glanced at Barbara just now, Paimon almost fell directly from the air. Having witnessed such a great being with her own eyes, no matter how much Paimon didn't want to believe in the Path and Aeons that Takagi spoke of, she had to believe now.
"Time is almost up; it's time for us to leave." Takagi looked up, gazing at the Abundance Aeon who was gradually disappearing beneath the light.
Barbara had stepped onto the Path of Abundance. Takagi understood that they would soon return to Belobog. Just then, Takagi suddenly noticed that the Abundance Aeon seemed to have glanced in his direction. Not only that, the smile on the Abundance Aeon's face seemed even more pronounced than before.
"Hmm?! Is this… a glance at me?" Takagi was startled. Before he could figure out what happened, the entire space suddenly shattered.
Takagi, Barbara, Jean, and the others returned to Belobog once again.