Chapter 114

The gem of the continent.

The daughter of the Supreme God.

The faith of the Holy Order.

Saintess Maria.

She had always been greatly loved by the Holy Order, and in return, she grew up as a kind, proper, and well-rounded individual. However, she harbored two secrets that she couldn’t tell anyone else.

The first secret was that she suffered from dissociative identity disorder. She didn’t realize it when she was little; she just thought it was normal that her day started at 8 AM and ended at 8 PM.

But she began to suspect something was off when one bishop said, “It’s truly commendable how the Saintess stayed up late last night reading difficult books until she fell asleep.”

Thing was, *she* didn’t remember reading those books.

Not long after, Maria discovered her condition: an unusual case of split personality triggered precisely at 8 o’clock. Thankfully, her other self wasn’t temperamental or drastically different—just slightly more inclined toward intellectual pursuits like “The History of the Continent, the Demon King, and the Lord” or “Where Did Demon King Canos Originate?”

That was Maria’s first secret, known to almost no one.

Maria’s second secret was even stranger—and this one, only she knew. In fact, it wasn’t something she could confide in anyone.

“Something feels… hollow…”

A feeling of incompleteness lingered in her life, something most people wouldn’t notice even over a lifetime but that Maria felt every single moment. No matter what she ate or experienced, there was always a faint sense of being 2% short of fulfillment.

Over time, Maria accepted this emptiness as naturally as breathing. But then…

“Huh? What is this?”

It started when she entered Eden Academy for her enrollment ceremony—or rather, when she met *a boy*.

“Something feels… weird. This oppressive feeling is fading…”

For the first time in her life, Maria felt a strange sense of comfort.

***

When I opened my eyes, the first thing I saw faster than sunlight itself was her. Her delicate eyelashes, silken white hair I wanted to stroke, round crystal-like eyes—it was young Maria.

Without thinking, I reached out. After waiting so long, only for her…

Instinct takes over when you have something you’ve yearned for right in front of you. And with my brain still foggy from sleep, I extended an impolite hand without any rational judgment.

SHHHHRAAAKKK—

Soft cheeks met my palm. A sweet scent filled my nose. Completely absentmindedly, I caressed Maria’s cheek.

“What, what, WHAT?!”

“Ah…”

“What are you doing?!”

Her face turned ruby-red as she jumped up in shock. The support holding my head disappeared, and I smacked the back of my skull against the chair.

THUMP!

“Ow!”

“A-Are you okay?! Don’t randomly touch my face like that!”

Oh yeah, this isn’t the Maria I know. If it were Night-Maria, she’d probably be smiling mischievously instead. I forgot we’re meeting for the first time today.

While I cradled my throbbing head, Maria hesitantly approached again, offering me her small hand.

Then, divine light shimmered from her pristine fingers.

“Oh almighty Lord who watches over us with your all-seeing eyes, grant your precious grace to heal this wound caused by me.”

WHOOSH—

As a demon, I’m not supposed to accept holy power—it’s our natural nemesis. But Maria’s an exception. Why? Beats me. Is it because she’s the saintess?

“Was that holy power just now? You’re giving me medicine after causing the injury? But the cure seems way too excessive compared to the problem.”

“Ugh… So, SO don’t just go around touching my face! That was blatant harassment!”

“Well, technically, you assaulted me first by putting your hand on my head when I woke up!”

“Skin and hair are NOT the same thing!”

Back when I was locked in Tartarus at the bottom of Babel Tower, I thought the saintess healed using her own life force. But just now, young Maria healed me effortlessly. Since she thinks I’m human and wouldn’t waste her lifespan unnecessarily, it must mean Maria’s holy power can heal demons like me too.

Well, considering she might be the only saint capable of healing demons, whether Maria is special or all saints are special remains unclear.

“Hey, stop already and check out the podium. The freshman representative is taking the oath.”

“The freshman representative? Ah, it’s the Hero.”

Merlin, the legendary sleeping pill lecturer, stepped down from the podium. Next, Hero Frey ascended to represent the new students. Frey gave the usual speech about responsibilities and dreams while Maria watched with anticipation.

I half-listened to Frey’s speech and kept staring at Maria.

