A Harsh World for Men (1)
There are no male angels. This isn't something that needs a special 'Hmm, that's...' hint in the game settings or backstory.
"Check out the church murals and stuff sometime. As far as I know, there's not a single depiction of an angel as a man anywhere."
The church proves it through history.
"The illustrations in the simplified doctrines they distribute, or the stained glass images carved into churches all over the regions—it's all the same. Ever seen a male angel among them?"
"...I don't think so."
Rydmila, who'd traveled to more places than most, answered.
"Even in murals from ancient ruins, the angels facing off against demons were mostly women. Sure, some wore armor or were fully covered head to toe, but I've never seen a male angel."
"Right? So here's my take: they probably don't possess men."
"But can we really conclude that from just one case?"
Evangeline shot back at me.
"It's only Angelica. The academy isn't full of girls only—there are guys too, and nothing says they can't become angels. Ah, no. Not like I want to see some dude stripped naked or anything..."
"Your excuses make it sound even weirder. You imagining that stuff? With me, maybe?"
"What kinda nonsense is that?!"
I tossed out the joke, and Evangeline immediately shrieked in outrage.
"I've never thought that!"
She totally has, and now she's flipping the script. But I'm a gentleman—no way I'm relentlessly teasing a kid way younger than me.
"Aren't you the one thinking dirty like that?"
Evangeline counterattacked with a smug grin. Probably figured with only girls around, I'd be stumped.
"If it's down to underwear, that might be okay."
"W-What...?"
Evangeline panicked at my reply, and everyone else stared at me, eyes wide.
"Y-You just said what?! "
"Ah, sorry—got it backwards. I mean, it's tolerable if everything but underwear gets stripped."
When clothes vanish out of nowhere, underwear showing is still kinda decent. Accidents expose panties sometimes, but at least the important bits stay covered.
"And anyway, isn't the point just to avoid becoming angels?"
"......That's exactly why we're freaking out—we don't know who or under what conditions it happens."
Evangeline growled at me, her voice dark and gloomy.
"It came out of nowhere, and who knows who'll get hit next."
Evangeline, the others—everyone's clearly anxious. Especially Unia, who'd pieced together from our chats that this angel descent triggers the Apocalypse. She's glancing tensely between Esta and the rest.
"If I turn into an angel, halo shatters, and I can't wake up like Angelica..."
Evangeline's voice faded. The slight quiver made it feel like I'd screwed up the mood.
"That won't happen. It's not even 24 hours since Angelica passed out—barely 12. She'll wake up for sure."
Just a matter of time.
"The academy only suspended her because they believe she'll recover within that window."
"Of course. Esdinas Academy never abandons its students."
Instructor Esta spoke with steel in her voice.
"Be they angels already, former angels, or potentially next—we instructors will protect them all with everything we've got, as people first."
That's every instructor's resolve, no doubt.
"Above all, we need the trigger for these angel descents. Unia's figured the counter, but nail down who and why, and we handle it easy."
Spot on. Prevention beats cleanup.
"On that note: outdoor class this morning."
"Pardon?"
"Outdoor?"
"More precisely... a reenactment of that moment."
Instructor Esta pointed out the window.
"Starting with a simulation of last night's incident."
Like cops dragging a suspect to the scene for reconstruction.
"But Angelica's not here, right?"
"Someone's stepping in for that. Better brace yourselves."
Instructor Esta sighed, face sour.
"...Might shock you a bit."
"???"
One hour later.
"Nice to meet you, everyone. Call me Angelica?"
"......Student Council President Julius."
There stood a blond, blue-eyed young man in the clearing where the fight went down—wearing the exact uniform Angelica had on yesterday.
"What the hell is this?"
"Student council president protecting student safety, leading by example."
"By crossdressing as Angelica-senpai?"
"Naturally."
Julius Keiar—decked in the girls' uniform, complete with skirt and stockings—flexed his solid shoulders and shot me a stern glare.
"Phoenix. You'd make the same call in my shoes."
"Me?"
"One slip recreating Angelica's moves, angel possesses someone—what then?"
"What if it hits the student council president and imperial crown prince?"
"The council and empire won't crumble without me."
Julius thrust out his chest proudly and flashed a grin.
"And if they would? Better off that way."
"......."
"Heh. Couldn't chat proper yesterday with eyes everywhere, but my people-reading's on point. Phoenix—student council interes—"
"Pass."
Here comes the academy 3D sales pitch.
"Better: form an 'Angel Hunt' club in special class."
"For real?"
"If angels start rampaging? Dead serious about it."
Club budget's nice, plus mingle with non-specials. And best—
"Scope out guys with shady motives sniffing around special class girls, then purge 'em."
Club as cover to patrol heroine zones, sift any lurking 'protagonist'.
"Clever. Public face: angel hunt. Reality: your harem defense squad. Understood. Official application? I'll rally the execs."
Julius thumped his chest like trust me.
"Of course, if an exec joins and backs it? Smooth sailing!"
"Not for sale."
"Wasn't selling?"
"No joining."
"Shame. But Julius Keiar doesn't quit."
Julius retreated, phrasing it like his house name was 'Keiar' or something.
"Time's up. Let's verify what turned Angelica."
Current time: 11:10 a.m. Folks gather behind Julius one by one.
"Guards: follow mana stone footage to the letter for your roles."
Not borrowed uniforms, but big name tags on their chests as they head to positions.
Chijijik.
Response crackles in my earpiece magic communicator.
"Copy."
I step back, hand on the comm. Esta's up on yesterday's rooftop overlook right now.
"From up there—magic circle forming?"
One of the academy instructors floated that hypothesis.
"Constellation theory?"
Staff halt at assigned spots. Julius at Angelica's position; special class, me included, opposite like foes.
But.
Of course.
Nothing happens. At first.
"That do it?"
Julius raises a hand for okay—
"Aaaaaaaaah!!"
—and screams just like Angelica. A man's bellow, not a shriek.
"Hey."
Unia beside me.
"This... meaningful?"
"Eh."
Is it? Yeah.
"If the angel's grudge lingers, it'll recreate exactly."
"Wh-what?! "
Julius freaks.
"Th-this...!"
"W-wait! This isn't—grraaah?!"
Julius lifts off; translucent wings flap wildly behind him.
Whoever scripted it, nailed the gimmick.
Not true descent. The grudge hunts Angelica's trace, fails full possession on a man—forces holy power overlay, puppets the body.
"E-everyone!! Not my will!"
Moves angel-like, but clumsy as hell. Obvious puppet. Halo flickers above—dull, faded hue, not yesterday's glow.
Pre-boss skirmish. Exp farm. Grudge hijacks an extra's body, forces a fight. Won't stick to men proper, though. Can puppeteer, barely.
"Ah. Phoenix here."
I key the comm.
"Perfect setup for non-attribute mana test."
"Not yesterday's danger level."
I can state it flat-out.
"Julius still conscious? Proof right there."
"Hypothesis confirmed. Angels can't possess men. One more thing."
I point at Julius's outfit.
"Figured their targeting too."
"Halo broke? Sees crossdresser, assumes girl, dives in."
Esta's voice quiets.
"Infiltration phase. But once lodged..."
I point downward.
"It's stuck."
Angel-into-man possession? Like a yuri fanatic trapped in futa lit. Goddess looks female. Angels too—outer shell womanly, true nature...
"Thought Angelica, ends up grinding a dude. Tsk."
All souls? Roosters through and through.