novelraw Chapter 64: Entering the Bedrooms. (1)
Chapter 64: Entering the Bedrooms. (1)
Aku walked calmly through the academy’s hallways, holding the key between his fingers without really looking at it.
He was in no hurry. He never was.
Around him, other students did the same, though their paces were different.
Some advanced quickly, as if wanting to disappear as soon as possible inside their new rooms.
Others walked with some doubt, glancing sideways at every corner, as if expecting something to happen at any moment.
Aku didn’t share that unease.
His step was firm, constant, silent. His purple eyes, deep and dark as two bottomless abysses, surveyed the surroundings without apparent interest, but registering everything.
The structure of the hallways, the distribution of the doors, the small variations in lighting... everything was stored in his mind without effort.
The place was efficient, and different from the aesthetic he was accustomed to.
The white walls, smooth, combined with blue light lines that ran along the edges of the ceiling and floor, creating a cold but orderly sensation.
There was no unnecessary decoration, nothing that broke the visual harmony. Every element seemed placed with an exact purpose.
Finally, he stopped in front of a door.
The number matched that of his key.
Without hesitating, he extended his hand. Purple sparks came out between his fingers, manifesting the key.
The boy, without much mystery, inserted the key into the door and turned it.
The door opened almost instantly, sliding to one side with a soft sound.
Aku entered.
The interior was spacious. More than you’d expect for a simple shared room.
The space was divided into three well-differentiated zones, each with its own bed, desk, and storage, but without physical barriers completely separating them.
The dominant colors were white and blue.
White covered most of the surfaces, from the walls to the main furniture, providing a sensation of almost artificial cleanliness.
Blue, on the other hand, appeared in specific details. Light lines on the floor, translucent panels on the walls, small reflections on the furniture edges.
Everything emitted a slight glow, as if the room breathed in silence.
The beds were wide, with impeccable sheets, perfectly taut.
The desks seemed integrated into the place’s very structure, without visible joints. Even the air had an exact temperature, neither cold nor warm.
Luxurious.
Functional.
Controlled.
Very different from the old castle he was accustomed to.
Aku advanced a few steps into the room, observing without showing reaction.
"Wow... how fast," said an irritatingly familiar voice.
The voice came from the side.
High-pitched, light... but loaded with intention.
Aku didn’t stop.
"Not even five minutes and you’re already settling in," the voice continued. "I guess after stealing someone’s body, this is like moving house, right?"
Aku turned his head slightly.
There she was.
Sylvie.
A small point of light floating in the air, with a tiny humanoid shape.
Her blonde hair fell in soft strands around her face, and her green eyes shone with a not-at-all-friendly intensity. A greenish aura constantly surrounded her, vibrating with a living, almost restless energy.
She was crossed arms.
Looking directly at him.
"What?" she added. "Not going to say anything? How strange. Or is it too hard to strangle me at that size?"
Aku observed her for a few seconds.
The demon king didn’t understand those words.
Why strangle her? It was easier to crush her with his hands, with a clap, as if she were a mosquito.
Aku preferred to push that thought away and looked away.
"What did you do?" Sylvie asked, changing her tone slightly, though the irritation was still there. "That little speech... the tour... all that. Tell me, come on."
Silence.
Aku advanced to one of the beds. There was a metal square there, most likely the "tablet."
Or perhaps something else.
"Oh, of course," Sylvie said sarcastically. "Ignore me. Very original."
She approached floating, positioning herself in front of his face.
Preventing Aku from grabbing that artifact that made the boy so curious.
"You know? Normally when someone kills your companion, at least they have the decency to respond when you talk to them."
Nothing.
Not a reaction.
After all, Sylvie’s argument was stupid even for Aku.
If someone kills your companion, what reasons would they have to answer your questions?
Sylvie’s cheap manipulation wasn’t going to work on him this time.
Sylvie frowned.
"We made a deal, remember?" she continued with a lower but tenser tone. "And ignoring me wasn’t part of the deal!"
The fairy exploded with annoyance.
Though in reality, in that deal, Aku never mentioned anything about paying attention to her.
Moreover, he was starting to amuse himself watching the fairy get frustrated.
Aku looked at her.
This time, directly.
"Are you done? I want to see how that ’tablet’ works," he said with a flat voice.
It wasn’t a question.
Sylvie gritted her teeth.
"No."
She moved closer.
"I’m not done."
Her aura vibrated more intensely.
"You killed him. You used him. And now you’re here, walking around like nothing happened, as if all this were... what? A game?"
Aku observed her in silence for a few more seconds.
Why was Sylvie being so annoying about Alexander now?
Wasn’t that already a settled matter?
But it wasn’t his problem either. He didn’t care in the slightest.
Aku just looked away again.
"Annoying."
A single word.
Enough.
Sylvie remained motionless for an instant, as if she hadn’t expected that response.
"Annoying?" she repeated, incredulous. "That’s it?"
Aku didn’t respond.
The silence lengthened.
Tense.
Sharp.
"You’re incredible," she finally murmured. "Really."
Right at that moment, the door opened again.
Both looked toward there.
A boy entered with light steps, almost carefree.
Long blue hair that fell down his back, white skin without being pale, and eyes that transmitted an innocence almost out of place in that environment.
His expression was relaxed, curious, like someone simply exploring something new.
He stopped upon seeing them.
And then he smiled.
"Oh!" he exclaimed, clearly animated. "It’s you!"
He approached without hesitation.
"What a coincidence," he added. "I thought it would take me longer to find you."
Sylvie looked at him with distrust.
Aku, however, recognized him instantly.
Bīng Xuě.
"Our fight was very fun," the boy continued, leaning slightly forward. "It’s been a while since I had that much fun! Though someday I want a rematch, okay?"
Aku observed him.
And for the first time since entering the room, a slight variation crossed his expression.
Not a smile.
But something close.
"Yes, I’ll be waiting for it," he responded calmly.
Bīng Xuě opened his eyes with more enthusiasm.
"Really?" he said. "Great! Next time I’ll give you a beating, you’ll see."
He put his hands behind his back, swaying slightly on his feet.
"By the way, can I make you a proposal?"
Sylvie blinked, confused while watching the scene.
Aku just shrugged.
"Make it if it’s convenient for you."
Hearing that, the boy responded immediately.
"I want to be your friend!" Bīng Xuě added with total naturalness. "I always like making strong friends!"
Direct.
Simple.
Sincere.
Aku observed him for a few seconds.
Evaluating.
There was no deception in his words. No hidden calculation. Just an almost childlike honesty... and a strength that didn’t need to be demonstrated again.
A useful ally.
And someone... interesting.
"That’s fine," he finally said.
Sylvie opened her eyes wide.
"Really?" the fairy said incredulously, as if the idea of the demon king making friends sounded ridiculous.
Though well, deep down it was.
Bīng Xuě smiled more.
"Great," he responded. "Then we’re friends."
Just like that.
The atmosphere in the room changed slightly. The tension didn’t disappear, but shifted, adopting a different form.
And right at that moment, the door opened again.
The three looked toward there.
A figure appeared in the doorway.
Aku narrowed his eyes slightly.
Sylvie fell silent.
Bīng Xuě tilted his head, curious.
And then...
Gerald entered.