Hyperion's Purgatory Corridor Academy Season Two

One week later. The Demon Realm, Purgatory City Pasqual, in the Land of Purgatory on the city's outskirts. An intricate interlocking corridor complex was hoisted high above Purgatory by massive pillars, like a suspended rivet. On the top floor of this academy sat a classical, solemn conference room. The towering Demon Realm mural dome and the jet-black stone walls, adorned with warding stone statues shimmering with purple spellcraft, proclaimed in every detail the distinguished status required of any demon permitted to enter. The head seat at the very front stood vacant. Meanwhile, the academy's longtime Vice Headmaster occupied the chief seat along the side. "This time, we absolutely cannot afford any mistakes—and that includes being fooled by a fake headmaster! That kind of thing must never happen again!" A teacup rested before the Vice Headmaster. As he spoke, he tapped his fingers on the tabletop from time to time. "The troublesome part is that the new headmaster will hold the highest authority in the academy. If they wish, they can enter through the front gates or sneak in behind our backs on an inspection, and we won't be able to detect a thing. During this period, there must be no accidents that could harm their impression of us!" "..." The remaining seats were occupied by the academy's demon faculty and administrative demons from management. They were dressed impeccably, their attire appearing all the more magnificent and dignified beneath the conference room chandelier. At this moment, they watched the Vice Headmaster intently, answering his sharp questions with respectful deference, not daring to offer any rebuttal. None of them knew when the Vice Headmaster had become like this. The atmosphere in the conference room was tense, yet the demon school administrators seemed long accustomed to his demeanor. At the very end of the table sat a female administrative demon who had worked at Purgatory Corridor Academy for only a short time—just a few years—listening quietly. Her full name was Lysandra Puckley. Her ancestors had been orthodox great demons of an illustrious clan, though the family had fallen into decline by her generation. Fortunately, several years ago, Lysandra had successfully graduated from the rigorous Purgatory Corridor Academy. Adding to that her ancestors' acquaintance with the Lord of the Fallen, she had been arranged a position in the Demon King's Castle after graduation. She had secured a post as a court protocol officer—something other demons could only dream of—responsible for attending to the princess and serving as her companion. Perhaps the Lord of the Fallen had seen that she would get along well with the princess; perhaps the job simply suited her naturally; or perhaps the princess was just too kindhearted. The two of them had naturally become friends, to the point that Lysandra could never quite tell where duty ended and genuine friendship began. Later, the princess and the Lord of the Fallen resolved their differences and became close, inseparable friends, which effectively concluded Lysandra's duties. Furthermore, with the flames of war spreading, Lysandra had departed Neclis Island and the Demon King's Castle years ago. Thanks to her outstanding performance as a court protocol officer, she was assigned by Caliera, Lord of the Fallen, to work in her relatively peaceful hometown, Purgatory City Pasqual. In truth, she had never been suited to the fast-paced, desire-driven lifestyle of the Demon King's Castle, living each day with a low profile just to get by. Though the princess had been reluctant to see her go, she cared deeply about Lysandra's wishes and had let her depart without making a fuss. Purgatory Corridor Academy had always been a prestigious institution in the Demon Realm. Both as a student and as a staff member, Lysandra held a deep impression of it. Likewise, because she had studied here for many years, she understood the academy's mechanisms exceptionally well and experienced virtually no difficulties in her work. During the vacancy of the headmaster post, Lysandra—as the headmaster's secretary—could not alter the academy's inherent mechanisms, but many matters were handled through her hands. Consequently, her status stood far higher than that of ordinary instructors, and she enjoyed the highest level of protection under the school's rules. Within an alma mater that had been perilous during her student days, her daily life was now remarkably peaceful. While Lysandra was woolgathering... "Additionally, instruct the faculty and students to stay away from the Inverted Mirror Corridor for the time being. Something isn't right there." Seated at the chief side seat, the Vice Headmaster took a sip of tea, set the cup back down, and swept his gaze across the room