Once the three troublemaking demons had completely vanished, Iruma finally stood up and stretched his limbs, casually brushing dust from his sleeves like nothing had happened.
Asmodeus, arriving fashionably late, bowed his head deeply in shame.
"My deepest apologies, Lord Iruma. I arrived too late!"
Iruma placed his hands on his hips and waved dismissively, his tone relaxed.
"No big deal, no big deal~ But there is something I need you to do."
Asmodeus's eyes lit up. A mission! A chance to redeem himself and prove his loyalty!
"I shall not fail you!"
Iruma smirked and added casually:
"It's nothing too serious. Just go find those idiots who harassed Clara, and have each one personally say the words, 'I swear never to touch her again.' Simple, right?"
"Consider it done!"
Without another word, Asmodeus bolted back into the school, conducting a "friendly" interrogation of every suspect—and delivering a polite yet unforgettable beatdown.
Echoes of blasts, screams, and chaos soon rang through the campus halls.
Not long after, Asmodeus returned, bowing as if before royalty.
"As you commanded, my Lord, I have acquired verbal confirmation from every demon who harassed Miss Valac. Each one has vowed: 'I'll never lay a hand on her again!'"
His white formal suit, once pristine, was now scorched and shredded—burns, blade marks, the works. But his eyes still shone with unwavering pride.
Iruma chuckled.
"Not bad, Az. That was quick."
He had watched the whole process from a distance. He hadn't expected so many scumbags, but every one of them had ended up crawling away in agony, whispering the same frightened promise.
Even Yu, who got extra punishment, was just entertainment at this point. After school, it would be Iruma's turn with him.
"Phew~"
With a gentle breath, Iruma released a stream of healing magic. Asmodeus's wounds instantly vanished, his suit restored to its former elegance. Even his drained mana was replenished.
Asmodeus blinked, stunned. Wait… is there even such magic that can do all that in one go?
"BANG!"
Before he could process it, a green blob smacked him square on the head.
Asmodeus staggered, dizzy from the impact. His vision spun wildly as he almost toppled over.
The culprit stood proudly nearby—Clara, lugging a bucket brimming with colorful slime bombs.
"YOU LITTLE—!" Asmodeus growled through clenched teeth.
Clara just giggled and handed Iruma a squishy gray slime.
"This one's for you, Iruma-chan~ Slime paint bomb! Hold on tight!"
Iruma grinned as he held it. It fit perfectly in his hand, unlike how it nearly overflowed from Clara's.
"This is… kinda fun!"
Asmodeus felt his soul leave his body. He's actually enjoying this?!
Clara lifted another slime bomb triumphantly.
"Loser buys juice!"
Then, like a two-headed sniper, she went wild, launching slime after slime directly at Asmodeus.
Now fully healed, Asmodeus barely managed to dodge—but he was still the only one getting hit.
Iruma retaliated with slime bombs of his own, aiming for Clara. Even with his tall, lean frame, he was a big enough target to get splattered too.
After a chaotic and messy battle, Iruma finally surrendered and bought them both juice.
After all… always winning with cheats just feels lame. The only time it's truly satisfying to crush someone is when they're an enemy.
School ended soon after.
As the trio approached the gates, Iruma suddenly stopped.
Both Clara and Asmodeus turned back, confused.
"Something wrong, Lord Iruma?"
"What's up, Iruma-chan?"
Iruma shook his head calmly.
"It's nothing. I just remembered I have something else to take care of. You two go ahead."
They hesitated, but then nodded and left. Only Asmodeus looked back, sensing Iruma's intention.
He's not done yet.
"Now then… where are they…?"
Iruma focused, searching for the unique energy signatures he'd memorized the first day he met the three scumbags.
"Ah—gotcha."
Wings unfurled, Iruma launched into the air with such speed and force that other flying demons were nearly blown from the sky.
"Who the hell is that?!"
"He's insane!"
"That's the Special Scholar—Iruma!"
"Oh. Forget I said anything…"
Even just flying, he inspired awe—and fear. The strength gap between them was becoming obvious.
"He's going through all this for that annoying girl Clara?! He's insane!"
"She's just a clingy mutt of a demon! Why's she being protected like that?!"
Meanwhile, the Yu Trio, beaten and bruised, were heading home and grumbling about the "stupid weather."
"Damn wind. What kind of storm is this?!"
"And that Special Scholar Iruma and his lapdog Asmodeus—screw them both!"
They had no idea the real storm was about to hit.
A monstrous shadow fell over them. The sky darkened.
Iruma landed silently behind them, his wings folded, arms outstretched.
He pulled them all close like a friend—and smiled.
"So what's up with those two? I'd love to hear more. Mind filling me in, Yu?"
Terror exploded inside them. Their mouths couldn't move. Their thoughts blanked.
Especially Yu and his buddy—the ones who had run their mouths the most. The third demon, slightly off to the side, was lucky: Iruma just held him. But the other two… were in trouble.
Still smiling, Iruma leaned in.
"Come on, don't go quiet now. You had so much to say about Clara, right?"
"Who was it you said acted like a dog?"
He opened his eyes.
Golden pupils, slit like a serpent's. Black-and-gold sclera radiating chaotic power.
Demonic horns curled from his head. A jagged, spine-like tail wrapped tightly around one of the demons—its razor edges slicing into his uniform, threatening to shred him if he so much as flinched.
To make sure no one interfered, Iruma severed the surrounding space. No one could see in. No one would hear a thing.
He turned back to Yu.
"Still not talking?"
He raised one finger.
Without touching him, the wind pressure alone blasted Yu's companion into the distance—through trees, across the forest, gone.
Even thick-rooted demon trees were torn from the ground in his wake.
Iruma tilted his head, voice calm.
"See, I'm the kind of demon who holds grudges. Especially when someone messes with what's mine."
Yu tried to beg.
"L-Lord Iruma, wait—"
Too late.
Iruma's fist met his stomach.
BOOM!!!
A shockwave like a horizontal tornado ripped through the forest, turning already damaged terrain into a wasteland.
The demon still trapped in Iruma's tail dared not move. Just watching was enough to make him forget how to breathe.
Iruma stared coldly at what remained.
Then calmly uttered a single word.
"Restore."