Silence filled the office.
Elizabeth sat at her desk, resting her elbow on the armrest of her chair and staring ahead with deep concentration. Krul stood a little off to the side, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed, her gaze fixed on the two young people standing across from them.
Alex had just finished recounting everything. He described it in detail—from the first signs of Reiner's behavioral changes to the moment Irida cast the spell and finally rendered him unconscious.
The silence lingered.
From the expressions on Elizabeth's and Krul's faces, Alex could tell that nothing like this had ever happened within the walls of the Academy. And while they tried to hide their unease, he could see it—they didn't know what to do next.
Krul was the first to break the silence.
"I think Lilith and I should have a private conversation. And you," she glanced at Elizabeth, "probably want to speak with Alex alone too."
Elizabeth gave a small nod.
"That would be ideal."
Krul walked over to Lilith and touched her shoulder. A magic circle flared beneath their feet.
"I'll be back soon," Krul said, casting a look at Elizabeth.
Alex met Lilith's gaze. Her eyes, like two rubies, looked straight into his—calm, warm, and… grateful? A soft, almost imperceptible smile touched her lips. For a moment, Alex thought she wanted to say something, but the next instant, they vanished in a flash of magic.
As soon as the light from the teleportation faded, Elizabeth spoke to Alex.
"How are you?"
Her voice was serious, but he could hear the genuine concern behind it.
Alex raised an eyebrow.
"You saw me during the fight. I'm fine."
Elizabeth didn't look away.
"Alex, you cleared an A-rank dungeon today and then immediately went into battle with a demon. This isn't something to take lightly."
Alex exhaled heavily.
"To be honest, I'm a bit exhausted. But nothing critical. A couple hours of rest, and I'll be back on my feet."
Elizabeth studied him closely, as if searching for signs of hidden fatigue.
"All right. But if you feel even the slightest side effect—you're going to the infirmary. Understood?"
"Yes, ma'am," Alex replied with a mock salute.
Elizabeth let out a quiet chuckle, but her expression quickly grew more serious.
"Now to the main issue. That potion. What do you know about it?"
Alex crossed his arms.
"Nothing like this has ever happened within the Academy. But… a few months before the war began, there were rumors of a potion that drove people insane, making them stronger. No matter your level—after drinking it, you'd be on par with A-rank bosses. And the regeneration… it felt more like S-rank level."
Elizabeth tapped her fingers on the desk, thinking over his words.
"Did you ever see anyone like that?"
"No. But you did."
She looked up at him.
"In the future, you fought people who used that potion. But who made it, or who distributed it—we never found out."
Elizabeth nodded slowly.
"So, if we find the source now, we might be able to change the course of events."
Alex rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"In theory—yes, but…"
"It won't be as easy as I hope," Elizabeth finished his sentence with a brief sigh and rose from her chair. "All right, that's enough for today. Go get some rest."
"As you say." A magic circle lit up beneath Alex, and a moment later, he disappeared from the office.
Alex collapsed onto his bed with a deep exhale. His whole body ached from the fight, but despite the exhaustion, sleep wouldn't come. He rolled onto his back, staring at the ceiling. The room was silent, but inside his head… chaos reigned.
His fingers curled into a fist without him noticing. He had returned to the past with a massive advantage. He had knowledge no living being in this time possessed. And now… Now he felt like he was losing his own game.
Anger boiled in his chest—but not at anyone else. At himself.
"Master?"
The Siren's voice was soft, almost imperceptible, but there was a trace of concern in it. She always knew when his thoughts became heavier than they should be.
"Why aren't you sleeping?"
"You were right."
"About what?"
"You warned me that getting rid of the Montamers too quickly might backfire. And surprise, surprise—it did," Alex said aloud with bitter irony, a joyless smile crossing his face.
She went quiet for a moment.
"Master, it could be just a coincidence."
"No. It's not a coincidence. Definitely not," he said firmly, his voice tinged with restrained anger.
The Siren stayed silent, waiting for him to go on.
Alex closed his eyes, his mind beginning to piece together a logical chain.
"I eliminated the Montamers. That wouldn't have gone unnoticed. In all this time, the 'Jester' could've easily found out who did it, and once he did, he decided to test me. And it worked."
