You Should've Run

Wrapped within the devil's cold embrace, Kalliope rested her hands on his chest as she tried to put a distance between them. The devil looked on in amusement and he couldn't help but chortle. Truly a mundane thing to do. He could never understand why human would continuously put up a fight even when their effort was in vain.

And in all honesty, Kalliope did realize she was not in her peak condition right now to stand against this crazy maniac. First, her mana was still in chaos and second, despite her condition, she had forced herself to counterattack Dozahr's ultimate spell.

But, she kept up her struggle since….well….it was a matter of dignity.

She felt somewhat, ashamed.

Unfortunately right now, Kalliope could only swallow her discomfort and glared at 'the man'. Her eyes burnt with every intention to bury this shameless Gozurak. Though it was not known whether it was shame or her anger that tinged her pale cheeks slightly red.

"Get your hands off of me!" Kalliope gushed through her gritted teeth.

The devil merely smirked at her empty threat. Besides, he was embracing her for her own good. So, he disregarded her anger and leaned down to her face where he nuzzled their noses together.

Then, he spoke as if he was coaxing her, gentle and soft, "Now, now, don't be so mean. Don't you feel good in my arms, My Lady?"

And Kalliope immediately got goosebumps all over her body. However, when Kalliope heard his words, she ceased her movement and stared at him thoughtfully. That was when she came to a realization which made her freeze.

She couldn't feel any pain, even though he wasn't infused in her soul.

Kalliope narrowed her eyes. "What did you do?" Maybe, they didn't have to always stick together after all. That would be convenient.

He burst out in laughter then, as if he could read her thoughts. Ruffling her hair, the devil responded in a tone that didn't sound apologetic at all. In fact, it sounded like a ridicule.

"My apologies, but there's nothing you can do without me, especially right now when you haven't completely merged both mana. The only reason you're not feeling any pain is because of our physical contact which enables me to condition the dead mana."

Then, he proceeded to smile widely. "You're welcome."

Kalliope instantly went speechless at his level of shamelessness. 'I thought I told him to have some dignity as a demon.'

Lifting a brow, she scoffed, "I've helped you break free and also make you a Count by sacrificing Dozahr's soul. Yet, I'm the one who said thank you?"

But, the devil was cheekier than she thought. "Aren't I thanking you right now by hugging you to elevate the pain?"

Kalliope, "...."

"You're welcome." He gave out another round of sweet sugary smiles. "Now, give me a name."

After a century long, Kalliope finally met her rival. The corner of her lips twitched. Feeling overly irritated by him, Kalliope ended up smacking his digusting smiley face that was too close to her and said, "How about Mr. Pervert?"

Trust the devil to stare at her speechlessly for her naming skill, however, they didn't get to talk more as they felt two presences approaching. Kalliope sighed, "Even though I have given the prisoners to distract them, they still have enough teachers to go around, huh?"

As soon as she finished her sentence, an all-too-familiar voice shouted at her, "Kalliope?!!"

The corner of Kalliope's mouth lifted slightly. She turned to look at the same disciplinary teacher who had walked her to the underground prison this afternoon. Mirth danced in her eyes, glimmering ever so maliciously, as if she had been waiting. Like a predator who watched her prey foolishly walking to their death. Her already terrifying appearance appeared even more unsettling by those hungry gaze and empty smile.

Her eyes themselves intimidated both teachers and they froze in fear. Their hearts lodged in their throat as they watched Kalliope take a few steps towards them.

"I thought I told you to run, Teacher."

Her lips parted slightly as an insidious grin crept to her face, while both of her hands settled behind her back.

"K, Kal, Kalliope….y-you…" the disciplinary teacher pointed her trembling finger at Kalliope as she stammered, "W-What have you done?! W-Wha…"

She wanted to question what had happened. She wanted to know what Kalliope did, that she could feel the familiar dark aura emanating from Kalliope. The same one which she had warned Kalliope about in the prison. However, she couldn't get the words out.

Standing before Kalliope who was basked with dead mana from head to toe, she was completely overwhelmed. There was a dominating oppression weighing on her that shook her entire being.

Deep down, the teacher knew what was going on, only she couldn't believe such a terrifying fact that the troublemaker had binded the contract.

To her reaction, Kalliope broke into laughter. She tutted derisively and corrected, "Wrong teacher." Thereafter, she spread her arms wide. "What have I not already done?"

"You're the one who freed the prisoners," the other teacher confidently declared.

"As it should be," Kalliope only happily and proudly agreed to his statement. "Blame your trashy ability for that."

"Y-You!!"

Perhaps, it was because the other teacher was younger and thus more hot-blooded. Additionally, he wasn't aware what the black veins all over Kalliope's body indicated. Hence, he attacked without concern. It was truly a foolish move.

One spell and Kalliope didn't even lift a finger as the black aura flared out and deflected his magic with ease, like flicking an insect. Then, BANG!

The spell redirected and struck himself. However, it wasn't just his own mana within the spell anymore. It was imbued with dead mana as well. Thus, when it struck his body, the dead mana slipped into his vein through the bleeding. It didn't take long before his body convulsed and a piercing scream of agony stained the air.

"AARGHHHH!!!!"

That cry itself had sent the disciplinary teacher into a state of hysteria. She was so scared that she stood petrified and her brain went blank. Everything had happened in a flash and she couldn't even save her colleague. Now, witnessing how his body went into a spasm and black veins appearing all over his body, preying the man from within, the disciplinary teacher shook like a trembling leaf.

Then, all of the sudden, her vision went black. The next thing she knew, she was thrown down carelessly onto the ground right outside the academy. Sitting on the wet ground, she looked up at her nightmare.

"I told you," Kalliope said, "For the sake of your own life, you should've run."