Extra Demon: Sacred Academy of Light

Curious, I stood up upon hearing the door slowly creak open.

A head peeked in...

Strands of glossy black hair... I couldn't make out the face of the famed Eve, the mother of all humans. For some reason, I couldn't move, even though I desperately wanted to. It felt as though chains bound my entire body. Instead of resisting, I chose to simply listen. It was more than clear that Eve was behind all of this.

"A visitor? For you? I don't believe it. But since I haven't had any guests in a very... very long time... Would you like to come in?"

It was the same haunting voice I had heard five days ago. This time, however, a golden aura enveloped my body, sparing me the unpleasant experience from before.

I could clearly see Seraphine sigh to herself before offering a slight smile. "I want to speak with you, so I'll accept your courtesy."

Eve nodded, and the wooden door opened wider, obscuring my view of what lay beyond. Seraphine walked into the small wooden house without hesitation.

"Well then... back to waiting, as has become customary since I arrived here."

As the door closed, my body regained its freedom. Left with no other options, I sat back down by the tree in silence.

Seraphine examined the inside of the house. From the outside, it appeared small, but the interior was far larger than it seemed. Dimensional magic, she thought to herself. It was the only kind of magic capable of such an extraordinary and impressive feat. Find your next read at empire

The interior was beautifully decorated, with white wooden panels and lamps that illuminated the space. Intricately carved wooden chairs and tables bore depictions of animals, some adorned with roses. Exotic animal-skin rugs covered the floors, and the air was fresh and soothing.

Eve herself was slightly taller than Seraphine, or at least of equal height. She wore an ebony one-piece dress, her cascading black hair flowing down her back like a waterfall. Her figure was enviable—perfect, even—worthy of being called one of the most beautiful women across all three realms.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

With a motherly smile, Eve lovingly gestured toward one of the chairs. "Please, take a seat. I've prepared some cookies and exquisite tea."

Seraphine nodded. "Very well," she replied simply, though inwardly, she was deeply surprised. Even her voice seemed to affect Seraphine more than she had anticipated. Sitting in the chair, Seraphine waited patiently, her eyes catching sight of something intriguing.

"The Fruit of the Soul," she murmured to herself, noticing what appeared to be an ordinary apple sitting on a tray alongside several others—at least five in total.

Moments later, Eve returned. In one hand, she carried a small plate of chocolate cookies, and in the other, a teapot with delicate glass cups.

Seraphine looked into Eve's eyes, filled with infinite maternal love. Her beautiful brown eyes radiated warmth, and her soft, petal-like lips always carried a gentle smile. Even Seraphine, despite herself, had to admit Eve's beauty was unparalleled.

Eve placed the cookies and teapot on the table before sitting gracefully in the chair opposite Seraphine. With elegance, she poured tea into both cups. The liquid was clear and inviting.

"Would you like to try it? It's delicious," Eve said, sliding the small cup in front of Seraphine.

Seraphine's eyes gleamed with a quiet intensity as she took a bite of one of the cookies. Eve couldn't hide her happiness, and a faint blush appeared on her cheeks.

Seraphine also tried the cookies in silence. After a moment, she set the cup aside, gazing at Eve with a smile. "May we speak?"

Eve lifted her head slightly. "Of course, we may."

"How did it go?" I asked Seraphine as she walked back toward where I was sitting.

By the look of it, their conversation had lasted nearly an entire day. I had begun to think she might not succeed, but when she finally emerged from that little house, I couldn't help but ask.

Seraphine pursed her lips slightly, snapped her fingers, and a shining red apple appeared in her hand. "This is for you," she said, handing me the fruit.

I stared at it with wide eyes. "Really?"

"Yes, but you can't eat it yet," Seraphine said, crossing her arms. She gestured toward the door, which was still slightly ajar. "You'll need to speak with her first before you can eat it. I don't think you'd want to spend all eternity in this place, would you?"

She walked over to the tree and leaned against it. Just as she was about to close her eyes, she added, "Let me give you some advice: never look her in the eyes. No, better yet, don't look directly at her face at all. Keep your head down at all times. No matter what, do not lift it. That's all."

"Is this some kind of death sentence?" I muttered, feeling as though walking through that door would be like stepping straight into the guillotine.

"You could see it that way. But this is the best I could manage... The rest depends on your words," Seraphine said with a faint smile. "Didn't you say you were good with words?"

With that, she closed her eyes.

I watched her in silence, sighed, and set the apple aside. Reluctantly, I walked toward the door, hesitating for a moment. I really had no motivation to enter.

"Come in," Eve's voice echoed directly in my mind.

With no other choice, I stepped through the door. It closed immediately behind me. Following Seraphine's advice, I quickly lowered my head, not daring to take a single step without her instruction.

Hearing footsteps, I looked down at the shadow on the floor—a curvaceous figure, unmistakably Eve's. Her bare feet moved gracefully across the ground.

"So she told you... I see. This is better," Eve muttered to herself. "Come, I'll guide you. Just follow me."

I literally followed her steps. It felt like there was no more literal way to follow someone than to watch their feet.

"Come along; just follow me. I have much to discuss with you, you know. Seraphine told me quite a bit about you. Unexpectedly, she shared something very intriguing that caught my attention. I haven't seen the Seraph of Mercy in a very long time. Back then, whenever our gazes met, all she did was kneel and pray to God. I must say, she's changed quite a bit over the years, especially when it comes to someone like you..."

Eve continued speaking until she stopped abruptly. I kept my head lowered, not daring to lift it even slightly.

"She told me something curious... Tell me, are you close to Lilith?"

Eve extended her hands, and a shiver ran down my spine as I felt them gently cup my cheeks.

"Do you know her?" she asked.