A day was enough to rest in the Artar family city. Now, Leviathan, along with the others, entered the academy. Leviathan with his true appearance, together with the other three, drew a lot of attention, all focus on them. The aura was so dense and charismatic. Leviathan, who had only just arrived, spoke and then left in the academy.
Fear spread, but admiration slightly dominated. How could there be a living being so magnificent? The female students screamed hysterically in their hearts. It was just an ordinary act, yet he deliberately tousled his hair. Lucifer and Belphegor put on their best hostile faces.
Leviathan? He was indifferent. Even so, with a calm face, the pressure could still be felt. Every time a student was passed by, their faces turned pale at that moment. Sharp, cold, and alluring. If the Demon King and his followers are like this, should one feel afraid or awestruck?
"Isn't he the Demon King?"
"Who is walking behind him?"
"Why aren't the guards stopping them?"
"They came in like invited guests."
"Perhaps this concerns the underworld that was opened not long ago."
"So, the underworld has truly been opened, then."
Sam, standing among the listless crowd, his hopes collapsed. He had hoped it was Louis who returned, but it turned out to be wrong. He turned, about to leave. Leviathan smiled, catching sight of the back walking away. A feeling of guilt crossed his mind.
With the sound of clinking accompanying his steps, he changed direction, approaching Sam who was walking away. The students standing in the way opened a path, seeing the fierce face turn gentle as he passed them. The fear from before was gone. Ah... they were truly going to go mad.
"Wait." Leviathan stopped Sam's steps.
Sam broke into a cold sweat, not intending to turn around. However, a strong pulling aura made his body turn stiffly. "What is it, Lord Demon King?"
"A-ah... c-come."
Leviathan smiled happily while watching Sam's awkward steps as he would guide him. Sam shivered, feeling like a ghost was following him from behind. "Why me? What did I do wrong? Today I am truly unlucky." Sam cursed in his heart.
"How am I in your opinion?" Leviathan asked amid his walk, followed by the other three. "Do I look like a villain?"
"S-sorry..." Sam stopped and turned around, "Have I offended you?" he asked hesitantly.
Leviathan turned his face away, "No. Just continue walking." His face was flat, not pleased. Seeing Sam act so stiff around him, it was bothersome.
"O-okay."
Leviathan looked left and right, then at the tower ahead of him. Sam stepped aside, gesturing for him to enter. Before leaving, he leaned toward Sam's right ear, whispering, "He will return soon."
Sam, who was looking down, looked up, seeing how that calm face looked at him gently, just like Louis. "Thank you for telling me." He bowed, turned around, and left.
"THE DEMON KING HIS MAJESTY IS ENTERING.."
The large towering iron door opened, creaking loudly and drawing the attention of the three people conversing inside. Leviathan, with his charisma, stepped in, flat and coldly piercing. Niel, who was sitting, stood up, stiff. Matthius was tense along with Arneld. After the meeting in the underworld, it felt awkward.
"You!"
Amid the tension, Karya's voice shrieked, with a hand pointing at that beautiful face, furious. Her steps approached passionately toward Niel. Her magic wave exploded, shaking the entire room. Niel's face turned pale. Reincarnation did not mean losing memories. It was that stubborn woman whom he had killed.
"Long time no see, blockhead."
Annoyed, growing more annoyed. A beautiful sword was drawn sharply toward Niel. Wolf-ice blue demon eyes widened, piercing sharply. The beautiful clothes billowed in the wind. The air was silent and as cold as ice. From the air particles, ice formed. Ice spears shot out along with her steps.
Niel, from his spot, grabbed a book, turning the inanimate object into his shield. Awkward. Fighting a woman? What reason did he have to think that way? He hoped that woman would slip. Hha.. what kind of thought was that? He glanced at Leviathan, who was watching silently, unmoved.
"Karya, stop."
Karya was pulled back. The sharp ice spears accompanying her melted by the wind. Her heaving breath was calmed. The sound of teeth grinding in her mouth—holding back anger. From her position, a step was heard approaching, gently ruffling her head—pulling her to look up.
