Surviving in the Demon's Academy as a Human

As the Third Prince concluded his not-so-subtle political pitch, the atmosphere in the grand auditorium shifted to the standard, obligatory formalities. Various programs unfolded—introductions of faculty, ceremonial greetings from prominent student representatives, and a lengthy explanation of the academy's history that dragged on endlessly. Lilith sat in her seat, her head resting on her hand, her eyes half-lidded with boredom. She muttered under her breath, "How utterly dull. They could've at least added a bit of chaos for entertainment."

Aiden, meanwhile, tried to appear attentive but found his thoughts drifting to how the academy felt more like a grand political arena than an actual school. His stomach growled faintly, and he realized he'd missed breakfast.

Finally, the principal—a towering figure with glowing eyes and a commanding aura—took the stage. His voice boomed through the hall, giving a speech about the importance of discipline, proper decorum, and embodying the pride of Hell's next generation. He outlined the numerous events and activities designed to help newcomers acclimate to the academy, including team-building challenges, dueling showcases, and a grand feast to cap it all off.

When the closing remarks signaled the end of the ceremony, students erupted into cheers and applause, eager to begin exploring their new environment—or, more likely, to stake their social dominance.

Lilith stretched languidly and stood, gesturing for Aiden to follow her. "Come along, pet," she said with a playful smirk. "Let's see if this place has anything worthwhile."

They wandered through the sprawling academy grounds, weaving through impossibly high archways and endless courtyards filled with students showing off their abilities or haggling over alliances.

As they wandered through the academy, Aiden couldn't shake the overwhelming sense of unease. Everywhere he looked, demons of all shapes and sizes stared, their piercing gazes digging into him like daggers. He kept his head down, but the weight of their attention was suffocating.

Lilith noticed his discomfort and sighed dramatically. "Honestly, Aiden, you look like a scared little rabbit. That's the quickest way to get eaten around here."

"I'm not scared," Aiden muttered, though his hunched shoulders and quickened pace said otherwise. "I just... don't want to give them any reason to bother me."

Lilith smirked and flicked one of his sleeves playfully. "Oh, sweet Aiden, they don't need a reason. You're a human, a rarity, and right now, you're about as subtle as a sacrificial lamb at a demon feast."

Aiden shot her a glare. "Helpful. Thanks."

"Relax, pet. I'll give you some advice—free of charge, because I'm generous like that." She stopped walking and turned to him, her crimson eyes gleaming mischievously. "Rule one: Stop looking so guilty. Guilt is like blood in the water for these sharks. You want to survive here? Look like you belong. Walk with your head high, shoulders back, and act like you own the place."

"Easy for you to say," Aiden grumbled. "You do own the place."

"Details." She waved dismissively. "Rule two: Don't make eye contact with anyone unless you're ready to challenge them—or submit. Demons see a direct stare as an invitation. Keep your eyes forward, focus on where you're going, and ignore the rest."

"That explains why everyone in the hallway looked like they wanted to kill me earlier," Aiden muttered, recalling his brief glances at the more monstrous students.

"Exactly," Lilith said, pointing at him like a teacher congratulating a student for answering correctly. "And rule three: Stick close to me. I'm your shield, your deterrent, and, frankly, your ticket to survival. Nobody here is stupid enough to mess with someone under my protection." She leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Well, almost nobody."

"Comforting," Aiden said dryly. "Really puts me at ease."

Lilith laughed, a melodic yet sinister sound, and started walking again. "Oh, don't be so dramatic. You'll get the hang of it. You're already a novelty here, Aiden. If you play your cards right, you could use that to your advantage."

"Or I could just hide in a library until I figure out how to use miasma properly," he retorted.

Lilith turned to look at him over her shoulder, her smirk widening. "Where's the fun in that? Come on, let's explore some more. Who knows? You might even enjoy yourself—assuming you can stop acting like fresh prey."

Aiden groaned but followed, his steps a little straighter and his gaze a little steadier. Despite her mocking tone, Lilith's advice seemed sound. If he was going to survive in this chaotic academy, he'd have to learn to blend in—or at least fake it convincingly.

