7. AcademyA few days ter...

  Agamennone, dressed in a blue uniform with cyan accessories, was in front of a big building. The entrance was guarded by a huge iron gate from which a stone street started that would conduct to the main building. At the sides of the streets were pnted some pnts, like magnolias and some species of prunus. Agamennone was sleepy and was also massaging his inner thights. At his right Vionte, dressed just like him, was admiring the scenery, smiling.

  "Despite having seen it berfore, this scenery never fails to amaze me... What do you think, Agamennone?"

  The boy didn't respond, being in his own world of thoughts.

  'Deodorants shouldn't have scents, it defeats their own purpose. They aren't called perfumes!'

  The boy snickered. The half-succubus, slightly annoyed by the ck of answers, decided to gently pull on her companion's sleeve, making sure to obtain his attention.

  "Do you like the scenery then?"

  "What scenery?"

  The dy sighed.

  "This garden in front of the main building of the academy."

  Agamennone observed his surroundings, then he shrugged.

  "I'm not in the right mood to observe sceneries. Today is the day my spare time officially dies."

  Vionte put a hand on the boy's shoulder.

  "I'll try to make things easier for you."

  The girl smiled. Her smile was met with coldness.

  "Be real. You can't do anything. Just stop this show of pity. You're not going to get any point from it."

  "Are you sure? To me it seems that being interested in your wellbeing is a way to get on your good side..."

  The girl was teasing her companion, who rolled his eyes.

  "Well, you can't solve my problems at the moment."

  The man started walking toward the building, trying to leave the girl behind. Vionte, however, didn't want to make things easy for him.

  "Your mood is worse than usual. Would you like to talk to me and vent a little?"

  Vionte was trying to be as friendly as possible, but she wasn't winning his favour.

  "You already know everything. Just leave me alone."

  Agamennone didn't even turn his head to talk to the girl, who stopped as soon as he ended his speech. She decided to comply, a malicious smirk appearing on her face.

  'He'll return to me as soon as he realises that he doesn't know where he has to go.'

  The boy walked towards the entrance of the academy. His body showed all his displeasure he had at the moment,

  'I already hate this pce. Full of morons who want to be beaten into a pulp... And i have to be one of those... I'm also dressed like a 90's Sauber-Petronas car while wearing a frilly pink backpack... JEAN-PHILIPPE I'M GONNA EAT YOUR BONES! '

  Arrived at the main entrance, Agamennone tried to find some sheets of paper attached on the door or the wall that could help him finding his future cssroom. He managed to find some useful infos, but as he was reading them, Vionte approached him from behind and suddenly she put a hand on his shoulder.

  "Do you need help?"

  Her tone was a mocking one.

  "I need no help."

  "Let me remind you how many times you lost yourself because you didn't want my help..."

  The lord was annoyed by her teasing. He removed her hand from his shoulder in a decisive way, then he left, entering the building. Vionte was surprised by his reaction, remaining still for some seconds before she also started reading the same papers.

  Agamennone wandered in the building searching for his cssroom. He was walking slowly, in a way which made clear he was putting the minimal effort required for such action, which resulted in a motion where almost all his body oscilted when walking. When he finally found the door to his cssroom, he let a yawn out. He observed the sign on the door to confirm the cssroom was the right one and then he opened the door. Inside he saw people of different species and ages listening to the professor that had already started his lesson. As the door opened, said professor looked at his new student, nodding as a sign of acknowledging his presence, before returning to his lecture. Agamennone so decided to sit on the nearest free desk. When he sat at that desk, he proceeded to take out a pencil case and a notebook. At the desk on the right side of Agamennone's an anthropomorphic lizard noticed his new neighbour, especially his backpack.

  "Nice Backpack."

  The anthropomorphic lizard was using a pyful tone. Agamennone decided to ignore him and to focus on the lesson.

  'Idiot.'

  The anthropomorphic lizard continued to talk to him though. He was slightly upset and slightly raised his voice.

  "I was just trying to make a conversation."

  "By mocking me? This is how you END a conversation. Now shut up and leave me alone."

  Agamennone responded quite aggressively, even if he didn't raised his voice too much. He then decides to focus again on the lesson, taking notes. He soon yawned though.

  "These lessons are boring, aren't they?"

  The anthropomorphic lizard tried again to start a conversation, failing miserably since the lord was ignoring him. Agamennone also rolled his eyes when hearing his cssmate again.

