Haruki POV
As consciousness drifted back, my head throbbed like a heartbeat in my skull, each pulse a drumbeat I couldn't ignore. I blinked, willing my eyes to open, but all I could make out was a swirl of muted, shadowy colors that danced and blurred. Slowly, the world came into focus, and I felt my stomach drop at the sight before me.
I was in a vast canyon, its sheer cliffs looming on either side, stretching into a haze far above. Bodies lay scattered across the blood-soaked earth—beings with enormous, tattered wings sprawling across the ground, their once-pristine feathers stained crimson. The stench of iron filled the air, mingling with the earthy scent of dust and decay.
I stumbled to my feet, my legs weak and unsteady, knees quaking as I took it all in. Amidst this grim massacre, I noticed a patch untouched by the devastation—a solitary circle of calm. Standing at its center was a figure, radiant even against the carnage, seeming almost serene.
"Welcome, child. Please disregard your surroundings," came a calm voice, one I recognized from my desperate escape.
I focused on the figure more closely. He looked youthful, yet something about him radiated ancient, unyielding wisdom. His piercing blue eyes met mine, calm and almost expectant. Pale skin gleamed under the dim light, contrasting with the snow-white mess of hair framing his face. Six pairs of majestic white wings stretched from his back, each feather flawless despite the chaos around him.
I approached him cautiously, my heart pounding. "You... you're the voice from before, right?" My words felt shaky, an uncertain deduction surfacing in the adrenaline-fueled haze.
"You are correct, Haruki Toshiro," he responded with a slight nod, his voice gentle but carrying an unearthly weight.
"How do you know my name? Where am I? Am I dead? And who... who are you?" The questions tumbled out faster than I could stop them, confusion and curiosity mixing into one frantic spiral.
He raised a hand, calming my torrent of questions. "Take a breath, child; I mean you no harm," he reassured, his voice unshaken. "As for your questions: I am here with you, though the 'how' and 'why' remain unknown even to me. This place, however, is your mindscape, which has taken the form of my final battlefield in the Great War. No, you are not dead. And as for me... I am Raziel, Archangel of Wisdom."
An archangel. My mind reeled, grappling to reconcile the image of this serene being with the chaos of the scene around us. "So, you're an... an archangel?" The words sounded foreign on my tongue.
He inclined his head. "Yes, one of the highest order, serving directly under our Father."
I had more questions than ever, but Raziel seemed to sense that. "I know you're overwhelmed," he said, his gaze softening. "But our time here is limited, and I have much to explain." He paused, his eyes locking onto mine. "Haruki Toshiro, it seems I will be the one to introduce you to the supernatural world."
My pulse quickened at his words. "Supernatural world?" I echoed.
"Yes," Raziel confirmed. "The ordinary world is separated from the supernatural world—a realm where myths and legends are true. The creature you encountered was of demonic origin, albeit strangely incomplete. To protect you, I had to use the last of your magical energy to unleash a single spell, powerful enough to vanquish it. And yes, Haruki... magic is real. And you are capable of wielding it."
Magic? Demons? The information pressed down like a weight on my shoulders, and I could feel my mind swimming. I took a shaky breath. "Okay, this... this is a lot. If all of this is true, then why are you here with me and not... well, in Heaven?"
A shadow passed over Raziel's face, though his calm demeanor never faltered. "I have died, Haruki. This battle you see here was my last." He gestured around us to the battlefield, where bodies lay scattered and broken. "Our souls became intertwined by some twist of fate. I can only assume that our Father foresaw a future need in this world, and through this bond, I may continue to guide and safeguard it... through you."
As he spoke, the battlefield began to fade, the once-vivid colors dimming and merging with shadow. Darkness closed in around us, swallowing the canyon and the towering cliffs, until all I could see was Raziel's radiant form.
"Our time here has run out," Raziel said, his voice faint as his figure faded. "Once you awaken, we can continue this conversation."
The last thing I saw was his calm, piercing gaze as everything else melted away into blackness.
In Kuoh Hospital
A voice cut through the haze in my mind, faint but steady. "Doctor, he's waking up." My head felt like it was filled with cotton, my vision a blur of washed-out colors and shadowy outlines. I blinked, trying to bring it all into focus, as snippets of the real world filtered in through my lingering confusion.
"My boy, how are you feeling?" a voice asked—a gentle one, warm, a hint of age in its tone. I managed to make out a face leaning over me, a kind-looking, white-haired doctor checking my vitals. He smiled, though concern lined his expression. "You gave your mother quite a scare, especially since you were found unconscious out in the abandoned warehouse district."
The fog in my mind lifted a little more as I took in the sterile hospital room around me, the subtle beeping of machines tracking my heartbeat.
"What… happened?" My voice sounded foreign, rough, and scratchy.
"That is what we would like to know," the doctor replied with a patient smile. "The police found your belongings at the entrance of a warehouse that had been… let's just say, heavily damaged."
I rubbed my head, fragments of memories flitting through my mind, but they were dark, jagged images, not yet fully formed. "Could I… have some water?" I croaked.
