Chapter 143

At the academy, he goes by the name of ‘Isaac,’ a squint-eyed teacher—Satan.

He had just finished a history class and was about to head to the staff room when an odd sound made him change direction.

Punch-!

“Huh…?”

The sound of a blow, followed by a shrill scream.

The faint noise went unnoticed by others, but who is Satan? The origin of all evil and the pinnacle of demons. He wasn’t the type to miss such vibrations nearby. He had also clearly heard the subtle commotion happening at the back of the classroom during the lesson.

“Ho? Something interesting going on between the hero and student Oscar?”

Intrigued, Satan immediately ran toward the source of the sound. Upon exiting the main building and reaching the rear, his eyes fell upon an unusual scene.

In a secluded area where people rarely ventured, two boys and a girl were engaged in physical contact. More accurately, the boy was assaulting the girl.

Boy Evans stood with his hands behind his back, looking perfectly calm.

Meanwhile, girl Frey was doubled over, gasping for air. Clutching her stomach with both hands, her crumpled clothes around her abdomen revealed the source of the earlier punching sound.

Though Satan was a demon, he’d been teaching at the academy for years. Reflexively, he stopped the violent scene.

“Students! What’s going on here?”

Satan’s words were effective. At his shout, Evans quickly draped his arm around Frey’s shoulder in a fake-friendly gesture.

But Satan, a veteran teacher, wasn’t fooled by such a flimsy act.

“Teacher? Is something wrong?”

“Evans student, Frey student. What were you doing just now?”

“Just having a fun chat among friends. Is there any problem?”

Satan glanced past the composed Evans and fixed his gaze on Frey, whose shoulder was pressed against Evans’ arm. She was visibly trembling.

“Frey student.”

“Yes…?”

“You don’t look so well.”

“Uh… It’s just…”

Her throat seemed blocked as she hesitated to speak.

Snap-.

Evans pinched Frey’s side. Satan didn’t miss it.

“Ho…?”

“It’s nothing… I’m not feeling too great today…”

“Not feeling great?”

“I was just being supported… Ugh…!”

As she spoke, foam seeped from the corners of Frey’s lips. Sweat trickled down her face.

‘Pleading for help through her eyes.’

Frey’s golden eyes radiated desperation. Though her unspoken message wasn’t entirely clear, human emotions can be conveyed through expressions and gazes.

“Haha, Teacher, just leave it. I’ll give the hero a shoulder rub before heading inside. Frey, that works for you, right?”

Pinch-.

“Uh… Yes…”

While verbally agreeing with Evans, Frey’s eyes silently pleaded for help.

After years of teaching, Satan easily picked up on the tension between them and realized Frey wanted him to intervene.

But fundamentally…

He was a demon first, a teacher second.

“Evans student, did you know how to massage?”

“I’ve learned a bit of everything. Want me to try it on you sometime, Teacher?”

“I’ve been feeling some stiffness lately, so your offer is welcome news. Carry on then! And Frey, if you’re too uncomfortable, visit the nurse!”

“Ahh…”

With his thin eyebrows furrowed like a whip’s tip, Satan patted both Frey and Evans on the shoulders before leaving. Frey watched his retreating figure with bewildered eyes, but Satan whistled cheerfully as he disappeared from view.

‘The hero harassed by a demon, huh! School violence must be prevented, but I can’t miss out on such good entertainment!’

Grinning widely, with an unseen smile tugging at his lips…

*****

“Wow… That teacher has sharp senses. I should treat him to a meal later.”

Evans pinched Frey’s cheek, which felt soft, much like Beatrix’s.

“Isn’t it? Frey.”

“…Damn it.”

“Seems like bad news for our hero. Shall we resume the interrogation?”

At the word “interrogation,” Frey’s eyes hardened with resolve.

She planned to keep quiet no matter what? Even though enduring would be tough?

“What information were you buying from the Black Point?”

“…Teachers.”

“Huh?”

“I went to gather information about the teachers here. Starting with Isaac teacher and the other teachers of Eden Academy.”

Surprisingly, Frey answered without hesitation. There was no trace of determination left.

What? Did I see wrong?

Of course, I’m not always right, but something still feels off.

I moved my hand to Frey’s back. Thump, thump. Her heartbeat resonated vividly.

“Why do you care about the teachers?”

“…Because I’m curious. I want to know how the teachers who will guide me have lived their lives.”

Her heartbeat remained steady. No lies detected.

“Why not ask them directly? Why go to a shady place like the Black Point?”

