Renji walked through the dimly lit corridors of Devil Academy, his mind racing faster than his feet.
The conversation with the System had clarified one thing: he couldn't afford to be passive. Ten years sounded long, but in a place like this, it could vanish in the blink of an eye.
"Gambling, duels, or schemes…" he muttered. "Let's start with something I can control."
He headed toward the central courtyard where students gathered for informal betting games. The noise of laughter and shouting grew louder as he approached.
Several tables were set up with cards and dice. Most players wore noble crests on their uniforms.
Renji lingered at the edge, observing quietly.
[Smart move, Host,] the System spoke, its voice carrying a lazy, almost bored tone. [Watch first. Learn their tells. Then exploit them. That's how the clever ones survive here.]
One table caught his attention — "Devil's Bluff."
He stepped closer.
"Mind if I join?"
The dealer glanced at him.
"Got money, freshman?"
Renji showed the few copper coins he had.
"Barely. But I learn fast."
A smug second-year with a Baron family crest laughed and waved him in.
"Sit, rat. Let's see how long you last."
The game began.
Renji played carefully at first, losing the first few hands on purpose to study their tells and habits. All the while, he kept Minor Flame Manipulation active in the background — using tiny, almost invisible sparks of heat to subtly mark certain cards, making them easier to feel when needed.
It wasn't much.
But it was enough.
On the fifth hand, he went all in on a calculated bluff.
The Baron student sneered. "You really think you can beat me with that trash hand?"
Renji smiled thinly.
"Call it."
The Baron flipped his cards — a strong combination.
Renji flipped his — a winning hand thanks to the subtle marks his flame had left.
The table went silent for a second, then erupted in murmurs.
The Baron's face darkened. "You cheated, you worm."
Renji stood up calmly, collecting his small winnings.
"Prove it."
Before the Baron could escalate, a familiar velvet voice cut through the crowd.
"Oh? Already causing trouble on your second day?"
Vespera Nightshade sauntered over, her crimson eyes gleaming with amusement.
She stopped beside Renji, close enough that her arm brushed his.
"He's with me," she said lightly to the Baron. "Pick on someone your own size."
The Baron glared but backed down.
Vespera turned to Renji, her lips curving into a teasing smile.
"Using fire to mark cards? Bold. Stupid… but bold."
Renji raised an eyebrow. "You noticed?"
"I notice everything interesting." She leaned in slightly, her voice dropping. "You're getting better at playing dirty. I like that."
Her fingers brushed his hand for a moment — just long enough for that familiar heat to rush through his body again.
Then she pulled away.
"Don't get too cocky, little freshman. One lucky win doesn't make you king."
She walked away, but not before throwing one last teasing glance over her shoulder.
Renji looked down at the small pile of coins in his hand.
As he walked back through the quieter corridor, a new thought suddenly hit him.
Wait… how did she know exactly when to appear? Was she following me?
"System," he muttered under his breath. "Be honest. Is Vespera following me? Or am I just being paranoid?"
The System answered with clear amusement.
[Paranoid? Host, you died jerking off to a harem scene and woke up in enemy territory with a 10-year death timer. Paranoia is the only sane response at this point.
She's not physically tailing you right now. But she's definitely interested. Succubi don't waste time on boring freshmen. You've caught her attention — whether that's good or bad remains to be seen.]
Renji let out a slow, frustrated breath.
"Great. So now I have a succubus senior possibly watching my every move."
[Enjoy it while it lasts, Host. Most men would kill for that kind of attention.
You, on the other hand, might actually die for it.]
Renji shook his head, but the corner of his mouth twitched upward into a sharp, dangerous smile.
"One spark at a time."
He was still at the bottom.
But the bottom was starting to feel a little less lonely — and a lot more dangerous.