Chapter 1

Phew...

I stared intently at the flickering crimson flame dancing above my palm, its brilliance growing stronger by the day—so much so that I feared I might soon lose control. It had once obeyed me so well... What had changed?

Perhaps it had something to do with my eighteenth birthday, which had just passed a few days ago.

Click.

The sound of the door unlocking pulled me from my thoughts. I turned to see the familiar figure of my twin sister entering the room.

"The car's here," Charlize said with a calm voice, though her pale blue eyes betrayed a hint of dread. She looked almost identical to me, save for her chestnut hair and sea-glass irises.

It wasn't surprising—my twin was always easily frightened, despite having the most powerful gift among us all.

I stood up, slung my bag over my shoulder, and linked arms with her. Together, we walked out.

We had both long awaited this day, when we would finally begin our mission. But deep down, neither of us truly wanted to face those monsters. Not yet.

"We'll finally see Gina and the others again. Aren't you even a little excited?" Charlize sniffled, almost on the verge of tears.

"I am," I replied gently, "but the thought of living with demons makes my skin crawl."

"We'll get used to it... eventually," I added.

By the time I finished speaking, we had reached a sleek black car gleaming in the morning light. The driver stepped out to open the door for us. Without a word, we climbed inside.

This car was meant to transport sacrificial offerings to the Demon City—some willing, some not.

In our case, we had chosen this path ourselves.

As the engine started, I took a slow breath to steady my nerves and gazed out the window. I had to stay strong—for Charlize, if not for myself.

We rode in silence for nearly two hours, until the human city faded behind us. Gnarled vines with piercing thorns soon crept into view, forming a natural barrier that seemed to guard the entrance to another world.

The further we went, the darker the surroundings became. Shadows swallowed everything, as though light itself feared this place.

Eventually, the car's headlights cut through the gloom, revealing a towering wall in the distance.

– CITY OF DEVIL –

The vehicle came to a halt before the massive gates. The driver rolled down the window and held something up.

In less than a second, the gates creaked open, allowing us to pass into the city beyond—a place strikingly similar to the human world, with buildings and streets laid out just the same.

And yet, everything felt... drained of life.

Demons wandered the sidewalks, eyes fixed on our car. They had crimson skin, horns atop their heads, and sharp fangs glinting at the corners of their mouths.

I felt my heartbeat stutter. They looked just like the ones from the old records...

Thankfully, we weren't staying in the heart of their city. Our destination was a facility for young demons—a place where human-demon relations could be nurtured.

A sign loomed ahead, etched in elegant stone:

– DEVIL ACADEMY –

The iron gates opened slowly, revealing a wild forest path lined with overgrown trees. The car rolled forward, its tires crunching over twisted roots.

Screech!

"Ah!" I gasped as the car jolted to a sudden stop.

Someone was standing in our path—a girl, bracing herself against the hood. She stared at us with wild, haunted eyes before suddenly turning and fleeing, as though being hunted.

The driver didn't react, merely preparing to move again.

But I turned my gaze to where she had looked.

Beyond the trees, I saw a graveyard cloaked in mist... and a shadowy figure standing still as a statue.

Its eyes opened—burning red, glowing in the darkness.

A vampire...?

I'd heard the whispers: not all demons were of one kind. There were other bloodlines among them now.

I never imagined it was true...

The car moved again, leaving the trees behind. Up ahead, I spotted a looming mansion—its presence chilling.

That had to be their residence. The place we'd be wise to avoid—unless invited.

Just then, the car came to a stop again, this time before a grand manor with white pillars and Grecian design.

The driver lifted his cap, a silent gesture of goodwill.

"Good luck."

I returned the gesture with a slight nod before stepping out, slinging my bag over my shoulder.

Thud.

The moment the door shut behind me, the car pulled away.

Charlize and I exchanged uncertain glances.

What now?

Before I could raise my hand to knock, the door creaked open.

A woman stood before us, dressed in a sleek black gown, her expression unreadable and severe.

"Follow me," she commanded coldly.

Inside, a large, dim hall stretched out before us. A long table sat at its center, surrounded by tall-backed chairs.

"You will eat here at 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. every day. No exceptions." Her voice was sharp as ice.

As she led us upstairs past rows of closed doors, I glanced down into the hall again—just in time to see a girl sneaking in.

"TRIXIE! You're not supposed to be back yet!" the woman bellowed, her voice echoing down the corridor.

The girl froze, eyes wide. "I'm sorry, Madame Gretel!"

She looked like she needed help...

"Leave!"

"Yes, Madame!" she replied quickly and vanished from sight.

What terrifying aura...

Madame Gretel said nothing more, simply continuing forward until she reached one door. She unlocked it and gestured for us to enter.

"Uniforms are in the wardrobe. Rules are on the table," she said, eyes narrowing slightly as she met my gaze. "Read them. Follow them. Or suffer the consequences."

Slam!

The door closed behind us.

Charlize jumped.

Well, what a warm welcome...

The room was modest but sufficient—bunk beds, a large wardrobe, and a small table with two chairs.

"Ooh, there's a balcony," Charlize noted, approaching the glass doors—though she stopped short, unnerved by the shadows outside.

I chuckled faintly and turned to the table, picking up the old sheet of rules.

"One: No returning to the dorms until after classes end. Two: Keep your room clean. Three: Mandatory attendance at Phoenix Hall. Four: Do not wander outside after sunset. Five: Curfew at 10 p.m. sharp. Six: Obey all of Madame Gretel's orders."

"That's it?"

"That's it."

Charlize let out a long sigh and collapsed onto the bed.

"She'll kill us before the demons even get the chance..."

"You doing okay?" I asked gently.

"I have to be," she muttered. "So... what now?"

I thought for a moment. Then I grabbed her hand and pulled her to her feet.

"We go out."

"W-what? Already?"

I nodded, determination burning in my chest.

I'd waited eighteen years for this—to right the wrongs of a past life. I wouldn't waste another second.

"Let's find our sister."