Page 13 of My Professor is a Demon

"Boundary guardian?" I repeated, the term sparking recognition though I couldn't place why. "What do you mean?"

"Guardians maintained balance between realms," Oscar explained quietly. "Beings created specifically to ensure no single supernatural power could dominate across dimensions. They were thought to have disappeared centuries ago."

"Not disappeared," the entity corrected. "Dormant because the bloodlines are diluted. Powers remained latent until needed."

Understanding dawned with shocking clarity. "You're saying I'm a boundary guardian?"

"Potential exists, but verification requires testing and the testing requires corruption." The entity's form rippled again. "The contract-bound serves Hell yet protects the guardian potential. Contradiction creates possibility."

Oscar's expression remained carefully neutral, though I felt his energy signature pulse with surprise and concern. "Thecorruption was deliberate," he stated. "A catalyst to activate dormant guardian abilities."

"Correct," the entity acknowledged. "Purpose was served if the guardian awakens. Balance restored if contract breaks."

The cryptic statements swirled in my mind, pieces of a puzzle I couldn't quite assemble. "You corrupted the ley lines to trigger my abilities? To wake up whatever guardian heritage I might have?"

"Necessity dictated the method. The boundaries are thin, and”—it gave a nod toward Oscar—“Hell expands influence.” Then it seemed to turn its attention back to me. “But balance requires guardians and guardians require awakening."

"And what of the contract-bound?" Oscar asked, his voice tight with controlled emotion. "What role does Hell's servant play in your calculations?"

The entity's attention shifted to him, shadows swirling with increased intensity. "Balance requires opposition in harmony. Guardian and demon. Restriction and freedom. Order and chaos."

"That's why our energies connect the way they do," I said, realization flowing through me. "If I have boundary guardian heritage and you're demonic, we should be natural opposites. But instead—"

"Harmony creates power," the entity completed. "Connection defies conventional limitations and potential exceeds expected parameters."

Oscar's hand found mine in the darkness, our fingers intertwining as if by instinct. The now-familiar energy surge flowed between us, stronger than ever before—violet-gold light spiraling around our joined hands, illuminating the clearing.

The entity's form seemed to expand and contract, absorbing and reflecting our combined energy signature. "Test progresses. Potential confirmed. Interference required."

The cryptic pronouncement was followed by a surge of power that made the ground beneath us tremble. The ley lines pulsed with sudden intensity, raw energy flowing upward in visible streams of light.

"What's happening?" I gasped, feeling the power rising around us.

Oscar pulled me closer, his arm wrapping protectively around my shoulders. "They're accelerating the process. Forcing your guardian abilities to manifest fully."

Before I could respond, darkness surged between us and the entity—not the boundary presence's shadows, but something different. Heavier. Sulfurous.

"Contract-bound," a new voice hissed, this one harsh and grating compared to the boundary entity's resonance. "The Board is displeased with your deception."

Two figures materialized from the darkness—humanoid in general shape but with distorted features, radiating infernal power that made my skin crawl.

"Hell's agents," Oscar murmured, his body tensing beside mine. "Vorthazul has tired of waiting for my report."

"The anomaly will be collected," one of the figures announced, its gaze fixing on me with terrifying intensity. "The contract-bound will face judgment for his betrayal."

Oscar moved in front of me, his form shifting subtly—still human in appearance but somehow more, power radiating from him in waves I could feel against my skin.

"She is under my protection," he stated. "By ancient right and freely chosen bond, I claim sanctuary."

The Hell agents hesitated, clearly surprised by the declaration. The boundary entity remained present but separate, its shadowy form observing without intervention—as if this confrontation was part of the test it had mentioned.

"Your contract binds you to Hell's service," the second agent reminded Oscar. "Your claims hold no validity. Your protection offers no sanctuary."

"Then I renounce the contract," Oscar said simply.

The words fell into sudden silence, their impact evident in the shocked stillness of the Hell agents. Even the boundary entity's shadowy form seemed to pause in its constant motion.

"Impossible," the first agent hissed. "Contracts with Hell cannot be broken by mere declaration."

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