as he continued his instructions. "Miss Lysandra, please issue a formal notice to all faculty and students." Noticing that the headmaster's secretary sitting at the end seemed a bit distracted, the Vice Headmaster deliberately called on her. "Understood," Lysandra answered instantly. There was not the slightest trace of being caught off guard. It was as if her mind hadn't wandered in the least. One could tell at a glance she was the type of student who had often been called on by teachers to answer questions during her school days. The Vice Headmaster nodded in satisfaction and resumed his lecture. Lysandra also resumed pondering how to pass the time. Purgatory Corridor Academy was erected directly over Purgatory, connected to the Land of Purgatory right beneath it. The Inverted Mirror Corridor was a magic-engineering structure that linked the academy above to Purgatory below like a pillar supporting the heavens. It channeled and extracted energy from Purgatory, providing the academy with an inexhaustible power source and maintaining the stability of the academy's barrier. Because the depths of Purgatory connected to the Inverted Mirror Corridor were the core of the entire Purgatory Corridor Academy, not even the headmaster was permitted entry. Only with the highest level of authorization from the Demon King's Castle could the doors to the Inverted Mirror Corridor be opened. Lately, staff and students near the Inverted Mirror Corridor had been repeatedly losing consciousness. The occurrences were so bizarre that the surrounding classrooms had already been sealed off and removed from the recent class schedule, awaiting the findings of an investigative team of mentalist spellcrafters from the Demon Realm. No one knew that this might actually be related to Caliera. Nor did any demon know where the vanished Lord of the Fallen had gone. Yet Lysandra knew. Caliera had likely come to Purgatory Corridor Academy and, after her death, transformed into the Gentle Land of the Fallen, protecting a certain place within the school. It was as if she were waiting for someone, yet had failed to meet them, leaving this as the only way she could wait. The last time Lysandra had seen Caliera, she had already suspected that Caliera was on the verge of collapse. Even through the illusory features of the Fallen Kingdom, she could sense her exhaustion and resolute determination. It wasn't until Caliera vanished without a trace that the ominous premonition in Lysandra's heart grew stronger by the day. And upon hearing the governance proclamation of Melogas, Lord of Blasphemy, Lysandra's hanging heart finally turned icy cold. ... Several dozen minutes passed in the blink of an eye. The demon administrators filed out of the conference room one after another. The top-floor corridor of Purgatory Corridor Academy was classical and opulent, dimly lit and filled with the scent of aged timber. It carried a magic rooted deep in time, while the far end of the hallway seemed eternally swallowed by darkness, steeped in mysteries no demon had ever unraveled. Lysandra emerged from the meeting looking slightly weary. Carrying a thin folder in one hand, she walked along the corridor alone. The dark marble floor was adorned with golden patterns and covered down the center by a carpet patterned with demonic blossoms. Along the walls, portraits and mirrors appeared every few paces, as though keeping watch over the students passing by. Among them was an absurd, prankish portrait of a Glow Demon. It always made Lysandra pause with a peculiar expression and take a second look, reminding her of that Mr. McCarthy—who was likewise a Glow Demon—whom she had met in the Demon King's Castle of Nekalis, which in turn brought the princess to mind. "Princess... are you doing well?" Lysandra looked away and shook her head. In recent days, the tension in Purgatory City had been running high. The entire city-state was being scoured inside and out by special operations units of the Demon King's Army. Only through a confidential dispatch sent directly from the Demon King's Castle, which Lysandra had seen among the official correspondence of Purgatory Corridor Academy, did she learn that the princess had escaped. The most likely destination was Purgatory City, where the ancestral land lay, and the school had been ordered to assist the Demon King's Castle to the utmost extent should any leads emerge. Since Melogas, Lord of Blasphemy, had anticipated this, she had surely sealed off the ancestral land. The princess was very likely hiding somewhere in Purgatory City right now, searching for an opportunity to slip into an absolute haven. Even if Lysandra wanted to help the princess, her power fell far short of her will. Just as the Vice Headmaster had said, security at the school was also extraordinarily tight lately. Word