The Angel Who Brings the Rain (3)
The cataclysmic nightmare that once annihilated the otherworlds, the Demon King. But to the people of the human realm, it was just a creepy ghost story. Why? Because aside from occasionally opening gates, the Demon King didn't seem to do much. And even those gates were swiftly closed by the human realm's heroes.
Sure, you could still spot a few elves protesting at Seoul Station with signs like "World Tree Heaven, Demon King Hell"... but people just dismissed them as some new cult and moved on.
However, the Demon King's invasion had already begun. The first step was the corruption of the moon cats.
By corrupting the moon cats, they planned to use them to steal the holy sword. Even if it failed, they'd gain the moon cats and Gumyo Fortress—a solid deal no matter what. After losing countless items and suffering heavy losses, they finally cursed the moon cats.
But Refri foiled that plan. The Demon King's officer who devised it was probably executed long ago.
That didn't mean the Demon King's army had given up on the invasion, though. Their next operation was...
'Yumari's corruption.'
And that scheme succeeded, leading Yumari to ultimately betray humanity and inflict massive damage.
If he could stop that, he'd earn an enormous surge of Angel Power.
'For now, Yumari's still recognized as a future hero in the Status Window...'
"Jack, is that really true?"
In the magic department lounge, Refri looked at the noble young man Jack, who was brushing his hair back, and asked.
Jack nodded. "Yeah, it's true that talk like that went around in the appraisal club."
The appraisal club—a group studying how to appraise expensive items, famous paintings, and luxury goods. Only rich kids from wealthy families could join, since they were the ones who could actually enjoy such extravagances. It was basically an inner club for the academy's golden spoons.
And naturally, Jack, heir to the White family, was a member.
"During this Spirit's Blessing event, there was a proposal to humiliate Yumari."
Spirit's Blessing. An event where participants, recognized by the sole surviving Spirit King from the Demon King's invasion—Naiad—as future heroes, received her blessing.
To earn the blessing, you had to prove your potential as a future hero through non-combat means. And Naiad was notoriously picky...
'There are times when no one gets blessed at all.'
Anyway, it was that kind of event. A traditional Central Superhuman Academy festival, even broadcast on TV with plenty of entertainment value and high ratings.
"How exactly are they planning to humiliate her?"
"Plenty of ways. Team up with her and then ditch, or swap out her materials for the test with junk... or do both."
Yumari would suffer major humiliation. No teammates, garbage materials... no way the result would be good.
And Naiad was infamous for her brutal, cutting remarks.
'I've only seen Yumari look hurt once. During the previous Spirit's Blessing... Of course, she could only produce something pathetic, and Naiad ripped it apart way too harshly.'
And if that aired on TV...
Refri bowed his head, lost in thought. This probably wasn't the Demon King's doing. Just plain old jealousy and envy among people.
And that jealousy and envy were what drove Yumari to betray humanity.
'I never want to see her like that again...!'
Stopping it would naturally bring a massive influx of Angel Power.
But could Refri really pull it off? His opponents were people dead set on using Naiad to humiliate Yumari.
'If it were a different theme, I'd be out of luck. But this Spirit's Blessing theme is... 'cooking'. And I have Cooking Lv.10...!'
Time to show off the skills of the Cooking Angel Refri.
"So... you planning to butt in?" Jack asked with a nonchalant expression.
Refri hesitated for a moment. "Yeah, I want to help Yumari."
Jack sighed and said, "Don't."
"Why? You hate her too?"
"Hmph, that's not it."
Jack suddenly stared out the window and muttered, "The reason that came up in the appraisal club... it's probably because of Yusihyun, the eldest daughter of the Seocheon Yu family and Central Academy's student council president."
Yusihyun, Yumari's longtime nemesis. Half-sisters, but notoriously at odds. Though it was mostly Yusihyun bullying Yumari one-sidedly...
"Let's be honest. Yusihyun's a power player. And strong. Get on her bad side, and school life gets rough."
Refri knew that to some extent. But he had to help Yumari—for Angel Power, for humanity.
Or was that really all? Angel Refri... no, the boy. Really?
Refri smiled and said, "Worried about me?"
"What nonsense. Why would I worry about someone like you? I'm just repaying the favor you did for my life as a magic noble...!"
And with that, he turned and walked away.
Refri gave a wry smile. "You're nicer than you seem, Jack."
* * *
The Spirit's Blessing began. As morning broke, crowds gathered at the academy's eastern lake.
Rides were set up, and street food stalls lined the lakeshore. Central Superhuman Academy students, tormented daily by their tyrannical professors, reveled in the rare festival atmosphere.
Soya, in particular, was having a blast.
"Soya, having fun?"
"...Somewhat? Ah, no. I didn't ride that ride for fun! It was purely for empirical research to advance black magic studies..."
