The Angel Who Drew the Holy Sword (2)
The Dalgoyang cat clan possessed many talents. For instance, reflexes superior to any other race, a body that was flexible yet strong. Eyes comparable to an owl's night vision, and terrifying jumping power... Among those countless abilities, there was one that stood out in particular.
That ability was called Cat Disguise Art. It was the clan's secret technique that allowed them to transform into cats.
It was a fairly useful skill, often employed by the clan when they took on thieving or assassination commissions to infiltrate target locations.
'The elders say it's great for infiltration... but it's still just turning into a beast, isn't it?'
However, Hongwol hated this ability. There were already plenty of people who mocked the Dalgoyang clan by comparing them to beasts even when they were just standing still. Using this skill would only affirm those words.
And today... she learned the true purpose of this disguise art.
"What... is this cuteness..."
"Nyaat, meowww~!"
The true use of this disguise art was... to receive affection from others.
Tummy tickles, face rubs, the rumbling purr from her belly—it was a cultural shock for Hongwol, who had been feared and respected as both thief and assassin. How dare they treat her like this. How dare they treat her so affectionately.
It was all so new... No, she knew this sensation.
That night when she was betrayed by her own clan, when she thought there was no hope left—the warmth of the boy who had held her.
...It had been truly warm. Unforgettably so.
"Nyaa~"
Being adored instead of dominating someone—it was this blissful. No one in the clan had ever told her about this.
When the boy tried to get up and leave, Hongwol blocked his path, lifting her paws slightly to appeal for more cuteness.
Her mother's words flashed through her mind. 'Make men submit. Rule them thoroughly as beasts with rewards and punishments.'
Right... I shouldn't do this... Think of the clan's pride... This is beastly behavior... The boy is someone I need to steal from... I can't let myself be stolen instead...
Even as she thought that, Hongwol couldn't stop acting spoiled.
Then, a voice rang out.
"What the hell is this annoying pink cat?"
It was the voice of the young witch Hongwol knew all too well.
'Oh no...!'
She, who had senses superior even among her clan, hadn't noticed a mere mage entering the cathedral?
"This cat? Oh, I told you before, right? I saved a spirit beast. This is the pink one..."
"Spirit beast? Hmm... The fur color is already black-magic hostile. And the magic wavelength... it feels kinda like a beastkin..."
Damn. That irritating witch... sharp eyes.
Hongwol slipped out of the boy's arms and naturally exited the cathedral.
Seeing the cat leave, Soya muttered.
"Some fur strands are left behind."
"Cats shed a lot of fur... I'll clean it up right away."
Refri felt good hearing that. Why? Because cleaning the cathedral earned him Angel Power. Keeping the holy cathedral clean was an angelic deed, after all.
So Refri cleaned the cathedral meticulously every day.
'If I could, I'd dirty it, clean it, dirty it, clean it in an infinite loop...'
Defiling the holy cathedral for personal gain—truly blasphemous, a wicked thought befitting the disbeliever angel Refri.
But that was impossible. Angels couldn't defile holy sites unless they fell.
'Anyway, time for farming... no, cleaning.'
Refri had already fetched his cleaning tools. His skills were now at a level where he could be called the Cleaning Angel Refri.
The moment he was about to start...
Soya blocked him.
"Hold on."
"Why?"
"These fur strands... don't tell me...?"
Soya tilted her head. Of course, to Refri, those were just Angel Power, nothing to worry about.
* * *
At night, after all tasks were done, Refri gazed at his status window and thought.
'I can say I've adapted to classes now. I took three classes today—Martial Arts, Swordsmanship, and Magic Engineering—and still have Angel Power left.'
Yes. Despite attending three classes in a row, he had some Angel Power remaining. It wasn't a day of exceptional gains. He'd simply learned how to use Angel Power efficiently in class.
A fortunate thing. From now on, he'd need to spend it freely.
'Now the Dalgoyang cats will come to steal the holy sword.'
This was the first task.
Cursed by the Demon King, the Dalgoyang cats needed the holy sword to break free. So they planned to steal it from the Central Academy main building basement.
'Such Dalgoyang cats... their thinking is so different from ours...'
The plan was this: Borrow a genius mage's power to open a gate to the basement, infiltrate through it, steal the sword, and escape.
'But they failed.'
Inevitably so. First, the academy professors weren't pushovers to fall for such a sloppy plan. Second, as learned in swordsmanship class, the holy sword was enough to cripple a person just by grasping it.
Thus, the Dalgoyang cats all defected to the Demon King's army. Humanity foolishly lost Gumyo Fortress.
'If only they hadn't lost Gumyo Fortress... the Demon King's forces wouldn't have rampaged so openly...'
So what did Refri have to do?