His fingers clenched tighter, as if trying to contain the rage building within him.
"I thought I was a few steps ahead. But he found out about me way too fast."
Scenes from the fight with Reiner flashed through his mind—his crazed eyes, animalistic grin, incredible regeneration.
"The only advantage I still have is that I can surpass the hundredth level and take everyone out by force. But that's not enough."
He exhaled sharply, running a hand down his face.
"So, we've each made a move. Given how the 'Jester' operated before, chances are he'll just quietly watch me for now."
The Siren responded in a calm, steady voice:
"That means someone in the Academy is definitely connected to the 'Jester.'"
Alex opened his eyes again.
"Yes. And we need to find that person."
The Siren paused before speaking again:
"The only way we can stay one step ahead now… is to interrogate Reiner. The question is—will he even tell us who gave him that potion?"
Alex abruptly pushed himself up on his elbows, his eyes flashing with resolve.
"If he won't tell us willingly…" He lay back against the pillow, clenching his fist. "...then I'll make him talk."
Alex stopped in front of the massive black doors, on which a delicate symbol was engraved—two serpentine lines intertwined, creating the illusion of infinity.
It was Krul's office—the Director who was supposed to teach him how to control dark magic.
He took a deep breath and knocked.
"Come in," a familiar voice called out.
Alex pressed the cold metal handle and stepped inside.
Krul's office was nothing like Elizabeth's. Here, a subdued darkness reigned, broken only by the soft violet glow of magical crystals embedded in the walls. Tall bookshelves lined the room, filled with ancient tomes that made it feel like this place held secrets hundreds—if not thousands—of years old. Along one wall stood a few dark, comfortable sofas, but the centerpiece of the room was a wide black desk made of redwood, behind which sat Krul. A massive panoramic window loomed behind her, offering a view of the Academy bathed in the morning sunlight.
Krul glanced at Alex with a faint smile, her ruby eyes gleaming in the dimness.
"Well, hello, student," she said, leaning her elbow on the desk. "How are you feeling after yesterday?"
Alex smiled as he stepped closer.
"Great, aside from a little fatigue."
"That's good," Krul leaned back in her chair, examining him carefully. "Well then, let's get straight to business."
She stood up and nodded toward the sofa.
"Sit down."
Alex did as she asked, settling comfortably on the soft cushion. Krul sat next to him, crossing one leg over the other.
"Before we begin, you need to understand the key trait of dark magic," she began, calmly watching him. "It doesn't work like other magical elements."
Alex listened attentively.
"If fire, water, or any other element is created using a magical circle that draws mana and converts it into the desired form... with darkness, it's different. It isn't created. It must come from within the user."
"So the magic circle isn't used to create the darkness, but to shape it into a spell?" Alex clarified.
"Exactly," Krul nodded approvingly. "And here lies the main problem. Demons are born with a dark core. You don't have one."
"And how am I supposed to create it?"
Krul laced her fingers together.
"I will gradually pour darkness into you, and you'll need to concentrate it in one place. Gather all its fragments and form a core from them. It requires maximum focus."
"Understood."
"One more thing. Dark magic partially depends on emotions. It may be easier for you to create a core if you recall the darkest moments of your life."
Alex didn't change his expression, but his eyes grew colder.
"Dark moments, huh…"
"Ready?"
Alex gave a short nod.
Krul extended her hand, and dark energy flared to life in her palm.
"Then let's begin."
She touched his chest with her fingers, and Alex immediately felt something heavy and cold begin to seep inside him. It wasn't just magic—it was darkness itself. It flowed through his body like thick, suffocating fog, slowly spreading into every cell.
He closed his eyes.
At first, it was discomfort—the darkness filled him, but didn't become part of him. It swirled around, without form, like a foreign substance trying to find a place for itself.
"Don't resist," Krul's quiet voice reached his consciousness. "Let the darkness fully enter you. When its flow becomes less chaotic, that's when you begin forming your core."
Alex took a deep breath, allowing the darkness to envelop him completely. And then… something changed.
Fragments of memory began appearing before his inner vision. Screams. Pain. The smell of blood.
