Extra Demon: Sacred Academy of Light

I don't know how to describe it, but I think I've found the perfect word for it: crap. That's the most accurate way to describe situations where nothing you try works, and instead, you're met with utter indifference. Frustrating, especially when you're the one most interested in something. It's like when you're into a girl, and she's not into you. That's kind of how I feel right now, only with the difference that I don't care about the affection of the woman I'm trying to talk to. Completely ignored in every way possible.

I stared somberly at the same wooden door behind which was Eva, the woman whose voice I only had the chance to hear once.

It really does feel unfair, or at least it seems that way to me. I've tried a ton of things. I mean it—seriously. I've tried getting in through the door, the windows, the roof, the chimney, any place I could possibly fit. But nothing worked! I always end up flying out, crashing into something or some trees along the way. I'm not a stalker, but after trying for over four days straight—politely, respectfully, courteously, and all that—she hasn't said a single word to me after our first conversation.

"Indifference, without a doubt, eats you alive inside..."

As I murmured to myself while walking, I glanced over at Seraphine, who hadn't moved from the spot where she'd been sitting since we arrived. Sitting next to her at a slight distance, I sighed.

"Nothing worked, huh…" she said, chewing on some kind of green fruit.

"No, not even close. Every time I try to approach her house, I lose the ability to speak entirely, as if my voice just vanishes…" I replied. It must be some kind of strange power or ability—to silence people like that.

"Hmm…" Seraphine nodded. "She noticed."

"Of course, she did…" I replied, grabbing a fruit similar to the one she was eating.

Four days earlier…

After knocking on the door three times, the faint noise from inside the house came to a complete stop. I heard footsteps approach from within and stop entirely just on the other side of the door.

"Good morning? Or afternoon… maybe even evening. But judging by the faint warmth coming through the window, it must be daytime," said a woman's voice. It carried an overwhelming maternal affection, yet it was so delicate that it seemed to flow through the door effortlessly.

[Ding! Alert!]

[The host's soul is under an intense attack!]

Hearing those words, my body began trembling uncontrollably. Deep within me, a wave of comfort surged, and long-buried memories surfaced—images of my mother flashed through my mind. Small tears streamed down my face as a warmth spread throughout my body. I felt safe, as if wrapped in a mother's embrace. Her words were so warm and full of affection that they could have melted my very being.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Involuntarily, I opened my arms, expecting the sweet embrace of my mother. I didn't want to escape. A part of my subconscious knew that if I stayed in this state, my fragile soul would completely collapse, but… the sensation, the emotions, the peace of mind—it was like I'd returned to my mother's womb.

[Defect activated!]

[Your soul and flesh burn for all eternity.]

My clouded eyes returned to normal, and a blue flame erupted over my entire body. The flames pierced through my soul, flesh, and skin, surrounding me completely. The sensation from moments ago vanished, and I regained my senses. My body chilled to abnormal levels, a penetrating cold striking my bones and brain.

Staggering backward, I felt warm liquid drip from my nose. Wiping it with my hand, I realized it was blood.

"Crap…" Those were my last words before my mind plunged into darkness.

When I opened my eyes…

"You're awake…" Seraphine's voice startled me upright.

"Huh?! What just happened?!" My body was trembling uncontrollably as I hugged myself. Remembering the state I was in caused cold sweat to run down my back. But as I hugged myself tighter, a sharp pain made me grit my teeth. My whole body felt caught between extreme heat and cold, worsening the trembling.

"How clueless can you be?" Seraphine remained seated and extended her hands. A golden mantle enveloped me, reducing the trembling and pain slightly. Swallowing hard, I tried to organize my thoughts.

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"What… just happened?" I asked, now calmer.

"You were an idiot, plain and simple," she shrugged. "Although I can't completely blame you. It was just bad luck. I forgot that even hearing her true voice would be so harmful to you… Don't look at me like that! It's not my fault your soul is so weak!"

I glared at her with threatening eyes. "Her true voice?" I asked, swallowing my anger. Getting upset wouldn't help right now, and I wouldn't gain anything from it. Instead, I could use this as an opportunity to get some answers from her. Still… how could she forget something so critical? Then again, thinking logically, could just hearing someone's voice really kill me?

"You shouldn't be so surprised by that," Seraphine said with a sly smile. "Remember when I told you I could kill you with just a glance? It's the same for Eva and Eryoniel. Your soul is not only fragile but also fractured. Of course, Eryoniel and I are aware of this, which is why we don't use our true voices. Heh, although those flames of yours certainly protected you… I wonder if they'd be fast enough for me…" She glanced at me out of the corner of her eye.

"Don't even think about it," I said, giving her a serious look.

"I wasn't planning to, but fine, I'm sorry, okay? My bad…" She lowered her head slightly in a gesture of remorse. "But try to understand me a little. After spending so many years with humans, I'd forgotten… Oh! Let's take this as a learning moment," she said, raising a finger and flashing a smile.

"Unlike me, Eva has spent most of her life locked away in that house. By using her true voice, I mean she's speaking directly from her soul. Do you get what I'm saying?" she asked, a bit unsure.

"Kind of… I think," I replied, confused. I spent a few moments trying to grasp her words, which clearly carried deeper meaning. Eventually, I gave up and shook my head. "Actually, no, I don't understand."

"Words have power, immense power, especially when spoken directly from the soul. As you know, each of us has a unique ability—it's such a simple term, don't you think? But putting that aside, what I mean is that speaking directly from the soul is essentially invoking the authority of that unique ability," she explained, her tone serious. "Let's take what just happened to you as an example. Eva clearly has a unique ability inscribed in her soul: Mother Progenitor. By using that authority, she was practically sentencing you to death. Your fragile soul couldn't handle hearing her words and interpreted them as an attack. You only managed to survive thanks to the blue flames. You can't blame her—she's been locked away in that house for so long that I suppose she forgot."