The once chaotic and desolate Academy was swiftly restored within days. Professor Wuldor assured students and their guardians that the institution had invested over a year’s income in bolstering security and defense.

After a heartfelt public address by Professor Wuldor and reassurances from the patriarchs and leader of the Empire’s four pillars, the public's anxiety regarding the Empire's most prestigious institute was somewhat alleviated. However, trust in the Academy continued to wane.

The incident at the Academy became a hot topic, spreading far and wide, even reaching neighboring empires. Gossip and theories about the event ranged from the involvement of a secret organization to suspicions of an inside job.

Among the returning students crowding the Empire grounds, in a familiar dorm room, a boy and a wolf sat quietly on a sofa. Their heads turned from left to right, following the figure of a man pacing around the room, complaining incessantly.

"For father's sake, Davis. You know you're not living alone: and it isn’t good for children to live like this" K said while moving around with a metal-like stick that produced a loud noise. Both Skye and Davis had never seen anything like it in their lives. (It’s a vacuum cleaner)

"Gosh, I was gone for a month or so, and this place looks like a pigsty," K happily remarked as he cleaned the room in a full biohazard suit.

"Is he cleaning the room or preparing to burn it down with such armor?" Davis whispered, thinking K's earthly bio-suit was made of some sort of magical material as it was green in color. Skye barked twice as if he thought the same thing.

K continued making his point, dragging a finger along the bookshelf and displaying the dust with a disappointed expression. "See?" he asked, his body language exaggerated. "Are you running a dust farm while I was away?" He shook while chuckling.

"Remember this," K jokingly added, "a healthy room means a healthy life." He turned to Davis with a raised brow. "What have you been doing for the past month or so?" K pointed at the refrigerator, which contained expired meat.

"Umm," Davis struggled to come up with an excuse, avoiding K's gaze. "I was busy…"

K probed further with a knowing smile. "With what?"

Davis thought for a moment before replying in a rush, "Studying... and, uh, p-practicing. Yeah, practice." He laughed awkwardly. "I was busy getting stronger."

"Is that so?" K said with an exaggerated tone. Sensing an opportunity, Davis continued, "Yes, yes, exactly… I was training so hard I forgot about cleaning." Skye barked in agreement with Davis's excuse.

K smiled calmly, "Ah, I see... I'm sorry, my friend. I didn't realize it was like that. My mistake," he said, feigning sadness.

"Yes, exactly. Don't worry, I'm not blaming you for not knowing, K," Davis replied thoughtfully while patting Skye on his head.

K giggled and played along. "You're working so hard, and here I am, blaming you for hygiene. Silly me." He then flashed a masterful smile at Davis. "As your friend, I'll help by creating a workout plan for your morning routine: seven days a week, along with three hours of magic theory study every night. You know, as a supportive gesture of my apology."

Hearing this, Davis quickly shook his head, waving his hands in refusal. "No, no, no… You just returned and you should rest more. I'm fine as I am."

"Nonsense, I'm going to do my best to help a friend," K chuckled, shaking his head dismissively at Davis's words. "Would you look at that, it's almost lunchtime," K exclaimed, feigning surprise. "You should go get something to eat. I'll be leaving this place for a bit... I'll be back in a bit," he reiterated before turning into a crow and flying off.

The room fell silent as Davis thought to himself with a defeated smile, "Shit, that backfired hard." Holding Skye in his arms, he slowly left the room, heading to the cafeteria with a soulless smile and sluggish movements.

K flew aimlessly around the Academy grounds. He had only left the room as part of the act but didn’t know what to do next. As he soared, something intriguing caught his eye.

K landed quietly outside Professor Wuldor's office and carefully listened to his conversation with someone he had never seen before.

"I believe these strange events are connected," a lady in her twenties, dressed in a noble uniform, exclaimed as she sat opposite Wuldor.

Principal Wuldor looked at the files with curiosity as he scanned it one by one.

"Duke Darius's family massacre?" Wuldor read aloud before turning to another file. "The night guard disappearance and a strange demonic ritual in a residential area that resulted in a dozen deaths..."

He handed the files back to the lady. "Miss Miya, I've tried my best, but I fail to see how these three cases are connected," Wuldor mused, trying to make sense of it.

"They differ in many aspects, true. However, the Duke Darius massacre and the night guard's disappearance share a connection: they were sinners, either having committed or in the process of committing a crime," Miya explained.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

"Sinners?" Wuldor questioned. "I didn't know Miss Miya was the type to believe in the religious teachings of the church," he said in surprise.

Miya shook her head and pointed to the files. "The knights were attempting to commit a crime against a mother and her daughter before they disappeared. As for Duke Darius... his crimes are listed in detail form," Miya explained, elaborating on her findings.

"Both cases have something in common: a note left behind, either for us in the Empire's investigation unit or for witnesses. The person responsible calls himself a 'friendly neighborhood demon'. "

"You're suggesting we have a vigilante on our hands?" Wuldor inquired respectfully. "If so, and he's only targeting the wicked, what's the problem? Isn't his method similar to yours, Miss Miya, the great unorthodox investigator?"

