Chapter 190 - Agent Zero (9) (2/2)

Zero sighed. If only that was true. ”Other than Karris and Wiser, hardly anyone else on Earth I know is human. Count Carrabas and his army do not count. besides, Wiser cannot be considered a healthy study subject. He's plenty of weird and Karris is very used to the way of life for those who aren't humans. I don't have any references. It's nice to prepare ahead of time so that I know what to anticipate when I begin my journey...”

Mii laughed. ”So you think that the best place to start researching about humans would be from a library in the Abyss? You do realise that these books will be written from a demon's perspective for demons, right?”

Zero tilted his head. ”What's wrong with that?”

Mii was speechless. Bob shook his head. ”It means that many of those things wouldn't be as accurate as you would want them. It doesn't cover the more human aspects of being human. Demons only learn how to imitate human speech, manner, pattern and behaviour for the sake of blending in. They're not really trying to understand them.”

Zero hummed. Despite that, Zero couldn't stop being curious. After all, some information no matter how inaccurate would be better than none right? As a doctor, he understood human biology. Hua Tuo was a subject matter expert. However, Zero wasn't satisfied with simply that. He heard some stories about how great humans were in the war from Baal. Despite being so fragile and almost powerless, Zero was intrigued to know that humans were the only species that defied against their natural disadvantage and triumphed over the odds.

”It would be nice to find out anything about them, really...” Zero shrugged and walked around trying to find something that might pique his interest.

After making a few rounds, the brunet felt disheartened. There was simply nothing Zero wanted to read. Bob had been correct. After flipping through the first five books in the human study section, Zero gave up finding anything useful. The apprentice simply couldn't understand why the preference of seductive clothing was crucial enough to be written in the book and the different styles of clothing humans in different regions wore were not as important in the mentions.

Feeling tired, Zero walked over to the resting area and found that all the seats were occupied. Disheartened, the brunet wandered around trying to find anywhere to rest.

Five minutes later, Zero found the perfect spot for a short nap before he had to return. There was an inner ledge on one of the huge tinted glass windows that made a cosy corner. Zero fell in love with it immediately and skipped straight towards it. He sat down on the ledge and brought his legs up before curling them close to his chest. The glass pane felt cool against his cheek and Zero decided to gaze outside once he was comfortable.

To his astonishment, the view was something that came out of a painting. Zero didn't know that such a beautiful place would exist in the Abyss. It was almost like a hidden paradise. If the terror-inspiring blood vine maze was something out of a nightmare, this garden full of cotton flowers would be something out from a fairy tale.

”It's beautiful, isn't it?”

Zero jumped. He wasn't expecting anyone to talk to him.

”It's you!”

Rayneld smiled. ”We meet again. I didn't think that you were the kind to play hooky and sleep in the library. Then again, first impressions aren't very accurate.”

”Play hooky?”

Rayneld grinned and showed his rows of sharp teeth. There was a mischievous look in his eyes and Zero grew slightly wary when the model student sat on the same ledge and wrapped an arm around Zero's shoulders.

”Dark Age History lessons are ongoing right now. You're from Class-A, right? that means you're playing hooky seeing that you're not there.”

Zero paled slightly and Rayneld laughed at that. ”Don't be so frightened, it's not an uncommon thing. Besides, I think you could use a tour around the Academy. How about I show you some of my favourite spots? That garden you see there is off boundaries to students. Let's start from there, shall we?”

Zero wanted to protest. He had to retrieve Bob in fifteen minutes after all but the firm grip on his wrist didn't allow him to leave. Refusing Zero's refusal, the manta ray demon cheerfully led the stumbling brunet out of the library.

”Mii, Bob... help?” Zero pleaded.

His assistants only shrugged. There really wasn't much they could do about this now.

”Just don't give him a reason to suspect you, alright?” Bob said and Zero flinched.

That was something harder than not eating cake before dinner! Where were his friends when he needed them most?

”Bob, if you don't help me in the next fifteen minutes, you're on your own.”

The Eternal Dragon wasn't fazed. ”That's quite alright, master. Olaf here can help refuel my mana. It's no problem at all, do enjoy yourself and practice prudence!”

Zero couldn't say anything to counter that and cursed. he felt slightly bad for doing so when he thought about Isis and Freya. Fortunately, they weren't here.

”Do I really have to do this?” he asked himself. Why did the world hate him so much sometimes? Baal couldn't blame him if something happens now. He didn't seek trouble out... at least not this time.