IRM Chapter 21.2

Because this was the only angel in the Angel Kingdom to break through to six wings in thirty years.

 

Although angels were born with exceptional talent, each stage of breakthrough was extremely difficult for them. Many angels would spend their entire lives in transition periods, especially breaking through from four wings to six wings, and from ten wings to twelve wings. The former was a huge hurdle for all angels, while the latter had only appeared once in a thousand years.

 

The Angel Kingdom had a sparse population, and every angel was precious, let alone a six-winged angel!

 

The old angel hurriedly descended to the ground. He folded his wings, congratulating the birth of the new six-winged angel in an absolutely peaceful and harmless posture. Behind him, a group of two-winged angels had already lowered their heads, offering respect to the strong one who had been reborn through bloodshed.

 

Reize floated in mid-air, slowly flapping his six wings, looking down coldly at their posture, finding it inexplicably ironic. It had been the same back then; he had been deceived by this facade of temporary gentleness, thus stepping into the abyss and implicating his most beloved people.

 

The old angel noticed Reize’s gaze, sighing softly and trying his best to make amends: “I understand you’re currently dissatisfied with the kingdom, but the Angel Kingdom’s principle is simple: to do everything possible to protect her people… Since the sinners have now perished and the dead cannot be pursued, I still hope you can return and enjoy the kingdom’s protection.”

 

Reize didn’t acknowledge the old angel, nor did anyone know whether he had listened to those words. He turned to look at the severed arms and legs that had scattered on the ground after his resurrection, staring blankly at him, and a trace of tenderness and smile showed in his expression.

 

He seemed to know how to make everything better.

 

Reize looked back at the old angel indifferently, his heart extremely calm. “If I’m no longer a citizen of the kingdom, can I completely rid myself of you?”

 

This statement made the Angel Kingdom sound like a disgusting, clingy mud stain.

 

The old angel didn’t have time to be displeased because he realized something ominous, “What are you saying?”

 

Reize slowly flapped his wings, flying toward the sky above the village, leaving behind a light comment. “I really regret not making this decision back then.”

 

The old angel had a bad premonition, but he couldn’t guess what this madman would do. When he finally understood Reize’s actions, his heart lurched violently, his eyes blazing with fury. “What do you think you’re doing!”

 

Reize flew above those undead, smiled slightly under their quiet gaze, grasped his hands in the air, and a sword wreathed in lightning gradually formed in his palms.

 

He gazed tenderly at those who had once been alive, singing a blessing, “May my wings escort those I love, hoping you have a bright afterlife.”

 

He raised the lightning sword high, turned it around, and thrust it straight backward——

 

The angel’s proudest symbol, wings condensed with the power of light, were thus ruthlessly severed by Reize without a trace of hesitation.

 

The six wings scattered into extremely pure and gentle light elements the moment they left his body, sprinkling down like starlight onto the undead.

 

Those broken severed limbs were bit by bit repaired and made whole, condensing into pure white souls.

 

Andy looked down at his semi-transparent palm, choked up several times, and couldn’t help but burst into tears. The undead had no tears, but pure souls did. Too many emotions condensed into teardrops that fell like broken strings to the ground, blooming into crystal-clear soul tear flowers on the scorched, barren earth.

 

Soon, soul tear flowers bloomed throughout the entire village, washing away the originally dark and deathly atmosphere, leaving behind a ground full of reluctance and regret.

 

Having voluntarily given up his angel identity, Reize’s face was as pale as paper, but he was very happy. He stepped forward to gently embrace the villagers who couldn’t stop crying, saying softly, “I’m sorry… and, I bless you.”

 

Ji Chi quietly watched the gentle points of light falling from the sky and the crystal tear flowers blooming throughout the village, his eyes trembling. He suddenly called softly, “Yuan Yuan.”

 

The blue cube suddenly appeared: [I’m here~ Is there anything I can help you with?]

 

Ji Chi lowered his eyes, smiling as he sighed softly, “I was wrong.”

