NOVPUBRaegar and Selene were sitting in the Devil Hunting Class after leaving the other two as they had their lesson to attend. The Demoness glanced at him with a smile, asking. ''How is your body holding up?''
''It's okay, I guess,'' he answered, scratching his head. ''I want it to get better soon, but I must see Nurse Kitsunia after class.''
''Can I come?'' she asked with glowing yellow eyes.
Her expression made Raegar chuckle before he agreed. ''Yes, if you want Selene. It would be nice to get to know you better.''
When the Demoness heard this, a big smile appeared on her pretty face just as Professor Morris scolded them. ''Blackwood, Bloodrose. Stop disrupting the class, this is an important part of the lesson.''
''Sorry, professor,'' he replied with an apologetic expression.
Valentina narrowed her eyes before nodding as she continued talking to the class. ''Can anyone tell me how the Devils get into our world?''
''Red Gates?'' Raegar quickly responded.
The blonde woman shook her head. ''No. That's how we get into their realm and cause as much chaos. To answer the question, they have a special magic that connects with the many cults that worship the Devils and other Creatures of the Night.''
When the class heard that, Selene's hand shot up like a rocket, asking. ''Father told me that the Nightfang Order Cult roams in the Western Lands. Duke Vaelthorne has been chasing them for years, but they vanish like ghosts in Pluckley Village.''
Professor Morrise stared at the Demoness before nodding. ''That's correct, the Order and High Command have been hunting them, but they've mastered Shadow Aether to escape from the higher Tier warriors.''
Everyone started gossiping about her words. Moments later, another girl put her hand up and asked another question. ''Is it true the Bloodoak Kin are moving south with the Creatures of the Night?''
''That's correct,'' the Professor replied with an annoyed expression. ''Reports say they are attacking remote villages and merchants on the road. One of the princes has taken an army there to defend the area.''
The classroom buzzed with awe as she spoke, her voice commanding attention. ''Scattered across the rugged towns and remote villages of the Borderlands, they stand guard, a grueling yet indispensable duty that holds the line. But that's a tale for another time. Today, our focus turns to the Devils.''
Following that, the blonde taught them that the cults leave behind objects embedded underground that allow the fiends to open portals to Sylvara. When Ragar heard this, his remaining eye widened in shock.
'That explains how they appeared at the mansion and along the roads,' he mused, shaking his head.
After this, the class taught him a bit more about sensing the portal whenever it appeared nearby. He was curious and raised his hand before asking. ''Doesn't the empire have Aether Detectors to pick up on them?''
Professor Morris glanced at him, smiling. ''We do, but there isn't enough, and thanks to Dawnfire being so big, the government can't cover every inch of land,'' she explained.
Raegar nodded in understanding as they continued learning until halfway through the class, and the students were instructed to head for the training field, but Selene turned to him with a concerned expression.
''Can you fight Rae?'' she questioned.
''No, my body is still weak,'' he replied, sighing. ''I want to, but I can't afford to get injured anymore.''
When the Demoness heard his words, a frown creased her brow, uncertainty flickering in her gaze. But Raegar, ever steady, offered a reassuring smile. ''I'll help with your training," he said confidently. ''Ranthar swears by these sessions. They're drawn from my father's methods.''
Selene's yellow eyes sparked with sudden excitement, glowing like twin embers in the dim light. Without warning, she flung her arms around him in a jubilant embrace, her enthusiasm uncontainable.
Raegar let out a muffled grunt, wincing as her unexpected hug caught him off guard, a sharp twinge of pain shooting through his ribs. He felt his ribs crack, which echoed throughout the class.
He gritted his teeth thanks to the agony, causing Selene to move back quickly, apologizing. ''I'm sorry, Rae, I got carried away.''
It was already too late as everyone was staring at him, wincing, just as Professor Morris rushed up to him with a concerned expression. ''What in the goddess's name happened here, Blackwood!''
