Chapter 47: A sheep walking into a tiger’s mouth?

“Charis, remember my promise before we left?”

Aisha stopped at her door, turning with a sly smile.

“I do, Sister Aisha—I want my reward.”

“Sweet talker, aren’t you?
You did a great job helping Ophelia.
Softening someone as stubborn as her to go home?
Not a small feat.”

Aisha drew a circle with her right hand, pulling back her fist, a pale blue magical curse absorbing into her palm, the door handle turning on its own.

Click.

The room was pitch black, starkly different from the afternoon sunlight outside, with a faint, indescribable potion scent wafting through.

“So dark… Sister Aisha, this is your room?”
Charis hesitated, feeling like she’d stepped into a creepy dungeon.

“Yup, my room.
The door’s curse is electrified—anyone forcing their way in would probably pass out from shocks a few times.”

Aisha explained her curse matter-of-factly, making Charis uneasy—she wasn’t sure how to handle Aisha, who seemed trickier than Ophelia.

“Uh… impressive curse.
Maybe we can talk rewards out here instead?”
Charis’s feet froze, her impression of dark rooms souring further.

“I prefer private talks without eavesdroppers.
I’m not locking you in—I’m no wicked witch, right?”

Aisha patted Charis’s shoulder lightly, murmuring a curse.

“Let’s go~”

‘Huh?! Why’re my feet moving on their own!’

Charis lurched forward, her stiff steps like an iron puppet, completely uncontrolled!

Darkness enveloped her as the door closed softly behind.
Charis, somehow, sat on something in the dark.

Puff~

Her butt landed on something soft, like a bouncy yoga ball, cradling her hips and back, supporting her waist.

“Alright, Charis, let’s light up and talk straight.”
Aisha’s voice came from across, baffling Charis—she should’ve been behind her!

Whoosh~

A breeze brushed overhead, and a blue triangular chandelier ignited with yellow flames, slowly illuminating the room.

A purple four-poster bed with starry blue curtains stood out, and Aisha, in pajamas, lounged at the head, looking just woken, a black “open-eye” sleep mask on her forehead.

“Different clothes… what?”

Charis was confused—nobody changed that fast!
She glanced aside, spotting another Aisha in a black dress by the door, smiling, unmoving.

‘Two Aishas in the dorm?!
Haunted or what!’

Charis frowned, puzzled.

“She’s my magical puppet, lifelike, isn’t she?”
The Aisha on the bed, likely the real one, spoke.

“Uh… which one’s the real you?”
Charis’s question made bed-Aisha laugh.

“Haha, you’re hilarious, Charis.
Who’d make their puppet sleep in bed while the real one slacks off?”

“Fair, but it’d work for faking sick.”

“Smart idea—next time I skip work, I’ll use it.”

Aisha slid off the bed, stretching lazily, sauntering across the dark brown floor to Charis, bending down.

“Charis, what reward do you want?
Name it—I keep my promises, anything within my power.”

Aisha’s voice was deep, and Charis noticed her loose white pajamas revealing a glimpse of a deep, shadowy valley.

‘Matches Luline’s figure—she hides it well!
Too sly!’

“Uh… I want a potion-brewing pot!”
Charis averted her gaze, avoiding the abyss.

“Oh? You want to brew potions?”
Aisha stood, propping her chin, intrigued.

“Is that… not okay?”
Charis glanced down, realizing she sat on a hanging basket chair across from the bed.

“Pots are easy to get, but herbs aren’t cheap.
Someone sent a batch under Ophelia’s name to Luline for safekeeping—related to you?”

Aisha peered at Charis, who didn’t deny it, explaining her reason.

“I want to make life-saving potions.”

“Oh? Who’s after you?”

Aisha grinned, curious, and Charis quickly spun a plausible excuse to gain support.

“I’m living here now—what if demons, jealous of my cozy life, come for revenge?”

“Pfft, thinking ahead of the rain, huh?
But didn’t you say you were abandoned?
Who’d bother chasing you?
This is near humanity’s safest zone—no demon would dare stir trouble.”

“I’ve got other reasons.”
Charis pivoted to another angle.

“Let’s hear them.”
Aisha, patient, kept eyeing her.

“You all said I can’t expose my dragon identity.
If someone’s after my life, I need escape tricks, right?”

“That holds up.
But do you think you can brew potions?”

“I won’t know till I try.”

“Heh, I like your thirst for knowledge.”

Aisha dropped her hand, smiling approvingly, finding Charis more likable by the second.

“So, for the reward, I just want a brewing pot.”

“Done, I’ll sponsor you, but…”

“But what?”

Charis leapt from the chair, eager to seize the chance—Aisha was her best shot at help.

“Dragons aren’t usually allowed to brew potions, but I’ve got a way to bypass that.”

“Great, I’ll take it.”

Charis agreed instantly, not hearing the details.

“Whoa, quick to commit.
Since you know human curses, it shouldn’t be an issue.”
Aisha nodded to herself, as if she’d planned this.

“How’s it work?
I’ll do it now.”
Charis volunteered—brewing openly with Talos’s guidance would make things twice as easy.

“Well… it involves a little makeover, a potion, and some paperwork.”
Aisha held up her hand, thumb and forefinger slightly apart.

“Potion… another potion?”
Charis panicked, regretting her hasty agreement.

“Don’t worry—just a safe disguise potion to change your appearance temporarily.
No harm.”

“Disguise?
You mean I’d…”

“Enroll at our academy!
I’ve long had a theory: reforming demons means giving them a full life experience.
Charis, you’re my first test subject.
I’ll pitch it to the others tonight.”

Aisha smiled, clapping Charis’s shoulders reassuringly.

‘A young dragon like me, a hot commodity, studying in a human-packed academy?
Is she serious?!’

Charis wanted Talos’s advice, but the Demon King stayed silent, playing dead, seemingly okay with Aisha’s idea.