"Today begins lessons with the rest of the faculty. Some of you not speaking up or paying attention is unforgivable. It's the attitude of someone with a death wish."
"That's all. Prepare yourselves and head to the class tower."
Next to the tower, a glass-walled room welcomed in the morning sun. This was Demon Biology.
"Pleasure to meet you, you little misfits. Welcome to the Plant Tower. I'm Professor Suzie Stolas, and I'll be handling this class," she announced with a regal smile.
"Today's task: bloom a flower using your magic. Hold your hand toward the bud and say Cuan Cuan. Channel your magical energy and imagine its form."
While the others immediately followed instructions, I crossed my arms and began thinking—what kind of flower did I want to make?
From the upper floors, whispers floated down.
"Is that the scholarship student? Is he one of the 'Big Three'?"
The 'Big Three'—Iruma, Alice, and me—thanks to our magical feats and high test scores.
Alice leaned closer to us.
"Those are upperclassmen. They're here because of the ranking announcements."
"Look, the Student Council."
"They never show up for underclass stuff. What gives?"
"Hey, Cale, isn't your sister the student council president?" Alice asked.
I gave a lazy nod.
"EHH?! She's the president?!" Iruma gasped.
"Fits her. She's insanely strict. And the council? They plan events and discipline rogue demons. At least that's what my sister does."
"Cool..." Iruma nodded.
"Behold! I will show them the power of the future Demon King!" Sabnock roared, interrupting everything.
He raised his hand toward the pot. "Cuan Cuan!"
The plant that burst forth began devouring its own pot.
"Tremble! This is my god of destruction!"
"Grade: B+," Professor Stolas announced calmly.
"WHAT?!" Sabnock exploded.
I stepped up next. "Cuan Cuan!"
My plant took the shape of a massive coconut cannon.
"As Demon King-in-training, you should be able to handle this," I told Sabnock, aiming it at him.
He started to monologue—then thunk! A flaming coconut nailed him in the gut and launched him out of the room.
"A+," the professor said with a smirk.
Cheers erupted.
Iruma watched, awestruck. "So much magic... and everyone's is different."
Curious, I tugged a string at the back of my cannon. BOOM Another coconut fired, sending Sabnock further.
Iruma lifted his hand. A soft blue glow formed—then erupted into a towering cherry blossom tree.
"Holy crap... should've stayed back," I muttered, clinging to a branch as it shot upward.
From that day on, a sakura bloomed in a corner of Babyls.
"President! The scholarship boy did something incredible!" a student council member said.
"Those blossoms exist only in the human world..." Ameri murmured, eyes narrowing.
"Human?"
"Summon Cale. I need to talk to him."
She opened her office door to find me lounging in her chair, feet on her desk.
"Why did you call me? I had to leave my familiars with Clara. They didn't want to come."
"This is serious. It's about Iruma."
"Aw, and here I thought you missed your little brother."
"Cale."
"Fine, fine. Spill."
She told me her theory: "I think Iruma is human."
"You sure?"
"He never flies to school, even during the flight test. He knows nothing of demon culture. And today... he grew a cherry blossom."
I leaned back, unconvinced. "Maybe he has tiny wings. Or Sullivan has a secret family. Or he has access to high-level info, being the grandson of one of the greats."
I stood up. "But if you're so determined, investigate quietly. No gossip. Oh, and I saw your stash of forbidden romance novels. Also, I borrowed cookies from your drawer. Bye."
I left her dumbfounded and made my way back.
At the tree, Clara and my three spirits were splattered in paint, the trunk covered in colorful handprints and pawprints.
I sighed. "You guys never make it easy..."
Time to drag them to the bath.
Just another day at Babyls—chaotic, magical, and full of secrets.
[To be continued...]