  'Do we speak the same nguage?!'

  The anthropomorphic lizard, however, was determined to relieve his boredom by starting a conversation with his neighbour.

  "Don't be childish. There's no reason for you to behave like this."

  "Do you understand what i say? Leave - me - alone."

  This squabble continued for a while, attracting the curious ears of some of their cssmates, whose reactions was comprised of smirks and giggles. The squabble ended when the lord threw him a frightening gnce before he snapped.

  "JUST SHUT UP YOU MORON!"

  The anthropomorphic lizard was surprised by such intensity. So it was the whole css and the professor, who mantained a calm demeanor

  "Mister, maybe you'd prefer to calm down outside the cssroom, wouldn't you? Please, get out for a while, i'll call you again in five minutes."

  Agamennone angrily stood up and stormed out of the cssroom without saying anything.

  'Another idiot... He's no professor, he's proferror!'

  After he left, his cssmates started to judge him and his behaviour while talking at a low volume.

  "He's someone dangerous, i'm sure of that."

  "Nope, i think he's just an arrogant prick. I'm sure we can make him drop his attitude if we retaliate."

  "I think he's just an attention-seeker... A clown."

  Amidst these opinions, the anthropomorphic lizard sighed.

  'I don't think my approach was a good one... I'll now have to tolerate such boring lessons without having fun with my neighbours...'

  After the first hours of lessons, Agamennone was feeling bored. While his notebook was written on with notes of the lessons' arguments in a very bad calligraphy, his book had doodles and random scribbles in it. Having nothing to use to relieve himself of boredom, he decided to put his head on his desk and let his imagination run free to amuse himself. While he started to imagining his cssmates' heads pop like a balloon, smirking in the process, the lizardman with whom he interacted previously approached him while holding two cans of beverages.

  "Since i... annoyed you in the past few hours, i think... I decided to... apologize by giving you a drink."

  The anthropomorphic lizard was apologetic, but his tone was quite weird. Agamennone decided to give him some attention, while also imagining him dressed like a clown. When the antropomorphic lizard put one of the cans on his cssmate's desk, Agamennone rose his head and observed the can. The word "Wine" was written on it just below the name of the brand: "S". The lord got up quickly, gncing menacingly at the other guy.

  "ARE YOU A COMPLETE IDIOT? WHY DID YOU THINK I WOULD DRINK WINE INBETWEEN LESSONS? BUT WHAT AM I SAYING... YOU ARE INCAPABLE OF THINKING!"

  Agamennone was almost throwing the can of wine at the anthropomorphic lizard but he was interrupted by both his self-control and by a melodious and familiar ughter nearby. As he turned to the left he saw his housemate, holding two cans of tea in her hands.

  "So... Have you started to drink to drown your sorrows?"

  Vionte was teasing him, but then she started ughing again.

  "Sorry... I just couldn't refuse such an opportunity to tease you..."

  "Thank you..."

  Agamennone response was deadpan.

  "Don't be upset, you know i mean no harm, don't you? Here, i'll buy your affection."

  The half-succubus gave one of the cans of tea to Agamennone. It was a can of strawberry tea. He accepted it, but he also rolled his eyes. In the meantime the anthropomorphic lizard was stunned by seeing such a beautiful woman, so he decides to introduce himself.

  "Hey, beautiful dy, i'm Tiberio, would you mind to know each other better?"

  "Hehe... Tiberio, huh? That's not the way you introduce yourself to a woman. If you really want to know a woman you shouldn't use such ambiguous phrases. And if you are just interested in a one time encounter... Just be honest about it. You're not lucky though, i'm not interested in such encounters."

  Vionte smiled at the anthropomorphic lizard, subtly hiding both her unease and her contempt towards him. She then turned again towards his housemate.

  "So... how are you doing?"

  Agamennone, who had just opened the tea can, sighed.

  "I'd rather not be here."

  "You haven't answered me..."

  "I'm doing normally."

  "That's too vague."

  The boy sighed again before drinking some tea.

  "I'm doing fine, my dy, if you're interested..."

  "Oh.. I'm sure of it... You're doing so well you'll be able to pass the courses even if you'll get always drunk during lessons, am i right? Now, if my mocking tone isn't enough to make you understand that your approach is wrong, i'll tell you just this once... Drop this act!"

