Chapter 27

It was a scene that brought to mind a bustling small town thriving with prosperity.

The interior design stood out for its luxurious yet refined elegance, the gardens and buildings were beautifully landscaped, creating a breathtaking panorama that left one in awe.

Labyrinth Academy.

Founded by nobles who poured money into it so their children wouldn’t have to live in subpar conditions, and still receiving hefty donations today, the academy’s landscape was nothing short of spectacular.

This place truly reeked of money well spent. Every item and facility was crafted to ensure even the snobbish nobility would find no fault in comfort or aesthetics. Naturally, the visual appeal was impeccable.

Adding to this picturesque setting bathed in the soft glow of twilight and cloaked in the night’s embrace, a man strolled leisurely forward as if putting a period at the end of a sentence.

His raven-black hair, dyed like the ink-stained night sky without a single star, fluttered gently in the breeze. His crimson eyes, brimming with an almost demonic allure, were half-lidded as though trying to take in every detail of this grandeur. He was literally a walking masterpiece.

A scenic view featuring a man who looked like he walked straight out of a painting. The harmony between the background and the figure created what could only be described as a work of art. If there had been even one painter around, they’d surely want to immortalize this sight on canvas.

And within this scenery, Yujin casually glanced sideways while strolling, addressing someone as if speaking to another person.

“Quite a beautiful view, isn’t it, Tiamat?”

Though it might look insane to anyone watching, Yujin wasn’t crazy. There was simply someone beside him that others couldn’t see.

『Indeed, it is impressive. Humans’ artistic sensibilities have developed quite nicely.』

If there had been someone else present who could see her, they’d probably be mesmerized just staring at the scene.

The woman walking alongside Yujin matched the ambiance perfectly.

『Feels good… Walking like this together… It’s not something you get used to easily when you’re just living as a Dragon.』

“Right?”

『Maybe it has something to do with being with you, Yujin.』

Tiamat said this before flashing a bright smile and turning back to Yujin. For a moment, Yujin stared blankly at her and chuckled awkwardly.

“Tiamat, are you really telling me you’ve never had anything to do with men?”

『Huh? Wh-what are you talking about? That’s quite rude all of a sudden…』

“Just wondering if any man ever dared to fall for someone like you.”

Yujin asked this genuinely out of curiosity rather than flirting, which made Tiamat blush even more.

『W-well, I am the leader of Dragons! Of course, no one would dare think of me like that!』

“Hmm?”

Upon hearing this, Yujin became certain. Tiamat likely unknowingly bewitched many male dragons without realizing it herself.

People who are unaware of how others feel often talk like this, dismissing the possibility outright.

Yujin gave a wry smile.

“Let’s leave it at that.”

『What do you mean “let’s leave it at that”? It’s true, alright!』

“Yeah, yeah. Sure thing. By the way, Tiamat…”

Yujin narrowed his eyes slightly and gazed toward a certain direction.

“I’m getting a sense of déjà vu here. Am I imagining things?”

『!』

At Yujin’s words, Tiamat also narrowed her eyes and followed his gaze.

“Reminds me of the first trial in the Maze.”

『…Yeah, you’re right.』

Tiamat too furrowed her brows slightly.

『There’s a Demon again… Not just traces of Demon power but something trying to ascend to become a Demon. Though faint, it feels like a seed of sorts.』

“But weren’t all Demons either killed or trapped in the Maze?”

『I thought so too, but… maybe it’s a case similar to yours, Yujin.』

“…Hmm.”

Hearing this, Yujin rubbed his chin while maintaining his usual half-lidded expression.

A Demon exists outside the Maze, even within the Academy. How?

Yujin didn’t know, but Tiamat suspected it might be similar to Yujin’s situation—an imprisoned Transcendent attempting to transform a mortal into a Transcendent through a seed.

『Perhaps it’s a parasitic relationship where the host harbors the parasite. Given it’s a Demon, that seems highly probable.』

“Hmm… I see.”

After rubbing his chin for a bit, Yujin opened up a Space Pocket and pulled something out.

It was a horn, exuding dark magical energy.

Then, a voice came from the horn.

“Eh, uh? What brings you calling…?”

Enkeos, the Demon whom Yujin had stored away in the Space Pocket until now, spoke up nervously.

“Enkeos, do you know anything about the presence I’m sensing over there?”

“The presence over there… eh?! This is… a fellow Demon’s magic?!”