was that the new headmaster would be arriving soon. For the past several years, the position of headmaster at Purgatory Corridor Academy had remained vacant, placed under the direct jurisdiction of Caliera's military command from the Demon King's Castle. Throughout the war, Purgatory Corridor Academy had functioned in part as a military academy; in a sense, the school had been an independent entity intricately entwined with the Demon King's Army. It was only when the war ended and the academy was once more separated from the army that Caliera considered appointing a new headmaster. Yet there was no suitable candidate, and Caliera was preoccupied with postwar reconstruction, leaving the matter shelved. Recently, the school had received definite word that a headmaster bearing the management key for the academy's barrier would arrive with a letter of appointment. Going by the experience of the school's veteran instructors, even if a headmaster arrived, they would likely be an elusive figure whose whereabouts were rarely known. A headmaster was constantly busy with various internal and external affairs. As one of the Demon Realm's crucial institutions, the role of headmaster at Purgatory Corridor Academy was not merely that of an administrator; it carried the responsibility of liaising with superior authorities at the Demon King's Castle. If something went wrong at the school, the headmaster was the first to suffer, followed by the Vice Headmaster, with accountability cascading down layer by layer. Lysandra walked as she pondered. A vacant headmaster post was by no means a good thing, as it stripped the Vice Headmaster and academic deans of their greatest protective umbrella. Hence, the academy's leadership eagerly wished for a capable headmaster to bear the brunt of the burden from above. Years ago, there had even been an incident where a demon posed as an Acting Headmaster. Yet that very imposter had helped the academy weather a crisis and saved numerous faculty and staff, earning him the affection of everyone at the school. When someone possessed such capability, even without the corresponding regulatory credentials, he could be called a fake that surpassed the real thing. It had thus become a bizarre, fondly remembered legend. This time, however, the Vice Headmaster had emphasized that such a blunder must never happen again. Caliera, Lord of the Fallen, might have shown them leniency; so long as the job was done, she might turn a blind eye. But the newly instated Melogas, Lord of Blasphemy, who was still consolidating her rule, would undoubtedly make an example of anyone who slipped up. Her disposition was cruel and unhinged; whenever a problem arose, she resolved it by slaughtering those responsible. Suddenly, as Lysandra walked, she sensed footsteps materializing behind her. The newcomer seemed exceptionally skilled at concealment. They clearly could have drawn even closer and taken her down without her ever knowing, yet they had deliberately dropped their stealth—solely to put her at ease so that she wouldn't be overly startled a moment later. Instinctively sensing that familiar mana, Lysandra recognized who was behind her in an instant. "...!" Before Lysandra could utter a sound, she stopped herself, just as a fair hand covered her mouth. Her eyes went wide. Feeling the softness against her back and the gentle, relaxed wrist resting over her mouth, she nodded slowly. Only then did the demon behind her gradually let go. Lysandra turned around. She was met with the sight of an unfamiliar black-haired demoness—tall and striking—holding a small gray cat tucked against her chest. Without needing to ask, Lysandra recognized this as Princess Hyperion in disguise; her disposition remained unchanged from before, exactly as it had always been. "P-P-P-Princess... how did you get into the academy?" Lysandra pulled Hyperion into a corner. Only after confirming that no demons were around did she ask in a hushed, stammering whisper. "My student status hasn't been revoked! Lysandra, you haven't forgotten that I'm a former student of Purgatory Corridor Academy, have you?" Hyperion said with a hint of pride. Seeing Lysandra again filled Hyperion with immense joy and warmth. This was the first time she had reunited with an old friend since arriving in this final Shadow World. "Oh!" Lysandra's mouth rounded into an O. Right. The princess had indeed been a student at Purgatory Corridor Academy, leaving before graduation. Yet out of consideration for royal prestige, after the princess fled the Demon Realm, the academy had processed her status as an official leave of absence with enrollment preserved. As a result, she was not repelled by the academy's self-sustaining barrier and had slipped inside smoothly. "What did you come to the academy for?" Lysandra was still