After writing on the board, the teacher turned to face the class.
"Alright, class. Can anyone explain the difference between blood types A, B, and O?"
Mist immediately raised his hand.
"Blood type A has a sweet flavor. It's the rarest and the most delicious of all blood types, same with AB. Blood type B has a slightly spicy taste, while blood type O is fairly ordinary. However, if type O is mixed with type B, it becomes much more flavorful," Mist answered.
The entire classroom fell silent.
Several of their classmates stared at him with wide eyes.
"Very good, Mr. Voulstridge," the teacher said with a smile. "It sounds like you've tasted quite a variety of blood."
Mist smiled politely. "My father taught me all of that."
The teacher simply nodded and continued the lesson.
Viel leaned closer to Akuma and whispered,
"I had no idea different blood types tasted different."
"Me neither," Akuma replied in amazement.
Mist merely smiled to himself.
Meanwhile...
Lucas sat quietly, seemingly lost in deep thought.
.
.
.
Xylon stood by the palace window, staring into the distance.
His thoughts remained fixed on the dream he had seen.
Was it truly a real event...?
Or was it nothing more than a dream?
He wanted answers.
He needed to know what had really happened to Jade and Maddison.
Who had murdered them?
.
.
.
The entire town was once again consumed by rumors.
More bodies had been discovered throughout the town.
Their stomachs had been ripped open.
Some had been beheaded.
Others had become shriveled corpses, completely drained of blood.
The brutality of the killings left no doubt.
A monster was responsible.
Xerxes returned to Serolf Academy once more.
While secretly observing the academy, he made a disturbing discovery.
A female demon was living among the students.
She had disguised herself as an ordinary academy student.
But why...?
Why haven't the academy authorities noticed her?
.
.
.
"Your birthdays are tomorrow," Mist said with a smile. "So, what are your plans?"
Akuma smiled faintly. "I just hope my brother comes to visit."
Viel lowered his eyes. "I'll be happy if Father comes."
Lucas tilted his head. "Don't you want a birthday banquet?"
Viel shrugged. "I've had enough of attending banquets since I was young; it's boring."
Mist grinned. "Then let's just have our own little party. Only the four of us."
"That sounds good to me," Akuma agreed.
Lucas blinked. "...Party? Why? What's happening?"
Mist stared at him. "You were the one who brought up the party. And you've already forgotten?"
"Oh..." Lucas scratched his head. "Is... someone's birthday tomorrow?"
Akuma and Viel could only sigh in amusement.
.
.
.....
"Mistress..."
One of the servants bowed before the woman seated upon a grand chair.
Her name was Mistress Beatriz Degula.
The witch slowly raised her head.
"What news do you have?" she asked coldly.
"We still haven't found the Young Master," the servant answered.
Beatriz clicked her tongue in irritation. "Then don't stop searching until you do!"
Her eyes narrowed with fury.
"He will become a serious obstacle to everything I've planned."
The servant bowed once more before leaving.
Left alone, Beatriz clenched her fists.
She still couldn't believe it.
Her rebellious son had somehow escaped from Hell.
After everything she had done...
After all the effort she had spent imprisoning him there...
He had still managed to break free.
And now—
He had become the greatest threat to all of her ambitions.
.
.
.....
The next morning...
Preparations were already underway.
Xenon and the others were getting ready to leave for Serolf Academy to celebrate Viel's birthday.
"I'm sure Viel will be thrilled when he sees us," Blake said with a grin.
"Is Xylon coming with us?" Stephen asked.
"He said he'll come later," Yvess replied.
"The carriage is ready," Xenon announced. "Let's go."
One by one, they climbed into the carriage before setting off for the academy.
.
.
"Aren't you going to Viel's birthday celebration?" Arden asked as he looked toward Xylon.
"I'll be there later," Xylon answered quietly.
Arden frowned.
"Why do you always keep your distance from the prince? He's your son."
Xylon lowered his gaze.
He wanted to say something...
But in the end, he chose silence.
.
.
.....
"Today is the prince's birthday..."
Mistress Beatriz Degula smiled as she stood before a large altar.
"The day his true power begins to awaken is finally drawing near."
She lit a black candle before opening an ancient tome bound in dark leather.
The pages were filled with forbidden spells.
.
.
.....
"Happy birthday to you...
Happy birthday to you...
Happy birthday, happy birthday...
Happy birthday to you!"
Aria and the others happily sang as Viel and Akuma stood before a large birthday cake.
With bright smiles, the two boys blew out the candles together.
Everyone applauded.
"Thank you so much!" Viel said happily.
"Oh, don't mention it," Heberlin replied with a smile.
Lilith looked between the two birthday celebrants. "I never imagined you and Akuma shared the same birthday."
Aria's gaze slowly shifted toward Akuma.
The moment she looked at him...
She felt something.
Something strange.
Something familiar.
Her eyes widened slightly.
She quickly hid her surprise, pretending nothing had happened.
But throughout the celebration...
She couldn't stop glancing at Akuma.
.
.
The party eventually came to an end.
Night had already fallen, and Xenon and the others prepared to return home.
Viel was about to enter his dormitory when he suddenly sensed a familiar presence behind him.
He turned around.
"Father!"
Without hesitation, he ran forward and threw his arms around Xylon.
His face lit up with joy.
"I'm sorry I arrived so late," Xylon said gently.
"I'm happy you came," Viel replied with a bright smile.
Together, they entered Viel's dormitory.
There, Xylon was introduced to Mist and Lucas.
Akuma, however, wasn't there.
He was waiting for someone else.
.
.
Akuma stood alone on the academy rooftop, gazing at the night sky.
He was waiting.
And just as he had hoped...
Xerxes appeared.
"Happy birthday, Akuma," he said warmly.
"Thank you, Brother," Akuma smiled brightly. "I'm really happy you came."
Xerxes handed him a neatly wrapped gift.
Akuma accepted it with childlike excitement.
Watching his younger brother smile filled Xerxes with both happiness...
And fear.
Akuma had turned eighteen.
The day he had dreaded for years was drawing closer.
Actually, Akuma's birthday happened few months ago. He just changed it to delay something because he's scared. He even put a spell on the infant Akuma, but as he grew up, the spell slowly faded.
Soon...
Akuma's true power would awaken.
Along with the truth of who he really was.
I have to remain at Serolf Academy...
Xerxes silently clenched his fists.
Because Akuma wasn't the only person he needed to protect.
There was someone else.
Someone he should have watched over long ago.
Someone he had entrusted to another...
And now...
He intended to fulfill that forgotten promise himself.