Chapter 9: Soul

"So what exactly is going on with me? Is it really because two souls are sharing one body?" I asked helplessly. 

I knew Elara was explaining things in such detail to Cyra in part to inform Nicola and me as well. But no matter how airtight the theory sounds, the facts are laid out before us already, which means there must be some unknown loopholes.

"I dare not make a definitive judgment on this issue because the scene you described earlier does seem a lot like two souls sharing one body..." Elara thought carefully for a while before speaking. 

"But I can affirm your body has no issues. So the only possibility lies with the soul - whether it's multiple souls sharing one body, or due to other unknown reasons, it should not deviate from the soul's scope."

"Soul?" 

At first thought, there really could be such a possibility. Our souls transmigrated over so they don't belong to this world. Unforeseeable things could happen.

"It's said that aside from the body, the soul can also influence elemental affinity to a certain extent." 

Elara spoke uncertainly. 

"In our long angel history, there were occasionally one or two angels who could use non-light elemental magic. But unlike you, their wing colors never changed, and their magic power was very weak."

"But I can't even use water magic..." 

Speaking of magic, I felt somewhat amused.

"Up till now, the only magic I can use is Purify, oh and I picked up Light Puppet earlier. Only these two, all light-based!"

"Are you sure you can't use it? Or have you never sensed the water element?"

Hearing my words, Elara looked at me strangely and said.

"Generally, being able to sense an element means having the corresponding affinity. Naturally, you can then cast magic smoothly." 

"How is that possible! I've never sensed it before..."

I was about to deny it outright when I suddenly realized something was off. I promptly shut my mouth.

That's right, I did feel the water element more than once. But I always thought it was as it should be like the light element. I never paid it any mind or thought to learn water magic.

"I'm not so sure now..."

Thinking of this, I was no longer so certain.

"Then you can try going to learn water elemental magic and see."

Seeing my reaction, Elara heaved a sigh of relief, revealing an expression of 

"Thankfully not freakishly inexplicable."

"Generally, only light elemental magic books are kept in Edenmere, and there are no angels who can teach you. So you'll have to find an opportunity out in the external world."

"Which is to say, to get to the bottom of what's going on with my soul, I still have to go learn water magic?"

Hearing that, I was dumbfounded. Why is the process so convoluted? I had enough trouble trying to learn light magic earlier. Although water magic books are much cheaper, can't freeload magic in Edenmere. It really feels like I'm losing out.

"Actually us angels don't have much research on the soul. But the mage scholars in the High Tower Sage Council who like pursuing truths probably understand more. So if you want to figure out your soul issue, best to directly ask those sages. And there are plenty of water mages in the Council too." 

Elara revealed a troubled expression, punting the ball to the High Tower Sages.

"Just happens that we angels have quite a decent relationship with the High Tower Sages. Seeing you're an angel, they probably won't be stingy teaching you water magic."

"So we still have to make a trip to that High Tower Sages?" 

Nicola frowned, suddenly recalling the astrologer from the High Tower Sages Council she met before. That person even invited them to some city.

"Which means you agree we can return to the outside world earlier?"

I sensed an opportunity. Although my body's mysteries aren't fully unravelled, being able to leave Edenmere earlier to meet external friends didn't seem bad.

"If they were ordinary newborn angels, I definitely wouldn't casually let them leave Edenmere because they lack self-protection capabilities. But you two are six-winged already. Not to mention this concerns significant affairs, of course I won't obstruct."

Actually Elara's quite reasonable in this aspect. She patted Cyra's head and smilingly told us.

"Hold on. If Feliciana's condition is due to her soul, then what about Michelle?" 

Nicola seemed to have spotted some loophole and suddenly asked.

"She has red wings, that should represent the fire element right? Does she also have soul issues?"

I understood Nicola's implied meaning. Since we transmigrated over, it's still understandable if our souls are special. But there's no way Michelle's the same right?

"Michelle?"

Hearing this name, it took Elara a good while before responding, referring to that Goddess of Flames.

"Speaking of which, she does resemble you somewhat..."

After pondering briefly, she replied.

"And before revealing six pairs of red wings, I did feel light elemental aura from her."

I supplemented, still remembering Michelle had personally admitted she 

"was kind of an angel".

"Sadly unfortunately I also don't know exactly who she is. I've never heard of such an angel before, there wasn't anyone like her in my memories." 

Elara shook her head, denying Michelle was from Edenmere.

"Besides the two founding angels who created our race, angels have historically capped out at ten wings. Never seen anyone reach twelve wings. So it's impossible to determine if she's truly an angel, if her body's comprised of pure light elements. Naturally she also cannot be compared to your situation."

Since she has twelve wings, could this Michelle be more ancient than Elara? Or could she be related to the angels' progenitors? 

I really wanted to ask this but swallowing my words because angels and magical creatures harbor hostility. Michelle's also still the opposing boss. 

Anyway, Elara's reaction to the name Michelle didn't seem like an act. If there really were relations, how could she be completely ignorant?

"Any other questions?"

Seeing we were all silent for a time, Elara proactively asked. 

I considered a bit, feeling that this meeting already reaped quite substantial gains. Although still not clear why my wings turned blue, nagging questions about the transmigration, transformations etc were thoroughly clarified.

"I'm good." Nicola indicated no more questions, then looked at me.

"Shall we end it for now then..."

Just as I was about to end the conversation and go look for Reed with everyone, I saw Cyra suddenly meekly speak up.

"I have one last question..."

"Oh? You still have some doubts?"

Elara seemed quite interested in this and asked.

"The lord of this world, no...I mean the god the churches preach, does he really exist?"

It seemed Cyra contemplated for a long time before finally mustering her courage to utter those words. 

"Didn't you say you don't like the True Church here?"

I was surprised because her stance didn't appear to be casually asking but rather that she failed to clearly distinguish the two different churches as I had imagined.

"Because I can't return anymore ma..." 

Cyra explained helplessly. 

"So naturally I have to investigate properly..."

"Huh? Don't tell me you wanna convert faiths? " 

I said incredulously. 

Isn't that too rash? I previously thought her faith was staunch but now she just slapped me in the face.

"Who said I wanna convert faiths! I only feel perhaps everything's the Lord's will, deliberately making it so I can't go back." 

Cyra flushed anxiously upon hearing that and denied it vehemently. 

"Don't you find it strange? Two completely different worlds but their faiths are nearly identical. If the Lord truly exists in this world, it definitely can't be a coincidence. This must be a trial for me to search for traces of Him."

"Uh, well good if you like it..."

For a zealously religious believer, her words did carry a certain logic. Moreover, the True Church here is itself an incomprehensible existence. Since she insists on thinking so, I have nothing else to say.

"As for whether angels have faith, I don't really care. So as long as no damage is done to the clan, I generally won't interfere with anybody being a follower of the True Church." 

Hearing our exchange, Elara suddenly spoke seriously.

"But I've never even seen this Yawee my whole life so he certainly doesn't exist. No need to think about following him."

"Huh? Why?" 

Cyra was immediately dumbfounded upon hearing that.

"If not following the Lord, then what's the point of calling yourself a believer of God?"

"What does it matter!"

Elara nonchalantly said.

"I see the human world has so many church members who have never met their gods all their lives yet still live perfectly fine! It's not like people renounce their faith or anything..."