Lucifer: Godless Reawakening

The students were gathered.

An unfamiliar woman with sharp eyes and short brown hair stepped forward.

William instantly recognized her. She was connected to the boy he had fought yesterday.

Domella—Mark's mother, and someone who held a significant position in the Great Hall.

She took her place and swept her gaze across the assembled crowd before saying, "We have gathered all students, including those who aren't part of the second round, so you can witness how the best among you will soon be tested."

Many disliked the tone. They hated how the seven chosen students were being placed on a pedestal, especially those who considered Ardentia's students nothing more than fodder.

But they stayed silent as the woman continued.

"This round will proceed with all seven of you working as a team. You all will be protecting a singular entity against a common enemy."

A ripple of shock passed through the students, and a frown tugged at William's expression.

If there was anything he despised, it was teamwork and all the baggage that came with it.

When someone has been repeatedly told—during every group assignment, every mission—that he is a burden, it's only natural to develop an aversion to working with others.

Yet refusing the assessment meant immediate disqualification.

*How bad could it be?* he wondered as the woman went on.

"Before anything else, I'd like you to look at this map." A hologram materialized before her, revealing a cluster of islands situated close together.

Island Primus was marked as the Council's location.

The island they stood on was Charlie.

To the east was Beta, and to the northeast, Delta. The remaining islands were unnamed, so the students assumed they were irrelevant.

Domella continued, "A bridge connects Charlie to Beta, and from there to Delta. There is no direct path from Charlie to Delta. If you attempt to use any unregistered route, security will take you down without question."

The students stiffened. Anna paled slightly at the thought of being shot mid-swim.

Domella went on, "Currently, Island Beta and Delta serve as supply ports and warehouses. All staff members have been evacuated. Island Charlie has been cleared as well—the challenge begins the moment you step outside."

She glanced at the seven candidates. "Any questions so far?"

None of them raised their hands; nothing so far explained what they actually had to do.

"Now," she resumed, "here is your task. You will be assigned a subject whom you must escort safely to Island Delta's Haven. Haven is the designated safe zone where you will not be attacked. For instance, Island Charlie—this very spot—is your Haven."

The challenge deepened. For some, it became far more exciting.

Those not selected for this round suddenly felt bitter regret. The assessment was too interesting for them to sit out.

Domella continued, "Your only objective is to reach Island Delta and leave the subject inside the Haven."

She scanned their faces. "Questions?"

This time Lextor raised a hand. "When it comes to danger…what exactly can we expect?" He partly expected no real answer.

But—

"Good question." Domella nodded. Then she glanced behind her.

A staff member stepped forward…holding the hand of a little girl with bright blue eyes and short black hair brushing her shoulders.

At first glance, she looked timid, her movements small and hesitant. She clung to the staff member's fingers for a moment before slowly waddling toward the students.

Anna's heart melted instantly, and Emma's expression softened at the sight of the adorable child.

William looked down at her once before his brows tightened.

"She…is a corrupted one."

"...!!"

His words sent shock through nearly everyone. Only Lextor and Kevin remained composed—they too had sensed the faint nyx leaking from the little girl.

Domella nodded. "Not only that, she is an Emissary."

That revelation struck like a jolt—even William's eyes widened.

Emissaries were those who had signed a contract with a Devil—people who had traded their souls for power, salvation, or something far darker. They were marked beings, destined to be hunted once their corruption surfaced.

Domella continued, "She is scheduled for execution one day. That is why we have chosen her as the subject for this assessment."

A quiet storm of emotions rippled through the gathered students—shock, disbelief, even anger.

No one wanted to imagine a child condemned to such a fate. Yet the reality of an Emissary was unforgiving. They were the very enemies students like them would eventually be licensed to hunt.

Their silence told Domella enough, so she pressed on.

"The staff assigned to this trial feel nothing. They have been informed that she is an Emissary—nothing more, nothing less. The moment she steps out of this building, they will not hesitate. They will not show mercy. They will not stop until she is dead."

Her gaze sharpened.

"So do not, for even a second, assume that if you fail to protect her, she will be spared. Failure will only lead to one outcome—her death."

Hearing those words, the little girl lowered her head. She didn't cry, didn't tremble—she simply accepted it with a quiet resignation, as if she had known this fate would always find her.

With the toe of her shoe, she traced small arcs on the ground, avoiding the eyes of the older students, afraid she might catch even a flicker of disgust or hatred in their faces.

Domella folded her arms. "You have exactly one day to reach Island Delta and place her inside the safe zone. Fail to do so, and it will be reflected in your final scores."

Anna's hands tightened anxiously. Her emotions swirled between grief and a fragile determination, and she looked toward Venessa for even a sliver of comfort—only for the raven-haired girl to look away, stone-faced and unreadable.

Emma remained expressionless, already breaking the challenge down into steps in her mind, calculating what needed to be done without letting emotion cloud her judgment.

Lextor stood tall and composed, treating this as simply another mission—one he would complete because that was what he did.

Kevin clenched his fists as a fierce light flared in his eyes. He didn't know what fate awaited the little girl after this trial, but as long as she was under their care, he would protect her. No matter what.

William just stared at the child with an unreadable expression on his face. His arms were folded and no one could tell what was going on his mind.

Domella studied each of their expressions before finally speaking again.

"You've heard the rules. Prepare yourselves—you leave in one hour. The rest of the students, move to the monitor room."

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A/N:- Thanks for reading. Please leave a comment.