Chapter 9

### How to Live Like a Demon - Chapter 9 (9/385)

How to Live Like a Demon Chapter 9

009 Above the Jumper (2)

"Did you do well with the introductions? As you know, temporary partners will last at least one semester. If you don't get along, you can change partners next semester, but I don't recommend it this year because of the Gustav Festival."

Arnold spoke as if giving a warning. As he said, there was no benefit to changing partners because of the Gustav Festival.

Most of the events where pairs participate are selected in the first semester and the list is submitted in advance. If a partner suddenly changes, it could be considered a violation of the rules and result in a penalty.

Lucius nodded.

"I know."

"Hmm, you both look rather gloomy despite knowing. Did you already have a fight?"

Arnold's light-hearted comment was met with hesitation from Lennox.

Lucius interjected with a deliberately brighter smile.

"We're getting along very well. It seems like it will be a pleasant year, so you don't need to worry."

"Is that so?"

"By the way, sir, did you come to give us a gift? I seem to recall you saying something like that."

Arnold glanced at Lennox with a slightly worried look but didn't think it was anything to be overly concerned about.

'He's been a bit down lately, but he's not an easy pushover.'

On the contrary, Lucius might unexpectedly be good at leading Lennox.

"If you consider it a gift, I'm grateful."

Arnold, who had been checking something on a document, motioned for Lennox to come closer. Lennox stood beside Lucius, looking somewhat awkward.

Previously, he had seemed flustered by his new partner's sudden actions, but now he looked troubled, as if he had a friend who always caused trouble.

"Alright, extend your hands forward. Lucius, your left. Lennox, your right."

Lucius extended his hand, curious about what the gift would be.

Lennox, on the other hand, looked resigned.

Arnold's lips curled upward as he faced the two obedient students.

Click.

He didn't hide his pleasure as he fastened black handcuffs around their wrists.

"Here, this is your gift."

Suddenly, the handcuffs became liquid-like and were absorbed into their wrists, leaving black bracelets. The bracelets extended from their wrists up their arms and even to their necks.

Lucius frowned slightly at the mild heat sensation and glanced at Lennox's wrist.

Unlike his, Lennox's bracelet was only on his wrist.

Arnold continued.

"This is a punishment."

After all, they had submitted their application late. Arnold said as much.

Lucius rubbed his neck.

The bracelet didn't seem life-threatening, but it felt like some kind of restriction.

'What a cute prank. I should at least ask what it is out of politeness.'

He hadn't expected Arnold to go this far, so he suppressed a laugh and shook his wrist.

"What is this, sir?"

"If you two are more than 100 meters apart after school, you'll get an electric shock."

"Then I can't be separated from Lennox, can I?"

"Exactly. You'll have to find your partner very well."

"You're saying that so calmly, but it's quite scary."

"As long as you find each other, there won't be any problems."

Lucius chuckled and lightly rubbed the black bracelet on his neck.

"Then what about this?"

"This is a 'mark.'"

"A mark...?"

"It's necessary for the upcoming class. You'll find out what it is during the class."

Lucius carefully observed the bracelet that started from his wrist.

As Arnold said, it was intricately designed to emit an electric shock if he was more than 100 meters away from a specific person during certain times.

He subtly manipulated his mana to test the bracelet, but it showed no reaction to simple stimuli.

Only when he tried to forcefully remove the bracelet did his wrist tingle as if it had been shocked.

"Did you design this yourself, sir?"

Arnold found Lucius's thorough inspection of the bracelet endearing.

He was pleased that Lucius showed interest in his handmade bracelet.

"Yes, I made it. Isn't a gift supposed to be made with care?"

"That's true."

Lucius felt a bit disappointed inside.

While the bracelet was intricately designed, it didn't meet his expectations.

He had thought Arnold, being the son of the infamous demon dragon Kerenstar, would create something more impressive.

For a demon with half the blood of a notorious dragon, this seemed too simple.

This level of bracelet could be undone instantly if he put his mind to it.

It looked like Arnold had put in his best effort, but was it really that good?

Lucius was puzzled.

Using both dragon and demon powers, it shouldn't be this simple.

'Could it be that he can only use one type of power?'

A sudden possibility came to mind.

Demon blood is quite exclusive, and many half-demons struggle even with the coming-of-age ceremony.

If Kerenstar wasn't a black dragon with similar properties to demon energy, Arnold might not have survived this long.

'If that's the case, it's quite a pity for this teacher.'

Ranking 101st while only using one type of power.

What could he achieve if he used his full strength?

Lucius, stroking his chin, dismissed his thoughts.

There was no point in worrying about it now.

"Sir, how will you remove this?"

"If you don't fail the class tomorrow, I'll remove it."

The mention of the class made his smile deepen. It seemed he had something significant prepared for the first class.

Lucius knew Arnold's teaching style well.

He rewarded good students and not only punished poor students but also guided them on the right path.

"I don't have time, so I must go. If you have any difficulties, don't hesitate to tell me."

"Goodbye."

"Take care."

Arnold checked the time and left.