  The half-succubus' st words were told in a very cold tone, contrasting her otherwise teasing and calm voice, and were cold enough to intimidate the anthropomorphic lizard. After finishing to respond to Tiberio, she turned again towards Agamennone.

  "I hope your day gets better. Still... I also come here to talk to Timotea. She's in your css, but knowing your tendencies... I doubt you noticed her..."

  The lord's expression of confusion was enough to confirm her suspicion.

  "Goodbye then."

  The dy smiled at her housemate, before leaving him, while opening her can of tea. Meanwhile Agamennone started to turn his head trying to find his colleague in the room, but he failed to do so. Tiberio, in the meantime, has calmed down, pondering on what to do next while drinking his wine.

  "How have you known such a stunning woman.? And how can i do the same?"

  Agamennone rolled his eyes, before taking another sip of his tea.

  "Chloroform."

  Tiberio was confused by the answer.

  "Chloroform?"

  "Oh... Maybe it's too complicated for you. Still... you can always knock'em out cold with an accurate hit on the back of their head. Warning: There's the risk of them being knocked out cold forever. Some people don't find it a problem though..."

  Agamennone started snickering, leaving Tiberio without words. The anthropomorphic lizard decided then to leave the css for a while. The boy, after ughing, decided to sit again at his desk, putting his head on it again, but he was soon interrupted by the professor, who noticed the closed can of wine on his desk.

  "You're already drinking after i reprimanded you earlier? It's not against the rules, but it shows how much interested you are..."

  Agamennone rolled his eyes, ignoring the teacher.

  'That guy Tiberio is bringing me misfortune just by existing... i should try to find a way to dispose of him.'

  Agamennone was leaving the academy's cafeteria after having eaten a decent lunch. He was on his way towards his css when Ferdinando, strangely dressed elegantly, intercepted him.

  "Come with me."

  The minotaur made a sign with his hand meaning 'Follow me' to reinforce what he meant. Agamennone rolled his eyes and sighed before following the antropomorphic ox. The two arrived at Ferdinando's office, which was devoid of any opulency despite being the rector. The two entered into the office, then they sat down on two wooden chairs at the opposite sides of a wooden desk.

  "I wanted to tell you that afternoon's lessons are usually practical. Given your ck of magic, it's imperative that you practice by yourself under someone who knows about you."

  "I hoped you said that i shouldn't have practiced at all... Also... i managed to forget that detail..."

  The reply was said in a deadpan manner. The regent was not amused by such answer.

  "Today you'll exercise under my supervision."

  "DO I NEED TO?"

  Agamennone put his arms on the desk, and then he put his head on his arms.

  "Stop being theatrical and return to your css. Vionte will be here soon to take you to a secret pce. You're dismissed."

  Agamennone zily stood up and was leaving the office without saying anything however, he was visibly nervous.

  'AAAAAAARGHHHHH! I HATE THIS GUY!'

  Before leaving the office for good, the boy suddenly turned towards the regent.

  "You dropped that 'My Lord' idiocy, finally!

  The minotaur remained composed.

  "It's better to skip the formalities if you want to remain anonymous."

  Agamennone stared at Ferdinando for some seconds before leaving while moving his body as emphasizing that he couldn't care less.

  The lord slowly returned to his css. When he arrived, it was almost empty.

  'At least there are no lizardmen here.'

  Agamennone entered the room, failing to notice that her housemate was already there, and he sat at his desk, utterly bored and without anything enjoyable to do. Vionte was talking with Timotea. She noticed Agamennone entering the room but she decided to give him some time.

  "I think you should stick behind that counter. It's safer for you. Don't risk your life for no reasons. Also, I'm sure Agamennone needs your help."

  The half-succubus had a mixture of contempt and genuine concern in her face.

  "You know me, I don't like being behind a counter. I like to explore, to see the world, and without money that's the best way to do that. You're rich, you can't understand. As for your friend, he's only willing to do the bare minimum, and tely he also became hysterical. I can't really help someone like that. At least he listen to what i have to say, but that's the basic when i'm his senior."

  The catgirl was quite annoyed by the argument and decided to leave. Vionte, for a moment, had a serious expression on her face, but she quickly shook her head and then she sighed. She then went straight towards Agamennone, trying to give him a warm smile.

