Chapter 1 Warm Candlelight

Under the warm candlelight, the Demon King's personally-endowed restaurant seemed to be bathed in golden warmth.

A silver candlestick stood regally and solemnly in the center of the table. The flame at the top flickered, reflecting bright light onto the surrounding utensils. Through the orange-red flame, the air felt slightly dreamlike.

The dancing shadows of the candlelight projected onto the table, where the white tablecloth with gold trim contrasted with the dark texture of the table's surface. Everything seemed warm and beautiful, as if capable of making one forget one's troubles.

"Hyperion, see? I've successfully curbed the chaos of wasting food."

Lan Qi looked at Hyperion and spoke, his words full of positive energy.

"..."

Hyperion lowered her head, not daring to respond to Lan Qi's words, not even daring to utter a sound.

She worried that when the Goddess docked Lan Qi's merit points, she would also be implicated.

No matter what, she had been raised as a human in the human realm since she was a child, and she still wanted to be a person at heart!

In the distance.

The restaurant manager, having dealt with the silver-haired demon who had violated the restaurant's rules, walked quickly towards Lan Qi with a concerned expression.

A few seconds later.

"I am very sorry that you had a bad dining experience in our restaurant. We will do our best to give you satisfactory compensation."

The manager quickly placed the demon realm medicinal wine that could warm the body next to Lan Qi's hand, and then said sincerely to Lan Qi.

"No... it's not your problem, thank you very much."

Lan Qi picked up the wine glass, his fingertips trembling slightly.

After taking a sip, the state of struggling in the snow finally eased.

He took a deep breath and looked at the manager again:

"Mr. Manager, may I ask if the dishes that the silver-haired customer ordered earlier, but were ultimately not served to him, now have leftover ingredients? And do we have the opportunity to order some new dishes?"

Lan Qi had not seen the two limited dishes on the silver-haired demon's table earlier.

Obviously, the silver-haired demon had ordered first, but planned to enjoy them as the grand finale.

"Of course."

The manager tilted his body slightly and nodded to Lan Qi.

"Then these two."

Lan Qi opened the menu, showed the manager the pages of the two limited dishes respectively, and then said.

"No problem, and we also need to compensate you according to the restaurant's practice."

The manager took the menu from Lan Qi and bowed slightly to the two.

Lan Qi looked at the manager, hesitated for a moment, and then sighed.

"I don't think you have any responsibility. If there must be a mistake, it should be that guy who wasted food and didn't cherish the excellent dishes provided by the chefs with all their heart."

Lan Qi's words were both regretful and helpless, looking at the silver-haired demon's corpse,

"The compensation should not be borne by you. This is a restaurant that I am very satisfied with. I like it and hope it can operate better, that's all."

"..."

The manager heard this, was silent for a moment, and finally nodded again in thanks.

Lan Qi's words made him feel happy and extremely comfortable, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and satisfaction.

As a restaurant that focuses on service quality and strictly follows the highest standards, they naturally feel a little angry and dissatisfied with those overly picky customers, and even those who look down on their efforts with superior eyes like the silver-haired demon.

And Lan Qi, a customer who understands the preciousness of food and even tastes their dishes with an appreciative and grateful heart, is in stark contrast to the silver-haired demon.

"But grievances have their source, debts have their debtors. If possible, can you give me the corpse of that guy to deal with? I hope to bury him myself and send him off with a requiem."

Lan Qi looked at the silver-haired demon lying motionless on the ground, and said again.

What Lan Qi really wanted was the gold coins dropped by this silver-haired demon.

This hidden monster might have some treasures, and a lot of academy credits.

"Of course, no problem, I will pack it up for you."

The restaurant manager had already noticed the music department's badge on Lan Qi's chest and quickly understood Lan Qi's meaning.

He knew that the music department had some taboo necromantic magic, and obviously this silver-haired demon was a good material.

If it was just this kind of request, the restaurant manager was very happy to agree, and even had teachers willing to take away the corpse for them, which saved a lot of work.

"Sir, we will do our best to provide you with the best service during this meal, and hope you can have a satisfactory experience."

The manager bowed to Lan Qi, and then stepped aside.

…

The following time seemed to flow extraordinarily slowly and quietly.

In the restaurant, music flowed softly, occasionally the crisp sound of a few pieces of silverware colliding, accompanied by the faint aroma of meals from the kitchen in the distance, the atmosphere was only wonderful and harmonious.

"Let's eat and drink our fill first, and then go to count the spoils of war later."

Lan Qi said happily, his fork reaching for the fresh seasonal vegetables, and then gently sending a small piece into his mouth.

What flashed across his face was that heartfelt satisfaction and happiness.

He protected the restaurant's ingredients from being wasted, the restaurant rewarded him with a large amount of gold coins, and he did another great thing today.

"..."

Hyperion secretly glanced at Lan Qi, with something she wanted to say, but couldn't say it.

"Lan Qi, when we go back, let's go to the Goddess's temple together to pray."

Hyperion said softly.

She felt that she needed to repent, and Lan Qi needed to repent even more. The matter of sacrificing merit points really cannot be done too much.

Even if it was for her missing old father, she had to accumulate more merit, so that the Goddess might favor her.

Since she was a child, Hyperion had heard that the Goddess loved all living beings equally, even demons, as long as they had good intentions, she would give guidance and redemption.

"No problem, hiss, but the flag you've raised..."

Lan Qi suddenly realized the danger of Hyperion's line.

Often when you say this kind of agreed-upon line, there is a possibility that you will really not be able to return to the real world.

But Lan Qi thought about it: Is there such a good thing? Can I really stay in the Demon Academy without going back?

Twelve hours is really too short.

How much he hoped that he could truly spend a complete student life in this Purgatory Corridor Academy.

"..."

Hyperion raised her eyes and watched the subtle changes in Lan Qi's expression, always feeling that his heart was abnormally active.

But she didn't understand.

She didn't know whether this gap was because she didn't understand people's hearts, or because she didn't understand demon hearts.

After spending a long time with Lan Qi, this very new a novice, Hyperion often felt confused, and even had a kind of self-doubt.

She shook her head.

The merit points have already been deducted.

Now that things have come to this, let's eat first.