Rubellan stood on the main building’s roof, his red eyes gleaming as he looked down at the monster. True to its mid-level classification, the creature was giving even the Academy’s formidable teachers a difficult time.

The rampaging monster in front of the dormitory was familiar to Rubellan. Only one being had a preference for such chimera-type monsters with multiple species mixed together.

“Juletan.”

He was the third oldest among Rubellan’s five brothers—an oddball even among demons with peculiar tastes. Primarily, he enjoyed experimenting on living creatures, behaving like a pervert.

This meant his brother knew he was here.

[My Lord!]

“Joseph.”

[What is that filthy thing?]

Joseph’s face contorted as he looked at the monster. Though humble in origin, he had gained power from Rubellan that exceeded that of most pure-blooded demons.

[Shall I dispose of it?]

Joseph circled in front of Rubellan’s eyes as he spoke, hoping perhaps to earn some reward if he accumulated enough merit.

“Leave it be.”

Though human, the Academy teachers were exceptional mages. Together, they should be able to eliminate a mid-level monster.

“Making quite a commotion.”

Rubellan’s expression grew cold as he watched the monster writhing in flames below.

His brother had always enjoyed provoking Rubellan since long ago. He knew better than anyone what would anger Rubellan the most.

Sensing his master’s foul mood, Joseph quietly folded his wings. If he continued chattering, he might become the target of Rubellan’s displeasure.

[Should I go gather information about the situation in the demon realm?]

“The key?”

Rubellan saw through Joseph’s subtle attempt to escape to the demon realm.

[Haha… Well, I’m searching diligently, but it might be a little delayed… ahem.]

Joseph scratched his head as he spoke.

“…Well, there’s no need to rush.”

Rubellan still had amusing matters to attend to.

“Go. Find out what grand schemes my brothers are plotting.”

[Yes! Right away!]

Joseph disappeared with a pop.

Rubellan looked at the monster, now nearly roasted and collapsed, then raised his head. The sky was unusually dark. His gaze fell on the demolished dormitory.

If she had died…

“That would be quite troublesome.”

* * *

“Rael!”

Due to yesterday’s incident, students had to sleep in the main building. Unable to properly gather bedding, Rael had to sleep practically embracing Vivien for warmth.

“Mmm?”

Forcing her heavy eyelids open, she saw a familiar face.

“Bastian?”

Her friend Bastian stood before her, dressed in priestly robes.

“Am I dead and in heaven?”

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

In her drowsy state, seeing people in white clothes suddenly appear made Rael blurt out something strange. However, her friend’s familiar voice woke her fully.

“Oh.”

“Priests were dispatched because many people were injured by the monster yesterday.”

“Right. The monster…”

Rael got up sluggishly and headed to the window. There, just as she had confirmed last night, the blackened corpse of the monster still remained—a revolting sight even on second viewing.

“Ugh…”

She couldn’t control her instinctively furrowing brow.

“Are you hurt anywhere?”

Bastian grabbed Rael’s arm and examined her body.

“No. I escaped quickly to the main building. Did the monster appear in the town too?”

“It only appeared here at the Academy.”

“That’s somewhat fortunate, I guess.”

It would have been disastrous if monsters had appeared in densely populated areas.

“Are many people hurt?”

She thought there wouldn’t be significant damage since they had suppressed the monster quickly.

“None of the students were seriously injured.”

“What about the teachers?”

“One died.”

“What? Who?”

Rael’s eyes widened in shock.

“The health teacher, I heard.”

“Teacher Jaber?”

Rael couldn’t believe what she was hearing. How could Teacher Jaber, who was helping evacuate students from the dormitory yesterday, be dead?

“It seems he was looking for any remaining students in the dormitory when it happened.”

“…Oh.”

She recalled the teacher’s final moments. Just last night, he had given her directions, and now overnight he had become deceased. It felt unreal. Goosebumps rose involuntarily, making her shudder.

“Here. Wear this at least.”

Bastian removed his priest’s cloak and offered it to Rael, who was wearing only nightclothes under a thin cardigan.

“Oh… it’s—”

Just as she was about to say it was fine, someone pushed away Bastian’s outstretched arm.

“Rubellan?”

“Senior, are you hurt anywhere?”

Rubellan, who had made the rude gesture, addressed Rael without even looking at Bastian. He wrapped a blanket he had brought around Rael—an action far too familiar compared to Bastian’s careful offering.

“Ah. I-I’m fine.”

Rael stammered at Rubellan’s sudden appearance.

“Is the boys’ dormitory okay?”

“Yes. Your friend is safe too.”

“Oh… that’s good.”

Bastian examined the tall man standing in front of him from head to toe. Based on being called “senior,” he seemed to be a junior from the Academy, but his behavior didn’t resemble that of someone addressing an Academy senior at all. He behaved more like a man with his own woman.

But his thoughts couldn’t deepen further. Seeing priests rushing busily down the corridor, Bastian realized he couldn’t remain there any longer.

He draped the priest’s cloak he had been holding back over his arm and said goodbye to Rael.

“Well, I should go now.”

“Oh. Okay. Thanks for worrying about me. You better hurry.”

Strangely, his steps felt heavy as he turned to leave her behind.

Rael’s view of Bastian was blocked by Rubellan, who stood in front of her.

