Dekan Begins Searching for His Next Victim

"Cornelia, follow me."

As the first to run out of the examination hall, Dekan did not rush to lead Cornelia away.

Instead, he signaled for her to hide with him at a nearby corridor corner to wait.

Only after a group of demon students had run out did Dekan and Cornelia blend in behind them.

There was likely danger in the corridors, so it was best to let this group of demon students scout the path.

Dekan and Cornelia kept their heads down, following the main crowd.

The corridor was like a labyrinth.

Whenever a fork in the road appeared, the students would split into several groups.

At these times, Dekan would choose to follow the group with the most people.

If you have just arrived at a new school and don't know the way to important facilities like the cafeteria or library, following the direction with the most people is always the right move.

Of course, these demon students were clearly not heading to eat or study.

Judging by their demeanor, it was more like they were searching for a "sanctuary."

Once in the corridor, they didn't even dare to run, moving instead with quick, light footsteps.

This made Dekan even more certain that moving through the corridors at will was dangerous.

Except for Cornelia.

Because she was the only student who had left the examination hall through official means.

The effect of that red Demon Ticket was likely to avoid the "dangers" of the corridors.

"Where are we going?"

Cornelia asked in a voice as soft as a mosquito's hum beside Dekan.

Her speech had become exceptionally fluent, though she also realized she couldn't speak loudly.

"Just follow me."

"Mm, thank you for what happened in the examination hall earlier."

The Shadow World possessed an automatic mechanism for unifying languages, so even if one were matched with challengers from foreign countries, or if the Shadow World had a special backstory or worldview, there would be no language barriers.

Cornelia seemed very happy to discover that she could communicate smoothly with Dekan.

Communication within the Shadow World was unexpectedly much freer than in the real world.

"Small matter. I'm quite good at the rules of the first classroom; it might be your turn to put in the effort later."

Dekan thought for a moment, then asked, "By the way, what do I look like right now?"

"About the same as you originally looked, hmm... you seem to have become a little better-looking."

Cornelia pondered carefully before answering.

"...Then I probably know what species I am."

Dekan did not want to say it out loud.

But to be fair, it might be useful.

"Do we not need to regroup with the other challengers?"

Cornelia asked.

"No, it's more efficient for six people to explore separately. The two of us together is enough."

After all, the mission requirement for this Shadow World was not for the six people to unite to solve puzzles, but rather a map exploration type that was a race against time.

Dekan observed the exploration progress displayed in Mission Objective 1.

Although it was increasing, the rate of growth was very slow.

This indicated that the exploration progress did not depend entirely on the area covered.

Perhaps different locations within the Demon Academy had different weights for the growth of exploration progress; it was possible that the more dangerous the place, the higher the corresponding exploration progress.

Furthermore.

Not entirely trustworthy, not really needed, and didn't want to deal with them.

These were three sufficient reasons for Dekan not to contact the other challengers for the time being.

Dekan neither wanted to encounter dead weight that would get in his way, nor did he want to encounter a "big brother" who would bark orders at him.

Having Cornelia, a taciturn super-fighter, by his side was enough.

Helping the other four leave the examination hall quickly was already doing more than enough.

No longer concerning himself with the situation of the other challengers for the moment, Dekan noticed that the number of demon students around them was dwindling.

Many demon students had already found classrooms along the way to hide inside.

It was time to make a move.

Now, even if a demon student suddenly disappeared in front of them, it would not be noticed by the other demons.

"Cornelia, go invite a demon over for a chat."

"Understood."

Cornelia suddenly quickened her pace and pressed her hand onto the shoulder of a demon student ahead.

The demon student whipped his head around, his face full of rage as he looked at Cornelia, ready to lash out.

"You're courting death..."

However, he discovered that only his head could move; his body simply wouldn't turn.

He couldn't move!

It felt as if a small mountain were pressing down on his shoulder!

This wasn't just a tap on the shoulder; this was a restraint!

If she applied just a little more force, his shoulder would be crushed!

Meeting her gaze, the demon student was so frightened that his words died in his throat.

Cornelia's cold, absolute-superior gaze, combined with the terrifying power radiating from her, filled him with dread.

And that guy behind her...

Isn't he the culprit who turned the exam hall upside down?!

The fact that these two had been following him the whole time was truly terrifying!

Dekan walked to the side of the demon student and asked in a rather soft, gentle voice, "Why are you all running?"

The moment the demon student heard the question, he gritted his teeth, yet he dared not show his anger.

If it weren't for you bastard, we could have stayed in the exam hall and killed time in peace, he thought. We wouldn't have to be terrified out here in the hallway!

But aloud, he could only answer honestly, "...Class isn't over yet. If we run into the Dean in the hallway, we'll be killed."

Dekan: "Continue. For instance, when does class end?"

Demon student: "There is a thirty-minute break after every hour of class. We can only move freely in the hallways during break time. The school plays music to signal the start and end of classes."

Dekan nodded.

No wonder the students were all looking for classrooms.

Skipping class really could get you killed.

Strict school discipline, upright academic atmosphere.

His assessment of this school rose once again.

However, it seemed his stunt earlier had really screwed over the demon examinees who were actually planning to take the test.

For the demons, that exam hall had been a relatively gentle game.

They could have safely spent two class periods and a break inside before coming out.

Instead, Dekan blew up the exam hall, forcing them to participate in the horror games of other classrooms.

No wonder this demon student looks like he wants to kill me, Dekan thought.

Sigh, what a virtuous deed.

As the Buddha says, scamming demons is not a sin.

"What kind of classroom is that up ahead?"

Dekan asked, pointing forward.

They were currently standing in a rather stylish corridor.

Classical oil lamps illuminated lifelike portraits of demons along the long hallway, blending horror with a touch of elegance.

As they moved forward, they could see a carpet with ornate patterns covering the floor, leading straight to the end.

If he wasn't mistaken, it was likely an art classroom.

Dekan was probably quite good at games related to painting.

Demon student: "It's the cooking classroom."

Dekan: "???"

Was it really necessary for the decor near a cooking classroom to be this stylish?

Is this what they call high-society demons?

"Forget it, this one will do."

There weren't many demon students left scouting the area, and continuing further would be dangerous.

Dekan walked straight toward the classroom at the end of the carpet.

The demon student wanted to turn a corner and flee, to get as far away from these two jinxes as possible, but he found that Cornelia had no intention of letting go.

She transitioned into a hold, grabbing the demon student's arm and escorting him forward.

"Classmate, meeting is fate. Come with us."

Dekan said with a smile.

That smile made the demon student's hair stand on end.

You guys just want to use me as cannon fodder!