Michaela

"To me, you are a wonderful person."

- Michaela

Michaela is a reincarnated human and former forest spirit of Held. She is a disciple of Elluka Clockworker, helping her collect the Seven Deadly Sins, and a close friend of Gumillia. She succeeds Held as the New Millennium Tree.

Early Life
"She's an spirit full of energy, as always."

- Elluka Clockworker

About 528 years before EC 0, the god Held created the forest spirits of Held's Forest, including Michaela. Forbidden from leaving the forest by the deity, Michaela obeyed. At some point, the forest spirit met Elluka Clockworker and the two became familiar with each other. In EC 001, Michaela, using her robin form, witnessed the creation of the Original Sin, seeing Eve Moonlit crying with the infant Hänsel and Gretel in her arms.

In EC 325, the robin saw Elluka conversing with Held and perched on the god's branches, saying hello to the mage. The sorceress apologized and said she and Held were having an important discussion and promised to play with Michaela later. Told to go away, the spirit glumly obeyed. Soon after, Michaela saw Elluka walking away from the Tree of Held and chased after her, asking if she was going back and how she promised they would play together. Michaela was later told by Gumillia to help strengthen the barrier around the forest to keep powerful mages from entering for a time.

Forest Encounter
"Until one day, at the lake, I picked up the injured Grüne – a robin. I took it home to treat its wounds and take care of it. Because of Grüne, I was able to find peace of mind every day. Since Grüne and I were very intimate, I thought that I might've been able to communicate with other humans too."

- Clarith regarding Michaela

Around the turn of the fifth century EC, Michaela learned much about the humans living in the area from the nearby village, and Pant, a woodcutter. In early EC 499, Michaela, along with Gumillia, saw the sleeping Held being attacked by his old friend, Elluka. After Gumillia threw a fruit at the sorceress, the spirit chastised her for "bullying" the god while in her animal form.

Soon after, the sorceress began to leave and the robin flew to her shoulder, stating the lack of humans in the area was a good thing. Questioned about this, the spirit explained how people didn't come by and noted that a Lucifenian mage shouldn't be hanging around them. Asked by Elluka, Michaela explained where the robin learned about them. Michaela, asked if the spirit was interested in humanity, expressed a fascination with humans but that Held didn't let them leave. Agreeing with Elluka that the god was a stubborn, old man, the robin laughed before Elluka said goodbye and left.

With Held asleep, Michaela decided to gather some trauben from a orchard by the Lake of Amusement. After tasting the fruit, the spirit began to fly back when a black bird attacked. Painfully grasped by the large bird, Michaela dropped the fruit in the robin's claws and was freed. Bleeding from the wing, the forest spirit spiraled down and fell to the ground, knocked unconscious. Soon after, the robin was rescued by Clarith and she took Michaela home to treat the bird's broken wing. Awaking to find herself on a table, the forest spirit tried to escape before noticing her bandages. At that moment, Clarith's mother carrying a box entered and redid the bandages, apologizing to the bird for how poorly done they were.

Clarith returned right after and, curious, Michaela took the chance to look inside the box, disgusted by the worms within. Refusing to eat them, Clarith gave the spirit some trauben she picked and the robin gladly ate it. After Clarith and her mother argued about her work, she left and the woman resigned to feeding Michaela more trauben, asking she please forgive her; she then explained that Clarith was the one who saved her. Over the course of two weeks, the white-haired girl fed Michaela and spoke to her everyday of her bad work experiences. At some point, she built the robin a badly-made bird cage and, grateful for her dedication, Michaela used it. Sitting near the window each day, the robin watched Clarith work and saw how she only smiled when at home.

The following day, Michaela heard a sound and realized someone was throwing stones at the window. In the form of a chipmunk, Gumilla climbed up and squeezed through the broken window, and urged Michaela to escape after she opened cage. Revealing she knew about spirits, Clarith's mother explained that she had been a sorceress. Michaela thanked her for her hospitality and the former mage thanked her in kind for making Clarith happy. The woman then commented that the robin was her only friend and told the spirit about the Netsuma Clan's discrimination and Clarith's cruel circumstances, much to Michaela's confusion. Saying the spirit wouldn't understand why Clarith was bullied, the woman gave her some trauben. Michaela thanked the woman and accepted her gift before leaving, wishing the spirit could thank Clarith for her kindness.