 

[Yuan Yuan doesn’t understand what you’re saying. Do you need me to convey your question to the development team?]

 

Ji Chi ignored it, saying to himself, “They’re not NPCs, they’re people like me, fighting against fate…”

 

The angels left with very ugly expressions, especially the old angel. The moment he saw the wings being severed, his heart nearly stopped beating.

 

He clearly understood what the Angel Kingdom had lost——a supreme genius who could become a six-winged angel at thirty, with the rare dual-system magic. This loss was too heavy, incomparable to two four-winged angels with dark hearts.

 

“Damn!” The old angel cursed, saying angrily, “Thoroughly investigate the lower level angel selection when we return! If this happens again… kill without mercy!”

 

Soon, only the Holy Knight Order and young mages remained lingering in the quiet little village, their curiosity that had been suppressed for so long erupting when the angels left.

 

Locke circled around Reize several times, clicking his tongue in amazement. “I don’t understand fallen angels and such, but I clearly saw you were already dead!”

 

This comment obviously stepped on several landmines. Vanessa glared coldly and pinched him hard.

 

Reize smiled weakly, good-naturedly saying, “Probably divine favor.”

 

Saying this, he looked deeply at Ji Chi.

 

Vanessa seemed to sense something and was about to look in that direction.

 

“Alright, alright, everyone has their secrets, right? What Reize needs now is proper rest.” Kael took up his captain’s responsibility, tapping his two team members. He smiled kindly at Reize, “I hope we’ll have the chance to hear your story from today sometime.”

 

Reize raised the corner of his mouth noncommittally.

 

Kael didn’t force him, changing the subject. “Now what needs to be resolved is you reckless young mages.”

 

Evan shivered all over, sneaking a glance at him.

 

Kael counted on his fingers one by one. “Trespassing into Gentle Wind Forest without permission, not reporting immediately when discovering problems, instigating the saintess to take risks…”

 

Saintess Coralie didn’t hesitate to interrupt him upon hearing this. “This has nothing to do with them. I chose to come myself.”

 

Kael lowered his counting hand, looking at Saintess Coralie indifferently. “That’s under the premise that you haven’t come to any harm. Once you encounter any danger, who do you think this responsibility will fall on? Do you think it still has nothing to do with them? I’m not blaming them for not protecting you well; I’m advising them to consider themselves.”

 

Saintess Coralie pressed her lips tightly, exhaustedly suppressing the irritation and helplessness in her eyes, turning it into a sigh-like compromise. “I understand. I… won’t do this again.”

 

She walked calmly into the Holy Knight Order’s protective circle, nodding slightly, returning to her original elegant and gentle saintess appearance. This should have been a pleasing sight, but Ji Chi and Evan, who had gradually accepted her true personality, felt an inexplicable discomfort.

 

This version of Saintess Coralie seemed to lack soul and vitality.

 

Seeing this, Kael nodded satisfactorily. “Good, we’ll escort you back to the academy. Oh, and you? Want to come with us to the royal city? You don’t look too well, and I happen to know several good healers who could take a look at you.”

 

The latter part was addressed to Reize.

 

Reize shook his head, declining his kindness, and looked back at those soul tear flowers swaying in the wind, saying softly, “I’d like to stay here a while longer.”

 

Kael expressed understanding, turned to load the three young mages onto the magical beasts, and escorted them all the way back to the academy.

 

Behind them, the soul tear flowers all over the ground swayed, as if bidding farewell, and also as if expressing gratitude.

 

In the evening, the Holy Knight Order stopping at the Magic Academy’s main gate received considerable attention. They stood under the gate’s magical tome symbol, watching as the three young mages’ figures gradually disappeared at the end of the path.

 

Kael was the first to turn around, seemingly casually mentioning, “Divine favor… have you ever encountered it?”

 

Locke laughed and joked, “Come on, always talking about divine favor – the God of Light would be so busy, haha!”

