Extra Demon: Sacred Academy of Light

"Reaching Heaven isn't easy. To put it simply, it's impossible... unless you seek help from Seraphine, the Seraph of Mercy."

"You can't be serious..." I stared at Lilith, dumbfounded. "The Seraph of Mercy? She'll kill me the moment I stand before her, you understand that, right?" I couldn't imagine another outcome. She isn't human. Besides, in the main story, she never sided with David. She's always been strange, unpredictable, and the worst of them all. The most devout. The one who seeks to rebuild the body of God.

"You're right... but my situation is the same as yours. She wants to kill me too—not just me, but the other bastards as well. I don't think it's a good idea to approach her. I have no intention of fighting her right now; I have other matters to deal with." Lilith hugged herself and smiled wryly. "But you're wrong about one thing: do you think there's anyone in the empire capable of healing the terrible state of your body? From what I can see—" she glanced briefly at the shattered mirror—"the consequences couldn't have been good. Just by looking at your soul, I can tell... and as for your body, well, it's probably even worse."

"Are you saying she healed my wounds?" I asked, stunned. "She must've noticed..." I murmured under my breath, cold sweat running down my spine. "She didn't... do anything to me, did she?" I asked nervously, touching my body.

"From what my eyes see... no. For now, you're fine. But this is your only path to survival. I'd advise you to seize this strange opportunity and speak with her. You have no other alternative. I can't help you much either, aside from telling you where the fruit is located. I also doubt they want a demon—especially a unique one like you—in Heaven. They'll all try to kill me. I'm far too young to die," Lilith said with a seductive smile, pushing her chest out with pride.

"Young?" I thought to myself. "Allow me to doubt that..."Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"Don't think dangerous thoughts, Arthur. A woman's age is a very delicate matter," Lilith's eyes glinted dangerously.

"Alright," I replied, raising my hands. Women's intuition really is something to be wary of.

"I suggest you speak to her immediately. She's here, in this establishment. Somehow, I think she's actually waiting for you to approach her. She must've noticed the state of your soul as well... Who knows what she might be thinking?" Lilith's expression turned complicated.

"Well, you're right. I don't know what Seraphine is thinking, but... I don't know what you're thinking either. I've always wondered why you're helping me. I don't know if it's good or bad. I don't even know what the hell I am... Why am I still doing this?" I paused, staring at my fractured soul. I didn't know how to feel about it.

"Good question... Honestly, if I were to be truthful... let's just say it's for my survival. Like you, I want to live. It's as simple as that—or so I'd like to say. But, damn it, nothing is simple. There's so much at stake: ancient existences resurfacing, Seraphim beginning to make their moves, Eden, Hell, progenitor vampires who were supposed to be dead, ancient dragons returning to the skies... Like I said, it's all very complicated. But they all seek to survive. And who better to support than someone who wields the blue flame, the flame of life? In short, you're my shield." Lilith shrugged. "Happy with that answer? Satisfied? Or do you think I'm lying?"

"Half and half, I'd say. You still haven't told me why the Seven Sins and the Seven Seraphim are identical. Or what happened to the gods. But for now, let's just say this is the best I can get. Something is better than nothing, I suppose. But that card could also be played to my advantage... right?" I stood up, looking at Lilith with a sly smile.

"Smart. I like it. Nothing is free—you can use me, and I'll use you. I'll give you my body and soul... and maybe something more, if you'd like," she said, her eyes gleaming like little stars as she spoke in a flirtatious tone.

Taking a few steps back, I stammered nervously, "I don't think you're talking about that..." Damn it, she can be terrifying in more than one way.

Lilith gave me a meaningful smile. "Knowledge is power, but it's also dangerous and cursed. Knowing too much can get you killed, corrupt your soul, or, in the worst case, doom you to eternal suffering—a terrible way to spend eternity. Believe me, I've seen it with my own eyes. Not pretty." She grimaced. "If fate has it that you die... save me a spot, you know what I mean."

"Wait... isn't my soul supposed to go to Hell?" It made sense—I belonged in Hell, didn't I? Looking at Lilith, I muttered, "You can't die... under normal circumstances... No, forget it," I said, waving it off.

"While it's true I can't die... let's just say if my body and flesh perish, my soul will go straight to Hell, and I'll possess another body. I'm immortal! Hehehe."

"..."

"Sometimes you're incredibly annoying," I muttered, clicking my tongue. "How should I approach Seraphine? Should I just tell her I want to go to Heaven and take a forbidden fruit? I don't think pretty words and good intentions will get me far..."

"As ridiculous as you sound, just tell her exactly that. Like I said, there's no point hiding anything from her. She's a complete Seraph and the strangest of them all. If she spared your life, I think you still have a chance." Lilith nodded. "If you manage to get her to take you to Heaven, stay as far away from the angels as possible—they'll want to tear you apart with their own hands. And about Eden..." Her expression grew strange. "Avoid the Evas. That crazy b**** is out of her mind... Trust me, I know her better than any other woman in all three worlds. I doubt you want her delicate hands on your body."

"Why do you say that?" I asked, suddenly curious. For some reason, the thought of meeting the Mother of All intrigued me.

"Why do you think Eva was created?" Lilith asked.

"To replace you?" I responded with another question.

"Sometimes, you're an idiot." She shook her head, looking at me with pity.

"..."