Upon her return, Michaela was greeted by Held's roar and the god lectured the spirit for breaking his regulations. The next day, the robin cried and was comforted by Gumillia. Although trying to justify the situation, Gumillia lectured Michaela for leaving in the first place and not understanding that the spirt could have died. After explaining how awful the chipmunk would feel if the robin died, Michaela apologized to Gumillia and said it wouldn't happen again. Repeating the apology to Held, the god said it was fine for his "most precious child" to learn from mistakes but not to worry him. The earth god then fell asleep and Michaela saw Clarith approach the Millennium Tree and heard her despair of being alone once her mother was gone, begging to have a friend.

Reincarnation
"You seem to be very interested in humans. This is a rare opportunity; you can go and learn more about them as much as possible..."

- Held

A few days later, Michaela consulted Held on the matter, since the god had been sleeping during Clarith's visit. While the god forbid her from interfering with the affairs of humans, Elluka arrived and interrupted their conversation. Agreeing to help the sorceress with her mission to gather the Seven Deadly Sins, the deity offered Gumillia and Michaela to assist her in finding one of the sin fragments as reincarnated humans, with Michaela as Elluka's tracker. Surprised, Michaela was told the spirit had three years to learn about humans while helping Elluka. The three traveled West through the forest in search of a good place to perform the ritual. On their journey, Elluka told Michaela to not be afraid of becoming a human and follow instinct.

Once the ritual site was prepared, Elluka told the two of them to imagine beautiful women from Elphegort, preferably those who weren’t currently alive. Michaela discussed the names with Gumillia and they agreed on whose appearance they would have. Imagining the visage of Eve Moonlit, Michaela reincarnated as a human in her image. Upon seeing her visage, Elluka commented about her choice of appearance. The sorceress then took the two humans to an abandoned house, using it as a shelter from the rain where they could study magic and the basics of being human.

One day, Michaela woke Elluka up early, hurrying the sorceress to eat breakfast outside with them. Staring at her face, the sorceress told Michaela how a woman's charm was in her eyes and that she should remember to wash her face from time to time. Heading outside, she greeted Gumillia and explained she was going to wash her face. At the nearby spring, she stared at her reflection and smiled. During the third month they trained with her, the sorceress taught Michaela the Clockwork Lullaby. Sometime later, Elluka asked her to demonstrated what she learned and the girl complied, singing the spell song. After answering Elluka that she heard the sound of Sin north of the forest, Elluka ended the practice lesson and said she just need to repeatedly practice in order to master the spell and find the vessel's exact location.

The sorceress then spoke of Gumillia's greater magical potential and ability to predict the weather and revitilized flowers earlier that day. During dinner later that night, Elluka told Michaela to go to Aceid for easier information gathering and that the vessel was likely possessed by someone unique such as King Sohni Elphen, Duke Parkage Meld, or Keel Freesis, who all lived in the capital. Feeling a headache, Michaela snapped that she knew and earned Elluka's concern. After explaining she felt hot, Elluka suspected the girl was sick and lectured her about not taking care of herself. Given a herb and told to go to bed early, the former spirit took the medicine and went to bed.

When she awoke the next day, Elluka and Gumillia were about to leave and she thanked the sorceress for the short time they spent together. Saying the medicine worked and she felt better, she looked at Gumillia and grabbed her hand to sooth her worries, explaining she would be close to Held while Gumillia's future in Lucifenia was unknown. After Gumillia promised to rescue her if something happened, Michaela reciprocated the sentiment and they hugged. With Elluka's send off that they would meet again in three years, the two left while Michaela headed towards Aceid. Taking a detour to see Held first, Michaela collapsed near the Millennium Tree due to her illness. Clarith found her later on and carried her back to Yatski to heal.

Residence in Yatski
"I’m sorry, Miss Michaela." "Hey, you should just call me "Michaela". We are friends after all."

- Clarith and Michaela

After Michaela regained consciousness, Clarith said she still had a fever and told her to continue laying down before replacing the towel on her forehead with a new one. After Clarith explained what had happened, Michaela sighed in relief and thanked her, struggling to get up. Once she learned they were in the village, she expressed her appreciation for the Netsuma's help and introduced herself. When Clarith asked why she fainted there, Michaela hastily explained she was heading to Aceid from Lucifenia. The white-haired girl noted she never heard of such a thing and the former forest spirit said that the country was inhabited by lots of different races. Clarith, after Michaela stared at her in silence, burst out in apologies when her mother arrived and offered the sick Elphe a bowl of soup.

