Reborn As A Warlock, Misunderstood As Strongest-Chapter 49: Aria Valentine [2]

"Hey, you there. What? Did you see something?"

He was a man with no morals, using solar power in such a shameful manner.

"Please, let go of me. I have to go home quickly..."

’Uh...? That woman...?’

She looked strangely familiar.

A female student wearing an academy uniform — she appeared to be a student from Salomon Academy.

It was hard to see her face because her bangs obscured her eyes, but judging by the way her school uniform shirt seemed about to burst, I could see why the bullies were so obsessed with her.

’There’s no need to help.’

Although she might look like a weak student on the outside, she was still from Salomon Academy. They were on a completely different level from the thugs who extorted money in these alleys.

The moment I turned around and left the alley, goosebumps rose on the back of my neck.

’...Is this magical energy?’

It had a foreign feel — different from what black magicians use — but it was definitely demonic energy.

’No way!’

My body moved before my mind did.

I pushed off the ground and kicked the side of the bully who was holding the female student’s hand.

"Wah!"

The bully flew straight into the wall without even having time to react.

I’d held back my strength as much as possible, but if I’d made even the slightest mistake, I probably would have killed him instantly.

The other bullies surrounded me.

"Brother Homin! Gwae, are you okay?"

"Y-yeah! Who the hell are you?!"

Seeing them spout such cliché lines even after witnessing the scene, it seemed that not having the ability to learn was a common trait among delinquents.

"Now, let’s count to three. Anyone still standing in front of me after I finish counting—see that guy over there, slumped against the wall and drooling? You’ll end up like him. Got it?"

The bullies’ voices trembled, perhaps because they had finally sensed the danger.

"Oh, is the little bastard kidding me?! Do you know who we are?"

"Uh, if we’re talking about him, he’s the ruler of the back alleys of Jerusalem... the famous Snake—"

Instead of answering, I smiled warmly.

"One."

The bullies slowly backed away. Still, they seemed loyal enough to carry off their unconscious comrade.

"Yeah, I’ll remember your face! Consider yourself lucky today. If you were part of our organization, you’d both already be minced meat!"

"Two."

"Wait and see! You’ll regret this soon! The Snake’s shadow will definitely—definitely take revenge! Just for today, we’ll spare your life!"

With one last threat, the bullies quickly fled the alley.

Idiots.

They’d probably never realize how close they came to actually being torn apart.

If I hadn’t intervened, they would’ve been broken into small pieces, rolling on the ground without even a chance to beg for mercy.

’I’m the savior of your lives, you bastards.’

And they would’ve probably tried to kill me too, just for being a witness. I turned my head toward the female student.

’No matter how much you’re protected by a demon, are you sane enough to use your power in the middle of the Empire? Are you fearless, or just thoughtless...?’

She lowered her head toward me.

"...Thank you for saving me."

Her tone was dry — it didn’t carry even the slightest hint of gratitude.

Well, if I’d been even one second later, she probably would’ve killed them all herself. Since I stepped in first, her hands must be itching.

Especially since she was already someone overflowing with hatred for humans.

"Judging by your uniform, I thought you were a student at our school, so I couldn’t just walk away. My name is Zeil Sieghart, and I’m currently enrolled. What grade are you in?"

"...I’m a freshman."

Huh? Her expression flickered for a moment — was that a warning? A silent message telling me to back off, or she’d kill me if I said another word?

Now that I thought about it, the slight twitching of her fingers suggested she was seriously contemplating something.

I smiled brightly, pretending not to notice the ominous signs.

"Really? I’m a freshman too. It’s so nice to meet a classmate here! If you don’t mind me asking, what class were you assigned to?"

No matter how this encounter started, it couldn’t just end here. Of course, her identity was... 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

’The Favorite of the Night, Aria Valentine.’

The only daughter of the Demon King — one of the people who would later destroy this world alongside Karl Damian.

The second person who must be killed if she cannot be turned into an ally.

She was also the reason I went through all kinds of hardship to enter the Academy.

Because of the setting of this world, everyone capable of influencing its fate was gathered at the Academy.

"...S class."

I smiled brightly and shook her hand as if overjoyed. Of course, I hadn’t realized that Aria Valentine was also assigned to S class.

"This is a new class, right? I’m also in S class. I’m really glad that the classmate I met by chance is in the same one. Please take care of me."

"Ah... yes..."

Her eyes flicked toward my hand. I quickly let go and looked at her expression.

"Oh, sorry! I was so happy to see you that I didn’t even realize..."

She still looked wary, but she didn’t seem murderous anymore — maybe because she knew we were in the same class.

Then, suddenly, I felt a presence around us.

’Are those thugs from earlier? Didn’t they learn their lesson?’

When I turned my head, masked people began to appear one by one.

They weren’t bullies — the atmosphere was completely different.

At least a dozen of them.

We were surrounded on all sides, even from the rooftops.

I hadn’t even sensed them approach.

’They’re professionally trained assassins.’

I’d thought meeting Aria was the main event, but apparently, the real show was just beginning.

The man in front, wearing a blue mask, spoke.

"...Are you Zeil Sieghart?"

I think I’ve found their target.