A burning city. Ruins filled with moans and desperate cries for help. He walked through the ashes, hearing debris crunch beneath his boots. Bodies lay all around—dirty, bloodied, still.
A young man stood before him—one of his comrades from the war. A sudden whistling in the air. A black blade pierced the man's chest. His blood spilled onto the ground. Alex could see his lips moving, trying to say something, but the words were drowned out by the noise of battle.
A moment later, darkness swallowed the scene, leaving Alex alone in the void. But after a few seconds, another memory surfaced.
Seven young fighters—his comrades through dozens of battles. Someone laughed, telling a silly joke. Alex smiled. Minutes later, they were all dead.
The next vision. A sword entering an enemy's body. Eyes fading into lifelessness. The dull thud of a corpse hitting the ground. Alex had been only twenty-four. Death no longer frightened him. It had become routine. He saw it every day. He accepted it. And with that acceptance... he embraced the darkness that had long lived in his soul.
It had always been there. It had lived in him since his first kill. Now, he simply had to master it.
Alex opened his eyes.
Black particles floated before him, faintly flickering in the air. They emerged from his body—from his very essence—as if his inner being had begun to materialize.
He understood. This was his dark magic. It had been waiting for him to acknowledge it, to accept it, to stop rejecting it.
His fingers twitched, but he didn't let himself lose focus. He began gathering the particles, one by one. Each was a shard of his past. Pain. Loss. Hatred. He pulled them to himself, forcing them to come together.
A pressure gripped his chest like an invisible hand. The darkness, once dispersed, began to condense. It twisted into something greater. Something whole. His mind operated at its limit, focused entirely on the process.
A fierce struggle followed. He felt his energy ignite, reacting to the new force. He felt… transformation.
And finally…
Something solid settled in his chest, like a shard of stone embedded deep within his soul. The darkness no longer floated around him. It had gathered into one place—become a part of him.
Alex exhaled heavily and opened his eyes.
Krul sat before him, watching in silence. For the first time, her expression showed genuine surprise.
"Incredible…" she whispered.
"Did it work?" His voice was slightly hoarse.
Krul smiled, though a trace of shock still lingered in her eyes.
"This is the first time I've ever seen a darkness core form in a non-demon."
Alex felt a flicker of satisfaction.
"Then it's a good start."
Krul gave a short chuckle.
"Don't celebrate just yet. Creating the core is only half the work. The hardest part comes next… learning how to harness its power."
She rose from the sofa, stretched, and glanced at him with a faint smile.
"That's enough for today."
Alex stood as well.
"Thank you for the lesson."
"And thank you," Krul replied with a sly smile.
"For what?" Alex tilted his head slightly.
Krul turned her gaze to the panoramic window.
"For protecting Lilith in yesterday's battle. And for holding off the demon until we arrived."
Alex smiled.
"Always happy to help."
They exchanged one last glance before Alex turned and walked toward the door.
"Come back tomorrow at the same time," Krul called after him. "We'll start forming your additional mana channels."
Alex raised a hand in acknowledgment and left the office.
"Right, I think Elizabeth asked me to stop by after my session with Krul," he murmured to himself. A magic circle flared beneath him, and in the next moment, he vanished.
Alex knocked lightly on the door and heard the familiar voice:
"Come in."
He opened the door and stepped into Elizabeth's office.
The spacious room greeted him with the pleasant aroma of coffee and the soft echo of footsteps against the walls. Elizabeth sat at her desk, calmly flipping through some papers, but as soon as Alex entered, she set them aside and gestured for him to sit.
"Take a seat, Alex."
He sank into the familiar chair across from her, settling in comfortably.
"How are you feeling after yesterday?" Her voice was calm, but he could hear the undertone of genuine concern.
"I'm fine," he replied, stretching slightly. "More than fine, actually."
Elizabeth raised an eyebrow, encouraging him to continue.
"I managed to create a darkness core," Alex said, a slight smile touching his lips.
Elizabeth tilted her head in surprise, but her expression quickly returned to its usual calm.
"Impressive," she commented briefly.
Alex gave a small huff.
"Wow, not even a flicker of shock. I thought this was a first in vampire history, and you're just… cool with it."