"Sorry... Sir." Karya's eyes were watery.
"It's fine."
Leviathan led Karya to sit on a chair in a row between the circular tables. The three humans, who had been silent, began to approach carefully, sitting solemnly waiting for the other two demons to sit as well. A servant, summoned by magic, slowly poured mint-scented tea into each person's cup, then left.
"Who would have thought that the child who claimed to live in an orphanage was a Demon King." Niel remarked before gently sipping his tea.
"Don't you believe it?"
"What if I don't?"
Leviathan crossed his legs on the chair, "I was dragged in as a lost child. Do you know what? Huh."
Niel chuckled softly hearing it. "Then, what now?"
"I've already burned it to ashes—nothing left."
Niel placed the cup and its saucer back on the table. His face was serious, and he asked, "What is your true purpose?"
"To enjoy life."
"It sounds funny hearing you say that." Niel's eyes caught how graceful Leviathan was as he sipped his tea. "It seems you have impeccable manners."
Leviathan handed his teacup to Lucifer, "Do you know how many books I've read?"
"No. I know you're crazy."
"Enough with the small talk." Arneld cut in with a face that showed hostility. "I hope Lord Demon King has not forgotten his promise."
Leviathan propped his chin on his hand, "Has the princess's condition worsened?"
"No. Thanks to your potion, my daughter is gradually improving. However, every time she will feel pain."
"Exactly at midnight, leave the princess alone in her room. Do not let anyone enter."
"What will you do to my sister?" Matthius spoke up with his heavy and pressing voice.
Leviathan smiled faintly, "Don't look at your teacher with such hostility."
Matthius turned his face away, "W-who wants to be your student, huh."
Leviathan shifted his gaze, looking at the orange evening light that would soon turn dark. Small sparrows flapped their wings, replaced by black crows cawing in the night. The wind blew through the trees, hastening time toward midnight.
The four demons and three humans sitting in the large room full of books all turned to face the large door of the princess's room. The servant standing at the end of the dim corridor, illuminated only by candlelight, understood and left.
Leviathan stood in the threshold of the open door. Turning around, his back to the others. Niel sealed the door shut with magic, preventing the mana that would explode during the purification process from leaking. Lucifer left, Karya waited, and Belphegor fell asleep leaning against the wall with ancient carvings.
Inside, Leviathan looked around the room, black mana waves that could not be seen by ordinary humans. From his position, he saw the little princess lying down, weak and cold-sweating. Her breath sounded hoarse with pain.
"The little one who makes things difficult for herself."
In the silence, Leviathan approached, sitting beside the princess's bed. Violet's face was deathly pale. He could tell her body had almost reached its limit, heading toward self-destruction. Groans were heard as Leviathan gently touched her hand, channeling a large amount of mana into Violet.
"Acknowledge me as your Lord. Until the time when you reach the age where your vessel is ready, be at peace. Remain in silence, guarding it from within. The step you took was truly hasty, bringing both you and her to the brink of death."
Leviathan stood, raising his hand high—releasing most of his mana. Amid the pained groans, the small body endured. The black heart rose, calm amid the swirling mana that would purify. "Become one of us. In the name of Demon King Leviathan, I accept you as my kin."
The vibration and swirl of chaos reached outside. Arneld was worried, Matthius was calm because he trusted Leviathan. Niel, who was holding the door to keep it sealed, began to struggle. Several times the door threatened to open. Belphegor stood up, helping Niel until it became impossible for the door to open.
"My daughter..." Arneld's faint voice was heard amid the commotion.
"Calm down, King. Sir will surely succeed and your daughter will return." Karya said, trusting her Lord.
Arneld clasped his hands together, "Father is waiting for you. Father wants your safety above all else."
Karya smiled meaningfully, glancing at Arneld. The way she saw the figure of a father had become a little different from before. "Princess, you must survive. I will be angry if you leave your father like this." She turned back to the door. The final result would soon be known.