Volume 1, Chapter 11 – Bloodline Inspection

Stella and Remedios silently made their way through the quiet corridors, tiptoeing out of the dormitory. Lilith School was even gloomier late at night than it was during the day, and much easier to get lost in.

The gargoyle wall lamps on either side of the corridors would occasionally roll their stone eyes, while the hundred and forty-two staircases seemed to move of their own accord.

Meanwhile, the figures in the portraits hanging on the walls loved visiting one another and swapping places. Stella was certain they were whispering gossip about her and Remedios beside her.

Watching Remedios navigate the corridors with extraordinary familiarity, precisely avoiding every patrolling succubus prefect, Stella finally couldn’t help speaking up. Remedios looked nothing like a freshman who had only reported in a few days ago. If anything, she seemed even more like a spy than Stella herself.

“…Do you do this sort of thing often?”

“You mean sneaking out of the dormitory in the middle of the night, wandering around the school after dark, swiping a few nice things along the way, leaving a complete mess behind for Administrator Phil, who’s responsible for the night patrols, and then laughing mercilessly afterward?” Remedios turned her head, a teasing blue light gleaming beneath her white eyelashes. “I’m merely paying tribute to our predecessors. Of course, without you, it would’ve been difficult to carry on this tradition.”

Remedios stopped walking.

“Alright, we’re here.”

The library stood along the Academy’s central axis. In front of the entrance, an enormous gargoyle guard suddenly opened its scarlet eyes. Its heavy stone wings spread apart, whipping up a fierce gust of wind.

“No entry late at night… freshman.”

With an expression of utter resignation, Stella stepped forward and briefly showed her face to the gargoyle.

“Vice Principal’s orders. A genius’ privileges apply day and night.”

The gargoyle leaned closer and examined Stella’s aster-purple eyes. The red light in its own eyes flickered several times before it finally folded its wings and returned to being a stone statue.

“…Since this is the Dark Queen’s grace, please proceed, Miss Darkfallen.”

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The library’s heavy doors slowly opened, revealing a narrow gap, and the two of them slipped inside.

Remedios followed close behind Stella and chuckled softly. “Privileges really are enviable. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have gotten an opportunity this good.”

“Me?”

“Vice Principal Mara really gave you some enormous special treatment. I only found out after investigating. You even have permission to enter the restricted section. But Principal Gehenna will be back soon, and there’s a good chance the privileges the Vice Principal gave you will be taken away.”

‘Principal Gehenna?’

Stella’s steps faltered slightly.

Stella had absolutely no impression of her. What was there to worry about when it came to a succubus principal who hadn’t even appeared since the school term began? As for having her privileges taken away, they could take them if they wanted.

“Where did she go?” Stella asked.

“I don’t know. I only heard that she went to make arrangements for a very promising freshman.” Remedios turned around and continued weaving between the maze-like bookshelves. “By the way, Miss Darkfallen, I think I should remind you of something. According to Lilith School tradition, the first thing Principal Gehenna will do when she returns is conduct a round of bloodline inspections on an SSS+ genius like you.”

‘…What the hell!?’

‘A blood… bloodline inspection?’

Cold sweat poured down Stella’s back.

The succubus elixir might be capable of disguising racial characteristics, but she had never heard anything about whether it could fool a bloodline inspection.

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Wouldn’t she be completely finished if they discovered that her bloodline was one hundred percent human?

‘Lord, save me…’

“…It’s just a formality, right?” Stella asked tentatively, keeping her tone even.

“Probably. Principal Gehenna will investigate which prestigious family your bloodline comes from, I suppose. After all, nobody has ever heard of the Darkfallen surname, and that doesn’t exactly match your reputation as a genius. Besides, perhaps you’re the illegitimate daughter of some prestigious family in the Demon Realm. If they find out who, it’ll make it easier for you to reunite with your relatives.”

“…”

Forget reuniting with relatives. Identifying her corpse sounded more likely.

The corner of Stella’s mouth twitched as she tried her best not to spiral into anxiety.

She was becoming increasingly convinced that she was sinking into a quagmire from which there was no turning back. But since she could no longer pull herself free, it was only human nature to at least probe around and see exactly how deep the quagmire went.

Besides, since the Inquisitor had chosen to send her here as a spy, she had to have her reasons. Surely she wouldn’t really throw Stella straight into a boiling pot of oil… probably.

In any case, she should first take care of the Primordial Doctrine, then communicate with the Inquisitor. There was still a whole pile of things waiting for her afterward. She couldn’t panic.

It definitely wasn’t because Stella felt guilty and afraid and was frantically searching for excuses to comfort herself.

Really!

The parchment in Remedios’ hand emitted a dim blue glow, guiding their way until they finally stopped in front of a bronze door.

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She pushed against the door, but it didn’t budge in the slightest.

“The restricted section is just ahead. Open the door and our agreement is finished. You can go back after that.” Remedios said.

“No, I have my own plans.”

Stella refused. She was counting on taking care of the Primordial Doctrine while she was here. It was rare to have someone guiding the way, so she couldn’t let this opportunity go to waste.

“Hm?” Remedios looked Stella over strangely. “So you’re here to steal… I mean, borrow a book too?”

“…Yes. That’s right.”

Stella stood in front of the door and prepared to push it open. Just as Remedios had said, the restricted section’s door seemed to recognize Stella’s access privileges. With only a light push, it slowly swung open.

“Alright. In that case, although I don’t know what kind of forbidden book you’re looking for, I’ll consider you a kindred spirit for now,” Remedios said.

Stella nodded.

“May I ask if you’re good at long-distance running?” Remedios suddenly asked out of nowhere.

“Long-distance running?”

Stella blinked in confusion.

Wasn’t she just here to steal a book? Why would she need to run long distances?

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Click.

Before she could ask, she had already opened the door to the restricted section.

“Be careful. The book-spirit guards like to eat around this time.” Remedios stuck out her tongue and instantly lowered herself like a nimble cat.

“…?”

In the next instant, dozens of enormous books reinforced with iron plating and lined with fangs seemed to awaken like a flock of disturbed, bloodthirsty bats. Their pages snapped open as they tore through the air like blades and swooped downward.

The first to arrive was a massive iron-bound book. An eerie blue chill gleamed along its edges as it sliced straight toward Stella’s fair neck. After spinning through a sharp arc, it buried itself deep in the nearby wall.

Stella stared at the weapon lodged only a few centimeters from her neck, her throat moving involuntarily.

‘Wait, what the hell? You really do try to kill your students here?!’

Translator Note

Oof, checking bloodline… Stella is screwed.