Chapter 275

chapter 7 doodles + a quick thought of levan?

i think it's very interesting that Malleus' name is a reference to the book Malleus Maleficarum, which outlined the dangers of sorcery and witchcraft, that was written by some guy name Heinrich Kramer. haha. not to be a lore nerd rn but........

boyfriend hoodie

i have this. reikao fic prompt that has been sitting in my drafts for nearly a year now which is like. kaoru attempting to flirt rei by doing things you would only see in some cliche shoujo manga (because kaoru is an avid shoujo manga reader like the nerd he is!!!!!!). maybe one day i'll get to finish it and upload it on ao3. but it's basically like:

koga: are you trying to seduce sakuma-senpai using cliché shoujo manga scenarios

kaoru: *silent*

koga:

koga: you got to be fucking kidding me

Recent main story updates have inspired me to make this evil freshmen relationships chart to visualize how I imagine their stuff lmao

Adeuce to Aceyuu one is inspired by the contents of the book 7 dreams

For the Malleus Silver one it's less of how it actually is and more both sharing the same thought about the other

Ortho didn't fit anymore + there was lowkey no point in putting him because it would only be "friends" for mostly everyone here and that's not evil enough

“Be careful. Don’t hit it again.” Chu Wanning’s voice was deep, like porcelain submerged in a creek, steady and dignified. It would have been a striking voice to listen to, if one weren’t listening to it through a shroud of hatred.” 

most important part of the writing process actually is when you loop a single song on max volume and stare at the word document and imagine the characters doing things for 14 hours. this is known as getting in the zone

Pacing Through Sentence Length in Writing

You ever notice how a scene can feel like it’s dragging or speeding up based solely on the length of the sentences? Sentence length isn't just a technical detail—it’s a pacing tool. When used right, it can control the speed and tension of your story. Here’s how:

Short Sentences = Speed, Tension, Impact

Short, snappy sentences are like quick breaths, instantly pulling the reader’s attention. They mimic fast action, nervous energy, or urgent thoughts. They create momentum. Think of action scenes or emotional moments—often, less is more.

Example: The door slammed shut. His heart raced. She was gone.

In just three sentences, you feel the urgency, the chaos, and the emotional weight of the moment. It’s all about breaking up the narrative with these quick hits to keep the reader on edge.

Long Sentences = Build-up, Reflection, Depth

On the flip side, long sentences slow things down, adding complexity, reflection, or tension. They’re great for moments of introspection, world-building, or setting a scene in rich detail. These sentences create a flow, pulling the reader into the character’s headspace or the atmosphere of the moment.

Example: The wind howled through the narrow alley, carrying the distant sounds of a city that never seemed to sleep, never seemed to rest, and in that eternal hum, he wondered, not for the first time, if he would ever find peace here or if, like everyone else who tried to escape the shadows, he would simply become another part of the city’s endless noise.

Here, the length of the sentence mimics the complexity of the thoughts—heavy, reflective, almost hypnotic. It builds tension not with action but with an overwhelming feeling of being stuck or trapped in thought.

Combining Both = Dynamic Flow

The real magic happens when you mix short and long sentences. This creates a rhythm—suddenly, a break in the flow, a quick shock, and then back to a longer, more drawn-out moment. It reflects real life: quick bursts of action or emotion followed by moments of pause or thought.

Example: He reached for the door. It was locked. His heart pounded, each beat a reminder of how badly he needed this. There were no other options. There was no way out. The key could be anywhere. And he could not afford to wait any longer.

TL;DR:

Long sentences = build tension, create depth, set mood. Short sentences = ramp up urgency, show action, make an impact. Mastering this flow is a game-changer for pacing!