Oliver paused as the Demon Lord’s voice entered his mind, threatening him for the tone he took with Mina. He looked over his shoulder, only able to see the demon’s back as he and Mina moved down the hall. It was an odd warning. He told himself he would<i>never</i>harm her. She was his friend, a constant in his life that he couldn’t imagine being without. Perhaps it was his feelings of inadequacy or envy that caused the demon to invade his mind, and though he wasn’t thrilled about the intrusion, he<i>did </i>feel bad about snapping at Mina. He would make a point to apologize again later—not because he was inspired by the words of Syn, but because he didn’t want her to be cross with him. The girl held a grudge like no one’s business.<br/><br/>“Today’s been rather eventful. At least, more eventful for me than you, probably. I’m not normally this . . . active in my education. I thought things would be less<i>tense</i>.” She admitted. Having Syn around made many things easier, but other things bit more complicated. The attention, the jealousy, the expectations. It was all a bit much. She was hoping to spend the rest of the day under the radar, but when she entered the dining hall alongside the Demon Lord, the whispers ramped up again. Gwen peered over toward the entrance, waving Mina over excitedly.<br/><br/>“Oh, you don’t have to get me anything, Syn. I can get it—“<br/><br/>“Mina, over here.” Gwen was at her side, green eyes brilliant with glee as she tugged on her arm. “Let you demon get you your food.” Her tone was condescending as if she were referring to a servant and not the Lord of Void territories in the nether realm. “Come on. I was just telling everyone about how we used to camp outside in that dreadful tree house you and Oliver Walden made in the woods behind your house.” She laughed as she pulled her toward the table.<br/><br/><i>“Anything greasy will do. If I clog my arteries fast enough, I’ll have a heart attack and die before lunch is over. Thanks, Syn.” </i><br/><br/>Mina sat down and listened while the girls chatted about weekend plans and crushes. Gwen never missed an opportunity to shift the conversation to their honored guest at every turn. She was put on the spot about her relationship with Oliver, which was strictly platonic, her grades, and her social life. Her answers were usually dripping in sarcasm, given the kind of answers they couldn’t tell if she was being be serious or not. There was usually this forced laughter that happened after one of her witty responses, an unsure kind of amusement that was as inauthentic as her replies. She was actually having fun toying with them till Gwen was done beating around the bush.<br/><br/>“So, what can your demon do exactly?” She asked, pushing a grape tomato around on her plate.<br/><br/>All the girls ate salads. While Mina wasn’t opposed to healthier foods, she found it obnoxious that they all conformed to whatever standard it was they were trying to maintain.<br/><br/>“Well, I haven’t seen him do much other than control some shadows and throw people around.” Mina wasn’t really concerned about what Syn could do. It mattered more to her that he was there when she needed him, and so far he had been. Hell, he was there even when she<i>didn’t</i>need him.<br/><br/>Giggles rang out all around her, Gwen loudest of them all. “<i>Really?</i>You haven’t made him show you his power? That was the first thing I made my demon do. Then again, I suppose you already know he’s worthy and capable as an S-class demon.” She said smugly. “Mina, make him do something.”<br/><br/>“He’s not a court jester, Gwen. He’s not here for your entertainment.” Mina narrowed her gaze at the redhead. The girls around them exchanged looks. No one spoke to her that way usually.<br/><br/>“So you<i>don’t</i>control him.” She smirked. “I knew it. There’s no way that you could possibly, a slacker like you. How did you do it? People around here are saying you cheated somehow. Did you?”<br/><br/>“I don’t have to explain myself to you, Gwen.” Mina said, pushing herself up and grabbing her tray.