"As the Lord said, we are to help you "a little" and give you help equivalent to a 5 on the cosmic scale," said Michael.

"Yeah, I got that part, but the part I don't understand is, how much help is that exactly? Can you put it into relative terms so I know how much help I'm getting?" I asked, quite curious.

"Alright," said Uriel. "To put it into perspective, a 1 puts you at the top tier of the average humans with no effort required on your part. 2 puts you onto the level of an above average human, once again with no effort. On the exact opposite end of the cosmic spectrum, a 9 is equivalent to making you into one of us seven Archangels. A flat 10 would make you second only to God himself, and once again, with no effort on your part.”

“Has he ever granted that honor to anyone?” I query.

Zadkiel’s face gets a dark look on it. “Once,” he says. “That was with the one known as Lucifer. Since then, none have gained the honor, especially after that betrayal of trust.”

“Moving on,” Michael states with finality, telling me to drop the subject. “A 6 would make you into the equivalent of a minor deity upon reaching adulthood, which in that world is 15. This is what Uriel meant by “no effort” on your part, that all of this would be automatically achieved upon hitting adulthood.

By giving you a 5, it places you just short of reaching the realm of the deities in that world. To put this into a level that will help you understand, yes, anyone in that realm can become a deity if they train well enough. However, the time disparity between them and you will be enormous. They, on average, will take a few hundred to a thousand years to reach that level. This would, in simple terms, make you a monster.”

“The thing you must understand,” interrupts Raphael, “is that in this world, to both the sword training and the magic training, there are 40 levels prior to reaching the deity level, subdivided into four ranks, beginner, initiate, advanced, and master. Within this world, most finish their training in the late beginner, early initiate level. By reaching the advanced level, one can receive almost any job they please, and even a nobility title, all the way up to Duke. A master is strong enough to lead a country should they so choose to.”

“Even after reaching deity level, there are still another 40 levels in the deity class, named demigod, low god, full god, and high god, each with 10 levels to the rank. At this point, the individuals begin to get multiplicatively stronger. The strongest being on that planet is currently a rank 31 high god, being of the dragon race,” informs Chamuel.

“Basically, upon reaching 15, even if you have not trained at all, you will reach the 31st rank of master class,” says Jophiel.

“What comes after the 40th rank of High God?” I ask.

“Ah, you noticed that. At that point, you will reach the level of us seven archangels, the limit for any currently existing sentient, non-divine being,” replies Gabriel.

“So, from the way you phrase that, there is at least one sentient being on that level?”

“Yes, the Son of God,” succinctly states Michael. “So, in order for us to get started with helping you, we need to discuss what skills to impart to you. Skills in this world are something that are visible if you have the proper measuring devices, or if you have the ability to self-measure. Which we will, of course, give you.”

“On top of that, we will also give you a body and the skills needed to surpass the master level and break into deityhood. The further your training progresses, the longer you are able to live. At the deity level, the only way to die is from death by outside forces, or you won’t grow old and die,” states Gabriel.

“To help us along, are there any specific elemental abilities that you are interested in that you would like to be able to use? An explanation of why as well would be of great interest to us as well,” puts forth Jophiel.

I pause and think for a while.

“Considering all of my hopes and dreams, two abilities come to mind. Control of lightning and thunder, as well as the ability to manipulate space.”

“Interesting choice of abilities, but 3 at once? Normally, people in that world only get one elemental abilities, and at most two. Yes, we count thunder and lightning as two separate abilities. On top of that, special control isn’t exactly an ability that has been seen before. However, there is a Sovereign that controls that particular aspect, however, she hasn’t had any one that she chose to impart that ability to.” This all came from Chamuel.

Wait, there are Sovereigns? “What is a Sovereign?”

Raphael intercedes at this point. “Each element has a being ruling over it that passes out minor elemental beings according to whom they take interest to. This is done at birth. The elements that frequently dispatch elementals are as follows: Fire, Water, Earth, Wind, Metal, and Lightning. That’s not to say that there aren’t other elements that have Sovereigns reigning over them, there are, but they don’t frequently dispatch their elementals, choosing to watch the occurrences of the world. There is a Thunder Sovereign but she has only given her elementals out 5 times in the world’s history, each individual being someone who brought great change to the world.”

