Judge had somehow reverted to his four-year-old self— tiny, adorable, and far too smug for someone with chubby cheeks. At the moment, he was perched on Melissa's back like an overripe sack of potatoes.
Why? Because Eleyn, his ever-watchful mother, had delivered her latest decree: "Don't even think about stepping outside until after Amber's entrance ceremony!" The event was scheduled for the second of January, which was practically tomorrow in December time, and Eleyn was determined to keep everything on track.
The ceremony itself wasn't on the first of January for a very practical reason. You see, the first was an international day of collective hangovers and questionable life choices. After all, most students— Judge's peers included— would party their tiny hearts out on New Year's Eve, pass out somewhere around dawn, and wake up looking like undead goblins.
Yeah, not the best time to hold a formal event. So, the organizers wisely pushed the formalities to the second. It was either that or deal with a crowd of students accidentally napping in their chairs. Or oversleeping, which was a given, and completely missing the ceremony.
Trailing close behind Melissa and her piggybacked passenger was Seraphis, who, as usual, seemed to be multitasking. On one hand, she kept a hawk-eyed watch on Judge, as though he were a cute little teddy bear she wanted to squish and keep on a shelf forever.
On the other hand, she was pretending that Judge's mildly psychopathic tendencies didn't exist— like, for instance, that time he went on a church rampage or meticulously planned the downfall of his sister's would have been assassin. Nothing to see here! Just a normal, sweet kid.
At one point, Seraphis tried to politely wrestle the boy off Melissa's back. She argued that she should carry him instead. Melissa, of course, refused because her spine hadn't given up on her yet. But Seraphis was nothing if not persistent. After several rounds of "Are you sure?" and "You look tired," and possibly some guilt-tripping about "Not letting the youngsters handle things and spoiling them," Melissa finally caved.
Judge, now riding on Seraphis's shoulders, declared himself the emperor of the world (silently, but with the smuggest grin imaginable). But his surprise was unimaginable when he understood Seraphis liked children... way too much.
During this royal shoulder tour, Melissa casually mentioned that Judge's brother, Liam, had come back from a fight with a demon. Apparently, he was mostly okay, barring some injuries in places nobody keeps track of. Instead of worrying like any normal kid, Judge's ego inflated faster than a poorly-tied balloon.
He thought to himself: Hah! I fought a demon, too! And guess what, dear brother? I won. Take that! The mental victory dance was both unearned and spectacular.
Finally, they arrived at Judge's room— a place that could best be described as "chaotic neutral." It was the kind of space that looked abandoned but somehow meticulously maintained, like an office cleaned only when important guests are expected.
Everything was in its place, even the furniture and Judge's artifact box— which was suspicious because Judge and cleanliness were mortal enemies. He forgets to clean his room so much so that Seraphis has to always kindly remind him to keep his room clean, and he surprisingly agrees after a few kind instructions. Such a great child.
Melissa quickly confirmed the obvious: the state of his room was entirely thanks to his maid.
"Wow, your maid is incredible," Seraphis said, gently setting Judge down. She then eyed him with exaggerated disapproval. "No wonder you're a walking disaster when it comes to cleaning up after yourself."
"Pfft, please, master." Judge sauntered over to his study with all the dramatic flair of someone who had just been insulted. "Do you really think boys care about cleanliness? And while we're on the topic, let's talk about you. What about that time you ate like a caveman, oil dripping everywhere? How's that for your 'cleanliness' image?"
Seraphis pinched the bridge of her nose, visibly pained. "I hate explaining things, but you leave me no choice." She sank into the sofa, ready to deliver a lecture. "Alright, Judge. Answer me this: was anyone else there besides us during the incident?"
"Was there any cutlery available?"
"Did we have water nearby?"
"Were we in a hurry?"
"Uh… maybe? I forgot."
Seraphis sighed. "It was a bad situation for neat eating, okay? I wouldn't have even tried if there wasn't water nearby. So maybe don't go around 'judging' me without thinking things through. Got it?"
"Yeah, yeah, whatever." Judge waved her off with all the respect of a cat ignoring its owner. He plopped down at his study and began fiddling with the artifacts scattered across the table. "So, about that Nihility Principle I gave you last time— how's that going?"
Seraphis leaned back, clearly reluctant to indulge him but doing it anyway. "It's… complicated. It's going to take months to understand and add modifications, I do understand a bit, and it seems like the diary had misinformations in it. I still don't know clearly, but let me tell you this: the principle isn't just about creating a void where something should be. It could theoretically erase anything."
Judge perked up, momentarily impressed. "Huh. Sounds dangerous. It is like one of those circus clowns, funny in real life but the number one when it comes to psychotic killing in a novel or a play."
"I am being serious here Judge, and when I said it could potentially erase anything, I meant anything— doesn't matter if it is living or non-living, or even if it is not physical and just conceptual."
"Now that sounds very... very dangerous."
"That's because it is dangerous," Seraphis said matter-of-factly. She rose from her seat, brushing imaginary dust off her dress. "Get some rest tonight. Tomorrow, we're leaving on a cloud strider. You want to see your sister, right?"
Judge scoffed. "Who needs her?"
"Don't lie to yourself," Seraphis quipped, smirking as she walked toward the door. "Oh, and don't forget to visit your brother, either."
"Fine," Judge grumbled, turning back to the table. But inside, he was already planning how to rub his demon-slaying victory in Liam's face.