Raegar waved her away with a strained smile. ''I got Selene excited, it was my fault, but I'm going to see Nurse Kitsunia so she can heal me.''
Valentina nodded before returning to the front of the class. ''Go, there won't be much to miss. It's physical training that the Order wants us to teach you students, but there's no need with you.''
''Alright,'' he said, standing up and feeling the pain through his chest. Selene shivered at the sight before grabbing his hand with an apologetic expression. ''I'm sorry, Rae, I didn't mean to hurt you.''
Raegar waved her away, smiling under the mask. ''It's fine, Selene, but you can make it up to me by coming to Brightwater City tomorrow?''
When the Demoness heard this, her expression changed to one of happiness as she went to hug him again, but he quickly stopped her, chuckling. ''Not again, I don't want more broken bones, Selene.''
Following that, the two of them started laughing as the class went on and the bell started ringing, causing the red-skinned beauty to glance at him with a smile. ''I've got Monster Class, want to walk me there before going to the nurse's office?''
Raegar nodded in agreement as the two of them left the room. While doing that, he quickly noticed Valentina looking at him with a sweet smile, prompting him to blow her a kiss when no one was looking.
The older woman blushed but she managed a shy wave just as Raegar's attention shifted to Selene. His gaze settled on the Demoness, who stood just a touch shorter than him, her frame compact yet powerful, forged by relentless training.
Despite her warrior's build, she exuded a captivating feminine allure that drew him in like a moth to a flame. Selene wore a striking white dress that ended mid-thigh, the fabric clinging to her curves.
Paired with white stockings that contrasted vividly against her red skin, the ensemble was both bold and elegant. Her physique was a perfect balance, toned muscles complemented by curves that caught the eye.
Yet it was her face that truly held him captive. Her white hair was swept back into a high, neat ponytail, swaying slightly as her pointed ears twitched. When she turned to meet his gaze, her luminous yellow eyes gleamed with an otherworldly intensity, their warmth and depth pulling him into a moment where the rest of the world seemed to fade away.
The school corridor buzzed with the clamor of students rushing to their classes, the air thick with laughter. Sunlight poured through the tall windows, painting the tiled floor in warm, golden patches.
Raegar walked beside the Demoness, his hands stuffed in his pockets, trying to play it cool despite the way his pulse quickened with her so close. Selene moved with a confidence that turned heads as they passed.
Her crimson skin gleamed under the light, and her white ponytail swayed with each step, her pointed ears twitching faintly as she caught snippets of the surrounding chatter. Raegar noticed her sneaking glances at him.
''You didn't have to walk me to class, you know,'' Selene said, her voice light but laced with a teasing edge. She glanced at him sideways, her yellow eyes glowing with a playful spark that made his stomach flip. ''But I'm not complaining.''
Raegar shrugged, a half-smile tugging at his lips. ''Figured I'd make sure you don't get lost,'' he said, his tone casual, though his eyes lingered on her a moment too long. ''This place is a maze.''
Selene laughed, a soft, melodic sound that seemed to cut through the corridor's noise. ''Oh, please. I know these halls better than you do.''
She slowed her pace, letting their shoulders brush as they walked. The fleeting contact sent a spark through Raegar, and he fought to keep his expression neutral. ''But,'' she continued, her voice dropping to a sultry murmur. ''I like the company.''
He watched as she tilted her head, her ponytail swaying, and fixed him with a look that felt like it could unravel him. ''You're sweet, you know that?'' she said, her lips curving into a smirk. ''All tough and stoic, but you've got this… soft side. It's cute.''
Her fingers grazed his arm, light as a feather, and lingered just long enough to make his breath hitch. Raegar's cheeks flushed thanks to him taking the mask at her insistence, and he rubbed the back of his neck, struggling to find his words.
''Cute's not exactly what I'm going for,'' he mumbled.
Selene grinned, undeterred, and stepped closer, her voice a conspiratorial whisper. ''Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. Your secret's safe with me.''
