How to Live the Life of a Demon Chapter 9 - On top of the running guy (2)

 

“Well, have you been getting along well with your partner? As you may know, temporary partnerships are maintained for at least one semester. If it doesn’t work out, you can change partners in the next semester, but I wouldn’t recommend it this year because of the Gustav Tournament.”

 

Arnold brought up the topic with a note of caution. As he mentioned, there were no benefits to changing partners due to the Gustav Festival, so it was best to stick with the current arrangement.

 

In most categories where pairs participate, the list is posted in advance by selection from within the academy in the first semester. However, suddenly changing partners could result in penalties for violating the regulations.

 

Lucius nodded.

 

“I know.”

 

“Well, despite knowing that, both of you seem a bit gloomy. You haven’t already had a fight, have you?”

 

Although Arnold said this lightly, Lennox hesitated.

 

Lucius joined in, smiling brightly on purpose.

 

“We are doing very well. I think it’s going to be a fun year, so you don’t have to worry about it.”

 

“Really?”

 

“More than that, teacher. Did you come to give us a gift or something? I’m sure I heard something like that.”

 

Arnold scrutinized Lennox with a slightly worried expression, but he didn’t think there was much cause for concern.

 

‘He’s been a bit withdrawn lately, but he’s not a pushover.’

 

In fact, he thought someone like Lucius might unexpectedly guide Lennox well.

  

“I would appreciate it if you thought of it as a gift.”

 

Arnold, who was checking something on a document, motioned for Lennox to come closer. Lennox stood awkwardly next to Lucius.

So far, he had been flustered by the unexpected actions of his new partner, but now he started to feel anxious.

 

“Now, both of you extend your hands forward. Lucius, your left, Lennox your right.”

 

Lucius extended his hand, eagerly anticipating what gift he would receive.

 

On the other hand, Lennox had an expression that already seemed resigned.

 

Arnold’s lips curled up as he stood in front of the two students who obeyed so readily.

 

Clack.

 

Without hiding his joyful expression, he placed black handcuffs on their wrists.

 

“Now, this is a gift.”

 

Suddenly, the handcuffs liquefied and were sucked into their wrists, leaving behind black bands. The bands started from the wrists, traveled up the arms, and reached the neck.

 

Lucius frowned for a moment due to the mild heat and glanced at Lennox’s wrist.

 

Unlike himself, Lennox’s inscription was only engraved on his wrist.

 

Arnold continued.

 

“This is a punishment.”

 

After all, they had submitted their applications late. That’s what Arnold said.

 

Lucius reached up to feel for the band around his neck.

 

It wasn’t a life-threatening spell, but there were some restrictions.

 

‘It’s a cute prank. Out of courtesy, I should ask what it is.’

 

He had no idea that Arnold would do something like this, so he held back his laughter and waved his wrist.

 

“What is this, Teacher?”

 

“After school, if the two of you are more than 100 meters apart, an electric shock will be triggered.”

 

“Then Lennox and I must never be separated.”

 

“That’s right. You have to be very careful in finding and staying with your partner.”

 

“You’re talking about something scary so casually.”

 

“As long as you stick together, there won’t be any problem.”

 

Lucius smirked and lightly flicked the black band engraved on his neck with his finger.

 

“Then what about this?”

 

“It is a ‘mark.’”

 

“A mark, huh…”

 

“It will be necessary for the upcoming class. You’ll find out what it is during class.”

 

Lucius carefully observed the band on his wrist.

 

As Arnold had said, the band was magically designed to trigger a shock if a specific individual moved too far away at a certain time.

 

Lucius tried manipulating a bit of magic to touch the band, but it showed no reaction to simple stimulation.

 

Only when he attempted to forcibly remove the band did his wrist feel a prickling sensation as if being electrocuted.

 

“Did you design this yourself, Teacher?”

 

From Arnold’s perspective, Lucius examining the band here and there was nothing but cute.

 

Arnold felt pleased that Lucius showed interest in the personally crafted bands.

 

“Yes, I made them myself. After all, a gift should be made with care, don’t you think?”

 

“That’s right.”

 

Lucius expressed a slight disappointment internally.

