[Royal One Classroom – New Term Briefing Begins]
With Shax Lied still spinning gently in the air like a disgruntled wind chime, Naberius Kalego stepped up to the front of the class.
"Silence."
The murmurs stopped instantly.
Kalego summoned a scroll with a single snap of his fingers. It unfurled magically, floating in front of the blackboard. Each line shimmered with sharp golden script that pulsed ominously.
"As we begin the new term," he said, "take note of these critical events scheduled in the coming months."
He pointed with a gloved finger.
Harvest Festival – Combat & Survival Evaluation
Music Festival – Performance & Creativity TestRank
Advancement Exams – Academic & Practical
Kalego's gaze swept the classroom like a hawk circling prey.
"These events are not optional. Each is tied directly to your progression as demons. Given the unique circumstances of the Royal One's reactivation, you are all under close observation by faculty and administration alike."
"Ohhh, that's a full lineup!" Clara whispered loudly to Iruma, her pigtails bouncing. "Maybe I'll play my nose-flute at the music thing!"
"Please don't," came a whisper from Goemon, already rubbing his temples.
Asmodeus Alice raised a hand, face composed and tone clear:
"Sensei. Given the number of upcoming challenges, am I correct in assuming there are ample opportunities to increase our ranks?But our rank is already high."
"Some of you might be exceptions, but not all. As for the competition—you're all in. Even the high-rankers like Iruma, Rank 5."
Kalego gave a curt nod.
"Correct. The school is offering you every tool to ascend your rank—be it through battle, wit, artistry, or teamwork. However…"
His expression darkened.
"…should any of you fail to reach Dalet rank by the end of this term—"
He slammed the scroll closed with a BANG.
"—you will be ejected from the Royal One classroom immediately. No exceptions."
The room fell into cold silence.
Even Lied, still hanging, let out a small squeak.
Lied, sitting up straighter now, felt the weight of responsibility settle on his shoulders. Dalet… That's a full rank above… I really have to step up this time.
"So it begins. Well i just love competitive. I must defeat Iruma in this one." Sabnock cracked his knuckles.
"Tch. Fine by me." Jazz leaned back. "Been itching for a challenge."
"I will ," Asmodeus declared, fire in his eyes. "And I will ensure Iruma-sama."
"Wait... I'm included in that too?!" Iruma blinked.
"Of course."
"And meee!" Clara clung to Iruma's back like a sticker.
Kalego gave a final, sharp glare.
"Dismissed for now. Use your time wisely. The clock is ticking."
--
[Royal One Classroom – Special Class Order Announcement]
Kalego held up a single hand, stopping the rumbling discussions.
"Enough. You are not like the other classes. You are the Misfit Class—granted the privilege of the Royal One classroom. As such, you will also face special conditions."
With a cold, deliberate motion, he placed a pair of large noise-cancelling ear protectors on his head. His lips curled downward with dread as he pulled out what looked like a small scroll from inside his coat.
"Brace yourselves."
The scroll sprang to life.
It inflated to the size of a boulder, floated into the air, and then grew glowing red eyes.
Before anyone could question it—
"!! SPECIAL CLASS ORDER !!"
BOOOOOM!!!
The scroll screamed at an earth-shattering volume, knocking papers off desks and rattling the windows. Some students clutched their ears in agony while others dove under tables.
"As the designated Misfit Class of the Royal One classroom, you are hereby ORDERED to reach Rank Daleth (4) or higher by the end of the academic year!"
Gasps echoed throughout the room.
"Rank 4?! That's basically graduation level!!" Shax Lied cried out, now dangling upside down and spinning faster from the vibrations.
"I just got to Rank 3 last term!!" Goemon groaned, shaking the dust from his ponytail.
"This is outrageous," Allocer muttered, adjusting his glasses. "There's no precedent for an entire class of first-years being pushed to Rank Daleth in one year."
"It's basically asking us to become upperclassmen in one term," Jazz added, crossing his arms.
Kalego, now protected by his ear muffs, simply watched the chaos with a bored expression.
The scroll continued:
"FAILURE TO MEET THIS REQUIREMENT WILL RESULT IN TOTAL EXPULSION FROM THE ROYAL ONE CLASSROOM! THIS IS NON-NEGOTIABLE!"
At once, a collective wail erupted through the class.
"NOOO!! NOT THE OLD CLASSROOM!!"
Clara flopped dramatically onto the floor, tears shooting out like geysers. "It was so moldy!! I saw mushrooms growing on my desk!!"
Picero turned to stone in his chair, muttering, "That room drained my will to live…"
Kerori twitched. "I had to share a mirror with Clara."
"THE TRAUMA!!" Lied sobbed, finally falling from the ceiling and landing in a heap.