“Mr. Evans, do you dislike the Hero?”

Maria asked curiously, noticing my lack of interest. I shrugged.

“I don’t dislike him; I just don’t care.”

“Why? He’s the Hero destined to save the continent. Most people would naturally be interested in someone like him.”

“He’s not my type.”

Looks aren’t the issue here—it’s personality.

Even when Frey was hailed as the indomitable hero, I used to find her fascinating. Such a noble warrior who never strays from righteousness despite trials and tribulations—how inspiring! Back then, I wondered how I could shred that unshakable resolve.

Now that I’ve seen her true colors, though, she doesn’t even spark a speck of curiosity in me.

“Um… Do you see the Hero as a woman?”

Maria tilted her head suspiciously, misinterpreting my words. I waved her off.

“No, no, nothing like that. I’m just speaking as one person to another.”

“Do you have any connection to the Hero?”

“Connection? Nope. Just impressions.”

Sure, reminiscing about past lives could explain it, but right now, I’m not some Demon Duke—I’m just a regular student. Students should act like students.

“Hmm… Mr. Evans, you’re quite unique.”

“Am I?”

“Yes, definitely. Our meeting wasn’t ordinary either.”

What a loaded statement. Do you have any idea how many eons I crossed just to meet you, Maria? Sure, I joked once that it felt fleeting, but let’s be real—500 years is exhausting even for me.

“Freshmen, gather over here!”

With the final pledge delivered, the tedious ceremony finally ended. As students gathered, I nudged Aru, who was still sprawled across my thigh.

SNAP—

“Hey! Wake up!”

“GRRR! WOOF WOOF! ARF!”

Aru, whose ears folded backward, reacted violently and growled at me. In response, I smacked his head with a loud *BONK!*

“How long do you plan to sleep, you lazy mutt?”

“Grrr…”

“Stop acting cute and get up. We need to go. They’re calling us.”

“Arf… I’m sleepy. Carry me.”

“You don’t care about the others?”

“Still carry me. Little Evans will make it easier.”

Little Evans? Is that what happens when you fuse a tiny demon with Evans Grant? Officially a student, but mentally still the wolf king of Demon Forest, Aru isn’t about to listen to teachers anytime soon. Sighing, I hoisted him onto my back.

Maria couldn’t help but chuckle softly at our antics.

“Pfft, what’s your relationship with him?”

“We’ve been close since childhood. That’s why we ended up attending Eden Academy together.”

“I see. Envious. I’ve always dreamed of having a friend I could open up to.”

“Are you saying you don’t have one now?”

“…I hope to build good relationships at Eden Academy.”

Maria’s smile seemed bittersweet. Looks like she doesn’t have any friends. It’s not her fault—Maria’s such a sweet person. It’s just that the environment surrounding the Holy Order’s saintess probably kept her isolated from peers. I can imagine stuffy priests reading dense scriptures to her day in and day out. Such a monotonous existence baffles me as someone who thrives on spectacle.

Wait a sec.

“Maria, would it be okay if I became your first friend?”

“H-Huh? F-Friend?”

“You just said you wanted to make friends at Eden Academy, right?”

“W-Would it be alright? We barely know each other…”

“Friends? Pfft, it’s nothing big. If your eyes meet, that’s friendship.”

“That… um…”

Maria’s expression turned uneasy. Did something I say bother her?

“Did I say something wrong? What’s up?”

“You seem to take friendships too lightly.”

“Too lightly?”

What does she mean?

“Friendship refers to companions who play together, eat together, suffer together, rejoice together—a lifelong partner. It’s not something trivial or fleeting based solely on eye contact.”

Saintess, that’s called a *lifelong buddy*. Of course, someone who learns everything from scripture wouldn’t know that.

“Alright, let’s do it your way.”

“Huh?”

“Let’s follow what you said. Friends are those who play together, eat together, suffer together, and celebrate together. So, if I become someone who does all that with you, then we’re friends, right? Makes sense?”

“O-Oh… If that’s the case… Yes, I’d be happy to be friends with you, Mr. Evans.”

Maria tried to suppress her blooming smile but failed, turning red instead.

I grinned slyly—a seemingly innocent smile on the surface.

***

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