Interference...
But how would Victor manage sothing like that when the contract clearly states he can only use Alex’s skills by taking control of his body?
Alex wouldn’t be able to handle an Arch-Demon, let alone the one standing before him in his current state.
So how could Victor Kane possibly pull it off?
Victoria smiled, a quiet giggle escaping her before her expression turned serious. Her gaze shifted into sothing far sharper than before. "You never fail to make laugh." She let out a slow breath. "Anyways, I ca here after fleeing Noctra following my cri. They were forcing demands I couldn’t bring myself to follow. I knew there was a Demon inside Alex this entire ti. I could feel a distinct flow, but I told her," She turned her eyes toward Cassie, "not to interfere."
"Why’s that?" Victor asked, his grin settling into sothing calr.
"I didn’t know it was you inside him. I thought it was just a Demon hunting because of what I did." Victoria exhaled. "So we planned to study you both, maybe even take you hostage for information, but that would have co much later."
"So you’ve been hiding behind that kitchen this whole ti? Tell , Vicky, is any of this even real?" he asked. The nickna slipped out naturally, sothing left over from when they were children.
"Don’t call that. And yes, it’s real. This entire place is infested with Demons. You sensed it too. Noctra is already making a move." She waved her hand lightly through the air. "You sll that? It reeks of Demon Energy. It almost feels like I’m back ho."
They were always on bad terms, Noctra and Ashtar, but for the Demons to escape the governors’ grasps so easily is quite impressive.
Victor laughed softly, straightening his posture. "I agree. But I trust my brother completely."
Cassie stood frozen, silently taking in every word of the conversation.
"So... all of this was for nothing?" she asked, clearly bothered. "Do I just go back to being the ’I fell for you at first glance’ type of girl?"
"Not really," Victoria replied. "Now we have access to more information. However, I suggest staying quiet for now. No unnecessary argunts."
Cassie nodded, rolling her eyes slightly.
"Anyways, Vicky, I was wondering..." Victor locked eyes with her, his expression unnaturally precise. "Have you killed any humans yet?" he asked, his tone cold despite the smile on his face.
"I have. But I won’t transfer my consciousness and soul into her core for now," she answered. "For the ti being, I’ll head back to the kitchen and continue cooking—"
"Wait," Victor cut in. "One more thing. Why not form a contract with Cassie?"
Victoria paused before leaving, letting out a quiet sigh. "Because she’s too good a girl to be ruined."
Cassie already knew that would be her answer. It was the sa response Victoria had always given whenever she asked about forming that kind of contract.
"Interesting..."
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[Ti’s Up!]
└ Alex regaining consciousness...
└ Consciousness Regained!
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Victor and Alex switched back. Alex took a slow breath.
’That was the most boring minute of my life.’
He realized he could move again. The restraints Victoria had placed on both him and Cassie were gone. She was already back in the kitchen, acting as if nothing had happened, cooking as if she were any ordinary chef.
Alex glanced around. Adoff had returned to his habitat. Then his attention shifted, landing on Cassie.
"What’d they say?" he asked.
"None of your business." She stepped closer, raising a tal sword to his neck. "Listen carefully," her gaze sharpened, "you don’t tell anyone about this persona. To everyone else, I’m just the goody-two-shoes girl. Nothing more."
Her resonance was still stable. For so reason, her core and her beast’s core hadn’t separated. They remained connected longer than Alex expected.
"No worries," Alex replied calmly. "Mutual deal. You keep my secrets, I keep yours."
Cassie nodded. "Got it. And just so we’re clear, I never had feelings for you."
Alex chuckled. "That’s what everyone says."
That clearly struck a nerve. "I’m serious. I don’t. Take it however you want."
Alex turned and started toward the stairwell. "Yeah, yeah. So do I still stay at the inn?"
"Of course you do." She rolled her eyes, picking up a sword from the floor. "We’re going to use you as much as we can. And I can’t have you out of my sight now that you know the truth."
"No problem," Alex muttered, blinking twice. "My mouth’s shut. But that reminds ... why didn’t you reject Miro Crowe if you’re that strong?"
Cassie smiled, but there was sothing cold behind it. "Because I knew you’d step in eventually. I’ve been watching you since you failed your awakening at the ceremony. Though I did have a backup plan."
"What kind of plan?" Alex asked, stopping to listen more closely.
"I would’ve killed him," she said plainly. "Anyways, don’t act so friendly when we’re alone. Save that for the public."
Alex nodded slowly. "Cassie... want to make a bet?"
At first, she gave him a disgusted look, "What kind of bet?" Cassie asked, intrigued, just as the lights flickered back on.
"Which one of us can use the other more effectively. Starting at the academy. The winner gets to demand anything from the loser."
Cassie smiled. She liked that idea.
"Alright. Deal."
Alex held out his hand. Cassie t it, and they shook.
Neither of them showed even a hint of doubt.
This would begin at the academy in three weeks.
Alex would keep climbing higher, while Cassie focused on maintaining and expanding her strength and knowledge. She couldn’t evolve the sa way he could without forming a Demonic Contract.
And there were still too many unanswered questions.
How had Demons infiltrated the church hierarchy so easily?
How did Miro Crowe form a contract, and how far could those demands go?
Alex would figure it all out eventually.
But for now...
He would ascend.
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