The doctor nodded, and a nurse appeared by my side with a cup. I drank slowly, the cool liquid soothing my throat and helping to shake off the remnants of grogginess. I opened my mouth to explain, but a familiar voice in my head whispered urgently.
"I would not recommend that course of action," Raziel's calm, authoritative voice advised. "These people know nothing of the world you have encountered, and revealing it to them would cause more harm than good."
I hesitated, memories of Raziel and the battle flickering at the edges of my mind. Right. Raziel was here, the archangel who had saved my life—albeit mysteriously trapped within my head. Listening to his advice, I scrambled to think of something else, a plausible cover story.
"I… I was taking a shortcut through the warehouse district," I began cautiously, glancing at the doctor. "I use it sometimes to get home faster. I heard a shout for help in one of the warehouses—thought someone might be in trouble, you know?"
The doctor raised an eyebrow, signaling me to continue. I took a breath, letting the words tumble out. "So I went in, but the place was… eerie. No lights, just shadows. Then, near one of those big, rusty vats, I saw him—a huge guy, covered in blood, holding a cleaver. Behind him, there were… bodies. Mutilated ones, piled up. It was horrible."
The doctor and nurse exchanged a look, clearly shocked. I pushed on, building momentum as I spun the story. "I ran for it, but he chased me. I hid in another warehouse, hoping he'd give up, but he found me. I don't know what happened next; I thought I was a goner. I heard another voice call out—it sounded female, I think. Then… everything went dark."
The room fell silent. I could practically hear them processing it all, and I held my breath, waiting for a reaction. The doctor exhaled slowly, his face pale, but he nodded, seeming to buy the story.
"Oh dear, Kaori-san, please contact the chief of police," he murmured to the nurse beside him. "There may be a serial killer on the loose." His voice was calm but strained as he shifted back to me. "You are incredibly lucky to be here right now. You might want to buy a lottery ticket with this kind of luck," he joked weakly as if trying to lighten the gravity of my tale.
"I guess I had a guardian angel," I replied, forcing a faint smile, though the irony was not lost on me. Raziel was the reason I was still here, that much was certain.
As if reading my thoughts, Raziel's voice chimed in, soft but stern. "While I do not condone lying, sometimes discretion is wiser. And… I suppose you could consider me your guardian angel."
The doctor offers a gentle smile, placing a hand on my shoulder before standing up. "Now that you're awake, let me notify your mother; she's worried sick. If you need anything, please press that button," he says, pointing to the small panel beside my bed. As he steps out, I try to shake the fog from my mind and take a deep breath, but the door suddenly swings open. Mom rushes in, practically lunging toward me with her arms wide open.
"Oh, Haruki!" She pulls me into a tight hug, her face pressed against my shoulder. I can feel her trembling. "You have no idea how scared I was—how could I let you out of my sight with a serial killer lurking around!" Her voice cracks, and I finally notice the faint red marks around her eyes.
"Mom… need… air," I wheeze, patting her arm in a desperate plea for mercy.
"Oh! Sorry, sorry," she laughs awkwardly, easing her grip but still keeping a hand on my shoulder as if I might vanish at any moment. "I just… I thought I'd lost you."
"Mom, it's alright. See?" I lift my arm and give a half-hearted flex. "Good as new."
The doctor returns with a clipboard in hand. "I see you two have reunited. Haruki, you're one lucky young man. You've sustained no major injuries—other than a bout of unconsciousness. We'll release you shortly, but make sure to get plenty of rest. If you experience any sudden anxiety or unusual sensations, please give us a call." With a quick nod, he hands Mom a few discharge forms to sign, and soon, we're out the door and on our way home.
As we drive, streetlights flash past, casting quick streaks of light and shadow through the car window. I stare out at the passing scenery, my mind racing. There's an entire supernatural world hidden just beneath reality. Angels, demons, magic—all of it real. And now, somehow, I'm a part of it. I'm not sure how to process this... It's like I've been handed a puzzle with too many pieces and not enough time.
My spiraling thoughts are interrupted as the car slows, pulling into our driveway. I barely register to step inside before Mom suddenly stops, turning to me with a look that pierces straight through whatever bravado I've been putting on. "Please," she says, her voice soft, "don't ever scare me like that again. I already lost your father... I couldn't handle losing you too."
I swallow hard, the weight of her words settling in. "I… I'll try my best, Mom."
"That's all I ask." Her face softens, and she reaches out to pat my cheek, her smile finally starting to ease the tight lines of worry etched there.
"Now, you must be famished. Let's get you some dinner."
Dinner is quiet, a silence stretching between us like a fragile truce.
Afterward, I make my way to my room, collapsing onto my bed with a long sigh. Everything feels like a strange dream—but the voice in my head quickly reminds me it's all real.
"Yes, Haruki. It's as real as the air you breathe." Raziel's voice replies, calm and certain.
'Then what do I do now? I'm just one person. What place could I possibly have in a world like this?'
Raziel's voice softens. "That, young Haruki, is a question only you can answer. I am here to guide you, but our Father has made it clear that humanity must find its own path. Yet, I sense within you a gift for the mystical arts—a spark that could lead you to great things, should you choose to pursue them."
