Chapter 32: The Demon Taming Test

Soon, ten teams of two people each were formed, with Lucy and Abet assigned to Group 7.

Some of their classmates cast strange glances their way. Their partnership was unusual—one being the princess and the other the daughter of a traitor, the former Minister of Finance. The pairing naturally drew attention.

Under the weight of the stares, Lucy and Abet stood awkwardly together. Abet, unsure of what to do, fidgeted, while Lucy gazed absentmindedly at the distant mountains.

From a distance, Angelica, who had been observing them with a smirk, approached with a confident stride.

“You two seem a little awkward,” she said, her voice laced with amusement. “How about exchanging number tags with me, Miss Abet?”

Her partner, standing behind her, looked bewildered. “Miss Angelica!?”

Angelica ignored the protest. Abet hesitated, clutching her number tag tightly. As silence stretched, Angelica’s expression darkened, and she pressed further.

“Why aren’t you answering? Are you refusing? Or…” she narrowed her eyes, “are you trying to get on Lucy’s good side?”

Angelica’s words were sharp, meant to sting. Her faction gathered around, their presence adding to the pressure.

Abet, unable to withstand the growing tension, slowly loosened her grip on the tag.

But before she could surrender it, Lucy, who had been watching silently, grabbed Abet’s hand.

“If we change the tags like this, what’s the point of drawing lots in the first place?”

Lucy’s voice was firm.

“We’ll keep things as they are.”

She was thoroughly disgusted by the situation. Abet’s father had already answered for his actions, yet others still fueled the animosity. It irritated her to no end.

Angelica faltered. “If Lucy insists… there’s nothing to be done.”

Though she masked her displeasure with a quick nod, her followers noticed her clenched fists. They, too, fell silent. As Angelica turned away, she wore a pleasant smile, but hidden beneath it was a deep scowl.

“Thank you, Princess,” Abet murmured.

Lucy shrugged. “You can just call me Lucy.'”

Only then did she release Abet’s hand.

Not long after, Anderjan’s ‘Demon Taming’ test began.

The test was structured in teams. Each pair had to enter the forest and tame a demon that suited them. As an aid, every student was given a flower called ‘Replish.’

“The flowers you received will release a unique pollen when infused with magic,” Anderjan explained. “The scent acts as a medium to attract demons. Use it wisely to tame them.”

Lucy stifled a yawn behind her hand. She found the task trivial—hypnosis alone was enough to subdue a demon.

In contrast, Abet meticulously jotted down every detail in his notebook, embodying the image of a model student.

“Come to think of it,” Lucy remarked, “you placed second in the entrance exam.”

The test soon commenced. The first group entered the forest and returned twenty minutes later, carrying 2 demon beasts—a hybrid of a lizard and one of a bird.

“Savannas and Hwarang,” Anderjan noted there names. “Now, release them for evaluation.”

The students hesitated but complied. The moment they let go, the bird flew away, and the lizard scurried back into the forest.

Anderjan sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

“I told you, this test is about taming the demon—not just catching it.”

He made a sharp deduction mark on his score sheet. “Edgar, Ailee, zero points.”

The two students looked devastated. Others, obsessed with their grades—whether for scholarships or family honor—grew increasingly anxious.

All except Lucy, who remained indifferent.

Finally, it was Group 7’s turn.

Lucy walked ahead casually, while Abet, nervous, recited his notes under his breath. He was determined to score well.

“Where should we place the flowers?” he asked.

“Anywhere in the middle should work,” Lucy replied, unbothered.

The forest, fragrant with the scent of grass, wasn’t particularly vast. With a small lake and clusters of trees, finding a demon wouldn’t be difficult.

Lucy could easily locate one without the need for flowers—hypnosis was enough. But if she made it too easy, Abet wouldn’t get a fair evaluation. She decided to let her go first.

The forest was quiet, save for the chirping birds and rustling leaves. As Lucy walked ahead, she glanced back at Abet.

Her long hair swayed as she followed her cautiously, her noble demeanor standing out despite his young age.

After a pause, Lucy, certain no one else could hear, asked softly, “Do you have a reason for coming to the academy?”

Abet halted. “Would it be a problem if I did?”

“No,” she said. “I was just curious.”

She lowered her gaze, hesitating. Then, as if deciding something, she looked straight at Lucy.

“I want to become strong.”

Lucy raised a brow. “Strong?”

“To survive in Helatos, I have to be strong,” she murmured. “If I had been stronger back then… my father wouldn’t have had to die.”

Lucy understood immediately. It was a simple but resolute mindset.

She nodded. “I’ll be rooting for you.”

Abet blinked. “You… will?”

“Yeah.”

“Thank you.”

“Why are you crying?”

“There’s dust in my eyes.”

“…Right.”

At the lakeside, Abet placed a Replish flower under a tree and infused it with magic. The petals bloomed, releasing pale pollen.

Soon, a squirrel-like demon emerged from the branches, drawn by the scent. Following Anderjan’s teachings, Abet extended her hand, offering her magic. The demon cautiously climbed onto her palm, lowering its guard.

“Will it work?” Lucy mused.

“It seems like a success since it hasn’t run away,” Abet replied, her face lighting up.

“Now it’s your turn, Lucy.”

She infused magic into her flower. The pollen spread, and Abet looked around, expecting another demon to appear.

Instead, the entire forest seemed to come alive.

Branches snapped. Bushes rustled violently. Trees creaked as they toppled.

Then, from beyond the foliage, dozens of demons burst forth.

Abet’s breath hitched. “What the… Lucy, get behind me!”

“No need. I’m the cause, so I’ll handle it.”

Abet’s eyes widened. “Huh? What does that mean—”

Ignoring her, Lucy stepped forward.

The sheer number of demons suggested every creature in the forest had gathered. Why, she wasn’t sure. But dealing with them was easy.

Raising a hand, she activated her magic.

Hypnosis.

A wide-area illusion blanketed the field. Every demon in her line of sight fell under its influence.

“Go to sleep,” she commanded.

One by one, the creatures collapsed.

Silence returned to the forest.

Abet, covering her mouth, stared in shock. “What was that..?”

“Magic.”

She gaped at the motionless demons, then turned to Lucy with an intense gaze.

“Princess Lucy.”

“Yes?”

“Please tell me…”

“What?”

“How do you learn such incredible magic? Please teach me the secret!”

I’ll be your apprentice, please teach me everything you know about magic.

I need to get stronger.