The chaos from Corin's awakening had left the entire academy shaken. It had happened in the evening, but now, as night settled over the academy, an eerie silence took over.
The once-lively academy felt empty. The arena, where the shocking battle had taken place, was completely deserted. Only the teachers remained, patrolling the grounds, their eyes scanning every corner in search of Corin.
Meanwhile, in one of the dorm rooms, eight students sat together, fear hanging heavy in the air.
They huddled close, their faces pale, their breaths shaky.
"Don't be afraid," a girl with trembling hands whispered. "We've set up a magic formation around this room. No one can enter without breaking it. If anyone tries, the teachers will have enough time to come and save us."
Her words brought a sliver of hope, but deep down, everyone knew she was just trying to comfort herself as much as the others.
"Yes… I think you're right—"
But before the boy could finish his sentence, a cold chill ran down their spines.
Their eyes widened in horror.
Corin was here.
They didn't know how. They didn't know when.
But he was here.
"Aahh... Corin is here!" a girl screamed, her voice breaking into sheer terror.
"How?! How did he get in without breaking the formation?!" the girl who had cast the spell shrieked, her face twisting in fear.
But Corin didn't answer.
His glowing red eyes locked onto one of the boys, and in an instant—he moved.
With terrifying speed, he swung his massive claws, aiming straight for the boy's head.
The force behind the attack was enough to rip his head clean off.
But—
BAM!
The wall behind them shattered into pieces, sending dust and debris flying everywhere.
And before anyone could even process what had happened—
A powerful kick landed directly on Corin's face.
The impact sent him crashing to the ground.
Everyone's eyes widened in pure disbelief—
And then, in overwhelming relief.
"It's Maruti!" the girl with brown hair gasped.
BAM!
BOOM!
BAM!
Maruti and Corin engaged in a fierce hand-to-hand battle. Their blows shook the room, cracking the floor beneath them.
The other students could only watch, wide-eyed, their bodies frozen.
This was a battle they couldn't interfere in.
Right now, the most important thing was that they were saved.
Minutes passed, and finally, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed from the hallway.
The teachers had arrived.
They stopped at the dorm room door, their faces tense with urgency. But as they tried to enter—
They were blocked.
The magic formation was still in place, stopping even them.
"You fools!" the female teacher snapped, frustration clear in her voice. "He has an affinity with space! A normal formation can't stop him unless it's specifically made for space-path magic!"
Without wasting another second, she raised her hand, her fingers glowing with a bright, powerful light.
With a single motion, she shattered the formation.
The magic barrier broke apart like fragile glass, disappearing into the air.
The teachers entered the room and saw Maruti locked in a fierce battle with Corin.
Their eyes quickly scanned the room, and a sigh of relief escaped them when they realized no one had died—yet.
But their relief was short-lived.
Their gazes immediately locked onto Corin, their bodies tensing, ready to strike.
Corin, however, sensed the danger. His instincts screamed at him, and before anyone could attack—
He vanished.
"Tch," the female teacher bit her lip in frustration.
The chubby teacher behind her let out a relieved sigh. "Well, at least we arrived on time!"
He turned to Maruti, offering a nod of approval. "Student Maruti, right? You did a very brave and commendable job by saving—"
Before he could finish, Maruti dashed past him and bolted out of the room.
"I don't have time for this!" she called over her shoulder as she ran.
The teachers blinked in surprise.
"Is she… going after Corin?" the chubby teacher muttered in shock.
"Such bravery!" Even the female teacher couldn't help but be impressed.
----
But this wasn't just bravery—this was all part of Esdeath's plan.
She already knew where Corin would attack. After all, she had seen this all happen before.
That's why she had told Maruti in advance and given her the job of interfering.
But wait… Didn't Esdeath want Corin to kill people? Didn't she want him to lose control and die in the end?
Yes—she did.
At least, she did last time, before she turned back time.
But things were different now.
She had already taken her revenge. There was no need to repeat the same path.
This time, she wanted to play her cards more carefully.
Corin wasn't just some wild beast to be discarded—he had value.
Duke's son.
A best space path material.
A powerful pawn.
So, as Corin attacked different places, Maruti appeared—again and again—interrupting him every time.
Neither Esdeath nor Maruti told the teachers or Ethan about their plan.
If they did, it would raise too much suspicion.
How could they possibly know where Corin would strike?
And besides… they didn't want Corin to get captured.
Not yet.
---
Half an hour passed.
Corin had been teleporting again and again, trying to escape and attack.
But now—
His energy was running out.
His body was at its limit.
Breathing heavily, his fur damp with sweat, Corin stumbled as he teleported one last time—
That's right, he teleported in Emma's dorm room.
Corin teleported into Emma's dorm room. His bloodshot eyes swept over the space, and in the far corner he saw a trembling figure—a girl with a soft, gentle frame. To him, she looked like a female version of Ethan, with a similar face but a more alluring and curvier body.
"Another Ethan?!" Corin growled, baring his teeth. His vision blurred, and the world still seemed to be washed in red. He stepped closer, ready to attack.
Before he could strike, the girl spoke in a shaking yet familiar voice. "Corin, why are you doing this? Don't you recognize me? It's me, Emma... your friend!"
