Healing System

Michael hummed in surprise. "Hmm..."

He wasn't actually expecting it to work—yet here he was, back in the past, standing in the exact same spot on the same fateful day when everything had gone to hell. The day when the explosion happened.

It was certainly not worth the trouble now, but back then, it was.

Michael stared at the demon before him, looking onward with malice, as it was about to bomb the entire city.

Yet before it could do that, Michael focused on his pitiful mana and sent out a streak of light, piercing straight through the core of the demon and killing it instantly.

—H-Huh!?

—The Saint just...!

—The Saint killed somebody!!!

Michael ignored those words. Instead, he focused on the presence inside his mind.

[What was that about, Michael?] The system said, puzzled.

It's nothing... Don't worry about it. Michael replied and shut off his mind completely.

The system had been able to read it previously, but now, it couldn't access what he didn't want it to access.

It was a simple fix, and honestly, it was better than having it snoop around.

Since, after all, in the meantime, he'd at least have someone to talk to.

[Doesn't seem like nothing. Did you realize it was about to use its main skill?] The system asked. [I know you're on some edgy shit the last few days, but keep yourself together. You have an image to maintain.]

Yep, no problem. It's already done, and I don't really give much of a shit about this demon either way. Michael replied and sent a kick toward the corpse, making it dissipate in an instant.

And as it did, the people finally froze in realization.

Even though demons were pretty rare to see, they were common knowledge in the academies.

With that, Michael made his way off the arena and approached his classmates.

Namely, Chloe.

"Where's Kevin and Elizabeth?" Michael asked.

Chloe tilted her head, as if puzzled. "...Who?"

"...?" Michael was now equally confused. "The edgy dude and the sword-wielding girl? Are they still here?"

"Sorry, Michael..." Chloe shook her head. "I have no idea who you're talking about."

"...So it's them this time." Michael muttered.

Last time, he was forgotten, and now, not only were they forgotten, but they were also missing.

But that was not important, as he had other issues to attend to.

Mainly, the plan.

If he wanted to beat the gods, he had to go about it in another way.

His mother can always come back to life, and his father even more so. Therefore, he didn't bother with that for now.

It was still sad, though. So many possibilities were unlocked, just for them to be completely snatched away by some random being who managed to instantly kill him.

"Saint Michael, apologies..." A voice rang out from the side as a pair of guards appeared.

It seemed like they wanted to arrest him. Therefore, he merely showed them the middle finger before sitting down.

"I'm not in the mood. Go do your job some other time."

"It's..." The guards glanced between each other before walking away.

They obviously couldn't do much to the Saint himself, since if they tried anything, their jobs would be forfeit.

But, of course, Chloe's skeptical gaze couldn't escape his sight. Your next read is at My Virtual Library Empire

"What's wrong?" he asked plainly.

"You're not yourself," she replied, breaking eye contact. "You were normal earlier, but now... You just seem emotionless."

He could feel a bit of disdain in her voice, which kind of hurt.

After all, even if they weren't the best of friends, hearing something like that was not very pleasant.

"Chloe," Michael got her attention. "I appreciate your concern, truly. But I'm just a bit out of it is all. I'll be back to normal soon, promise."

She merely rolled her eyes before placing her gaze back on the arena.

The demon's body was no longer there. However, the people had to check if what they had just seen was real.

As for Michael, he decided to have a little chat with the system.

Do you remember them? The people I talked about?

[I do, I'm just not sure where they disappeared to.] The system said, conflicted. [I remember them standing there earlier, but now, they are gone, and from the looks of things, they are nowhere near this city.]

I see... Michael nodded. How about you? How's it going?

[Did you hit your head?] The system asked. [It's the first time you've ever asked me how I'm doing.]

There's a first for everything. Michael chuckled.

It was definitely not because he felt guilty, since he didn't.

After all, the system was him, just crystallized into a memory-like form.

If anything, Astraea was the same, just slightly different.

[Well, I guess I'm doing okay? I can't really go out much since you know, mana restriction and all that.] The system replied plainly. [But it is a bit of a strange coincidence. It's almost like you were replaced by someone else or something.]

Hahaha... yeah, that would be a coincidence, wouldn't it? Michael replied with a smile.

As delusional as this conversation was, it was relaxing.

Quite frankly, he felt like he needed it, almost owed it to himself to talk to the system.

Say, do you think I should ask out Astraea? Michael asked.

[You're scaring me, Michael...] The system replied eerily. [You never take initiative because you're simply too blind, but now you want to take the first step? Are you trying to fool me or something?]

Nope. Michael replied with a shake of his head. I just want to explore a few options while I'm here.

[Hmm... then I'd say go for it? I guess? I'm not exactly the romantic overlord of the cosmos, so I can't help you much with the pickup lines and all that.]

Pfft... Yeah, I know. Michael said warmly, as a smile appeared on his face.

Finally, the arena was cleaned up, and frankly, the tournament was paused.

As for the winners? Undetermined.

Naturally, Vivum should've won, but then again, who won the tournament was the least of his issues.

After all, there was one plan in particular he wanted to go through with, and that was...

Do you think I could go through that angel academy that you went through?

[That's an odd question, Michael.] The system's tone turned serious. [You're not an angel, you're a human. If you go there as you are, then you're going to die.]

Turn me into an angel then. Michael replied flatly. You can do that, can't you?

[I can't.]

You can.

The system fell silent for a moment before letting out a sigh. [You want me to use the halo to turn you into an angel.]

Yep, that's exactly what I want you to do. Michael nodded.

In theory, it would work.

The halo would transform his mana into something else entirely and also give him the temporary powers of an angel.

He just had to go under a different alias for that time, and after that, Michael could just relax in the Heaven academy.

After all, it should be much better than what was on Verdusk.

"Chloe." Michael called out. "I'm sorry for earlier, but I'm going to be taking a trip somewhere for a bit."

"I don't care what you do. You'll be back in a week and, as always, be in trouble with the academy board." Chloe replied with a playful scoff.

It seemed like she didn't actually hate him. Therefore, he merely chuckled.

"Yep, a few weeks," he added, obviously lying.

If it goes as planned, then he would be staying there for at least a couple of months, if not years.

So, are you going to do it? Michael asked the system again.

[I will... but what has brought on such a change? You were always timid in how you do things.]

I guess I just had a change of heart is all. Michael shrugged before standing up and slowly making his way out of the arena.

He was a bit surprised the system hadn't noticed his precise control of mana earlier, but that was besides the point.

As of now, the only thing he needed to do was move forward.

Therefore, Michael arrived at an alleyway where not a lot of people were gathered, and before long, took off the halo.

It was easier than the first couple of times, which also seemed to not go unnoticed by the system, who merely hummed in amusement.

But since it didn't call him out, he didn't bother bringing it up either.

Soon, Michael infused all the mana he had into the halo, making it glow a golden color.

Finally, he was completely out of mana, with the only mana nearby being inside the halo.

That was why the system suddenly took hold and began infusing the halo straight into Michael's head, almost combining with it.

With that, however, came a system popup.

<Race changing...>

It's working... Michael thought with satisfaction and waited for the process to finish.

However, instead of it becoming less taxing, he felt more pain.

A lot more pain...

[Michael... I think I forgot a step.] The system said plainly, making Michael's eyes widen.

You've got to be fucking kidding me.