The chamber of the Celestial Council glowed with serene grandeur, the vast elemental thrones radiating both majesty and menace. The Paladins stood in a neat line before them, their guardian angels behind, some whispering in awe, others stiff in formality.
Luminier rose again, his voice the embodiment of order.
"You all must have realized that you have all been reborn into the Eight noble Clans across the world Novarion. This was not coincidence — it is necessity. Your status as nobility will provide you the resources, knowledge, and standing you will require in your journey. But take heed," Luminier's fiery gaze sharpened "Do not let this privilege fester into arrogance. Your worth will not be judged by noble titles or bloodlines, but by the blades you forge yourselves into."
His light pulsed brighter, his gaze like a sunrise falling upon each of them.
"You must rise beyond the Ascendant rank. For the Demon King, when he descends, cannot be stopped by mortals. Even Ascendants, the limit of Novarion's power will crumble before him. Only when at the level untouched by any before you — the Divine Rank — will you stand a chance. To become Heaven's blades, Novarion's protectors, you must ascend faster, harder, sharper than any generation before you."
The hall filled with a heavy silence, the enormity of his words sinking in. Even the ever-grinning Leroy fell quiet, eyes alight with feverish anticipation rather than his usual manic grin. Aurora wrung her hands, though determination glimmered in her expression. Adonis' jaw set in righteous resolve.
Avon, lounging sideways across his throne with his chaotic smirk, stretched lazily. "That's the scary version. The simple version? You're on a timer. Train hard, kill demons, don't die. Oh, and try to look cool while you do it. Nothing worse than dying in an uncool pose."
Moirael — Fate — snapped her head toward him. "Avon, enough of your nonsense. These children should not even—"
Avon sat up, the smirk sliding from his face for the first time. His voice, though calm, rang with a sharp darkness that silenced the chamber.
"Moira. Shut. Up."
A ripple went through the hall. Even the other Pillar Angels stilled.
"You've been pissing me off for a while now," he continued, his grin sliding back like a mask but his eyes hard, chaotic. "Keep it up, and I'll remind you why I'm the one you never gamble against."
Moirael's lips pressed into a thin line, her fury palpable but reined in.
Avon leaned back into his throne, clapping once. "Anyway! You'll all be given a free skill to choose as you return. A little… Heavenly Starter pack, let's call it." His smirk widened. "Don't waste it."
Moira's eyes flicked toward Neo, her mouth opening to object — to finally cut him out of this. But Avon's gaze snapped to her like a blade at her throat, and her words died on the spot.
The dismissal came swift after that. With light flooding their vision, the Paladins found themselves once again in the heavenly dining hall, the beautiful buffet still waiting, though the aura of solemnity lingered.
Along the walls now stood glowing elemental doors, each leading back to their noble clans.
Adonis stepped forward, golden hair shimmering, and raised a hand in solemn oath. "Brothers and sisters, we have been granted a great burden — and a greater gift. Let us not waste it. We must live up to Heaven's expectations, protect Novarion, and prove worthy of our callings."
The others murmured assent, nodding — though Vere smirked, and Leroy laughed.
Neo sighed. His casual voice cut through Adonis' proclamation like a blade.
"Save the sermon."He exhaled as he stood up from his seat. "Unlike you guys,I have no interest in playing Hero."
The hall stilled.
Neo's smirk widened faintly, his eyes cold. "I have my own goals. I'll save this world if — and only if — it lines up with them. Don't mistake me for a hero."
The Paladins shifted uneasily, the weight of his words heavier than any oath.
"So you wish to turn against us, even after this chance given by the Heavens?" Adonis asked, fists clenched.
Neo chuckled softly. "That depends."
As Neo turned toward his elemental door, Celeste floating smugly beside him, two angels suddenly materialized in front of him, blocking his path. Vere's guardian angel and Adonis' sword angel — both radiant and furious — slammed him against the far wall, blades of celestial steel poised at his throat.
"You dare mock Heaven? You dare reject—"
Neo chuckled. Quiet. Unsettling. His golden-red eyes glimmered with something feral.
"Haaa…" He exhaled slowly, mist curling from his lips. Then his voice dropped into a chilling murmur.
"Threatening someone you expect to help you? …Annoying."
The angels lunged, blades streaking toward him—
[Soul Strike].
The world froze.
The two angels — divine warriors, unshakable, eternal — felt terror unlike anything they had ever known. Their wings locked, their arms seized. Deep in their very essence, they felt it: portions of their souls severed, not damaged, not attacked...just severed.
Then they felt it...
Forged from the severed shards, Spectral blades of pure soul formed poised to strike at the very cores of their beings.
They could not move. Could not breathe. Could not comprehend.
Neo smiled, laughing low and eerie. "Sorry guys, I'm not in the mood to play with you right now. Maybe some other time."
He stepped away casually, brushing invisible dust from his shoulder as he passed the mortified angels. Celeste hovered beside him, one brow arched, lips twitching to hide a smile.
Neo turned, waving cheerfully to the others. "See ya guys soon."
The undertone in his voice sent shivers through them all.
He and Celeste stepped into the glowing portal. Just before the light enveloped him, Celeste's voice touched his mind, quieter, worried.
"You're acting a bit grumpy today. I mean… what history do you have with her?"
Neo sighed deeply, eyes darkening. "You could say she's half responsible for why my past life went to shit. Seeing her there… yeah. Pissed me off."
His weary gaze lingered a moment — then the light swallowed him.
"Besides, I like to leave an impression."
---
The two angels who had attacked staggered, nearly collapsing as their blades clattered to the ground, dissolving into bright motes of light. Sweat poured from their brows, their wings trembling. Their faces twisted in disbelief and fear.
Vere ran over to Decretiel, her gaze sharp."What happened Dec?"
"He…" Decretiel gasped. "He...he somehow cut our souls. Instantly. And forged them into weapons."
For a second there was a pause.
"Nah, you got to be joking...right? Here, you guys have part of your power back. How could he defeat you without lifting a finger? How do you even cut a soul?" Rey chuckled nervously.
It stung to admit it but they had severely underestimated Neo Castreed, leading to the loss of a portion of their souls.
The other's voice shook, . "If he'd willed it… we'd be gone. Erased."
The Paladins stared, horror and awe mixing in their eyes. Leroy's lips curved into a manic grin. Vere's smirk deepened, dangerous interest gleaming. Aurora's hands trembled. Rey whistled low, his smile thin. Nora's cold gaze narrowed, hiding unease. Adonis' fists clenched.
For the first time, they all realized the truth.
Neo Castreed wasn't just another Paladin.
He was dangerous.
A weapon sharper — and perhaps darker — than even Heaven had bargained for.
One Paladin especially stared into the portal where Neo had vanished through —or rather —the bright golden quest screen in front of him.
Adonis clenched his fist at the translucent screen shimmering in front of him.
[Paladin Quest: Surviving the End]
[Difficulty: ???]
[Time limit: Until the Demon King's descent]
[Details: Befriend or kill the existence known as [Neo Castreed] ]
[Reward: ??? (SS-tier)]
"Neo Castreed...just what are you?"