Ku Wang Academy had two main buildings.
Even after the new building was put into use, the old building wasn't abandoned—it was repurposed as the club activity center.
To the left was the Supernatural Research Club, and to the right, the Student Council.
After school, Kotone led Rokou there.
The old building was surrounded by trees, secluded from most of the campus. Local legend had it that it was one of the "Seven Wonders" of Ku Wang Academy.
The building itself was only two stories tall, but the hallways and rooms were meticulously clean.
When they reached the second floor, Kotone opened the door, and Rokou could finally see inside.
The interior resembled a study more than a classroom.
Shelves lined the walls, while the central area was furnished in a style reminiscent of a private office.
But beyond the furniture, the walls, floors, and even the ceiling were covered with intricate, arcane inscriptions—demonic runes, filling every corner of the room.
The most striking feature was a massive crimson magic circle that took up nearly half the floor.
Rokou recognized it immediately: a dimensional array connecting directly to the Underworld. With proper authorization, one could pass through it to the Underworld. Ordinary demons couldn't use it; only high-ranking demons were permitted.
"Welcome, welcome."
As he stepped inside, a stunning red-haired woman approached him.
Her hair shimmered like molten fire under the lights, her figure both delicate and mature in ways ordinary girls could only dream of. Even in a standard school uniform, she radiated an undeniable charm.
Rias Gremory.
Her emerald eyes held a polite, controlled smile—not necessarily happiness, but a reflection of her upbringing.
Behind her stood another woman, equally well-proportioned but far more reserved. Her black hair framed a gentler face, and when she smiled, her eyes narrowed into soft crescents, giving a sense of warmth.
Both of them had legs so perfectly straight and shapely that it was impossible to look away.
"It's good to see you again, Rokou," Rias said, nodding politely. "I don't think we need to reintroduce ourselves, right?"
Respect was mutual.
And Rokou, as a human of considerable ability, deserved that respect.
He responded with a formal handshake, brief and precise.
"No need for formalities. I'm just a nobody. But Rias, as heiress of the Gremory family and with such beauty… it's impossible to forget. If you ever have the chance, feel free to visit my home."
When it came to genuinely beautiful women, Rokou never held back his courtesy. Besides, he and Rias had no ill feelings between them, and there would be many storylines involving her in the future.
Rias seemed to sense the unspoken meaning behind his invitation but didn't reject it. She nodded in acceptance and then said, "Juno, serve the tea."
"It's ready. This is premium West Lake Longjing, imported from the East," Juno replied with a smile, presenting the teacups with both hands.
For guests deemed worthy, Rias's hospitality was flawless. Rokou's growing reputation around campus only added to her appreciation of him.
"Do you usually drink this tea?" Rokou asked.
"At first, I found it hard to accept, but after you refused me last time, I've come to enjoy the bitter taste," Rias replied, the subtext clear.
Even months later, she hadn't entirely forgiven him for rejecting her. One could imagine the thought lingering in her mind: the invitation to become her subordinate hadn't been fully abandoned.
Of course, she would never coerce him—that was a given, and a prerequisite for Rokou to engage with her at all.
As for temptation… Rias had indeed tried to entice him through Kotone. Offers included joining the Underworld bureaucracy, a lifetime of generous benefits, flexible hours, comfortable duties—low-stress work, high daily allowances—but none of it had swayed Rokou.
If she had offered to make him her consort… that might have been a different story.
After the small talk, Rokou sipped his tea and asked, "So, what did you want to see me about this time?"
"It's like this," Rias began, cutting straight to the point. "Recently, I've received multiple reports from familiars about murders. All the victims share one trait: clean, precise knife wounds. That was you, wasn't it?"
"Yes," Rokou admitted candidly.
"Though, to be precise, I didn't kill humans—I killed monsters."
"I understand that, of course. Otherwise, I wouldn't have welcomed you like this," Rias replied with a nod and a smile.
As the ruler of Ku Wang City, she naturally couldn't allow a murderer to roam free. But in Rokou's case, she recognized the truth: the "killer" was not human.