’This...’

Rey maintained his carefully composed expression despite the revelation that had sent his mind into calculated overdrive.

Seraph.

The Angel who’d hunted him down in the end.

She was the one who was responsible for his Transmigration into H’Trae.

Not just him.

The entirety of his class was transmigrated because of this Angel!

And Sephyr was her sister.

’Of all the possible complications,’ Rey thought with cold assessment, ’being mentored by the sibling of someone I killed is among the most dangerous. One mistake, one slip in my cover identity, and she’ll recognize connections that would expose everything.’

But outwardly, he showed only appropriate sympathy.

"I’m sorry for your loss," Rey stated quietly, the words carrying sincerity that wasn’t entirely fabricated. "Losing a family to violence is... difficult. I understand that pain personally."

It wasn’t a lie.

He’d lost everyone in H’Trae—friends, allies, people who’d mattered despite his emotional distance.

The circumstances were different, but grief was grief regardless of the specific details.

Sephyr’s expression softened slightly, her mystical pressure stabilizing as she accepted his condolences.

"Thank you," she replied. "It’s been years, but the loss still feels... recent. She was exceptional—not just in combat capability but in genuine desire to protect people, to serve the Five Ancients’ will with integrity that transcended mere duty."

’Hehe... Your Ancient Gods were the ones who doomed her in the end!’ Rey made a wry smile upon remembering how Seraph died in his past life.

He wasn’t even the one who landed the finishing blow.

’But to think that’s what Sephyr was told.’

The beautiful Angel candidate paused, then seemed to shake off the melancholy that had settled over her.

"But dwelling on the past doesn’t honor her memory as well as working toward the future she believed in. Which brings us to your orientation."

Sephyr gestured toward the door.

"You’ve been cleared for discharge from the purification ward. The healers confirmed all plague corruption has been eliminated, your internal injuries are fully repaired, and your Ether pathways show no residual damage. You’re ready to begin Academy integration."

Rey stood carefully, testing his restored body with movements that appeared cautious but allowed him to verify his genuine capabilities remained concealed beneath the healing.

’Perfect,’ he calculated. ’The divine-tier treatment addressed surface damage without detecting the Ethereal Conception, the Emperor and Prince residing in my soul, or the artifact integration that elevated me to Angel-tier power. Either their detection methods have limitations I can exploit, or the concealment Lucifer’s arrangements provide exceeds what Church authorities can penetrate.’

"Shall we begin?"

Sephyr led him from the purification ward into corridors that demonstrated Holy Academy City’s architectural philosophy—every surface designed to emphasize divine authority, every decoration carrying theological significance, every structural element positioned to remind occupants they existed within space blessed by the Five Ancients themselves.

"The Academy occupies the city’s central district," Sephyr explained as they walked. "Approximately ten thousand students at any given time, ranging from initiates who’ve just begun their training to advanced practitioners like myself who are approaching Angel ascension evaluation."

They passed groups of students whose mystical signatures suggested capabilities far exceeding normal Searchers.

Most appeared to be in their twenties or thirties, though Rey’s enhanced perception detected a few whose true ages exceeded what their physical appearances suggested—presumably individuals who’d already achieved partial divine blessing that slowed aging processes.

"The curriculum is comprehensive," Sephyr continued, clearly comfortable in her role as guide and mentor. "Combat training across all Six Arts, theological instruction in the Ancients’ teachings, tactical coordination exercises, and specialized courses based on individual aptitudes."

She gestured toward a massive building whose architecture suggested religious significance mixed with military functionality.

"The Grand Cathedral serves as a central hub for both worship and advanced instruction. Senior Angels conduct lectures there on topics ranging from Sequence #0 technique execution to proper interpretation of divine will."

Rey nodded with appropriate interest while his mind catalogued every detail for future exploitation.

The theological instruction would provide insight into how Aether authorities understood the True Realm’s power structures—valuable intelligence for identifying weaknesses in their worldview.

The advanced combat training might reveal techniques or strategies he hadn’t encountered in the Labyrinth.

And most importantly, proximity to Angels and potential Archangels would let him study capabilities he’d eventually need to counter or replicate.

They continued through the Academy grounds, Sephyr pointing out various facilities—training halls where students practiced Arts under supervision, libraries containing restricted texts on advanced techniques, meditation chambers designed to facilitate Ether cultivation.

Throughout the tour, Sephyr maintained steady commentary that revealed aspects of her character Rey found strategically valuable to understand.

"I enrolled in the Academy eight years ago," she explained while showing him the advanced training facilities. "After my sister Seraph was killed, I was... lost. Angry. Desperate to understand why someone with her capabilities could be defeated by mere singularity."

Her red eyes carried intensity suggesting emotions barely controlled beneath professional composure.

"The Church offered me enrollment as recognition of my family’s service—both my eldest sister’s position as Archangel and Seraph’s centuries of distinguished accomplishments. I accepted because I wanted power. Strength sufficient that I could hunt down whoever was responsible for her death and deliver justice personally."

She paused before a window overlooking the city, her reflection showing expression that mixed determination with something approaching vulnerability.

"But the Academy taught me that revenge isn’t justice. That personal vengeance serves ego rather than the greater good the Five Ancients envision. True strength isn’t about destroying enemies—it’s about protecting those who cannot protect themselves."

Rey listened with practiced attentiveness while internally analyzing the implications.

