The Angel Forming a Club (1)
The days grew longer. Memories of shivering in the cold had faded, and even the cherry blossoms swirling in the wind felt a bit distant now. Central Superhuman Academy was bathed in blue.
On such a bright day, the academy's grand auditorium buzzed with outsiders for the first time in ages. Elderly generals from various nations, rankers bearing famous guild emblems, and envoys from superhuman families.
It's just midterm results...
Refri glanced around. The VIPs and parents alone were overwhelming, and adding their escort forces made it even more so.
A little tense...
Whether sensing Refri's anxiety or not, the student council secretary's clear voice rang out again.
"Next, we will announce the top scorer for the first-year midterms."
Water spirits drummed beside her, and small fairies sang along. It was just announcing the top and runner-up scores, but what was this...?
"The top scorer for this year's first-year midterms is...
Doong-doong-doong-doong!
Refri looked at Soya sitting beside him. She had her fists clenched but stared back with a I wasn't nervous at all expression.
"Soya Han from the Magic Department! Please give her a round of applause!"
Soya shot up, waving her hands wildly.
"A-as expected! Just like I predicted!"
Contrary to her words, she was making a huge fuss. Seeing this, Refri grew a bit uneasy. He mouthed, Don't shake, speak slowly, trying to calm her.
"Got it..."
Soya wobbled out like a newborn chick learning to walk. Refri already felt anxious.
"Now, as the first-year top scorer, please say a few words."
"Heehee... Th-this is an obvious result, but seeing you all so surprised feels a bit weird."
Refri bowed his head. In this auditorium, Soya was the only one surprised. The others just eyed her warily.
But that word choice...
Obvious result. It was arrogance itself, humility tossed far away.
Whoa, the Magic Department kids are trembling in anger. What now... really...
Refri wanted to shake his head, but Soya was looking at him, so he held back.
"...Therefore, black magic is so great. Far superior to other magic systems! A-and moreover, the otherworldly magic scholar John Al Calis..."
And overflowing TMI too. Refri slightly regretted handing her the top spot.
No choice. It was the only way to gain Angel Power without drawing attention.
Yes. If anyone deserved top score, it was Refri. Even borrowing Lephriel's power, he'd crushed a Demon King's Four Heavenly King and smashed a corrupt cult.
So why was Soya up there giving that embarrassing speech?
The reason lay in the conversation with Park Jinho two days ago.
"Refri, truly excellent."
Facing Park Jinho's sparkling gaze, Refri bowed his head.
Too much pressure...
Refri cautiously spoke.
"Th-thank you."
"No, we're the grateful ones. To think you'd capture Drumark, a top Demon King Army executive. And dismantle that cult base too."
Park Jinho smiled nonstop, unbefitting his iron-blooded reputation, shaking Refri's hand vigorously.
"Excellent. Excellent!"
"P-professor!"
Park Jinho exclaimed excitedly.
"From now on, you're not just my student anymore."
"...Pardon?"
Then seriously:
"Now, any attack on you will be considered an attack on me..."
"What nonsense with the kid. Don't overdo it, sit down."
Rusa cut in from the side. Realizing he'd been too showy, Park Jinho cleared his throat.
"Ahem, I acted immaturely. Like you, Rusa."
"What'd you say?"
"So, to summarize Refri's report... While fighting Drumark, an angel descended from the sky and severed his arm?"
It was half-right. Refri nodded slowly.
"Yes."
"An angel, an angel..."
"Curious indeed."
Park Jinho and Rusa didn't believe it. Angels hadn't appeared even when the otherworld empire fell. Hard to buy they'd come for a mere cult.
"But Drumark said the same. The boy transformed like an angel and cut off his arm."
"...Park Jinho, you believe that guy?"
"I do."
"What?"
Rusa bristled. Park Jinho continued nonchalantly.
"I trust Hexi's interrogation skills."
"Ah, info from Hexi. Then I believe it too."
So the professors concluded—except one—no angels remained in this world.
Thus, Refri's power was...
"Probably the kid's potential. Something extreme-tech related."
"I agree. In a desperate moment, Refri unlocked his full potential. His main attribute is holy power, so an angelic form makes sense."
