"…No matter what, we have to move the timetable up. Antonio has clearly started to notice us. We need to…"

  In the darkness, Howard, the dean of the Magic school, was speaking to a group of people in black robes.

  If you looked closely, their robes matched the style worn by Mr. Q, the one who attacked Rosalie.

  They even bore a glaring, unsettling emblem, the same mark behind Howard’s eyes, and the same one carved into the monsterized Margot.

  "…That’s the plan. Begin. And do it fast. We must gather enough offerings in the shortest time possible. The Master’s resurrection ritual cannot be delayed."

  The robed figures didn’t answer.

  They simply sank into the shadows and disappeared.

  Once they were gone, the blank mask on Howard’s face tore apart like thin paper.

  His eyes went wide, fury blazing inside them like two open flames. His features twisted with rage, pulling tight into something almost inhuman.

  "Damn it. Is there nothing that can go smoothly for once!"

  He spat the words, and at that moment, someone stepped out of the darkness.

  "Heh heh… for a priest of the Demon God Cult, your temper’s been pretty fiery lately, hasn’t it"

  The newcomer was Mr. Q, the same mysterious attacker who had fought Enid and escaped.

  Mr. Q’s teasing only made Howard’s anger burn hotter.

  Howard forced down the urge to strike and snapped, "My temper? This is because you people keep messing things up. You’re always making my life harder. A bunch of idiots. If you’d shown even a little competence, the ritual would already be finished."

  Mr. Q spread his hands, looking helpless.

  "Heh… what can you do. People who can accept the Master’s gift are rare to begin with. People who can infiltrate this academy are even rarer."

  "You can’t expect them to grab people openly under Antonio’s nose. We’ve already lost more than half our people. The fact we haven’t been exposed here is the best outcome we could ask for."

  Howard was still furious, but he knew Mr. Q wasn’t wrong.

  The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  Antonio was too sharp.

  The fortunate part was that Antonio still seemed unaware of them and the resurrection ritual. He also had no idea that the dean of the Magic school, Howard, had already devoted himself to the Demon God Cult.

  Mr. Q continued, voice light.

  "I’m sure you’ve heard by now. The Hero has appeared."

  "Who would’ve thought. The Rosalie I failed to bring back turned out to be the Holy Church’s Hero. Funny how things work out, isn’t it"

  Howard scoffed.

  "So what. The Hero’s birth won’t derail our plan. And that self-righteous Holy Church won’t be able to send people into the academy anytime soon. Antonio won’t allow anyone in."

  Mr. Q tilted his head as if humoring him.

  "Then what’s the move, Howard. That lovely Professor Innis is a real problem, and the Hero’s awakening is going to stir up trouble."

  Howard pressed his fingers to his brow.

  "The plan continues. But at this point, there’s no way we can keep snatching offerings from outside the academy."

  "So from here on out… we do it inside."

  Mr. Q gave a low whistle.

  "Ooh. You’re talking about kidnapping students as offerings. That’s bold."

  "More than half the deans are away," Howard said coldly. "Most of the regular forces are far from Rolkeska. This is the best window we’ll ever get."

  "Before Antonio fully catches on, we gather enough offerings and start the resurrection ritual. It’s aggressive, but it’s the only option left."

  Mr. Q chuckled.

  "Heh… imagine that. The demon race once won wars by drowning enemies in numbers. Now you’re reduced to sneaking around like thieves."

  "Again, funny how things work out, isn’t it"

  Howard’s patience snapped.

  "Before I tear that mouth off your face, go prepare the execution."

  Mr. Q put on an exaggerated look of shock.

  "Hey, hey. I just got beaten half to death by Innis and barely walked away. You’re not giving me even a little rest. That’s ice-cold."

  "There are plenty of disposable bodies left," Howard said flatly. "Now go."

  "Sure, sure. Following orders… yeah, yeah. Even workhorses deserve a life. You people really know how to grind someone down…"

  Mr. Q disappeared into the shadows.

  Only Howard remained.

  He stood at the center of the chamber, brows knotted so tightly deep lines formed between them.

  His eyes, tinted a dark, violent red, narrowed as he thought.

  His gaze fixed on a point in the distance, then seemed to look straight through it, as if searching for something further beyond.

  His mind was working fast, replaying the latest complications, weighing every detail, hunting for a way out.

  He was facing a hard choice, stick to his cautious methods, or compromise for the sake of the goal.

  The internal balance made his expression grow heavier. His lips pressed thin, trembling slightly as if he were arguing with himself in silence.

  Or maybe he was mapping the next step, considering every possible outcome and every response.

  His brow tightened, eased, tightened again, like he was wrestling with his own thoughts.

  After a moment, Howard drew a slow breath.

  The tension in his face loosened as if he’d finally settled on an answer.

  "The Holy Church’s Hero… that would make an excellent offering."

  "Now the question is how to get around Antonio and Innis, and take enough offerings without being caught."

  He clicked his tongue.

  "Annoying. Looks like I’ll have to handle it personally."

  Moonlight slipped through the narrow window of the hidden room, leaving a pale, lifeless patch of light on the floor.

  Howard’s shadow moved at the edge of it, wavering like a demon dragged up from hell.

  Under the moon’s witness, he plotted a scheme that could twist countless lives.

  Outside, the world still rested in quiet moonlight, celebrating the joy of a Hero’s birth.

  It had no idea a storm was already on the way.