 

“Shut up! Locke!” Vanessa sternly interrupted Locke. She walked a distance with furrowed brows, saying in a low voice, “Saint Trilley has been peaceful for too long, but that’s not the reason for these major events to keep appearing.”

 

Kael pondered for a while. “You’re right. The suddenly appearing saint alchemist, the suddenly appearing all-element genius, the suddenly resurrected and recovered fallen angel… each one is a major event that would shock the entire nation or even the continent.”

 

“And what’s very interesting is…” Kael touched his chin, looking up at the Magic Academy’s symbol, “these three incidents all have something in common.”

 

Locke looked confused. “?”

 

Vanessa coldly continued, “The East.”

 

“Yes, the mysterious Eastern lands that no one has been able to glimpse in their entirety to this day. Is this the same force? When did they appear? What is their purpose?” Kael lowered his brows and eyes in thought, his voice deep.

 

Locke looked completely bewildered. “Huh?”

 

Vanessa nodded. “I understand. I’ll have people pay attention to that Eastern mage from today, or rather – the all-element genius.”

 

Kael smiled approvingly at Vanessa.

 

Obviously excluded, Locke looked confused. “Huh? What are you talking about? Hey! Don’t ignore me! And what’s with that expression that says ‘what use is it for someone with your brain to know, might as well not say anything’! Aren’t we teammates?!”

 

As a rumored all-element genius, Ji Chi’s life wasn’t filled with flowers and applause as people imagined, nor was it filled with training and progress as Joseph had planned. His daily routine was generally like this——

 

“Where’s Ji Chi! Where did Ji Chi run off to again!” Joseph was furious! “Everyone is training swift technique! What’s he doing again?!”

 

The young mages in the class were already accustomed to such scenes, calmly answering, “He said he runs fast even without casting magic. He should be practicing stealth in the grove right now.”

 

“How many professions does he want to practice! Can’t he spare some energy for being a mage?!” Joseph cast swift technique on himself and angrily rushed to the grove.

 

The grove was completely quiet, with several plump little birds still perched on the branches, showing no signs of anyone having been there. But Joseph wouldn’t be fooled by appearances, roaring, “Ji Chi, come out! Do you still remember this is a Magic Academy?!”

 

The little fat birds in the trees were startled into chirping and fluttering away.

 

Ji Chi sighed and emerged from the shadows less than a meter behind Joseph. “I remember. I also remember my transfer application mysteriously disappeared before reaching Headmaster Harvey’s desk.”

 

Joseph was first startled by his sudden appearance from behind, then his eyes shifted guiltily upon hearing his words, but he still said righteously, “Which academy would a mage transfer to? Who would accept you? Just accept your fate! A born mage is a mage! Don’t think about random things!”

 

What Ji Chi hated hearing most was “accept your fate.” His eyes darkened, but he also knew he couldn’t reason with this stubborn old man. He thought for a moment and suddenly grinned. “Professor, I heard your swift technique is the best among all the academy’s teachers. Could you teach me?”

 

Joseph was stunned, then looked gratified, thinking this rebellious kid had finally seen the light. He cleared his throat, saying with some pride, “Of course! As long as you’re willing to learn, anything is fine. But my good execution is partly because of the wind elements in my body. If you can use them well, your speed won’t be slower than mine.”

 

“Watch carefully, this is how swift technique should be cast.” Joseph wanted to show Ji Chi the power of magic. He took out his wand and unusually began to chant.

 

Soon, dense wind elements gathered beneath Joseph’s feet, lifting him gently off the ground. Joseph lightly waved his wand, and his entire body shot toward the distance with afterimages.

 

Joseph thought he had demonstrated enough and was about to turn back to find his student, but when he turned around, he saw a figure beside him.

 

Ji Chi was trotting along on his little legs, keeping pace with him unhurriedly, and even yawned in the wind. Noticing Joseph’s shocked gaze, he looked back innocently. “Are you going to start the demonstration?”

