The early morning mist had not yet dispersed when three curled, shivering figures were dumped onto the stone steps of the Jericho Town Police Station entrance.
They were Lucas, Marcus, and Tom.
There were no obvious wounds or even bruises on their bodies, but everyone's eyes were hollow and vacant, as if their souls had been drained, leaving behind only devastated shells.
Last night, they had experienced the literal meaning of being "beaten to within an inch of their lives"—
Fists and feet, sharp claws, hypnosis, and even brief experiences of petrification took turns.
Every time they felt they couldn't hold on and were about to stop breathing, a gentle energy would circulate through their bodies, pulling them back from the brink of unconsciousness, instantly healing all damage, and then—
The next round of "education" would begin on time.
This cyclical, never-ending pain was far more terrifying than being beaten half to death all at once.
Dumped with them was a long parchment list pinned to Lucas's collar with a thumbtack.
It listed detailed compensation estimates for the ruined clothing of the victims from last night's ball, ranging from the custom cost of Enid's starry blue gradient gown to a certain werewolf classmate's limited-edition sneakers covered in paint, detailing every single item.
At the very top of the list, marked conspicuously in bold font, were three massive claims:
- "The Ravens Whisper" Victorian Antique Gown Purchase Cost: $ 185,000
- British Dark Grey Checkered Custom Suit Purchase Cost: $ 12,000
- Tears of the Deep Sea Purchase Cost: $ 152,000
A scrawled smiley face was drawn at the signature line, with a small note beside it:
"Friendly Reminder: Three-day deadline. If unpaid after the deadline, the one who comes to collect the debt next time might be 'that one' with a poor appetite. (It prefers to use the debtor directly to settle the account.)"
When the duty officer found them, the three guys immediately became like startled birds upon seeing someone in uniform, crying and huddling together, begging for mercy incoherently.
"Stop hitting us! We don't dare do it again! We'll pay! No matter how much, we'll pay! Please don't let those monsters come for us again!"
Clearly, Nevermore Academy's "Open Correction Course" had been remarkably effective and had left deep psychological scars.
Nevermore Academy, Dormitory Area.
Victor rubbed his temples, which still throbbed with a faint pain, and pushed open his dormitory door.
Splitting his consciousness into two to control two bodies simultaneously while enduring the amplification of affection from Serum and the surge of destructive desire from Riot was an experience comparable to pulling multiple all-nighters cramming Advanced Potions while having a hundred Mandrakes screaming in his ears.
The aftereffects were potent.
"Victor!"
Enid, who had been waiting at the door, her eyes lighting up, almost instinctively wanted to pounce on him but stopped herself at the last second.
A trace of hesitation flashed in her azure eyes as she looked up and down at the Victor before her, who seemed to be whole again, and asked tentatively in a small voice:
"Uh... are you... my Victor now? Or the overbearing one?"
A pitch-black, viscous tentacle emerged from Victor's shoulder, swaying lazily from side to side, greeting her in Victor's place with a raspy voice that carried the graininess of someone who had just woken up:
"Morning, Wolfie. This guy belongs to me now."
"Venom! You're finally awake!"
Enid breathed a sigh of relief and waved happily at the tentacle.
But immediately after, a hint of loneliness uncontrollably surfaced on her face; she lowered her head slightly, her voice softening.
"Okay... it seems... that gentle Victor who belonged to me has left."
------------------------
I've posted 70+ chapters in advance on Patreon.
Webnovel updates will still be daily, as usual.
It might not seem tempting right nobut who knows what the future holds?
[email protected]/TripleCrown
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"