Angelic wings ( chapter 32)

"Do you think this world is kind or the people living in it are kindnature?"

Jaipa's expression shifted into quiet fascination.

As he answered

"The world itself? I can't say it is."

He leaned in slightly, his golden eyes steady. "But the people who live in it… they can be."

Rudra cut in without hesitation

Some people can also be afraid of someone's kindnature or the kindness or the reality that kindness carries. After taking a pause he continued

The feelings that arise after kindness is given to them can also be seen as cruelty.

Some people talk about how great kindnature is, but they're just speaking bullshit. Kindnature hurts, and the feelings that coming from that kindnature can be disturbing."

Jaipa was not shocked by the boy's words, but by the fact that the boy—who seemed unable to feel anything—was talking as if he had experienced those emotions himself. Looking at his expression, Jaipa could tell that the boy hadn't felt those things; he was merely speaking from observation, not from experience."

So you hold those kinds of meaning of your life you are quite an unique kid for your age " and he continued

"Humans are taught that cruelty is an evil, a life-taking force. Yet, how can one truly know the true meaning of kindness without understanding the depth of cruelty?

Cruelty exists not as a curse but as a harsh teacher, meant to reveal the true meaning of kindness. Every living being, no matter how powerful—be it a king or a prince—will, at some point in their life, face cruelty. It is in those moments of pain and suffering that the true value of kindness they come to know

Only by confronting the darkness can one appreciate the light. Cruelty, though painful, is the foundation upon which compassion is built."

Rudra's voice rose slightly, his tone firm. "Kindness is just an excuse the world uses to hide its cruelty."

Jaipa blinked, then asked, "Are you happy?"

Silence. A pause stretched between them before Rudra finally replied, his voice even.

"Happiness doesn't need kindness. It doesn't need emotions at all."

Jaipa stared at him. Something about those words made his chest tighten. "Seeing too much at such a young age will only blind you to the kindness that still exists."

The room fell into silence.

Jaipa's thoughts swirled.

What has this world done to him?

"Those who witness cruelty too early lose the ability to recognize kindness when it stands before them. To truly understand cruelty is to be unable to escape it. Even if you try to run, it lingers."

Jaipa had been wrong about Rudra. He thought the boy had been hardened by the cruelty he'd endured, but Rudra was not someone who could hold on to cruelty, or kindness, or even happiness. Those things were just fleeting images, emotions he had seen reflected in others, but never truly felt.

Rudra was a vessel that never filled, an empty shell that echoed with the absence of everything he couldn't understand or hold onto. The world had tried to shape him with its cruelty, but it had left him cold and distant, untouched by the very emotions that defined others. A boy standing at the edge of emotions he could see but never reach.

Jaipa, letting go of the previous topic, suddenly asked, "Hey, kid… why do you have those angelic wings?"

Rudra glanced at him. "Did you not watch my ceremony?"

"I did," Jaipa admitted. "But I was late, so I don't know what happened."

Rudra's gaze dropped to his wings. "They appeared when I was accepted by my first key."

Jaipa crossed his arms, his voice filled with arrogance. "So, it was a transformation-type key."

Rudra frowned. "Does that mean I can transform into… whatever it belongs to?"

Jaipa nodded. "That's usually how they work."

"Then why did it stop?" Jaipa asked while floating lazily around the room.

Rudra exhaled. "I don't know. They say something inside me blocked it."

Jaipa stopped midair, tilting his head. Then, with a quieter voice, he whispered, "Do you know anything about the golden threads inside you?"

Rudra stiffened. He sat up on the bed and looked Jaipa straight in the eye. "How do you know about that?"

Jaipa smirked. "Boy, I live inside you. Of course, I can see them."

Rudra hesitated before asking, "Then… do you know what they are?"

Jaipa rolled his eyes. "If I knew, would I be asking you? Are you actually dumb?"

Rudra ignored the insult, stretching his wings slightly. Jaipa groaned.

"Can you make them smaller? I can't fly properly because of them."

"I don't even know how to use them," Rudra admitted. "Can they go back inside me?"

Jaipa sighed. "Doesn't seem like it."

