The Angel Prepares (1)

A brief silence fell...

"You're just a kid yourself, but look at that rude mouth."

"And you're so old, but you can't tell when to butt in and when to shut up? How shameless."

"You pathetic fools! What kind of disgrace is this in front of a child?"

In the end, the professors started arguing. Not physically, of course—just a verbal spat. But even that simple exchange carried an overwhelming pressure. It was so intense Refri could barely move.

A phrase suddenly popped into Refri's mind: 'Dragons can subdue lesser beings just by showing their anger. It's called Dragon Fear.'

'Scary. I can't move. Is this like Dragon Fear...?'

There were still plenty of civilians around. Refri knew he had to diffuse the situation before this pressure engulfed them.

'It's hard even to open my mouth, but if it's an angel's racial trait...!'

In that instant, Refri gained superhuman resistance. He barely managed to open his mouth.

"Stop it!"

Squawk— As someone from the heavens, Refri's voice was ridiculously high-pitched, but it was heavenly enough not to sound too ugly even when he yelled like that.

"Don't you three realize how much of a nuisance this fight is to the people around you?" Refri shouted boldly. Because...

It was all thanks to Angel Power. The professors, witnessing this, couldn't help but raise their evaluation of Refri even higher. He had the willpower to resist the fear they had accidentally unleashed, and he boldly spoke truth to power against someone strong enough to emit such pressure. They couldn't help but covet him more.

"Sorry."

"My apologies."

"I went too far with my words."

So they quickly reached an agreement. It ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠was embarrassing even for these untouchable powerhouses to act so disgracefully in front of a potential disciple. Of course, that wasn't the main reason—the real worry was that if they kept it up, Refri might get disappointed and go to another professor instead.

"Then let's leave it to the boy's choice. What do you say?"

"Sounds good! We'll each explain what we can offer, and the kid can decide."

With that, the professors began describing what they could provide if the boy became their disciple.

"Kiddo, I'll go first."

Rusa sauntered over to Refri, adopting the classic posture of a predator. Taller than Refri—who barely topped 160 cm—by at least 10 cm, she was the strongest of the three despite her lack of bulging muscles. Wearing nothing over her sports bra but a black jacket, her boldly curved lines were impossible to hide even under the compression. Her long, straight legs were the same.

"I've never taken a disciple before. So if you become mine, you'll be my first in life. In short, you'll be taking my... first..."

"Stop! What the hell are you saying in front of a kid?!"

Thwack— Park Jinho struck Rusa's head with his scabbard. She winced without dodging.

"Ow! That hurts, you jerk!"

"That's why I hit you, Rusa."

"Ugh, you old fogey. You're way younger than me, so why..."

Rusa fiddled with her orange bobbed hair, cleared her throat, and continued.

"I can teach you the Elf Royal Secret Martial Arts."

"Fairy Fighting Method of the Elf Kingdom?"

Refri thought, 'No way?'

"You think elves are just good with bows? Big mistake. They're decent with bows, but they're even better at punching people. Why? Elves are primitive tribes who can't use fire because it burns trees. No swords for them? No iron arrowheads?"

Her hand naturally slipped into her jacket. She pulled out a white cigarette pack.

Thwack— Park Jinho immediately intervened.

"Oww!"

"No smoking in front of a student!"

"Ugh... Ow... I'm over two hundred years old, and this guy's not even a quarter my age... This hurts like hell..."

Rusa muttered while clutching her head.

"But in our world—or your world's 'otherworld' terms—elves are top-tier. How? They've spent over ten thousand years perfecting bare-handed combat. And the essence of those ten millennia is the Elf Royal Secret Martial Arts. Shortened to Fairy Fighting Method... What do you think? Wanna learn?"

"...It's tempting."

Refri answered honestly. Fairy Fighting Method—Rusa's fists had slain countless Demon King officers. Angel martial arts were comprehensive, covering swords, fists, spears, and more, but Fairy Fighting Method poured everything into punches, the secret art of the fairy royals...

"Young one, allow me to explain next."

Klein, tall and lanky, adjusted his monocle and spoke.

"In simple terms... I am very wealthy."

"Whoa."

"Far beyond what you can imagine, young one."

"W-Wow."