The mayor then barged in and threatened Clarith for not paying her rent and Michaela interjected, asking Clarith for her bag. Presenting the mayor with a large amount of gold, she asked them to leave. When he questioned her helping the Netsuma, the sick Elphe stated she was returning the favor. Once the mayor left, Clarith apologized again and Michaela discarded the notion, saying she could pay the rent if they let her stay with them. While residing with them in Yatski, Clarith asked if Michaela would help with the farm work and she accepted. Several months later, Michaela was heading back after finishing her farm work when she saw Clarith and Ein speaking with one another. Waving to them, she joined in their conversation about the planned harvest festival before Ein left.

As Clarith noted her difficulty talking to boys, Michaela asked if she often spoke to Ein. Stating it was rare before recently, Clarith suggested that Ein was talking to her to get closer to Michaela and asked how she felt about him. Embarrassed, Michaela said she wasn't interested in men and immediately realized how that could be misinterpreted. When Chelsea and her friends came by to speak with Clarith, Michaela tried following them but Chelsea stopped her. Worried, she secretly spied on them behind her house. Seeing Chelsea bullying the Netsuma, Michaela stepped in and grabbed the girl's wrist, scolding them for using violence. As Chelsea tried to retort, Michaela faked a smile while squeezing her wrist harder, encouraging them to talk things out peacefully.

Once Chelsea and her friends left, Michaela attended to Clarith and said she needed to speak up with them. As Clarith apologized, the green-haired maiden told the Netsuma to refer to her more casually, since they were friends. Hugged by the white-haired girl, Michaela accepted her request to hold her a little longer and tightened her embrace, silently promising to protect her friend. Sometime after, Michaela went to a hill outside the village during the night and sang the spell song, sensing the vessel of sin at a large mansion in Aceid. Surprised by the sound of Clarith's voice, she asked why she was there and Michaela explained that she was unable to sleep.

While the Netsuma asked if she was accustomed to life in Yatski, the green-haired girl admitted she was happy in spite of the difficult work. As Clarith pointed out how she must have come from a rich family, given all the money she had, Michaela tried laughing it off. Asking about her mother, Clarith sadly revealed that she wouldn't last long as Aceid's doctors hadn't found a cure for Goula. Michaela quickly changed the topic again, asking about the Aceid mansion in the distance and was told it was the home of Keel Freesis.

As their conversation about Keel's rich life style and monthly banquets continued, Clarith revealed her desire to have many friends like him, expressing her disbelief she could have them unlike the beautiful Michaela. The green-haired girl replied that she still accepted her and, unable to hear what Clarith said afterward, asked her to repeat it but Clarith shook her head, saying she'd just be fine if Michaela was by her side. Touched, Michaela thanked her and stated they should head home with the windy weather. Seeing Clarith fall over while getting up, she grabbed her hand and the two went home only to find her mother dead.

Flight to Aceid
"Eugen was killed by my father. Father is insisting that he was killed by Clarith. A bunch of people are getting ready to arrest Clarith. We have to hurry and escape!"

- Ein

After attending her mother's funeral, Michaela asked Clarith what she planned to do next and the Netsuma expressed her uncertainty. Concerned for Clarith and now aware of the vessel's location, Michaela suggested they leave the village and start a new life in Aceid. The surprised Netsuma told her to go without her and be with her family. In response to Micahela's shock, Clarith revealed Chelsea had said she was only using her to look more kind and beautiful to others.

Expressing her own doubts, Clarith admitted it was fine so long as she remained her friend and the outraged Michaela embraced her tightly, stating she liked her for who she was and believed she was a wonderful person. As the Netsuma girl sobbed, Michaela handed her a handkerchief and agreed to head to Aceid, though questioning what they would do afterward. Michaela said she hadn't considered it but remarked they still had money and the two laughed about their uncertain but hopeful future. Ein then fervently burst into the home and said his father had killed Eugen and was mobilizing a mob blaming Clarith. Rushing them to escape, Ein led the two girls out of the village along the steep cliff-side.