Then, as if remembering something, Jaipa's gaze sharpened. "But why do your wings resemble them?"

Rudra narrowed his eyes. "Who?"

Jaipa leaned in, whispering near his ear, "The ones above."

Rudra sat in silence, watching Jaipa's expression.

Jaipa sighed dramatically. "How can someone be this oblivious?" He clicked his tongue and hovered near Rudra's ear again.

"We call them gods."

He pulled back, now speaking louder. "And your wings look just like theirs."

Rudra shrugged. "How would I know?" His voice was as flat as ever.

Jaipa groaned. "Then at least try to do something about them! They're in my way."

Rudra ignored him, lying back down. The soft mattress pulled him into comfort almost instantly. His wings instinctively curled around him, cocooning him in warmth.

Jaipa watched from above, his irritation fading. This kid… he's going to be useful.

Muttering to himself, Jaipa flew closer, tucking himself into the warmth of Rudra's wings.

"I take back what I said. This is actually pretty nice and warm "

And just like that, he drifted into sleep.

At the morning

Sunlight streamed through the window, landing on Rudra's face. His wings twitched before shifting to block the light.

Ray's voice echoed through the room as he spoke to Vidar. "Look at him. He's using his wings to cover his face now that's a use of wings for him How much longer is he gonna sleep anyway ?"

Ray watched silently before nudging Rudra's bed. "Wake up. The sun's already up."

Rudra groaned, slowly opening his eyes. His wings pulled away from his face as he sat up. He looked at the two standing beside him.

"What?"

Ray grinned excitedly. "Let's go outside!"

Rudra rubbed his eyes. "Why? I want to sleep more."

Ray smirked. "Don't you want to test your new ability?"

Ray and Vidar's excitement was obvious, but Rudra simply stretched and muttered,

"I already know about it."

His flat tone left the two stunned.

The room held its breath. Ray and Vidar leaned in, anticipation crackling in the air.

"Well? What is it?" Ray pressed, eyes bright with excitement.

Rudra let the moment stretch. He forced a small smile—practiced, unnatural—before letting it fade. His expression returned to its usual blankness.

"I can read the information of things."

Silence.

That was it. No dramatic reveal, no impressive display of power. He rubbed his eyes, his wings shifting lazily behind him.

Ray and Vidar exchanged glances, waiting for more. When nothing came, they spoke in unison.

"That's all?"

Rudra nodded, the movement small and indifferent—like a child agreeing to something they barely cared about.

Disbelief flickered across their faces. Their thoughts were practically written on their expressions:

"That's it? Just reading information? What good is that in a fight? How does that help when your life is on the line?"

Rudra had already asked himself the same thing.

"There's no point in telling them everything. My life depends on this power. Why would I reveal something that could be used against me? It's not like I planned to tell them in the first place ofcourse he thought in his mind "

The silence stretched until Ray finally clapped his hands together, forcing a grin.

"Hey, don't get upset over something so small!" he said brightly. "I know your life depends on your ability, but don't worry—I'm here for you! Even if it's useless in battle, I'll protect you. I'm your big brother, after all!"

Vidar nodded in agreement. "Come on. Let's head to the training grounds and test our abilities."

Rudra studied them. Are they idiots or just naive?

His thoughts were cut short as Ray suddenly grabbed his wrist.

"Get up already!" he whined, practically dragging Rudra out of bed. "We'll be outside. Don't take too long!"

Vidar and Ray turned and left, their excitement buzzing in the air.

The moment they were out of sight, Rudra's expression dropped. The false smile faded, leaving only a blank, unreadable face.

He let out a quiet sigh.

"Naive."

Shaking off his thoughts, he went to freshen up.

Standing before the mirror, he studied himself. His gaze lingered on the large wings that stretched from his back.

"Too big for my body… but not heavy at all."

With a final glance at his reflection, he turned and left the room, making his way toward the training grounds.

As he approached, he spotted Ray and Vidar waving at him. Their excitement was palpable, and Rudra couldn't help but feel a flicker of curiosity.

What kind of abilities do they hold?

His eyes drifted toward Ray, thinking about the Archangel Larva Key.

"What kind of power does it have?"