Chapter 191 - Agent Zero (10) (1/2)

Zero had to admit. Rayneld was a rather cool person. Contrary to his princely image as a model student, the manta ray was someone who had quite the mischievous streak in him. Zero didn't think that a model student would find ways to skip classes and escape the school grounds. The fact that Rayneld found a loophole in the Academy's no-magic rule made the young doctor slightly suspicious of him.

Things only became more suspicious when Rayneld took Zero to one of the more secluded and better keep secret shortcuts. Lucifer wasn't lying when he said that it was going to be difficult to locate this exit. Zero could manage with Mii's help and the map but the same wasn't the same for Rayneld.

”How did you discover this? It's not easy to know where and what to do before you can find the entrance...”

Rayneld gave Zero a toothy grin and his aquamarine eyes glowed. The young doctor didn't think that was something a good student would look like. His feral appearance didn't help give a gentler image. Zero was considering keeping tabs on him when the manta ray demon laughed.

”I like to explore forbidden places. You can think of it as a hobby of mine. With a building as old as this and an owner as paranoid as Lucifer, I think there are more secret passages than the ones I've already found. This just happened to be one of the better few. However, if you thought in the direction that the headmaster does, it's not very difficult to figure where he would hide certain things.”

Zero nodded, unsure if he should buy this reasoning. It would be a very convenient reason for a spy who had to conceal his cover. Still, Zero just smiled and followed Rayneld's lead. The manta ray demon led them into some of the narrower tunnel and Zero wondered if this was such a wise thing to do. Saner people would have run away if someone tried to invite them into a dark cavern with the promise of a good surprise. Still, a mission was a mission. He knew that he had teleportation magic at hand if he really needed a quick getaway.

The passage was long and winding. Zero didn't think that it would ever end. He could feel the changes in the air already. While his sense of sight didn't work very well in the pitch black darkness, Zero was able to put echolocation to use, a random skill he gained from one of the auction items. It was slightly strange to see images form in his mind without colours but at the very least, he knew he wouldn't be tripping over the cracks in the uneven ground.

The spy on mission noticed that his host hasn't even fumbled once. Do manta rays see well in the dark or have echolocation? Zero found it interesting. If Rayneld was the spy, that would at least explain how nobody was able to catch him in the act.

As they twisted down the maze, Zero smelled something stale and metallic in the air. He wrinkled his nose and wondered how Rayneld was able to tolerate the stench. Luckily for Zero, he knew how to switch off the sense of smell. The walkway was becoming wider and they were going down a steeper slope as compared to before. There were no longer tiles and the ground was closer to dirt. The stuffy air quality from before was now replaced with something warmer and more humid. Zero could hear something making low rhythmic thumps through the vibration on the ground. Whatever it was, Zero bet that it would be huge.

”Where are we going?” he finally asked.

Rayneld didn't slow down nor looked back. ”We're going to see one of the most beautiful places in this Academy. It's almost as good as the Academy's heart. Just a word of caution, don't touch it or get too near. I won't be able to save you if you did.”

Zero didn't reply. He didn't know what Rayneld was talking about. Why would he touch anything out of curiosity? Also, why would he be in need of saving if he did? What could possibly go wrong? Lucifer made this Academy as safe as it got. Zero glanced at his map. While it was still part of the Academy, the maps were showing new grounds that were not there before. He was walking in unknown territory and that made the young doctor slightly unnerved.

”We're almost there,” Rayneld told him and Zero gulped.

With one final left turn, the sight made Zero freeze. Several hundred feet beneath the Academy, Zero never expected that Lucifer would hide such a terrifying looking monster.

”Here she is... beautiful, right?” Rayneld smiled. His aquamarine eyes glowed in the dark, giving Zero chills. He didn't know if he should agree with the manta ray demon or teleport away and blow his cover.

”She” was big and Zero followed the movement. The ground vibrated again when a thick and heavy root fell onto the ground and twisted as if trying to scour for another meal.

”Meet Veronica,” Rayneld introduced. Zero didn't understand how the model student could look at the Blood Willow's true body with such adoration in his eyes. There was only one thing going through the doctor's head.

”Have anyone ever told you that you're crazy?” the words blurted out of his mouth faster than he could stop them.

Rayneld's smile fell. His aquamarine eyes swirled through a few different hues before he spoke again.

”No, you're the first. I believe if we can come to the same conclusion, we could be good friends. I'm so glad that I wasn't wrong in my judgement by bringing you here. Sometimes I invite someone I think will get along with Veronica but they scream and curse at me. If that isn't bad enough, they had to insult my lover... of course, I silenced them permanently. I'm fine with being insulted but nobody will get away with insulting my darling...”

Zero blinked and met Rayneld's quiet gaze. ”What was it that made you love her so much?”

Rayneld took out a knife and Zero flinched. Thankfully, Rayneld's eyes were no longer on him. The manta ray demon stabbed his other arm that wasn't holding the knife. He held the bleeding limb out as an offering that Veronica gladly took. Zero yelped in horror at the bloody vine ripping out Rayneld's entire arm.

”Your arm! We need to fix that...”

Rayneld waved Zero's concern off in a relaxed manner with the happiest smile on his face while Veronica attacked his severed arm, devouring it without leaving anything behind.

”Don't worry, it's part of being a manta ray demon. My arm will regrow in a few hours.”

Zero didn't know what to say. He looked at the wound and blinked. The flesh was already stitching itself together. Zero didn't even have to assist with his healing magic.