Azrael finally moved. With an almost lazy nod, he confird it.
Varian released a breath of relief, chuckling softly. "Hah! For a second there, I actually thought you had fallen for that pathetic mortal." His smirk widened, his confidence returning now that he had an answer. "But since he's just a pawn in your grand sche, why are you so interested in him?"
Azrael remained impassive. His voice was smooth as silk but carried an undeniable weight.
"I don't reveal my motives." His lips curved slightly, just the faintest trace of amusent. "Let's just say... he's likable."
Varian almost choked.
"Likable? That weak, insignificant human?"
For a mont, he questioned himself. Could the demon king actually be interested in that brat? No, impossible. He nearly rolled his eyes but wisely refrained, seconds ago, he had genuinely entertained the idea that Azrael, the cold-hearted, rciless, and utterly unfeeling Demon King, had fallen for a human. But now, he felt ridiculous for even thinking such a thing. Azrael was an unfeeling monster, a being who had slaughtered thousands without a second thought. He had no heart. No warmth. No capacity for love.
And yet...
His gaze flickered to the slight smile lingering on Azrael's lips.
A flicker of doubt word its way into Varian's thoughts. Could he?
But the mont he recalled the bloodshed, the rciless way Azrael had ended lives without hesitation, he banished the ridiculous idea. No. He doesn't have a heart. He can't fall in love.
Before he could dwell on it further, Azrael's voice cut through the silence, sharp as a blade.
"Are you going to start talking, or should I make you talk?"
The chilling undertone sent an instinctive shudder through Varian. He quickly straightened, all thoughts of teasing forgotten.
"Of course, of course."
He composed himself and began his report.
"Based on my findings, the boy Elliott was seen speaking with a mage nad Charles Glayd."
Azrael's eyes narrowed slightly, but he remained silent, waiting for him to continue.
"They t in the Mage Archives—Elliott was looking for books and materials to help him train and get stronger. But as the idiot he is, he didn't understand a damn thing. That's when Charles stepped in and helped him out." He sneered. "Apparently, your precious mortal is quite clueless when it cos to magic theory."
Azrael's expression darkened.
Varian, sensing the shift in atmosphere, hurried on. "Elliott was grateful, of course. And get this, Charles even helped him pay for so of the materials because, well..." Varian scoffed dramatically, throwing his hands in the air. "Your so-called 'husband' is poor!"
Azrael's fingers twitched. The more he listened, the colder his aura beca.
Varian swallowed hard.
Azrael's voice, when he finally spoke, was ice-cold.
"So," His voice ca out darker this ti, more dangerous, "What is his preference?"
Varian blinked. "...What?"
Azrael's eyes glead dangerously. "Charles sexuality, Is he into n, won... or both?"
The weight in his voice made Varian's skin crawl.
He answered instinctively. "Straight. At least... maybe bi? He has a girlfriend but dated a boy before coming to the academy, so... possibly both?"
The mont the words left his mouth, Azrael's body radiated a sinister, suffocating energy. The air around them thickened, becoming heavy with dark power, and Varian imdiately regretted his phrasing.
Shit.
Varian clenched his fists, bracing himself. This wasn't just anger—this was possessiveness.
Azrael's voice was devoid of warmth, his words chilling in their finality.
"Bi?" His eyes glead with sothing unreadable. "Fine."
A heavy silence fell before he added in a low, unfeeling tone, "I won't oppose Elliott's training. It is necessary for my plans. However—" His voice dipped into sothing darker. "If Charles makes a move on him, remove him from the academy imdiately."
Varian stiffened.
Azrael's gaze bore into him, his next words delivered with unnerving calm.
"Or, if it's more convenient... end his life peacefully."
A shudder ran down Varian's spine. His throat was dry.
The sheer finality in his voice made him shudder. He knew better than anyone that Azrael didn't make empty threats. If the Demon King said he would kill soone, it wasn't a matter of if, it was a matter of when.
But the thing that disturbed Varian most wasn't the threat itself. It was why he was making it.
He had seen Azrael slaughter people like insects before, but to kill over a human boy?
Azrael was an apex predator who never concerned himself with the affairs of mortals. Yet here he was, seething over a human boy potentially getting close to Elliott.
Varian swallowed hard, his mind racing.
Had his earlier doubts been right after all? Was Azrael actually... falling for this stupid mortal?
As if reading his thoughts—which was highly possible since Azrael could do so if he wished—the Demon King suddenly composed himself. The dark energy around him slowly faded as he exhaled.
Then, in an unnervingly calm voice, he said, "I just don't want anyone spoiling my plans."
Varian, who hadn't realized he was holding his breath, let it out in one relieved exhale.
Oh. So that was the reason.
Azrael then gave him a dismissive wave. "You're dismissed."
Varian didn't need to be told twice.
With a final bow, he vanished.
***
anwhile...
The very person who had unknowingly caused a disturbance in the Demon Realm was currently in his room, sneezing.
Elliott sneezed into a tissue and frowned, rubbing his nose. "Ugh, who the hell is talking about ?"
Pushing the thought aside, he focused back on the task at hand. He gathered the items Charles had picked out for him, laying them on the floor. Taking a deep breath, he sat cross-legged and opened the first book.
His eyes scanned the pages intently.
"Alright," he muttered to himself, determination burning in his eyes. "I'm really going to do this."
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