Once they escaped the villagers and took a break, Michaela asked what happened while Clarith was asleep and Ein described how his father poisoned Eugen for opposing him stealing from Earl Felix and threw the blame on Clarith. As Ein vented his anger, Michaela asked what he'd do and the young man said he'd tell Earl Felix what happened, aware his father would be arrested. After Ein asked if she'd join him, Michaela explained her plans with Clarith and Ein agreed. Seeing his lonely expression, the green-haired maiden apologized but Ein responded that it was best for Clarith, hoping to remove his guilt so he could face her. With Michaela confused by his words, the young man brushed it off and promised to take them to Aceid.

Traveling to the capitol of Elphegort, Michael and Clarith spent the night in an inn in the Central District, learning the owner's wife had helped birth and raise Ein after his mother died. After a week at the inn, Michaela was drinking tea in the living room with the couple as they discussed the difficulty for immigrants like them to be financially successful in Elphegort. As Keel Freesis came up in the conversation, Michaela asked about him and the owner related his success as a foreign merchant and how the couple sometimes took care of their kids. Inquiring if Keel's wife could use some new servants, the inn owner's wife said she could ask since he was visiting them the next day. Excited, she thanked her and went back to her room. With Clarith exhausted and already asleep in bed, Michaela thought about telling her the good news the next morning before also falling asleep.

The next day, Michaela saw Keel's wife, Mikina, arrive instead and was told by the innkeeper to get her some tea. Once she presented the beverage to her, the former spirit continued to stare until she was asked by Mikina to stop. She apologized and explained it was due to her beauty and Mikina complimented her appearance in return, pointing out that Michaela didn't seem to be the innkeeper's relative. Vaguely brushing over the situation, Mikina mentioned her own difficulty as a young immigrant and Michaela brought up how successful the Freesis Firm had been with such a spacious home for herself. After Mikina revealed they had recently fired some servants, hence her visit, Michaela mentioned how the two girls were searching for a job.

Bothered by the woman's stare, Michaela clarified that her friend went out and would return soon just when Clarith opened the door. Affirming the Netsuma was the person she mentioned, Michaela introduced herself and Clarith to the Freesis matriarch. When Mikina refused to hire Michaela, the green-haired girl protested; met with Mikina's hateful outburst for Elphes, she watched as the former noblewoman brushed the reason aside, explaining that her amazing beauty could bring unnecessary trouble to their home. With Clarith's insistence, Mikina agreed to hire them both and the two happily hugged one another. Packing their luggage, they left for the Freesis mansion and began working the next day.

Freesis Maid
"Starting tomorrow, both of you come to my home to begin working. I warn you, it will not be easy."

- Mikina

Over the course of three months, Michaela and Clarith worked at the mansion, meeting up in the garden after dinner to chat each night. At the end of their probationary period, the two girls were accepts as servants. While Michaela and the other servants washed clothes, Clarith came in with a basket full of children's clothes. Michaela thanked her and, despite warning her that water was cold, she did it anyway and lurched the feeling. Michaela joked that she didn't want her to freeze to death when Gerda came in and asked them to come inside. Told Earl Felix wished to see them, Michaela asked why and Gerda questioned if they knew the Earl. Reminded not to make any mistakes since Keel would be attending to him shortly, the two girls cautiously entered.

While Michaela offered him snacks, pouring tea, she heard Clarith scream and looked up to see Ein beside the Earl and the shocked maid asked why he was there. Keel then entered and sent the three out of the room; surprised, Michaela asked what happened at the village and Ein explained how his father was arrested and the Earl made Ein an Elphegort soldier, dreaming to become a powerful swordsman to protect the person important to him. Confused by who he meant, Michaela saw Ein avert his gaze behind her when Keel and Earl Felix's meeting ended. As the Earl prepared to depart, Michaela watched Clarith say farewell to Ein and noticed Ein seem to be crying as he left with Felix.

After dinner, Michaela waited outside for Clarith at the fountain in the Freesis garden. As Clarith apologized for being late, Michaela brushed it off and the Netsuma hugged her. As the white-haired girl happily chatted about Yukina, the jealous Michaela grew solemn when Clarith asked what was wrong. Clarith then reassured the jealous maid she was the most important person to her and, leaning on her, said she wanted to hear her sing again. Saying she'd have to sing softly to not disturb the others, she recited the spell song and felt the vessel of sin in the mansion's warehouse.

