The Narrow-Eyed Villain of the Demon Academy

***

“A human ambush?”

“The half-demon is invading!”

The capital was in an uproar.

As I drew closer with the Eater Birds in tow, the demon residents of the capital were gripped by fear.

Children wailed, their parents desperately trying to soothe them.

I clutched my chest, my breaths coming in ragged gasps.

I had long lost track of how long I’d been running.

Countless pairs of eyes were already fixed on me from the entrance of the capital.

“…This is insane.”

A wave of dizziness washed over me.

In my attempt to avoid being late, I had inadvertently triggered a catastrophe of epic proportions.

'Oh, god, I'm going to be sick.'

'At this rate, I’m going to be branded a traitor and executed before they even find out I’m Arsene’s descendant.'

As that terrifying thought crossed my mind, three figures appeared in the distance.

“Oh.”

I recognized them instantly.

Samuel, Rene, and Fron…

They were standing at the entrance of the capital, staring at me with expressions that could curdle milk.

'Look, there’s a perfectly good explanation for why I’m in this mess…'

I was about to explain myself when,

'Shing-'

'Click-'

Rene drew her sword from its sheath.

'Thump-'

An intense aura enveloped Rene and her blade, warping the very air around her.

'Wait a minute, why is she pointing that thing at me?'

'She’s not… She’s not going to attack me, is she?'

'Please tell me I’m wrong!'

'Get. Down.'

I could practically read Rene’s lips.

In that split second,

'Slide-'

I dropped to the ground.

An immense surge of energy whizzed past, barely missing me.

Cawwww-

Cawww-

Rene’s sword slashed through the air, decimating a large chunk of the Eater Birds.

As I peeked up from the ground, I couldn’t help but be impressed by Rene’s growth.

During the break…

No, it must have been after witnessing the battle between the Sword Saint and Crete, and the latter’s death, that something within Rene had changed.

Whatever she was thinking, one thing was clear: she had grown stronger.

“You go, girl…!”

'Look at her, all grown up and kicking ass.'

'Whoever her bodyguard is, they deserve a raise! '

As I was busy wiping away a proud tear, it dawned on me that I was still in mortal peril.

While Rene had taken out a significant number of Eater Birds, there were still plenty more where those came from!

Cawwww-

Indeed, countless Eater Birds were still hot on my tail.

They were now dangerously close, having closed the distance while I was momentarily incapacitated.

“…Oh.”

Despair threatened to consume me.

'Rumble-'

Suddenly, the ground behind me trembled violently.

And then,

“You absolute moron.”

A voice dripping with disdain reached my ears.

'Rumble-'

Thorns erupted from the earth, impaling the Eater Birds by the dozens.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

I instantly recognized the owner of that magic and couldn’t help but yelp in relief.

“Samuel!”

“Don’t you dare call my name, you insufferable fool.”

Seriously?

Samuel's cold demeanor stung more than I cared to admit.

'The nerve of this guy.'

'If anyone’s to blame for this mess, it’s him!'

His audacity fueled my anger.

'Thwack-'

Just then, a blunt thorn jabbed me in the side.

What the…

It didn’t hurt, but it was incredibly annoying.

“What a shame.”

What was a shame?

Did he mean it was a shame he didn’t get to impale me with a sharp thorn?

“What did I do to deserve this…!”

“Your very existence is a sin!”

Okay, that one was kinda true, given my lineage, but it still hurt to hear.

'Just you wait, Samuel.'

'Payback’s a bitch.'

As I was grinding my teeth, plotting my revenge,

Cawwww-

The remaining Eater Birds charged at me again.

'Will these things ever give up…!'

“Help me!”

'I just ran all the way here from the territory of Gluttony! I have nothing left!'

'I’m going to die!'

As despair threatened to engulf me,

“Heh heh, it seems like it’s my turn to shine.”

A familiar voice rang out.

Fron.

She was stepping up to the plate.

'Thump-'

With a confident stride, she walked towards the Eater Birds and spread her arms wide.

“Obey me, you insignificant creatures!”

And then,

The Eater Birds turned on each other.

Cawww-

'Rip-'

'Tear-'

They tore into each other with a ferocity that bordered on insanity.

Fron’s power, Charm, was in full effect.

When the dust settled,

Less than a hundred Eater Birds remained.

The corpses of those slain by Fron, Samuel, and Rene littered the ground.

All that was left was,

“My turn!”

I summoned my Inner Image.

A serpent materialized, coiling around my shoulder and flicking its tongue.

Darkness swirled around my arm and the Fang of Darkness, warping the surrounding space.

'I’ll take care of the grand finale…!'

Or so I thought…

“Sorry to disappoint, but I’m afraid I can’t allow that. This looks like too much fun.”

Someone with fiery red hair approached, their sword radiating immense power.

'Swoosh-'

With a single swing of their blade, the air itself seemed to split apart.

'Thud-'

'Thud-'

'Thud-'

The remaining Eater Birds collapsed, their heads severed from their bodies.

Only one person in Sytan possessed such skill.

“Haha, long time no see, Adel!”

Baltan.

He greeted me with his trademark cheerful grin.

But that wasn’t all.

“Pity you didn’t die. I was hoping you would.”

“You’re welcome for saving your sorry hide.”

“……”

Samuel, Fron, and Rene had gathered around me.

But my eyes were still glued to the Gluttony bird carcasses.

'They stole my kill…'

My Inner Image, robbed of its moment of glory, sulked back into my mind.

I felt much the same way.

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