"Report for deliberately flushing the game down the drain. And also for a cruel joke that brings no joy to anyone but the joker.
"That's called trolling. And you do it yourself, mocking demons."
Castor did not respond to the dragon's words, silently sending information about the creatures that had taken the top and centre lanes. The so-called top player took Yumi — choosing this champion is a crime in itself, and now he's at the top. Of course, the score of zero-seventeen against Darius did not improve the situation, but this "Azaz" even dared to contradict him, a more experienced player and a ranger. Mid was busy with Master Yi, which would be tolerable if it weren't for the score of zero to sixteen against Kassadin. The latter is a champion who wins in the late game. Or when there are a large number of kills. As can be seen in this situation...
"Instant death from Kassadin. On a tank build. And that's on Grandmaster," Brinel whispered and slowly exhaled. In the name of Leviathan, why are idiots and the offspring of idiots chasing him here? And why do these embryos have such sharp tongues? He called everyone despicable little people.
"Is it just me, or is this being written by some kind of non-human..."
"Two representatives of a backward species who, for some reason, consider themselves intelligent beings, kindly go to the nearest medical centre and request euthanasia. For your sick dogs, of course.
Ddraig snorted, and the mage closed the game after his Nexus was destroyed. Most likely, he would be restricted from the text chat again, but he didn't worry about it. The most important thing was that his words had hurt the sensitive egos of these creatures, causing them to cry or swear. Their mental state would be shaken, which was exactly what the mage wanted. Such creatures must suffer. At least psychologically.
"Five hours straight and not a single decent team that wants to win. And we're just a few steps away from the Contender..." Castor sighed and took a sip of cold coffee from the mug standing next to the keyboard.
"Start streaming, at least you'll relax there," suggested Ddraig, making Brinel think. It could help him cope with the discontent and irritation that had settled somewhere deep in his mind. Sure, he only had a couple hundred regular viewers, but interacting with reasonable and funny people helped. A lot.
Plus, Brinel enjoyed showing off his skills to other people and getting positive energy in return. And not just his League skills, but other games as well, especially strategy games. There was something appealing to him about this genre, especially the economic subgenre. Building cities, developing settlements, improving the material well-being of the population...
"Hmm..." The mage rubbed his chin. "Most likely, it has to do with my origins and upbringing. And also with the desire to create, not destroy..."
"It's a pity that I can only do the latter," Castor shook his head sadly and rose from his chair. It was time to replenish his coffee supplies, as his mugs were empty.
"Listen, partner... If this League is bothering you so much, maybe you should just leave it," suggested the dragon, causing Brinel to laugh coldly.
"Leave the League? No, that's impossible. You see, the League of Legends is a Stockholm syndrome simulator. It brings out the darkest, most oppressive feelings in you, but you keep coming back to it, pressing the 'search for a game' button over and over again.
"It's a diagnosis..."
"I know. But I never said I was mentally healthy and stable. And... — Brinel's smile grew warmer. "There is a certain charm to this grotesque monster after all. Indescribable, but felt deep in the soul," Castor stopped in front of the kitchen table and grabbed the one who shouldn't be there by the collar. "Office, you're not invited."
"You didn't answer," replied the deity phlegmatically, hanging limply in her dress. The mage looked wearily at the face of the dragon of infinity. There were more exhausting personalities than imbeciles in the team...
***
"Coffee is as essential to my life as fuel is to a petrol, gas or diesel engine. Add to that the fact that we are not friends, so you have no right to judge me and my needs. I'm not saying that you rape virgins in the ass, drink their semen and souls," the mage said in a neutral voice, staring straight ahead at the road in front of him, ignoring his unexpected companion.
"For Satan's sake, Brinel! I just want to talk!" Rias Gremory said with a hint of indignation and shame as she walked beside him.
"And you've decided to judge me for my tastes?" Castor raised an eyebrow ironically, carrying two bags of coffee beans in his hands. Yes, he liked to grind and brew coffee himself. Enjoying a drink after work... Incredible.
"That was a joke!
"A very bad one. However, good humour is not taught in high society.
"You're unbearable!" Gremory stamped her foot, puffing out her cheeks like a hamster trying to carry food away under them.
"Then why did you come over and start a conversation?"
"Stockholm syndrome, eh?" Ddraig said sarcastically, receiving only a wave of cold irritation in response. If that happened, Brinel would be forced to erase the poor creature's memory.
"I wanted to know how you were doing and why you decided to leave the academy," Rias explained calmly, stopping at a traffic light. Castor raised an eyebrow but said nothing. He never understood women, nor did he try, fearing he would get tangled up in the web of their thoughts and desires.
"Apart from the imbeciles and idiots around me, things are going well — damn League players... — And the answer to your second question is that the academy is no longer able to provide me with the information I need.
"That sounds arrogant," the girl snorted, causing Castor to turn his head towards her. "As if you already know everything and are bragging about it.
"Says the one whose brother came and veiledly threatened me.
