The Narrow-Eyed Villain of the Demon Academy

A gloomy atmosphere hung over Bares' mansion. Displeased, I decided to take a walk outside and clear my head.

Following me through the garden was Kyle.

Even after learning about Crete's death and the non-existence of the twins, he still said,

"It's not like I'm staying because I like you."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah, I just thought this was the right thing to do."

I laughed, watching Kyle grumble.

At some point, Kyle had also started to develop feelings for Bares.

On the one hand, it occurred to me that I wasn't that different from Kyle. When was it?

Closing my eyes, I recalled that day, a memory so old that it wasn't easy to retrieve from the depths of my mind.

The day Crete forcibly injected me with the Gu Poison, claiming he would use me.

Back then, I had no clue how things would unfold, living each day consumed by fear.

Yet, here I was, now protecting the two lives Crete left behind.

It was a series of ironic situations, but I didn't entirely hate my current reality.

'It's better than before.'

The knights who invaded Arsene's territory to kill me, back when I had no allies, no backing whatsoever.

The memory of me groveling on the ground, desperate to survive amidst their attacks, was still vivid.

Compared to that time, I was now living a life so abundant it felt excessive.

Well, it hadn't been that long since I escaped the Human Realm with my life on the line.

'So, is this what he meant by 'using' me?'

For a while, I struggled to understand what Crete wanted from me. But what he desired turned out to be so simple that it left me bewildered.

To be Rene's escort.

Crete had never lied to me.

From the past to this very moment, all Crete ever wanted was for me to stay by Rene's side.

And his words still held true.

That's why I remained by Rene's side, even though Crete no longer held any power over me.

Why?

Aside from Crete's request, I felt an unexplainable pull that kept me from leaving Rene.

Although I was currently outside, giving Rene and Anna space to collect themselves, I felt a certain draw towards returning to Rene's side.

It was then.

Suddenly, Kyle puffed out his cheeks and blocked my path, staring at me with discontent.

"When can I meet Mile?" [T/N: Previous she was referred as ‘Ray’.]

His words brought to mind his younger sister, who was in the Human Realm.

Mile, a half-Demon, was being raised as a weapon by the Imperial Family.

However, the Imperial Family harbored extreme prejudice against half-Demons.

While it appeared that they were supporting Mile, she was merely being exploited.

And in that situation, I told Kyle:

That I would show him an ideal world. A world where no one faced discrimination, where life was respected as life itself.

Those weren't empty words to appease Kyle.

They came from my own experience of witnessing the discrimination against half-Demons.

Therefore, Kyle and Mile meeting now would be disastrous.

"Not now."

At my firm refusal, Kyle frowned.

"Why not?"

"It's simple. If you try to see Mile now and barge into the Imperial Palace, you won't be able to save her."

"What are you…."

"I didn't just tell you that you could meet Mile and then die a dog's death at the hands of the humans."

"...."

Kyle fell silent.

I knew he understood, yet he still asked, longing to see his sister.

I could empathize, but Kyle's current state seemed somewhat precarious.

"You're afraid, aren't you? Afraid that Mile might be in danger before I achieve my goal, or that I might fail to achieve it at all."

"...Yes."

Kyle readily agreed, lowering his head.

I understood him. I, too, was separated from my family, striving towards a goal that seemed out of reach.

It felt so distant that it tormented me.

But what would change if I gave up? Nothing. That's why I had to keep pushing forward, didn't I?

"Trust me and wait."

"...Easier said than done."

"Isn't that my only strength? I wouldn't be called Adel if I were eloquent."

"I'll give you that, but…"

With a disgruntled expression, Kyle sighed.

I chuckled at his reaction.

Then, I shuddered as I remembered forgetting about my homework.

As I quickened my pace, I heard Kyle shouting from behind, asking where I was going.

"Going to write in my diary," I replied briefly.

Damn it.

Just because I survived the Human Realm didn't mean everything was resolved.

