Chapter 161 - Betting Against Lucifer (1/2)
”Zero,” Baal looked worse for wear. ”Do not, and I repeat... do NOT antagonise Lucifer. he's the most ancient and powerful demon in Hell and I do not want anything to happen to you. I can't save you if Lucifer gets serious about something. Trust me, that old man will get the things he wants, one way or another.”
Zero blinked. ”Are you worrying for me?”
Baal glared at his friend. ”That's what friends do, no?”
Zero pulled a chair over and sat across the desk piled with signed documents. ”I'm strong, you know. Besides, I'm not a child anymore. What's the worst that could happen? I'll just get sent to school for a while...”
Baal wanted to hold his friend in a headlock and give him a good noogie. Seriously, why was Zero's skull always this thick?
”It's not going to school that I fear. He wouldn't do anything without a good reason. It's TROUBLE getting involved with his business. He must want something from you to go as far as to accept the bet. If you think Mammon is cunning, you have not met Lucifer.”
Zero rolled his eyes. ”Oh come on! Bell, don't you trust me? I'll be fine. I can cure his eyes. Besides, I look more normal than everyone in this castle. Nobody can win me in this category of looking harmless, it's a hands-down win for me.”
Baal took a good look at his friend. ”Actually, I think you're right. Just remember to get rid of those horns and stiff coat, you'll be fine. Also, please do not wear the lab coat... I would fail you if that was the first thing I saw after getting my eyesight.”
Zero took offence to that. ”The lab coat is cool! It makes me look smart.”
Baal snorted. ”Oh, sure it does.”
Zero glared at his friend who was now in a playful mood. In retaliation, Zero ran to the other side of the desk and attempted to tickle the Demon Lord. Baal saw that coming a mile away and stuck a foot out, trying to put a distance in between them but failed when Zero's much longer limbs touched his side.
From the hallway, Coux could hear the shrill cries and laughter of the two friends. The secretary had half the mind to scold Baal for slacking off but turned her back and walked away. The Demon Lord worked in earnest so she decided to let him off for today. Besides, it wouldn't be long before the two friends had to go separate ways for a long time. Zero would return for his training and Baal to oversee his domain, it didn't hurt to let them enjoy this moment together.
***
Zero took Baal's advice and ditched his lab coat. He was now dressed in the sky blue shirt and jeans that Mii recommended. His hair was combed and parted sideways instead of the usual tousled messy style that it was. To make a good impression, Zero brushed his teeth too. Amaraline didn't have the heart to tell him that brushing teeth before a meal was counterproductive.
Time rolled by and Lucifer arrived on the dot. Coux straightened everything out to the last detail just in time and Baal told Zero to relax. Sekkin was keeping an eye on their new guest upstairs who was still sedated. With far more important things to worry about, Zero pushed his worry about the vampire child out of his mind.
”Good evening, Lord Baal and young Zero.” Lucifer greeted.
Baal bowed and offered Lucifer a seat with the stiff manners of the aristocratic class. Zero couldn't get used to seeing Baal as an adult or professional conduct. The Baal he knew was always sloppy and lazy. The drastic change in personality made Zero a little uncomfortable and nervous.
”I heard that you made quite the purchase at the auction house earlier,” the Lord of Pride commented lightly.
Zero swallowed and tried to find his voice. ”It was ok. Coux borrowed money from Mammon for me.”
Lucifer's bark of laughter startled everyone including Baal. ”You got that penny-pinching kid to give you a loan? This has to go down in the history books!”
Seeing that Lucifer was reacting honestly, Zero relaxed a little more and started sharing about his day.
”Someone bought unhealthy looking Spore Flowers today at a price I didn't think was good...”
”Oh? How so?” Lucifer asked with genuine interest. It had been so long since he had such an interesting conversation and Zero was proving to be very fascinating despite his claims to be the most normal looking. Without his eyes, Lucifer was able to judge a person by sensing their mana. Zero's mana capacity was mostly suppressed but Lucifer was experienced enough to tell that it rivalled his own if not more.
The conversation never ran dry even as they ate. Baal was relieved that his friend and teacher were off to a great start. It was very hard for Lucifer to take interest in anything due to his age. Life tended to become more predictable with age and experience. Nothing amuses or surprises the ancient Demon Lord anymore so he was worried that his teacher might not like Zero. Looking at them exchange opinions freely put his mind at ease.
”I see that you've taken to the child of Roth very quickly,” Lucifer commented.
Zero's mood plummeted quickly. He eyed the blind demon suspiciously. Instead of outwardly expressing his discontent, Zero opted for a more subtle approach. ”Yes, I have.”
Lucifer nodded and continued eating but Zero had lost his appetite. At the back of his mind, the brunet wondered if Lucifer was going to take the vampire away from him.
”The Roth vampires are known to be one of the best warriors in the abyss. Gifted with bloodline, race superiority, magic and combat skills, I think it would be good if you can bind that child to you. He might be young but he is one of the best teachers you can find. I heard that you're gifted in magic too?”
Hearing Lucifer's approval made Zero relax a little. ”I just happen to have affinities with every magic element. Merlin is my magic teacher but he is currently tutoring my friend and guardian. We agreed to train under each teacher for a year and swap before we start travelling.”
”Mmm... I've heard much about him from various sources. Is he the wood elf called Truen?”
Zero smiled. ”Yes. Have you met him?”
Lucifer sighed. ”Unfortunately, work has kept me busy. I would love to have the pleasure of meeting him someday. Won't you introduce him to me?”
”Of course. I'm sure he would be thrilled to meet you too. It's a real relief that you do not see the child of Roth as a threat. Coux and Baal have been trying to dissuade me from treating him too friendly. They wanted to chain him up initially too...”
Lucifer barked a laugh. ”It's always better to be safe than sorry... I think they were worried about you. A stray animal that has been abused all its life will not take too kindly to strangers even if they approached without ill intentions.”