Chapter 8: The Human Everyone's Talking About

                                    

                                          
Ivy heard two students gossiping nearby. The first eyed her. "Hey, check it out. That's the human that everyone's been talking about. You think it's true what they say, that Mammon became a babysitter?"
                          
Ivy stopped and her one eye zeroed in on them as the other responded. "Well, if so, then I'd say that actually works out great, doncha think? If we wait and strike when he's not paying attention, he'll never figure out it was us. C'mon, we should devour the human before Beel does."
                          
Ivy turned to them fully. Fuck being afraid. Time to make a move. Someone intercepted her. "Hey, you there. That's right, I'm talking to you, the human with that frightened, tormented look that demons love so much. You're practically screaming, 'Come and eat me! I'm scrumptious!' Your name's Ivy, isn't it? This D.D.D. here belongs to you, right? I saw you drop it just now. Here, take it."
                          
The stranger handed her the phone and Ivy took note of his clothing. A student as well. Ivy gave him a piercing look. The male smiled at her. "Haha. What's with that look? There's no need to be suspicious of me. My name's Solomon. I'm an exchange student from the human world, just like you. Nice to meet you, Ivy."
                          
Ivy took her phone. "Charmed. Are you really human?"
                          
"Haha, good question. Honestly, there are times when even I'm not so sure. Long ago, I obtained a ring of wisdom--a gift from a certain someone in a VERY high position. And, drunk on its power, I used it to form pacts with 72 different demons, becoming a wicked sorcerer... That is, if you believe all the stories people tell about me. Regardless, I'm fairly sure that I am indeed still human, though it may not seem like it... Uh-oh. I better get going. See you around, Ivy. Take care of yourself."
                          
Ivy decided to head to class. Best let Libra take care of them. She was NOT going to be sorry for the casualties they received.
                          
As Ivy headed that way, she saw Lucifer approach her. "Good morning, Ivy. You've become quite the celebrity here, haven't you?"
                          
Ivy turned to him. "Good morning, sir."
                          
"Looks like you made it through the night without being eaten. Good for you. Still, there's no guarantee that you'll make it to tomorrow. Was that Solomon I saw you talking with earlier? You and he are the only two students from the human world here. Seeing as you're both human, it's fine if you associate with him, but know that he can't be trusted. He may be a mere human, but he has a ring imbued with wisdom, and he wields powerful magic. He's the type of man who will try to subjugate even a powerful, greater demon if he gets the chance."
                          
Ivy was reminded of what Leviathan said.
                          
-Flashback-
                          
"Lucifer has something that Mammon wants, something that he'd kill to get. I'm referring to Mammon's credit card, which Lucifer took away from him... Hey, I see that look on your face, and I know what you're thinking. 'A credit card? Pff, why would he care so much about something like that?'"
                          
"It is kind of stupid, Levi. You can not deny it."
                          
"Well, you've got no idea just how much he depends on that thing. Let's see, what did he used to call it again? 'My one true love'? It was something like that. It was like he thought it was a woman. He probably named it. I bet he even slept with it. Gross. That idiot used it constantly. Never stopped. Eventually, Lucifer had enough of his behavior, so he confiscated it. There's nothing Mammon wouldn't do if it meant getting his credit card back, I'm sure of it. So, listen up. I want you to talk to Lucifer and find out where he's hidden it. Of course, he can't suspect anything. You've got to be subtle, like it happened to come up naturally. Make sure you do a good job, or else!"
                          
"Subtle is my middle name, Levi."
                          
-End of Flashback-
                          
"What is it, Ivy? Is there something you wanted to ask me?"
                          
Ivy took a deep breath. This was it. "I'd like to know more about Mammon."
                          
"Mammon? Why do you want to know about him all of a sudden? Still, I guess it's only natural, considering he's the one assigned to look after you. Mammon is my brother. I don't want to say anything unkind about him. So, I'll try to be sparing in my criticism. *ahem* He's pure scum. The scummiest sort of scum. Pure, unfiltered, disgusting scum to the point that I'm embarrassed to call him a fellow demon, much less my brother... So, any particular reason you asked, or were you just curious?"
                          
"What sort of weaknesses does Mammon have?"
                          
"Are you implying that you think I know his weaknesses, and can exploit them when I like? Because I suppose that is true in a way. However, that's not the only reason he can't say no to me. As long as we're on the subject, it just so happens that I've taken one particular weakness of his and frozen it. *bell* That's the first bell. Class is about to start. Time to get going. You'd better hurry too. You don't want to be late on your first day here."
                          
Frozen, huh?