Elizabeth simply shrugged lightly.
"Alex, after you came back from the future, it's hard to be surprised by anything anymore."
"Still," Alex leaned back in the chair, relaxed, "I think it's a pretty big deal."
"Undoubtedly." She crossed her arms over her chest. "But let's move on to more pressing matters."
She leaned forward slightly, and her voice grew serious.
"Reiner."
Alex's smile faded instantly.
"What about him?"
"He still hasn't come to his senses."
Alex watched her closely, waiting for more.
"Iridia lifted her spell, but he remains in the same… altered state," she said, frowning. "We don't know what to do."
Alex was silent for a moment.
"I was afraid this might happen," he said at last, sighing.
Elizabeth gazed at him thoughtfully, tapping her fingers against the desk.
"So what do we do now?"
Alex sighed again and crossed his arms.
"If interrogating Reiner is off the table, then the only option is to find the one who gave him the potion. With any luck, they'll know how to bring him back to normal."
Elizabeth grimaced.
"I don't like that plan, but unfortunately, it's all we've got."
Alex nodded, then abruptly changed the subject.
"Actually, I didn't come here to talk about that. You asked me to stop by after training with Krul. So—what did you want?"
Elizabeth paused in thought, then a faint smile curved her lips.
"Ah, right. There's an idea we Directors have been discussing for some time, and we've finally decided to move forward with it."
Alex raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"And what is it?"
"We plan to form a raid group to clear dungeons. But not just any group. One composed solely of the Directors' students."
Alex gave a short laugh.
"Well, in the future, such a group did exist. And it was quite successful."
"Interesting." There was genuine curiosity in Elizabeth's voice. "And who did I choose as my student?"
Alex smiled.
"Aria."
Elizabeth nodded with satisfaction.
"No surprise there. Aria is talented—though difficult. But now the question is…" She looked him straight in the eye. "Would you like to take her place?"
Alex tilted his head slightly.
"What do you mean?"
"I think you could use strong allies. By working with the Directors' students, you might find them."
Alex paused for a moment.
He was already strong, and he would only grow stronger. But allies could indeed come in handy. Besides, if the seven of them cleared S-rank dungeons together, it would take less time—which meant they could go through more dungeons per day.
His lips curved into a faint smile.
"All right. I'm in."
Elizabeth nodded in satisfaction.
"Glad to hear it. I'll speak with the other Directors, and once everything is settled—I'll let you know."
Alex glanced at the clock on the wall of the office.
"Well, I have to go. My training with Aria is about to start."
"Oh really? Then I won't keep you."
"See you," Alex said and vanished into a magic circle, teleporting to the training room.
Alex lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling. Fatigue from training with Aria was beginning to wash over him, but instead of trying to fall asleep, he simply lay there, recovering his strength.
The door creaked, and Adam entered the room.
"Finally, you're not asleep," he said, casting a glance at Alex.
"Did you miss talking to me that much?" Alex replied with a sarcastic smile, shifting his gaze toward him.
"I'm just dying of curiosity, and I can finally ask—what the hell happened yesterday?" Adam sat abruptly on his bed. "When I got back from classes yesterday, you were already out cold. When I left for class this morning—you were still asleep. I almost thought you'd gone into hibernation."
Alex chuckled.
"Hibernation sounds tempting, but no—I was just exhausted."
"Well, yeah, you and Lilith put on quite a show in the garden…"
"I doubt that's what you'd call it," Alex finally sat up. "Long story short—do you remember Rayner, the demon from the square? So, yesterday, when I got back from the dungeon, he was already waiting for me outside the room. I originally planned just to talk to him, but Rayner didn't feel like listening and attacked."
Adam raised an eyebrow.
"Somehow I doubt you had much trouble with that."
"I didn't. At first. The problems started when he drank a potion that changed him."
Adam's expression darkened.
"A potion?"
Alex nodded.
"His body transformed. He became stronger, faster… His magical aura was overwhelming. If I hadn't upgraded my intelligence stat, I probably wouldn't have even understood what was happening."
Adam listened silently, not interrupting.