Once she finished, they heard someone clapping and turned to see Keel watching them. The maid immediately apologized for disturbing the merchant but Keel brushed it off, wondering if she enjoyed singing. Answering yes, Keel instructed Michaela to sing her favorite song every morning and he would hire a vocal teacher for her. Wondering what he meant, Keel eluded an answer and told them to return to their rooms. Doing as Keel instructed, Michaela sand each day and took lessons for two weeks.

Passion of Blue
"Michaela, if I said I intended to disobey my mother, give up my throne, and run away... would you go with me?"

- King Kyle

On the night of Keel's monthly banquets, Michaela was dressed up for the main event and introduced to the stage by Keel. Seeing Clarith cheering her on from the shadows, Michaela relaxed and took a deep breath before singing. Once she finished, Michalea quickly bowed and was met with wild applause. Singing three pieces in a row, the tired maid went to Keel to greet each guest. Praised by the attendees, Michaela watched Keel and his friend banter before being introduced to King Kyle Marlon, the merchant joking he was a playboy. Panicking in the presence of the royal, she prepared to kneel but was stopped by the king, explaining he wished to remain incognito.

Later, Kyle professed his love for Michaela, giving her a shell pendant to prove his love for her. Michaela took it, believing that it was just a friendly gesture. Kyle later admitted his betrothal to Riliane Lucifen d'Autriche and when he asked Michaela about the possibility of leaving everything behind and running away with her, she was shocked. Later, while Michaela was singing in town, she met Allen Avadonia and he delivered a magic spring onion to her from Gumillia, using it to communicate with her and Elluka.

Green Hunting
During the Green Hunting, Elluka and Gumillia attempted to persuade Michaela to leave, but Michaela refused to leave Clarith behind and revealed to them that she intended to remain a human. Michaela and Clarith later fled into the forest, pursued by the Lucifenian army. Although she didn't want to abandon her, Clarith forced a kiss on and used the opportunity to drug her. She was then delivered to the Freesis hiding place, an underground well, by Ein. She was later found by Allen and he promised to return after he confirmed she was safe. The following night, Michaela was stabbed by Ney Futapie, disguised as Allen before the servant arrived. In her final moments, she wished for Clarith to be safe. Michaela died, hearing Allen's wails as he mourned her.

After Kyle also discovered Michaela's corpse, her body transformed into a sapling and she was recovered by Elluka and Gumillia. The two later revealed Michaela's identity to Clarith and asked her to take care of Michaela until she matured and become Held's successor. Gumillia than conjured a projection of Michaela in her human form and said her final goodbyes to Clarith, the two confessing their love to each other before their reunion ended. Michaela was finally planted in Held's Forest by Clarith and Rin.

New Millennium Tree
When Kyle, transformed by the Demon of Pride, attacked Yukina Freesis, Gumillia, and Germaine in EC 505, Held asked Michaela to help. The sapling expressed her doubts since she had lost her human body but Held stated she didn't need a body or a voice, only her heart. Determined to save everyone, Michaela sung a spell song to amplify the effects of Gumillia's magic, resonating with the shell pendant Kyle wore around his neck. As the pendant he carried shine brightly, the Demon was exorcised and the Mirror he carried was sealed.

Within the following decades, Held finishing teaching Michaela what he knew and died, leaving the sapling as his successor. As she grew into a larger tree, she was accepted by the inhabitants of Elphegort as the "New Millennium Tree" and was well loved by the populace. In the EC 990s, Michaela recognized the danger the inhabitants of Evil's Theater were causing in her forest.

Personality and Traits
Michaela was a kind, friendly, and curious person, fascinated with human behavior and everyday life. As a result of her curiosity, she could sometimes act disobedient. Similarly, she found many actions and habits of humans odd and had little understanding of many human emotions, such as romantic affection or love. Because she was originally a forest spirit, Michaela looked down upon the rash and emotional actions of humans, although later succumbing to such behavior herself. Due to her time spent as a human with Clarith, she grew to understand these feelings and behaviors, learning to love, hate, and feel jealousy.

