Extra Demon: Sacred Academy of Light-Chapter 135: It was just an idea

[Evelyn Red Rose: (Third Seraph)][Status: Sealed][Corruption Level: 20%]

"It increased by another 10%," I thought to myself while staring at the system, letting out a long sigh. Just moments ago, I had been thinking about my unique ability, [Corruption], and how useless it actually seemed. I never fully understood it. The first time I used it consciously was with Daniela... I couldn't help but think about it.

The way I did it back then was, without a doubt, the most pathetic way possible: using her feelings to my advantage...

Feelings. The main weakness of the Seven Seraphim is their own incomplete emotions, their mental disorders or traumas. In Leslie's case, it's the terrifying obsession she can develop for a single person, born from her deep loneliness. Evelyn, on the other hand, is far too shy to even speak to anyone. On top of that, she constantly hears destructive whispers in her ears, voices that beg her to burn someone alive. Because of this, she always keeps her distance from people. Each of them carries a problem, and through it, a weakness.

The Seraphim are complete beings, both physically and spiritually—almost perfect, if not for their mental frailty. Emotions are the best and the worst thing any living creature can possess, and those beings are no exception. This idea came to me the moment Daniela's mind was at its weakest, unstable and vulnerable.

After thinking about all of this, an idea struck me. Fighting them is impossible for me. I don't want to fight them anyway. There's no need. So instead... why not take advantage of their emotional and mental weaknesses? It's such a pathetic thing to do. I felt terrible for even considering it, but I couldn't shake the thought away—I had to confirm my suspicions.

I know Evelyn well. I know she likes quiet places, away from noise, completely alone in silence. She's quiet, shy... one could say antisocial, or something close to it. And then came the festival: a place overflowing with people, children, and babies, all making noise non-stop. During this week, Evelyn would often stay in my room; sometimes she would watch me train, other times she would help me improve my mana control. But she never stayed out long. The reason was obvious.

And now, right at this moment, she was under the gaze of hundreds of thousands of people, all shouting at the top of their lungs, watching the students fight one another. Hundreds of voices invaded her ears, mixed with the devastating whispers. A catastrophic combination for her fragile mind and crumbling will.

I looked at her on the ground, her hands covering her ears. She looked so small and weak, her eyes tightly shut, her lips pressed together, and soft whimpers escaping from time to time. She was suffering. It looked like, at any moment, she would lose her mind.

And then I started to feel a twisted, wicked pleasure. A pleasure that clearly belonged to the dark essence of the sin of Lust—Lilith's essence. But this kind of pleasure, the one you feel while watching another suffer, is perhaps the most perverse sensation a person can experience. My fists clenched tightly.

"Speaking of hypocrisy," I thought to myself with a mocking smile. I have the same weakness as them—I, too, must keep my emotions under control. The same thing that torments the Seven Seraphim is happening to me, and to the Seven Sins as well. I've noticed that ever since I evolved after absorbing Lilith's essence, my mind has been in chaos... or rather, my body has been out of control, especially when it comes to my lower half. Closing my eyes, I pushed those thoughts away.

I walked toward her, covering her head with a blanket and helping her to her feet. My heart ached as I looked into her trembling, beautiful red eyes—eyes full of fear... fear of herself. Forcing my best smile, I spoke to her. I got closer, showed concern, and held her hand.

"I will always be with you, Evelyn," I said, my voice full of certainty. I wanted her by my side. I cared for her. She's a rose with thorns that needs protection. An adorable rose.

"Do you want me by your side, Evelyn?" I asked, looking straight into her eyes. I could see happiness blooming from the depths of her heart. She was happy, excited. She looked at me with hope, like a child who almost lost her father. She looked at me in a way she shouldn't have. Silent, but longing...

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She can't live in peace without me. She simply can't. She would lose her mind, lose herself. She's terrified of being alone, but at the same time, has no other choice but to isolate herself. Only that way can she avoid hurting others. It's sad, I know. But it can change. I'm here, after all. With me by her side, she can be normal. She can be happy. She can change.

—Yes, I do —she replied.

Her voice was so faint, like a whisper from a mosquito. She looked into my eyes. She knew. She could feel it. My unique ability, [Corruption], had activated on its own. She knew, but she did nothing to stop it. She simply accepted it—or ignored it. I'm not sure which, but it doesn't matter. My idea worked. And yet, I felt like the worst scum alive. Using someone's emotional weakness like this... Manipulative. Trash. The worst kind of monster. I hated myself for doing this.

I could feel the tiny stain of corruption within her soul grow, just a little—but it did grow.

Evelyn squeezed my hand tighter, as if afraid I might disappear. I offered her a comforting smile, and as she noticed, she slowly loosened her grip. I watched her body relax.

There's an even easier way to make the corruption in her soul grow: simply stay away from her, from Leslie, from Daniela. Be indifferent. Ignore them. Treat them as if they didn't exist. Use them like toys for my own benefit.

The thought made me feel sick. I could never bring myself to do that. I would rather die than become someone capable of such cruelty.

Silently watching Evelyn, I gently pulled her toward me, wrapping my arms around her and holding her close. Feeling her warmth, I smiled softly.

"I will always be with you," I whispered into her ear.

Her body shivered, trembling slightly as she heard my words. Slowly, she moved her arms and returned my embrace, burying her face into my chest.

—Yes —she whispered, so quietly that only I could hear it.