Park Jinho immediately cut in.

"That's not the point right now, is it? Don't tempt the boy with gold."

"Ahem, very well... As you know, studying magic engineering costs a fortune. But with me, you needn't worry about that ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠at all."

Klein Magic. It was a field Refri lacked confidence in. But he couldn't outright refuse.

'I have to recommend Soya to Professor Klein somehow, so she can grow stronger than in the future.'

"I'll think about it."

"Then it's my turn."

Park Jinho set down his scabbard and spoke.

"This professor is the Vice Principal of Central Superhuman Academy, the strongest there aside from the Dean."

Refri glanced at the other two. They looked indignant at his claim but didn't dare object.

"And among those who have entered the Sword Gate, I boast the highest achievements—regardless of dimension."

What arrogance. Yet Rusa nodded in agreement, and Klein bowed his head as if annoyed by the truth. Refri wasn't surprised either.

'Park Jinho, leader of Cheonggu Guild, which survived until humanity's near-extinction...'

"The swordsmanship I practice is called Cheonggu Sword. I wish to pass it on to you."

And so, the moment of choice arrived for Refri.

"We respect your decision, Refri."

"Not me."

"Rusa, shut it."

Refri pondered. Not too short, not too long. Which choice was best for him? How could he maximize his gains?

He decided to be honest.

"Professors... I'm sorry, but... I've been awakened as a superhuman for less than a month."

"Impossible."

"Hmm."

The professors were naturally shocked. Refri realized he needed to keep telling the truth. That's how he'd gain the most.

"So I still don't know what I'm good at..."

"Then."

"If it's okay with you professors, maybe I could rotate classes with all three of you... and pursue what I'm talented in?"

This was the best option. Why pour effort into fish already hooked? Better to learn everything from all three without committing fully.

'Please work...' Refri made a desperate face. It worked pretty well.

"Makes sense."

"No helping it."

"Hmph, annoying... but kiddo. In a few weeks, you'll choose me as your one and only master."

Thus, Refri gained three masters.

"Thank you!"

Watching Refri bow with a bright smile, the three professors—who had worn different expressions until now—unconsciously mirrored the same one: a satisfied smile.

Refri had earned plenty of Angel Power during the exam. Now it was time to allocate it.

'My Divine Abilities are strong enough. So this Angel Power goes all to stats.'

His current stats were Strength: 10, Agility: 6, Magic: 12, Superhuman Power: 5. With the accumulated Angel Power, he could raise four stats.

Refri thought for a moment. Then...

He poured it all into Agility. The reason? The stat system's multiplier effect at multiples of ten, of course.

'Agility at 10 now. Definitely superhuman territory.'

It was rare to grow this fast. Stats required immense effort, money, and luck to raise. Yet here he was, nearing ten already.

'If a research institute found out, they'd try to capture and study me to replicate it for their own superhumans.'

It was that absurd.

'Now... time to achieve the real goal of raising Agility.'

Refri headed straight to a PC bang. He unleashed his Agility 10 on ordinary games for normal people: FPS, AOS, strategy...

His play was so masterful that passersby kept glancing over. Refri finally cleared the grudge from his past life, where he'd been teased for sucking at games.

"Heh."

The boy smirked smugly and left the PC bang.

Refri didn't realize how out of place he looked. Back in ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠his one-room, he thought about the stylish Central Academy uniform hanging on one wall. He'd worn it out once, and everyone stared. Some even asked to take photos; one shop gave him free food.

'The prestige of the top elites.' Refri couldn't help but smile at the deference he'd never felt in his past life.

"Nice..."

In a few days, Central Superhuman Academy's entrance ceremony would begin. He had much to do to prevent the world's end.

'Though I should avoid fighting directly.'

Quiet living was his goal. Whether possible was another matter...

But even in this happiness, Refri couldn't sleep easily. Some memories dominated hours with just a thought: the white room from his past life, himself lying still holding his breath, blood seeping through the sofa gap.

From that moment, peaceful sleep evaded him. Refri tried swallowing tears inwardly but failed, clutching the blanket to stifle sobs.

'Damn it. Professor Klein was right not to challenge the holy power room... for good reason.'

And one girl quietly watched that sight.