Volume 1, Chapter 23 – Human Interrogation Studies

Lilith School, interrogation room.

This was where Human Interrogation Studies was taught.

Unlike the spacious, brightly lit classrooms aboveground, the air here was filled with a musty odor that never seemed to dissipate, while all manner of tools hung from the walls, gleaming coldly beneath the lights.

Stella huddled in a corner of the back row, her hands folded over her knees as she sat upright and proper like a well-behaved student.

This was ridiculous.

Although she had long known that classes at a Demon Realm academy could never be normal, the overwhelming dungeon-like atmosphere still made her deeply uncomfortable. Stella could not shake the feeling that sooner or later, she herself was going to end up locked in here.

Stella stared at the lectern, completely unable to imagine how she was supposed to rank among the top students in a class like this. Asking a Saintess who had never even dirtied her hands with menial labor to torture people for information was simply too outrageous.

Even the merciful Lord would never forgive her if she committed such a grave sin against her own people.

Stella prayed inwardly.

‘Maybe the first lesson would only introduce the history of torture instruments? Or perhaps it would be a theory class explaining human anatomy?’

If it was a written exam, then she, Stella von Einzbern, absolutely would not lose! Even if the textbook was as thick as a dictionary, she could crush this bunch of succubi through sheer memorization. This was just some little Demon Realm academy. How could any of them possibly out-study a veteran exam grinder like her?

In short, as long as she did not have to actually do anything, she could always find some way to bluff her way through…

Bang!

The door was suddenly shoved open, then slammed shut behind the newcomer.

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The classroom, which had still been filled with hushed chatter, instantly fell silent.

Professor Katerina walked in.

She wore a pitch-black robe and moved with such force that its hem billowed behind her like a pair of bat wings.

Her face was gaunt, her skin deathly pale, and her deeply sunken eyes were as sharp as a hawk’s as they swept coldly across the room.

She passed the lectern and strode swiftly down the aisle.

“Put away those pink seduction guides of yours, and put away that childish nail polish.”

Professor Katerina spoke coldly, suddenly turning around as her black robe whipped through a sharp arc.

“In this class, there will be no boring seduction tricks, nor any crude venting of violence devoid of beauty. I do not expect you idiots whose heads are filled with nothing but seduction and cosmetics to truly comprehend the profundity of this art…”

“But I can teach you how to manipulate nerves as though playing a musical instrument, how to distill fear as though distilling a potion, and even… how to make death itself halt in its tracks, solely so that you can squeeze the final shred of truth from your prey’s mind.”

Professor Katerina abruptly turned toward the blackboard and lightly flicked one blood-red fingernail. The words ‘Physical Limits’ appeared across it.

“Many people believe that a succubus’ only weapon is her charm.” The professor’s voice was filled with contempt. “Utterly wrong. In high-level intelligence warfare, seduction is often the least efficient method.”

Professor Katerina paused. Her gaze swept across Stella like the edge of a blade, frightening her into holding her breath.

“Ha, yes.” She murmured. “Stella Darkfallen. Our school’s newest… celebrity.”

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That sounded incredibly sarcastic.

From the very first moment their eyes had met, Stella had felt that Professor Katerina especially disliked her, though she had no idea why.

‘Don’t look at me. Please don’t call on me.’

‘I am just a weak little succubus passing by. I know absolutely nothing about torture!’

“Miss Bledia.” Professor Katerina ultimately pointed toward Remedios.

Remedios rose gracefully, perfectly composed.

“Tell me, when a prisoner trained by the Templar Order possesses extremely high mental resistance and refuses to speak, what is the most efficient point of attack?”

“Sensory deprivation, Professor,” Remedios answered smoothly. “Templars rely on faith to maintain their mental state. So you deprive them of sight, hearing, and touch, placing them in an absolute void for three days until their sense of self collapses. After that, the slightest stimulation will make them talk without fail.”

“Standard. A textbook answer.” Katerina nodded slightly, though her face remained expressionless. “Sit down. You studied ahead before class. It seems your family has given you a reasonably solid education.”

She turned around, her black robe sweeping through the aisle before she stopped in front of Cheryl.

“Then, Miss Valentine.” Katerina’s voice dropped even lower. “What if speed is our priority and we don’t have three days for sensory deprivation?”

Cheryl leaned back in her chair, casually twirling the quill in her hand.

“Then keep torturing them with pain. Torment them bit by bit, working through flesh, blood, and bone. You just have to make sure they don’t die in the process.”

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“Violent, but effective.” Katerina gave a brief evaluation. “Although I do not advocate such an artless method, it is indeed useful in wartime.”

The professor walked back onto the platform and braced both hands against the desk.

“Since you already understand the theory, there is no need for us to waste time on textbooks.”

She clapped her hands.

“To give you an intuitive understanding of the fragile yet intricate physiology of humans, I specifically applied to the Inspection Bureau for a special piece of teaching material.”

A mechanism whirred into motion. The blackboard behind the lectern slowly slid aside, revealing a display platform behind it.

Stella froze.

There was a young girl on the platform.

She wore a torn nun’s habit, and her black hair was filthy and disheveled. Her wrists and ankles bore bloody abrasions from chains, her cheeks were swollen and red, and dried blood stained the corner of her mouth. But the most glaring sight of all was the crooked holy emblem hanging around her neck.

A nun.

She was a nun.

“This is an apprentice combat nun captured after a defeat.” Katerina spread her hands as though introducing a specimen of some rare magical creature. “She has suffered a few injuries, but nothing serious. She also knows quite a bit of interesting intelligence, making her extremely suitable for beginners to practice on.”

“Huh? We have to use a live one?” A succubus in the front row complained quietly. “Humans are really dirty. Won’t there be bacteria on her?”

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“Professor, do we have to touch her with our hands?” Another student raised her hand and asked. “I just had my nails done. I don’t want to get blood on them. Can we wear gloves? Human blood is really hard to wash off.”

“Silence.”

Katerina rapped the desk sternly, and the ‘classroom’ instantly fell quiet.

“If you’re afraid of getting dirty, then get out. My class has no place for flowers raised in a greenhouse.” The professor spoke coldly, her hawk-like eyes sweeping over the entire room. “Now then, practical training begins. Everyone, form a line and come up one at a time.”

The corner of Stella’s eye twitched.

‘Lord.’

‘If this is what an ordinary class in the Demon Realm is like…’

‘Could I really… survive all the way to graduation?’

Translator Note

Stella is screwed again xD