Extra Demon: Sacred Academy of Light

"They won't stay still. Well, specifically speaking, the people... Just look at them." Daniela, arms crossed, watched as the crowd bustled in a specific area.

Inside the academy campus, a large group of people had gathered for a simple reason: to watch. Yes, that's right—curiosity had driven them to form a circle around the spectacle that was just beginning. Daniela furrowed her brow deeply as she glanced at herself.

"What's the difference?" She turned to her friend Beatrice, who also had her brow knitted, as if they were both annoyed.

"I don't know! But without a doubt, they're stealing all the attention." Beatrice also looked at herself—a lovely, light-green one-piece dress. Similarly, she glanced at Daniela, who wore shorts paired with a pastel pale blouse, a ribbon around her waist, and her hair tied back. It had to be said that the two of them looked more than beautiful, ready to visit and eat all they could at the lively festival that was just as vibrant as yesterday. Even though this was only the second day, there seemed to be far more people than before. Continue your adventure with empire

"Jealous? Of that?" Adrian made a carefree remark. He wasn't fond of attracting attention, but even so, he couldn't help but notice some glances in his direction as he adjusted his glasses.

"Stop worrying about it. Here." Olivia joined the conversation, holding three skewers of juicy meat in her hand. She handed one to each of her friends and then turned her gaze to the commotion. "They're really popular," she said while savoring the juicy grilled meat.

"Doesn't it bother you?" Beatrice raised an eyebrow at Olivia's indifference to such a delicate subject.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"No? I don't think I need that kind of attention, you know." Olivia flashed a teasing smile at Beatrice.

"Hmph! Of course, after all, you only need attention from Elias, missy..." Beatrice returned the teasing smile.

"Hey!" Olivia blushed slightly, glancing at Elias out of the corner of her eye.

"Delicious..." Meanwhile, Elias paid no mind to the conversation, focusing entirely on his skewer of meat. Noticing Olivia's shadowed gaze, he shuddered slightly and offered an awkward smile. "What's wrong?" he asked innocently.

"Nothing!" Olivia turned away, annoyed, and looked ahead. "Although I must admit, it's incredible how completely we're being ignored."

"Right? I was thinking the same thing..." Daniela pursed her lips. It wasn't envy—she was just surprised by the kind of attention Leslie and Evelyn were receiving. But it wasn't normal attention, you know, the kind directed at someone's beauty. It felt more like... devotion? She wasn't sure. Most of the citizens' gazes seemed as though they were looking at angelic beings. That's why Daniela felt strange and, for some reason, annoyed—not because of envy but because she could clearly see how uncomfortable the two were amid such a crowd. She also felt odd about the people's behavior. At first, she thought it was just because of their beauty, but as more people gathered and she observed the emotions reflected in their gazes, she began to doubt. Shaking her head, she muttered, "Well, I'll get them out of there," and began walking toward them.

"I don't feel good at all..." Evelyn murmured softly, holding a glass of water. Her pale complexion betrayed her unease as she took a deep breath. Her eyes quickly fell on a plate filled with skewers of meat. Quietly sneaking her hand out, she successfully grabbed two of them. On high alert, she quickly bit into one. "Delicious."

"What happened to you?" Leslie asked, confused. She was still somewhat dazed from what had happened a few minutes earlier. She couldn't understand why they had suddenly been surrounded by ordinary people—many of them. She felt odd, even shy, under the many gazes they'd drawn, as she nervously brought another skewer to her mouth.

"Well, just forget about it, all right? Just take it as something weird." Daniela nodded with a small smile. Looking around, she noticed the atmosphere was quieter here. Away from the main campus, where most of the crowd had been, they sat on the grass, apart from the commotion.

"It's a beautiful day," Olivia said, sitting down as well. She pulled a basket from her ring while Elias spread a large blanket beside her, placing the basket in the center.

It was a perfect day for a picnic.

"Just take it. See? With this, you can get in. Isn't it beautiful?" A soft voice called out to a boy.

The boy turned his gaze toward the young woman. The beautiful jewel in her hand shone brightly, like a tiny star. Hesitating for a moment, he finally shook his head. "It's not mine," he said in a childish voice.

"You don't understand. I'm giving it to you. Don't you want it?" The young woman spoke again, extending her hands.

The boy looked up at her. She was hiding in the shadows of an alley. "My mom told me I shouldn't take things from strangers," he said softly, lowering his head, feeling a bit sad.

"Come on, you know... with this lovely jewel, you can help heal your mom," the young woman said again, her voice now even softer.

The boy's head shot up, his eyes shining brightly. "Really? It can heal my mom! She'll walk again?" He stepped closer to the woman hidden in the shadows, clenching his small fists as his body trembled slightly.

"What a fragile child... Are you hungry?" Her pale hands reached out, gently stroking his head.

"Mm." The boy nodded. "Ever since my mom fell ill, I haven't been able to find money for food..." His voice was quiet. He had held onto the small hope of finding discarded money or food—just something. The academy gates had been open, and people of all kinds walked these streets occasionally. But luck hadn't been on his side until he stumbled upon this young woman.

"Don't worry, child. With this beautiful jewel, all your problems will be solved. Your mother will be cured, and you'll be able to eat as much as you want. Isn't that wonderful?" The young woman's hands gently caressed the boy's dirty cheeks.

"But..." A small part of him wanted to refuse, remembering his mother's advice.

"You wouldn't want your mother's condition to worsen, would you?" Her pale hands reached out further.

"No..." The boy shook his head emphatically, fear gripping his heart at the thought of losing his mother. If she died, he would be left all alone.

"Just take it..." The young woman's voice grew even softer.

The boy extended his small hand. As soon as it touched the jewel, he thought, "It's cold..." Slowly, the boy's body was consumed by the shadows of the streets.