Extra Pages: The Author's Odyssey
Chapter 68: Samuel Ascal

Inside a dark and damp room, a young individual knelt on one leg, their submission evident in the dim light. The air hung heavy with an ominous energy.

"My Lord, the preparations are complete. The bait has been thrown," the individual spoke with a respectful tone, eyes lowered.

Lifting his head, the young servant beheld a throne draped in red. Beside the throne, two large, ferocious dog-like creatures awaited their master's command. Their eyes gleamed a deep shade of red, teeth sharp enough to instil fear in anyone.

Seated on the ominous red throne was a figure of striking handsomeness. His piercing gaze bore into the very essence of those who dared to stand before him. Blood-red eyes glowed with an unsettling intensity, revealing a touch of malevolence.

The man, the head of the Malic clan, exuded an air of authority that dominated the shadows. His features were refined, and his jet-black hair cascaded with a sinister elegance. Clad in dark, regal attire, the man's presence alone sent shivers down the spines of those in his vicinity.

The Malic clan, a sub-branch of the demon clan of Envy, held a dark bargain. In exchange for selling his soul to the demon seated upon the red throne, the man gained a formidable ability – 'Manipulation.' This power allowed him to discern the weak spots in someone's heart, mind, and soul, a capability that rendered him a potent force in the realm of shadows.

The man's ability, 'Manipulation,' bestowed upon him a profound influence over the weaknesses and vulnerabilities within the hearts and minds of others. His blood-red eyes, a conduit to this power, allowed him to perceive the subtle nuances of an individual's innermost struggles.

Similar to Manipulation, the man possessed a sub-ability known as 'Domination.' With this sinister extension of his influence, he could subtly control the thoughts and emotions of his targets.

Whether it was sowing seeds of discord, instigating fear, or amplifying pre-existing doubts, 'Domination' granted him insidious control over the psychological landscape of those ensnared by his gaze.

Combined with his innate charisma and the artful manipulation of emotions, the man could bend others to his will without overt coercion. His victims found themselves unwittingly dancing to the tune of his desires, ensnared in the web of their vulnerabilities.

In the dark recesses of his domain, the head of the Malic clan wielded this power with a calculating finesse, weaving a tapestry of influence that served to advance his malevolent agenda.

Those who encountered him were but mere pawns in his intricate game of psychological chess, manipulated to fulfil the desires of the demon that held dominion over the Malic clan.

"…good"

He said in an eerie dark voice causing a shiver to run down the young individual's

causing him to fall into a slight daze.

Looking at him, the young individual couldn't help but swallow a mouthful of saliva as he tried his best to calm his raging heart.

Every time the young man sees the head of the Malic clan, he feels that he is going to die at any moment.

Of course, that man doesn't want to kill him...Right Now.

Since they have made a pack with each other. If the man kills him he will receive a major backlash leaving him in a weekend state.

Realizing that he had been staring for too long, the young individual forcefully looked down on the ground as cold sweat dripped from his back. if by chance he got on the wrong side of him…death would be the best outcome.

Why Would death be the best outcome? Because even if takes backlash he can regain his former strength in a few months.

"Do not fail, demons already fail to kill both Adrian and Isabella at Eldora."

"Y-yes my lord."

The man said as he was still on his knees.

Then a question came to his mind, he didn't want to ask his lord but his curiosity got better.

"My lord, why demons are so fixed on killing them."

"Do you have a death wish?" the man said with an angry look on his face.

"No please forgive this servant of yours."

The individual realized his mistake and headed to the grounds.

"If it weren't for that idiot black demon we wouldn't have needed to push our plans this far ahead"

Then the demon calmly petted the two dogs before him. Soon silence enveloped the surroundings.

The demon then silently looks at him.

'Samuel Ascal'

That was the name of the young boy before him.