 

Although the bands were meticulously designed, they didn’t live up to his expectations.

 

He had expected Arnold to create something a little more impressive.

 

Isn’t this level too easy for a demon with half the blood of the infamous demon dragon Kerensta?

 

Bands of this level could easily be removed with a little determination.

 

Judging by Arnold’s expression, he seemed to have put in his best effort, but was this really the best he could do?

 

Lucius couldn’t help but be confused.

 

He had utilized the powers of a dragon and a demon, but the result was not up to par.

 

‘Could it be that he can only use one side of his power?’

 

A possibility suddenly occurred to Lucius.

 

Demon blood was quite exclusive, so mixed-blood demons often found it difficult to even have a coming-of-age ceremony.

 

If Kerensta wasn’t a black dragon with similar magical properties, Arnold would have had a hard time surviving until now.

 

‘If that’s the case, it’s quite unfortunate for this teacher.’

 

Manipulating only one side of his power and ranking 101st.

 

Then what would happen if he fully demonstrated his abilities?

 

Lucius, who had been stroking his chin, shook off his contemplation.

 

It’s useless to think about it now.

 

“Teacher, how are you going to release this?”

 

“If you don’t get a failing grade in tomorrow’s class, I’ll let you go.”

 

As the topic shifted to the upcoming class, Lucius’s smile deepened. It seemed like Arnold had prepared something solid for the first class.

 

Lucius was well aware of Arnold’s approach to teaching.

 

Students who performed well were given clear rewards, and students who performed poorly were not simply punished but were also shown the right path.

 

“I don’t have much time, so I have to go now. If you have any difficulties, don’t hesitate to speak up.”

 

“Good bye.” 

 

“Take care.” 

 

Arnold checked the time and left.

 

Once Lucius saw Arnold off, he immediately sent his magic power through the band, exploring it thoroughly.

 

Unfortunately, he couldn’t find any hidden functions.

 

‘What should I do?’

 

He couldn’t leave it as it was, in case unexpected situations arose.

 

However, both Arnold and Lennox were not fools, so completely disabling it was not an option.

 

As he pondered, he decided to modify some of the enchantments.

 

Instead of triggering a shock when they were more than 100 meters apart, he changed it to a spell that would notify him of Lennox’s location.

 

He also added a feature that would alert him if Lennox was in danger.

 

As long as he didn’t actively avoid Lucius, there would be no reason for Lennox, who is unfamiliar with the band, to discover the band’s new function. It would also help him avoid arousing Arnold’s suspicion.

 

As soon as Lucius decided, he secretly summoned a plant called Pnan into the room.

 

Pnan had an exquisite appearance, and a subtle fragrance that included a mild sleep-inducing effect. It was a plant often used as decoration in the bedrooms of sleep-deprived demons.

 

Although the sleep-inducing effect was weak, increasing the concentration in an enclosed space would be sufficient to put Lennox into a deeper and faster sleep than usual.

 

Sure enough, it wasn’t long before Lennox sat down on the bed, rubbing his eyes.

 

“It’s not time for bed yet, but strangely, I feel drowsy.”

 

“I guess you were tired because a lot of things happened. Go ahead and rest.”

 

“I’m sorry. Excuse me first.”

 

Lucius quietly watched as Lennox’s body gradually collapsed.

 

The blurry, unfocused eyes were distorted.

 

When his eyes were almost closed, Lucius lightly supported his body.

 

“When you wake up, you won’t remember anything. Sleep well, Lennox.”

 

He whispered in a low, slow tone, as if singing a lullaby.

 

Lucius straightened his posture and held him upright. There were a few wrinkles between his slightly distorted eyebrows, and he seemed very dissatisfied for one reason or another.

 

As Lucius laid Lennox straight on the bed, his eyebrows relaxed little by little. Lucius, who was looking at that scene, smiled and placed his left hand on Lennox’s wrist, and covered his own band with his right hand.

 

“No matter what, an electric shock is too much.”

 

It was a complex task to simultaneously modify his own band and Lennox’s band at the same time.

 

But to Lucius, it was no more than a post-meal exercise.

 

This is because not only his magic control but also his knowledge of spells was one of the best in the demon world.