As soon as Arnold was gone, Lucius sent his mana through the bracelet to explore its depths.

Unfortunately, he found no hidden functions.

'What to do.'

He couldn't leave it as it was, as unexpected situations might arise.

However, he couldn't completely remove it, as Arnold and Lennox weren't fools.

After some thought, he decided to modify only part of the spell.

Instead of getting an electric shock when they were more than 100 meters apart, he would receive Lennox's location information.

He also added a function to alert him if Lennox was in danger.

This way, the bracelet wouldn't be detected by Lennox, who was a novice in such matters, and it would avoid arousing Arnold's suspicion.

Lucius summoned a plant called Phnan into the room.

Phnan had a subtle fragrance and a beautiful appearance, and its mild sleep-inducing effect made it a popular decoration in the bedrooms of sleep-deprived demons.

While its sleep effect was weak, it was enough to make Lennox fall asleep faster and deeper in a confined space.

Sure enough, after a short while, Lennox rubbed his eyes and sat on the bed.

"It's not time to sleep yet, but I feel strangely drowsy."

"Maybe you're tired from all the events today. Go to sleep first."

"I'm sorry. I'll go to bed first."

Lucius watched as Lennox's body gradually slumped.

His eyes, which had lost focus, distorted.

Just as his eyes were about to close, Lucius gently supported his body.

"When you wake up, you won't remember anything. Sleep well, Lennox."

He whispered in a low, slow tone, like a lullaby.

Lucius adjusted his position and lifted Lennox into his arms. The slight frown on his forehead and the few wrinkles suggested he had many complaints.

Laying Lennox down on the bed, his frown gradually relaxed. Lucius chuckled and placed his hands on both their wrists.

"Even so, an electric shock is too much."

He had to modify both his own bracelet and Lennox's simultaneously, a highly skilled task.

However, for Lucius, it was no more than a post-meal exercise.

His mana control and knowledge of bracelets were among the best in the demon world, which was why he had become one of the five elders.

After completing the modifications, he examined his work and smiled in satisfaction.

The mana flow was stable, and the functions were working properly.

"Successful."

He left the bracelet on his neck untouched, as he was curious about what class Arnold had prepared.

"I'll get some sleep too."

Thinking it had been a good first day, he lay down on the bed and closed his eyes.

A few hours later, in the dead of night, the moon, stars, and even the wind seemed to hold their breath.

"No, don't... Ugh, ah..."

Lucius slowly opened his eyes.

A groan had disturbed his sleep.

He pulled back the blanket and approached the groaning Lennox.

Lennox was curled up, drenched in cold sweat.

His wet hair clung to his cheeks, and his pale complexion was visible through the blanket.

His lips and cheeks had lost all color, and the shadows under his eyes were darker than before.

It was as if he was suffering from a severe fever.

"Phnan only has a sleep-inducing effect. It doesn't cause nightmares."

So, his nightmares are usually worse than this?

Lucius's brow furrowed, and his lips pressed together.

Demons don't dream, as it would allow nightmares and night terrors to invade their subconscious.

For a demon to suffer from nightmares, especially from a creature like a nightmare, was unusual.

Rumble, rumble, rumble.

The sword, Ophelia, on Lennox's desk glowed with a purple aura and hummed.

Was it resonating to help its owner, or was it emitting energy to torment him?

"Is this sword really the problem?"

Sitting on the edge of Lennox's bed, he hesitated for a moment before waving his hand.

A threatening aura caused Ophelia to stop humming and return to a normal sword.

However, Lennox's condition didn't improve.

"It's not just the sword."

He gathered demonic energy in his palm and gently placed it on Lennox's forehead, who was still drenched in cold sweat.

Massaging the tangled mana circuits, the flow soon became smooth.

Though not as skilled as the school's health teacher, he knew enough healing techniques.

Being a dryad, after all.

Lennox's pale complexion regained some color, and his rapid breathing slowed to a steady rhythm.

"You're a lot of work. Is a partner really such a big deal that you have nightmares?"

In reality, the weak are eliminated.

Lucius gazed at Lennox, his hand still on his forehead.

* * *

The next morning, Lucius was having a staring contest with his reflection in the mirror, a serious look on his face.

There was one thing he couldn't do, despite his many talents: styling his hair.

"Ah, I wish Hamel were here..."

Without Hamel, who was back at the mansion, he couldn't manage his long hair, which was a problem.

He had practiced several times, but it just wouldn't get easier.

After summoning an eye plant to check the back of his head, he finally settled for a satisfactory result and stood up.

"There's nothing I can do."

Stepping outside, he found Lennox waiting for him at the door.

Seeing him standing there, he couldn't help but smile, remembering the effort he had put in the previous night.

"Did you wait for me?"

Lennox shook his head and pointed to his wrist.

"Since we're partners. Arnold is strict about time. I wanted to remind you that he doesn't easily overlook tardiness."

"You're more considerate and attentive than I thought."

"I don't want to hear you complaining after school on the first day. Let's go."

Lucius followed Lennox, who started walking.

At least his complexion wasn't too bad, considering he had nightmares.