Chapter 37: Fake Freshman, Part 2

After the academy incident, Leviathan thoroughly enjoyed exploring the human realm.

She claimed it was reconnaissance for a future invasion, but anyone witnessing her joyful expression would have doubted her true intentions.

She bought and devoured skewers of roasted meat from street vendors, rented luxurious rooms in fine inns, and indulged in long, hot baths.

The original Leviathan would have been consumed by envy, witnessing these simple pleasures enjoyed by “inferior” humans, pleasures unattainable even for powerful demons like herself.

But instead of envy, Leviathan felt only contentment.

“Ahh… I could stay here forever…”

She sighed contentedly, submerged in a tub of water heated by fire magic.

She’d never felt this relaxed, this… happy.

Not even when she’d usurped the previous Sin and claimed her position.

Humans had to earn money to enjoy such luxuries, but Leviathan had no such concerns.

Kayleen, her contractor, had dropped her coin purse before vanishing.

It contained enough money for Leviathan to live comfortably for the rest of her life, further enhancing her carefree attitude.

However, her purpose in the human realm was to collect her payment for fulfilling Kayleen’s request.

She couldn’t indulge in these pleasures forever, so Leviathan planned to start searching for Kayleen the following day.

“But… for now… let’s relax… Ahh…”

Tomorrow could wait.

Knowing little about the human world, Leviathan started her search in places Kayleen frequented: the sewers where she’d met the demon worshippers, the various safe houses they’d used…

While searching one of the safe houses near the academy, she encountered two men, their faces etched with fear.

They seemed familiar. As she pondered, the two men suddenly lunged at her.

Assuming they were hostile, Leviathan prepared to unleash her magic, but instead of attacking, they clung to her clothes, sobbing.

“P-please… do you know where Sister Rin is…?”

“We’re doomed… if she’s gone…!”

While all humans were essentially insignificant compared to Leviathan, the sight of two grown men clinging to a small girl, crying hysterically, was… unsettling.

Even for Leviathan.

The scene reminded her of Kayleen’s two subordinates, who’d followed her around during her… “negotiations” with various merchants.

Cedric and Eric. Ordinary names for high-ranking members of a criminal organization.

Leviathan, not particularly interested in humans, simply remembered them as Subordinate 1 and Subordinate 2.

Perhaps they knew Kayleen’s whereabouts? A flicker of hope appeared in Leviathan’s eyes, but remembering their words, she realized it was a futile hope. Her expression hardened.

Sigh. Another dead end.

She was in a foul mood. Only a skewer of roasted meat could appease her now.

“By the way, how did you know I was associated with that ‘Rin’ person?”

“Your clothes… that’s Sister Rin’s cloak…”

“And her hairpin…”

“Hmm… I see.”

Indeed, Leviathan was wearing Kayleen’s spare clothes.

There was no need to buy new clothes for a brief outing, so she’d simply borrowed Kayleen’s.

But even if they recognized her connection to Kayleen, it wouldn’t improve their situation.

Kayleen was a wanted criminal, regardless of the reason. Being associated with her wouldn’t benefit Leviathan. Their fate was sealed.

Unless they were valuable assets or held some significance to Kayleen…

But Kayleen had never shown any particular attachment to them. At least, not from Leviathan’s perspective.

Even Leviathan herself was merely a pawn to Kayleen. Kayleen didn’t view villains as human. She might spare them if it benefited her, but otherwise…

“So. Do you have any other information regarding Rin’s whereabouts?”

“Th-that’s all we know…”

Leviathan felt no sympathy for those who couldn’t offer anything in return.

“W-wait…!”

Just as she was about to unleash her magic, Cedric’s desperate plea stopped her.

“Speak. If it’s useless information, your death will be… unpleasant.”

“We… we have an informant… within the academy…! And…”

“And?”

“I’m not sure if this is helpful… but… Sister Rin… she was interested… in someone… at the academy…”

Someone Kayleen was interested in?

She searched her memories, and one person came to mind.

Come to think of it, this entire contract had been for her benefit.

“That divinity-blessed brat…”

Indeed, Kayleen had shown a peculiar interest in Lucia. The reason was unknown to Leviathan.

