Black Solstice-Chapter 7: Solstice Academy [6]

Creak–! At that moment, someone gently pushed the door open.

Everyone’s attention shifted instantly, mine included. It was strange.

If I wasn’t mistaken, everyone who was supposed to be here had already arrived. So who would walk into class at a time like this?

Unless...

’So it’s her, huh.’

My suspicion was confirmed when a familiar face stepped into the vast lecture hall. Her eyes were apologetic.

"Sorry, I’m a bit late! After the opening ceremony, I kinda got lost in the hallway and missed my way."

"That’s just fine. There are a few free seats at the back, pick among them and settle down."

"Okay♪ Thank you very much!♪"

Teacher Kat muttered something under her breath about her being "energetic," while Seraphis began scanning the room for a seat, her head turning side to side.

However—

"Who is she? That flowing hair... and those bright eyes...!"

"She’s so cute it’s a crime!"

"A hot girl! Finally, a hot girl!"

"Uuuuuggghhh! Do you think she’d say yes to a good time?!"

The other demons immediately grew excited, rushing toward her and blocking her way.

Subtlety clearly wasn’t one of their strengths.

Before Seraphis could take a single step forward, the group of demons crowded around her, forming a wall of bodies and enthusiasm.

"Hey, hey, what’s your name? Are you new here?"

"Sit next to me!"

"No, me! I saved a seat right here!"

"Wanna grab lunch after class? I know a great place with fresh meat... uh, I mean... food!"

Their eyes sparkled with barely contained lust curiosity.

Seraphis blinked, baffled.

"Ah... um... I-I just want to get to my seat...?"

But her polite voice did nothing. If anything, the crowd leaned in closer.

I could practically feel the secondhand embarrassment radiating off her.

Even worse, I could feel the impending disaster radiating toward me.

Because the moment her eyes swept past the crowd and landed on mine, they lit up like a damn torch.

"There you are!♪"

My stomach dropped.

’Oh no. Don’t you dare! Don’t you dare! Stay away!!’

But it was already too late.

This absolute menace of a girl beamed the brightest, most cheerful smile imaginable and strode toward me.

The distance between us was five meters.

Yet in just two steps, she closed it.

It was almost teleportation-like.

One moment she was there, the next she was hugging me like we were lifelong buddies, a relationship which, in reality, did not exist at all.

We had literally met only a few hours ago!

And just like that, every pair of demonic eyes that had been fixated on her gradually shifted toward me.

Their expressions changed from excitement to murderous intent in an instant.

Under normal circumstances, I might have laughed at the absurdity. But if I did, I risked becoming the target of every boy in the class.

...Wait, thinking about it now, wasn’t I already on their list of enemies?

’What rotten luck.’

† †

After the introductory lesson ended, we students had the entire day to ourselves. That meant no lectures until tomorrow. Ms. Kat had also mentioned something about registering for our courses.

On paper, this was a university, so we had the freedom to choose whatever we wanted to study.

I didn’t know the full list of courses yet, but that was something I could take my time to look over back at the dorm.

For now, Seraphis and I were walking through the rather vast and beautiful hallway. Since she had gotten lost here earlier, she had picked up some familiarity points and already knew the school layout better than I did.

She was showing me around.

"So, this way leads to the dormitories," Seraphis said cheerfully, turning a corner with the confidence of someone who’d already mapped the place in her head. "And if we keep going straight, there’s the cafeteria, library, and a bunch of classrooms for elective courses."

I followed, careful to match her brisk pace. The hallway was filled with students who also wanted to explore the new environment.

It seems humans weren’t the only ones driven by curiosity.

"You’re... surprisingly helpful," I muttered, glancing at her.

Seraphis grinned.

"Of course! That’s what friends are for, right?"

I nearly choked. Friends? We’d known each other for what, less than half a day? And yet she was acting like we’d been childhood buddies.

Was it normal to be this outgoing? Or were all demons like this?

If so, the lifestyle of this old man who just wanted a quiet, ordinary life was in serious jeopardy.

I forced myself to focus on the mental map of the school.

"Ah, yes. Friends... I suppose you could define our relationship as such."

Seraphis snorted. "Geez. Why are you talking like an old man? That doesn’t suit you at all!"

"Who are you calling an old man? For your information, I have the stamina of a man half my age!"

"Haha! Oh, sure! And I suppose your secret weapon is... afternoon naps and prune juice?"

"I—hey! That’s... rude! Also, I don’t like prune juice!"

"Relax, old man. I’m just teasing. Besides, you look way too serious to pull off the whole ’friend’ thing naturally."

I narrowed my eyes, resisting the urge to groan.

Way too serious? I was trying not to get obliterated by adoring demons earlier. As if that wasn’t enough, I was a human in the world of demons.

If word came out about my real identity, then I might be slaughtered and eaten like a clarity meal.

If that’s not serious, then I don’t know what is. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Seraphis tilted her head, giving me a playful look.

"But you know, it’s kind of cute. All grumpy and old-man-ish, yet still keeping up with me. I like it."

"...Cute?" I repeated slowly, as if tasting the word for the first time. "I think you’re the only person in this building allowed to say that without immediate repercussions."

She laughed again, tossing her hair over her shoulder.

"Repercussions? Pfft. Don’t worry. I’ve got your back... mostly. As long as the other students don’t eat you first."

My stomach sank.

Oh right. I’m a walking target now. And it doesn’t help that’s I’m constantly receiving stares too!

On the other hand, Seraphis didn’t seem to notice the amount of attention she was receiving, or perhaps she simply didn’t care about it, as she tugged me forward down the hallway.

"Come on, let’s get your registration done. We can’t let you lag behind, old man!"

"...I told you, I’m not an old man!"

"Sure, sure, Mr. Stamina of Youth. Now keep up!"

I did not understand. What was this girl, anyway?

Acting like we were close friends out of nowhere. This was exactly why overly friendly types were dangerous. They were the kind of people I usually preferred to avoid.

Even so, I couldn’t say I disliked the situation.

Maybe my circumstances aren’t as bad as I imagined.

Was it really okay for me to continue living like this?

Logically speaking, it would make more sense to run away. Anyone with common sense would choose that option. Staying because of a girl was far too irrational. She wasn’t the only reason; I was also curious about many things like this world, its history, its so-called magics.

The library should have the answers I’m looking for. I should check it out later.

...But for now, let’s focus on wasting this girl’s infinite energy.

Judging from what I’d seen so far, that would take a while.

In the next moment,

"Ow!"

As we made a turn, I rammed into something reminiscent of a brick wall and fell straight on my butt.

What the hell...!?

Rubbing my head, I looked up at whatever I had collided with, only to pause when I recognized the face.

The delinquent from before.

He looked down at me with an ominous smile.

"Oh. What are you doing on the floor? Here, let me help you."

Contrary to his gentle words, he grabbed my shirt with one hand and hoisted me into the air like a sack of potatoes.