Chapter 103
Isabella leaned against her desk at the front of the class, her lips curving into a playful smile. "Let's see if you're as attentive as you claim, Arthur." Her voice carried a natural charm, effortlessly commanding the class's focus. "Answer these for me."
Arthur sat up straighter, meeting her gaze with confidence.
"First question," she began, her heels clicking softly as she strolled between the rows of desks. "What is the primary difference between demons born in the Abyss and those created through rituals in Eldora?"
"Demons born in the Abyss are pure manifestations of chaos and possess innate strength," Arthur answered smoothly. "Those created through rituals are weaker, relying on the summoner's mana to sustain their form, making them less stable and easier to banish."
"Very good." Isabella's smile widened. She walked closer, her eyes gleaming with interest. "Next, tell me: what is the most effective way to identify a demon disguised as a human?"
Arthur answered without hesitation. "Their mana signature. Demons, even in disguise, can't completely hide the corrupt nature of their mana. It has an unnatural pulse that trained mages or priests can detect."
Isabella nodded approvingly, now standing at the row beside him. "Impressive. Let's continue. What happens when a human willingly consumes demonic mana?"
Arthur's expression hardened. "They gain temporary power at the cost of their sanity. Over time, the corruption spreads, eroding their humanity and turning them into a mindless thrall unless they're stopped or cured."
"Exactly," Isabella murmured, her tone carrying a hint of admiration. She stepped closer, her gaze fixed on him. "How can the spread of demonic corruption in an area be contained?"
"By purging the area with holy mana or consecrating it with blessed artifacts," Arthur replied.
By now, Isabella was standing just beside him, her alluring scent filling the air as she leaned slightly toward him, her voice dropping to a whisper. "You're doing well. Tell me—what happens to creatures exposed to demonic mana?"
"Beasts or humans exposed to demonic mana become more ferocious and violent. Their physical strength increases significantly, but they lose their sanity. Those with strong mental resistance can fend off the effects temporarily."
Her smile deepened, and she tilted her head, her silky hair brushing over her shoulder. "Excellent, Arthur. You've answered everything perfectly," she said, her tone warm and honeyed. "It seems I unfairly doubted you."
"Thank you, ma'am," Arthur replied, his voice steady, though the closeness of her presence made his heart race.
Her smile turned mischievous. "What is your name, student?"
"It's Arthur, ma'am."
"Arthur…" She let the name roll off her tongue as if savoring it. "Alright then, dear Arthur. Come to my office after class ends. Since I wrongly accused you, it's only fair that I make it up to you, don't you think?" Her tone was teasing, almost playful.
Arthur stiffened. "There's no need for that, ma'am," he said quickly, trying to avoid any unnecessary interactions with her.
Her eyes glinted with amusement. "I insist, student." With that, she turned on her heel and walked back to the front of the class, her every step commanding attention.
Arthur slumped slightly in his seat, letting out a shaky breath. 'She's just an avatar, but even that is enough to make me sweat bullets. Her charm is no joke.' He wiped his palms on his uniform, grateful for a brief reprieve.
*****
A Few Hours Earlier
8:00 A.M. – Staff Room, Eldora Academy
The staff room buzzed with soft chatter and the occasional rustle of papers as instructors prepared for their classes. Some discussed their curriculum in small groups, while others immersed themselves in their notes.
Isabella sat alone at her desk, one leg crossed over the other, her fingers idly tracing the rim of her coffee cup. Her posture radiated calm confidence, yet her crimson eyes held a hint of distant calculation. She wasn't here to bond with humans or swap teaching tips. No, her purpose went far deeper, veiled behind layers of deception.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a warm, melodic voice. "Are you the new instructor?"
Isabella turned, her gaze meeting a woman with kind eyes and a welcoming smile. It was Samantha, the homeroom teacher for the prestigious S-Class. Find adventures on empire
"Yes, that's me," Isabella replied, returning the smile with a practiced ease. "I'm Isabella West."
"Welcome, Miss West. I'm Samantha. Nervous about your first class?"
"Just a little," Isabella said, allowing a hint of uncertainty to creep into her tone.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om
Samantha waved a hand dismissively. "Oh, don't worry. You'll do great. I've heard good things from the principal. She said you're remarkably knowledgeable about demons."
