Emperor Hexion fell silent.
And thus, with keys held by both realms and the combined powers of chosen demons and divine beings, a forbidden path was opened, the road to human reincarnation, suspended between light and darkness.
Emperor Hexion and Paris Helle personally carried what remained of Jewel's essence into the Human Realm.
----
Shin jolted awake at the sharp honk of passing cars, his body tensing as reality crashed back in. He realized he had fallen asleep in his car, still parked just outside the school gates.
He glanced at his watch. It was a little past six in the morning, the first rays of sunrise bleeding softly across the horizon.
Rubbing his face, Shin exhaled slowly. His heart was still pounding, his thoughts in chaos. He didn't want to revisit that memory, the moment he lost Jewel. Even now, he blamed himself for killing her with his own hands.
Countless demons had tried to quell his spiraling madness, telling him it was what Jewel had intended all along. That she had manipulated him, used him as a tool to achieve her ultimate goal. Yet no matter how many times he heard it, he could never make peace with that truth.
The only reason he could continue living as Shin Keir was because he had sealed away his identity as the Demon Emperor.
Yeri might still carry fragments of her past from when she had been a succubus, but did she remember how she died?
---
Yeri, on the other hand, was still fast asleep. Since she was staying with Nina in the dormitory, she didn't need to wake up early to prepare.
An hour later, she finally stirred and nudged Nina awake.
Nina groaned, rolling onto her other side. "It's the weekend…"
Yeri yawned and kicked her lightly. "What weekend? Hurry up, let's grab breakfast."
"I'm pretty sure it's the weekend," Nina muttered. "Why is it not the weekend?"
Yeri chuckled and headed to the bathroom to get ready first.
They left the dormitory together, chatting as they walked toward the school cafeteria, when Yeri's phone suddenly rang.
[I brought you breakfast. Come and pick it up.]
Yeri froze and instinctively checked the time. It was only half past seven. What was he doing outside this early?
The penthouse was only minutes away from the school, there was no way he had waited there all night, right?
She hesitated, debating whether she should see him. But remembering how he had somehow entered the school grounds during Marco Fabian's confession, and how the guards had been completely unbothered when Shin exited with her, Yeri decided it was safer to meet him. Otherwise, he might just walk into the school again, especially now that it was daylight.
After making an excuse to Nina, she hurried toward the back gate.
From a distance, she spotted a tall figure wearing a hat and a mask. Even with his face concealed, she recognized him instantly.
And she was right to come, judging by his stance, he clearly had every intention of finding her in class if she ignored his message.
"You shouldn't have bought me breakfast," Yeri said irritably, deliberately avoiding his gaze. "There's a cafeteria, and there are cafés and restaurants nearby."
Shin pinched her cheek lightly and handed her a paper bag that was still warm, bearing the logo of Café Zhillion. "I remember you like pancakes and cappuccino. I also added the matcha dessert you like."
"…Okay." Yeri accepted it, clearly eager to end the interaction as quickly as possible.
"Still mad?" Shin asked. He leaned down slightly, his voice dropping as he whispered into her ear. "Want to do it again tonight?"
Yeri nearly jumped out of her skin, like a startled cat whose tail had been stepped on. She finally looked him in the eye, glaring fiercely. "Are you crazy? Get out of here! Don't act like a hooligan in front of a school else you'll get arrested!"
Shin shrugged casually. At least she was back to her usual self.
"Alright," he said. "I'll pick you up after school."
Yeri opened her mouth to refuse, she was planning to stay in Nina's dorm again, but Shin continued before she could speak.
"There's something important I need to discuss with you. And the engagement planner will be coming again."
She eyed him suspiciously. As usual, mask or no mask, his expression was unreadable. His eyes didn't even blink, making it impossible to tell what he was plotting.
Taking advantage of her hesitation, Shin leaned in and stole a quick kiss on her cheek before getting back into his car.
Yeri stood frozen.
Even through the mask, she could feel the warmth of his lips. And just like that, her mind drifted back to that night.
Unlike the first time when she had been drunk, wasted, her mind a blank canvas, this time she had been completely conscious.
Every sensation had been vivid, unmistakable. She would be a hypocrite to say she hated it.
Of course, if one ignored Shin Keir's ability to upset anyone, his appearance alone was undeniably...
"Yeri, was that your boyfriend?"
Yeri flinched. She hadn't even realized Shin's car had already disappeared. She had just stepped back through the school gate when a familiar, overly curious voice pulled her out of her thoughts.
Turning around, she saw Daisy, her gossipy classmate.
"Why was he wearing a mask? All covered up like that?" Daisy asked, her eyes glittering with excitement. "Could he be famous?"
Yeri cursed inwardly. Of all the classmates who could've seen her, it had to be the one with the loosest tongue.
