The Devil Who Came To Play

Chapter 1 Kael Veyr walked through the front gates of Ashveil Academy with his hands in his pockets and an uninterested look on his face. The morning sun was already bright, reflecting off the clean glass windows of the main building. Students in dark-blue uniforms moved in groups across the wide courtyard, talking and laughing like nothing was wrong. The air smelled like fresh-cut grass mixed with perfume and coffee. Kael found it all a little ridiculous. He had only been in the human world for a few hours, but it already felt noisy. Too many voices. Too many emotions floating around without control. In the underworld, power was clear. Strength decided everything. Here, humans smiled while hiding fear behind their teeth. As he walked along the path, pieces of conversation reached his ears. “They found another body this morning.” “Near the east gate this time. Same as the last four.” “My dad said the police are calling it animal attacks, but that’s bullshit.” “No animal leaves marks like that…” “I heard the victim’s eyes were completely black.” Kael’s steps didn’t slow, but his eyes narrowed slightly. So it had already started. Demons had been crossing into this city more often over the last few months. Some were just low-class strays looking for easy prey. Others were more careful, more organized. Bodies had been appearing with strange wounds, drained of energy, sometimes left with marks that humans couldn’t explain. The police were useless, of course. They always were when it came to things that didn’t belong in their world. That was one of the reasons why Kael was here. His father had summoned him three days ago. “You’re going to the human world,” the old demon had said, voice calm but final. “Something is moving there. Too many of our kind are slipping through without permission. I want you to watch. Learn how the humans react. See what is really happening beneath the surface.” Kael had stared at him for a long moment. “You want me to play student?” “Yes. Blend in. Observe. And try not to kill anyone unless necessary all in the name of fun.” So here he was, pretending to be a transfer student at one of the most expensive private academies in the city. Ashveil Academy. High walls, strict rules, dormitories, and a growing number of dead students that the school kept quiet about. Kael adjusted the black bag on his shoulder and kept walking toward the main building. Students noticed him quickly. A group of girls near the fountain stopped talking when he passed. One of them actually forgot to close her mouth. A guy from the sports club muttered something to his friend and stared. Kael was used to it. His face had always drawn attention, even among demons. Among humans, it was almost annoying. He ignored them all and entered the building. The hallway was clean and bright. Posters about club activities and exam schedules covered parts of the walls. Students rushed past him with bags and books. A few slowed down just to look at him again. Kael followed the signs until he found the classroom. He opened the door without knocking. The teacher, a middle-aged man with glasses, stopped speaking mid-sentence. Every student in the room turned to look. Then silence lasted for two full seconds. “You must be the new transfer student,” the teacher said, checking a paper on his desk. “Kael Veyr, correct?” Kael gave a short nod. “Come in. There’s an empty seat by the window, third row.” He walked down the aisle slowly. Whispers started almost immediately. “He’s the new guy?” “Where is he from? He doesn’t look local.” “He’s crazy good-looking…” “I bet he’s rich.” "So hot!" Kael sat down in the empty chair and leaned back. From this seat he could see most of the class without even turning his head. Ordinary faces. Ordinary energy. Nothing that interested him, But then his eyes stopped two rows ahead, near the center, a girl sat with her back straight and her hands resting quietly on her desk. Long dark hair fell over one shoulder. Her uniform was neat, almost too neat. She wasn’t looking at the teacher. She was looking down at her notebook, but there was something sharp in the way she held herself. Kael tilted his head slightly. The air around her felt different. She was not human. Not fully. There was a faint pressure coming from her, like a blade that hadn’t been drawn yet. Most people in the room wouldn’t notice it. Humans rarely sensed these things. But Kael did. Demon hunter blood. So this was her. Aria Thorne. His father had mentioned the name once, almost in passing. An old hunter family that had been killing demons for generations. Lately, reports said a young female hunter from that bloodline had been active in this city. Strong for a human. Dangerous enough to make lower demons avoid certain areas at night. Kael watched her for a few more seconds. As if she felt the weight of his stare, the girl slowly lifted her head and looked back at him and their eyes met. Her expression didn’t change much, but something cold and focused moved behind her gaze. She studied him the same way he was studying her. Not like a normal student looking at a good-looking transfer. Like someone measuring a threat. Kael’s mouth curved into a small, almost invisible smile. Interesting. He looked away first, turning his attention to the window like he had already lost interest. But he could still feel her eyes on him for a few more seconds before she finally looked forward again. The teacher started talking about class schedules and school rules. Kael barely listened. His mind was already moving. The deaths. The increasing number of demons. The hunter girl sitting only a few seats away from him. His father had sent him here to watch and learn too. Kael had a feeling he was going to learn more than expected. Outside the window, a group of students walked past the building, still whispering about the body found near the east gate that morning. Kael rested his chin against his hand and closed his eyes for a moment.