Infernal Entity: Evolving With My Demonic System-Chapter 38: Trouble

Rick sat alone at the cafeteria table, his hands rested on his knees as he waited, his eyes kept flicking toward the front every few seconds, hoping to see Ares walking back with food in his hands and that usual relaxed smirk on his face, but each time the someone walked by, it was someone else, another student or another group. It wasn’t Ares.

Also, the cafeteria was filling up fast. At first, it had only been a few students scattered around, talking loudly, laughing, pushing chairs back, claiming tables without a second thought, but now the place was getting crowded and Rick felt himself shrink further into his seat the longer Ares stayed gone.

He was alone and that was a problem. Rick knew how things worked here. Everyone did. Power decided everything, even something as small as where a person sat during lunch.

A Lumina 1 sitting alone wasn’t just noticeable, it was an invitation. It told the wrong people that there was no backup for the person.

"Where are you, Ares?"

Rick tried to assure himself that Ares would be back any second now, that maybe the line was just long or that maybe he was overthinking things, but the feeling in his chest refused to go away.

That’s when a shadow fell over his table. Relief washed over him, thinking it was Ares but then,the shadow split into three. Not Ares.

Rick slowly looked up to find three students stood in front of him, blocking the overhead lights, their figures tall and solid, their uniforms crisp and clean, the kind of clean that only came from confidence, from knowing no one would ever touch them without permission.

"Is this seat taken?" one of them asked.

"Y-Yes," he said, trying to sound steady. "My friend is ordering food. He’ll be back."

The three of them exchanged looks... and then they laughed.

It wasn’t loud at first, just soft chuckles, like Rick had told a joke that wasn’t funny enough to deserve real laughter, but it quickly grew louder, drawing attention from nearby tables, a few students glanced over and then looking away just as fast.

The second boy crossed his arms.

"Doesn’t look like anyone’s coming back," he said. "You’ve been sitting here alone for a while."

"He went to order," Rick repeated. "He’s coming back. I promise."

"You promise? What is this a wishing well?"

"Stand up," the first boy said flatly.

"I—I already told you," Rick began, his voice wavering now, "this seat is taken."

The first boy straightened, his smile fading just a little.

"Listen carefully," he said. "You don’t get to decide that."

"I’m not trying to cause trouble," he said quickly. "We’re just eating lunch. There are other seats—"

"Are you a stupid fuck?!" the second boy cut in, "or do you just not understand how things work here?"

Rick looked around, hoping someone would step in, hoping someone would at least pretend to care, but no one met his eyes. Conversations continued. Life went on.

The third boy cracked his knuckles and electricity flickered faintly along his fingers. An Elecrtokinetic?

"Lumina 1," he said with a grin. "Sitting alone like you own the place."

"My friend is a Spectra," Rick said, the words slipping out before he could stop himself. "He’ll be back any moment."

That only made them laugh harder.

"Which Spectra?" the first boy asked. "Your imaginary one?"

"You’re wasting our time. Get up and leave, or we’ll make you."

Rick knew the ranks. He saw it boldly on their collar tags. Spectra 3, Spectra 3 and Spectra 4.

Any one of them could knock him out without effort. All three together meant he wouldn’t even see it coming.

"This isn’t fair," he said, his voice shaking despite his best effort. "I was here first."

The third boy smiled.

"Fair?" he repeated. "You think this place runs on fair?"

Rick finally understood that no matter what he said, no matter how long he waited, Ares was not here yet, and the longer he stayed, the worse this would end.

Slowly, reluctantly, Rick pushed his chair back and stood up.

The first boy smirked. "Good choice."

Rick turned away and every step toward the exit feeling heavier than the last, like the entire cafeteria was watching him even though he knew most of them didn’t care.

As soon as he stepped outside, the noise behind him dulled, replaced by the open air and the distant sounds of the academy grounds, and only then did Rick realize how hard his heart was pounding.

He tried taking I slow breaths, trying to calm himself down, trying to tell himself that this was fine, that he did the smart thing, that he avoided getting hurt.

A few minutes passed.

Rick was still standing there when the cafeteria doors opened again.

"Rick?"

Ares stood there, holding two trays of food, his brows already drawn together as he took in Rick’s expression.

"What happened? I didn’t see you inside." Ares asked, setting the trays down on a nearby bench.

Rick hesitated. Then he sighed and told him everything, from the moment the cafeteria started filling up, to the three students, to the laughter, the threats, and finally being forced to give up his seat.

When Rick finished, there was a brief silence.

Then Ares straightened.

"Lets go inside." he asked.

Rick’s eyes widened.

"No!" Rick said quickly. "Ares, forget it. There’s no need. They can have it. Hell its kind of nice out here..." Rick chuckled nervously.

Ares turned toward the cafeteria, ignoring his words.

"They were Spectras!" Rick added hurriedly. "All of them. Spectra 3s and a 4."

Ares stopped and looked back at him.

"So?" he said like that ws supposed to scare him. "That won’t stop me from confronting them."

"I’m a Spectra too. The difference is, I don’t prey on people weaker than me."

"Please," Rick said. "Just let it go."

Ares gently pulled free and started walking toward the doors again.

"I don’t like bullies..."

***