The forest swallowed them slowly.
The bus rolled forward at a cautious pace, its engine low and steady as towering trees rose on both sides of the dirt road. Sunlight filtered through layers of leaves, casting shifting shadows across the windows. The laughter and chatter from earlier had dulled, replaced by quieter voices and the occasional nervous glance outside.
After what had happened three kilometers ago, no one felt like joking too loudly anymore.
Hiko Shinoegami sat near the middle of the bus, hands resting on his knees, eyes fixed on the passing scenery. Every tree felt like it was watching him. Every rustle of leaves made his shoulders tense.
Around Hiko were the same classmates who had been there on his first day at Tengen High.
Goru sat across the aisle from Hiko, arms crossed, posture firm. His expression was serious, jaw tight. He hadn't relaxed since the fight with Hinorami Higuko. His eyes occasionally drifted toward Gold Prasso, who stood near the front of the bus, one hand gripping a support rail. The faint golden shimmer around Gold Prasso's cloak hadn't disappeared since the battle.
Daizen sat further back, slumped against the seat. Purple bruises still marked his face and arms despite healer magic. His pride looked more damaged than his body. He stared out the window, deliberately avoiding Hiko's direction.
Near the front, Rougen stood beside the class president, speaking in a low voice. His tone was calm, deliberate, like a commander briefing an officer. The class president listened attentively, nodding and occasionally glancing back to silently count every student.
No one was missing.
That fact alone brought a fragile sense of relief.
From the back of the bus, one of the louder students tried to force some normalcy back into the air.
"So… uh," the student muttered, letting out an awkward laugh, "anyone wanna play a game before we reach the forest camp?"
A few students turned their heads.
"What game?" another student asked cautiously.
"Truth-or-draw," the first student said. "You draw lots. If you lose, you answer a question. Secret answers only. No telling others."
There was a brief pause.
Then a girl near the window nodded. "Fine. Better than sitting in silence."
Another student shrugged. "I'm in."
Small scraps of paper were passed around. Quiet laughter followed. A few groans broke the tension when unlucky draws were revealed.
Hiko didn't participate. He simply listened.
A girl named Airi whispered her answer to the student beside her, cheeks slightly flushed.
A boy named Kenta sighed in relief after drawing an easy question.
Another student cursed under his breath when his lot forced him to answer something personal.
For a moment, it felt almost normal.
But Hiko could feel it.
The distance.
No one glared at him anymore. No one whispered insults like they once had when they noticed the Devil's Mark on his body.
Still, hesitation lingered.
Fear hadn't vanished completely.
Hero of the devils.
The title echoed in the minds of many.
Hiko clenched his fists lightly on his knees.
Inside his mind, the devil stirred.
You feel it too, Hiko.
"…Yeah," Hiko replied silently.
They don't hate you. They just don't understand you yet.
Hiko exhaled. "I don't blame them."
At the front of the bus, Gold Prasso shifted. His golden mana pulsed faintly, almost like a warning signal. His sharp eyes scanned the forest road through the windshield.
The bus slowed.
Rougen straightened and turned to face the class.
"Everyone," Rougen said, his voice steady and authoritative, "we'll be stopping soon. From this point forward, stay alert. No wandering. No unnecessary noise."
A few students groaned quietly, but no one argued.
The bus came to a halt.
The doors hissed open.
Cool forest air rushed inside, heavy with the scent of damp soil and moss.
Gold Prasso stepped down first.
The moment his boots touched the forest floor, the atmosphere changed. No explosion of light, no dramatic display—just overwhelming presence. Even the trees seemed to stand still.
Students followed one by one, forming small groups beneath towering trunks. Birds scattered. Leaves rustled nervously.
Hiko stepped down last.
For a brief moment, he stood alone.
Then Goru moved without hesitation.
Goru stopped beside Hiko and glanced at him. "Stay close," Goru said quietly. "This forest isn't forgiving."
"Thanks, Goru," Hiko replied.
They walked together as the group moved deeper into the trees.
After several minutes, Rougen raised his hand.
"This is our camp," Rougen announced. "Set up here."
Tents were unpacked. Supplies were sorted. Groups of four formed naturally, based on bonds built since Hiko's arrival at Tengen High.
There were awkward pauses.
Hiko noticed a few classmates hesitate, unsure whether to approach him.
Then a boy stepped forward.
It was Soren, one of the quieter students from Hiko's first week. He used to avoid eye contact entirely.
"H-Hiko," Soren said, rubbing the back of his neck, "we've got three already. You can join our tent… if you want."
Hiko blinked in surprise. "You're okay with that?"
Soren nodded. "Yeah. You're… reliable. And you saved people."
"I'd like that," Hiko said.
As tents rose and lanterns were lit, the forest clearing slowly filled with warmth and light. Food was cooked. Conversations resumed.
Someone laughed openly.
Someone complained about bugs biting their legs.
Someone argued loudly about whose cooking tasted worse.
Hiko sat by the fire with Goru, Soren, and another classmate, listening more than speaking.
Inside his mind, the devil remained silent.
Watching.
Later that night, Rougen stood before the class.
"Tomorrow," Rougen said, "we move again. One hundred twenty-five kilometers to the temple. This is not a test. This is not training. This is a journey."
Silence followed.
Then Gold Prasso spoke, his voice calm and absolute.
"I am the Defender of Class-1C. Sleep knowing that."
For the first time since the invasion, the students truly did.
Hiko lay inside his tent, staring up at the fabric ceiling.
Tomorrow, the real journey would begin.
And this time, he wouldn't walk it alone.
Inside his mind, the devil whispered quietly.
This is how legends begin, Hiko. Not with fear—but with forward steps.
Hiko closed his eyes.
And he rested.