“So does that mean that my requests aren’t possible?” I ask, worried.

“No, they are entirely possible. We just want to know your motivation for these requests before we help you out in such a massive manner.”

“I am interested in thunder and lightning since I have always looked at them as two sides of the same coin. They go hand in hand with each other. Together, they make up electricity. What a lot of people seem to forget, is that on the physical plane, everything relies on a type of electricity. If one has total mastery over it, down to the atomic level, they are actually able to manipulate reality,” I reason.

“This is true. Interesting, and we do approve, and will help you get those two. But why spatial magic?”

‘Alright, I have received Michael’s approval for half of my request, now to finish the other half’

“This is for transport purposes, on top of the fact that it literally can make the strongest spear, as well as the strongest shield. An attack too strong for me? Banish it to another dimension. Someone has fixed themselves inside of an impenetrable barrier? Shift them out of it, or simply slice it apart with a spatial distortion.”

“Apt reasoning. We approve of this also. Now for the final part, how do you wish to set the rest of your skills? Will you decide on them on your own, or will you leave it up to us? If you leave it to us, we will stretch the Lord’s words to help you as much as within our powers,” says Raphael.

“Why help me so much?” I can’t help but ask. They could scrape by with the bare minimum and I wouldn’t know the difference.

“Because, we want to see how far you can go, the limits of your potential,” replies Michael.

“That and because every time we speak to one another and any angel, we have to act like we have rods stuck up our asses, and can’t have any true form of entertainment, no women, no games, no toys, no TV… nada,” whispers Uriel.

I feel kind of bad for them… but basically they want me to become their source of entertainment. At least they are serious about wanting to help me.

“Alright, I will agree to allow you to select my skills,” I declare.

“Ah? Haughty bastard are we?” says Raphael, glowering like a yakuza might.

“Ah… no… I-I-I didn’t mean…”

“Relax, he is just pulling your leg. He doesn’t mean it,” says Michael, all 7 laughing at my discomfort.

“Not cool, not cool…” I say.

“Hahaha, sorry, sorry. To make it up to you, I will give you an angel to assist you on your new world, she is second to me in power, I’ll introduce you later,” says Raphael.

They began to discuss amongst themselves about what skills they would give me, occasionally asking me questions, such as my favorite color, to which I replied black and gold.

“Right! Before we forget, what Title should we give him?” asks Uriel.

“What is a Title?” I intercede.

“A Title is what helps augment your abilities, and is what can help you exceed limits and hit above your current classing. Most people need to perform some epic deed to receive one, such as slaying a deity class dragon. In this case, they would receive the title of “Dragon Slayer” which would increase their ability to fight dragons as well as allow them to use certain aspects of their abilities, like breathing fire and the such,” replies Zadkiel.

“We want to give him a good Title, but not one that is world breaking, like “Undefeatable”.” Says Michael.

“How about God of War?” Asks Chamuel.

“Besides being copyright infringement,” deadpans Michael, “he isn’t that blood thirsty.”

This sparked a debate between the seven as they talked about my title. Finally, Michael had the idea to just ask me.

“What kind of title do you want?” Michael asks.

“Is there one that will allow me to defeat any enemy, and allow me to absorb some of their power?” I ask.

“Not all in one… however, one title has a unique skill that comes with it that would work,” replies Zadkiel.

“Yes, but we have never given anyone that Title before… well, there is a first time for everything. We bestow upon you the Title of… “The Reaper,”” declares Michael.

Notice!

You have received a title!

The Reaper

Woah! A window suddenly popped up in front of me!

"That window is a part of the status system in the new world you are going to," supplied Uriel.

"Give it a second, all the skills we gave you will appear in a moment." Said Michael. And sure enough...

Notice!

You have received the following skills!Evolution Through Death

Soul Link

Calm Mind, Serene Heart

Total Body Control

Lucky Bastard

Iron Man

Magic Swordsman

Magic Master

Martial Master

Child of the Void

Child of Lightning

Child of Thunder

Beloved of God

Beloved of the Sovereigns

Self-Measure

All Languages

Wow! They gave me a lot of skills! "But, what does each one of these do, as well as the title..."

At this point everyone except Michael and Raphael disappeared from the room.