 

“Ji Chi!!!”

 

“Ah, there it goes again.” Brandon glanced at the grove where chickens flew and dogs jumped, with roars rising and falling, shook his head, then noticed Evan seriously practicing magic nearby. He strode forward, hooked his neck, and growled through gritted teeth, “I heard you spent your rest day with the saintess?”

 

Evan was startled, glancing at the holy and serene Saintess Coralie in the distance. When they were escorted back by the Holy Knight Order that day, many people saw them, and Brandon must have heard the news from somewhere. He nodded.

 

Brandon was agitated. “I heard you even spent the night outdoors?!”

 

Evan felt his tone was rather dangerous, but still obediently nodded again.

 

“Ah! Why! Why wasn’t I there!” Brandon clutched his head in anguish, “I want to go out with the saintess too! I want to protect her too! Oh! God of Light! She must have been so scared then!”

 

Evan recalled the group of goblins who died under Saintess Coralie with eyes wide open, and her occasional taunting skills, he fell silent for a long time before looking at the unknowing young master with some pity.

 

The young master was very alert. “Are you pitying me?”

 

Evan quickly retracted his expression, shaking his head frantically.

 

Brandon snorted, holding up two fingers to point at his eyes. “I’m telling you, don’t get cocky! I’m watching you! I absolutely, absolutely won’t let you be alone with the saintess!”

 

Evan nodded helplessly. Fine, whatever you want, as long as your faith is strong enough…

 

Joseph returned with an extremely ugly expression, dragging the problem student behind him. He threw Ji Chi into the pile of young mages, announcing grimly. “I’m sure everyone has noticed that your midterm training is coming up in a few days. The training content is still wilderness survival, but the S-class location is set at the outskirts of the Dark Night Forest. Everyone needs to prepare.”

 

“Dark Night Forest! How could it be set in such a place!”

 

“Maybe because we have many light mages in our class? But that place is too awful! Is it too late for me to transfer classes now!”

 

“Ah, it sounds so dangerous! If something happens, can Professor Joseph protect us all?”

 

The young mages’ worries and concerns were justified. The Dark Night Forest was located on the southwest side of the continent, bordering the Gaia Plains where countries like the Saint Trilley Empire were located. It was the stronghold of dark creatures and a place other beings spoke of with dread. Only some bold adventurers and those seeking experience would venture into that area.

 

This training location seemed incredible even to Ji Chi. Although it was on the outskirts, the lowest-level monsters there were above lv.15. Were these tender lv.10 young mages really not going there to deliver takeout?

 

Joseph was satisfied as he appreciated the young mages’ panicked expressions for a while, straightening his robe sleeves: “The academy will naturally guarantee all students’ safety, so this time, it won’t just be me – there will also be a specially hired teacher leading S-class.”

 

The young mages were already tired of looking at Joseph’s face. Hearing there would actually be a new teacher leading the team, they immediately threw their fear of the Dark Night Forest to the back of their minds, each one getting extremely excited, chattering and guessing.

 

Joseph seemed to be in a much better mood when mentioning the specially hired teacher. He ignored these heartless kids, his tone carrying inexplicable warmth. “Oh, he should arrive soon. Speaking of which, he was once my student, but now he’s even stronger than me…”

 

As soon as he finished speaking, a figure in teacher’s robes walked out from under the arch of the distant teaching building. The figure slowly walked toward the training lawn, his fine golden hair dazzling and brilliant in the sunlight, and his light purple pupils under his bangs mysterious and charming.

 

Joseph introduced. “He is the leading teacher for this training, a lightning-light dual-system grand mage, Reize.”

 

Reize smiled as he stood before the young mages. When his gaze swept over the blank expressions of Ji Chi, Evan, and Saintess Coralie, he raised his eyebrows slightly and smiled. “Hello everyone, I’m Reize. From now on… I’ll be everyone’s leading teacher.”

 

Ji Chi: “Huh???”