The scene resembled a thriving, elegant small city.

The sophisticated, clean interiors, beautifully arranged gardens, and the sheer artistry of the buildings created a breathtaking sight.

This was the Labyrinth Academy.

Constructed with an unthinkable amount of funding from nobles unwilling to let their children live in substandard conditions, the academy continued to flourish with substantial ongoing donations. Its grandeur and elegance reflected the wealth and pride of its benefactors.

Every detail—furniture, facilities, and the overall design—was tailored to satisfy even the most fastidious nobles. Naturally, the aesthetic appeal was equally unmatched.

Under the soft glow of the moonlight, the scenery exuded an ethereal beauty. And amidst this picturesque setting, a lone man strolled calmly ahead.

His jet-black hair, reminiscent of a starless night sky, fluttered gently in the breeze. His crimson eyes, half-lidded as if savoring the view, added to the striking allure of his presence. He seemed like a living painting, perfectly blending with the stunning backdrop.

A scene of such harmony between the figure and the environment—it was art incarnate. If a painter were present, they would undoubtedly wish to capture the moment on canvas.

And the man within this scenery, Yujin, turned his head slightly as if speaking to someone beside him and said, "It’s a beautiful sight, wouldn’t you agree, Tia?"

To anyone watching, he might have seemed mad, talking to himself. But that wasn’t the case. There was someone there—someone others could not see.

『Indeed, it is. Humans have quite the knack for artistic expression.』

If anyone else had been able to see the woman walking alongside him, they too would have been captivated by her presence, which complemented his perfectly.

『It’s nice. This feeling of strolling through a city together... it’s not something I ever experienced as a dragon.』

"Is that so?"

『Though, perhaps it’s also because I’m walking with you, Yujin.』

Tiamat smiled warmly, turning to look at him. Yujin, momentarily dazed by her smile, let out a small laugh.

"Tia, are you sure you’ve never had any romantic connections before?"

『Huh? W-What kind of question is that? That’s quite rude!』

"I mean, I just can’t imagine that someone like you wouldn’t have at least one admirer."

Yujin’s tone wasn’t flirtatious but rather genuinely curious. Even so, Tiamat seemed flustered.

『W-What nonsense... I’m the leader of the dragons. There’s no way anyone would think of me that way.』

"Is that so?"

Hearing her response, Yujin became even more certain. Tiamat was likely unaware of how many male dragons she had unintentionally charmed over the years.

People who couldn’t recognize others’ feelings for them often spoke like that, convinced it was impossible for anyone to harbor such emotions.

With a wry smile, Yujin said, "Let’s go with that, then."

『Let’s go with that? I’m telling the truth!』

"Yes, yes, I’m sure that’s the case. Anyway, Tia…"

Yujin narrowed his eyes slightly, turning his gaze in a particular direction.

"Does this feel familiar to you, or is it just me?"

『!』

At his words, Tiamat also narrowed her eyes, focusing on the same direction.

"It reminds me of the first trial in the labyrinth," Yujin remarked.

『...Yes, it does.』

Tiamat frowned subtly.

『It’s a demon. Not just a trace of demonic energy—it’s like a seed trying to bloom into a demon.』

"Weren’t demons all either killed or imprisoned in the labyrinth, just like the dragons?"

『That’s what I believed as well… but it might be a case similar to yours, Yujin.』

"...Hmm."

Yujin stroked his chin, eyes still half-closed in thought.

A demon outside the labyrinth, and within the academy, no less. How?

Yujin couldn’t say, but Tiamat speculated that it might involve a transcendent in the labyrinth using a mortal as a vessel to create another transcendent.

『It could be like a parasite and host relationship. Given it’s a demon, that scenario is quite likely.』

"Hmm… I see," Yujin murmured, stroking his chin again. He then opened a subspace, reaching inside to retrieve something.

What he pulled out was a small, black horn radiating a faint, sinister energy.

From the horn, a voice emerged.

[Huh? Ah… w-what brings you to summon me, my lord?]

It was Enkeos, the demon Yujin had shoved into his subspace after defeating him. Clearly caught off guard, Enkeos stammered as he spoke.

"Enkeos, do you recognize the energy coming from over there?"

[The energy… over there? Huh?! That’s… demonic energy?!]

Enkeos’s voice trembled as he continued, [It’s Lilith’s energy! But… she was supposed to be dead. How is this possible?]

"Lilith, huh. Judging by your reaction, she must be a deceased transcendent," Yujin said calmly.

『I remember her too. Lilith… she was a rather renowned demon.』

"Do you know much about her?" Yujin asked.