  "Are you ready? Follow me then... "

  The lord turned his head towards the girl, before zily standing up and then following her. The duo walked until they reached an almost hidden zone of the academy training grounds. Meanwhile Timotea was talking to herself while also going to the training ground.

  "I really hate that expression of hers. It shows all her disappointment. She's still not accepting my decision, after all these years... Thinking about it... It was the same expression she had that time too... She seems to really try her best to keep her promise, i give her that, but old habits are hard to eliminate."

  While walking, Timotea passed in front of the rector's office. Ferdinando was exiting the office when he heard her monologue. A sinister grin appeared on his face.

  'Maybe it's time for such measures to be taken.'

  After some minute Ferdinando arrived at the pce where Agamennone and Vionte were supposed to train. The couple was already doing some basic training, but the tension was high.

  "You can do it. Yesterday you were making intense fmes with the chillis... Just focus on your energy."

  The dy was trying to calm his friend, failing to do it.

  "DON'T TREAT ME LIKE A BABY!"

  Vionte was shocked by such reaction, but she quickly composed herself again, pinching Agamennone's cheek in retaliation. She also started to absorb his anger.

  "OUCH! OUCH! I'M SORRY!"

  The girl released his face. She was quite unhappy.

  "I want to help you, not ridicule you. Calm down and use reason."

  The man rolled his eyes. He was now calm, yet annoyed by the situation he was into.

  "Your majesty, Vionte, The training's starting now. I want to see you two sparring, maybe if our lord's in danger he will be able to save himself..."

  Ferdinando was smirking, while the couple was quite shocked.

  "WHAT?"

  "I don't think it's a good idea at the moment."

  The regent ignored the compints.

  "You're good enough not to harm him... Too much, Vionte."

  The girl resigned to her fate. She sprouted her wings from her back and started flying in the air.

  "HOW DO I MANAGE TO GET YOU IF YOU'RE UP THERE!"

  "That's the point."

  Vionte smiled, while Agamennone was angry, with his anger being soon absorbed by the girl. Meanwhile Vionte was ready to cast an ineffectual and innocuous spell, a literal light ray simir to one emitted by a torch, against his housemate. Her spell managed to hit him without consequences. Agamennone was surprised by the hit and his ck of harm.

  'What?'

  Vionte wasn't really happy by her hitting him.

  'He cks reflexes, he cks perception... He needs more training...'

  Agamennone's eye twitched. He then managed to see the regent's unsatisfied look at his ck of performance. The boy observed his surroundings, spotting a pebble nearby. He went to grab it, but he was hit by another harmless spell.

  "You can't afford such behaviour in a fight. You have to always observe your opponent's moves."

  The half-succubus warned her housemate with a motherly yet stern tone. The lord did not reply. He threw the pebble at Vionte, who magically deflected it back to him, making sure not to hit him. Agamennone was clearly frustrated, grinning his teeth and with an almost unhinged expression on his face. The dy already noticed it and was refraining herself from being pyful. She also tried to absorb as much negative emotions as possible, but she was getting full and was starting to dispy the same emotions she was asborbing.

  Ferdinando observeded the training until Agamennone dropped quite rapidly on the ground due to exhaustion, after Vionte decided to transform the sparring into a lesson about the basics of dodging, then he sit down on the grass, completely unsatisfied by the results. Vionte, on the other hand, returned on the ground and ran towards the boy, preoccupied.

  "Are you ok? Can you get up alone or do you need my help?"

  The man signaled her with his hand to stop, he then started to slowly get up. As he stood up, Vionte gently took his right arm. She smiled at him, who did not react, keeping his frustrated expression on his face. He, however, did not refuse the dy's gesture. The duo walked towards the nearest door of the academy, Agamennone was seemingly observing his surroundings while, in reality, being absentminded and thinking about literally nothing. The girl, instead, was worried.

  'I should have noticed sooner that he wasn't just being overdramatic and he was furious instead.'

  As they left, the regent observed them sternly.

  "Vionte, When you're done, come into my office."

  Ferdinando was sitting on the chair behind his desk, doing some paperwork while waiting for the half-succubus to come. As she entered the office, he started to talk.

  "Vionte, sit down please."

  The girl did as he said. She, however, had her guard up.

  "So... Dear Vionte, i'd like to ask you a favour."

  The minotaur waited for a question that never arrived.