 

He did not rise to the position of Fifth Elder for nothing.

 

After finishing the modification work with ease, he examined it with satisfaction.

 

The flow of magic was stable, and the functions were working properly.

 

“It was successful.”

 

Since Lucius was curious about what kind of lesson Arnold had prepared, he deliberately didn’t touch the band that extended to his neck.

 

“Maybe I should get some rest too.”

 

He slid under the covers and closed his eyes, thinking it wasn’t a bad first day.

 

How many hours have passed?

 

It was a dark time when even the moon, stars, and passing wind held their breath.

 

“No, stop… Ugh, nooo…”

 

Lucius slowly opened his eyes.

 

The groaning sound woke him from his sweet sleep.

 

Lucius slipped out from under his blanket and approached Lennox, who was groaning.

 

Lennox was huddled up, covered in cold sweat.

 

Lennox’s damp hair clung to his cheek, and his complexion, visible through the gaps in the crumpled blanket, was extremely pale.

 

His lips and cheeks lacked color, and the dark circles under his eyes seemed darker than before.

 

It looked as if he was suffering from a severe fever.

 

“Pnan only has a sedative effect. It doesn’t have the ability to cause nightmares.”

 

So does that mean it’s usually worse than this?

 

Lucius’s brow furrowed slightly and his lips pursed.

 

Basically, demons don’t dream.

 

This is because allowing incursions of dream demons and demon beasts into the realm of the unconscious would be undesirable.

 

Yet here was a dream demon, not even a demon from a different species, suffering from nightmares in the dream world, a world that could be considered his own stronghold.

 

Ung, huh, uhh…

 

The sword next to Lennox’s desk, Ophelia, was crying with a pulsing purple aura.

 

Was it trying to resonate to assist its master, or was it emitting energy to torment him?

 

“Was that sword really the problem?”

 

He sat down lightly on the edge of Lennox’s bed, thought for a moment, and then waved his hand.

 

As he released a threatening aura, Ophelia instantly ceased its weeping and returned to being an ordinary sword.

 

But Lennox’s condition did not improve.

 

“It must not be solely the sword’s fault.”

 

Then, he gathered a lot of magical energy into his palm and gently placed it on Lennox’s forehead, who was still dripping with cold sweat.

 

As he skillfully untangled and soothed the tangled magic circuits, the flow soon became smooth.

 

He wasn’t particularly adept at it, but he knew enough healing magic to rival the Academy’s health instructors.

 

After all, he was a Dryad in name.

 

Color began to return to Lennox’s pale complexion, and his heavy breathing gradually calmed down.

 

“This guy sure takes a lot of effort. What kind of partner goes as far as to have nightmares?”

 

In reality, the weak ones are usually weeded out.

 

Lucius stared down at Lennox with a hint of disdain.

 

His hand was still on Lennox’s forehead.

 

 

* * *

 

 

The next morning, Lucius was having a staring contest with himself in the mirror with a serious expression.

 

Although he could do almost anything, there was only one thing he absolutely couldn’t do, and that was his hair.

 

“Ha, I wish Hamel were here at times like this…”

 

Unlike when he was in the mansion, he was in trouble because he couldn’t tidy up his long hair without Hamel.

 

He had practiced countless times in anticipation of this situation, but he just couldn’t seem to get the hang of it.

 

He summoned an eye plant and examined the situation behind his head, but soon became moderately satisfied and had no choice but to get up.

 

“I can’t help it.”

 

When he went outside, he found Lennox waiting for him at the door.

 

Seeing him standing there, as if he had been waiting for Lucius, brought a smile to his face as he recalled the efforts from the previous day.

 

“Could it be that you were waiting for me?”

 

Lennox shook his head and pointed to his wrist.

 

“After all, we are partners. Mr. Arnold is a man who is strict about time. I wanted to tell you that being late is not good.”

 

“Your personality was more delicate and caring for others than I thought.”

 

“I don’t want to see you complaining on the very first day after school. So let’s make sure that doesn’t happen.”

 

With only those words, Lucius followed behind Lennox as he moved forward.

 

Despite having nightmares, Lennox’s complexion didn’t look too bad, which was fortunate.