It was just the first step.

Realizing the gap between myself and the Sword Saint or Hamel, I needed to grow stronger, especially with all the support I would be receiving from Sytan.

'One week left.'

I sighed as I walked towards my room.

Writing in my diary wasn't difficult, but the thought of enduring more hardships like this weighed on me.

What bothered me the most was 'Diana's' plan, which was about to be set in motion.

'...No rest for the wicked.'

I also had to gather information about the red dagger, but time was not on my side.

―…….

I gently touched the red dagger, sound asleep in my arms.

The dagger had shown me illusions, so vivid that they sometimes sent chills down my spine.

However, unlocking the hidden power of the red dagger wasn't a priority right now.

Its abilities revolved around creating sharp weapons and attacks using blood.

I wasn't going to fight using illusions. Unlocking the red dagger's power wasn't urgent.

'But there's definitely something about it...'

Rene and Anna were still downcast, so I figured it would be better if I went and investigated on my own.

I pulled out the crude map Ares had given me and studied it carefully.

He said I had obtained a friend's memento here and that I would understand if I went there.

Frankly, it wasn't very convincing, but I didn't think Ares would lie to me.

Besides, writing in my diary wouldn't take long, so I decided to use the remaining time productively.

With the map in hand, I started walking.

Then, I grabbed Kyle by the back of his neck.

He was sitting idly in the garden, staring blankly at the grass and trees.

"What? What is it? You said you were going to write in your diary."

"I was going to, but I remembered something I have to do."

"Then why are you grabbing me?"

"Haha, you know why."

"I don't, you crazy bastard! Let go of me!"

"You'll find out when we get there!"

"Let go, dammit! This is a crime! A crime, I tell you…!"

Kyle struggled violently, trying to shake off my grip, but I wasn't one to back down so easily.

Holding onto the back of his neck, I walked leisurely towards the location marked on the map.

The hidden truth of the red dagger.

The moment of its revelation was upon us.

***

The something hidden within the red dagger.

Until we left the Bares territory in search of it, I thought this task would be relatively easy.

Compared to invading the Human Realm or surviving Sytan, this seemed like a walk in the park.

However, the further we walked, the more certain I became that I was mistaken. At some point, Kyle and I felt like we were going in circles.

"Are you sure this is the right way?"

"According to the map, yes, but..."

Kyle asked, letting out a deep sigh, probably exhausted from walking. I scratched the back of my head and gave a vague answer.

Three days ago, we left the Bares territory and had been searching for the 'village' Ares mentioned.

But there was a problem.

It wasn't that we encountered any monsters or beasts blocking our path.

It was the feeling that the closer we got to the village, the further away it seemed.

"Ah, how about this?"

Kyle, who had been groaning in frustration, suddenly snapped his fingers and spoke up.

Curious to hear what he had to say, I turned my head.

"Do you have a good idea?"

"Let's just split up and search."

"And what if we get lost? Oh, right, you have Sijo, so it doesn't matter."

"Yeah, you can attach Sijo to me, and we can each move separately."

"Sure, why not."

There was no reason to refuse.

In fact, I thought it might save us time, so I readily agreed.

After we split up and I had been moving alone through the dense forest for quite some time, a sudden wave of dizziness washed over me.

Frowning, I looked around.

'Is it some kind of magical device?'

No, it didn't seem like it.

There was no trace of mana, and I didn't sense any magic being used.

But I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was amiss.

Suddenly, I felt a gaze upon me.

As I turned my head, I saw a black figure staring at me.

"It is not yet time. You are not worthy."

A grotesque voice echoed in my ears, and then…

*Whum-*

The red dagger vibrated frantically as if trying to slash at me.

Taken aback by the sudden turn of events, I blinked in confusion.

*Flip-*

With a sound like a page turning in a book, I found myself…

"...What the…?"

…at the foot of a mountain.

"What was that?"

Beside me stood Kyle, wearing an equally bewildered expression.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

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