Corin froze. Her words hit him like a sudden shock. "Emma?" he muttered, confusion flashing in his crimson-stained eyes.
For a moment, the anger inside him faded, and small pieces of long-forgotten memories began to surface—memories of Emma. He had always admired her. More than just a friend, she was his first crush. Slowly, her image grew clear in his mind, breaking through the red haze of rage.
The girl stepped forward carefully, tears glistening in her eyes. "Do you remember now? You used to say you wanted to be a hero—to slay the Demon King and protect everyone. Why are you doing this, Corin? Why are you trying to hurt innocent people?"
Her soft voice was filled with pain, each word striking him like a sharp blow. Then, memories of that painful time flooded his mind. He remembered the moment when she had chosen Ethan over him. He remembered how she had told Ethan she was single, even though he had confessed his love long ago. At that time, Emma had acted as if nothing had changed, and Corin had believed that meant she accepted him. But when she found someone he considered better—someone like Ethan—she left him behind, as if he were nothing.
Corin stood torn between the warm, happy memories and the bitter pain of rejection. His heart ached as he struggled with these conflicting feelings.
And just as the battle between his memories reached a peak, a cold, chilling voice spoke from behind him.
"She is right!"
A female voice cut through the tense air, dripping with mockery and disdain.
Both Corin and Emma turned toward the doorway. A girl leaned casually against the frame, a smirk playing on her lips as if she were watching an entertaining play. Her long black hair cascaded over her pale skin, and in the dim light, she looked almost ghostly—like a nightmare stepping into reality.
"Esdeath?" Emma gasped, her voice trembling.
Esdeath's smirk vanished in an instant. "Don't say my name with your filthy mouth, you disgusting slut," she snapped, her tone sharp as a blade.
She strode into the room with the confidence of a queen, completely unfazed by Corin's monstrous wolfman form. Where others would have trembled in fear, she looked at him with nothing but disdain.
"Gulp!" Emma swallowed hard, her body stiff with fear. Esdeath was terrifying.
Corin, too, felt his breath hitch as Esdeath's piercing gaze locked onto him. But then—disappointment flickered across her face.
She sighed as if scolding a foolish child. "Corin, are you really letting your emotions weigh you down? She's a hindrance. If you want a bright future, let go of her. Forget about her. Leave your past behind. Only then will you be able to become a king."
Esdeath's voice was smooth, calculated—like a snake whispering into his ear.
Her words were manipulative. If she could make him kill Emma, she could also save Emma.
"You still haven't killed anyone yet," she continued, stepping closer. "Surrender now, and you can survive. You can continue being a student. Your life doesn't have to end here."
Corin hesitated. It was an unspoken rule—anyone who awakened as a vampire, a wolfman, or any anomaly was meant to be executed. That was the law. That was what had happened to others before him.
But Esdeath was right….. he hadn't killed anyone yet.
Seeing his hesitation, Esdeath leaned even closer.
Her red eyes, with multiple moving rings in the pupils, locked onto his red wolf eyes.
"Are you doubting me?" she whispered, her voice laced with something dangerous. "Do you know who I am, Right?"
There was something in her tone—something that made Corin shudder. It wasn't just a threat. It was a reminder.
Reminder that she is an expert and can see future, If she says that Corin will survive,Then he'll survive.
Corin didn't hesitate anymore. He was exhausted, his body barely holding on.
With one last deep breath, he fell to his knees. "Well then… I'm counting on you."
The moment he surrendered, his body collapsed onto the floor. His eyes fluttered shut, and he fell unconscious.
Esdeath's cold gaze flickered toward Emma.
"Shoo..shoo…" she hushed her while waving her palm dismissively,"Leave. Now. Before I change my mind."
Emma's heart pounded. She had so many questions—
How did Corin and Esdeath know each other?
What did Esdeath mean when she said, "Do you know who I am?"
And what about him being a king?
But now wasn't the time for questions.
With shaky breaths, Emma turned and bolted out of the room, her lungs burning as she ran.
A few moments later, the teachers finally discovered Corin's location and rushed to the scene. As they stepped into the room, their eyes widened at the sight before them—Corin lay unconscious on the ground, completely defeated.
And standing right next to him was Esdeath, looking as calm and composed as ever.
She gave them a small smile. "I captured him," she said casually, as if it had been the easiest thing in the world.
The teachers exchanged shocked glances. She actually did it?
They couldn't believe it. Corin had been teleporting all over the academy, dodging every attempt to stop him. Yet here he was, completely knocked out—and Esdeath didn't even have a single scratch on her.
Just how powerful was she?
Their eyes filled with respect and curiosity.
The leader of the teachers, a stern-looking woman, stepped forward. "Your contribution to the academy won't be forgotten. I'll make sure to arrange rewards for both you and Student Maruti."
Esdeath simply tilted her head, looking amused.
"As for now," the teacher continued, "leave him to us. According to Vice Principal Lilith's orders, we can't kill him yet."
Esdeath shrugged. "Do whatever you want," she said lightly.
Then, without a care in the world, she turned and strolled out of the room.
Humming a cheerful tune, she twirled around playfully, her steps light and carefree, as if she had just finished playing a fun game instead of capturing a dangerous enemy.
[author]
I thought barely anyone would vote to save Lilith but No!, i guess one really can't everyone's mind
[/author]