Skills and Abilities
As a forest spirit, Michaela was immortal, able to heal from any wound almost instantly while in Held's Forest. Similarly, she could freely transform into an animal, usually a green robin. After becoming a human, she became vulnerable to death but relatively quick to learn human habits and customs. As a mage, Michaela was not as adept as Gumillia but learned the necessary song spells as she searched for the sin fragments. Among the songs she learned was the Clockwork Lullaby, used to track the Sins, and Recollective Musicbox, to communicate their location to Elluka. Despite this, she did not understand the songs themselves as Elluka never taught her their meaning.

Michaela was skilled at labor and was quite capable at her menial tasks as a maid. Having a naturally melodious voice and talent for singing, Keel refined Michaela's technique with tutors before having her perform. Because of her amazing singing voice, she became a popular idol to the people of Elphegort. She was also illiterate due to Elluka's belief that she would learn along the way, which became impossible for her as a peasant farmer in Yatski.

Character Connections
Eve Moonlit: The inspiration for Michaela's human body. She observed the event of the Original Sin and thought her to have a suitably beautiful appearance, although Michaela was frightened by what had taken place. She believed Eve to be a very wicked person.

Gumillia: A fellow forest spirit. Michaela and Gumillia were very close, with the former often spending time with the latter before they became human. Michaela asked for Gumillia's progress in Lucifenia whenever she could, asking Allen about her and using the Spring Onion, and became most concerned for her well-being during the Green Hunting.

Elluka Clockworker: Michaela's mentor. Michaela initially knew her as a friend of Held, and a powerful sorceress with her secrets to keep. Michaela became grateful to the magi for giving her a chance to help Clarith and followed all her instructions on being human, although finding her to be rather lackadaisical in nature. In the end, Michaela was grateful to Elluka for all the sorceress had done for her.

Held: Michaela's creator and predecessor. Michaela respected Held deeply and saw him as a father figure, although sometimes she would disobey his orders due to her curious nature. She was deeply worried about him during the Green Hunting when Lucifenia attempted to burn down the Forest of Bewilderment. She later returned to his tutelage when becoming the replacement Millennium Tree.

Clarith: Michaela's best friend. Michaela was initially filled with gratitude for Clarith due to the aid she gave her as a robin, and wished to protect her from the abuses of the other villagers. She saw her as a wonderful person and friend, and eventually she even came to love her, for as much as she understood love. Michaela resolved to remain as a human for the sake of staying with Clarith.

Allen Avadonia: A friend of Michaela's. Michaela was initially uncomfortable with Allen's serious, formal speech, but after he amended his words, she took pleasure in conversing with him over many subjects. She was happy to see him again during the Green Hunting, and told him about her fears for Clarith and herself. Michaela trusted and liked Allen, although she did not reciprocate his feelings of love for her and thought him foolish because of them.

Kyle Marlon: A suitor of Michaela. Michaela viewed Kyle with a mild affection, feeling sympathy for his relationship with his mother. She did not understand his advances and did not reciprocate them, although she accepted his offer of friendship. Nonetheless, Michaela was angry to discover he was already engaged, believing he was just teasing her. She was vexed by his insistence on loving her even to disastrous results, believing him to be foolish.

Keel Freesis: Michaela's employer. Michaela treated Keel with respect and viewed him as caring, as well as a confident individual. She came to care about him as family and it pained her to flee from his employ during the Green Hunting, though she was grateful that he provided her with a hiding place.

Mikina Freesis: Michaela's other employer. Michaela was fascinated by Mikina's appearance and respectable nature, though initially cautious due to the woman's dislike of Elphegorteans. After singing for Keel's banquets, their relationship became warmer, with Michaela considering Mikina to be a very caring person.

Conceptialization and Origin

 * Michaela's name is a female Hebrew derivative of the male name "Michael", meaning "who is like God".
 * Clarith's nickname for Michaela as a robin, Grüne, is derived from German, meaning "green".
 * Her nickname by the citizens of Aceid, Diva, means "a popular female singer or personality"; the word is derived from Italian, meaning "goddess".
 * Michaela's name is partially inspired by the name of her representative Vocaloid, Miku,  with Michaela's romanization containing "Mik" in it.

Curiosities

 * The Very Amazing Spring Onion is a direct reference to Hachune Miku and Michaela's Vocaloid counterpart.

Gallery
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