Extra Demon: Sacred Academy of Light

Really delicious, possibly the best meal I've had in a long time. Eating fruit all the time isn't exactly bad, but personally, I much prefer having a big steak on my plate. Everything about this is nutritious, it fills me with energy, and I feel like it even rejuvenates my cells... Maybe I'm exaggerating, but that's just how good the dish in front of me is. It was a grilled steak, served with some rice and salad. It would've been a great night if it weren't for…

Glancing out of the corner of my eye, I saw Ariel to my right and Elizabeth to my left…

Two imperial heirs, princes of their respective empires. Iconic and highly respected figures, beloved and immensely important to the people of different cities. In other words, individuals at the very top of the social hierarchy. And yet, here they were, sitting in some random restaurant in the center of the Light Empire, as if they were just normal, everyday people. Honestly, I was a little surprised. While they weren't eating the exact same thing as me, their food was similar—low-quality meat and staples affordable for the common folk. Considering their status, their lineage, and the privileges they were born with, it was only natural to assume they'd always had the best quality food at their fingertips since childhood.

I don't know… Maybe it sounds stupid, but that's how it seems to me, seeing them eat here in this noisy place. Looking around, there were men drinking, laughing, and singing without a care, while others smiled in response. None of this seemed to bother them in the slightest. I took another bite of meat in silence.

"Better not overthink it. For now… is this what my eyes are seeing? Are they on some kind of date?" I spoke to myself in my head. I was a little nervous. I just wanted a quiet evening to eat and then head back to the residence to greet the girls… Sighing, I realized coming here tonight was a bad decision. I really regretted it. Instead, I hurried to finish my plate so I could leave. This was a little too uncomfortable.

"Completely restored… truly impressive," Elizabeth murmured to herself. In her eyes, nothing could escape her notice. She already knew about the fractured state of Arthur's soul. A complete tragedy for any kind of being across the three realms. The soul is a deeply mysterious thing, and even the slightest damage can be fatal. Yet, as always, there is a way forward. To heal this kind of agony, the only solution is the forbidden fruit guarded by Eve in the Garden of Eden, which Seraphine had managed to help her acquire.

She lowered her gaze, and her eyes brightened slightly. The food in this place was peculiar. Although she had come here purely out of curiosity, it had a flavor that was somewhat peculiar and entirely different from what she was used to eating. She couldn't quite explain it. It was… more human?

"If you'll excuse me… I need to leave," Arthur said.

Clearly, he was looking for an opportunity to escape. But at that moment, with a smile, I moved closer to him. Grasping his arm, I leaned in and whispered, "You can't leave a beautiful lady all alone in such dangerous streets… That wouldn't be very gentlemanly."

"Yeah, don't be like that, Arthur. We still have plenty of time… Look," Ariel said, pointing to the moon that was just starting to rise. "The night is still young."

"Really…" Arthur tried to come up with another excuse, but I pressed my body closer to his and said, "No, you have nothing else to do… Right?"

"Ugh… damn it…" he cursed in his mind. "Fine… What are we doing?" he asked, clearly annoyed. He really wanted to leave! He didn't want to spend time with the two of us at all. Something about this didn't feel right to him.

"Perfect! First, let's get out of here," I said with a beautiful smile on my red lips. I dragged him out of the restaurant. With no way to escape, he had no choice but to follow me. But out of the corner of my eye, I critically glanced at Ariel. Aren't they supposed to be on a date? Look at her! I signaled with my eyes. Don't let her flirt with me!

Experience tales with empire

Ariel seemed to notice my look and only smiled, shrugging indifferently as if Elizabeth's behavior didn't bother him in the slightest.

"You…" Arthur looked at him with wide eyes. "Aren't you supposed to be on a date?" He was very surprised.

"Date? Not at all. It's all for appearances. Don't you get it? No one can really see us. Well, to be specific, they can see us, but it's a different aspect they perceive. What they see is just a simple commoner girl in an ordinary dress. It's the same for Ariel. And as I said, this isn't a date—it's more like a visit. Yes, that's the right word," Elizabeth explained as she walked even closer to him, navigating through the crowd as if she already knew where she was headed.

This wasn't a coincidence. Arthur frowned. "Saint Seraphine told you?"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Exactly. Seraphine was kind enough to tell me about your grand return from the heavens. She's always so thoughtful with me," Elizabeth replied, as if nothing strange were happening, as though she weren't carrying out some kind of kidnapping.

"But you shouldn't worry too much. I just want to tell you a few very interesting things," she continued as she crossed through narrow streets and eventually arrived at an open field, empty and quiet.

Finally, Arthur felt his arm freed from Elizabeth's grip. She stepped in front of him, clasping her hands behind her back and swaying slightly, a playful smile on her lips. "How are you feeling?"

"Fine, thanks…" He was certain now—she knew everything, just like Seraphine. The same might also apply to Emilia. Maybe they had been behind it all. Now, what the hell did she want to talk to him about? He felt utterly exhausted.

"That's wonderful! Now tell me—no, you don't have to say anything. I just want to ask a few things I'm curious about and confirm a few others," Elizabeth said as she sat on a bench that appeared out of nowhere. She crossed one leg over the other.

"Are you interested in fighting this guy?" Elizabeth gestured to Ariel, who remained indifferent, gazing into a specific spot in the darkness.

From that darkness, another figure appeared—a young girl, slightly smaller than Elizabeth, with beautiful, shiny black hair and piercing red eyes.

Azrael remained silent, scanning her surroundings. Her crimson gaze landed first on Arthur, then on her brother, and finally on Elizabeth.

"Brother, it's already too late. You were supposed to be home fifteen minutes ago," she said calmly. But somehow, her words enveloped the entire area in complete darkness.