'What else? Help the cats steal the holy sword.'
And acquire a massive amount of Angel Power from it. If all went according to plan, he could.
'Saving students during the entrance exam gave a ton of Angel Power. If I prevent the entire clan's fall... how much would I get...?'
Refri smiled, envisioning Angel Solo Level Up!
Of course, it was possible only if everything went according to plan.
* * *
The plan's first step... was helping Soya.
Why was helping Soya part of the strategy? Remember the genius mage who opened the gate to the basement? That was Soya.
'The Dalgoyang cats blackmail her using her debt, forcing her to open the gate. If not, they'll collect from her family.'
Blood is thicker than water. No matter how disowned, Soya couldn't fully abandon them. So she opens the gate...
'If she failed academy entrance, no big deal. She'd just be a criminal.'
Being a criminal was problematic, but let's move on.
'But now she's in the academy. Committing the grave crime of opening a gate means expulsion.'
Expulsion, as with all academies, meant no return. For Refri, who needed Soya to grow fast, this had to be prevented.
'And more importantly... I can't get expelled helping with this...!'
Thinking of himself first. Very angelic mindset.
'To do that, create a pretext through Soya... ahem, no, help her.'
After class, Refri called Soya to the central plaza alone.
"...Why'd you call me?"
Soya eyed him, thinking, 'No way? A date? Nah, Han Soya, don't drink kimchi soup.'
But the boy had no such intentions.
"Soya, anything tough lately?"
"Tough?"
"Yeah, like getting blackmailed or something..."
Don't we all have those days? Mood like a dog's, but sunny weather. Soya savored such a rare day.
"How'd you know?"
"...Just did."
Soya despaired lightly. Whether "light" despair was possible or not, it didn't feel light. Just easier to hide.
"It's none of your business anyway."
The boy grabbed the hand of the girl trying to stand casually.
'None of my business? This is tied to my survival and Angel Power!'
Soya's pale cheeks flushed slightly, but Refri didn't notice.
"You're always like this."
"Like what?"
"You said you knew when I asked to party at the entrance exam and ran off. I bring lunch and you say you don't wanna see it now. We promised to be friends, but this is 'none of your business'?"
Listing them out, it was quite a lot. Soya shut her mouth and looked away. Hard to face the disappointed boy's expression.
"What are the Dalgoyang cats holding over you?"
Obviously her family. He knew, but asked again. For pretext.
'The professors already know everything. The cats' plan and Soya's involvement. She's under watch. But by asking this...'
Refri proves he's not deeply involved.
"My old family. If I don't do it... they'll hurt my old parents."
"Bad guys."
This was sincere. Were the Dalgoyang cats good? No, bad bastards. He wanted to curse them, but as an angel who couldn't even say "bastards," Refri was frustrated.
"...Dalgoyang are a scary clan."
Soya pulled her hat brim low to hide rising tears.
"So don't worry about it."
"No."
"Fine, whatever. You gonna get expelled with me after just a month?"
"Yeah. I will."
Of course, Refri had zero intention of expulsion. Professors judging discipline loved friendship, justice, sacrifice... He was just showing it.
His personal guess: they'd love it.
'"He jumped into the mess to protect a friend..." Great pretext. Might get campus service or suspension... but not expulsion.'
According to plan.
The boy added quietly.
"Expulsion or not, I'll help you."
"Idiot... moron..."
Soya finally burst into tears, pulling her brim fully down for a comical look, but Refri ignored it.
'Even without Angel Power...'
He just hugged her.
Healing the wounds in the lonely girl's heart is an angelic deed!
Angel Power acquired.
Staying by the side of the wounded girl is an angelic deed!
Angel Power acquired.
Protecting a future hero no matter the disadvantage is truly an angelic deed!
Large amount of Angel Power acquired.
* * *
"Yeah. I will."
The boy on the monitor muttered as if resolved. The professors thought, That angelic face can look so serious too...
"Expulsion or not, I'll help you."
Clap clap clap—Park Jinho applauded madly.
Rusa laughed too, lighting a cigarette.
"That's how heroes are."
"Well said. If this were an exam, I'd give him 20 points right now."
But one professor was full of dissatisfaction.
"Don't you all pity that boy?"
"...Rebecca."
"I know he's pure. I know he has strong convictions. Just like we once did."
It was holy power professor Rebecca.
"So I can see the future. That boy will be used by humans as a hero... and end up in despair, losing everything. Like you, or me."
"...That's why this academy exists. To prevent that."
Park Jinho spoke with authority. But Rebecca ignored it, muttering.
"I can't watch that happen... again."
"Ah, this crazy bitch... what're you planning?"
Rusa grumbled irritably, but Rebecca left the faculty lounge without answering.