Chapter 52
Chapter 52
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 52 Lan Qi: Hello
The lamps lining both sides of Jera Square’s outer streets began to light up one after another, forming a flowing river of light.In the distance, Ikerite’s iconic skyline rose into view—towering buildings cutting into the night sky, magnificent and radiant.
Yet standing on that same road—
“Damn it… why did it have to be opened by a human?”
Talia clenched her fists, fuming inwardly.
This ancient Demon Realm Shadow World must surely hold knowledge of immense value to her.
But this Shadow World only displayed short replay fragments, projected onto the academy’s public magic screens; there was no way to view the entire sequence.
Detailed records would only be preserved within the challenger’s [Shadow World Recording Program].
It seemed she could only observe from here today.
Just as Talia thought that, her brows furrowed.
Because she discovered—the challenger in this Shadow World was none other than that gloomy student of hers!
“That brat…”
Talia couldn’t understand why something so cursed, once taking on demonic form, would become a Radiant Demon instead of an Abyssal Demon.
But right now, she was more surprised than angry.
Lan Qi was like a mysterious merchant stall—bringing her new goods again.
And anything that ended up in Lan Qi’s hands was something she might be able to trade for.Including all the information stored inside his [Shadow World Recording Program].
At times like this, Talia really felt Lan Qi was her lucky star—always delivering what she wanted most.
If it weren’t for her constant suspicion that the boy’s head was full of indecent thoughts, she might actually treat him a bit better on normal days.
But then—
When Talia saw on-screen a being whose face looked exactly like hers—the Great Poet of Love—her eyelids twitched downward into an expression that screamed murder.
She immediately turned on her heel and stormed off, biting viciously into a slice of cheesecake, terrified any Ikerite Academy students might notice her resemblance to that damnable summoned creature.
This guy… really is hopeless.
The corridors of the Demon Academy were classical and ornate, the air thick with the scent of ancient wood—like time itself lingered in the fragrance.Dim lights flickered along endless halls that disappeared into shadow, their depths swallowing sight and sound alike.
The dark marble floor was traced with golden filigree and overlaid by carpets embroidered with demonic blossoms.Portraits and mirrors lined the walls every few paces, each seeming to follow passing students with unseen eyes.
Down this hallway, several demon students sprinted past, faces twisted in terror or grim focus—their footsteps echoing like the prelude to a hunt or escape.
They ran faster, as if fleeing from an unspeakable nightmare.Though it was unclear what they sought, their panicked looks made one thing certain—they only wanted to get as far from that insane examination hall as possible.
Yet among those fleeing figures, two demons moved with unnatural calm—blending in unnoticed.
Lan Qi and Huperion.
For now, since they were uncertain of this academy’s rules, they dared not attack others recklessly.Both agreed that using brute force to seize and interrogate fellow demon students might trigger some hidden mechanism or penalty.
The portraits and mirrors seemed to watch constantly—it was impossible to tell what might set off a trap.
So the best plan was to follow this relatively well-behaved group of students, learn the lay of the land, and find a chance to gather information—preferably without violence.If possible, to “win hearts through virtue.”
“……”
Huperion turned her head, glancing at Lan Qi.
She quietly handed him a few heavy coins she’d taken from a corpse earlier, trusting that the ever-resourceful Lan Qi would manage their supplies better than she could.Besides, these spoils were rightfully his.
Lan Qi didn’t comment. He simply nodded and pocketed them.
Being near him gave Huperion a strange sense of security—like the safest place in this cursed academy was wherever he stood.
Still, her feelings were tangled. She wanted to ask him something—but hesitated.
At first she had only worried that once Lan Qi learned of her demonic bloodline, their friendship would end.But now, she feared something else—that once he knew she truly was a demon, he might become a demon hunter himself… and treat her as he did those twisted students and invigilators earlier.
“Lan Qi… what do you think of demons?”
Running alongside him, Huperion finally lowered her voice and asked, almost whispering.
Lan Qi blinked, then smirked faintly.
“They live a long time. Hundreds of years old and still look like teenage girls.”
He couldn’t help laughing as he replied—and suddenly felt wide awake.He’d always wanted to talk about this topic; no one had ever brought it up before.
So, Huperion was interested in demons too, huh?
“……”
Huperion’s face stiffened; she felt mildly insulted.
True, she was genuinely a teenager—but as a half-demon, her lifespan would outlast any human’s. A hundred years from now, that line would sting.
And also—why was that the part he focused on?
“Then… if you met a demon in the real world,”“would you act the same way you did just now?”
Huperion’s tone trembled slightly.
Lan Qi looked at her. Silent.
In that silence was an answer.
“Do I look like some old fool who drinks poison for fun?”
“……”
“Anyway, whether it’s dangerous or not—there are probably decent demons too. Huperion, don’t discriminate.”
His tone was earnest.
“...I see.”
For a moment Huperion just stood there, startled.Then she lowered her head, lips pressing together in a faint, relieved smile.
The heavy stone that had sat in her chest for years seemed to crumble away under that one casual remark.
Never had she imagined someone would tell her—not to discriminate against demons.
Even if his words sounded oddly saintly…
She believed Lan Qi wasn’t some hypocritical “fake saint.”
He was a real one.
Because he truly treated everyone equally—humans or demons alike.When Lan Qi tormented people, he did it with no bias whatsoever.
Seconds passed.Some fleeing demon students still searched for escape routes; others, desperate, dashed into nearby classrooms despite the risk.
It seemed the corridors were no safer than the classrooms—otherwise, no one would dive into class willingly.
“We should probably make a move.”
If possible, Lan Qi preferred not to wander through random classrooms and waste time triggering traps.The priority was to gather intel about the Demon Academy itself.
Only after understanding its rules could they act confidently—maybe even find a shortcut to clear the Shadow World and locate what he was really after:the ancient demonic spell for changing hairstyles.
Huperion understood his meaning perfectly.
Up ahead, only one student remained—they’d have a little chat with him.
She quickened her pace, moving like a ghost, and seized the unsuspecting student from behind.
“You—!”
The demon with green-scaled skin whipped around, lifting a hand to shove her away.
But then—
When his gaze focused and he saw the “invigilator” standing behind Huperion—
Lan Qi.
Terror surged up from his very soul. The green-scaled demon froze, hand hanging in midair like dead weight.
“Ah…”
Lan Qi blinked, recognizing him.
How coincidental—the one they caught was the same demon examinee he had earlier targeted with [Basic Etiquette], the one nearly scared to death by the dragon demon and owl…Only to miraculously survive right under their noses.
What fateful timing. Lan Qi couldn’t help smiling faintly.
Even without saying a word, the green-scaled demon was already trembling uncontrollably.
“Lan Qi: Hello.”
Just a simple greeting.
But to the demon, it sounded like a call straight from Hell—he swore he could hear his ancestors beckoning him to join them.
“Classmate, how should I address you?”
Lan Qi clasped his hands behind his back, voice calm and gentle, radiating examiner authority as he stepped closer.
“B—Bachel…”
The serpent-eyed, green-scaled demon stammered out his name, obeying the primal urge to survive.His face had gone chalk-white, his knees shaking as though he might collapse at any second.
(End of Chapter)