"Just say 'Description,'" answers Raphael. "It will give an explanation."

I do as he said, and was rather shocked at the results.

DescriptionTitle: The ReaperThe wielder of this title can [Kill] anyone. This ignores immortality and intangibility. The activation of this title's effect is based on the level difference between the target and the title wielder. When the target is at a lower level, chances of successful activation increase. When the target is at a higher level, chances of successful activation decrease. Does not affect Sovereigns. There are exceptions to this however.Skill: Evolution Through DeathWhen a being willingly dies under the effect of "The Reaper" their statuses are directly added on to the wielder, and their psyche may be absorbed as well.Skill: Soul LinkAllows skill holder to bind other's soul to their own. Doing so increases the skill wielder's as well as the bound's status, and allows them to sense one another's position, distance, and current state of health. At higher levels, allows sharing of thoughts. Must be initiated through mutual consent. There are multiple levels of linking. Slave-> Friend-> Wife. As the level increases, so do the shared statuses. The link level can be upgraded or downgraded after formation. Links can also be dissolved.Skill: Calm Mind, Serene HeartSkill holder will always be able to make calm, rational decisions.Skill: Total Body ControlSkill holder will be able to consciously control their bodily functions, but when unactivated, body functions as per normal standards.Skill: Lucky BastardAnything is possible with enough luck. This skill when activated, brings luck beyond the logical limits. Limited activation of once per year, and activates on its own. Can be forcefully activated at the price of having one instance of worst luck possible occur.Skill: Iron ManThe name is actually inaccurate, it is more of a Carbon Steel Man skill, but this sounds cooler, even if it is copyright infringement. Skill holder has a body impervious to poisons and toxins, and will filter out all unbeneficial materials and spells below a certain level. Also gives the skill holder a body with the potential to transcend human limits.Skill: Magic SwordsmanSkill holder has the ability to train equally in magical and martial abilities.Skill: Magic MasterSkill holder will reach the level of perfect mastery in the magical arts they train in.Skill: Martial MasterSkill holder will reach the level of perfect mastery in the martial arts they train in.Skill: Child of the VoidChosen by the Spatial Sovereign to be able to manipulate the spatial element.Skill: Child of LightningChosen by the Lightning Sovereign to be able to manipulate the lightning element.Skill: Child of ThunderChosen by the Thunder Sovereign to be able to manipulate the thunder element.Skill: Beloved of GodThe skill holder is in good graces with the One True God, this is a hidden skill, meaning no one but the wielder, those that granted it to him, and God himself can see it. God has no intentions for this individual to become a sacrificial lamb for the people of his world, nor pass before his time, so if one has plans upon the wielder of this title, their time upon that plane of existence will be a short one.Skill: Beloved of the SovereignsThe Sovereigns all look upon the wielder with favor. This reduces damage taken from each of them, as well as allows the skill holder to use up to advance level magic in all of their elements. This is a hidden skill, but by the wielders will can be shown to others.Skill: Self-MeasureThe skill holder is able to check all of their own statuses.Skill: All LanguagesThe skill holder is able to speak all languages with perfect fluency.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

...Wow. All I can say is, WOW. This new life of mine seems like it will definitely be interesting.

"Do you like what we gave you?" Asks Michael.

"Yes! I can't believe all the cool skills you gave me!"

"Good. Michael, I'll handle the rest from here," says Raphael. At this, Michael as well vanishes from the temple.

"Now that we are alone, before I send you on your merry way, not only do I need to gift you one of my angels, but I also have advice for you before you leave. And before you ask the obvious questions, no, you aren't required to listen to me, though it is recommended, and yes, all of your new skills and statuses obtained in this realm will carry over into the new one."

I've never been one to reject advice from those placed higher than me. "Please, if you would."

"Do not ever force activate your luck skill, let it activate on your own. If you do force activate it, it would normally result in a Bad End, or in other words, your death. The only reason it would not is due to your Beloved of God skill, which basically grants divine protection. You can, however, still be killed by someone, although, they themselves won't live more than a day after. Upon your death, you will be welcomed back here, into Heaven, regardless of your actions on that world. God has deemed it to be so. He well and truly trusts you. Do not betray that trust! As a final piece of prophetic advice, force activate your luck skill only one time, when you are one and a half years old, ok? Do not ask why, Like Nike, Just Do It."

