Marcus sat in Azazel's office, his fingers gliding over the sleek surface of his tablet as he worked on his latest project—his personal magic circle. It had taken him some time to adjust to the technology of this world, especially the transition from quill and parchment to a tablet. But now, Marcus found it much more efficient. The tablet allowed him to save, erase, and alter his work at the flick of a finger, a far cry from the painstaking process of drafting on parchment. He leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowing as he scrutinized the design on the screen.
Marcus had made remarkable progress in Calculation Magic over the past month and a half, despite initially finding its complex blend of mathematical theory and logic overwhelming. His background in arithmetic, honed from a young age in a merchant family, gave him a natural aptitude for numbers, which later expanded into more advanced mathematical concepts. In his world, he had even been considered a bit of a prodigy in mathematics, having knowledge of fields such as geometry and algebra. But here, algebra was taught to children, who used it as a basis for the advanced math this world had developed like calculus and differential equations—fields Marcus could never have even dreamed of. Yet, through dedicated study, Marcus could now proudly say he was only slightly behind an educated person of his age, rather than being stuck at the level of a 13-year-old.
After catching up on mathematics and with weeks of effort, Marcus could now modify premade magic circles with ease. However, the true test of a magician's skill in this world lay in crafting a personal magic circle—a challenge Marcus was determined to conquer.
A personal magic circle was, as Marcus had learned, different depending on the style of magic one practiced. For demonic or angelic magic, it was more symbolic, a focus for imagination and power. However, for styles like Calculation Magic, it served a far more technical purpose. Instead of being purely symbolic, a personal magic circle in this case acted as an all-purpose magical manipulation formulae. It was specially attuned to the magician's unique magical energy, optimizing the efficiency and precision of every spell. A well-constructed personal circle allowed magicians to perform minor spells instinctively, without the need for external circles, and it formed the foundation upon which they built and modified their spells.
Marcus tapped the edge of his tablet, thinking deeply. He had to put more thought into his personal magic circle than the average human magician, as he needed to account for how his draconic and divine elements influenced his magical energy. It made the calculations far more intricate, and didn't allow him to use the more established calculations that worked for pure humans.
The sound of footsteps interrupted his thoughts. He glanced up to see Azazel strolling into the office, Vali trailing behind him.
"Marcus, my favorite assistant," Azazel greeted him with a playful smirk, "how's the magic circle coming along?"
"Better than I expected," Marcus replied, closing the tablet and leaning back in his chair. "It's more of a puzzle than I anticipated, but I'm getting the hang of it."
Azazel nodded approvingly, but quickly shifted to the business at hand. "Good to hear. Now, I've got something I need you and Vali to resolve."
Vali, who had been lounging in the doorway, straightened slightly, his silver hair catching the light as he crossed his arms. "What's the mission?" he asked, his tone bored but curious.
Azazel sat down at his desk and folded his hands. "We've received a message from a half-fallen attending grad school at Stanford University. Apparently, he's noticed some suspicious activity—an angel and a devil, both lurking around the areas he frequents."
Marcus raised an eyebrow. "A half-fallen? At a human university?"
Azazel shrugged. "Even half-fallen need an education. He's studying something in computer science—data science, I think. Anyway, he contacted us because he's concerned that Heaven and the Underworld might be trying to recruit him, with or without his consent."
"And you want us to go and scare them off," Marcus guessed.
"Exactly," Azazel replied with a grin. "We need to send a message to Heaven and the Devils. The half-fallen are still part of the Grigori, and we don't take kindly to others messing with our people."
Vali, who had been leaning against the doorframe, let out an irritated sigh. "You're seriously sending us? For what? Scaring off a couple of mooks? You could send any of your minions for something like this."
Azazel chuckled, unfazed by Vali's irritation. "You two are my minions, Vali. And this isn't just about scaring off amateurs. I want to send a strong message to Heaven and the Underworld: the half-fallen are off-limits."
Vali folded his arms, his scowl deepening. "Still overkill. Sending Marcus or me would be more than enough, but both of us? Ridiculous. They'll think we're there to raze the place."
Azazel shrugged, his grin never fading. "That's exactly the point. I want them to know we're serious about protecting our people. And what better way than sending two of my strongest to handle it? Besides, I like having my top guys out in the field. Keeps you sharp."
Vali's eyes narrowed. "We're not your errand boys, Azazel."
Azazel's smile turned mischievous. "No, you're my elite errand boys. Now, quit complaining. The mission's already set."
