Chapter 315: Thank You For Your Service
Kai’s breath was caught in his throat when his eyes focused on two figures looming over him like statues; their frames were silhouetted against the sunlight above, leaving only their bright, glowing eyes visible.
Neither radiated any aura—no presence or anything that hinted they were there.
It was exactly like the woman from earlier.
But it was the figure on the left that stopped Kai cold.
His savage green eyes fixed downward for a moment, at something, then snapped to Kai with a glare that barely contained its rage—the look of a man staring at his family’s killer and desperately fighting everything he had not to go feral.
Kai thought he was seeing things.
He blinked his eyes and saw that the wrath behind the man’s eyes was no longer there.
It disappeared like it was never there.
Kai blinked again, allowing his pupils to adjust to the brightness. The world sharpened—and the two figures resolved into men, no, legionnaires in full-plated armour. Their cuirasses were sleeveless, an intricate white with gold trims that gleamed under the sun.
Short leather leggings and greaves matched the tone of their armour.
And plumed helmets crowned their heads, leaving their faces exposed through the gap.
Yet somehow, they breathed fine.
Kai could tell from the air alone that this separated place had a similar oxygen concentration— as the Second Sky. It was thin, difficult to breathe, even close to suffocating. But both Kai and Layra wore their ceremonial masks, superior to the standard issue, so they were fine.
But these legionnaires wore an open plumed helmet and breathed fine.
Must be an advanced version.
Kai guessed that their plumed mask was a better version of a normal mask—one that did not require the suffocating full coverage of the ones he and other Angels were used to. Realizing that they were waiting for them to recover, he tapped Layra’s shoulder urgently, gesturing for her to get up.
She followed his gaze, saw the two legionnaires, and scrambled to her feet.
Once they were both standing, one of the legionnaires spoke.
"Stick close."
Both then turned—and led them down a paved road that sliced through a beautiful grassland dotted with flowers. The path wound straight toward the AAA’s headquarters ahead, and as they walked, Kai stared at the back of the legionnaire on the left, the one who glared at him.
I didn’t see it wrong. He must’ve seen the badge. Quite impressive.
Kai believed this legionnaire belonged to the Fallen Faction.
And that meant the Fallen Faction had infiltrated the AAA really deep—which was impressive in its own right. For a rebellion faction, Kai was expecting that finding a member would be hard, as there are only a few of them in the AAA’s Headquarters.
Perhaps there was only Markus.
But the first thing he encountered was a member, and he didn’t know how to feel about that.
All I need to do is wait now.
Kai averted his gaze and began to notice just how many legionnaires were stationed here. Dozens. Perhaps close to a hundred. Most were training, sparring, running drills, and practicing their weapon forms.
All of them moved with the quiet, coiled readiness of battle-hardened warriors.
Not guards like the grey-masked Angels.
No—these legionnaires were an army, keeping themselves sharp at all times.
Kai and Layra followed them closely through the road that passed through gaps between two majestic hills; their slopes softened by a thin layer of mist that clung to the grass and near their summits.
The air grew cooler, thicker, carrying the faint mineral scent of metal and fire.
𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮
As they passed under an archway of a bridge connecting two hills, the sharp sound of clanging metal echoed from the holes carved into the hillsides. Forges. Even though the holes were high up, away from sight, Kai could picture them clearly.
Massive furnaces. Anvils ringing. Fire. And armour and weapons being hammered into shape.
From the name, he thought the AAA was simply a regulator of academies.
But it didn’t seem to be the case.
Considering its self-sufficient aspect, this place might as well be a fortress.
Soon, the four arrived at a larger archway made entirely of marble pillars—that rose on either side. It led to a grand structure that stretched upward, a staircase that led directly to the mouth of the AAA’s Headquarters.
It was wide enough for a dozen men to climb abreast.
Standing on the side, waiting with the patience of someone who had been there for some time, was the woman from earlier. Her white mask with gold rims tilted slightly, watching Kai and Layra with an unreadable gaze.
"Average time." She said as she intertwined her hands on her belly in an elegant posture. "But enough, nevertheless. Come—I’ll guide you to where you need to go. And be advised, do not look around too much lest you see something unwelcoming."
Once again, without extrapolating what she meant, she ascended the staircase.
Kai and Layra walked past the two legionnaires and followed after her.
It was a long ascent, and the silence was killing Layra, so she decided to break the ice.
"May I know your name, madam?" She asked as politely as possible.
"Seliza," the woman, Seliza, replied. "But I am no madam. Refer to me as Keeper Seliza."