But one thing was certain: if she stayed near Lucia, she would eventually encounter Kayleen again.

“Good. Valuable information.”

“Haa… thank… you…”

“Well done, Cedric…!”

As Leviathan withdrew her magic, Cedric and Eric embraced, relieved.

“Ah… um… one more thing…”

Eric, seemingly remembering something, called out to Leviathan.

Being interrupted twice by a mere human irritated Leviathan.

“A recommendation letter to the academy… Sister Rin mentioned she was planning to infiltrate the academy…”

“…So you want me… to enroll in that… nest of brats…? Are you serious?”

“B-but this is the most effective— Eek…!”

Leviathan couldn’t tolerate their incompetence any longer.

For a high-ranking demon who loathed humans, she’d been remarkably patient.

If Wrath were here instead of her, they would have been reduced to unrecognizable piles of flesh. And even if Leviathan had retained her original personality, they’d be corpses by now.

But they were incredibly lucky. They’d survived the early days of Under the Lamp, witnessed Kayleen’s rise, and escaped the Moonshadow attack. And their luck held true once again.

Sniff.

“…What’s that smell…?”

A delicious aroma suddenly wafted through the air, stopping Leviathan in her tracks.

“W-we… made this dish… with spices we received… from a merchant from the Eastern Alliance…”

“Y-yes…! It’s a very popular dish there…! We guarantee… it’s delicious…!”

Gulp.

Sniff…

“…You two… consider yourselves lucky…”

“Yes, ma’am!”

“Yes…!”

Having successfully infiltrated the academy as a new student, Leviathan spotted Lucia.

There had been a brief, awkward encounter earlier, but Lucia hadn’t recognized her.

Or had she? After all, it was because of Lucia that Leviathan had suffered the humiliation of being surrounded by those human girls…

Regardless, Leviathan followed Lucia as she discreetly left the classroom.

It wasn’t exactly “following.”

Leviathan, annoyed by the girls’ attention, had pushed them away, making it appear as if she was deliberately following Lucia, who was now alone.

She followed Lucia to a familiar-looking hut, its aura resonating with Kayleen’s mana.

But it felt… different.

As if… tainted by something.

Leviathan entered, her curiosity piqued.

Inside, Lucia chatted cheerfully with Kayleen, who listened attentively, nodding occasionally.

“Well, well.”

No. It wasn’t Kayleen.

It was… something wearing Kayleen’s form, imitating her mannerisms, but lacking her essence.

A familiar tactic.

“I thought you were my contractor… but you’re not…”

“…An error. The error is here…?”

And that strangely mechanical, unnatural speech pattern…

It reminded Leviathan of… something.

Before Leviathan could react, the imposter snapped its fingers, and a wave of darkness engulfed her.

KABOOM!

Splash.

“Ugh… this is… unpleasant. Why did that pathetic loser suddenly appear?”

She knew who it was. Especially as a fellow demon who’d usurped a Sin.

A demon defeated in a power struggle, stripped of its Sin, banished to the deepest recesses of the demon realm.

Its name—

“2||0|?”

“…?”

“Levi? Are you alright? You just… fell from the sky…”

An irritating voice reached Leviathan’s ears, accompanied by the sound of splashing water.

The irritating voices of humans, recently added to her list of annoyances.

She turned and saw… naked human girls, their bodies barely covered by thin towels.

Leviathan had been flung into the academy’s bathhouse.

And to make matters worse, her classmates, who should have been in class, were all enjoying a bath.

“Oh my… Levi. Your uniform is soaked.”

“You’ll catch a cold if you stay like that. Shall I… help you undress…?”

“Gah…! Get away from me…! Stop humiliating me…!”

She wanted to tear them apart, but her contract with Kayleen forbade harming academy students.

So, unable to unleash her magic, Leviathan endured the well-intentioned but humiliating ministrations of the girls.

And then she saw her. Lily, the blue-haired instructor, smiling and waving at her.

And Leviathan finally understood.

“So, you recognized me! Lilith…!”

“Oh my… Lilith…? I’m not sure who you’re referring to… Heehee…”