CHAPTER – 118

  Two Hours Later

  Book:

  "Once upon a time, there was a gentle demon who lived alone in the depths of a forest.

  The demon was very calm and wished to leave and see the world, but that would have been impossible...

  Humans would have killed him even though he had never done anything wrong to anyone.

  The gentle demon stayed every day, for thousands of years, inside his house in the forest, bored and always reading the same book he had found there centuries ago.

  He often looked outside, hoping to meet someone one day and finally talk to them, but it never happened...

  and time went on and on.

  During that time, he dedicated himself to tidying up his house and created swords, tables, and useful objects from the wood of the trees.

  He practiced swordsmanship every day, without ever getting tired or bored.

  That was his only pastime, along with the constant reading of his book.

  The book spoke of human creations: ships, weapons, and many delicious foods, with descriptions so perfect they would make anyone’s mouth water.

  One day, he heard noises coming from outside and saw the monsters surrounding the forest dying and flying so high it surprised the demon, making him happy and curious to know who it was.

  But he also felt threatened and hid inside his house, not coming out, even though curiosity was devouring him.

  He curled up in a corner with the book in his hand and a wooden sword gripped tightly between his fingers.

  The door handle moved quickly, and someone was trying to force it open, increasing his worry.

  The demon shouted several times:

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  ~ Go away! I haven’t done anything wrong and I’ve never left the forest! ~

  With eyes like black crystal orbs, rimmed in red, and tears falling down, he gripped his sword tightly and cried out desperately, begging whoever it was to leave.

  The door swung open, and in came a person with a hood, cloak, and black clothes, with the symbol of an animal never seen before on his chest and face.

  The figure lowered his hood, and with a funny expression, sheathed his weapon and took off his cloak, saying:

  > Why are you crying? <

  The gentle demon, frightened, trembling and biting his lips, said:

  > You came to kill me, didn’t you..? I’m a demon, as you can see. <

  The warrior, with a funny look, stared at him and replied:

  > You’re wrong. I just got lost and saw this little house in the middle of the forest.

  Then I saw someone through the window looking worried, surrounded by monsters, and I wanted to help.

  I noticed you’re a demon... but I don’t get why you have to brag about it so much. <

  The demon lowered his sword, wiping away his tears.

  Walking around the table, he approached, still on guard, clutching the book tightly and holding the sword as if they were the only things that mattered to him.

  > So you’re not here to kill me just because I’m a demon, right? <

  The warrior, with a funny face and one corner of his lip raised, looked at him and said, as his stomach growled:

  > Sorry to ask like this… but do you have anything to eat? I haven’t eaten in days. <

  The demon rushed to prepare him a good meal, with a serene look, not worrying whether he might die or anything else.

  At that moment, he was happy just to see and hear someone to talk to, even if only for a few minutes.

  End of Chapter 1 – The Gentle Demon and the Funny Warrior

  [Lucrezia lying on Dav’s lap]

  Lucrezia: (looking at Dav) What do you think of this book?

  Dav: (with a small smile) Really interesting.

  Remind me to keep reading it another day, when we have time.

  I’m sure it’ll be worth it.

  Lucrezia: (with a big smile) Alright!

  (Hugging him) Thanks for reading me another book.

  Narrator: Dav played with her hair and caressed her face over and over again, seeing her so relaxed.

  He looked at the clock and told her it was lunchtime, and they should go to the cafeteria.

  The two of them headed to the cafeteria, with Lucrezia clinging to his arm and Dav, in his imposing uniform, shielding her with his cloak, without anyone daring to say a word.

  Arriving at the cafeteria, Dav sat with his back to the entrance, sipping some white wine.

  Everyone began to enter: his young students.

  They saw him sitting there, back turned, without him looking at or noticing them.

  The eight brats, lined up next to each other, bowed to the professors and shouted:

  “We all passed, Sir!”

  Dav turned gently and, with a small serious smile, said to them:

  “Well done, brats.”

  END OF CHAPTER – 118