A bunny headband on her head, face painting on her cheeks, a cute derp-form Naiad doll at her waist, festival stickers plastered all over her robe. And cotton candy in hand.
"Hmmm..."
She was trying desperately to keep a stern face, fighting the smile tugging at her lips. Adorably, of course.
"Hmmm, I should empirically test that one too."
Soya tugged at Refri's sleeve little by little. Refri happily followed her lead to the ride.
He glanced at the Status Window: 'Making future heroes happy is the work of an angel.' Satisfied with the trickle of Angel Power, he smiled.
"I could skip these, really. I'm only riding for black magic advancement. You get it, right, Refri...?"
"Yeah, yeah."
Soya's face was brimming with anticipation.
And moments later.
"Unfortunately, this ride requires riders over 170cm..."
"Y-yes?"
Her expression fell in seconds.
"What kind of black magic-phobic... no, child-phobic rule is that?!"
"Uh? It's for safety reasons..."
"Soya, Soya! Let's go."
Dragged out by Refri's hand, Soya could only grumble.
"Hmph, I'm way more mature than those adults. How many papers have I published? How many references?"
And then it was time.
"Soya, you can wander around on your own now, right?"
"Uh, yeah? Why?"
"...I'm joining the Spirit's Blessing."
"W-well, can't be helped then."
Soya looked even more downcast than before, fidgeting her hands to express her disappointment.
"...Have fun."
Her voice was barely a whisper.
"It's not some raid. See you later."
Feeling an inexplicable guilt, Refri headed to the Spirit's Blessing headquarters.
Entering, he said, "Hello. Um... I'm here to register as a participant."
But the headquarters was empty. Electronic devices, cameras, schedules—all there, but no people.
Then a voice from behind.
"It's really true? The great Lephriel has fallen to earth, breathing the same air as these mongrels."
The owner of the voice was the Water Spirit King, Naiad.
Unforgettably vivid blue hair, a long dress in pale aquamarine. Only one person matched that image in Refri's mind.
'Why is the Water Spirit King here in person...?'
She lifted his chin with her long fingers.
"Annoyed? That a mere Water Spirit King dares touch you like this. No, no change in your expression. Yes, you were always that arrogant."
"Pardon?"
"Don't play dumb. Even without your angelic power, you're Lephriel. Surely... you haven't forgotten me because I'm too insignificant?"
She smiled brightly—or tried to. It didn't look like a smile.
"What are you even talking about?" Refri stepped back.
"Refri. You've been calling yourself Refri."
"Yeah. That's my name."
"Hahahahaha, heh, kuhahaha! Hahahahaha!"
Mad laughter. Naiad couldn't stop, as if it was the funniest thing ever.
"Refri. Refri!!! That's just your title. A position bestowed from heaven, adopted by humans as their new word—have you forgotten that?"
What on earth? Wasn't Refri just a powerless, weak angel? No divine abilities, awakened in a frail human-like body...
"You really forgot. Lephriel, you've forgotten all the civilizations and races you judged."
Naiad grabbed his face.
"You are the judge. The judge of this world."
And sadly murmured, "That's why you're Refri—referee."
"R-Refri... what does that even mean?"
Unfortunately, Refri had never studied English deeply. He had no clue what "Refri" implied.
Naiad sneered endlessly, as if he was ridiculous.
"Really, you've forgotten everything."
"What... what are you saying?"
"Fine. You came to join the Spirit's Blessing. Which team?"
Damn. Refri gathered his thoughts and decided on the truth.
"I'm joining Yumari's team."
"...And yet you call yourself an angel."
Hahahaha— Hahaha—
The Spirit King's mocking laughter echoed across the lake. Countless higher spirits in girl forms laughed at Refri in unison.
'The judge has gone senile!'
'Civilization's judge!'
'Terror and despair! The earthly judge Refri has forgotten all authority!'
What, what on earth... Refri barely suppressed rising panic and stared at Naiad.
"An angel who wouldn't save my precious one... and now Yumari..."
Naiad muttered something.
"Of course it's a lie... but for you to reject heaven for one girl's salvation..."
Sadness flooded in. Memories from the white room surged.
Heaven ordered Refri to take a woman's soul. A young woman who had borne a bastard child, with no one to help.
She begged Refri: if he took her, the child would starve. Please show mercy.
"..."
Refri couldn't answer. Instead, tears fell.
'Why... why am I crying?'
Naiad's expression changed drastically. From mad mockery to pure pity.
"No way, you too?"
She shouted in shock. "No! A heaven's puppet like you... impossible!"
Then her cruelty returned.
"Whatever. You want to join the Spirit's Blessing?"
Naiad declared with a smile.
"Then here's the deal. Fail to satisfy me... and I'll expose your true identity to the world. And shred that half-dragon brat Yumari's heart to pieces."
It was a brutally vicious declaration.