However, he was forced to make a pact with him due to certain circumstances. Though he was not very talented, he was very obedient…and he liked that a lot

Pausing slightly, the Malic clan head looked at the young boy as an overbearing pressure bore down on him causing his legs to slightly falter.

"…ah, but I do hope you won't fail me. We can't have another setback interfering with our big plan"

"U-understood"

Struggling to move or speak, it took the boy all his willpower to agree with the Demon head of the Malic clan.

The pressure soon disappeared and the young boy was finally able to move freely.

"Alright you may go"

"Thank you"

Bowing once again, the young boy left the room. Soon after he left, a shadow materialized beside the Demon. Because it was dark, its features were hidden preventing anyone but the Matriarch from seeing how it looked like.

"Are you sure it's okay to let him do the mission alone?"

Smiling lightly, the Malic clan head looked at where the young boy was and said

"Well if he isn't capable of this much…He's better off dead, though it would be a problem if he died after having invested so much in him"

***

-Click

"That was hell for me," Samuel said after closing the door of his room.

Demons can't come to the human realms because of the barrier between the east continent and the west continent.

But they can send their consciousness here through the contract they have made to humans.

Malic clan head can send his consciousness here because of his contract with Samuel.

In reality, he was just sitting on his red throne inside his chamber room and talking with Samuel.

"Let's complete this mission first, then I can relax," Samuel said to him and walked toward to Nova Academy exit gate.

In a few minutes he reached there and, there was already a group of students standing at the exit.

Seeing Samuel coming, the girl's eyes shine with twinkling stars.

"Senior how could you be late after saying come here in one hour" one of the girls said to him playful manner.

"Hahaha, sorry I just got something to take care of, that's why I'm late," he said to her as a fake smile came to his lips.

"Anyway, is everyone here?" he asked the group of students.

"Isabella is not here, senior." the same girl said to him.

"I see," he said and cast a gaze at the sprawling grounds of Nova Academy. There are many students there but not Isabella.

'Is she not coming? but I gave her enough bait to come here.'

But his worries did not come true.

"Look, that's Isabella." one of the students pointed at the nearby ground of the Nova Academy.

Samuel also turned in that direction.

And indeed Isabella was there and walking two steps behind was Lucas.

'Thank demon, she came.' Samuel thought to himself m

Samuel was the first one to walk towards them his full attention on Isabella.

It's like he is watching his prey that came to him.

"I'm glad you came, Isabella."

Samuel said with a fake smile on his face.

***

The practical experiment of the [Research Department] led me away from the familiar confines of Nova Academy, venturing into the heart of the mysterious Eclipsa Forest. The name itself hinted at an otherworldly ambiance, and as I stepped into its depths, the atmosphere thickened with an enigmatic energy.

Eclipsa Forest was a realm of towering trees, their branches intertwined to create a dense canopy that filtered the sunlight into scattered beams. The air hung heavy with the scent of ancient foliage, and the ground beneath my feet was cushioned by a carpet of moss and fallen leaves.

Vivid and exotic flora adorned the landscape – bioluminescent flowers casting an ethereal glow, and luminescent vines weaving through the underbrush like living constellations. The colors ranged from iridescent blues to deep purples, creating a surreal canvas that seemed to pulsate with an otherworldly vibrancy.

Yet, the beauty of Eclipsa Forest concealed its dangers. Strange, carnivorous plants lurked amidst the vegetation, waiting for unsuspecting prey. Unsettling calls of unseen creatures echoed through the trees, hinting at the presence of elusive and potentially dangerous monsters.

As I delved deeper into the forest, my senses heightened, and the watchful gaze of the ancient trees seemed to follow my every move. This practical experiment was more than just an academic endeavor; it was an exploration into the unknown, a test of courage in the face of the mystical and the unseen.

My primary objective was to keep a vigilant eye on Samuel, ensuring that our expedition into Eclipsa Forest did not deviate from the known narrative of the novel. The dense foliage and the looming shadows made it a challenging task, heightening the sense of uncertainty that permeated the air.