The Alchemist's Explosive Secret and a Roommate's Grisly End
"Johan... that senior's outfit..."
The succubus senior was wearing black hot pants so short they exposed part of her ass, paired with an ultra-mini hooded crop top. Her sky-blue T-shirt was a modified Ibis uniform, perfectly suiting a succubus.
"Johan, you should look away..."
"Come on in! Hehe! The room's a bit messy, but I tidied it up somewhat, so it should be fine!"
The succubus senior grabbed Bane's hand, who had muttered something in a gloomy voice. I could see Bane's pupils dilate in shock.
Led by the friendly senior's hand, Bane was half-forcibly dragged into the circle room. I followed behind.
The Twilight Sisters circle room was tiny—about half the size of a middle school science lab.
The small space was crammed with display cases full of alchemy ingredients, making it feel even smaller. The cases overflowed with reagents and lab tools.
A quick glance revealed the circle's owner wasn't the tidy type. In the center stood a large cauldron, the symbol of alchemy, bubbling with something inside.
"Don't touch that cauldron. It's hot—you could get burned."
It was a suspiciously green liquid sloshing around. Surprisingly, Bane showed interest in it, tilting her head at the lava-like bubbling green goo.
"What's this? The pungent smell suggests ether. And that vivid green—menthe extract, right?"
"Oho! Sharp eyes on this freshman! You've got real alchemist potential. Just as you said, ether and menthe extract. I added regenerating lizard tailbone and a bit of blood hornet honey. The last ingredient was tough to get—I begged Bernehardt-sensei until she finally relented."
"What are you brewing?"
"Kuhuhu! It's—"
Pssshhhhh!
Suddenly, a massive plume of smoke erupted from the cauldron. Like a tear gas grenade, acrid, choking fumes filled the narrow circle room.
"Gah! It's a bust! Open the door!"
The senior shouted urgently. We opened the door, but being underground with no vents, the smoke had nowhere to go. No wonder this was the worst setup for alchemy research.
We fled the circle room in a panic. The senior panted heavily.
"Hoo! Wrong temperature? Or too much ether? Hmm... no idea."
"What were you trying to make?"
"Uhehe! If I nail it, it'll make a fortune. Ta-da... contraceptive potion!"
The senior wagged her tail playfully. Bane's cheeks stiffened at her words.
"W-what?"
"Contraceptive potion. One sip lets you raw-dog all night without pregnancy worries. Total game-changer, right? Can't believe no one's mass-producing it."
Grinning ear to ear, the senior continued.
"You'd faint if you knew how much sex our academy kids have. Us succubi throw orgy parties every night. Beastkin in heat too. No rules against it, y'know."
"I-is that so...!"
Bane's face flushed crimson as she kept glancing at me.
"Yep. A solid contraceptive potion would rake in cash. But it's trickier than it looks. Twentieth failure."
The senior scratched her head with a mischievous smile. I tossed her a personal question.
"Do you join those orgy parties like other succubi?"
A sharp killing intent spiked from Bane's direction. But the senior, oblivious, smiled back.
"Cheeky question. Nah, not into sex much. Kinda an oddball succubus."
Bane's intent eased. The senior wagged her tail, claiming oddball status, but her outfit didn't inspire much trust.
Per canon, she really wasn't into sex. Virgin, maybe?
Succubus virgins were rare—I was intrigued. Canon didn't specify.
"Anyway, it'll take time for the smoke to clear. Oh, haven't introduced myself. Rias de Ascolia. Succubus, as you see. Magic Department, Alchemy major."
"Your junior! Nice to meet you. Magic Department, Alchemy freshman Bane Jest!"
Bane bowed eagerly—first time I'd seen her so friendly.
"Oho, alchemy major too? Figured from how you ID'd the ingredients. And this handsome guy?"
"Martial Arts Department, Swordsmanship freshman Johan. Human."
"Ah, you're that famous human freshman. Heard you're insanely hot—spot on. If I were a normal succubus, my womb would've been throbbing."
Rias tossed out the lewd comment casually—like a typical succubus. Another wave of killing intent from Bane chilled my spine.
"Circle room's a mess, so tour's off today. Shame—come back tomorrow? I'll prep properly."
"Sure."
Just making her acquaintance was a win. We headed back to the dorms, promising tomorrow.
That night, Axelro didn't return.
Being out past curfew was a 10-point penalty. I reported it to dorm supervisor Yerina. Axelro still wasn't back by morning.
The next day, chaos erupted on the Martial Arts campus. Axelro's body—missing overnight—had been found in the Spear Arts classroom training hall.
All academy classes were canceled instantly. Students returned to dorms—a standard measure.
The guards recovered Axelro's body. Rumors spread wildly among students—too many had seen it.
"Heard a Spear Arts freshman turned up dead?"
"What? For real?"
"Not your average accident. Killer in the academy?"
"Wanna go home. Who's the perp?"
"Beats me. Rumor says it's a student."
"What psycho..."
I returned to the dorm like everyone else.
Shortened classes were always fun. Especially with my roommate gone—dorm was finally mine. I chucked Axelro's stuff with a grin.
"Axelro, thanks for dying quick. I'll avenge you, promise."
Date and method matched canon. Killer too, probably.
This case's culprit: Bianca the witch of the Chilseongdang (Seven Star Party).
Chilseongdang (Seven Star Party)
One of the academy's secret societies, a villain group active mid-to-late story. Comprised of students, grads, and faculty worshiping demons with impure ideology. Goal: revive the sealed demon god Kazan from the demon realm.
Requires periodic human sacrifices for Kazan's revival—this year is sacrifice year.
Canon had quiet kidnappings for sacrifices. But as revival neared, Kazan ordered terror in the academy—hence this incident.
They suffer endlessly to revive him, only for Johan to stop it later. I'll do the same—probably easier than his canon ordeals.
For now, observe. Antagonizing Chilseongdang outright is risky, even for me. Over-intervention could warp the future. Best to wrap it near canon timeline.
No changes despite a student murdered on campus. Academy ignores worse during later terror.
Next day, we went to class as usual. But early dismissal. Circle time slashed. Teachers herded us to dorms fast.
After class, I headed to the Student Council Hall.
"Scarlett-senior. Here."
"Lately you treat my office like your master bedroom. What now?"
"You heard the rumors. Dead guy's my roommate."
"Heard more than rumors—headache central."
"Forgot our demon realm date?"
"Not a date—just sightseeing. Don't forget. Anyway, Axelro Benz? Sudden corpse. Kidnappings happened before, but first body since I enrolled."
Scarlett sighed, tapping desk papers.
"Guards sent investigation files for review."
"Wow. Secretary handles that?"
"Busywork too. Report says ritual sacrifice. Heart and organs missing—not monster-eaten, precise cuts. Suspect demon-god linked rite. I agree."
Guards were sharper than expected.
Of course, they don't catch the perp. Canon has Johan nabbing Bianca red-handed. Her Chilseongdang ties revealed much later.
"Anyway, orders to warn students extra. Saw the patrols?"
"Yeah. Some at dorms."
"Curfew pulled forward temporarily. Be careful."
"You too, senior."
"Obviously. More?"
"Nah. Just came to see your face."
I grinned. Scarlett blushed, ears red—adorable, biteable.
"No nonsense. Out."
She hid her feelings, shooing me. I left her office.
That night, rumors swirled: a freshman missing from Ibis Dorm.