That Time I Was A Slave By A Demoness

Aiden leaned back in his chair, his curiosity piqued after Lilith's announcement about school. "What do you even need school for? As far as I know, you have a personal grand library, wealth that seems endless, and power that could probably put most demons to shame. If anything, the only thing I doubt you might lack is connections. Let me guess—you've got enemies because of your name, right? And even with all that, I doubt school there is anything close to peaceful."

Lilith's smirk twisted into something more sinister. She raised her teacup, swirling the liquid idly as she replied, "You're absolutely correct. I have no need for school. I don't go there to learn—I could buy every tome in their pitiful archives if I wanted to. I don't go there to gain power—what I have is already leagues above most of those simpering cretins. And as for connections… well, I don't need to make any new ones. Those who are worthy already grovel before me."

"Then why?" Aiden pressed, his tone skeptical.

Lilith sighed dramatically, leaning her elbow on the table and resting her chin on her hand. "If it were up to me, I wouldn't set a single foot in that Havalorn-damned place."

"Havalorn?" Aiden asked, raising an eyebrow.

"It's an ancient curse in Hell," she explained nonchalantly. "Roughly translates to 'may your entrails rot while your soul festers.'"

"Oh. Lovely."

"Yes, well, it's an appropriate sentiment for that wretched academy. That place reeks of perverts and musclebrains. Did you know that, on average, four hundred students are molested every three months? And that's including both sexes, mind you. It's practically a jungle in there. The weak are preyed upon, and the strong do whatever they want."

Aiden's jaw dropped slightly. "And this is considered… a school?"

Lilith laughed, a bitter edge to her tone. "Oh, it's worse than that. It's a cesspool of petty schemes and meaningless conflicts. Gossip spreads like wildfire, and a single display of weakness can turn you into a target for the rest of the year. For us greater demons, those with grand names and ancient bloodlines, it's all just entertainment. But for the lesser demons—those whose ancestors spawned in the landfills of Tartarus—it's a nightmare. They endure it because they have no choice."

She set her teacup down and leaned back, her crimson eyes glinting with disdain. "The academy is a breeding ground for everything vile and grotesque. Students leave that place with harems of sycophants or crippling substance addictions. Sometimes both. Yet, despite all of this, it's still considered 'grand.'"

Aiden frowned. "That doesn't make any sense. If it's that bad, why does anyone even send their kids there?"

"Politics," Lilith said simply, a smirk tugging at her lips. "The academy is a microcosm of Hell's noble society. It's where the elite send their useless heirs and bastard children to be shaped—or broken. They bring their brats, along with lackeys and servants, to play their little games. It's a miniature political arena. Alliances are forged, rivals are crushed, and every move is scrutinized. For the royals and nobles, it's not about education—it's about control."

She paused, her expression darkening. "And let's not forget the entertainment value. Did you know there was once a lesser demon who tried to poison a greater demon's heir? The poor fool didn't realize his victim was immune to poison. The entire dining hall watched as the greater demon ate the poisoned meal, stood up, and ripped the lesser demon's arms off. It was the highlight of the semester."

Aiden grimaced. "That's… horrifying."

"Oh, it gets better," Lilith said with a cruel laugh. "The academy thrives on this chaos. The teachers are just as corrupt as the students. They're heavily biased, intentionally lowering the standings of certain students to humiliate their families. The royal family owns the academy and they use the academy as a giant hostage situation. They claim it's for 'sharing knowledge' and 'building connections,' but we all know the truth. If the royals come into conflict with a noble house, they already have the heirs and children under their control. They can use them as leverage in negotiations."

Aiden stared at her, dumbfounded. "And you're going to this place?"

Lilith's expression hardened. "I don't have a choice. I'm this year's representative for my family. My presence there is part of a deal my family made with the royal family. If they fail to honor that deal, let's just say…" She gestured to her neck with a finger, mimicking a slicing motion. "My head won't stay attached for long."

"What kind of deal?" Aiden asked, narrowing his eyes.

"That's none of your concern," Lilith said sharply. "All you need to know is that I'll be attending that accursed place, and so will you. I'm not dragging you along for the fun of it—I need you prepared."

Aiden scowled. "Why me? Why not get someone more competent? Surely you have better allies than a human who can't even survive in Hell on his own."

Lilith smirked, leaning forward. "My allies are already enrolled. And besides, you're mine now, Aiden. You'll do as I say, whether you like it or not."

He sighed, feeling the weight of her words settle over him like a shroud. "Great. This just keeps getting better and better."

Lilith chuckled, her arrogance on full display. "Welcome to Hell, Aiden. It's about time you learned how things truly work around here."