  "You don't seem to be in a good mood..."

  The girl started to caress one of her arms.

  "I'm worried."

  "I'm also worried."

  The regent was sure they weren't worried for the same reasons, and he made it clear through his tone of voice. The girl understood.

  "Since you are probably the only person our lord thinks of as a friend, i'd like that you take advantage of his trust by hypnotizing him."

  Vionte quickly stood up, shocked.

  "Forget it! That would be a viotion of trust... That would undermine everything i worked on... That would put a tombstone on our possible friendship..."

  The minotaur was not pleased by her response, letting out a grunt due to his annoyance. He put his hands together while keeping his arms on his desk.

  "Should i remember you that little accident... Well, you were involved in many accidents when you were younger, but there's only one accident that you're still ashamed of... I'm sure you haven't forgotten it."

  Vionte swiftly stormed out of the office, her expression full of a mixture of rage and disgust. However the door was blocked by a spell cast by Ferdinando even more quickly.

  "You won't leave until i finish to speak, young dy."

  Vionte listened to the regent, but she still refused to turn towards him.

  "I want you, Vionte, to exploit your retive closeness to our Lord to hypnotize him into having a better work ethic..."

  The half-succubus started to breathe heavily. She also fell on her knees.

  "... Like when you tried to hypnotize your dear friend Timotea to avoid her asking to join the adventurer's guild."

  The girl was still breathing heavily. She also started to cry.

  "She... Never forgave me... I... Never forgave me... I... am a monster..."

  "If you're a monster then everyone is one. Those romcoms you like to read are clouding your mind..."

  Ferdinando dismissed the girl's reaction, seemingly not even caring about it.

  "I won't force you though. But that would help us greatly. You can leave now."

  The minotaur unlocked the door. The girl, still sobbing, slowly stood up and slowly left the room. However, her sadness was being converted fast into anger, but she made sure to not show any sign of her emotional state outside.

  'HOW DARED FERDINANDO TO RESUME THAT OLD STORY! I WAS SORRY! i really was... THAT'S IT! I'LL MAKE SURE HE REGRETS THIS DECISION! Now i have to calm down... I have to tell Agamennone about this encounter, but i don't think now is a good time...'

  A bell signaled the end of the lessons. Vionte packed her stuff, took it and then went to Agamennone's cssroom to wait for him. When she arrived, he wasn't there. However she was soon approached by her friend.

  "Vionte, would you like to go home together?"

  "S-sure, Timotea, i'd love to. However we'll have to wait for Agamennone to return."

  Timotea noticed that her friend was cking her usual vibe. She decided to get closer to her, and then she noticed some traces left by evaporated tears.

  "Vionte, you've thought about our accident, right? You're not someone who cries easily."

  The half-succubus was surprised by her observation skills

  "You noticed it, huh? Yes... I thought about our accident... I'm still sorry for it."

  The catgirl sighed.

  "You know, i'm still upset for that event, however i decided to keep you close nonetheless, because i knew that despite your tendencies you liked me."

  "Thank you..."

  Timotea tried to give a warm smile to her friend, but the result wasn't the best. Vionte started to smile and ugh in response. The catgirl, however turned serious.

  "However, the next time you'll try something like that i'll cut you off."

  The half-succubus turned her head away from her friend, watching the ground.

  "Still... Have you seen where my housemate went?"

  "I think he went to buy something to drink."

  Timotea was uncertain about the trueness of her statement.

  "Then i'll wait him here."

  "Are you sure he isn't going to leave after grabbing the drink?"

  Vionte pointed her finger towards Agamennone's desk, where his stuff still was. The bck haired girl was surprised.

  "Ah..."

  "He's bound to return here..."

  The half-succubus chuckled.

  "Timotea... Do you want to go home with us?

  The cat-girl raised her ears.

  "Really? I thought you were always thinking about Agamennone... I'm kinda sure you have a crush on him."

  Vionte did not respond, she just turned towards her friend with a very annoyed expression on her face.

  "Oh, yeah, i forgot... Succubuses like you are more into singur flings with whoever picks your interest..."

  "Timotea... Are you trying to make me upset?"

  The succubus talked through her teeth, her expression even more annoyed, with one of her eyes twitching slightly.

  "Still... At least i don't go in heat... needing the first person i encounter to quell my desires..."

