4.Tough nut to crack

TUESDAY 7th , 2025

ADAM

I sat at the reading area of the school library, engrossed in the book I was reading before abruptly closing it. Another failed attempt at finding more information about the forbidden scroll. As I picked up another book and began perusing through it, my mind drifted back to when it all began.

A day that would forever be engraved in my mind. The day I was cast down to earth all because of one stupid mistake. And the scroll would be my only way to somehow redeem myself and finally free me of the guilt, though that may not be able to happen.

Who would have thought this human body will get so drunk just after a few drinks? Losing the scroll was one thing, but sleeping with a demon ,worse still, male, was pure defilement. Sure it had all been done under the influence of alcohol,but still...

I don't know why but I feel there's something different about this kid that I just can't put my finger around. But despite all that,I still had to set a clear boundary just for precaution.

' Birdbrain '. The word kept ringing in my head and I unconsciously found myself smirking. The kid sure has a way a way of getting on my nerves.

*. *. *.

At the sound of approaching footsteps, Adam slowly looked up and was met with the sight of a fellow student, his junior, clad in the school's maroon half sweater, white long-sleeved shirt and dark grey bottom — his messy chestnut brown hair, a sign of his preoccupation that had lasted all morning. The male, Choi Seungha, bowed in respect and panted abit, having ran all the way up the stairs to seek his senior.

“ Apologies for the disruption, senior, but I believe there seems to be a commotion down at the entrance. ”

" A commotion?" Adam inquired.

His sharp senses heard the murmuring of students as some gathered at the gateway. Sensing something wrong, Adam stood up and walked up to a nearby closed window. A black motorbike pulled up, a sight that was quite rare for such a prestigious school. The rider had on a sleek black leather jacket that he'd opened revealing the school badge imprinted on a white shirt. He was definitely there,but who would dare wear such attire.

Adam had his guesses, but it was only when the rider took off his helmet,that his suspicions were confirmed.

" Not again."

Meanwhile, Liam ran a hand through his hair as he took in the sight of the prestigious academy. It had been as posh as it sounded. His rebellious attire stood out like a sore thumb just like he had planned.

As he alighted his bike and winked at the female students who had been awe struck by his rebellious act , Adam pushed his way past the crowd of students and got a clear view of the entire scene.

" Hello Dukesspear High!! This is Liam Black speaking — your local party animal and newest student ready to bring up the heat."

The students all cheered,but Adam knew what the male was really upto. It was a clear war declaration promising no moment of peace. Without wasting a beat,the blonde walked over to the ravenhead and dragged him by the ear towards the school, all the while , Liam trying to keep face.

" Ow, ow, ow. Be a little gentle , will you? Or I'm gonna have elf ears at this rate. Sorry ladies, gotta go. Catch you on the flip side. Ow! Quit it already."

" No."

Adam dragged Liam all the way into an empty classroom and locked the door behind him.

"What gives dude?! I was totally killing it out there." Liam protested but Adam just stepped back to get a full view of the others attire: shirt tucked in on one side , top button undone and tie hanging low. Liam expected anything — a lecture , scolding , anything — but the blonde simply snapped his fingers making the others leather jacket disappear.

" There. That's more like it."

" And that's what you get for.....wait what?"

" If that's all here's your class schedule and a map of the school. Now if you excuse me , I have a lesson to attend." Adam said as he headed to the the door , but stopped by the door frame, " oh and one more thing. Next time,try something less... predictable. Really does make things a lot more fun around here." And with that, he was gone.

" The fuck just happened?"

For the rest of the day , Liam tried his best to get the other to snap — from starting a food fight in the cafeteria, disrupting reading sessions in the library to even pulling a fire alarm — but nothing. it was like the previous temperamental angel he'd known, had completely been erased .

At the end of the school day Liam dejectedly sat by the bleachers , having already lost all hope of the regaining his freedom. He recalled how it had felt when he still resided in the underworld. Life had been great. Living in luxury , roaming the entire realm without a care in the world , leaving a trail of chaos and making headlines. Back then he'd always had a reason to push on — to keep up his reputation as the rebellious second prince — but now he had nothing.

While he was still deep in thought , he heard a voice shout out , " LIAM!!" Before he had the chance to react , he found himself getting tackled to the ground by an unknown force , sending him a few feet from the bleachers. The ravenhead had his back to the ground and slowly sat up scratching the back of his head confused and trying to make out the figure that was practically sitting on top of him.

" N...Nathan? Dude , you nearly killed me back there."

" As if you'd due from falling off a few feet. Nice collar by the way," the redhead joked.

" Get off me!" Liam finally growled, realizing the two's compromising position.

" Not until you hear me out first. I just got back from Vegas a while back and guess what? You're off the wanted list. Don't know why though , but who cares? One quick flight and a while new wardrobe and we're all ready to go." Nathan explained.

" I swear to damn god Nathan , if you don't get the fuck off me , I'll...."

" Yeah yeah , I heard you the first time ," said the male getting up before helping the other to his feet.

As Liam dusted himself , Nathan finally noticed the school uniform he was wearing and raised a brow. Liam had no choice but to explain all the events that had transpired since his second encounter with the blonde. When he was done, the incubus struggled to hold back a laugh.

" so you're telling me, the guy you'd fucked, correction, the one who fucked you was an arch angel whom you ended up being bound to by a contract and now you've stooped this low just to get him pissed enough to kick you out?" he chuckled.

Liam rolled his eyes, clearly annoyed, but Nathan just slang an arm around his shoulder, making a book appear before the male. The front cover had the words 'The Art of Seduction' written involved calligraphy in an enticing red tone. The demon raised a brown in confusion — the explanation — the best way to get what you want was through the heart. Win them over, and you'll have them wrapped around your finger in no time. It was as easy as that. As dumb as it sounded, the strategy had proved its worth.

For had it not given Cleopatra two powerful men that will give her the moon if she wanted. Two men that were willing to go against their own just to receive her affection. Or made an emperor burn down countless cities all at the will of an empress or concert who had gained his favor. t

That, that was the Art of seduction.

The male should have anticipated this answer, seeing as it was all in the incubi's nature. Now out of options, he reluctantly accepted the book.

" But word of advice, Seduction, is a double-edged sword. One wrong slip up and you could be the one falling victim to it's effects."

" Wait what,"

" Relax, you'll be fine. Hopefully. Now if you'll excuse me, I have an unattended client waiting for me in a hotel suite. Good luck buddy,"

Later as Liam entered the backseat of the Rolls Royce — an order he been forced to follow by the blonde — he stared out the window, his mind now at peace as he finally regained to determination. He smiled to himself, now a bit more at ease. Adam got a glimpse of the expression from the rear-view mirror. It had been the first time he had actually seen the male smile, a sight that had him staring a bit longer than necessary before finally looking away and starting the car's engine.

' Let the seduction begin.'