『Only that she was said to have died during the Great War. I never encountered her myself.』

"And what about you, Enkeos?"

[Lady Lilith possessed the power to bloom flowers using the souls and vitality of living beings as nourishment. Those flowers, in turn, had a potent ability to control the minds of others. Anyone who looked at the flowers would be mesmerized by their beauty, those who inhaled their fragrance would be intoxicated by their sweetness, and those who tasted the nectar would fall into an inescapable addiction, losing their will entirely. Ultimately, they would either become hosts for more flowers or puppets for her will. Even transcendents weaker than her weren’t immune to her power.]

"Hmm…"

Yujin’s expression remained neutral as he processed this information. A demon with such terrifying capabilities might have left behind more than just a legacy. Something—or someone—connected to Lilith was stirring within the academy.

“I see.”

The ability described was clearly dangerous—powerful enough to control even weaker transcendents. Given her reputation, Lilith was likely deemed a significant threat and swiftly targeted for elimination by other transcendents.

The fact that she had managed to avoid confronting someone as powerful as Tiamat likely indicated that she had carefully evaded such figures during her time.

Regardless, the situation confirmed one thing—this was a dangerous demon.

“Well, I suppose we should take a look. But before that…”

Muttering to himself, Yujin retrieved another object from his subspace: a communication crystal.

“Let’s give them a heads-up. I should’ve contacted them already anyway, considering I’m here.”

Yujin channeled mana into the crystal.

[This is Ines. Are you ready?]

The voice of Ines, the Labyrinth Academy’s principal, echoed through the crystal.

Yujin replied nonchalantly, “Ah, Principal. Actually, I’m already at the academy.”

[…What?]

Her startled voice came through loud and clear. Understandably, she was confused—how could he have arrived so quickly? Yujin had also noticed the warped spatial coordinates around the academy upon arrival.

Not that it mattered much to him.

“The academy is quite vast. I’m worried I might lose my way… perhaps near the student dormitories?”

As Yujin spoke, he glanced toward the direction where the demonic energy was emanating. Indeed, it was coming from the vicinity of the student dormitories.

With a light chuckle, he continued, “So, would you mind coming over before I accidentally wander somewhere I shouldn’t?”

It would be best if they arrived quickly to either explain the situation or take care of it themselves. Otherwise, Yujin might have to handle the matter on his own, and they likely wouldn’t want that.

[Wait—!]

Click.

Yujin cut off the communication, tossing the crystal back into his subspace. Then he turned and began walking forward.

“Well, shall we?”

『What are you planning to do?』

“Hmm. It seems to be a dangerous demon, so I’ll at least check it out. After all, this is my workplace now, isn’t it?”

『If you deem it too dangerous, will you eliminate it immediately?』

“I could always seal it and carry it around like I did with Enkeos.”

[......]

Enkeos remained silent, clearly displeased with the idea.

Regardless, Yujin didn’t warp directly to the source of the energy but chose to walk slowly toward the dormitories.

Why not warp?

“Well, it seems they’ve noticed Enkeos’s energy. Someone’s coming this way rather quickly.”

Indeed, someone was approaching rapidly from the direction of the dormitories. Yujin saw no reason to rush; warping directly to the dormitories might lead to unnecessary complications, such as encountering the principal before assessing the situation.

Soon enough, Yujin found himself in the garden separating the dormitories from the rest of the campus. As he walked through the central flowerbed, he sensed the presence growing closer.

How much time had passed? Yujin reached the center of the garden when he heard rustling from the bushes ahead.

Rustle, rustle.

The sound grew louder until finally—

Swoosh!

“Huff… huff…”

“…Hmm.”

From beyond the bushes emerged a figure, breathing heavily.

Bathed in the soft moonlight, her pure white hair shimmered, and her mature, elegant curves were accentuated.

Her beauty rivaled that of Tiamat’s, with exquisite features that seemed almost otherworldly. Her left eye shone pink, while her right eye was obscured by her hair, partially hidden by a blooming white flower.

She was a strikingly beautiful woman with an air of mystery, yet there was something unsettling about her expression—a strange, euphoric smile.

“Hah… ah…”

The woman froze upon seeing Yujin, her gaze immediately drawn to the black horn in his hand.

Thud!

Her body trembled, and she collapsed to her knees as if the strength had left her entirely.

The euphoric smile that had adorned her face vanished, replaced by an empty, hollow look fixated on the horn.

“A…”

Tears began to flow from her remaining eye as she knelt in silence, staring at the horn.

Watching her, Yujin couldn’t help but think to himself,

‘…What in the world is this?’

He had no idea what was happening.