"Right... Keeper Seliza, why do we need to register exactly? Is it only for documentation?"
"Documentation and preparation."
"Preparation...?"
"Yes—To track your progress in the First Sky and prepare your role in the Second Sky."
Of course, this answer was no surprise for Layra or Kai.
Both of them already knew the truth intimately—that the life of an Angel was merciless, much more difficult than for normal humans or Demons. No Angel was exempt. Even as champions of their academies, they would receive no leeway.
In the sky, the stronger an Angel became—the heavier the responsibilities they were forced to carry.
Perhaps the true breathing moment for them was the First Sky.
As soon as they entered the Second Sky, the true horror would be revealed.
"W-What exactly is our role in the Second Sky...?" Layra asked, slightly afraid of the answer.
"Greater defenders of mankind," Keeper Seliza replied without looking. "An honourable role reserved only for the strongest of Angels. As Angels, there was no need to be afraid. Death for Angels or those tied to them would never be meaningless. Mankind would be thankful."
Layra looked down.
Even though Keeper Seliza framed it in a grand way, the role of a champion in the Second Sky was obvious now. Someone who would lead against the terror of the Blue Void. There would be no rest for them up there.
And she didn’t know whether she was ready for such a life.
A sigh escaped her lips, and she turned to look at Kai, finding it odd for him to be silent.
But the moment she turned, her eyes widened.
Kai’s eyes were wide and bulging like he was staring directly at the person who had killed his sister during the orientation. His fists clenched at his sides with such force that his own arms trembled from the pressure radiating from him, and Layra could faintly hear the sound of his dry skin grazing together.
His face was hidden behind, yet she could feel the heat of his anger searing through it.
From the gap in his uniform and mantle, she also saw veins bulging on Kai’s neck.
’He’s angry...’ Layra thought—and then realized that Keeper Seliza’s words offended him. It made him remember his sister and how the Angels that day deemed it a good thing. ’He can’t do this right now.’
Concerned that he might explode, she grabbed his fist with both her hands and squeezed.
Hoping that the softness of her hands would snap him out of his haze.
Kai eventually recovered and took in a deep breath.
"Yes... breathe." Layra whispered while tapping his arm. "Breathe."
Just then, the two stopped abruptly when Keeper Seliza stopped.
She then glanced slowly over her shoulder, and Layra stiffened—certain that she had sensed Kai’s anger. And then, her pale eyes settled on him. "You’re a Lesser Angel, correct?" She lifted her hand and tapped a knuckle against her mask in a salute. "Thank you for your service."
Deg—!
Kai’s heart skipped a beat.
A rush of heat climbed from the pit of his stomach and all the way to his head.
His entire body trembled. Adrenaline flooded into his muscles, making his limbs and fingers twitch with barely suppressed violence. The anger that felt old now came rushing back to him like a tidal wave.
Every drop born from his sister’s death and from every suffering he had endured returned all at once.
Layra squeezed his fist even tighter. He could feel it. Feel her desperation.
She did not want him to do anything rash.
But how could he not? Even through Keeper Seliza’s mask, he could see her smiling.
Not a true smile—only the faint curl of lips reserved for mockery, the expression of someone who believed themselves above all others. And then there were her eyes—the eyes of someone looking at an animal. Looking at nothing.
It reminded him of that bastard—the Demon Man.
Bastard...!
Kai became wrath.
His eyes burned as tears welled up from the rage that was consuming him, but he held them back. At this point, there was no chance Keeper Seliza didn’t recognize that what she said had offended him to his core.
In fact, she probably intended it to be offensive.
And though she had already said what she wanted to say, she kept staring at Kai.
Daring him to do anything.
Kai wanted to strangle her. He wanted to carve out her heart and force it down her throat— force her to chew on it so that she would understand what he was feeling right now. So that she would understand the pain in his heart from hearing what she said.
Thank you for your service? This damn heartless slut. Are you saying her death is a service?!
On the side, Layra’s eyes widened when she saw blood drizzling down his neck.
A bit gathered at the chin of his mask and dropped to the ground.
Kai was biting his lip so hard to hold back his anger that it began to bleed profusely.
"K-Keeper Seliza," Layra quickly broke the silence again—knowing that letting this continue would not be good for Kai. "Should we continue? I don’t think our academies would approve of us leaving for too long."
"Heh..." Keeper Seliza scoffed and turned around. "Come on then."
For the entirety of the way, Kai was in his own world.
He could feel his body moving, could hear the two were talking, but he didn’t really remember much. For the rest of the way—he was akin to a robot going up the staircase until the three of them finally reached the AAA’s Headquarters.