Marcus, sensing that Vali's protests weren't going anywhere, interjected. "Do we know anything about the angel and devil involved?"
"Not much," Azazel admitted. "But from the message, they seem low-ranking. Just go there, have a look, and if they're there to recruit or intimidate, give them a good scare."
Marcus stood, gathering his things. "Anything else we need to know?"
Azazel hesitated, then added, "One more thing. Try not to break anything. Last thing I need is Penemue breathing down my neck about the cost of repairing a university. You know how she gets with budgets and paperwork." Azazel shook his head at the thought. "So make the point clear, send the message, but keep the collateral damage to a minimum, alright? I'd rather not have Penemue making me do next month's expense reports all by myself."
Vali smirked. "No promises."
The sun hung high over Stanford University, casting long, warm shadows across the sprawling campus. Marcus glanced around as they walked, marveling at the beauty of the place. Students bustled from class to class, their conversations blending into a continuous hum that added to the campus's vibrant energy.
"Fancy place, huh?" Vali said, his eyes scanning their surroundings lazily. His silver hair caught the sunlight, making him look even more out of place among the human students.
"It's impressive," Marcus agreed. "Similar to the Royal Academy back home, but considerably larger … and lounder."
Vali chuckled, giving Marcus a sideways glance. "I'd be interested to see your Royal Academy, this is fairly normal for a human university."
As they made their way through the campus, Vali suddenly stopped and grabbed Marcus by the arm, steering him toward a narrow alleyway between two large buildings.
"Found something already?" Marcus asked.
"No. We're getting food. I'm not dealing with this nonsense on an empty stomach," Vali said matter-of-factly, leading him into a small ramen shop tucked away from the main walkways. The savory scent of broth and freshly cooked noodles greeted them as they entered.
Once they were seated at a quiet corner table, Marcus took a moment to appreciate the simplicity of the shop. It was cozy, a stark contrast to the grandeur of the university outside. Vali wasted no time ordering, his usual aloof demeanor cracking as his enthusiasm for ramen shone through. He ordered two bowls for each of them—apparently, just one wasn't enough.
Marcus gave him an amused look as the food arrived, steaming and fragrant. "Didn't peg you for a ramen enthusiast."
Vali shrugged, taking a bite of his noodles before responding. "It's one of the few good things humans of this era have come up with."
As they ate, Vali seemed unusually talkative, asking questions about Marcus' world. Marcus shared what he felt comfortable revealing—the simpler aspects, like the different kinds of food and the various creatures that roamed the wilderness.
"You miss it, don't you?" Vali asked between mouthfuls.
Marcus paused, his chopsticks hovering over his bowl. He hadn't expected the conversation to turn so personal. He thought about it for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Yeah, I do. But this world... it's starting to grow on me."
Vali gave him a sad smile. "Don't get too attached. Earth has its perks, but the supernatural underworlds are always pulling strings. Sooner or later, someone will go too far and we'll all be dragged into a conflict.."
Marcus didn't reply immediately, lost in thought. He couldn't deny that since arriving in this world, he had felt an odd mixture of displacement and belonging. Maybe Vali was right—maybe he shouldn't get too comfortable. But the thought of leaving what little stability he had found here wasn't something he wanted to entertain yet.
The conversation shifted back to lighter topics, and by the time they finished eating, Vali seemed more relaxed, though his usual stoic expression quickly returned as they left the ramen shop.
They made their way across the campus again, now headed toward the meeting spot where the half-fallen, Ethan, had agreed to meet them. Marcus noticed a few students glancing curiously at them as they passed. Even though they both wore simple clothing to blend in, their presence still seemed to draw attention. It didn't help that Vali's silver hair and sharp features were impossible to ignore.
Ethan was waiting for them by a fountain near the center of campus. He looked every bit the part of a student—jeans, a hoodie, and a backpack slung over one shoulder—but Marcus could immediately tell there was something different about him. Half-fallen or not, the supernatural beauty of his angelic blood was undeniable. His features were sharp, almost ethereal, and his bright eyes hinted at the power within him.
"Hello," Ethan greeted them as they approached, his voice calm but laced with tension. "Thanks for coming."
"Let's skip the small talk. Tell us what's going on." Vali said casually, glancing around.
Ethan nodded, pushing his hands into his pockets. "It's like I said in the message. I've noticed an angel and a devil hanging around the places I frequent—my dorm, the library, even some of my classes. They've been trying to keep a low profile, but I can feel their presence."
