Darkness panted heavily, pain shooting through her abdomen.
It seemed her agitation had caused her not-yet-healed wound to reopen.
She gripped the table, trying to steady her breathing.
After a long while, she finally managed to calm herself.
Although Lumina wasn’t very interested in the resurrection of Minotauros, at least she had built a space altar for her and properly offered sacrifices to Minotauros.
Unlike Liyakade, who not only mingled with the Light Maiden but also interfered with the grand plan for the Demon Race’s revival.
Compared to Liyakade, Lumina looked much more pleasing in her eyes.
“We can’t let the Light Maiden grow any stronger.”
“Either kill her, or speed up Minotauros’ resurrection.”
Darkness slumped onto the chair, flipping through the stack of parchment on the table.
Liyakade and the others already knew she was hiding in the Academy.
They’d definitely stay on guard from now on.
Her injuries still hadn’t healed, and if she acted recklessly, she’d only suffer losses.
Moreover, Liyakade and her group’s combined strength had reached a level that was hard for her to handle.
Even if she fully recovered, she couldn’t win a direct confrontation.
Assassination was a good option, but if it came to that, even if she managed to kill Alice, it would be difficult to escape afterward.
If she died here, the message wouldn’t make it back to the Demon Race, and she wouldn’t be able to continue collecting sacrifices for Minotauros.
Given Lumina’s personality, even if she didn’t contact her for a long time, she probably wouldn’t care.
Therefore, Darkness couldn’t exchange her life with Alice just yet.
Because what they had to face in the end wasn’t just Calderah, but other Fantasy Races as well.
If she died, Minotauros’ resurrection would be delayed, and even without a Light Element Magic User, the other Fantasy Races might barely manage to encircle the Demon Race if they joined forces.
Perhaps… it’s time to leave?
Darkness entertained another idea—taking advantage of the Academy’s holiday to escape directly to the border, then massacring people in the border regions.
Even if commoners had poor aptitude, as long as the numbers were sufficient, it could still accelerate Minotauros’ resurrection.
This could also help her avoid direct confrontation with Liyakade and her group.
Alice’s current level was still not enough to threaten Minotauros.
As long as Minotauros killed Alice before she grew stronger, it would be fine.
Darkness pondered between the two plans for a while, unable to come to a conclusion.
In the end, she decided to stay and recover her wounds before deciding her next move.
However, at that moment, Darkness suddenly sensed a tremor in the Sealed Chamber’s barrier.
Her eyes narrowed.
She immediately looked towards the door.
Outside, the faint voices of several girls could be heard conversing.
“Liyakade, why did you bring us here?”
Alice followed behind Liyakade, puzzled.
“Isn’t this the Academy’s underground Sealed Chamber?”
“The teachers said unauthorized people can’t enter.”
“Of course we’re here to try and find Darkness. She’s injured now, so we need to take this opportunity to take her down.”
Liyakade explained to Alice.
“You’re saying… Darkness might be hiding here?”
“These Sealed Chambers are used by the Academy to store Archives. Are you sure she’d really hide in one of these?”
Field and Sistem voiced their doubts to Liyakade simultaneously.
“Not necessarily, but it’s worth a try.”
In Liyakade’s view, it was entirely possible Darkness would hide here.
In the original storyline, the original host had awakened her Demon Bloodline only after entering this very Sealed Chamber.
“This is a violation of School Rules. If other teachers find out, I can’t cover for you.”
Although Sistem also wanted to quickly find and subjugate Darkness, she was a Disciplinary Committee member in the Academy.
Since Liyakade couldn’t be sure Darkness was inside, as a Disciplinary Committee member, Sistem felt it necessary to clarify things with Liyakade.
As the girls hesitated, a hoarse voice suddenly sounded from behind them.
“Liyakade? What are you doing here?”
Disguised as the Grade Director, Darkness descended the stairs.
After hearing Liyakade and the others’ voices, Darkness had slipped out of the shadows to the first floor and then transformed into the Grade Director’s shadow, catching them by surprise.
“This is the Academy’s Sealed Chamber. Large amounts of Archives and materials are stored here. Students aren’t allowed down here without permission. What are you doing here?”
The Director’s tone was tinged with anger as he questioned Liyakade and the others.
“Uh…”
Alice and Field were at a loss for words, while Liyakade remained composed.
“Hello, Director. We didn’t mean to intrude. We have something very important to discuss.”
“Important?”
The Director raised an eyebrow.
“What could be so important that you’d break School Rules to do it?”
“Director, please don’t be alarmed by what I’m about to say.”
Liyakade’s voice was extremely serious.
“A powerful Demon Race member with command abilities has infiltrated our Academy.”
At these words, not only did the Director’s expression turn to shock, but even the others, besides Liyakade, looked at her in confusion.
Hadn’t Liyakade herself said earlier that Darkness was hiding within the upper ranks of the Academy and that no one could be told about this?
Why was she suddenly saying it out loud now?
“Nonsense.”
The usually gentle Director was now angry at Liyakade’s words, glaring at her.
“There are so many guards in the Royal City and teachers in the Academy. If a Demon Race infiltrated, how could we not know?”
“Because she uses Shadow Magic to conceal her tracks. She doesn’t act inside the Royal City, so others wouldn’t notice her.”
“Enough.”
The Director raised a hand, stopping Liyakade from continuing.
“Utter nonsense! Are you making up lies to avoid punishment from the Academy? Truly disappointing.”
“Sigh… fine, if you don’t believe me, so be it.”
Liyakade sighed helplessly.
“Go upstairs. I’ll pretend I didn’t see you this time, but I hope you won’t lie again. If there’s a next time, I’ll report you to the Academy for sure.”
The Director still didn’t believe Liyakade’s story, but his attitude softened in the end.
With a tone of regret, he let them go but issued a stern warning.
“I see. Thank you, Director. I won’t dare do it again.”
Liyakade said, motioning to Alice and the others.
“Let’s go. Head upstairs.”
“Mm.”
Alice glanced at Liyakade in confusion.
Seeing Liyakade’s gesture, she didn’t really understand what Liyakade was up to, but since it was her request, she complied.
After Alice and the others climbed the stairs, Liyakade followed.
She looked up at Alice.
Suddenly, Alice’s eyes grew serious.
She didn’t speak, but her anxious expression and blinking eyes seemed to be trying to communicate something to Liyakade.
“Director… didn’t you notice anything strange?”
As Liyakade was about to pass the Grade Director, she suddenly stopped.
The Grade Director thought Liyakade was about to bring up the Demon Race again and was about to send her away impatiently, but her next words chilled him to the bone.
“Your shadow seems to be missing a piece.”
“Pu—”
Liyakade’s right hand suddenly turned into a claw, piercing through the Grade Director’s chest.
“Got you.”