Leaving the office, Kael walked down the corridor, reflecting silently.
He couldn't understand why he had almost used the Heavenly Demon Manual of the Seven Emotions and Six Desires on Mafuyu. Although he stopped at the last moment, he had indeed stirred her emotions with words and nearly acted against her. This was completely different from the decision he had made earlier.
Kael knew well the dangers of demonic arts, so he had already resolved to use them only against beasts in human form. But Kirisu Mafuyu? Though strict, she was undeniably a good teacher.
Yet just because she was beautiful and her primordial yin remained, he had nearly acted against her. That contradicted his earlier resolve.
Thinking it over, Kael realized he might have been influenced by the demonic art. Though he had only just begun practicing the Soul-Devouring Demonic Art, it was already affecting his character. Not enough to turn him into a ruthless killer, but enough to push him toward becoming a self-indulgent demon.
The thought made Kael's heart tremble. Anyone who practiced demonic arts would face such thresholds. After all, demonic arts advanced quickly, unlike Daoist methods that were balanced and steady. They favored shortcuts, inevitably affecting the practitioner.
He recalled another hidden danger of demonic manuals besides their cruel, inhumane methods—
Backlash.
If a practitioner couldn't control the art, the art would control them, making them its slave. In pursuit of strength, they would abandon all scruples, becoming slaves to power.
Kael had thought such a problem would only arise after a long time of practice. Who would have expected that after cultivating the Soul-Devouring Demonic Art yesterday, signs of it appeared today?
By his nature, he would never use the Heavenly Demon Manual on a good teacher like Mafuyu. Yet he had almost done so.
Though he stopped in time, it was a warning. If left unchecked, he might gradually be changed by the art, eventually becoming a demon who would do anything for power.
So from today onward, Kael had to remain calm, reflect daily, and use self-examination to control the demonic art. He could be a dark Punisher. But he must never become a demon. The two were fundamentally different.
Having thought it through, Kael exhaled deeply, feeling refreshed. Even his soul seemed clearer, bringing him closer to entry-level cultivation.
Entry-level referred to the stages of cultivation, whether immortal or demonic. Novels described stages like Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, and Divine Transformation.
But in reality, once Kael truly encountered demonic arts, he realized there was no such division. Or rather, the path he had entered had a different system.
Demonic cultivation was divided into nine grades and eighteen levels. First grade was the lowest, ninth grade the highest. Each grade had upper and lower levels, making eighteen in total.
Because the difference between grades was immense—each grade like a new heaven—many called them the Nine Heavens. The Ninth Heaven was the pinnacle. Breaking through it meant ascending in broad daylight, becoming immortal.
But that realm was far too distant for Kael. He was just a beginner, not even entry-level yet. Still, for ordinary mortals, even a beginner like him was formidable. And since the Soul-Devouring Demonic Art was top-tier, he could likely reach entry-level within a week.
Thinking this, Kael quickened his pace to the cafeteria. After lunch, he returned to class for the final lesson.
At three in the afternoon, school ended. In some countries, this would be laughable. School ending at three? What nonsense. But in Tokyo, Japan, this was normal. Most high schools ended at three. Third-year students might have extra classes or self-study, staying until five-thirty or six. But Kael, being in first year, could go home after school. Except for those with club activities.
As students packed their bags to leave, Kael stood before Yoshida Saki and said with a smile: "Yoshida-san, could you come with me? I have something to discuss."
"Nani, nani…"
Before Yoshida could reply, the girl beside her exclaimed excitedly: "Renjou-kun, are you going to confess to Saki?"
To her, Kael suddenly stopping Saki meant a high chance of confession. After all, since Saki started wearing makeup, she had transformed from a plain country girl into a beauty. Someone confessing was perfectly normal.
Saki blushed furiously, sneaking a glance at Kael, her eyes evasive. She suspected he might confess. Since she began wearing makeup, several had already confessed to her. But she had rejected them all. She didn't want to date someone she barely knew. The same applied to Kael—she hardly knew him, his character or personality.
Kael wasn't planning to confess. He wanted to warn her not to be deceived. If things followed the original story, she would soon meet Hayato, the blond delinquent, be drugged, and fall into ruin.
But he was just an ordinary classmate who had barely spoken to her. What right did he have to warn her? Even if he did, would she care? Would she remember?
At that moment, the other girl's words gave Kael an idea. If a classmate's warning wouldn't matter, what about a boyfriend's? Surely she wouldn't ignore her boyfriend's words.
Kael's mind shifted, and he suddenly said: "You're right. I do want to confess. Yoshida-san, please give me a chance—be my girlfriend."
Saki's face turned crimson, as if bleeding. The once noisy classroom fell silent, so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Students who hadn't yet left all turned their eyes to Kael and Saki. Many boys looked at Kael with admiration. He was a warrior charging forward for love.