Chapter 6

How to Live Like a Demon - Chapter 6 (6/385)

How to Live Like a Demon Chapter 6

006 Lucius Kendrick (6)

Not long ago, Lucius had created a reagent using the sap of a Setchu stem.

Setchu is a plant commonly found in the forest, known for its ability to dull senses and make one circle around the same spot.

Research showed that sufficiently reducing its toxicity could help in concealing one's presence.

It was particularly effective against monsters in the forest, making it useful for forest inspections.

Lucius sprayed it on himself and walked down the corridor with slow steps.

While it didn't work on skilled demons, it was somewhat effective against students.

'Three so far. Fewer than in Epsilon.'

Seven students in the Epsilon class corridor had noticed Lucius.

In contrast, only three students in the Gamma class corridor had noticed him.

'I did hear that the average admission score for this year's freshmen was relatively high, but the difference is more significant than I thought.'

Students in the Gamma class, who had been enrolled for at least a year, were performing worse than the freshmen in Epsilon.

While their mana flow was relatively more stable due to systematic education, that was the only advantage.

How much meaning would there be in continuing to observe the Gamma class?

After a moment of contemplation, Lucius suppressed his aura and moved through the crowd.

He quickly found the person he was looking for.

Rugar.

However, Lucius's gaze shifted to the side.

A bulky build, large goat horns, sharp black nails, and bat-like wings.

'That guy, his name is Vince, right?'

His appearance was unmistakable.

But not his true self.

'The inherent sense of discomfort from a doppleganger remains.'

It was hard to notice, as he was leaning against a plain white wall, but his surroundings were slightly distorted.

An unavoidable weakness of dopplegangers, who use shadows and light to transform into their desired form.

'Since I told the students to find him, he must have intentionally revealed himself to some extent. He's more diligent than I thought.'

A smile escaped him, as he had found him faster than expected, which made him quite pleased.

Lucius hid his presence and approached the group, who were chatting.

"By the way, did you hear the news? Mr. Arnolt is teaching Epsilon this time."

They were having a rather interesting conversation.

"Oh, I heard about that. I thought it was just a rumor."

"But it's a bit pitiful. If it were Alpha or Beta, it would be different, but with Epsilon, Mr. Arnolt's class will be quite challenging."

From their reactions, it seemed they hadn't noticed that Arnolt was disguised as Vince.

Ordinary students wouldn't recognize him.

'Well, if he hid himself to this extent, it would be hard to notice unless you were particularly observant.'

If so, he needed a reason for how he found him.

Lucius realized he would need to think about how to react when he met Arnolt later.

He had noticed the doppleganger's unique aura, but that was only because he was Lucius.

It would be difficult to make Arnolt nod in agreement.

'In such cases, the standard answer is the safest.'

There was also a method using special plants, but using too much force might make him suspicious.

"I heard that the Alpha class students really wanted to learn from Mr. Arnolt, but it seems they failed."

"Poor Epsilon students. His tests are hard, he gives a lot of assignments, and he's strict with grading. His skills are solid, though... huh?"

While pondering how to respond, Rugar sensed something and stopped talking.

Lucius lightly moved to hide among the students.

When nothing was in sight, Rugar scratched his head awkwardly.

"Was it just my imagination? I felt someone looking at me."

"Someone looking at you?"

Arnolt looked around, shrugged, and said nonchalantly.

"Maybe some other students were just looking at us for a moment."

"Hmm... Is that so?"

Rugar tilted his head, relaxed his guard, and resumed the conversation.

'He only slightly relaxed his aura, yet he dismissed it as just a feeling.'

Considering Siren's exceptional skill in wide-range detection magic, he had decent fundamentals.

However, a sense of disappointment still crept in.

'The Gamma class is a bit disappointing.'

He thought they would be easier to cultivate than Epsilon since they had received education, but the difference was more significant than expected.

Including growth potential, Epsilon's level was overwhelmingly higher.

Moreover, as students who hadn't yet received academy education, they could be cultivated to his liking.

While their fundamentals were lacking, with proper training, they could easily surpass the others.

'Now that I know Mr. Arnolt's location, I should check other places first.'

He could make his decision after seeing all the candidates.

After some thought, he left his spot.

How long had he been wandering around the school, observing students?

Lucius couldn't help but sigh.

The student he needed to choose had to be not just a partner but someone with outstanding skills to impress the Demon King.

Yet, not even he found anyone suitable.

"I don't want to, but... if I have to, I might have to choose Rugar. Where could the other one be hiding?"

He had been wandering around the school for a while but hadn't seen the last one.

While pondering, a large poster on a bulletin board caught his eye.

Students were gathered around it, chatting.

"By the way, this year is Gustav."

"The low number of freshmen this year is due to the festival."

"To get good results in the festival, but you can only participate once."

The Gustav Festival was a major event held every ten years, organized by all academies in the demon world.

The academy that contributed the most to student cultivation during the event would be awarded a medal, and outstanding students would be honored.

It was an opportunity to make a name for oneself, so students were eager to participate.