  Timotea's tail and ears rose suddenly. They both watch each other intensely, almost like they would start a fight in the near future. Instead, the couple started ughing heartily. At that very moment Tiberio the lizardman tried to join the conversation.

  "Hey dies, I've casually heard that you are in need of someone who can satisfy your... Needs... I was thinking that maybe i'm the right person for such a job."

  The girls' ughs stop immediately, repced by stern faces and anger.

  "I already told you to change your approach, or you'll pay the consequences."

  Vionte's tone was quite threatening. Timotea, instead, did not respond, deciding to opt for another approach. The catgirl threw an uppercut at the lizardman's chin, knocking him on the ground.

  "You annoying prick... I hope you sleep on your next decision."

  Soon after, while Tiberio was trying to stand up again, Agamennone returned with a can of strawberry tea. He saw his cssmate on the ground, trying to stand up again. The lord smiled.

  'Why the interesting events happen when i'm not here...'

  The boy was distracted by the sight of his annoying cssmate on the ground to notice that Vionte was in the cssroom. The lord went to his desk to calmly retrieve his stuff into his backpack. Once such task was done, he put on his backpack, and then start drinking the tea while going for the exit. When he was near the door Vionte decided to put herself on his path.

  "Do you want to come home with us?"

  The lord stopped suddenly. He took a sip of his tea before responding.

  "Ok..."

  Vionte then exited the cssroom, followed by Timotea and Agamennone.

  "Can i ask you something though? Why do you sell wine at an academy?"

  "Oh... Is simple. You can drink as much alcohol as you want, whenever you want. Consequences will arise spontaneously."

  The half-succubus giggled as the trio walked down the hallway of the academy.

  That night, after pying some games together while sitting in front of her desk, where her console was, Agamennone and Vionte were ready to go to sleep.

  "I was thinking... How did you managed to open your wings without tearing your uniform?"

  Vionte was taken by surprise by such question, given how much time had passed.

  "Dummy... There are a good amount of people who can at least partially shapeshift here. It's kinda obvious we have already taken care of the drawbacks associated with it, don't you think?"

  The girl's smiled warmly, before starting to smirk.

  "Or you were hoping to see me fighting you topless with my tie elegantly dancing in the air?"

  Her tone was a very seductive one. The lord sighed.

  "Why do you always ends these discussions with yourself funting your breasts to the public? It even stops being annoying after some time..."

  "Oh, my dear... did you ever joke with your friends about such themes? I like teasing people, it's fun, and is also kinda intimate, you know, it means there's trust between us friends."

  "Except i don't really trust you and i'm not your friend, so i just think you're embarassing yourself."

  Agamennone was showing clear signs of being annoyed. The girl, after hearing him, start acting colder.

  "If you don't want me to act friendly, maybe i should treat you harshly... It's not my kind of behaviour though. Usually."

  The st word was emphasized and pronounced in a threatening manner. The boy, however, dismissed her reaction by ignoring her.

  "Still, to answer your previous questions, i usually made simir jokes with my parents to annoy them for giggles."

  "Oh... I understand... I also like to annoy my parents with some me or cringey jokes."

  Agamennone nodded, then there was an awkward pause, with both people having exhausted their current conversation. Vionte then started talking again. She was blushing and started to look away from her housemate.

  "I was thinking... Since you're becoming more and more nervous as time goes on... Huh... You know how physical contact is useful against stress and other negative emotions... So... I... 'd like... To sleep together with you... Embracing each other... Like in those romcoms i enjoy reading..."

  The girl observed Agamennone's reaction. He was confused and slightly annoyed.

  "Are you so desperate to get id?"

  The half-succubus' face became deep red. She also became very agitated, with her voice raising in both tone and pitch.

  "That's not what i wanted... AT ALL!"

  The young man let out an evil ugh.

  "I was joking. Do you think you're the only one who can tease people?"

  Hearing that, the succubus felt immediately relieved. She tried to regain her composure, succeeding partially.

  "You... You caught me off guard... Well done. I'll make sure that such thing will not happen again though."

  The half-succubus got up from her chair, walking towards her bed. She elegantly sit down on her bed, crossing her legs, letting one of her slippers to dangle off her foot.

  "As a reward for beating me at my own game, you can have the honor to lick my feet."

  This time Vionte decided to act naturally, leaving the lord utterly confused and perplexed.

  "Are you shy perhaps?"

