Became a Demon with Pregnancy System-Chapter 150: Hazel’s Heart

The security guard indeed launched into a rapid stream of effusive praise, clearly prepared after their last encounter. Luke found it hilarious. He gave him a thumbs-up. "Splendid. Thanks for the pep talk."

Just then, an annoyed voice interjected, "Could you not hold up the gate, ’Mentor Luke’? Some of us have classes to prep for." Luke turned to see Perola scowling, arms folded. She had that same proud, exasperated look as if to say, you again?

Luke smirked. "Ah, Miss Perola. Good to see you. Did you bring that ’payment’ you promised me?"

Perola narrowed her eyes. "I did. Don’t think I’d renege. It wasn’t even that precious." She tossed him two small vials. "Shadow matter, cursed matter—enjoy. Summoning your undead beast is for later, once you awaken that element."

Luke pocketed them. "Thank you kindly. Please pass my regards to your, um, teacher as well." He gave her a mischievous wink. He suspected her master might be a powerful figure in the dark plane, though he pretended otherwise.

Perola lifted her chin. "Hmph. You should be content I didn’t ask for extra hush money." Despite her surly tone, she turned on her heel and strode off, leaving Luke chuckling under his breath.

The One He’s Really Waiting For

His real reason for being here soon appeared: Hazel Ross. She stood near the academy gate, wearing a light blue dress, her lilac eyes shining. Although she had mostly overcome her old leg injury, she still wore a gentle expression that made Luke’s heart flip.

She caught sight of him and smiled radiantly. "Luke, I’m over here!"

He approached with a broad grin. "Hazel Ross. Sorry, the gate guard delayed me with compliments."

She giggled. "Any new praises?"

"All the usual ’young genius, unstoppable tutor’ lines," he said jokingly. "Anyway, you look beautiful."

She blushed slightly, then said shyly, "Luke, my legs are improved, but not fully. I’d rather not walk too much. Can you give me a piggyback ride?"

Luke’s eyes widened. "Are you sure? This is your chance to practice walking, right?"

Hazel’s cheeks tinted pink. "I want to save my energy for later. If I use my legs too much now... I might be too tired for...other things."

Luke’s heart thudded. He understood the implication. "Then let’s do it." He crouched, and Hazel hopped onto his back, arms draping over his shoulders. He clasped her slender calves for support, carefully balancing.

His mind briefly recalled the three-woman turmoil he’d managed earlier, but right now, all that mattered was the warmth of Hazel’s presence. She clung to him with a gentle giggle, burying her face against his neck.

Under a dazzling sky, Luke wandered a quieter corner of West Lake. Beside him, Hazel Ross—her cheeks flushed a gentle pink from the warmth—wiped a bit of perspiration from her forehead and pointed out toward the shimmering water.

"Luke, you mentioned in class once about the Totem Serpent lurking around West Lake. So it’s really protecting Arcadia, huh?" She peered across the expansive lake.

"Sure is," Luke replied, nodding toward the water’s center. "See that island out there? The serpent lives deep near there. Teacher Tanya Reed and the other guardians of the Totem Serpent dwell on the island."

Hazel tilted her head curiously. "Guardians? That’s a novel term," she mused. "Luke, think we might see the serpent today?"

"Why would you want to see it?" Luke teased gently. "It’s massive, not exactly the cuddly type."

Hazel lowered her voice. "It’s basically our city’s god now. Something big is happening today... and I’d love for it to be a witness."

A flicker of amusement crossed Luke’s face. "A bit of ceremony, huh? All right, that can be arranged." If Hazel—the modern soul of the Parthenon—wanted the serpent’s symbolic presence, so be it.

Suddenly, a random bystander with overdone makeup sauntered over. Hearing Luke boast he could beckon the serpent, she let out an obnoxious scoff. "Tsk, who do you think you are? Summon ’God’? Don’t blow hot air." She eyed Luke and Hazel as though they were silly tourists. "Girl, watch out for guys like him—full of big talk."

Luke raised a brow, taken aback by her random hostility. Hazel gently tugged his sleeve, indicating they should avoid drama.

But the woman kept prattling on, evidently live-streaming. "Check out this braggart, dear viewers. Says he can call the Totem Serpent. The nerve!"

An exasperated sigh left Luke. He wasn’t about to force the serpent to appear just to spite some petty internet celebrity. Instead, he used a simpler, "hands-on" approach. With a light flick of telekinetic power, he lifted the screeching woman—her face twisting in panic—and plopped her unceremoniously into the shallow waters of West Lake.

Shrieking, the woman flailed, phone still streaming. Without her heavy makeup, her real features showed: older, darker, and quite different from her online persona. The million viewers in her chat witnessed the transformation, many unsubscribing on the spot or hurling mocking comments.

"Ahhh! Let me go! Let me go...!" she screeched, now thoroughly humiliated.

Ignoring the ruckus, Luke sensed a massive aura flicker across the lake—the Totem Serpent. Eyes widened around the waterfront as the serpent’s silhouette briefly surfaced in the distance. Then, just as quickly, it vanished beneath the shimmering waves, likely uninterested in petty human spats.

Luke realized that if the serpent truly emerged, it would draw even bigger commotion. Already, some watchers had glimpsed a portion of the serpent’s dark scales.

He swiftly opened a teleportation gate, tugging Hazel’s hand to step through. In an instant, they disappeared from West Lake, reappearing in a private hotel suite downtown.

Within the plush confines of the hotel room, Hazel Ross stood shyly, adjusting her light-blue dress. Her hair fell softly around her face, and she had an air of poised anticipation. Luke gently brushed a stray strand of hair from her cheek, letting his gaze linger on her.

"Luke, you mentioned in class once about the Totem Serpent lurking around West Lake. So it’s really protecting Arcadia, huh?" She peered across the expansive lake.