"They've interacted with you?" Marcus asked, leaning forward slightly.
"No, they haven't approached me directly," Ethan admitted, his brows furrowing. "But I'm not stupid. I know they're watching. I'm half-fallen—they're probably trying to pull me into their sides, right? That's how these things go."
Marcus glanced at Vali, who merely shrugged.
"Seems like a classic recruitment attempt," Vali mused, "but we'll need more than guesses. Did you notice anything about them? How strong they are, maybe?"
Ethan shook his head. "I didn't get too close. But they seem low-ranking—neither feels much more powerful than me, still I can't be sure."
Vali huffed, his eyes scanning the surrounding area. "Alright, we'll do some digging. If they're after you, we'll send them packing."
Ethan gave them a grateful nod. "I appreciate that. I've been keeping my distance from them, but it's hard to focus on school when you feel like you're being hunted."
"We'll handle it," Marcus assured him, giving him a brief nod of reassurance.
With that, Ethan departed, leaving Marcus and Vali to start their investigation.
As the day wore on, Marcus and Vali split up, deciding to cover more ground around the areas Ethan frequented. Marcus took the library and classrooms, while Vali checked out the dorms and surrounding cafes.
It didn't take Marcus long to sense the faint traces of holy magic lingering around one of the lecture halls. He followed the trail carefully, hoping to catch sight of their target. Vali had mentioned picking up on the devil's presence near a student cafe, but for now, Marcus had a lead on the angel.
After a few hours of careful surveillance, Marcus spotted the angel—tall, golden-haired, and with an air of superiority—as he slipped into a side hallway of the university's chapel. Something about his movements seemed calculated, like he was biding his time, waiting for something—or someone.
Marcus concealed his energy as much as he could, blending into the background, and followed the angel. The angel stopped abruptly and muttered something under his breath. Marcus couldn't quite catch the words, but the sudden appearance of a young man walking toward the chapel made Marcus' heart skip a beat. The angel's eyes locked onto the student with a predatory intensity.
Something was off.
Marcus quietly left the area, sending a message to Vali to meet him at the student dorms. It was time to compare notes.
Later that evening, Marcus and Vali gathered in one of the quieter corners of the student dorms, near where Vali had picked up on the devil's presence earlier. As they pieced together their findings, a disturbing pattern began to emerge. While neither the angel nor the devil seemed interested in Ethan directly, both had been closely watching another student—a young man Ethan happened to spend a lot of time with.
"We've been going about this wrong," Marcus muttered, realization dawning on him. "They're not after Ethan. They're after his friend."
Vali groaned, his arms crossed. "That's why nothing lined up. They've been watching him because of his connection to Ethan."
The sound of footsteps approaching broke the tension. The devil, the woman with dark red hair and a mischievous glint in her eyes, appeared from around the corner. She glanced at Marcus and Vali, then smirked. "So, you've figured it out."
Vali's eyes narrowed. "What's your game here?"
"No game," the devil replied, her voice smooth and confident. "The kid summoned me. I'm just here to help him with his thesis. A contract's a contract."
Marcus stared at her, incredulous. "You expect us to believe you're sticking around because of a contract?"
"Believe what you want," she said with a shrug. "He's got potential, and it's not every day a mortal of his intelligence stumbles into a devil's contract by accident."
Before Marcus could respond, the angel stepped into view, his face tight with frustration. "You are not taking him," he growled. "His family has served the church for generations, and he will continue that legacy. He belongs to Heaven"
"And yet he summoned me," the devil countered smoothly. "Fair and square."
Marcus raised a hand to calm the rising tension. "Alright, enough. We're not going to resolve this by throwing accusations at each other. Let's talk this through."
The angel's jaw tightened, and the devil crossed her arms, clearly enjoying the conflict. Marcus sighed inwardly, realizing this was going to be difficult.
The angel spoke first, his voice cold but controlled. "I cannot stand by while she corrupts him. He is part of a long and noble line that has served the church, and I will not allow him to fall into darkness."
The devil smirked. "Corrupt? Hardly. I'm bound by a contract to help him finish his thesis, not drag him to Hell. Unlike your kind, I don't go around forcing people into things they don't want."
Marcus cut in before the argument escalated further. "Okay, here's what's going to happen. I'll watch over her while she helps him with the thesis. She won't corrupt him or try to bring him into her peerage as payment for the contract." He glanced at the devil. "Agreed?"
