"Angels? Saints? What are you talking about?"
"You don't know? I must have overestimated you. Every being in this world has an angel bound to them. These angels possess divine abilities that only a handful of humans can control. Have you heard of the Crystal Academy? Your ancestor was the one who founded it. The academy's true purpose was to help humans harness their angel's divine powers and reach their full potential."
"The old Laplace was the original director?"
"Yes. But over time, the academy lost its purpose. Now, it's just a prestigious school for the wealthy. While many students there master the sword or the fist, only a rare few can control their angel—and even fewer know their angel truly exists."
Laplace was stunned. Do I have an angel? And if I do, what happens to this devil?
"You are the sole exception," the devil continued. "I cannot touch humans who already have an angel. You are the only one without an angel, and I am the only being without a human. Let me be your angel. Let me unlock the power hidden in your soul. I will awaken it, and you shall master it."
Perhaps this devil isn't here to kill me… Maybe he's telling the truth.
"What's your name, devil?"
"I have no name. No purpose. Allow me to stay by your side for eternity. Let me be Laplace's Demon."
After a moment of silence, Laplace extended his hand. The devil took it. For an instant, he felt as though he had two minds. Did I… did we connect?
"Call for me whenever you need. I will give you my full strength at any moment."
The devil dissolved into a black orb and shot into Laplace's body. But Laplace felt nothing. I thought I would feel stronger… I feel the same. How does this work?
When he turned back toward the gravestone, it had vanished into thin air.
Just as Laplace thought he might finally have a moment of peace, a chill ran through him—the same dread he'd felt when he first locked eyes with the strange girl.
"There you are… my sweet little boy. Don't run from your friend."
Laplace shivered and nearly collapsed to the ground.
"Where did those thieves go? What did you do to them?!"
"Why worry about them, sweetheart?" she said sweetly, with a sinister smile. "I got rid of them. They didn't want to play with me anymore."
Rage erupted inside him, his aura spilling out uncontrollably. "How could you kill humans like they're nothing?!"
"I see… so you don't want to be my friend either. If you won't interest me, then I'll erase you as well." She sighed.
Laplace kept his eyes locked on her. Then—blink—she was gone. The meadow fell silent, lit only by the full moon.
"What are you looking at?"
Her voice came from directly behind him.
In less than a heartbeat, she had gone from the edge of the trees to standing just behind his back. She was so close, she could hear his heart pounding. Laplace dared not turn around. How did she do that? Teleportation?
"Oh my… such a ripe heart you have. I might just have to take it for myself." Her grin twisted into something inhuman.
"Just who… are you?" Laplace whispered, terror in his eyes.
"I am a witch."
Her hand pierced his chest. Blood gushed from the wound. Laplace's pupils rolled back and he collapsed face-first into the dirt.
"That was quick. I thought you'd last longer." She chuckled, then began to vanish.
"Wait."
The voice was not his own.
"Who said you could leave? Did I give you permission? Come back." Laplace whispered with menace.
Laplace's body moved on its own. Possessed. Is this the demon's doing? Did I just call him?
He stood up, a gaping hole in his chest, his face shadowed by a dark aura. The witch reappeared, startled—it was not her doing.
Her eyes widened. "What… what did you do? How am I back?"
The possessed Laplace ignored her.
With inhuman speed, the possessed Laplace dashed forward and slammed his fist into her face. Bone cracked, and blood sprayed from her mouth.
He followed with a brutal kick to her neck, snapping it at an unnatural angle. She collapsed, gasping for air.
"You're not the same boy," she wheezed. "I smell… my lord."
Furious, she lunged, aiming for his lungs. But the demon spoke through Laplace's lips: "Erza."
The witch froze. "H-how do you know my name?! Only my lord knows that!"
"Take a guess."
Laplace drove his fist deep into her stomach, dragging upward until her insides spilled out.
Erza collapsed beside the pool of her own blood. With her final breath, she croaked, "Why, my lord… have I disappointed you…?"
…
Laplace's body crumpled, the dark aura fading. He opened his eyes—and found himself back inside the mansion.
So this… this is the demon's power…
"That wasn't even a quarter of my strength, descendant of Laplace. I intervened this time. Don't make me do it again."
Alright…
Laplace closed his eyes, sinking into a heavy, dreamless sleep. It was just past two in the morning.