’She’s internalized Church theology completely,’ he assessed. ’Transformed personal grief into motivation that serves institutional objectives. She is a dangerous opponent because her capabilities are backed by genuine conviction rather than just obedience to authority.’

"Now I’m months away from potential Angel ascension," Sephyr continued. "If I succeed, I’ll dedicate my existence to serving the Ancients’ will—protecting Aether territories from corruption, eliminating threats before they can harm innocents, and eventually perhaps tracking down the entity responsible for my sister’s death."

She turned to face Rey directly, her mystical pressure carrying weight that suggested the next words mattered significantly to her.

"But not for revenge. For closure. To ensure no one else loses family the way I lost Seraph. That’s what she would have wanted—her death serving as motivation to prevent similar tragedies rather than an excuse for perpetuating cycles of violence."

Rey met her gaze with expression suggesting understanding mixed with admiration he didn’t entirely feel.

His thoughts were entirely different, though.

’I believe your heart is in the right place, Sephyr... but this is...’

"That’s... admirable," he stated carefully. "Transforming personal loss into motivation that serves others requires strength that exceeds mere combat capability."

Sephyr smiled with what appeared to be genuine appreciation.

"Thank you. Not everyone understands that distinction. Many assume ascending to Angel status is primarily about personal power rather than accepting responsibility to serve causes greater than individual concerns."

They continued the tour, visiting student dormitories, communal dining halls, and recreational facilities designed to provide balance between intensive training and necessary rest.

Throughout, Rey maintained appropriate but minimal responses—asking occasional questions about logistical details but generally allowing Sephyr to direct the conversation.

His Eru persona was a cautious survivor still processing recent trauma, not a gregarious personality eager to establish social connections.

Sephyr seemed to interpret his reserved behavior as understandable given his recent experiences.

"You’re quiet," she observed while showing him the meditation gardens. "Understandable after what you endured. The healers mentioned you were showing signs of psychological trauma from the Emperor’s interrogation—completely normal reaction to capture and torture by Tier 3 corruption entity."

’You’re the one who is too talkative...’ He held back from saying his true thoughts while observing her.

Sephyr was truly bright like a star.

Her resplendence was unmistakable. It would surely make many people to sway for her, but in his heart, all he felt was pity.

’If only she knew the truth,’ Rey thought with dark amusement.

"I’m just... processing," Rey replied, allowing appropriate hesitancy to enter his voice. "Everything happened so quickly. One moment I was registered as a Gold-rank Searcher participating in an expedition, next I’m an Academy candidate being mentored by Angel-in-training. It’s overwhelming."

Sephyr’s expression softened with sympathy.

"I understand. The transition from normal practitioner to an Academy student can be jarring even without a traumatic catalyst. Take the time you need to adjust. Classes don’t begin for another week—use that period to acclimate to the environment and recover psychologically from your experiences."

They reached the residential district where advanced students were housed—individual apartments rather than shared dormitories, suggesting the Church valued privacy for those approaching Angel ascension.

Sephyr stopped before a door inscribed with mystical patterns suggesting divine blessing.

"This will be your residence during Academy enrollment," she explained. "Fully furnished, protective wards that prevent unauthorized entry, and amenities appropriate for advanced practitioners. The mystical lock will attune to your Ether signature—just channel a small amount through the door handle and it will recognize you as an authorized occupant."

Rey tested the mechanism, feeling the enchantment analyze his mystical signature before accepting him as legitimate resident.

The door opened smoothly, revealing an interior that combined functionality with comfort—living space, bedroom, study area, and meditation chamber all designed to support intensive cultivation.

"Impressive," Rey observed with genuine appreciation that wasn’t entirely performance.

The accommodations exceeded anything he’d experienced since his reincarnation, and the defensive wards were sophisticated enough that he’d need to study them carefully to ensure they didn’t interfere with his concealment of the Emperor and Prince.

Sephyr smiled at his reaction.

"The Church invests heavily in Academy candidates. Your success becomes their success—every student who ascends to Angel status represents centuries of service protecting Aether territories and advancing the Ancients’ will."

She moved toward the door, clearly preparing to depart.

"Classes resume next week—you’ll receive a schedule detailing your curriculum based on aptitude assessments the instructors will conduct. Until then, familiarize yourself with the Academy grounds, review any theological texts that interest you, and rest."

Sephyr paused in the doorway, her red eyes meeting his gray ones with intensity that carried both professional assessment and what might have been genuine warmth.

"I’ll be serving as your mentor during the integration period. If you have questions, need guidance, or simply want someone to talk with about the transition, don’t hesitate to contact me. My residence is three buildings over—the door marked with Seraphina’s crest."

She extended her hand in formal farewell.

"Welcome to the Academy, Eru. I look forward to working together, and I hope that someday we can serve the Five Holy Ancients side by side as Angels dedicated to protecting those who cannot protect themselves."

Rey accepted the handshake, maintaining appropriate expression of gratitude and determination.

"Thank you for everything, Sephyr. Your guidance today has been invaluable, and I’ll work hard to prove myself worthy of the opportunity the Church has provided."

Sephyr nodded with satisfaction, released his hand, and departed down the corridor.

Rey waited until her mystical signature faded beyond detection range before allowing his carefully maintained expression to shift.

The warmth rapidly vanished.

What remained was cold calculation mixed with dark amusement at the irony of his situation.

’What an unexpected situation...’

[A/N: We will now begin the Angel Academy Arc of the story!!!]