Struck by Lightning at Metatron's Birthday

It had been quite a while since I'd been taking care of Lucifinil, and not seeing him for a few days made me feel like I'd lost a child. So, on the afternoon of Metatron's birthday, I started getting ready early, determined to look dashing and confident, so that the naughty kid could see his older brother in all his glory.

As I combed my hair and changed into checkered boxers and a black tank top, I kicked on my cotton slippers, looking into the mirror while spritzing some discounted cologne from a second-tier brand in the celestial realm. In an instant, I was enchanted by the refined image staring back at me.

Next, I flipped through the messy invitation from Metatron, and to my surprise, there was a small red sphere. Beside it, an arrow pointed, and Metatron's cartoonish avatar grinned mysteriously. Without reason, I spritzed some more cologne under my armpits, then pressed the sphere.

You'd never believe how explosive a tiny sphere like that could be.

Even more unimaginable was that after the earth-shattering explosion, I found myself in a bustling forest. One hand held the invitation, the other a shaving knife and cologne. My face was covered in white shaving foam, and I wore checkered boxers and a black tank top, with sandy cotton slippers on my feet.

I gaped in astonishment—of course, not as wide as the passersby. I pressed the sphere again, realizing that after one explosion, it could only be resignedly used to wipe away the foam on my face, as I surveyed the surroundings.

Purple light flickered in the sky, thunder rumbled, and several unidentified objects fell from high above. Normally, I would have been eager to join in the commotion, but I didn't have the heart for it now. I deliberately avoided those thunderous spots, and finally caught sight of the opulent mansion depicted exactly like on the invitation. I recalled Metatron's words when he personally handed me the invitation, and couldn't help but facepalm—"Isar, this is a specially crafted invitation for you."

At this moment, many people were scrambling outside Metatron's mansion for invitations, and the poor pamphlet-bearing angels were being torn apart.

Of course, I couldn't just waltz in. Though I'd missed one chance to teleport here in an instant, there should still be time to fly back and change into something else.

I shook my head, focusing on the high, golden sun, ignoring the gawking angels in their fancy attire, spreading my wings to soar into the vast blue sky... With a resounding boom and a flash of purple light overhead, before I even got a clear look at what it was, I'd smoothly completed a freefall.

...

Fine, one Lucifinil was enough, but now I can't even fly! This isn't about slicing someone in the middle of Jerusalem, why do these blasted angels all seem to have a penchant for slicing people? Slice your sister!

The crowd pressed closer. I lay on the ground, frozen like a frog in mid-jump. My body didn't feel pain, just an intense numbness.

A familiar and loud voice came from above: "During Lord Metatron's birthday banquet, all divine beings are prohibited from leaving the city!"

I raised my head and saw the wing repairman. I rubbed my face, still feeling dizzy, and was about to wave to him, when I noticed a black spot on my hand.

...Have I become famous?

Tyrrel pointed to the long queue. "Angels with white invitations, please stand on this side." Then he pointed to another empty lane. "Angels with golden invitations, please stand on this side."

At this moment, a golden six-winged angel flew low overhead, followed by a group of white-winged constellation angels that seemed to emit their own light.

"Ah, Lord Gabriel!" someone whispered nearby.

I quickly raised my invitation, trembling, "Golden invitation, I have..."

"Isar, your invitation is black."

"..."

"A distinguished guest has arrived, please rise."

Why do they care about me? My invitation is golden, and you've just sliced it into a mess. I'll just stay here and let them trample me to death!

"Please, get up quickly. Lord Lucifer has arrived."

...Couldn't you have said that sooner?!

I struggled to prop myself up, but it was as difficult as trying to make a roasted turkey stand.

At this moment, a pair of slender silver boots stopped in front of me. The legs attached to them were much longer than an average person's, with straight shins that made you instinctively want to look higher. But I couldn't even lift my head.

"Tyrrel, what's wrong with him?"

Before Tyrrel could respond, all the angels had already knelt down, some on one knee, some on both. Tyrrel also raised his hand in a salute.

Then, the familiar white gloves appeared again. Apart from the thumb, all four fingers were lifted towards everyone, and they collectively stood up.

During this time, I'd seen Lucifer at the Wings of Grace Café many times, but right now, I inexplicably felt extremely nervous.

Tyrrel answered, "He violated the rules by flying in the air, so I shot him down."

I quickly turned my head, facing the crowd, not letting Lucifer see me.

The worst part was that at this tense moment, all I could think of was the image in the mirror from the Thunder Mirror, and Lucifer kissing Isar, his half-closed profile... What on earth am I thinking!

The silver boots shifted, and Lucifer changed his posture slightly. The gemstone on his forehead gleamed, but not as brightly as his eyes.

Everyone's gaze was enough to pierce through him. But that's normal, one could even get married in an outfit like this. However, he quickly shifted his gaze to me.