  Her attempt to tease him failed again though, since he recovered fast from this attempt at annoy him.

  "It doesn't work. You're only exposing yourself for further ridicule."

  The girl pouted pyfully.

  "You're not funny..."

  Then Vionte recomposed herself

  "I concede, you have won... Seriously though, I'm concerned about your health and i'd like to give you comfort and warmth. I promise to behave and to keep my shirt on..."

  Agamennone sighed.

  "I appreciate your concern, really, but i find it too embarassing..."

  "I understand. However, if you feel down and you change idea... you know where to find me..."

  The lord stood up, and walked towards the door, but he was interrupted by his housemate.

  "Before you go, i'll have to tell you something important. Ferdinando told me to hypnotize you because your attitude is not the best to absolve your duty..."

  "WHAT!"

  Agamennone was shocked. He felt both threatened and outraged.

  "...I refused to ever think about following through his idea, however you have to be very careful against him. He was never a patient person, and if he finds a way to accelerate your growth as a demon lord, he'll make sure you follow through, whether you like it or not.''

  "DRAT! I HATE THIS PLACE!"

  The boy was boiling, shaking from the sheer anger he was feeling in that moment. He decided to leave rapidly, without uttering any other words. The girl was really concerned now, starting to doubt her decision to inform him of that threat. Meanwhile Vionte lied down on her bed, kicking her slippers off her feet gently.

  'It's probably better to leave him to cool down alone...'

  Agamennone was quickly storming down the stairs, when a thought popped in his mind.

  'Wait... SHE CAN HYPNOTIZE PEOPLE?!'

  'This idea was horrible...'

  The muscur sve was hiding in a carriage which was carrying farming and general equipment. He had many bruises on his body.

  'I tried to hide in these crates to y undetected but i only manage to hurt myself... Could have i picked a carriage carrying things like grains...'

  The carriage, which was proceeding at a slow pace, until it suddenly stopped.

  'What's now?'

  The carriage reached the checkpoint on the Demon's kingdom. Outside, two guards approached the carriage, starting the routine process.

  "Mister, we are going to inspect your goods, usual routine check here. You should also come with us, also usual routine check."

  "S-sure... If the w says so."

  The merchant got out of the carriage and followed one of the guards, while the other started the inspection. The sve didn't hear anything of that discussion, so he just remained sitting in the carriage between two boxes. His face whitened, however, as the door of the back of the carriage was opened and a guard entered. Knowing he was doomed, the sve got up, picked up one random equipment, a sledgehammer, and he tried to remain hidden, hoping to ambush the fully armored guard.

  'I can't even fool myself into thinking i'll be able to escape from such situation. I still have to risk it.'

  As soon as the guard was in front of him, inspecting the boxes, he struck him with the sledgehammer, aiming for his head. The blow, however, was quickly intercepted by the guard, who noticed the incoming blow with his peripheral vision and blocked it with his arm, showing quick reflexes. As the guard directed his gaze to his aggressor, he noticed the metal colr on his neck and his peculiar outfit of only a pair of rugged pants.

  "COME WITH ME, YOU TRESPASSING SLAVE!"

  The guard, a skeleton, punched the sve on his guts, using some magic to enhance the blow. He, however, restrained himself. And that let the sve to partially resist the attack.

  'I have to kick this criminal outside the carriage. Otherwise i can't go all out, or else i risk damaging the merchant's stuff.'

  The skeleton was attacked again by the sve. He blocked the attack again, while slowly retreated towards the carriage's door. This passive attitude of just receiving the blows while guiding his opponent towards the desired spot gave some hope to the sve, who attacked the guard with consecutive blows.

  'Maybe... I can beat him.'

  The guard managed to absorb all the blows directed at him. Despite the armor his arms were aching. As he reached the end of the carriage, he jumped backwards. The sve then quickly lunged at him, swinging his sledgehammer. This time, the guard dodged the attack, then he swiftly extracted his sword and attacked the sve, who was revovering from the jumping attack. As he stood up, he found the bde of the sword at his neck. He immediately surrendered, dropping his weapon. The guard went around the man, while keeping him under threat of killing him, until he was behind him.

  "Now we're going to converse..."

  The guard pointed his sword to the man's back, while using his other hand to catch at the man's colr. The duo then walked towards the guards' office.

  HyperbolicTangent