Enkeos exclaimed in surprise after Yujin asked. He continued.

“In fact, this is Lilith-sama’s magic… She was supposed to have passed away, so how…?”

“Lilith… From what you’ve said so far, she sounds like a deceased Transcendent.”

『I remember her too. Lilith was quite a renowned Demon.』

“Do you know who she was?”

『She died during the Great War as far as I know, and I never encountered her personally, so I don’t know much.』

“And Enkeos?”

[…A being whose power nourishes flowers using the souls and life force of living creatures. These flowers possess powerful mental domination abilities. Those who see the flowers are captivated by their beauty; those who smell them are intoxicated by their fragrance; and those who taste the honey produced by these flowers become hopelessly addicted, losing their willpower and eventually becoming new hosts or puppets. Her power can even affect Transcendents of lower rank.]

“I see.”

Even just hearing about it makes it sound dangerous. Especially since it affects Transcendents of lower rank, it’s clear why she was considered high-ranking. Considering her reputation, she was likely quickly targeted for elimination among Transcendents.

Judging by the fact that she never crossed paths with someone like Tiamat, she must have skillfully avoided such encounters.

Regardless, it’s clear she was a dangerous Demon.

“Let’s check it out once. But first…”

Muttering this, Yujin pulled something else out of the Space Pocket—a crystal orb.

“Let’s give a heads-up. I should have contacted you earlier since we’ve arrived anyway.”

Yujin infused mana into the orb. Then,

“It’s me. Are preparations complete?”

A voice echoed from the crystal orb—it was Ines, the President of Labyrinth Academy.

“Ah, President. We’re already at the Academy.”

[…What?!]

The startled voice of the president rang out. She must be wondering how he got here so fast. Yujin himself noticed the distorted spatial coordinates upon arriving initially.

Though it didn’t matter much.

“The Academy is vast indeed. I might lose my way soon. Perhaps… the Student Dormitory?”

While saying this, Yujin subtly glanced toward the direction where the Demon’s presence was felt. Indeed, the Demon’s aura was emanating from the dormitory.

Then, Yujin continued with a light chuckle.

“So, please come before I get lost?”

It would be better for her to arrive quickly and explain the situation or handle it herself. Otherwise, Yujin might just deal with whatever—or whoever—was there.

[Wait…!]

The connection abruptly cut off, and Yujin tossed the orb back into the Space Pocket. Then,

“Well… Shall we go?”

Muttering this, he started moving forward.

『What are you planning to do?』

“Hmm. It seems like a dangerous Demon, so let’s confirm it first. After all, this is my workplace now, right?”

『If it turns out to be dangerous, you’ll eliminate it immediately?』

“We could always seal it like Enkeos and carry it around.”

[…]

Enkeos remained silent, clearly uneasy.

Anyway, Yujin walked slowly instead of teleporting, heading towards the Student Dormitory visible in the distance.

Why not teleport? That’s because…

“Did they sense Enkeos’ presence? Someone’s coming here pretty fast.”

Someone was rushing toward them at great speed. Thus, there was no need to hurry. Besides, teleporting directly to the dormitory risked encountering the principal before properly assessing the situation.

Anyway, as Yujin entered the garden between the path and the dormitory, he began to feel the approaching presence drawing nearer.

How long did he walk? Upon reaching the central flowerbed in the garden,

Rustle, rustle!

He sensed someone emerging from beyond the bushes.

Then,

Swish!

“Haa, haa…”

“…Hmm.”

From beyond the bushes, someone burst out, breathing heavily.

Bathed in moonlight, her snow-white hair shimmered, and her mature curves hinted at a grown woman.

Her facial features were strikingly beautiful, perhaps comparable to Tiamat’s, with a pink left eye.

And a white flower bloomed over her right eye, partially hidden by her hair.

She was an exotic beauty, mysterious and enchanting.

Simultaneously, her excited smile was incredibly alluring.

“Haa…?”

When she spotted Yujin, she froze momentarily before fixing her gaze on the horn he held in his hand.

Thud!

Her remaining eye trembled, and she sank to her knees as if all strength had left her body.

The elated smile on her face vanished, replaced by an empty stare fixed on the horn Yujin held.

“Aa…”

Soon, sitting cross-legged, tears began streaming down her face from her lone eye.

Watching this, Yujin thought to himself,

“…What’s going on?”

He had no idea what was happening.