Elsewhere, in a small, dark bedroom, a boy stood holding an alarm clock. He switched on the bathroom light, stepped inside, and removed his shirt as he faced his reflection in the mirror.
A massive bruise sat dead center atop the long scar etched diagonally across his torso.
Sigh… the bruise is bigger than I expected.
Mael turned and set the clock down on the sink counter.
I'm curious, he thought. My Eyes of Divinity should still allow me to copy anything I see flawlessly—but in this body, I'm not quite certain how far that ability extends. His gaze drifted upward as he pondered, recalling how the time-stop ability he had copied from Noel had lasted only three seconds.
He looked back at his reflection.
"All right. I'm sure Azazel said he doesn't mind," he said, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.
Placing one hand on the alarm clock behind him, Mael spoke softly.
"Okay… here it goes—concealment."
Click.
As he cast his magic, his eyes glowed briefly. In the blink of an eye, his reflection vanished.
Let's see how long this mortal body lasts.
Moments passed.
Click.
He stopped the timer the instant his reflection returned.
"Fifteen seconds only, huh…" Mael murmured, both fascinated and disappointed.
"All right, then. Let's try this instead—Doppelgänger."
Click.
His eyes glowed once more, and his reflection shifted—soon resembling Lily as she had looked earlier that morning.
"…Why did I turn into Lily?" he wondered.
Mael closed his eyes and tried imagining Azazel's disguised form—but nothing happened.
Maybe in this body I can only copy people I've met… or those with a similar stature to mine.
Or maybe, since my powers are mostly restricted, this is the best I can do for now.
Click.
"One minute, huh," he said quietly, studying the time displayed on the clock.
"Well… I guess it's time for bed."
He picked up the alarm clock, left the bathroom, and turned off the light.
But the moment he set the clock beside him, Mael collapsed onto the bed, landing on his side as pain surged through him.
"Ngghh—ugh!" he gasped, trying to suppress the unbearable agony.
The hit I took from Azazel really did a number on me, he thought, struggling to catch his breath.
After a moment, he glanced at the clock atop the desk, inhaled deeply, and forced himself to his feet.
I'm starving.
"Sigh… 9:40, huh? That burger place should still be open," he muttered as his stomach rumbled.
Mael knelt by the desk and pulled open the drawer, retrieving several silver coins from a pouch inside.
Three should be plenty, he thought as he pulled on a white T-shirt and slipped the coins into his pocket before stepping out of the room.
Outside, the road was empty—devoid of vehicles—and the sidewalk had few, if any, pedestrians.
Maybe I'd feel better if I ate more than usual, he thought, locking the door behind him before making his way down.
As he walked along the sidewalk, his thoughts wandered.
It's odd… acting like a child doesn't work in those kinds of stores, he recalled, remembering the first time he had tried—only to be told that no one could do anything for him.
"There it is…"
A bright sign glowed in the darkness of the night, as if inviting Mael to come closer.
Ting—tong!
The door slid open automatically as Mael casually stepped into the restaurant.
As usual, the place wasn't crowded at this hour. He smiled faintly. Perfect. Just how I like it.
He approached the counter, picked up a menu, and began scanning it with the seriousness of someone preparing for battle.
"One Joyful Meal costs one silver coin…" he muttered.
Inside the Joyful Meal: one burger, medium fries, and a drink.
So if I buy three Joyful Meals…
That's three burgers.
Three medium fries.
And three drinks.
He paused.
"…That's a lot of drinks."
Mael frowned at the menu and flipped to the single-item section.
"But wait," he whispered dramatically.
A single burger cost six bronze coins.
Medium fries cost three.
A drink cost two.
His eyes widened.
That means the Joyful Meal is cheaper by one bronze coin.
He stared at the menu.
Then stared harder.
So logically, buying the Joyful Meal is the correct financial decision.
But emotionally… I do not need that many drinks.
His head slowly turned, as if seeking guidance from the empty restaurant.
Do I accept the drinks and waste them?
Or do I reject efficiency and pay more like a fool?
He clenched his fist.
"…What should I do?!"
"Umm… excuse me, boy."
The voice snapped Mael out of his intense internal debate.
He looked up at the man behind the counter.
"Excuse me, mister. C-can I buy three Joyful Meals?" His voice carried a faint note of reluctance, as if the words physically pained him.
"Beep, beep, boop—"
The man tapped the screen without hesitation. "Okay. Anything else?"
"No. That's it."
"All right. Three Joyful Meals comes out to three silver coins."
"Here you go."
Mael carefully placed the coins on the counter.
Just as the man was about to finalize the order—
"Wait, mister!"
The sudden shout made the man freeze mid-motion. He turned around slowly.
"Yes…? Is there something I can help you with?"
"Y—yeah," Mael said quickly. "I was wondering… can I change two of the drinks for something else?"
"Oh. Yeah, you can actually."
The moment those words left the man's mouth, Mael's eyes lit up like a child who had just unlocked a hidden menu option.
"O–oh! What can I change them with?"
"Let's see…" The man glanced at the monitor. "Ice cream, onion rings, fries, chicken stri—"
"WAIT!"
Mael practically dove back to the menu, scanning it at lightning speed. His eyes widened.
Chicken strips… three bronze coins.
This was it.
"Okay!" he said far too enthusiastically. "I'd like to change the two drinks for chicken strips!"
"Right then," the man replied, tapping the screen several more times. "And would you like that to go, or—"
"I will dine in."
The interruption was immediate and absolute.
"…Riiight," the man said, pressing a few more buttons. "Here's your receipt. Please wait for your number and pick up your food over there."
Mael nodded solemnly, clutching the receipt like he had just won a hard-fought battle.
He walked toward one of the empty tables, grinning to himself.
Yes… those fools!
Chicken strips cost more than drinks. I've technically gained two bronze coins' worth of value.
This is a victory.
His joy was short-lived.
When his food arrived, Mael stared down at the tray.
…So little.
His smile faded.
Damn it, he thought bitterly as he took a bite. Humans have deceived me once more.
Across the street, within a narrow, dark alley, a shadowy figure lingered—its gaze fixed on Mael through the restaurant window.
It huffed softly, each breath carrying an otherworldly rasp.
In the darkness, its eyes ignited, glowing a deep, ominous red.