"We had a pretty rough fight. Then Lilith showed up, and I had to cover her too. And in the end, Elizabeth, Krul, and Irida arrived and stopped him. But even after he passed out, he stayed in that form."
"So what's happening with him now?"
"He's probably lying somewhere under Irida's supervision, but he hasn't regained consciousness yet."
Adam thoughtfully rubbed his chin.
"Well, in any case, the whole thing ended without casualties, and that's what matters most. By the way, I have a question for you."
"What is it?"
"What are you doing in two days?"
Alex raised an eyebrow.
"Nothing specific yet."
"Perfect! Don't make any plans for the evening, because I've already arranged something—and you definitely need to be there."
"What have you got planned?"
"You'll see," Adam replied mysteriously, flopping onto his bed and folding his arms behind his head.
Alex only rolled his eyes.
For a moment, silence settled over the room—until Adam heard Alex's quiet voice:
"By the way, I managed to create a core of darkness."
Adam sharply turned his head toward him.
"What?!"
Alex just smiled.
"Seriously?!" Adam jumped up and sat on his bed. "You can use dark magic?!"
"Not yet," Alex raised his hand. "I only have the core. No one's taught me how to use darkness yet."
Adam sighed, slightly disappointed.
"Too bad. I was hoping to see a dark explosion or something cool."
"Be patient," Alex laughed. "As soon as I learn, I'll show you."
"I'm holding you to that!" Adam pointed at him, then lay down again.
They chatted a bit more about training with Krul. Then Adam shared what had happened during classes. Alex listened, but gradually he felt sleep creeping up on him again. His eyelids grew heavier.
"…So yeah, nothing interesting really," Adam concluded.
Alex mumbled something in response, but his voice was already relaxed.
"Fell asleep again?" Adam asked, turning his head toward him.
Alex didn't answer. His breathing had evened out, and his face looked peaceful. Adam smiled and shifted his gaze to the ceiling.
"Well then, I'll rest after classes too."
And he closed his eyes as well, allowing himself a moment of rest.
Alex woke up in the middle of the night.
The room was silent, disturbed only by Adam's steady breathing as he slept peacefully on the neighboring bed. Alex lay still for a while, staring at the ceiling, hoping sleep would return. But it didn't. His eyes refused to close, and though his body was tired after the training, it wouldn't relax.
Finally, with a deep sigh, he got up, threw on a light shirt, took a sip of cold water, and stepped out of the room.
The night air was cool and fresh, laced with faint floral scents from the Academy's garden. In the distance, the gentle rustling of leaves could be heard—a soft breeze wandered through the trees, as if whispering to the night itself. The light from magical lanterns softly illuminated the paths, casting long, blurred shadows.
Alex walked slowly through the garden, noting that all traces of yesterday's battle had vanished. The marble tiles, shattered just the day before, looked as if they had just been polished. Even the flowerbeds were flawless, as though untouched by chaos.
He stopped in the middle of the garden and raised his head, gazing into the sky.
The stars were bright, as if someone had scattered millions of glowing droplets across the velvet darkness. They twinkled, slowly pulsing, as if breathing in unison with the night. Alex stood there for several minutes, simply watching. His mind, in those moments, was completely blank—no stray thoughts, no analysis. Just the endless sky and the boundless silence of the night.
But suddenly, everything changed.
It was like a sharp jolt to his consciousness. His body tensed. The sensation was faint, almost imperceptible, but he couldn't be mistaken.
An aura.
His eyes narrowed, and he slowly turned his head in the direction of the Academy.
"Reiner?"
It was his energy, but… different. It didn't surge like it had during the battle, didn't radiate chaos. It was muted, weaker, but still unstable.
"My Lord!"
The voice of the Siren echoed in his mind, filled with concern.
"Please be cautious. If it really is him, you must inform Elizabeth or one of the other Directors immediately!"
"If any of them are still awake, they've probably felt it already," Alex muttered, focusing on the source of the energy.
This didn't feel like a challenge. There was no threat, no sense of a foe ready to strike. But something about the aura made his heart beat faster.
"If he's regained consciousness, I need to reach him."
"That's risky."
"When have I ever avoided risk?"
"You're right," the Siren sighed heavily in his mind.