“Senior. Weren’t you scared?”

“Huh? Oh… yes, I was.”

“You’re so good though. Safe and unharmed like this.”

Rubellan patted Rael’s head in praise. She was bewildered as to why Rubellan was treating her like a child.

“Are you hurt anywhere?”

He looked perfectly fine, but she asked out of courtesy.

“I am hurt.”

“What? Where?”

She was surprised that someone who looked like he wouldn’t bleed even if stabbed claimed to be injured.

“My heart.”

Rael’s face crumpled at his answer. Making jokes in this situation.

“When you encountered the scary monster, you should have run to me. I was hurt that you didn’t look for me.”

“What…”

She wanted to ask if he was spouting nonsense.

“Next time something happens, call for me. Not some other guy.”

Rubellan readjusted the blanket that had slightly slipped from Rael’s shoulders.

“Understood?”

Though he smiled gently, it somehow gave her chills.

* * *

It took several days for the Academy to regain stability after the monster’s rampage. They temporarily arranged accommodations using spare rooms in the boys’ dormitory and empty classrooms, while the destroyed buildings were under repair.

“And so, through the unfortunate sacrifice of Teacher Jaber, our students…”

Several students were on the verge of tears during the principal’s speech. Teacher Jaber’s death had deeply shocked the students.

“From now on, we will strengthen security to prevent any monster-related incidents within the Academy…”

The rest of the speech contained predictable content.

“I can’t believe Teacher Jaber is really gone.”

Even Vivien couldn’t hide her sense of emptiness.

“He was a good teacher.”

He was a true educator who died trying to save students until the very end.

Even as a health teacher at the Magic Academy, his healing magic could only treat external wounds, which wasn’t particularly popular among mages. It wasn’t efficient to seek a mage when priests with divine power were available.

But Teacher Jaber had overcome these limitations through learning and effort. In the Magic Academy where accidents frequently occurred—in the whirlwind of imperfect magic that constantly exploded and broke—it was clearly thanks to Teacher Jaber that no one had died or been seriously injured.

“We’ll never find someone like him again.”

The bitterness in her heart made her mouth taste sour. Why did good people always leave for heaven so early?

“Now, everyone. Despite the confusion, please welcome Teacher Juletan, who has come as a temporary health teacher to care for the students.”

During his speech, the principal introduced someone as the new health teacher.

“Already?”

It seemed too soon to fill Teacher Jaber’s position, but given the many injured students, the health teacher role couldn’t remain vacant.

“Wow. Incredible, Rael.”

“What?”

Vivien’s mouth fell open.

“Is he even human?”

Following Vivien’s words, Rael’s gaze turned to the newly appointed health teacher.

Vivien’s question likely stemmed from his appearance. The new teacher was extraordinarily handsome.

While he was giving his greeting, Rael’s eyes remained fixed on him. His black hair and red eyes reminded her strongly of someone.

* * *

“Juletan.”

A chilling voice cut through the darkness and reached Juletan.

“Why would our adorable student be looking for me?”

Juletan smiled and spread his arms.

Black hair flowing along the curves of his face, eyes red like blood—the two facing each other bore a striking resemblance.

“Cut the disgusting talk.”

Rubellan grabbed Juletan’s neck and pushed him against the wall. As he lifted him up, Juletan’s feet rose into the air.

“Kuk.”

He exhaled his blocked breath. But soon both corners of his mouth turned up in a wide, almost feral grin.

“Why? Is my presence here causing you trouble?”

“I told you not to interfere with my business.”

“I thought it looked fun playing human, so I wanted to join in. Isn’t that too harsh between brothers?”

Despite the hand squeezing his neck with enough force to break it, Juletan showed no fear. Instead, he looked down at Rubellan with a snicker.

“You must be hiding something good here, judging by how defensive you are.”

Seeing Juletan’s smiling face, Rubellan gripped his neck even harder. His neck caved in to match the shape of the hand. Blue veins bulged prominently.

“Hey, you’ll break my neck bones like that.”

Crack. The sound of bones actually breaking was heard.

At that sound, Juletan smiled faintly and grabbed Rubellan’s arm. Soon after, the point of contact developed a burn, seared by an intense heat. Juletan’s hand was burning Rubellan’s arm. Looking at the wound with a pleased expression, Juletan spoke again.

“Well, I won’t die like you would.”

Rubellan’s hand withdrew, and Juletan’s feet touched the ground. His neck, now gently resting on the ground, was bruised dark blue. His neck bones were also displaced, creating a grotesque appearance.

Juletan turned his neck sideways with cracking sounds, stretching until the bones found their proper places. The bones quickly realigned, and the dark blue bruises disappeared.

“Hmm, my neck seems healed, but should I treat your arm?”

Juletan looked at Rubellan’s burned arm with a pitying expression.

“Ah yes. Since you’re a student and I’m the health teacher, I suppose I should. Come to the infirmary when you have time.”

Juletan patted Rubellan’s shoulder as he passed by him.

“And get rid of that disgusting cheap aphrodisiac incense.”

Rubellan’s fist clenched. However, the expression on Juletan’s face as he turned his back and disappeared was equally cold.

Juletan was someone who wanted to kill Rubellan more than anyone else.