By the time I dragged myself to school the next day, my mind was still reeling from everything that had happened. How was I supposed to act normal after being told I was bound to a demon queen? My body felt heavy, weighed down by the mark on my chest, and every time I glanced at Seraphina sitting next to me in class, I felt an odd mix of dread and curiosity.
"Is something wrong?" Seraphina's voice whispered in my ear, making me jump.
Her eyes gleamed with amusement. She must have been enjoying watching me squirm. "Nope," I muttered, turning my attention to the front of the class, though I couldn't focus on anything the teacher was saying.
I couldn't shake the feeling that everyone else could somehow sense the shift in my reality. But when I glanced around, my classmates were as oblivious as ever. None of them had a clue that the girl sitting beside me was the Queen of the Abyss or that I'd become part of her dark world.
Seraphina, on the other hand, seemed completely at ease. She leaned back in her chair, her gaze drifting out the window as though everything around her was a boring afterthought. Occasionally, she would glance at me and smirk, and I felt like I was some kind of entertaining pet to her.
After what felt like an eternity, the bell rang for lunch. I grabbed my bag and practically sprinted for the door, hoping to get some distance from her. But as soon as I stepped into the hallway, I felt a familiar presence behind me.
"Where are you going, vassal?" Seraphina asked, falling into step beside me.
"I need... space," I muttered, trying not to sound panicked. "To think."
Seraphina's expression softened just slightly. "I understand. But running from me won't change your fate."
I stopped in my tracks, turning to face her. "I'm not running from you. I just need to wrap my head around all of this. Yesterday, I was just an ordinary guy, and now I'm—what, your protector? I don't even know what I'm supposed to do!"
She tilted her head, studying me for a moment. "You are not expected to act immediately. Your role as my vassal will evolve over time. For now, you need to understand the power that flows through you." Her voice became quieter, more serious. "I chose you, Kaito, because your soul is unique. It resonates with the Abyss, something I have not seen in a mortal before."
Her words hung in the air between us. My soul? Unique? What was I supposed to do with that information?
"Let's get lunch," she said, pulling me back to the present. "You'll need your strength."
---
Lunch with Seraphina turned out to be surprisingly normal. She picked up a tray like everyone else, though I noticed she barely touched the food. We sat in the corner of the cafeteria, away from the noise and chatter of the other students.
"So, what now?" I asked, picking at my food. "Is there some kind of demon training program I need to enroll in?"
Seraphina chuckled softly. "There's no training program, but you will need to learn to harness the power you now possess. I will teach you—when the time is right."
"Right, when the time is right," I muttered, not entirely convinced.
"Until then," she said, leaning in slightly, her voice taking on a more serious tone, "be careful. There are those who will sense our bond. They will come for you, Kaito, seeking to exploit or destroy the connection we share."
I felt a cold shiver run down my spine. "Great. More enemies."
Seraphina smiled. "You are stronger than you think."
I wasn't sure if that was supposed to be comforting or terrifying, but I had a feeling I would find out soon enough.