Alex hesitated no longer. He darted into the darkness, following the aura that led deep into the Academy. He didn't say it aloud, but within himself, he felt it clearly—this time, he would get answers.
Alex ran without stopping.
Each step echoed in the silence of the night corridors, but he paid no mind. He felt it—that thin, unstable aura growing clearer with every second. His heart pounded wildly in his chest, and it felt as though he'd been running not for a minute or two, but for an eternity.
"What is he doing here? And why is his energy so… unstable?"
Dark corridors flashed by one after another until he finally reached the source of the aura.
The girls' dormitory.
Alex halted abruptly, pressing his back against the cold wall. His breathing was steady, but inside, everything was boiling.
Reiner stood in the middle of the corridor.
His appearance hadn't changed—he still bore that monstrous form—but now he looked more… controlled? He wasn't rampaging, tearing down walls or furniture. Instead, he walked slowly between the doors, stopping for a few seconds at each one, as if searching for something.
Alex quickly guessed who it was.
"Lilith's room."
His fingers curled slightly. He didn't understand why Reiner was here—was it to talk… or to take revenge?
Alex was just about to act when suddenly, one of the doors swung open.
He didn't believe what he was seeing at first.
Lilith stepped out—wearing a light nightgown, her long hair cascading over her shoulders in waves. She had probably heard a noise and came to check what was happening.
For a moment, perfect silence reigned in the corridor. Alex froze behind the wall, his eyes wide in shock. Lilith stood in the doorway, staring at Reiner. And Reiner stood still as well, staring back at her.
Neither of them moved. Neither could believe what was happening.
The silence lasted a second, maybe two, until their minds finally processed the situation.
Lilith clenched her fingers, her aura flaring—she was ready to attack. Reiner took a sudden step forward, his claws glinting menacingly in the soft light of the night crystals.
But Alex was faster. He launched himself forward, placing himself between them in a blink.
"Bad idea."
His voice was calm but firm. Reiner froze, frowning.
Lilith faltered as well—her fingers were already at the brink of casting a spell, but she held it back, staring at Alex in surprise.
Alex stood in front of Reiner, calm, without a trace of fear.
"I want to talk," he said. "Somewhere quieter. Without extra eyes."
A magical circle appeared beneath them, surrounding them both in a soft glow.
"We'll talk later, Lilith."
He managed only a brief glance at her before they vanished.
The forest darkness swallowed their figures, leaving only moonlight filtering through the tall branches. The air was cool, and the night breeze rustled the leaves softly.
Alex immediately stepped several meters away from Reiner, preparing for a potential attack. But the demon made no move. He simply sat down on the grass and stared at the night sky, his red eyes reflecting the moonlight.
"Where are we?" he asked, without looking away from the stars.
"Far enough that you can't hurt anyone at the Academy," Alex replied calmly, though he remained on guard.
Reiner gave a faint smile.
"Relax. I'm not planning to attack you."
He gestured for Alex to come closer.
"We're not on a battlefield, so why shout across the whole clearing?"
Alex stepped forward slowly, but in his head, the Siren's voice rang out:
"Please be careful, My Lord. His behavior is unsettling."
Alex smiled slightly.
"Well, at least he's not throwing punches this time. That's progress," he replied in thought.
"That's exactly what worries me," Siren responded.
Alex stepped closer, stopping a few paces from the demon.
"So," he began, "tell me—where did you get that potion?"
Reiner paused for a moment, then started speaking.
"After the incident in the square… and the conversation with Lilith… I went back to my room. And there, on my bed, was a small black box. Inside was a vial with the potion and a note."
"What did the note say?"
"That if I wanted revenge on those who humiliated me in the square… you, Lilith… then this potion would help me."
Alex didn't like this story.
"How did it end up on your bed?"
"I asked my roommate if he saw who left it. But he said when he got back to the room, it was already there."
Alex sighed heavily and sat down on the ground next to the demon.
"Didn't you find it strange that someone anonymously left you something like that?"
Reiner ran a hand through his hair.
"I… wasn't thinking straight. I was too angry. After what happened, I wanted to get even. And I knew I stood no chance against Lilith. But with you… I thought maybe I had a shot at winning," Reiner added with a note of regret.