"Copyright infringement much?" I intercede.

He shrugs. "Like they can do anything to an angel with a lawsuit." I had to admit, he had a point. "Finally, since you have ridiculous growth potential, although not explosive, I will give you a divine treasure the seven of us made. It will help limit your abilities if you ever begin to grow beyond the originally set rate. You will still gain those stats, just that they will be distributed over the fifteen growth years we have given you. We even styled it in your favorite black and gold coloring."

He tosses me a gold ring, with a black diamond embedded in the center. "How will this reincarnate with me?" I ask.

"Put it on, and it will be absorbed into your soul. It will come out whenever you have excess amounts of power to seal. It is able to temporarily release your seal and allow you to fight to your full capabilities in emergencies, but there will be rebound based on the amount of time it is released for. 5 minutes? You'll be a bit winded. Any longer than that? You risk a comma. So be careful."

I take all of his advice to heart.

"Now then, little brother,"

"Eh?" I interrupt. "I'm not your brother though?"

"Hahaha, we call you our brother since God looks upon you with favor, as do we. We want to take good care of you, you are like family for us."

"Alright, I can appreciate that... I'll call you seven my Anikis then!"

"Hahaha! Works for us! Anyways, here, my angel that will be helping you out in your future life. Evangeline! Appear before me!"

There is a flash of bright light, and from it, appears a being that epitomizes the word "beautiful". She had fiery red hair and eyes, much like Raphael. She stood around 5'8", with hair that reached her hipline. She was moderately well endowed, and had that perfect vase-like figure that many women so desire to have, and yet by looking at her body, one can tell the level of toned athleticism it contains. I managed not to gape this time, quite an achievement if I do say so myself.

"Yes, Lord Raphael, why have you called upon me?" she asks.

"I have called you to order you to take care of him." He gestures at me. "He is the new little brother of us seven, and is about to be reincarnated into a new world." She quirks an eyebrow at this.

"I hear, and I obey," she calmly replies.

"Good, now, I want you to form a soul link with him, to ensure you take care of him. If anything happens to him before he is able to properly defend himself, I will come hunting for you, then I will destroy any involved in that incident. Do I make myself clear?" He says, glowering, and releasing a pressure so great, she has trouble remaining standing. Spoken like a true overprotective big brother.

"Yes, I understand," she manages to reply. The pressure dissipates. "Alright, I will initiate the link..." she begins to say, but Raphael interrupts.

"No need, he has the ability. He will be the link holder." At this she looks truly stunned.

"A human with the ability to soul link..." she murmurs, but I and Raphael both hear her.

"Actually, it isn't decided what race I am yet..." I begin, shocked myself to find that the soul link skill is apparently extremely rare.

Again, Raphael intercedes. "Actually, we could ONLY make you human due to your personality as well as your skill list. Humans are the most adaptable, and the least set on one specific ability typing. They will be one of the only two races able to support your amalgam of abilities. The other being dragons of course."

"Why not a dragon then? I like dragons." I ask.

"You may like them, but God does not. They remind him of a certain snake from the Garden of Eden. Now, hurry and establish a Soul Link with him Evangeline," he replies.

"Yes." At this, she turns to me, and looks me in the eyes. "I offer my all to you, and will protect you with my all, as long as you treasure me with your all," she states. This sounds eerily similar to a marriage proposal...

Notice!

Evangeline has requested a Soul Link of Friends. Accept?YesNo

I think, 'Yes, I would like to accept, but how do I make the window understand that?'

"Just say yes, little brother."

"Yes," I say.

Soul Link Complete!

"Good, now, off you go little brother. Know that I and the other 7 will be watching over you."

At this another black hole appears below me.

'Again?' I have time to think before plummeting through it.

"The next time you are conscious, you will be in your new world. Don't worry, we will let you keep your old memories," I hear Raphael speaking overhead.

So? What'd you think? Please leave a comment with any edits, suggestions, or thoughts. Gosh though...  making tables sure is hard, now I know the pain of the japtem staff... how do you do it Cat? Well, it's been fun, but now I have to go to bed. Look forward to a release tomorrow!Should I do a poll later? Hmmm...