Isabella's lips twitched into a polite smile, masking her inner amusement. 'If a human knew more about demons than I do, it would make me question my existence.' Outwardly, she replied, "I've spent years researching them—their habits, weaknesses, and strategies. I figured it was time to share that knowledge with those who'll need it the most."
"How noble of you," Samantha said sincerely. "It's true, knowing your enemy is half the battle. Your contribution is invaluable."
The conversation was interrupted by the ringing of the academy bell. Samantha glanced at the clock—8:25 A.M.
"It's been lovely chatting with you, Miss West, but my class starts in five minutes. I hope we can continue this conversation sometime." With a friendly nod, Samantha left the room, leaving Isabella to her solitude.
The other instructors gradually filed out, heading to their respective classes. Isabella remained seated, her gaze drifting toward the window as her thoughts deepened.
*****
One Month Ago – Demon Realm
In the shadowed depths of Hell, where flames danced in eternal twilight, the Seer of the Demon God Laplace received a divine revelation. The prophecy had changed—a rare, almost impossible occurrence. With this revelation came a single name: "Ludwig."
The Seven Overlords of Hell gathered to discuss the matter. It was decided that an investigation was needed. The Sin of Lust, Lilith, took charge of the task.
However, descending to Eldora in her true form was impossible. The dimensional cracks between the two realms couldn't withstand the overwhelming power of an Overlord.
Instead, Lilith created an avatar—a scaled-down version of herself. It carried a fraction of her strength but retained her cunning and charm. With this vessel, she crossed into Eldora and began her work.
Lilith's avatar arrived at the outpost where the demon army had been stationed and quickly got the answers she needed.
Demons had executed a carefully planned assassination attempt on Arthur Ludwig, the heir to the duchy. The leader of the operation had sent a clear report: mission accomplished. Arthur Ludwig was dead.
But the next day, Arthur was alive—completely unharmed. Things only got stranger. Shortly after, a purge swept through the duchy. Every demon living in disguise among the humans was systematically hunted down and killed. Not a single one escaped. The timing was too precise to be coincidence. Everything pointed back to Arthur Ludwig. Arthur became Lilith's prime suspect. Yet, there were still too many unknowns. How had he survived the assassination? How had the demons' identities been exposed so suddenly?
When Arthur left to join the Arcane Academy, Lilith followed. The academy, a place where students trained to fight demons, was the perfect place for her to observe him.
If Arthur Ludwig was the anomaly in the prophecy, Lilith needed to confirm it.
*****
Staff Room
Isabella tapped her fingers lightly on the desk, recalling how easily she had infiltrated Eldora Academy. Becoming a demonology teacher had been simple. 'Who knows more about demons than a demon?' she thought, smirking to herself.
Still, being here wasn't without risk. The academy was full of warriors trained to detect and fight demons. Some of them were even strong enough to sense demonic mana. But she wasn't worried. Her disguise was flawless.
Her eyes flicked to the clock. 8:29 A.M. Time for her first class. Teaching humans how to fight her kind felt ironic, but it gave her a perfect chance to observe Arthur Ludwig up close.
As the bell rang, Isabella stood and adjusted her skirt. Her heels clicked softly as she walked out of the staff room. A small, knowing smile spread across her lips.
'Let's see what secrets you're hiding, Arthur Ludwig.'
******
Present- In the classroom.
Isabella sat at the front, her eyes scanning the students as she taught. 'This class is full of potential', she thought, watching them closely. 'Quite a few of them have managed to resist my charm... impressive.'
Her gaze then landed on Arthur Ludwig.' And you, she thought, you are something special.'
She could feel his presence, his energy almost radiating from him. 'Even if you're not the one I'm searching for, there's something about you. You exude such pure essence, it's... intoxicating. A walking treasure for a succubus.'
A devilish smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she savored the thought. I will enjoy you well, Arthur Ludwig.
Arthur, unaware of the silent thoughts directed at him, suddenly felt a chill run down his spine. He rubbed his arms, feeling an uneasy sensation. 'Why do I feel like something bad is about to happen?' he murmured to himself.
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