Chapter 1: The Beginning

Angels...

Fictional beings capable of tremendous feats. Considered as the epitome of holyness. Symbols of hope, lights of the world, signatures of divinity, and other honorary titles.

Have you ever dreamt of becoming one? I have, for a very long time now.

Ever since I was a boy, I always looked up, hoping to become an angel. I practiced religion, and prayed to God solely to become an angel. Alas, 'God' hasn't entertained my wishes.

Though I practiced religion, my faith for God isn't strong at all. In fact, it's like I didn't even practice religion. Which is probably why my wishes haven't been granted.

Maybe you require firm belief towards God? Honestly, I don't want to believe in that mysterious entity.

But, since I needed to believe to become an angel, I complied.

So, I wonder why I'm still not an angel by now.

Is the Church simply all a ruse? Frauds? If so, then I'd like to take my 17 years of life back.

Well, I'm slightly getting off topic here.

Anyway, angels. Are such magnificent beings even real? Probably not, but I have a faint feeling they are.

Clinging to such hopes may be foolish, but not trusting your gut is even more so.

Zafkiel, Raphael, Saltiel, and many more. Almost every angel boasts many followers and devotees. I, on the other hand, follow none.

None of the angels interests me. In truth, their eyes seemed...lifeless.

It's like they were mere puppets.

Oh, that reminds me. There is in fact, one angel whom I found interesting.

Though, I'm not sure if she really does exist. I read a shady book once, and found her there, so the information might not be truthful.

When I asked other people if they found her familiar, they all shook their heads.

It's as if she wasn't recorded in any books, other than the one I found.

"The Angel of Balance, Sala-"

Oh?

My train of thoughts were stopped by the blaring of my alarm clock. I lazily stood up and freed the alarm clock from its misery.

I made sure to properly prepare myself, and dressed formally. It's a common belief that dressing up badly may hinder you from receiving the grace of God.

It's kind of stupid, I don't understand why dressing casually is strictly prohibited. I took one last glance at myself in the mirror, and headed out.

As I was normally walking down the streets, I saw fellow believers.

They wore a red, and black overcoat, along with deep black trousers.

I'm not overly familiar with the different attires of the followers, so I can't identify which angel they follow.

Out of curiosity, I sneakily closed my distance, and took a glance at the chest area of their coats.

Hmm? The crest of Zafkiel. They follow that angel, huh?

"Oh, boy! Want to join us?"

It seems they detected my presence. Well, it's not like I'm good at hiding.

"Ah, no thank you."

I bowed, and tried to walk away, but was stopped.

"Hmm? What's with that crest? I've never seen it before. Are you perhaps one of those people who imagines their own angel?"

I had the crest of the Angel of Balance, which I dedicatingly made myself.

I felt a slight hint of suspicion showing on my face, but quickly took ahold of myself.

I bowed a second time, and left without looking back.

After a few minutes of casual walking, I finally arrived at the church. The sheer size of it never ceases to amaze me.

There were multiple polished marble statues of angels stationed around the church. Translucent white glass panes making up the windows, an opaque ceiling filled with paintings. And finally, a massive quartz cross.

Looking at the angel statues, I still can't seem to find her. Is she really nothing more than my imagination?

Anyway, it seems that I'm the only one here. Has there been some kind of cancellation? Well, it's heavily raining so I kind of understand.

But, that still doesn't make sense. There should be at least 5 more people here with me. But, no. I'm standing in the center of the church, all alone.

I gazed up, only to be looked down upon by the angels guarding the cross.

One day, I'll become an angel. And when I do, there might be a chance to meet the one I want to meet.

✞

For some unknown reason, the interior of the church was suddenly recolored to a blinding shade of white.

The lone young man was unexpectedly kneeling down. However, it seemed that it wasn't of his own volition.

The boy was strenuously trying to stand up, but was consistently being restricted from doing so by an unnaturally high gravity force.

Suddenly, out of thin air, a mysterious, undefinable figure walked towards the young man.

"A...n...gel?"

The boy forcefully uttered, still subjected to harsh gravity.

The so called 'angel', had majestic wings, colored white in half, and the other in jet black. Eyes as blue as sapphires, silky ashen gray hair, frilly clothes, and most of all...a miserable atmosphere?

She took out a strikingly sharp sword, which looked completely out of this world, and looked at the young boy.

She held out her right hand, sword on her left. While chanting some unrecognizable words, she slashed the boy. Or rather, the invisible chains surrounding him.

The boy looked up, freed from the mysterious force, and slowly talked.

"It was a mistake doubting myself...you really are real, Salaphiel."

The woman in question, let out a genuine smile, as if she was truly glad to know he recognized her.

Her face darkened, gripping her sword tightly. And pointed it towards the boy.

"Please...change my fate."

Her voice, sounded so lifeless, as if she was nothing more than an empty void. The heavy atmosphere implied as if these were her final moments.

The young man simply smiled, and looked at her, accepting her.

"I entrust everything to you..."

She regretfully pierced his chest, causing the boy to groan in agony.

Salphiel, immediately hugged him. Her blue eyes let down tears. And gave the man her utmost affection until he completely lost power over his body.

