"Ascendants. This term refers to beings above humanity but not beyond the concept of death. Gods, angels, demi-gods and the like."
That's a unique way of referring to them. 'Above humanity but not beyond the concept of death.' That's also a unique way of describing immortal beings, especially since she said that they can survive without a physical body.
Meaning that the 'death' she's talking about isn't exactly the death of the physical body but also the soul. Not just anyone would think that way, not even a teacher. The fact that Ms Yumi is thinking about this is...
"Can I become an ascendant?"
Someone asked.
Ms Yumi chuckled.
"No, becoming an ascendant would be impossible for Streia. No one knows how to become one, but you'd have to be on the level of the gods. Also, I guess..."
She paused, seemingly attempting to use the right words.
"You wouldn't be human."
Again, it's hard to meet a god. People rarely meet gods yet I met one the other day. It was all over a misunderstanding too.
·———·
"Those children seemed to have gotten enough knowledge."
Uriel said to herself in the faculty room.
This teaching was a new experience for her. Even in Heaven, she did not teach anyone. She merely did her duty as the guard of Eden.
The reason she knew a lot about Earth was that, from time to time, she would spy on Earth. The last time she had descended was 20 years ago, though, that was in her male form. Since archangels do not have a specific gender—they are typically androgynous—they can freely change their body composition from male to female.
"Ah, Ms Yumi!"
A teacher called out to her. Uriel spun on her chair.
"Two students want to talk to you. Can they?"
"Oh, sure."
As the teacher went to go get them, she furrowed her brow in confusion.
(I'll have to deal with it in a teacher-like manner. Maybe I should attempt to act like Father.)
The archangel thought.
"Ms Yumi."
Two male students walked up to her. They were students who were just in her class.
"If I remember correctly... You're Asame."
One was slightly good-looking. His hair was jet-black along with his eyes. He looked innocent but also straightforward. An easy person to read.
He had a conflicted look in his eyes.
"Yes."
"And you're..."
The other was moderately ugly, yet also handsome, in some form or way. He had black hair and his eyes were a soft blue. He wore an earring on one ear and had a pocket watch in his blazer pocket.
To Uriel, he seemed slightly strange. Mostly because he had a pocket watch and not a normal watch.
"Shiba... I believe."
"Right."
Uriel felt that Kazuya's gaze was calculating. Almost as if he was attempting to study her.
(A repulsive, yet interesting human...)
"What do you two want?"
"Well, I had some questions about that previous lesson."
"Then, you should grab a seat, since I can sense that this may take some time."
Uriel smiled.
Kazuya grabbed a seat for both himself and Yuichi, and they sat down.
The woman crossed her legs and used her hands to hold her knees.
"Shall we start?"
Kazuya nodded.
"The first question isn't from me but from Yuichi there."
She turned to Yuichi.
"I was wondering, what exactly are ascendants?"
"Uh, weren't you listening to my lesson?"
"I was but you didn't seem to go into detail. People who can survive without a physical body. Above humanity but not beyond the concept of death. You used abstract phrases, so I couldn't get a grasp of the meaning."
Uriel stared blankly at him with a smile.
(He's sharp. I bet he's trying to hide it too. The mana resonating from him is no joke. In the future, he may even be able to fight me and cause me some trouble. His fate and soul look bright and glamorous too.)
"Well, there's not really anything, in detail, known about ascendants. All we know is that they're basically gods."
"Okay, then."
"Next question."
(As for him...)
The archangel glanced at Kazuya, who was brightly smiling.
(He's nothing special. A tainted and fractured soul, it's surprising that he's still able to use mana. As for his fate, it's bleak and dark. He'll die within a few months. I pity such an unlucky human.)
"Say, teacher, why did you mention angels?"
"Hm?"
"I mean, you mentioned that gods were ascendants but then you talked about angels too. If angels are examples, then why didn't you use demons as examples?"
Kazuya smirked, staring at Uriel.
(Cheeky brat. I can see why his soul is tainted. He lies as easily as breathing and hides his true intentions behind smiles and words. Truly the spawn of the devil.)
"Because when one thinks of gods, they also think of angels too."
Uriel lost her smile as she answered.
"But what about demons? Maybe if there are angels, there are demon kings too?"
"Demon kings? Surely, you jest."
Demon kings did not exist but Demon Lords did.
Kazuya chuckled.
"Yeah, I'm joking, Ms Yumi."
Uriel fake laughed, though it seemed authentic.
"Now, the next question I have is..."
(I have to get through this teaching gig and find the cause of the prophecy and destroy it. If the prophecy comes true, the whole world will change.)
"Ah, that's because if you..."
(I'll have to watch out for this child too. He may spy on me due to the hostility he's showing now. Regardless, I must find the one from the prophecy. The one with white hair and inharmonious eyes. Because he's the one who will change the fate of this world... Alpha...)
·———·
Ms Yumi was on guard when I was questioning her. Seems like she figured out that I was interrogating her. She's suspicious but I was in the wrong there.
I always do this whenever we get a new teacher, it's a bad habit of mine.
Ms Yumi is smart, so if I question her or spy on her more, I'll get into trouble.
My stomach rumbled.
"Hungry?"
Yuichi asked.
"Yeah, we spent most of lunch in the faculty room and there are only 5 minutes until the end of lunch. Not enough time to buy something from the cafeteria."
I grumbled.
"Then why don't we share lunches?"
"Really?!"
"Because of my large appetite, Isla gave me two lunch boxes. I can give you one of them. We have Ms Kin next, so she should let us chow down during class."
"Really?! Thanks, Yuichi!"
"No problem. That's what best friends are for."
He smiled.
Best friends... Right.