on edge as she questioned Hyperion. Purgatory Corridor Academy was practically more dangerous than the heart of Purgatory City itself. If discovered within a major Demon Realm institution like this, an intruder would first be cornered and captured by the entire school on orders, then handed over to Melogas, Lord of Blasphemy, at the Demon King's Castle. "Lysandra, the lackeys of the Lord of Blasphemy have been chasing me for days. You're the only friend I can trust in Purgatory City. Can you help me hide?" Hyperion spoke with deep guilt. She had never intended to burden Lysandra in this Shadow World, especially when Lysandra had finally settled into a peaceful life. "I won't trouble you for long. Probably just another day or two... a week at most! Then I'll definitely be safe." Hyperion glanced at her Shadow World interface and added the thought. [Mission Objective 1: Protect the small spark left behind by Caliera.] [Mission Objective 2: Comprehend the mindset of Lankeluosi of the Black Sun: 4.67%. (Incomplete)] [Mission Objective 3: All challengers must survive until the 21-day time limit ends. Remaining time: 7 days, 09 hours, 15 minutes.] She had already been spotted in the city by an officer of the Demon King's Army special search unit, only managing to shake them off thanks to her agility. Yet Purgatory City Pasqual was growing more dangerous by the minute. Left with no other choice and pushed to her limits, Hyperion had fled into Purgatory Corridor Academy—a place even the special forces of the Demon King's Army would not lightly intrude upon—hoping to disguise herself as a student for the time being. She felt that Lanqi had to be arriving soon; they were just a short step away. So long as she stayed hidden a bit longer, he would definitely arrive. "Uh..." Lysandra furrowed her brows in thought. Logically speaking, even the Vice Headmaster would find it hard to suspect a student he had never seen before, as no ordinary instructor could memorize the face of every single student in the school. However, wandering the academy for too long still carried a slight risk of being questioned by faculty. Once questioned, she would essentially be caught and forced to flee the school once more. Fortunately, Princess Hyperion had found her quickly. This was an undertaking that could easily cost one's head. "All right, I'll help you." Yet after only a moment's consideration, Lysandra nodded and agreed to help the princess. Among her friends from the Demon King's Castle of Nekalis, the princess was the most sincere. Even if it truly meant death, she would stand by the princess. "As it happens, several students were recently eliminated during exam week, but their deaths haven't been confirmed yet because their bodies haven't been found. I'll secure an identity for you; all you have to do is play the part of a student and keep on living." After brief reflection, Lysandra arrived at the best plan. This kind of sleight of hand was something Lysandra could pull off, and pull off well. She would also look into the student's academic records for the princess so she could disguise herself flawlessly. "Thank you, Lysandra!" Hyperion threw her arms around her, hugging her so tightly that Lysandra could barely breathe, yet Lysandra merely wore an affectionate, helpless smile. "The trouble is, you'll have to give it your all to pass the exams in this academy just like a real student. Only then will you avoid raising suspicion." Only after Hyperion released her did Lysandra continue. "No problem. I attended classes here back then, after all." Hyperion was reasonably confident on that front. It wasn't as if she had never experienced Purgatory Corridor Academy. Besides, Hyperion was far stronger now than she had been back then. She was no longer the frail self of the past; now, she was a master of evasion, fully capable of escaping whenever danger arose. "Good. Hide for now, and meet me near the Headmaster's Office in a little while. I'll give you all the materials you need for your disguise." Lysandra sensed that it wouldn't be long before the Lord of Blasphemy deduced that Her Highness the Princess was hiding within the academy. When that time came, not only would the Lord of Blasphemy order the school locked down, but Melogas might even show up in person. Once trapped inside the school, Princess Hyperion would find it nearly impossible to escape. The entire administrative body of Purgatory Corridor would also face utter ruin under Melogas's inspection. Yet Lysandra believed that Hyperion had already thought this through. The fact that she was still willing to take refuge in the academy meant she trusted that someone was coming to back her up—and that person would definitely come to Purgatory City Pasqual, their arrival imminent. Only in Purgatory City could they rendezvous.