"I'm not angry with you," Alex said calmly. "Do you remember the fight?"
Reiner was silent for a few seconds.
"In fragments."
"Tell me what you felt after drinking the potion."
"I felt my magical power surge. But along with it… I began to lose control of my body. My thoughts weren't my own—it was all foggy. I gained strength, but it was unstable. It may sound strange now, but I don't know how else to explain it."
"And after the fight?"
"The last thing I remember… was Irida. She said something, and then I blacked out."
"Is there anything else you noticed during our battle?"
"It's hard to remember clearly. Though… did more people show up in the garden later?"
"After a while, Lilith came, along with a few students. Probably her classmates. Why?"
"There was one more line in that note," Reiner said, turning his gaze to Alex. "It said that the best time to fight you would be when everyone's in class, so it wouldn't attract too much attention. And I remember being genuinely surprised when I saw Lilith and the others, because I had picked the right time. Plus, we were far from the main academic buildings—no one should've heard us."
"Interesting," Alex said, thoughtful for a moment. "Alright. When I get back to the Academy, I'll ask her about it."
They sat in silence for a while, just staring at the night sky. Only the gentle rustle of wind through the trees broke the quiet, adding a strange calm to the moment.
"What should I do now?" Reiner suddenly broke the silence.
Alex looked away from the stars and turned to him.
"Honestly?" He sighed. "I don't know."
The demon winced slightly but nodded, accepting the answer.
"But I'll try to find the one who gave you that potion," Alex continued. "If we're lucky, they might know how to return you to your original form."
"And in the meantime?" Reiner asked quietly.
There it was—the hardest question.
Alex looked at him. Even in the dim moonlight, Reiner looked… foreign. His body was bulkier, and the sharp horns and beast-like facial features made him resemble something from a nightmare.
"Going back to the Academy is a bad idea," Alex finally said.
"Why?" Reiner raised an eyebrow.
"Just trust me."
Reiner held his gaze for a moment, then sighed.
"Alright. I trust you."
"Now we just need to figure out where you'll spend the night."
Silence fell again. Alex was thinking hard, but no good ideas came to mind.
"I've got nothing right now," he finally admitted. "Sorry."
Reiner gave a sad smile and ran his fingers across the ground.
"I understand."
He paused for a moment, then glanced around.
"By the way, where are we?"
"In the forest," Alex gestured at the dark trees surrounding them. "My father used to bring me here when I was a kid. It's far enough from the Academy."
Reiner thought for a moment, then slowly nodded.
"Then maybe I'll stay here."
Alex looked at him, surprised.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes," he replied, glancing at his clawed hands. "In this form, it's better if I stay out of sight. And if I lose control again… at least here, I won't hurt anyone."
Alex didn't answer immediately. He didn't like the idea. Leaving Reiner in the forest—without supervision, without food or shelter—felt wrong. But Reiner was right. If he lost control again, things could go even worse.
"Alright," Alex finally agreed. "Tomorrow night, I'll come back. By then, I'll find you a proper place to stay."
Reiner nodded.
"Thanks, Alex."
Alex was about to teleport back when he suddenly paused.
"By the way," he turned back to Reiner. "How did you even end up in the girls' dormitory?"
Reiner sighed and began to explain.
"When I came to, Irida was gone. Instead, there were a few guards in the room. When I stood up, they tried to attack me right away, even though I just wanted to talk."
"And what did you do?"
"I had to knock them out," Reiner shrugged. "But they're all alive, if that's what you're wondering."
Alex narrowed his eyes slightly, judging the truth of his words, but didn't comment.
"After that, I decided to find Lilith. At that moment, it felt like she was the only one who could help me. She's the student council head, after all."
Alex listened in silence, then got to his feet.
"Well, it seems I've got answers to all my questions."
He turned back to Reiner and repeated,
"I'll come tomorrow. Wait for me in this spot."
"Alright," Reiner lifted his head, looking at Alex. "And again… thank you."
Alex only nodded.
A magic circle flared beneath his feet, and a second later, he vanished—leaving Reiner alone beneath the starry sky.