The beautiful wings instantly captivated me—elegant curves, soft feathers that felt like a thin cotton pillow to the touch. Folded neatly against my back, their lower halves submerged in the milky water, hiding their full splendor.
*If only they’d open,* I thought. And as if hearing me, the wings slowly unfurled—not just one pair, but three pairs of pure white wings, symmetrical and majestic behind me. Water droplets lifted from the pool, tracing the feather patterns before falling back with soft *plinks*.
So I’d truly been reborn. Since waking, I’d been dazed, unable to process it. Now, with these iconic wings stretching behind me, I finally accepted it: I was an Angel. An urge to flap them surged through me.
But someone else had the same idea. A breeze brushed my left cheek, followed by something furry and wet slapping my face. My mood soured instantly—I whirled around, ready to snap.
The words died in my throat.
A raven-haired beauty sat beside me. Skin like creamy milk, flushed with a rosy sheen, smooth and supple. Her face—exquisite as a painting of a Goddess—framed eyes like dark gems, clouded with confusion.
But what mesmerized me most was her hair. A waterfall of black silk cascaded over her shoulders and arms, spilling into the water. It floated around her, a stark contrast against the milky liquid. Thick strands shimmered under the light—a breathtaking vision of a bathing maiden.
She was still adjusting to her own wings, flapping them more frantically than I had, sending droplets flying onto me again.
“Hey! Stop flapping! Don’t move—*ah!*” My protest turned into a gasp. The voice that escaped wasn’t my old charming nobleman’s drawl. It was a lark’s song—clear, sweet, undeniably feminine.
The dark-haired girl turned at the sound. Her gaze locked onto mine, mirroring my earlier daze. Then her cheeks flushed crimson, and adoration bloomed in her wide, lovely eyes.
I knew that look. I’d seen it on countless girls back when I was a wealthy, handsome young lord. But even all those admirers combined couldn’t match the sheer impact of her expression.
I ducked my head, afraid to meet her eyes longer. One more second, and I might lose control entirely.
Then I realized my panic was pointless. She’d stilled. The water calmed, reflecting another beauty—no less stunning than hers.
*Bitter smile.* Even my “tools” for trouble were gone now. What was I thinking?
The girl in the water wore that same faint, bitter smile. If she weren’t me, I’d think it pitied the suffering world—or mocked its injustices.
I studied my new face. Silver hair—my family’s legacy—framed a round, youthful face. Unlike her hair, which could cover her entire torso when standing, mine fell just past my chest and back. Big gray eyes and soft features screamed “moe.”
Most striking was the golden collar around my neck. A sun-shaped ruby glowed at its center, etched with mysterious runes. A gift from the divine… but on this delicate frame, it radiated something dangerously alluring.
Drawing on my old expertise, I compared our figures. Hers: towering peaks framing a deep valley. Mine? Barely a handful. “Modest” was the kindest word.
Her aura? Serene, gentle, wise—a dignified older sister. Mine? A restless child when moving. A broken slave when still.
*Great Lord Deseri of the Breath of the Sun!* You tricked me!
*Sigh.* Obsessing over beauty again. A man comparing himself to a girl? I’d lost my perspective. Besides, she was…
Heat flooded my cheeks as I finally remembered who’d entered the pool beside me. The first one in.
“Mistflower… is that you?”
“Huh? Yes! It’s me. And you…?” She snapped out of her daze, finally recognizing me. “Wald? Is that you?”
“It’s me. Though I’m not Wald anymore. Call me Lerfu now. The divine gift of my new name.”
“Alright… Lerfu.” She hadn’t known me long; names mattered little. “Did it work? Are we… Angels?”
“Of course.” I spread my six white wings gently.
“So beautiful…” She gazed at me with longing. *What for?* You have them too—and far grander.
She mimicked me, unfolding her wings. Ten pure white wings—five on each side—sprouted from her back. The lowest pair remained submerged, only their roots visible above water.
Ten wings of the Fifth Order. The legacy Bishop Corlmo sacrificed everything to beg from the Breath of the Sun. A bloodline of noble Angels, envied by all. Just one step away from perfection.