--
Iruma, who had stayed mostly quiet, furrowed his brow.
"Rank 5… I've already passed Daleth," he muttered. "But this means… I'll have to help the others too."
Sabro slammed his fist into his palm. "Hah! A true test of strength! Then let this be our battleground! Iruma my rival. HA HA HA HA"
Asmodeus nodded fiercely. "I shall not surpass this 'Dalet' [4] and walk below Iruma-sama toward the end."
Jazz sighed. "Well, guess we'll need to do some real grinding this term."
Purson Soi, sitting quietly in the corner, trembled slightly—being Rank 2, he had the farthest to climb. But nobody knows.
Kalego, now removing his ear protectors, spoke up again.
"You've all been given an opportunity few demons receive. Whether you rise to the challenge or return to rot in that fungal grave you once called a classroom…" he narrowed his eyes, "…depends entirely on you."
The scroll slowly rolled itself shut, its glowing eyes dimming.
"Class dismissed."
--
[Royal One Classroom – Special Tutor Announcement]
The class was still reeling from the shock of their Special Class Order when Kalego raised his hand once more, silencing the chaos.
"To assist with this ludicrous goal of elevating all of you to Rank Daleth…" his voice dripped with disdain, "…the school has arranged for special tutors to oversee your development."
"Tutors?" Clara blinked. "Like super demons?"
"More like elite specialists," Asmodeus clarified, already speculating what kind of training he'd be subjected to.
The doors of the Royal One creaked open dramatically, revealing a line of imposing, eccentric-looking demons.
"First, your physical and tactical improvement duo—"
A loud stomp echoed through the classroom. A musclebound demon in a military uniform, arms folded and chin jutting out with authority, marched in.
"Sergent Furfur. I'll be whipping some backbone into you two slackers—" he pointed at Jazz and Allocer, both of whom stiffened.
Jazz's eye twitched. "I hate this already…"
Allocer straightened his collar. "Discipline, huh? Bring it on."
--
"Next, your mental resilience and elemental focus."
A soft sobbing sound floated into the room, followed by a tall, aquatic-looking demon woman with blue gills, webbed fingers, and a large yellow beak.
"Lady Vepar," Kalego intoned, unbothered by her sniffles.
"I'll take good care of you boys," she sobbed. "You'll cry tears of growth!"
She pointed to Goemon and Picero, both Rank 3.
"W-what's with all the waterworks?" Goemon whispered nervously.
"She's… so emotional," Picero murmured, already inching toward a corner.
--
"Seduction and Presence development."
Raim-sensei, flamboyant and mysterious, twirled into the room with roses trailing behind him.
"Raim, darling. My job is to polish gems of charisma." He snapped his fingers toward Clara and Elizabetta, both of whom blinked in surprise.
"We'll unlock your irresistible charm~"
"Wha– me?" Clara tilted her head.
"This sounds… oddly fitting," Elizabetta smirked.
--
"For illusion, communication, and summoning-related training."
A refined demon with a tall yellow hat, curled mustache, and smooth voice stepped forward. He adjusted his gloves as if preparing for surgery.
"Mr. Hat, at your service."
He motioned to Kerori and Camui.
"Oh! Will this be fun?" Camui clapped excitedly.
"Please don't make me talk more than I have to," Kerori mumbled under her breath.
--
"Power amplification and combat enhancement."
The room suddenly grew warmer as Balam Shichirou, massive and beastly yet kind-hearted, entered with a smile.
"Hello, everyone! I'll be working with these two," he said, placing his paws on the shoulders of Asmodeus and Sabnock.
"Excellent. I welcome the challenge." Asmodeus nodded solemnly.
"Let's brawl!!" Sabnock grinned, teeth flashing.
-
That left only Iruma and Lied, who both looked around nervously.
"Uhh… who's left?" Lied asked.
Kalego let the question hang, a dark grin forming on his face.
"Well then… looks like I'll be—"
Before he could finish, a gust of confetti and paper birds blew through the classroom as a familiar lanky figure tumbled in, striking a bizarre pose.
"Robin-sensei, reporting for duty!"
Iruma and Lied both screamed.
"NOOOOOOOOOO!!"
"Why him?!"
"At least Iruma's here with me"
Robin smiled, oblivious to their dismay, while juggling apples with his eyes closed.
"We're gonna have so much fun bonding through the power of academic freedom!"
Kalego, sighing:"You deserve each other."
--
[Meanwhile, Outside Babyls…]
A mysterious figure in a flowing, ornate dress approached the gates of the school. Their face was obscured by a large hood, but their demonic aura was heavy, quiet, and powerfully commanding.
"So this is the school where he's growing stronger…"
Their eyes gleamed.
"…Interesting."