"I knew this would happen..."

The man uttered his final words, and died on the shoulders of Salaphiel.

Shortly after his death, Salaphiel also began to crumble into particles. She grinned as if she knew this was going to be the consequence of her actions.

Just before completely disintegrating, she muttered the man's name one more time.

✞

Huh?

Where am I? Aren't I supposed to be dead? I saw myself get stabbed. She aimed directly towards my heart. So, there's no way I could've survived.

Though, I don't really feel dead, nor alive. It's like I'm in a complete blank state with my consciousness still intact.

Well, now that I'm in this weird state, it's time to backtrack a little.

It has been clearly stated in the book that anyone who ever encounters Salaphiel, would be gifted with immense wealth, luck, or basically any humanly desires. But, it's also vaguely implied that there was a small chance you will be greeted by death.

When I say vaguely implied, I mean it literally. That book was so dusty and old, it even erased some parts! The lore and background of Salaphiel was interesting, or it was supposed to be if the book was properly handled.

I wonder what she meant by 'Please change my fate.'? I didn't expect Salaphiel, a fearsome angel to talk in such an indistinct manner.

Fearsome? Oh, she really is fearsome. The Angel of Balance was depicted to possess monstrous strength that even the Knightly Angel Michael would struggle against her.

So...why did she look so lifeless? Why would someone with immense strength look like a mere tool? Unfortunately, the book didn't state anything about her position, nor personality so I might just be overthinking things.

Another matter is bothering me though. What could she have possibly meant by entrusting everything to me? Does she expect something from me? The 2 sentences she told me is probably connected.

But, why me?

Actually, I think I may know why. I doubt that anyone else other than me knows about Salaphiel, unless they also found the book. But, that in itself is already unlikely.

Because, that book was something I found in a junk shop. No one was interested in it, so I just bought it for 1.79! Pretty cheap price, right?

Anyway, Salaphiel is basically not known. So, the reason she entrusted me with 'everything' is because I'm one of the people that know of her?

Nah, I don't th-

"Inserting 5% of Angel Salaphiel's memories."

Huh? Countless memories, information and knowledge flooded into my mind, mixing in with my own memories. It almost caused me to border my sanity, but I thankfully withstood the pain.

Aghh! I feel so sick, that I might vomit. I thought this was going to be my safe space? Why the hell should my consciousness experience this?!

Anyway, I barely heard the voice that spoke to me. However, I did manage to somehow understand what it said and did.

My mind has been partially mixed with Salaphiel's memories. It showed me her childhood and her memories. However, in her childhood memories...she isn't an angel?

It was stated in every religious book that an angel is supposed to be an angel since the day it was born.

Maybe...Salaphiel is different? Or were the books all mistaken? In any case, I can't help but wonder why did I gain her knowledge? 5% of it?

As I was about to continue pondering about my situation, I felt like I was free falling.

Skydiving in my consciousness? That's new.

To my surprise, I was able to open my eyes. And would you look at that. I actually am freefalling!

Wait! How will I survive?! I need to land on something, and make it fast myself! I searched the area with my...oddly keen eyesight, and spotted a body of water.

Oh, a bay. I'm pretty sure that's deep enough for me to survive.

I swam through the air, trying my best to direct myself to the bay. Hmm. Why are my arms and hands so pale? Wait, now's not the time.

After a few awkward positions, I finally was near the center of the bay. I must commend myself for actually being able to pull this off.

Well, I was only able to make it work since I was really high up.

Oh, I'm landing! I screamed 'CANNONBALL!' as loud as I can before finally nuking the bay with my fighter-jet like speed.

There was no sound when I crashed the water, I wonder why?

I, for some reason, landed on the seafloor, hurting my legs in the process. I guess it makes sense that this would've happened. No matter how deep the bay was, I should've accounted for this.

I mean, I was literally at the end of the stratosphere! Or whatever you call it. So, it's only natural my speed would break the sound barrier.

Despite the injury, at least my body can still move. Looks like I survived somehow, I don't know how though.

A normal person should've died from the speed I was accelerating with, let alone crashing down a bay.

I'm thankful I was given the necessary information through her memories.

To sum it all up, I'm not in Earth. This is a world where people clash swords, and the concept of magic is present as well.

Meaning, one's body may survive when given enough mana.

This world is completely unbeknownst to me. The concept of fighting one another is common in this world, whether it be a fight of magic, or a traditional fight between swords.

However, this is all I know of right now. The information given to me was fruitful, but not enough.

If I make even so much as a single mistake, I might die.

I finally reached it! Land! As I was busy with my thoughts, I was actually swimming too.

I feel like I landed in a far mountains place. I don't see any human habitats so far, even with my inhumanely keen eyesight.

Agh. My leg still hurts, and the pain is getting less bearable each minute. I might've been reckless, but it's not like I had a choice.

Crap. I'm getting headaches along with the pain. This is bad, I might faint. I should find a hospital or something of the sort, or I'll just kick the bucket.

I looked at my reflection from the shoring waves...

No way...

I already had a hunch something was off from the beginning, but even then. This is way too much of a surprise, Salaphiel.

Dammit. I'm slowly losing my consciousness. I can't die just yet...