I turned around and looked elsewhere, pretending not to be nervous. Maybe he doesn't remember me, and with me all charred like this, he probably wouldn't recognize me even if I told him my name was Sar.

But in the next moment, the white-gloved hand unfolded in front of me.

I'd heard others say before that Lucifer was too noble to touch anything with his body, so he wore this to avoid dirtying himself.

I stared at the hand in a daze. Even though all five fingers were wrapped in fabric, they still looked slender.

A crow flew by.

These angels are really strange. Why are they staring at me with round eyes?

What did I do wrong?

I look at them, and they look at me.

I look back, and they look back.

Tyrrel finally couldn't help but say, "His Highness invited you, what are you doing?"

I slowly lift my head and look at Lucifer. Lucifer hesitates, then takes out a handkerchief and places it in my hand. I pause for a moment, take the handkerchief and wipe my hands.

I'm not sure whether to put it in my bag or throw it away. Neither option seems appropriate. I can't return it to him, lest I dirty his elegant gloves and get sentenced or something. After pondering for a while, I decide to clench the handkerchief in my hand and not move it.

Lucifer reaches out his hand again.

I place the handkerchief in his hand.

He takes it back, then extends his hand once more.

I have nothing left to give, so I stare blankly at him, eye to eye.

Tyrrel urges, "What on earth are you doing?"

"You should ask him what he's doing!" I point at Lucifer.

Tyrrel covers his eyes and doesn't look at me anymore. "His Highness Lucifer invited you to join... you..."

So that's what it means. I quickly place my hand in his. He exerts a bit of force, lifting me up. The people around finally stop staring at me with such wide eyes.

Then, under the escort of a group of intelligent angels, we stride on a grand red carpet, heading towards Metatron's mansion like we're about to get married.

"How did it end up like this?" Lucifer suddenly turns his head and smiles at me.

"The explanation would be too complicated, and His Highness wouldn't want to hear it."

"You tell me. I'm willing to listen." Lucifer looks at me, his eyes sparkling, brighter than the stars could ever be.

He's never looked at me with such eyes before, nor has he ever spoken to me so gently. Except for the scenes that keep replaying in my mind from the mirror, I hastily shake my head to clear those chaotic memories and then tell him about Metatron's strange invitation and the falling angels.

"Metatron's gifts are not to be taken lightly. You have become quite different from the ordinary person."

"Your Highness, how can you mock a victim like this? Look at me, I'm standing here like this, isn't it embarrassing enough?"

Lucifer gazes at me from head to toe, and finally lets out a soft sigh. "The taste in underwear hasn't improved at all."

"Huh?" Did I hear that right?

"It's fine. From now on, when I'm around, no one will dare to bully you."

I pondered over his words for a long time. In the end, I couldn't help but whisper, "His Highness Lucifer, did you mistake me for someone else? That, it's not your fault, I'm a bit muddled, so it's normal not to see clearly. You should go back if you've got the wrong person..."

"Isar, you're quite eloquent today."

"..." Not mistaken.

Not only that, his attitude towards me is making it hard for me not to speculate. How is it that he's been cold and strict all this time, and today he's so kind and gentle? And those eyes are peculiar, could it really be because of the aftereffects of the mirror?

"Do you have company tonight?"

"Huh?" I'm completely baffled.

"If you don't, would you accompany me tonight?"

Too bold!

Isar holding onto the pole, and Lucifer cradling him, rocking...

Isar holding onto the pole, and Lucifer cradling him, rocking...

Isar holding onto the pole, and Lucifer cradling him, rocking...

In my mind, it's all Isar holding onto the pole, and Lucifer cradling him, rocking... "What are you thinking?" Lucifer looks at me for a while, then smiles and whispers in my ear, "I mean at the party."

At the entrance of Metatron's secondary mansion, golden carriages, silver carriages, celestial horses, unicorns, griffins all stood as if at an international carriage and horse exhibition.

The passage was flanked by sky blue Roman columns, each topped with golden angel sculptures. The castle's layers were also separated by angelic statues dressed in opulence. Outside the passage stood two female angelic beings, their figures and haughty attitudes giving away that they were Metatron's latest fancies.

As we approached the mansion like we were about to marry, I couldn't help but realize a grave fact: I'd been stood up by the naughty kid. That little guy Lucifinil looks so distinctive, even if he's a bit short, those peculiar wings would catch my eye the moment he stood in front of me.

So, I'm quite sure I've been stood up!

Just as I was thinking about how to go back and give him a piece of my mind, making sure he knows crabs walk sideways, I heard a conversation nearby:

"Oh, you want to give Metatron a harp? Don't you know that Gabriel is planning to gift him the same thing? Can yours be any worse than hers?"

"Really?"

"When giving gifts to archangels, it's best to choose rare items with low value and little practical use. Don't you know?

"I didn't think about it that much... What are you planning to give?"