The devil rolled her eyes but gave a nonchalant shrug. "Fine. No peerage recruitment." Then, with a smirk, she added, "Not yet, at least."
The angel glared at her but turned to Marcus. "And you'll ensure this?"
"I will," Marcus said firmly. "I'll stay close, and if she steps out of line, I'll make sure she doesn't get away with it."
The angel hesitated, his eyes flicking between Marcus and the devil. "What about me?" he asked, his voice low with barely restrained frustration.
Vali stepped forward, cracking his knuckles. "You? I'll be watching you. Make sure you don't interfere with the contract. No dragging the kid off to the church or lecturing him on the evils of Hell while he's trying to finish his work. Got it?"
The angel's eyes narrowed, but he gave a terse nod. "Fine. I will not interfere as long as she upholds her end of the contract. But if she dares to cross the line—"
"She won't," Marcus interrupted. "That's what I'm here for."
There was a long moment of silence as the three supernatural beings stared each other down. Finally, the angel sighed, shoulders relaxing slightly. "Very well. I'll stand down for now. But mark my words—this isn't over."
With the terms agreed upon, Marcus and Vali split off, Vali to shadow the angel, and Marcus to oversee the devil and her interactions with Ethan's friend.
The next two days passed in a whirlwind of research, late-night study sessions, and endless cups of coffee. Marcus stayed close, observing the devil as she guided Ethan's friend, a sharp but clearly overwhelmed student named Aaron, through the final stages of his thesis. To his credit, the devil—whom Marcus learned was named Lilira—was surprisingly helpful, breaking down complex concepts and assisting with the more intricate details of Aaron's work.
Throughout it all, Marcus kept a close eye on her, ensuring that she didn't attempt any sly moves to manipulate Aaron beyond the boundaries of the contract. True to her word, Lilira never once mentioned her peerage or made any overt offers that would force Aaron into her service. If anything, she seemed more focused on the challenge of helping him finish the thesis itself, occasionally muttering something about how humans made everything unnecessarily complicated.
On the final day, Aaron looked more exhausted than ever, but he had a wide grin on his face as he printed out the last pages of his thesis. "I can't believe it," he said, turning to Lilira. "I never would have gotten through this without your help."
Lilira leaned back in her chair, a satisfied grin on her face. "You're welcome. But don't forget—our contract still stands. You owe me two things."
Aaron blinked, looking both confused and nervous. "Uh... I only agreed to one?"
Lilira stood, smoothing out her jacket as she walked over to him. "First, you'll assist me with some research in the future. I'll be in touch when I need you. And second..." She paused for dramatic effect, her grin widening mischievously. "You're going to take me on a date."
Aaron's eyes widened, his face flushing red. "A-a date?"
Lilira chuckled softly, clearly amused by his flustered reaction. "Relax, it's just a date. You'll survive. Here." She scribbled something down on a piece of paper and handed it to him. "My number. Call me when you've had time to recover from all this nonsense. Don't let that self-righteous bird bully you around."
Aaron stared at the paper, still trying to process everything. "Uh, yeah, sure. Okay."
With that, Lilira gave Aaron a wink and left, her part in the contract fulfilled. Marcus watched her go, relieved he hadn't needed to step in.
As Aaron stood there, still holding the paper with Lilira's number, the angel appeared again, stepping out from the shadows of the hallway. His expression was stern but not hostile, and Marcus could tell he was holding back his frustration.
"Aaron," the angel said, his voice calm but firm, "you must be careful. devils are not to be trusted. No matter how harmless she may seem, her kind always has a hidden agenda."
Aaron looked up, startled by the angel's sudden appearance. "I-I don't know what to say... She helped me a lot, and—"
"I understand," the angel interrupted, his voice softening slightly. "But remember this: 'Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.'" He paused, letting the weight of the words sink in before continuing. "I implore you, speak with your family. Visit the church. You will need guidance to navigate what lies ahead."
Aaron looked down at the paper in his hand, still clearly conflicted. "I... I'll think about it."
The angel nodded, his expression grave. "Good. Be wise, Aaron." With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Aaron standing there, still unsure of what to make of everything that had transpired.
Marcus, watching from a distance, let out a slow breath.
Vali reappeared by Marcus' side, his arms crossed. "Well, that was a mess."
Marcus gave him a glance. "You think the kid'll be alright?"
Vali shrugged. "He's involved with the supernatural. He's probably not going to be fine; but at least he knows what's going on now and has a choice."
A/N:
It was too difficult to continue coming up with good single-word titles.