My mind immediately begins spinning with possibilities. 'Magic,' I repeat, almost whispering it in awe. 'It's real. And if it's like you say, maybe I could actually… study it?'
Raziel's tone brightens a touch. "Indeed, you could. For humans, magic is achieved through the intricate application of formulas and calculations. The legendary wizard Merlin himself pioneered these methods, transforming raw energy into an art form humans could wield to protect themselves."
Magic… through calculations? A grin spreads across my face. 'So it's like science, then. Math and formulas.'
"Yes, in a way, it is," Raziel agrees, and I can almost sense the amusement in his voice. My heart starts to race. Math and science have always been my thing; they're what ground me. And now, they might just be the key to my future.
Suddenly, an old memory flashes in my mind, sharp and vivid. I'm a kid again, crying in the corner of my room. Dad comes over, kneeling down beside me. His voice is soft as he wipes the tears from my cheeks.
"Listen, buddy, I know things are changing. But it's going to be okay. Do you know why?" He pauses, waiting for a response. When I don't answer, he smiles. "Because as long as you don't lose that spark of yours, nothing can stand in your way. Promise me you'll hold onto that spark."
I snap back to the present, a tear slipping down my cheek. My chest feels tight, but something else stirs inside—a strange sensation bubbling up until it escapes in a snort, then a chuckle, and before I know it, laughter erupts from me.
"Pfffft—PFFFFT—HAHAHAHAHA!"
Raziel's voice sounds mildly alarmed. "Haruki? Are you alright?"
"Yeah… yeah, I think I am." I wipe away the tear, trying to catch my breath. "Hey, Raz, I think I know what I want to do."
"Raz?" he echoes, confused.
"Yep, that's your new nickname. We're a team now, after all." I sit up, grinning. "And I'm not just going to learn magic—I'm going to become the greatest mage of this era. I want my name to stand with legends like Merlin."
There's a beat of silence before Raziel responds, his voice filled with a strange warmth. "If that is your dream, then I will do everything in my power to help you achieve it, Haruki."
"Thanks, Raz," I say, my heart swelling with a new sense of determination.
This is it—the start of something new. It's a path I never imagined, a journey I am ready to embrace. With Raziel by my side, I have a feeling it's going to be an incredible adventure.
"Let's start now. Can you show me how you created that fireball?" I ask Raziel, eager for guidance.
"Hold out your hand," Raziel instructs, his tone calm but encouraging. I extend my hand, watching as a fiery magic circle, glowing in shades of orange and red, materializes just above my palm. Energy surges through me, channeling into the circle, and from it emerges a small, flickering sphere of fire.
"Whoa…" I whisper, feeling mesmerized. Suddenly, my golden eye begins to glow, and everything around me slows down. It's as if the entire room is held in a single breath. Intricate formulas and symbols rush into my mind, etching themselves into my memory with astonishing clarity. Then, just as quickly, time returns to normal, leaving me with a slight headache but a mind bursting with newfound insight.
"Raz, what was that?" I ask, still reeling.
"That was my signature ability: the Mystic Eyes of Analysis," Raziel explains, sounding both proud and perplexed. "It grants knowledge of any magical phenomenon observed. But how you're able to use it… that, I cannot explain."
"Maybe it's connected to our souls linking at birth?" I offer. "That could've left me with access to some of your powers."
"Hmm… A sound theory, though we'll need more evidence," Raziel concedes. "For now, it seems plausible."
I lean closer to the magic circle, which hovers just above my palm, the energies now contained in a faint ember. "Let's analyze this spell scientifically," I say, feeling a surge of excitement. "Fire is a chemical reaction that requires three main elements: heat, an oxidizer, and fuel. My mana is clearly the fuel in this case, so that leaves us with the oxidizer and the heat source."
"Intriguing approach, Haruki," Raziel notes with approval. "With practice, you'll be able to maintain the spell structure yourself."
As I examine the circle, I notice three distinct symbols within the runic formula. I grab my notebook and begin sketching every detail, carefully replicating the magic circle and its symbols to preserve my observations. Once I'm satisfied with my sketches, I hold up my notes, eager to analyze what I've found.
"This segment here controls the mana flow, serving as the fuel. These other two sections must regulate the oxidizer and the spark to ignite the reaction." A maniacal grin spreads across my face. "It's time for an experiment."
"Haruki, you're looking somewhat… unhinged," Raziel observes, sounding more than a little wary. "Perhaps rein in the demonic grin?"
"Ah, but this is the beauty of science—experimentation! Can you add a single digit here?" I point to a rune within the circle.
Raziel sighs but complies, adjusting the formula. The circle reactivates, and the fireball appears again, but this time it's different—less uniform, with strange deformations around its edges.
"Eureka! Increasing the values here boosts the oxygen intake, enhancing the oxidizer. This last part must control the ambient heat required for ignition." Triumphant, I jot down my conclusions with feverish enthusiasm, unable to contain my excitement.
"For the record, Haruki," Raziel says with a hint of amusement, "you're certainly an unusual mage-in-training… though I dare say, you've certainly found your calling."