THE DRAGON DEVOURING ART

Chapter 8

Later that night…

Outside, a notification blared to life inside a building filled with students…

Just as Lucifer had guessed, some abnormalities had been discovered!

Every day, investigations were conducted on the students at night using their identity watches.

This was a peculiar tool that would send the life readings of the students back to those in charge every day at 12 midnight.

This was done so that the whole academy would remain in a state of peace despite the bullying, without the students killing each other.

Although there were times when students' life readings failed to turn up, most likely due to suicide, it wasn't as common as today.

Inside the investigation room, situated in a corner office of the academy...

Three people browsed through the monitors.

Suddenly, one man with slight beards and a few freckles on his face raised his eyebrows, stunned.

“Five people committed suicide today? That's particularly high…”

The man beside him was also slightly startled and turned to glance at the screen, seeing that the numbers were true.

“Check which students committed suicide so we can send the information back to their parents and report the news,” the third middle-aged lady said casually, her attention fully focused on her screen.

The man nodded, then his fingers flew across the keyboard as he recorded the information.

A few minutes passed in silence. Then, his eyes widened.

“This… what the hell?” he couldn't help but curse, then turned to the others…

“We have a big problem,” he mouthed the words, his expression quickly becoming solemn.

The other two, sensing the seriousness of the situation, removed their gazes from their individual screens and turned in the direction of the man.

“What happened?” the lady asked, staring intently at the man.

The man glanced at the screen, then back at the system. “Aside from two irrelevant students, James, Verio, and Daria were killed.”

“Huh?” the other man exclaimed, clearly startled. “If I remember correctly, James was one of the strongest in D-Class, right? How did this happen?”

The middle-aged man touched his forehead, feeling a headache. “I don't know. The inspection watches aren't meant to track the movements of the students or monitor them actively…”

The woman placed her hand on her chin, listening as the two men exchanged words.

After some time, she finally spoke up. “There's no need to overthink it. We should quickly inform the inspectors and let them find the culprit, at least before the news of their deaths spreads to their families and causes some headache for the academy.”

The two fell silent, then the middle-aged man nodded. “You are right. Besides, due to the rarity of this matter, I feel someone of a higher standing should handle it…”

Swiftly, they made communications and alerted the inspectors.

That night, the whole academy was combed through. However, although the bodies of the others were found, there was no news of James and the other two.

It was as though they had simply vanished.

…

Lucifer woke up and stretched for a bit.

After taking a shower, he glanced at his reflection in the mirror.

His pale, lifeless eyes, with dark circles underneath them, now seemed to contain light and confidence.

He could feel the minute changes piling up in his body, gradually changing him.

He smiled faintly, touching his face lightly, then quickly dressed up and walked briskly to class.

Along the way, he kept his head low to not attract the gazes of a few other bullies in his class.

Soon, he entered the class, which wasn't completely filled with students.

His gaze lingered at the corner of the class where James and his lackey had previously sat.

‘Guess I won't be seeing them anymore,’ he chuckled darkly at the thought, then walked to his seat near the window and sat down, waiting for the instructor.

As his thoughts drifted about and time ticked by…

Suddenly, a light pat landed on his shoulder, jolting him awake from his daze.

Turning to the side, he saw someone he least expected…

Storm!

Lucifer's gaze sharpened, and he felt a fountain of killing intent erupt in his mind. However, he tried to keep himself calm, flashing a small, wry smile toward him.

“Luci, what's up, man? After returning from the dungeon, you've changed, no longer interested in associating with your… friend.” He stressed the last part, landing his hand lightly on Lucifer's shoulder.

Lucifer felt his muscles ache as Storm applied a strong grip to his shoulder.

Only when he winced slightly did Storm remove his hand and chuckle. “Oh, sorry. I guess I used too much strength in patting you…”

Lucifer felt the urge to pierce through his heart with his claw as he trembled in rage.

Storm chuckled lightly at his antics. “Amira and I, along with a few others, are heading to clear another dungeon later today. I want you to come along…”

As he spoke, he tossed Lucifer a token. This was a pass used to exit the academy when one wanted to clear a dungeon, and without it, they wouldn't be given access out.

Lucifer caught it and looked up at Storm, his expression looking complicated.

Meanwhile, Storm glared at him. “You better come. If you don't…” He didn't complete his words, letting Lucifer finish the sentence himself.

He turned around and casually walked back to his seat. However, mid-step, he paused briefly. “Also, who knows? You might just get the tools you need to go on a date with Amira in this dungeon-clearing mission.”

He laughed slightly, then sat down.

Lucifer clenched his fist, trembling in rage as he glared at Storm.

Then, his gaze shifted back to Amira, and the average-looking lady flashed him a polite smile filled with complex emotions.

When Storm had suggested the plan to her, she could already figure out what he planned.

However, she didn't try to stop him. It was better for her to continue enjoying Storm anyway. After all, she didn't like Lucifer and couldn't possibly do so.

Everyone soon settled for class. However, noticing three empty seats, the students were puzzled, occasionally glancing at them as though they could hardly believe that James and his lackeys were missing.

They watched the ticking time pass 7:30 a.m., the time for class, and still James and his lackeys hadn't entered.

There was also the fact that no instructor stepped into the class.

Only when the time was 8:00 a.m. did an instructor, followed by the others, enter the room.

“Students, this is Lisa, who possesses a D-grade talent related to lie detection. She will be investigating a few of you and asking some questions. Please come with me…”