"A gemstone fish."

"Are you talking about the one that's only found in the Tigris River? The one that's said to enhance magical power?"

"Yes. I traveled a long way for it. But for Metatron, it's nothing special. It's the thought that counts. Don't worry, when he says he's accepting our gifts, it's probably just a joke. What can Santa Filia not have?"

"Alright... Ah, another good opportunity this year wasted. I spent over four hundred gold coins to buy it..."

I secretly wiped my sweat, thinking about the birthday gift I had prepared but left at home—a feathered quill worth twenty gold coins. I had thought I was doing quite well, but evidently, I'm still a frog at the bottom of a well.

2 / 2

In the center of the hall, there was a towering fountain, divided into many layers like a giant cake. Clear water flowed from the top down, and around the fountain were tables adorned with delicacies and small wooden boxes carved with golden roses, exuding extravagance. I walked sideways and accidentally bumped into one of the boxes, only to discover that they were actually spice containers.

Damn, such extravagance.

Taking advantage of the distraction, I removed one of the wooden boxes, emptied its contents into a flowerpot, stuffed a razor and cologne inside, closed the box, and hid it in my pocket.

It was just in time for the gift-giving ceremony.

Jophiel stood beside Metatron and recited loudly, "The first gift, a sapphire crown from His Highness Sandalphon."

Two angels dressed in matching outfits as Sandalphon flew in from the door. One supported one side of the sapphire crown, and they glided through the crowd like a skiff over a shallow lake, stopping below the steps. They knelt down neatly on one knee, just like walking on the ground; angels had different postures when flying. Trained angels were different; their actions were precise, and when they stopped, it was like a plane landing, with a slight glide to prevent falling.

Sandalphon adjusted the crown on her head and took a step forward. "Your Majesty Metatron, sapphires symbolize loyalty and nobility. May loyalty and nobility always accompany you."

Metatron nodded and immediately took off the sapphire crown, putting it on his head. He started to shine, appearing self-satisfied, as if he hadn't understood Sandalphon's sarcasm.

"The second gift, His Highness Gabriel's harp, 'Radiance of the Sun.'"

The two angels stepped back, and two others flew in, adopting the same posture under the steps. Gabriel wore a low-cut evening gown in sky blue, her golden curls cascading like flowing water; even an eight-thousand-dollar SD doll would die of jealousy.

"The harp was specially crafted by me, with harp strings made from the whiskers of a sea whale, the harp body made of diamonds from the demon realm, and the lacquer made from mermaid tears. Wishing His Majesty Metatron a happy birthday and that you may find 'Radiance of the Sun' in the coming year."

Perhaps it was just my imagination, but after hearing "Radiance of the Sun," I sensed a hint of emotion in Metatron's eyes. However, he quickly walked over and embraced Gabriel, planting a kiss on each of her cheeks.

"The third gift, His Highness Uriel's Book of Thunder."

"The fourth gift, Her Highness Rahab's Windwing Spear."

"The fifth gift, His Highness Saliva's Wheel of Demons."

"The sixth gift, His Highness Samael's Forbidden Fruit."

"The seventh gift, His Highness Azael's Goat Demon Horn."

...

People associated with Lucifer were different; they either brought rare items from the demon realm or treasures retrieved from demons. Especially that Goat Demon Horn, it was a massive black demon horn still covered in blood. During my lessons on the Upper Realms, the professor mentioned that the Goat Demon was a more advanced demon species, mostly lurking in the depths of the demon realm, making them very dangerous creatures. Although the current Demon Lord Hadd is a demon who knows nothing of magic, the demon realm's civilization and military strength are far inferior to the Upper Realms. However, penetrating the deep layers of the demon realm remains a challenging task. Azael actually gave away such a treasure, either he was deliberately showing off his accomplishments or he was being disdainful. But the Seraphim were fortunate because, without a physical body, unless they encountered demons with a demonic aura surpassing their divine aura, their wings wouldn't turn black no matter how much they interacted with demons.

"The thirteenth gift, His Highness Lucifer's... uh, what is this?"

The lively hall fell silent. Everyone turned to look at the entrance. Jophiel held a scroll and stared at it for a while. A blue six-winged Seraphim said, "It's a collection scroll, a gift from His Highness Lucifer, for the city of Panu."

The venue fell even quieter.

Panu City was the capital of the Third Heaven.

After about ten seconds, the crowd exploded once more.

Panu City, the bustling city surrounded by Venus, was gifted by Lucifer. What could I say? Well, there was nothing I could say.

"Where is His Highness Lucifer?" Metatron asked.

Samael whistled from the crowd and chuckled, "His Highness lost something and went outside with his entourage to search for it. He asked us to come in first."

Metatron inquired further, "Oh? What did he lose? I believe I can help."

Azael replied, "It's late now, and it's quite dark. The item is very black, I'm afraid it won't be easy to find."