Infernal Entity: Evolving With My Demonic System-Chapter 72: Knight In Shining Armor

Axel slowly stood up from his bed, surprise written plainly across his face. His eyes moved between Ares and Rick, back and forth, like he was making sure this wasn’t some kind of joke.

"You’ve awakened?" Axel asked, stepping closer. "For real?"

Rick nodded so hard his head almost bobbed off. "Yes! Yes! I have!" he said, barely containing himself. "My powers are back, Axel. They’re actually back!"

Axel let out a short laugh, half disbelief, half relief. He turned toward Ares, who was leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed, wearing a smug, satisfied grin.

"What kind of special training did you two do?" Axel asked. "Because last time I checked, yelling motivational quotes doesn’t awaken dormant genes."

Ares pushed himself off the door and shrugged. "I’ve got my methods, ginger," he said casually. "Let’s just say I know how to be... persuasive."

Rick didn’t bother explaining anything. He was way too excited to just talk. Instead, he rushed into the bathroom and turned on the tap, water splashing loudly into the sink.

"Watch this!" he said, motioning for Axel to look.

Rick stretched out his hand, fingers trembling slightly. He wiggled them, then rotated his palms slowly. The stream of water hesitated, slowed, then twisted unnaturally, bending midair and swirling in response to his movements.

Axel smiled at that. The only time Rick had ever used his ability was when he was five years old. Just once. After that, nothing. Doctors had tested him over and over, throwing theories around until they finally settled that he had severe anxiety and fear.

They weren’t wrong, though. If anxiety was a person, it would’ve been Rick Mobius.

Inside Axel’s head, Aurora clicked her tongue.

"There is absolutely no way in Infernal hell that your friend never tried to awaken his abilities before coming to this garbage academy. But all of a sudden, he trains with Ares and wow! He’s awakened!" she said, sarcasm dripping from every word. "Whatever he did to him was not natural."

Axel kept his eyes on the swirling water as he replied in his mind. "What are you saying?" he asked flatly. "That Ares did something to him?"

"Yes," Aurora said without hesitation. "I do not trust Ares Godson. Not even a little."

Axel almost facepalmed. "Oh, that’s rich," he shot back mentally. "Coming from the voice in my head that keeps suggesting murder like it’s a hobby."

Aurora scoffed. "I have my reasons. You’re surrounded by pathetic humans, that’s why..."

"Ares has done nothing but help Rick," Axel continued. "So if you don’t trust him, maybe you should look in a mirror—oh wait. You don’t have a face, my bad."

"Do you know who does have a face I trust?" Axel added. "Ares Godson."

"Suit yourself, Imp," Aurora said coldly. "I warned you. He’s hiding something."

Axel clenched his jaw but said nothing more. He turned back toward Ares, who was still watching Rick play with the water like a proud older brother. He looked genuinely happy for him.

Axel exhaled slowly and settled on that fact that Aurora was being unreasonable.

There was little to no activity for the rest of the day.

Axel stayed inside the room, mostly lying on his bed and staring at the ceiling while Rick remained busy testing his newly awakened ability. Water cups floated, sinks turned on and off, and puddles crawled across the floor like obedient pets. Rick was completely absorbed in it, smiling like a kid who had just discovered something magical.

Ares stepped out at some point and didn’t return.

By the time the sun began settling over Oval Academy, Axel finally stood up. He glanced at Rick one last time.

"I’m heading out," Axel said.

Rick waved him off without even looking. "Yeah, yeah. I’m good. I won’t flood the room... Probably."

Axel hesitated for a second. Leaving Rick alone still felt wrong, but Rick looked stable so Axel decided it was fine.

He stepped out of the room and exited the male dorm complex. He wasn’t heading underground yet. He needed someone with him.

Kinsey.

Axel crossed the academy grounds toward the female dorm complex on the other side. The building was noticeably bigger than the male dorms, wider and taller, with better lighting too. He frowned slightly at that but didn’t dwell on it.

He slowed as he approached the entrance.

"I don’t actually know if boys are allowed in here," Axel muttered.

"You are trespassing," Aurora said immediately. "Very criminal and very scandalous. Shall I alert the authorities?"

"Shut up," Axel replied under his breath.

He stopped just outside and pulled out his device. Kinsey’s contact flashed on the screen. He beeped her once.

No response. He waited a few seconds. Then beeped again, but still nothing.

Axel sighed. "Great."

"So instead of waiting like a sensible creature," Aurora said, amused, "you intend to walk into the lion’s den?"

"I’m just going to the first-year building," Axel replied. "Relax."

He stepped inside.

The hallway was quiet. Axel walked slowly, glancing left and right. Doors lined the walls, identical except for room numbers.

Kinsey’s room wasn’t far. As he walked, Aurora spoke again. "Why do you even need her? You can fight and think for yourself."

"That’s not the point," Axel replied calmly.

He took a few more steps, then slowed down. There were hushed voices coming from the corner. Female voices and one of them sounded familiar.

Axel stopped and leaned slightly toward the corner ahead. He peeked around it.

Kinsey was standing there with her back pressed lightly against the wall. Two girls stood in front of her, blocking her path. Both wore Spectra badges.

Spectra Ones.

Axel narrowed his eyes. Their posture wasn’t exactly what he would call a friendly one. One of them leaned in slightly, The other one’s arms were crossed and she tapped her foot impatiently.

Axel understood immediately. Kinsey was Lumina Three. She was a low rank therefore an easy target.

"Look at that," Aurora chuckled. "Your little scholar is being shaken down."

Axel stepped out from the corner and started walking toward them.

As he approached, he caught fragments of their conversation.

"You know how things work here," one girl said lightly. "A little contribution goes a long way." 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

"We’re just asking for cooperation," the other added. "It’s easier than struggling alone."

Kinsey’s hands were clenched at her sides. She looked uncomfortable, but she didn’t speak. Axel stopped a few steps away.

"Hey," he called out.

All three girls turned. The moment the girls saw him clearly, everything changed. Their expressions shifted as recognition hit instantly.

"Isn’t that Axel Vaelon?" One of them whispered.

"Yes! He defeated Luke Fern."

One of the girls straightened immediately and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, subtly angling her body toward him while the other one forced a smile.

"Oh," she said quickly. "Hi."

She stepped forward a little. "I’m Audrey. We were just—"

Axel didn’t look at her. He walked past them and stopped in front of Kinsey.

"You alright? I’ve been beeping you." he asked.

Kinsey blinked, clearly startled. She nodded. "Y–yeah."

Axel didn’t say anything else. He reached out and took her hand. She froze for half a second, then let him pull her along.

Axel turned and walked away, guiding her down the hallway without looking back.

Behind them, the two girls stood frozen. Audrey’s mouth was slightly open.

The other girl looked between Axel’s back and Kinsey’s hand in disbelief.

Neither of them said a word while Aurora laughed softly in Axel’s head.

"My, my," she said. "A knight in shining armor..."