“Even if I asked, they wouldn’t spill everything, right? I don’t just want to know their achievements. I want more.”

Again, her heart stayed consistent. A little faster due to physical contact, but…

“Hmm, everyone hides their flaws. There’s no better place than the Black Point to uncover those secrets. But I didn’t expect this side of you, Frey. For a hero.”

“For a hero, I need to be thorough. Because I carry this responsibility.”

Frey’s words flowed smoothly, without hesitation or wavering. This was clearly her genuine belief.

Was Frey always like this? Investigating teachers behind the scenes—was this part of her character?

Hard to believe for someone who knows her past life, but with my hand on her back and checking her heartbeat, I can’t deny it. Everything Frey said was true and heartfelt.

“Aren’t you just a fairytale hero? Sitting around waiting to grow up and suddenly save the world with a big ‘boom’?”

“…Stop making fun of me. If you’re done, let me go. Ugh…”

Hmm, looks like her stomach hurts badly. Alright. One more question, and I’ll let you go. But you must answer truthfully.

Gulping, Frey’s complexion turned pale. I leaned close to her ear and whispered quietly.

“Why were you afraid of me?”

“…”

“I don’t recall doing anything to scare students at the academy. So why were you trembling so much back at the Black Point?”

Thump, thump-.

Her heartbeat quickened.

The answer didn’t come easily.

“…”

“Do you want another hit?”

I thrust my fist close to Frey’s face. After a brief gasp, she shouted desperately.

“W-W-Who’s afraid of whom?! I avoided you that day because I didn’t want you to figure out my identity! I’m the hero! If it gets around the academy that I’ve been visiting places like the Black Point…!”

Punch-!

“…! Uw, uuuugh…”

A bent waist screamed in pain. Frey collapsed face-first onto the ground. Wetness pooled between her legs as a yellow liquid leaked out. The sight was quite embarrassing.

“Frey, just tell me honestly. Come on, I don’t want to hurt you.”

“Grrk… Kruuugh… Haaah…!”

“What do you know about me? Or rather, how much do you know?”

I don’t want to do this. Following Maria’s guidance, I aim to walk the path of righteousness. But this issue about my past is different. If anyone discovers I’m a demon and reports it to the academy, I’ll be expelled—or worse, hunted down.

Of course, I won’t die so easily from humans’ attacks, but the point is, my peaceful academy life with Maria will be ruined. It’s a sensitive matter, so my response has to be equally delicate.

If necessary, even resorting to violence…

“Cough…! Ha, ah, huuuh… No matter how many times you ask, my answer stays the same…”

“Really? Your heartbeat doesn’t lie, does it?”

Why hide something so trivial, Frey? You’ll really die if you get hit a few more times.

“…! E-Evans…! Why are you doing this to me…!”

“Tsk, why won’t you answer? It’s strange how stubborn you are. Why are you so different?”

Should I just eliminate this useless hero?

…Even I can’t do that. Maria would surely notice my actions. If I killed the hero just because of some variables, the kind Saintess Maria would definitely scold me.

Ah, really gives me a headache.

“Because of what are you hiding so much, Frey? I’m not trying to do anything bad. I just want you to tell me the truth.”

“What, what do you want me to say…!”

“Ugh, your heartbeat doesn’t lie, but your mouth keeps spewing lies. How do I make you tell the truth?”

“Ugh…! You keep asking me things I don’t know how to answer…!”

“Hmm… If I take my hand off your back, maybe you’d say something less truthful. Or maybe you’re just in pain, which raises your pulse. Then how do I explain why you were afraid of me?”

“A-Ah, I already said it…! Afraid my actions might be exposed at the academy…!”

Confusing. The sorrow and tears in Frey’s eyes seem to proclaim her innocence.

Is this acting? If this is acting, Frey could debut as an actress right away. Who knew this seemingly incompetent girl had such acting skills?

Bam-bam-bam-.

Just as I was about to torture Frey further for more questioning, the school bell rang. Time to return to class.

“Tch, I’ll have to step back for now.”

I straightened my crouching knees. Frey remained sprawled on the floor, glaring daggers at me.

“Don’t relax yet. I’ll call you again soon. I have to attend class with Maria, but you should go to the infirmary. And… change your wet underwear.”

“Kruuugh…! You bastard…!”

“And… don’t rely on Maria for healing. If you need treatment, pay for it yourself. Don’t burden Maria unnecessarily.”

Frey glared at me with gritted teeth. As I walked away, I added casually,

“Looking forward to your school life ahead.”

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