The corridor’s light flickered and shifted, three figures standing quietly within it, their bodies wrapped in shadow and glow, making their silhouettes appear even more eerie and sinister.
“Difficulty 3 classrooms generally aren’t something normal students can challenge. They’re usually opened only under restrictions—special courses or high-level examinations.”
“But rumor has it, in some corridor, there exists a hidden classroom of Difficulty 4… only, I’ve never heard of any living student who actually experienced it.”
After listening to Bacher’s explanations for a while, Lan Qi finally handed him the credit coin in his hand.
Bacher immediately accepted it, clutching it like a pardon from death itself.
Lan Qi, meanwhile, pulled up the task interface from the Shadow World once more.
【Time Remaining: 11 hours 42 minutes】
【Objective 1: Academy exploration rate surpass 60%. Current Progress: 4%】
【Objective 2: Investigate the source of tonight’s danger】
【Objective 3: At least one person must survive until the end of the time limit. Current survivors: 6/6】【Challengers Lan Qi & Huperion are currently at Corridor G21, have not joined any classrooms】
The numbers shifted—【Objective 1】’s initial “Progress 3%” had just become “Progress 4%.”
Which meant that clearing that demon exam earlier had raised it by 1%.
Based on what he and Huperion had discussed on the way, the six challengers displayed in the Shadow World were most likely split into three pairs.
If that was true, the data change suggested this: entering a Difficulty 1 classroom raised exploration rate by 1%, and clearing it added another 1%.
By that logic, Difficulty 2 or 3 classrooms probably offered more.
If three teams, within twelve hours, each cleared five Difficulty 1 classrooms, the most they could achieve would be: 2% × 5 × 3 = 30%.
Far from enough.
Which meant they’d have to consider splitting up to simultaneously challenge more Difficulty 1 classrooms, or attempt the higher-risk Difficulty 2 or 3 classrooms, if they wanted to reach 60% exploration within the twelve-hour window.
Lan Qi glanced at Huperion, and she gave a small nod.
Her arithmetic was good—she’d clearly figured out the mechanism too.
The strategy was obvious now: they had to challenge the higher-level classrooms, while also investigating 【Objective 2】—“the hidden danger in the Demon Academy tonight.”
“Bacher, do you know if the academy’s had any strange changes recently? Or if there’s anything dangerous tonight that makes you afraid?”
“……”
Bacher looked at Lan Qi in silence for a long time, unable to answer.
He didn’t understand what Lan Qi was asking. As far as he was concerned, nothing could be more dangerous tonight than Lan Qi himself.
“…Fine.”
Lan Qi sighed and nodded. Clearly, students like Bacher didn’t know the deeper secrets of the school. For 【Objective 2】, he’d have to look toward teachers or even directors, higher staff who might know.
Too bad those two exam proctors earlier were now beyond questioning.
Still—Lan Qi was sure his progress was ahead of schedule.
Because if he had taken the normal exam route, he wouldn’t even have had the chance to gather these rule explanations until more than an hour later. And there was no guarantee he’d encounter a cooperative, noble little demon like Bacher, who was so willing to spill everything he knew in detail.
Now, it was time to study. Study hard—or die.
Compared to the classes in Ikerite Academy that only made him want to flee, Lan Qi honestly didn’t find this magical demonic academy’s lessons all that distasteful. In fact… there was even a faint trace of anticipation stirring within him.
Huperion: “……”
She felt like Lan Qi was already itching to get into the next classroom.
Yet, the Lan Qi she had seen earlier today in the Sage’s Hall classroom was absolutely not this eager seeker of knowledge…
She worried, deeply, that after his time in this academy, Lan Qi might awaken some irreversible tendencies… something that would make him even less human than he already was.
But she couldn’t say much—because she herself wasn’t exactly human, either.
As Huperion pondered, Lan Qi spoke again.
“Bacher, in my homeland, there’s an old saying: ‘Those who know the times are true heroes.’ I believe you won’t refuse to cooperate with us, right?”
As he said this, Lan Qi lightly patted Bacher’s shoulder.
“O-of course not.”
“If things go smoothly, we won’t treat you poorly. Now, please take me to an art classroom.”
Lan Qi needed a loyal, clever demon to guide them, and Bacher fit perfectly.
“This way, please.”
Bacher immediately slipped into the role of a polite attendant, his noble upbringing showing as he gestured gracefully with his left hand and began to lead the way.
Though the school’s labyrinthine, ever-shifting corridors made any fixed map impossible, Bacher’s survival instincts had long since compelled him to memorize where most of the classrooms were.
Lan Qi and Huperion followed closely, their footsteps steady and swift.
Minutes later, a massive door loomed before them, tall and imposing like a silent giant, guarding the secrets within.
Bacher halted, turned, and faced Lan Qi.
“According to rumor, behind this door is a music classroom. It’s the closest art-related class I know of. If you’re not satisfied, I can take you elsewhere.”
Lan Qi’s gaze followed Bacher’s gesture to the ornate door, its surface marked with two demonic sigils. Difficulty 2.
He nodded, apparently pleased.
Placing his hand against the heavy, ancient wood, he said, “This one will do.”
Who knew how much time might be wasted searching further?
“Y-you really mean to challenge a Difficulty 2 classroom?”
Bacher’s expression revealed his own lack of experience.
Lan Qi only smiled. “It’s fine. There isn’t an art class in the world I fear.”
With that, he pushed open the door with confidence.
The very next second, the scene inside flooded into his vision.
Unlike the colossal lecture halls, this space resembled a grand theater! Glistening chandeliers hung overhead, plush red velvet seats lined the hall, and at the center, a dignified stage radiated opulence and majesty.
Upon the stage, a student was immersed in performance, every movement brimming with fiery passion, music reverberating through the hall like crashing waves.
At the curtain’s edge, a formally dressed teacher stood as overseer of the classroom, eyes immediately catching the three newcomers. He raised a hand, gesturing them toward the back row. The motion carried nothing but flawless authority.
Lan Qi and his companions nodded, making their way up the steps until they reached the highest seats, where the view of the grand theater unfolded in full.
From here, they could see not only the audience-like students scattered across the back seats but also four demon teachers seated in oversized chairs directly before the stage—judges, listening intently to the student’s performance.
Lan Qi stared at the strange, unnerving setup. He still didn’t know the rules of this classroom, but déjà vu prickled at him strongly.
“…Huh? Demon’s Got Talent?!”
Lan Qi suddenly felt this classroom was ridiculously off-script.