Inside the dimly lit hut, a woman sat calmly on a chair around a wooden table, her entire form was covered in dark shadowy cloth.

But even the fabric failed to completely hide the graceful presence and the natural curves beneath.

She was Lia Moonveil.

Morvana's trusted shadow and the only person in this academy who could insult the Demon Matriarch and not immediately regret it.

"Fuck that bitch," she muttered, her eyes cold.

Ever since she left Morvana's office, that same question kept circling her mind without any answers.

Why was Morvana so interested in that boy?

It just made no sense at all.

Lia had served the Matherion family all her life.

Not just her but all her bloodline had.

Generations of Moonveils were bound by an ancient curse which made them obey, kneel and even die at the command of Matherions.

She was supposed to be the same.

Just another mindless puppet.

She was assigned to Morvana's twin sister, Veluna, at the age of five and followed them around like some childhood friend on the outside while her mind was being corrupted by the ancient curse to create natural loyalty.

Until her Awakening saved her.

Her Nexus shattered every curse in her body the moment it was awakened.

And for the first time, she could think, feel and choose.

Only then she saw the truth.

Still, she never let anyone suspect that she had broken free because she knew exactly how quickly the Matherions could erase anything that slipped out of line.

And if she died… who would free her family.

So, she played along as the obedient shadow.

After Veluna died along with Lia's sister, who had been Morvana's shadow guard, in that accident… Lia was assigned beside Morvana as the new shadow guard.

She had been with her since then.

Still smiling, kneeling and pretending in hopes of freeing her family from this cursed fate.

But behind the scenes, she had joined a cult that despised demons to their very core — the Human Supremacy cult.

Over the years, she rose through their ranks, climbing higher and higher until she became one of their leaders.

To her subordinates, she was known as The Serafim.

No one knew her true identity except the other leaders… and a handful of very specific people.

Lia's fingers tightened slightly around the edge of the table.

Rael Von Ashborn.

"Just what the hell are you to her…?"

Morvana never cared about anyone.

She didn't even care about the death of her own sister.

Yet one strange boy shows up, says a few things, and suddenly Morvana had asked her to monitor him like a treasured artifact?

No.

No, something was wrong.

Lia hated things she couldn't predict.

Still, the appearance of the boy wasn't necessarily a bad case scenario.

He seemed to be just like her.

She had seen his fury when he talked about filthy demons especially while he was dealing with that student who had been coerced into attacking him by yet another demon.

There was something in that reaction.

Something she found… interesting.

"Whatever you are," she murmured, her voice low. "I hope you don't get in my way."

Because no matter what Rael was… or what mysteries surrounded him…

He was human.

…And Lia never wanted to kill one of her own kind again.

Not after everything she had done and suffered.

Especially since she had seen the way that boy truly loathed the Demon kind from the depths of his heart.

That was the reason she had even bothered lying about that boy to Morvana in the first place.

Because Rael Ashborn…

…could become a useful piece in her goal.

A very useful one.

—

Meanwhile within a grand room, a group of second year students were gathered around a luxurious sofa.

Their heads were head low being afraid to even gaze at the one sitting on the sofa.

A boy with delicate features and crimson eyes sat on it, his face twisted into a frown as he kicked the boy kneeling before him again.

CRACK!!!

A sharp crack echoed through the room and every human student flinched, their jaws clenched tight while the demon students snickered quietly.

Still, none of them dared to speak.

"Look at me when I am talking, Rio," Varek said calmly as he flipped over the limp body of the boy he had just kicked.

It had barely been a few minutes since Rael's crimson bear had dragged him to the second-year dorms, right before the staff arrived.

And from the fact that no one had come looking for him… it seemed Rael hadn't said a word to the staff.

Rio barely had time to feel relieved because before he could even catch his breath, he was summoned by Varek for a little chat.

Rio hadn't wanted to meet Varek… not after everything Rael had said.

Just thinking about it made his blood boil.

So he refused the summons.

…And that was a mistake.

Because moments later, a few human students, his own friends, grabbed him and dragged him straight to Varek.

Forcing him to face the very person he wanted to avoid most.

Varek.

And that was how he came to be in this situation.

Rio's mind was blurred in pain, his body refusing to obey him.

But even through all of it, he didn't beg for forgiveness like he usually did…

He didn't tremble like he usually did…

He didn't whisper a single word about what Rael had told him.

He didn't want to be pathetic anymore.

And he was far too used to this kind of suffering.

Another kick came flying toward his head.

Rio barely reacted as the blow connected with his skull, pushing his body sideways and sending him crashing into the wooden wall.

Through his blurred vision, he saw the students around him, the human students stripped of their clothes, heads bowed and trembling… while the demon students smiled like it was all entertainment.

Why do we have to suffer all this?

Rio wondered bitterly.

Why…?

Why do we have to be so pathetic?

He couldn't stand it anymore.

The darkness slipped in, swallowing the edges of his sight.

But before he could fall unconscious…

He made one decision.

I won't be pathetic anymore.

—

Varek stared at the pathetic sight of the bloodied human boy lying unconscious at the edge of the room… and instead of satisfaction, all he felt was more anger.

"How dare he reject my invitation?"

Varek had always been treated with importance.

He was never refused or ignored, especially not by some pathetic human trash.

So when he heard what Rio had done and how that insect had the audacity to refuse him, Varek's anger exploded.

He couldn't hold it back anymore.

He had decided to remind Rio of the place he belonged, the place he had clearly forgotten.

So he ordered the other humans to drag their friend over for a little chat and those obedient bastards followed his command without hesitation.

But even when Rio was thrown in front of him… even beaten and shaking… He didn't tremble like usual.

Instead, he lifted his head and stared straight into Varek's eyes.

And something about that gaze made even Varek uncomfortable.

For a brief moment, he wanted to kill Rio right there but he wasn't the type to lose his composure so easily.

Especially now, when all eyes were locked onto the academy after Rael had been named the Demon King's successor.

Varek couldn't afford even a single misstep.

He took a deep breath and leaned back on the sofa, his expression calming down in an instant.

"Throw him back into his dorm," he ordered, eyes shifting across the naked human students.

"And if I hear a single person speak to him…" His voice dropped low. "I will personally make sure they understand the consequences."

All the students nodded instantly.

A few of them moved forward, lifting Rio's limp body before carrying him out of the room.

With a casual wave of Varek's hand, the rest of the students scattered as well… all except for one woman.

His cousin.

His sister-in-blood.

The only one who dared stay.

But Varek didn't care about her presence… instead, his thoughts circled back to what had happened.

How that pathetic boy had suddenly grown bold enough to stand there and look him in the eye.

How he had dared to face him.

What did Rael do to him?

What changed?

All of this unsettled Varek more than he cared to admit.

Varek's gaze hardened as he turned toward his cousin.

Rexica.

"Find out what's going on," he muttered, his voice cold. "And have someone keep an eye on Rio."

She was the only person in this academy he actually trusted.

Rexica's lips curved into a sharp smile.

"And what about Rael Ashborn?"

Varek paused, thinking for a moment.

Finally after a few seconds, he spoke.

"Leave him alone for now. The explosion might have already drawn too many unwanted eyes."

His gaze darkened.

"And I'm sure we'll get plenty of chances to deal with him in the future."

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