Miya nodded. "I agree with his approach. Scum like them deserve what's coming to them." She leaned in, her expression serious. "There are traces of a strange demonic energy at all three crime scenes... I came here hoping the infiltration incident had nothing to do with this 'friendly demon' of ours."

Internally amused, K chuckled to himself, "Looks like I have a Sherlock Holmes on my tail..." A crimson glow shimmered in his eyes. "Then catch me if you can, Detective." With a satisfied mood, K flew off, finally intrigued by someone.

In the Cafeteria Davis sat alone with Skye far away from other students, he didn’t want to interact with anyone at the moment.

Woof* woof* woof* Skye happily barked.

"Enjoying your meal, Skye?" Davis forced a smile as he watched his companion chow down on the steak. "Yeah, I messed up," he muttered to himself.

"What a beautiful dog you have there Mr. Davis," a female voice remarked. Davis turned to see Rachel, accompanied by Karla, who had lost an arm but survived Vincent’s attack.

"Princess Rachel, how are your injuries?" Davis stood to greet her. "There's no need for such formality, Mr. Davis. My injuries are mostly healed," Rachel replied, gesturing for Karla to leave them for a moment.

As they sat down, Davis introduced Skye to Rachel. "Princ—Miss Rachel, this is Skye. He is my companion." Skye barked once at her before returning to his meal.

"And how about you, Mr. Davis? Are you alright?" Rachel asked she showed her concern in her voice.

Davis chuckled. "I'm already healed, but the physician recommended that I rest for a few days before returning to class."

They sat quietly for a few moments. "Um, Mr. Davis… How is he?" Rachel whispered so softly that Davis struggled to hear her.

"Skye is doing great," Davis replied, misunderstanding her question.

Rachel corrected herself, blushing slightly, "I meant your friend."

Davis, still not catching on, asked curiously, "Rowan? He's... I'm not sure, he's been training a lot lately." He hadn't seen Rowan for a while.

Rachel shook her head, her cheeks reddening further, "Not Rowan. He said he's your friend, long black hair and red pupils."

Finally understanding whom she’s referring to, Davis blurted out, "You're talking about K. He is…" Davis stopped mid-sentence, unsure of what to say. After all, he’s not going to mention that K is a demon.

Rachel's expression brightened with a rare smile when Davis mentioned her savior’s name, but her demeanor quickly shifted to worry when he stopped mid-sentence. Leaning in, she asked urgently, "Did something happen to him? Is he alright?" Her eyes showed a concern that caught Davis by surprise.

"No, he's... he is doing fine," Davis reassured her, Rachel unknowingly sigh in relief and murmured under her breath, "I see. I'm glad." Her sudden change in demeanor shocked Davis.

"Miss Rachel," Davis began hesitantly, before continuing, "Are you… interested in K?" His question struck Rachel like a hammer, causing her to react in various ways, but what stood out most was her expression.

The normally calm and composed princess, renowned for her wise mind and unshakable demeanor, is now as red as a ripe tomato, her speech slightly slurred, and her brow sweaty as she tried to refuse Davis’s question.

"No, I’m… er, I-I wanted to thank him for that night" Rachel stuttered as she explain which confused Davis further.

Davis asked in shock expression, "That night? What do you mean by that night?" Davis probed further, "Did something happened between you two?"

"No, nothing happened." She paused finally putting her own word together, "I have some urgent matters to attend to. Please take care, Mr. Davis," Rachel said abruptly, rushing out and leaving Davis stunned by what had just transpired.

Turning to Skye, who was still eating, Davis glanced in Rachel's direction and muttered in disbelief, "What the fuck, K?"

"You called?" K's voice came from beside Davis, startling him. "Did you see a ghost while I was away?" K chuckled at Davis's rapid breathing.

Davis turned to see K in his cat form sitting on the table.

"K? Where, wh—when?" Davis's words came out confused and jumbled.

K responded in his usual playful manner, "Yes, cafeteria. Now!" K playfully mocked Davis with his reply.

Davis angrily yelled, "Not that!" His outburst caused everyone present to turn and look at him.

After apologizing, he sat down and softly whispered, "You wouldn't believe what just happened."

K raised an eyebrow and playfully asked, "Unless the moon got replaced by the sun, I believe anything can happen."

His words somewhat annoyed Davis because he never take take thing seriously, though Davis expected such a response from K.

Davis was about to explain what had happened, but then he remembered his dream and his initial reaction upon seeing K's appearance for the first time.

"Damn this handsome bastard," Davis murmured. Hearing his word K retorted, "Don’t be jealous my friend, Envy is an evil sin!" K chuckle delightfully to his word.

It was similar to Rachel's reaction.

And knowing K, even if Davis explained what had occurred, he wouldn’t care anyway. So instead, Davis decided to keep it a secret and see how things played out.

"Nothing, I just missed you, that's all," Davis replied casually, putting on an act that made K cringe and looks away.

"I’m flattered but you’re not my type" K mocked with exaggerated shock that annoyed Davis even more.

"Fuck off," Davis retorted, biting into his meal with an annoyed expression, while K laughed beside him.