In The Academy As Sukuna

Ch 44 - Malevolent Intentions

"The pursuit of ultimate power is a game where the price is steep, and the only players are those willing to gamble everything."

.

(A day ago...with Sukuna)

The sun was just beginning to set, casting a picturesque golden glow on the grass and the flowing river.

Sukuna had chosen this spot, a peaceful place under a large tree, for his meeting with Eva.

He had asked her to go on a date in the morning, just a few hours ago, and he steeled his resolve, deciding to reveal his intentions head-on.

He stood there, slightly nervous as he thought how Eva would react.

The light crunch of soil hit his ears. He turned to the left, seeing Eva slowly walking towards him, her expression softening as she looked at him.

"Hey," she said, her eyes locked with his as she sensed the seriousness in the atmosphere.

"Eva," Sukuna said, moving closer to Eva, the tension in the environment doubling as her mind raced. "This is about our date... something important."

She nodded, looking into his eyes, her gaze unwavering. "What is it?"

Sukuna hesitated, finding it difficult to get the words out. "I'm planning something... big."

Her brows furrowed at the vague answer, her mind racing, searching for possibilities. "What do you mean?"

Sukuna took a deep breath, pausing before responding. "I've been killing people, Eva, but the results are growing smaller."

At these words, Eva's face didn't change. Ever since Sukuna had told her about devouring souls, she knew that he would probably do this.

She waited for him to continue silently, her confident gaze unchanging.

"The increase is my soul's size is getting smaller the more I kill," Sukuna said, his voice growing colder by the second. "So I need to do something big."

A chill ran down Eva's spine as she saw the malicious glint in his eyes, her heart beating faster with each passing second.

"What exactly... are you planning?"

"There's a town in the outskirts," he said, his voice devoid of emotion. "I'll massacre everyone there, and devour their souls."

Eva's eyes widened as she instinctively took a step back.

Sukuna felt a jolt of pain in his heart as he watched her back away.

"A... whole town?" She asked, her voice shaking, struggling to process what he was saying.

Sukuna composed himself. "I'll leave a portion of souls for you, it will help us grow stronger," he said, his eyes staring into hers.

Her mind was conflicted.

Ever since she first met him, she knew that he was not the most moral person, but this... a whole town...

"But... they're innocent people... even children," she managed to speak, her voice trembling as she imagined the scene.

"Innocence is irrelevant," Sukuna said, his voice unwavering, his gaze piercing. "Strength is the only thing that matters in this world."

Eva's heart beat harder at these words.

She knew it better than anyone. Her only goal in life was to avenge her family, and she had pursued strength forever.

Eva had always admired his strength, his resolve to grow stronger with any opportunity.