Lilith led Aiden through the sprawling academy grounds, her golden hair catching the ethereal purple glow of the sky. Aiden, still adjusting to the grandeur of the place, found himself unable to resist the allure of the academy's beauty. Despite the tension of the morning and the looming threats that clung to the air, the architecture and environment were mesmerizing.

Their first stop was a garden suspended mid-air, accessible only by a translucent, shimmering bridge. The garden defied all logic: glowing, upside-down trees with roots stretching into the heavens; flowers that thrived in gravity-defying orbs of water; and crimson butterflies with fiery trails that danced lazily in the air. Lilith walked ahead, her stride confident, as if the bizarre beauty of the place were beneath her notice.

Aiden paused at the edge of the bridge, staring at the garden in awe. "How… how does this even exist? It's like a fever dream."

Lilith glanced over her shoulder, smirking. "This? Oh, it's nothing special. Just an old remnant from a time when angels and demons tried to outdo each other with 'art.' The fallen angels tried purity, and we… well, we like a little chaos in our aesthetics."

"'A little chaos' might be the understatement of the century," Aiden muttered as he cautiously followed her.

In the garden, they wandered through paths of bioluminescent moss that lit up under their feet, leaving behind fading trails of light. Aiden found himself growing more relaxed, despite his earlier nerves. Lilith, noticing his amazement, gestured at a cluster of orbs floating in the air, each containing a different scene—a desert, a starry void, a roaring ocean. "If you touch one," she said, "it changes to reflect your desires. Care to try?"

Aiden hesitated before lightly tapping one of the orbs. Instantly, the scene shifted to an image of Earth—a park with a clear blue sky and kids playing soccer. His breath caught as a pang of homesickness hit him. Lilith watched silently, her teasing expression softening for a moment before she broke the silence with her usual sarcasm. "Ah, yes, the quaint and simple human world. How utterly boring."

He gave her a flat look. "You're heartless."

She grinned. "Thank you."

They continued their tour, eventually finding themselves in an open courtyard where students showed off their magic and combat skills in public, there are a lot of audiences present. Aiden couldn't help but gawk at the sheer variety of abilities on display. One student summoned a storm of shadowy tendrils, while another turned into a towering lava golem. A group of harpy-demons soared overhead, performing synchronized aerial maneuvers, while a centaur-like demon sparred with a reptilian opponent wielding a scythe.

Lilith leaned casually against a pillar, observing the chaos. "See? This is what makes this academy great. Absolute madness. Isn't it beautiful?"

"'Beautiful' isn't the word I'd use," Aiden said, ducking as a stray fireball shot past his head. "Terrifying, maybe."

She rolled her eyes. "You'll get used to it. Besides, you've got me to protect you."

"How comforting," Aiden deadpanned.

As the sunless sky shifted into a darker shade of purple, signaling the approach of evening, Lilith led Aiden to the edge of the academy grounds. There, they found a small overlook that provided a stunning view of the entire campus—floating castles illuminated by lanterns and glowing runes, students milling about like ants below, and the distant roar of waterfalls that cascaded into the void. Fireworks suddenly erupted above, painting the sky in vibrant shades of red and gold.

Lilith leaned on the railing, watching the display with a rare moment of quiet. Aiden stood beside her, still marveling at the surreal beauty of it all. "I've got to admit," he said, "for a place that's supposed to be Hell, it's… breathtaking."

Lilith smirked, glancing at him out of the corner of her eye. "Hell isn't just torment and suffering, Aiden. It's what we make of it. And for some of us, it's a playground."

Aiden chuckled. "You've got a strange way of looking at the world."

"And you've got a strange way of surviving in it." She turned to him, her expression teasing but with a hint of something softer. "You're not as fragile as you look, you know."

He shrugged. "I try not to think about it."

They stood in silence for a moment, the fireworks reflecting in their eyes. Despite the absurdity of everything he'd experienced, Aiden felt a strange sense of calm. For the first time since arriving in Hell, he almost felt... okay.