The problem was the freshmen who entered in the festival year.

They had to participate in the festival without even a year of education, making it difficult to achieve outstanding results.

The academy graduation period is ten years, and the festival is held every ten years.

Once a freshman participates in the festival, they won't have another chance.

Naturally, the number of freshmen that year would be low.

Lucius stood in front of the poster, folding his arms in thought. The festival this year might be an opportunity.

'If the freshmen who have just entered perform well, I can't be overlooked. It's also a good opportunity to showcase myself to His Highness.'

Since an invitation would be sent to the Demon King and the elders for each festival, there was a good reason for the Demon King to attend.

'I need to make Kian, Rayel, and my partner perform well in the Gustav Festival. If they do, His Highness will be satisfied. After that, if we carefully navigate until early graduation... '

While lost in thought, sunlight suddenly fell on Lucius's eyes.

Turning to look out the window, he saw the sun of the demon world passing its zenith and gradually setting.

'Two hours until the bell rings.'

Where could the last student be?

* * *

"I'm sorry to call you away when you're busy, Renox."

A woman spoke softly as she sat on a sofa.

In her slender hand was a teacup with warm steam rising.

"..."

But the boy in front of her remained silent.

She awkwardly extended the teacup and spoke.

"It's about the partner issue. I hope you understand."

Renox could sense the irritation in her considerate tone.

Of course.

He had been burdened with a heavy load from the first day of school.

"Please speak."

"Is there any student you want as a partner?"

Renox couldn't help but sneer at her insincere expression.

Be realistic.

"If I point someone out, they'll be thrilled, right? You know that, don't you?"

"Are you serious?"

Looking at the smiling teacher, he wanted to get up and leave.

Beta class after five years.

It only made him laugh.

He had already been demoted from Alpha after three years.

"Of course. I think if you look around and talk to them, you'll find many willing to be your partner."

What a teacher.

She wasn't ignorant; she was just lazy and annoyed.

Until two years ago, he was considered a potential early graduate and was popular among teachers and students.

But after his partner died in an accident, his academy life began to unravel.

Rumors spread that he had intentionally killed his partner, damaging his reputation, and his academic performance declined, leading to his demotion.

"I don't know."

His partner last year had struggled and barely managed.

This year would be no different.

"Then you don't want to find a partner?"

Irritation began to mix with the teacher's expression.

He couldn't help it.

Renox straightened his crisp collar and stood up.

As his neatly tied hair fell to the side, he brushed it behind his ear.

"Yes, I'm sorry. I don't care who it is, so please take care of it."

"Alright. You can go now."

The teacher waved her hand, seemingly giving up.

Renox lightly bowed and stood up.

'Partner.'

Until he entered the academy, he had looked forward to who his partner would be.

He never imagined this system would hold him back so much.

He let out a long, thin sigh and felt a gaze from somewhere.

He thought no students would be passing by since the counseling room was in a secluded corner.

Looking around, he noticed a boy with unusually vivid silver hair.

His eyes were fixed on Renox.

"Do you need something from me?"

Renox, feeling uncomfortable with the gaze, cautiously spoke to him.

'From his appearance and the sense of the forest's essence, he seems like a dryad.'

An overwhelming presence.

A tension that couldn't be shaken off.

Dryads usually loved books and research, enjoyed cultivating plants, and had a calm and quiet nature.

But this boy gave off no such impression. Instead, he seemed very aggressive.

His confident and unflinching expression and flawless mannerisms made it hard to look away.

'Red diagonal stripes, three lines. Epsilon, I see.'

Renox glanced at the boy's tie and observed him for a while.

"Was it just a coincidence? Are you in the Beta class?"

The boy suddenly spoke, making Renox flinch. He was relieved that the boy, being a freshman, didn't recognize him.

"You seem to be an Epsilon student. Your classroom is far from here. Did you get lost?"

The boy's eyes seemed to be hiding something, busy exploring, and full of pure curiosity and confidence.

Renox couldn't meet his gaze and looked away.

"I guess so. It's my first day, and I was trying to familiarize myself with the school... It's bigger than I thought."

"That's true. I also wandered a lot when I was a freshman. To get to the Epsilon classroom, go that way and turn right..."

He wanted to end the encounter before anyone else passed by.

It wouldn't be a good scene for other students to see.

But the innocent boy said:

"My name is Lucius Kendrick. As you can see, I'm in the Epsilon class. What about you?"

"..."

Pointing behind the boy, Renox was momentarily speechless.

Renox didn't want to reveal his real name.

He thought the freshman's casual attitude was possible because he didn't know his name.

"I'm in the Beta class, as you can see. Continue with the directions."

When Renox didn't reveal his name, Lucius's eyes narrowed.

The innocent-looking eyes folded, sending a chill down his spine.

Lucius, who seemed to have read his thoughts, shrugged and suggested:

"I don't quite understand from your description. Could you show me around the school?"

"Show you around? Me?"

"This is also a connection. If you have the time, I'd appreciate it if you could spare a little."