"No," Yeri replied quickly. "He just has a cough and didn't want to pass it to me."
Daisy looked even more thrilled, clinging to Yeri's arm. "Really? Yeri, I thought you were unapproachable, but you're actually nice. I remember hearing a rumor that you had a boyfriend, so it was true. Is he a college student? He kind of resembles Shin Keir's physique."
Yeri almost tripped. Goosebumps erupted along her arms. "Why Shin Keir of all people?"
Daisy blinked and tilted her head. "You don't know? There's this trending term for sometime now. When girls talk about their ideal boyfriend, they say he should be the mirror image of Shin Keir. They call it the Shin Keir physique, you know, tall, broad-shouldered, imposing... strikingly attractive, someone who stands out just by existing."
Yeri fell silent. So that's what it was.
"I'm telling you," Daisy continued enthusiastically, "if Shin Keir entered the entertainment industry, he'd definitely be the most handsome man out there- "
'Well, I have the original,' Yeri thought flatly.
As soon as class began, Daisy wasted no time spreading the news that Yeri was dating someone. The students who regularly left snacks, food, and letters on Yeri's desk reacted in all kinds of ways, some looked betrayed, others demanded answers, and a few even approached her with accusatory tones, as if she owed them an explanation.
Nina was furious and began scolding anyone who dared to come near their desk.
"Daisy, you'd better shut that loose mouth of yours or I'll sew it shut myself!" Nina snapped as she stormed over.
"What did I say wrong?" Daisy protested. "I only said Yeri's boyfriend has a Shin Keir physique!"
"Are you sure you didn't add your own 'flavor' to it?" Nina shot back. "Why do those boys look like they've been cheated on? Think before you speak, or that mouth of yours will get you into trouble one day."
They were still arguing when the teacher walked in.
"Alright, settle down," the teacher barked. "You all cause trouble every time I'm not around."
Then, a boy followed behind the teacher.
"We have a new transfer student," the teacher announced. "Let's welcome Loki Shaun."
The classroom erupted into chatter, shock, curiosity, confusion, and excitement blending together. Most eyes were fixed on the handsome newcomer.
After all, who would transfer at this point in the year, with only a few months left before graduation?
The teacher struggled to quiet the class while Loki calmly scanned the room. His gaze paused when it landed on someone.
"Teacher," Loki said politely, "I'd like to sit over there." He pointed to the empty seat behind Yeri.
Seeing no issue, the teacher nodded and began the history lesson.
A moment later, Nina felt someone tug at the back of her chair. She turned around to find Loki smiling at her.
"Would you mind switching seats with me?" he asked. "I'll give you a candy."
Nina rolled her eyes. What a lunatic, she thought. Who wants his candy? Or is he after Yeri?
"Why?" she snapped. "My best friend doesn't sit with anyone but me."
Yeri turned slightly and nodded in agreement. She couldn't explain it, but there was something unsettling about the new student. She was certain his expression had shifted when he first saw her.
Loki didn't insist. He simply smiled and listen to the teacher. Soon enough, he surprised everyone by being the most enthusiastic participant in class.
---
Meanwhile, Calin stared at the growing scandal surrounding her.
Although the car accident hadn't left her critically injured, it had attracted massive public attention. Had she known that bastard was drunk, she never would've gotten into his car.
As her family's situation worsened, old enemies, rivals, and people she had offended in the past began turning against her.
Indeed, human nature loved pouring salt into wounds, especially when someone was already at their lowest.
Remembering Tristan's words only made her more anxious.
Yet she couldn't bring herself to enter a marriage that didn't involve Shin Keir. She might have compromised if it were Tristan Felan, but anyone else was beneath her consideration.
Her phone rang.
Seeing it was her mother, Calin ignored it until Madam Ricci kept calling relentlessly.
"What?!" Calin snapped when she finally answered. "Aren't you busy tearing apart Dad's mistresses?"
"Hmph. With our current situation, those gold diggers realized there's nothing left to gain and backed off."
"If you're calling to brag, I don't have time."
"That's not it," Madam Ricci said sharply. "It's about the blind dates I arranged for you. With the company in this state, the only solution is a marriage alliance."
"I already told you, I'm not sacrificing myself for the company!" Calin retorted. "If you're so eager, go on a blind date yourself."
Madam Ricci's voice hardened, thick with anger and disappointment. "Calin, your problem is that you can't endure even the slightest grievance. Don't forget, the reason you're thriving in that industry is because of the family's backing. Without us, who will protect you in such a filthy environment? It's also your responsibility to protect the family—"
Madam Ricci was still speaking when Calin's eyes suddenly landed on someone nearby.
Saeki Jie.
Her gaze lit up instantly, and without another word, she hung up.