The stares remained fixed on Morgan. They weren't simple looks; they were silent blades, voiceless questions, restrained suspicions. The barely perceptible murmur of the classroom vibrated like a restless swarm. Luzbel noticed it. She also noticed how, for a few seconds, she had been pushed into the background, ignored in her own class.
Her lips curved slightly.
And then.
She clapped.
A sharp, brutal clap that echoed against the walls like restrained thunder. The sound spread through the room and forced everyone to turn their heads. Silence fell—heavy, almost reverent.
-I understand that you're very curious… and that you have many questions about our new classmate. But right now we are in class. So I will kindly ask you… to pay attention.
( Said Luzbel, seriously )
The atmosphere shifted. The tension rearranged itself. It was no longer chaotic whispering, but an expectation directed toward her.
Luzbel inhaled slowly, as if she were drawing in not only oxygen, but control. Her eyes swept across the classroom one by one. Authority. Dominion.
-Good.
( Luzbel coughed lightly, covering her mouth with her fist )
-As I was saying, today I will explain everything you need to know about the three transitions… the three doors of the soul… the three liberations. When we are born, Mother grants us this.
( Said Luzbel, showing her tattoo )
The mark glowed faintly under the light.
-She grants us a lifelong mark. A mark that not only proves we are her children, but also grants us power. But that power… is sealed in three parts.
An expectant silence spread.
-The first door, the door of opening, is the early and basic manifestation of our dharma. It gives us an initial idea of the ability we have been granted… and that we can use casually in our daily lives.
At that moment, something tiny buzzed in the air.
An insect.
Small. Insignificant.
But in a room thick with tension, even the insignificant becomes the protagonist.
Luzbel followed it with her gaze. The students did the same, as if something invisible were guiding them. The insect crossed the air, unaware of everything.
Suddenly, Luzbel raised her hand.
She pointed.
And her voice sliced through the space.
-Time out!!.
Her tattoo burst into an intense glow.
The insect stopped in midair.
It didn't slow down.
It didn't hesitate.
It stopped.
As if the universe had forgotten how to move forward.
A second later, it fell to the ground, stiff and motionless.
The classroom erupted into hushed whispers. Several students stood up, approaching with disbelief.
Luzbel lowered her hand calmly.
-As you just saw… what I showed you is the first door, the door of opening. And the ability that comes with it… time out. While it is only a basic skill, it allows me to stop time for anything for a few moments. If it is an enemy, I can even halt the manifestations of their liberations.
She paused.
-But…
That but fell like a stone into a still lake.
All eyes returned to her.
-If my opponent possesses a power slightly greater than mine, then I will be able to stop their body… but not their liberations nor their species' latent abilities.
A hand went up.
Morgan, who had kept his gaze lowered the entire time, blinked in surprise.
It was Zarachi.
He hadn't noticed her before.
Zarachi, feeling Morgan's gaze, turned toward him and waved with natural warmth, smiling at him.
-Yes, Miss Zarachi?
( Said Luzbel, seriously )
Zarachi stood up. She straightened her back. There was a shine in her eyes.
-Well, Miss Luzbel, I just wanted to ask… you know, you just said that if your opponent is a bit stronger than you, you could stop them, but not their liberations or their latent abilities. So my question is… if your opponent is much stronger than you… then what would happen?
( Asked Zarachi, expectantly )
A nervous murmur ran through the room.
Luzbel smiled faintly.
-Well… if my opponent were to possess a power that greatly exceeds mine… then my ability would not work.
Zarachi lowered her gaze, nodding, ready to sit down.
-However.
The word stopped her in her tracks.
Zarachi lifted her face.
-However?
( Asked Zarachi, astonished )
Luzbel's eyes gleamed with a different intensity.
-For those cases… there is the second liberation.
The air seemed to grow heavier.
Another hand rose.
A young man with brown hair, deer antlers, and yellow eyes.
-Yes, young Nya.
( Said Luzbel, watching him closely )
-Yes, I would like to ask… what is your second manifestation?
( Said Nya, enthusiastically )
Luzbel tilted her head, amused.
-So you want to know what my second manifestation is?
( Replied Luzbel, smiling slightly )
-Yes, that's right.
( Replied Nya, very enthusiastically )
Luzbel looked at the rest of the group.
-And what do you all think? Do you also want to know what my second manifestation is?
The students answered in unison, excited.
-Yes!!.
Luzbel laughed softly, though her eyes did not fully share the laughter. She scanned the classroom, corner by corner, as if measuring something beyond curiosity.
-Alright. But I think it would be more appropriate if we go to the courtyard and have some practice. What do you say? If you do well… then I will show you the evolution of time out.
( Said Luzbel, cheerfully )
The enthusiasm exploded.
-YES!!!.
Luzbel walked toward the door. Before opening it, she paused for a moment. Her smile was faint… almost dangerous.
-Good… then follow me. Let's go to our little practice.
End of chapter.
Next chapter: second liberation.