"Cale, wake up! You're going to be late!" Ameri shouted from the doorway.
I opened my eyes to the familiar ceiling of my room. My body refused to move. The only silver lining to mornings like this? No human alarm clocks.
I shuffled out of bed in my hamburger slippers—yes, actual hamburgers. Kira blinked at me from the pillow, judging me with the same silent disdain he reserved for bad weather and cold soup.
Scooping him up, I dragged myself to the bathroom. After freshening up and throwing on my usual outfit, I headed downstairs for breakfast—only to realize I was already running late.
As I flew toward Babyls, the brisk air helped clear my mind. Today was the big announcement: the new class assignments were going up.
Upon arrival, I went straight to the bulletin board.
"Wow, Sullivan really went all out with this design. Neon lights and sparkles? Someone had fun."
Only problem—I had no clue where my new class was.
"Maybe divine guidance wouldn't hurt..."
I clasped my hands in mock prayer, eyes closed. "Oh Great One, guide this lost lamb."
A pause. Silence.
Then—woosh—a glowing arrow of light appeared in midair.
"Heh. Amen."
I followed the magical arrow through winding halls and forgotten stairwells, eventually arriving at what looked like a moldy wooden door nestled in a cave.
"Really? This is the place?"
I opened the door with Kira still in my arms, only to be greeted by a volley of flying weapons. With a swift kick, I deflected most of them—thank you, Opera's brutal training. (Though I could still feel last Tuesday's bruise from getting launched into a stone wall.) A stray spear grazed Kira's cheek. In response, he burst with lightning, zapping every student in the room.
"WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?!" Kalego stormed in.
Kira immediately dove into my coat, trembling.
"Cale! Look what you did to Lord Iruma!" Alice snapped.
"Calm down, Alice. It wasn't his fault," Iruma said, trying to smooth things over. "Kira just got startled."
"Look, Iruma! I've got an afro!" Clara giggled, her hair poofed up from the shock.
"SILENCE!" Kalego roared, instantly shutting everyone up.
"You've all been placed in this class for causing trouble. Now line up for roll call."
He listed the names:
Agares Picero
Asmodeus Alice
Allocer Schneider
Andro M. Jazz
X Elizabetta
Valac Clara
Ciam Camui
Garp Goemon
Crocell Keroli
Shax Lead
Sabro Sabnock
Purson Soi
Cale Azazel
Iruma Suzuki
"You problem children will now participate in a Flag Race. The summoning ritual and this race will determine your rank. The goal is to retrieve a flag from the cliff beyond the valley."
I cracked my knuckles. If I nailed this, I'd dodge exams and secure sweet freedom. Plus, being top rank had a nice ring to it.
"Ready? Go!"
Everyone launched into the sky. I channeled Kira's electricity to my legs and rocketed ahead. I skimmed over peaks and dodged carnivorous plants; heat flared around me, burning back the vines that reached for my ankles.
I reached the cliff first. Kalego gave a terse nod of approval.
Alice showed up carrying Clara, followed by the rest. As the sun dipped low, two names were still missing. Kalego erased them from the roster.
"CLASS DISMISSED! Those who don't finish—are forgotten."
A gust of wind howled. Everyone turned.
"That's the Murder Valley Guardian!"
Riding on its back were Iruma and Sabnock. It dropped them off gently and flew off.
Kalego glared at them, unimpressed, but moved on.
"Now for your rankings. This owl has recorded all your actions. Reach into its pouch for your medal."
Alice pulled out a Dalet (Rank 4). I followed, receiving the same.
"As expected from you two," Kalego muttered.
"Nobility is amazing!" Lead cheered.
"And so are the handsome ones!" Elizabetta chimed.
Most others drew Rank 1 or 2. Clara, surprisingly, got a Gimmel (Rank 3). Lucky, I guess.
Iruma stepped forward. Everyone held their breath.
"Finally Iruma's turn!" Clara beamed.
He reached into the owl's pouch—only for the creature to squawk violently and take off.
"EH?! PIO?!" Kalego shrieked.
A black ring shimmered in Iruma's hand.
"That's the Ring of Solomon!" Sabnock exclaimed.
Chaos erupted as black flames surged from the ring. Kalego tried to contain it—until Sullivan appeared, smiling, and neutralized the storm with ease.
In the end, the ring wouldn't come off. Iruma was assigned Rank Aleph (1).
I crossed my arms and smirked. "A talking ring, black flames, and divine chaos... Iruma really knows how to make an entrance."
And so, our first official lesson came to an end.
Who knows what surprises Babyls will throw at us next?