Park Jinho muttered to himself.
"A blessing to our people."
"And to us fairies too."
The two grinned greedily.
"Truly the next heir to Cheonggu."
"Fitting guardian for the next World Tree. Wait, Park Jinho, what?"
Pinch—Rusa pinched his arm spitefully, but he didn't flinch, speaking to Refri.
"I'll prepare special classes to unlock your potential. To release all hidden power—past lives, future, possibilities."
"Ah... You mean the honors supplemental classes?"
Refri caught on. Among the academy's insane classes, the notoriously brutal one.
Nooo...!
"Correct. Prepare slowly."
But no way to refuse.
"Anyway, Refri. What do you mean yielding the top spot?"
Yes. The reason for this meeting was Refri's request to yield top score.
"I just don't get it."
Rusa grumbled. Refri had no good excuse either.
Can't say I don't want Demon King Army attention... And yielding means sweet Angel Power...
No words. So Refri chose...
"Want to guess, professors?"
A potentially rude reversal. But with his signature angelic smile—beam beam—no offense taken.
The professors fell for it.
"...I see."
Park Jinho spoke first, murmuring in surprise.
"Refri, you're yielding for humanity's sake!"
"Huh? What?"
"Rusa, think. If Refri takes top, we announce why."
"Right, he caught a Four Heavenly King... Wait."
Rusa clapped—realization dawning.
"No way, kid. You're giving up the honor of capturing a Demon King Army Four Heavenly King... to keep it secret for the public good?"
Refri nodded as if obvious. Though he'd never thought that.
"If a Four Heavenly King vanishes without public trace... Demon King Army will investigate those involved."
"And we catch them... Wiping out traitor networks."
Refri thought: Oh, so that's why I'm yielding top spot.
The scam angel Refri had reached self-deception mastery.
Rusa and Park Jinho gazed at him, moved, approaching slowly.
Then a barrage of professor petting.
"Such a fine kid!"
"Any attack on you is an attack on—!"
D-dizzy!
Amid the violent cuteness assault, Refri spotted a small message.
Truly angelic to give up personal glory for humanity!
A large amount of Angel Power acquired.
But Refri had one more request.
"Professors. One more favor."
"What? Speak."
"Tell us!"
Refri spoke slowly.
"Could you make Soya top scorer? Can't announce the Four Heavenly King thing, but evaluate her other magic papers..."
Refri wanted Soya to have top spot. For the scholarships. More funds meant more research, faster growth.
And yielding for a future hero? Angel Power-worthy.
But professors thought: Soya's poor family... yielding his spot too.
So they said:
"Grade adjustment? Easy."
"...Ahem."
Teachers considering rigging grades... favoritism much?
Anyway, thus...
Angelic to give up glory for a future hero!
Angel Power acquired.
Soya's top spot was a bonus.
Thus...
All good but...
Soya's black magic affinity speech continued until the host intervened.
"O-one more word! It's really important...!"
Why is the embarrassment mine?
Refri covered his face.
Refri cleaned, prepared dinner for Soya's return, and hung laundry too. In his apron, using life skills expertly—even a housewife would admire.
"Angel Power~ Angel Power~"
Humming a weird song too.
"Skill level up~ Skill level up~"
Lyrics changed as Cleaning Skill rose—suspicious.
Knock knock—
"Who is it?"
Refri, apron-clad, opened the cathedral door.
"Ah, first-year Refri?"
"Yes, that's me."
"From the student council."
Student council. Refri had no good memories.
"Wh-what is it?"
"Ahead of next week's club tournament, we're here for your club application."
"Club application?"
For an introverted outsider like Refri, too much.
"Yes! To own a clubroom, you must form a club. This cathedral... listed as a club building?"
"Ah, right."
Refri finally realized he needed to form one.
"Haha, easy to forget. Leaving papers—submit by next week. Or we enforce..."
"Wh-what enforcement?"
The student smiled.
"Obviously, seizing the clubroom! Can't use one without a club, right?"
"Gasp... So... I have to leave this cathedral?"
The student kept smiling.
"Yes!"