Location: Outside of Star Palace
Feldway POV
I couldn't believe it.
Even now, my body felt lighter... no, stronger. Like something had been sharpened deep inside me. But that wasn't what had me reeling.
It was the power. The kind of power that doesn't just flow—it shapes.
Michael, the Ultimate Skill. A name that echoed like judgment in my mind. It was resting inside me now, curled in the depths of my soul like it had always been waiting there.
And the one who gave it to me?
"...Boss Veldanava," I muttered aloud, clenching my fist.
There was no celebration. No overwhelming joy. Just a quiet, simmering realization: I had changed. Again.
The Voice of the World had spoken clearly—this wasn't just evolution, it was a rewriting of my existence. My Unique Skill [Justice] had failed to evolve on its own, but now, inherited through the will of my Creator, it had become something terrifying.
The trade-off? That's what disturbed me. Skills on this level... they don't come without a price.
"...Just what are you planning, Boss?" I whispered.
Veldanava POV
Oh-ho~! There it is.
That expression. That cold, calculating frown he always wears when he's trying to piece together the bigger picture.
I love that look.
From a respectable distance, I watched my favorite Seraphim stew in his thoughts. Well, to be fair, he's the only one right now. I did ask my other parallel existences to give the others enough magicules to evolve as well.
"Feldway, my brilliant, serious little creation," I murmured to myself, grinning.
And right on cue—
"Boss Veldanava."
Oh! There it is. His tone? Dead serious. That's my Feldway.
With a single snap, I materialized in front of him, arms wide like I was about to greet an old drinking buddy.
"You called~?"
Feldway didn't flinch. Of course he didn't. This one never reacts unless I do something really dumb. Instead, he looked me straight in the eye.
"You gave me this power—Michael. Why?"
There it was. No anger. No awe. Just... reason. He wanted an answer.
I floated in place, stroking my chin like I was thinking hard, even though the answer had already come to me eons ago.
"Hmm, why indeed? Let's see..." I gave him a toothy grin. "Because it's fun watching you panic!"
Feldway stared.
No blinking. No twitch.
Damn. Tough crowd.
"...You're giving me an Ultimate Skill for fun?"
"Yup!" I chirped. "You think I hand these out like candy? Don't flatter yourself. You earned it—and you're the only one who could handle it. But also..." I wiggled my fingers theatrically, "...you're way too boring when you're calm. Gotta spice it up somehow!"
He folded his arms. Still serious.
"I need more than 'fun,' Boss. This isn't a game. You're playing with fire."
Oho~! That hit different. For a second, even I felt my grin twitch.
"Exactly," I replied, snapping my fingers again. "That's why you're perfect for it. Look at you—so careful, so skeptical, always asking questions. You're the only one who'll ever question a gift like this. That makes you special, Feldway."
His expression didn't change.
"You are impossible."
"Heh. You keep saying that like it's a bad thing."
Feldway POV
He wasn't going to give me a real answer. I knew it.
And yet... it didn't feel like he was lying either. It was like he truly believed giving me this overwhelming power was justified... somehow.
"Anyway!" Boss Veldanava suddenly clapped his hands, his energy spiking. "Time for training!"
"...You want to train me now?"
"Ding-ding-ding! Give this angel a gold star! Of course I want to train you! You're like my newest, shiniest sword, and I have to see if it can cut through the world!"
I closed my eyes and sighed.
This man—this god—was either completely mad, or the only sane being in existence. And for some reason... he was the one teaching me how to wield my own soul.
"Fine," I muttered, resigning myself. "Let's train."
"THAT'S the spirit!" Veldanava shouted, already floating ten meters ahead like a kid with a new toy. "Come on, Feldway! Let's see if that shiny new Michael of yours is as glorious as I think it is!"
As I followed him, I looked up at the heaven-like sky.
Truly beautiful...
To be continued…