"What? — Gremory blinked in surprise. — Sazex?"
"Yes," Castor saw no reason to hide this fact. On the contrary, doubts and questions could sow turmoil and uncertainty among the demons, which would play into his hands in the future.
"Oh... I... I need to make an urgent call. And take a small gift!" Gremory slipped another pentagram into his pocket and walked away, nervously shifting her feet. Brinel smiled a little wider.
No, he didn't hate Rias. She was a spoiled princess who had never been seriously hurt by life. The mage had seen others like her in Erulane when he attended social events. They were products of their society, from which it was almost impossible to escape. Hence their desire to be seen and heard by everyone, to look beautiful, desirable, and rich. And to have power over the people around them. It didn't necessarily have to be power for evil; that was the most important thing. Well, Gremory was good at it: even Castor found her attractive.
"An icy heart melts under the influence of a demoness's passion! It's like the title of a novel," said Ddraig sarcastically, his venom almost palpable. And Brinel wondered once again: maybe his lizard wasn't fiery, but poisonous?
And princesses always have obligations, such as marriage and bearing heirs. His sister often spat at this and threatened to cut off the genitals of anyone who decided to take advantage of it. Including their father. Of course, when she joined the Inquisition, there was no longer any need for that, but before that... Brinel smiled sadly.
"I hope that death was a salvation and a relief for you, after... After..."
Castor sighed convulsively and looked around with wide eyes. No, it was still Kuo. For a moment, he felt as if he were back in that place, reliving the nightmare.
"Hello.
Brinel stopped and turned his head towards the female voice that was clearly addressing him. Who else could it be in this narrow alley, except for him, a couple of birds being hunted by a cat and a bumblebee?
"Good day.
A tall, slender and attractive woman in her mid-twenties. A mane of black hair, like a raven's wing, cascaded down her back, and her violet eyes looked straight at him. There was a strange mixture of feelings in them. A white T-shirt hugged her ample bosom and revealed her flat stomach, while jeans clung to her hips. As for her face... Castor frowned slightly. Her beauty was too unnatural. You only see that in non-humans. And her energy betrayed her as a fallen angel. Not the strongest, of course, but the fact itself...
"Look at her... A-a-a-a-ha-ha-ha!" Ddraig shouted in ecstasy, then immediately laughed. And why did he imagine a lizard in a gaming chair, clutching the armrests with its paws and leaning back as far as possible, screaming with excitement?
"Damn, you look even cooler with stubble than without it. It's like you're turning from a boy into a confident man. I like it," the woman smiled predatorily, causing Brinel to raise an eyebrow in surprise. What?
"Amana Yuma, your neighbour. Nice to meet you in person.
She's lying. Definitely lying. Castor didn't live a completely reclusive life and went outside, so he knew his neighbours well, especially the elderly couple across the street who always treated him to something tasty. In return, he did odd jobs for them or took care of their lawn. Kind old people. Just like his maternal grandparents...
"Personally?"
"Yeah," nodded the fallen woman, deliberately tossing her hair to attract attention. "I see you all the time, and the other neighbours only say good things about you. But..." She scratched the back of her head and smiled crookedly. "Work was taking up all my time. But now I can get to know you better!
"And this?" Castor's intuition told him that he was about to hear something that would make him nervous or anxious.
"We're adults. Wealthy, if you look at our houses. And understanding," she smiled even more broadly.
"You want to have sex?"
"And that's the first thing that comes to his mind! Wow! How degrading!"
"How vulgar!" Yuma crossed her arms over her chest and pretended to pout, closing her eyes. "First, a couple of nice dates to get to know each other, and then we'll see..." The woman opened her right eye slightly and looked at Brinel. "However..."
The mage didn't know what to do in this situation. The fallen woman showed no signs of aggression or danger, but her very origin disturbed Castor. Perhaps she was a scout sent by the winged ones to find out where to apply pressure in order to gain an advantage. Or was this a hint at an alliance? Not enough information. Again. It was starting to have a bad effect on Brinel. Discontent was growing inside him, along with a desire to extract everything he needed directly from the minds of the powerful.
He was curious about what this fallen woman was up to. Was she acting out of personal interest? Or as a member of an organisation? Either way...
"Why not? A couple of dates won't hurt any of us.
"Great! I'll message you on Instagram!
"Leviathan the mighty, I'm going on a date with a fallen one to get information. Ulgrim would die of laughter if he found out..."
However, there was also a purely personal interest. How do such events take place? How are connections formed?"
"What about Akeno? She's been hitting on you for a long time," said Ddraig.
"She's part of the Gremory clan. That's a big turn-off because of the possibility of recruitment. There's a similar possibility here, but we have much less information. Plus, dates aren't the beginning of a relationship. It's just a trivial test of a potential partner's personality."
"Um... No."
Castor ignored the dragon. The whole world may think otherwise, but for him, dates are nothing more than business meetings, with the sole purpose of establishing inter-gender relationships.
***
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