Kael's sudden confession shocked everyone present. As the one being confessed to, Saki's face flushed red, her ears and neck turning crimson. She hadn't expected Kael to confess to her in front of so many people.
Normally, confessions were supposed to happen privately, weren't they? Now, with him suddenly confessing in the classroom before everyone, how was she supposed to refuse? If she rejected him, would it leave him with a psychological scar?
Saki's mind raced, trying to figure out how to decline gracefully, without losing face or hurting Kael's pride. "I… I…"
Kael keenly sensed that Saki was about to reject him. That wouldn't do—if she refused, how could he carry out his plan?
"Yoshida-san," Kael called out before she could speak.
"Ah, yes!" Yoshida answered instinctively, looking up at him.
"Will you be my girlfriend?"
The moment their eyes met, Kael unhesitatingly cast a charm spell. This minor spell was useless against experts, but perfect for ordinary people. It worked every time. Ordinary people couldn't resist its effects.
Seeing the gleam in Kael's eyes, Saki grew dazed and unconsciously replied: "Okay, I'll be your girlfriend."
The classroom erupted. Many students were stunned, even disbelieving. She agreed—Saki actually agreed. Why? Why would she?
Several boys ground their teeth in frustration. Since Yoshida had become beautiful, a few had secretly confessed to her. But she had rejected them all.
Now Kael had succeeded, leaving those who had confessed before feeling bitterly unbalanced. They glared at Kael, full of resentment. Everyone had the same head and hands—no one was inherently superior. Why him? Why Kael? He wasn't even that handsome. Many thought sourly.
In truth, Kael wasn't stunningly handsome, but he was pleasant to look at. And having cultivated demonic arts, he carried a faint, sinister charm. As his cultivation grew, so would this allure. Even his body would gradually move toward perfection. After all, immortals were rarely ugly.
Meanwhile, Saki, after agreeing in a daze, finally came to her senses. Wait—what just happened? She had wanted to refuse, so why had she agreed so muddledly? What should she do now? Should she explain that she hadn't really wanted to accept? But she had already agreed. If she went back on her word now, would people look down on her? Would she be ostracized?
Thinking of this, Saki lost the courage to reveal the truth. She truly wanted to make like-minded friends.
Kael didn't fully know her thoughts, but seeing her shifting gaze, he knew she wasn't as calm as she appeared. Still, he didn't care. Though Saki's outward appearance had changed completely, inside she was still the timid, insecure country girl. Such a person wouldn't dare to go back on her word in front of others. As long as he stayed firm, he could control this tragic heroine.
So Kael said: "Yoshida-san, let me walk you home."
Saki opened her mouth, as if to protest, but Kael gave her no chance. "Let's go."
He took her hand and, under the stunned gazes of their classmates, pulled her out of the classroom and out of the school.
On the way, many students looked at them in surprise. Saki's face grew even redder, as if blood might drip from it. She tried to pull her hand back, but Kael didn't let go.
Only after leaving school did Saki muster the courage to say: "Renjou… -kun, could you let go of my hand?"
"No. We're boyfriend and girlfriend. Isn't holding hands normal?"
Kael refused without hesitation.
Saki sighed helplessly, letting him hold her hand, while her mind spun through countless imagined scenarios. But in the end, she lacked the courage to speak again.
Kael couldn't help but think: country girls are easy to handle.
Soon, he brought Saki to her home. "Go inside. I'll walk you again tomorrow."
With that, Kael released her hand and left without looking back.
He insisted on walking her home to prevent her from encountering the delinquent Hayato—the one who would lead to her downfall. For the time being, Kael planned to escort her daily. Once he found Hayato and destroyed him along with his gang, he would peacefully break up with Saki.
Of course, during this time, Kael wouldn't take advantage of her. Why bother with such a thankless task? Partly because he pitied her tragic future and wanted to change it. But mostly, it was for his own satisfaction. Simply put, he wanted to.
When Kael had first read Metamorphosis, he had been disgusted by Hayato's methods and character. He had wanted to kill him. Now, given the chance, Kael wouldn't miss it.
Besides, the essence of cultivating demonic arts was to follow one's heart without crossing the line. Suppressing one's desires would cause backlash. But indulging too much would lead to corruption, becoming a puppet of desire. Finding the balance was difficult—even Kael had to explore it step by step. Ultimately, he had to find that equilibrium.
Helping Saki wasn't just about saving her—it was also about testing himself, finding that balance point.
After parting with Saki, Kael went to the slaughterhouse again. Behind it, he sat cross-legged, devouring a mass of soul fragments until his soul felt bloated, then stopped. Back home, after dinner, he continued cultivating—digesting the fragments, tempering his soul, and nourishing his body.