A few days later--
In front of me there was the nostalgic view of my castle main gates.
My castle was made from a three dimensional solid magic formation so even after 2000 years it's still in good shape. Though in some odd places it is showing its age compared to when I was last alive.
The only thing that really changed is that its made into a demon king academy...
Looking at the surroundings, i can see there are people entering the main gate one after another.
Are they all candidates who came to take an entrance examination?
"Arnos-chan, be firm and stay strong..."
Although it was not necessary, but when my parents got to know that there was an entrance examination they came to school with me.
"You, that, he, he, hehe, retain a calm mind!"
My father is muttering nonsensical things.
"No, can you calm down father."
"A, ou, you seem to be okay."
"Un un. Our Arnos-chan is so strong after only a month. He will definitely pass!"
Naturally, no other demon have turned up with their parents.
I'm slightly ashamed by the surrounding gazes.
"I'm off then."
I turn and head off towards the row of mazoku queued up in front of the front gate.
"Good luck, do your best Arnos! Good luck, do your best Arnos!"
Hmmm. My father is embarrassing...….
Is this what human parents are like? I must admit it doesn't feel bad at all, just a bit embarrassing.
"Hurray, hurray Misha! Fighto, fighto Misha!"
Another embarrassing cheer that wasn't from my father could be heard from behind.
A quick glance showed me a bearded, stern-faced man raising his fists in the air and yelling.
The blood of the demon is mixed but seems quite weak in him. About the same as my dad maybe? That means he could be a human being as well.
Ahead of the embarrassing man's gaze is an expressionless girl. She's very pretty with blue eyes, a straight nose and an innocent facial expression. Long platinum blonde hair with fluffy ringlets cascades from her head.
She's wearing robes coloured in black and white. The embroidery and design seem to be of devils origin. If that's the case perhaps my parents may not be human like me. Well, my mother might be demon anyway.
"Good luck, do your best Arnos! Good luck, do your best Arnos!"
Just as I enter the main gate I can hear my father again.
That girl turns to look at it strangely and chased my father's gaze and looked at me.
"Ah…."
Our eye's just met.
"We both have hardships it seems."
When I speak she lets out a shy little laugh as if it was funny.
".....Hmm...….."
The girl gave short concent.
Is she a poor talker? Taciturn perhaps? Doesn't seem like she'll say anything more.
"I'm Arnos. Arnos Voldigod."
After I spoke I wondered if I had done the right thing. That's the name of the founder of the devil. On one hand I don't want to cause a scene but on the other hand, I don't see any reason to hide it either.
Well, it doesn't really matter. Now or later, it makes little difference.
".....Misha...."
Unexpectedly she didn't react to my name.
"....Misha Necron....."
I wonder why she didn't show any interest? Saying that, it's better this way.
2000 years have passed. I can't imagine anyone here will be interested in demon king Arnos.
"My best regards Misha."
"...….Nn...…."
Another short reply.
As I was about to enter the gate a man stepped in front of me.
He had swarthy skin, a forged steel like body, short cut white hair and appeared to be somewhere in his 20's.
He had a smile that just screamed bad intentions.
"Ha? Taking the admission test with your parents. When did the demon king academy become a playground for children?"
Hmmm. Who's this fellow?
"...….Oi, is that?"
"Aah….this is getting ugly for that guy...The arrogant Zepes eyes caught them. I wonder if that guy will keep all his limbs...….?"
Apparently, this chap is famous.
Putting him aside for the moment, does this queue extend all along the right-hand side? I'm sure that's where the arena was.
I see. They must be doing the entrance exam in there.
"Are you good at fighting Misha?"
".....Not really...."
I guess fighting's not her strong point. Well, since things have become peaceful that's fine.
We headed over to the right and joined the queue.
"Hey you.....!! Wait I'm talking to you, you bastard!!"
I turned around to look since it was so noisy behind.
That man from a while ago was glaring at me with killing intent.
"Hmph. You finally turned around."
Yare yare. My descendants appear to be lacking in manners. (1)
Should I chastise him a little?
"My bad. Your magical power was so small, I couldn't see you."
"Wha....what did you say!?"
The man's eyes turned furious almost immediately.
"This one is the Demon duke Zepes Endou and you knowingly insult me?"
"Demon duke.....? No, never heard of that . Are you famous?"
Aah, I see. This nickname must have been born sometime during the last 2000 years.
"Hey! you bastard if you're going to Apologise this is the time."
What an awfully cold voice.
Zepes glares at me with merciless eyes and makes a fist. Particles of magic power gather and a magic formation is drawn.
two, three, four…five magic circle formations.
He opened his hand and condensed jet back flame sprang from his palm.
"Wha.....!?"
"Were you surprised? Good. Will you beg for your life now! I'll forgive you if you're willing to lick my boots. If not I'll use this dark flame that can burn even the gods called Demon Fire
Wha, wha....what type of low-level magic is this? He drew five magic circles for this low level demon flame
Of course I'm surprised. He spoke in such an exaggerated and grand manner yet I've just been shown magic that's inferior to a child playing with matches.
To think that magic degenerated this much...Despite being my descendant he's not blessed with magic power at all. Poor chap.
"Fuu."
"….What….the....Impossible!! That's impossible!!"
I blew the demon flame
"Bastard, Bastaaaaaard.....What did you do!!"
"Why are you surprised? I just blew a match flame out with my breath."
"My demon flame
In the first place, the usage of magic power is fundamentally different between me and Zepes.
This fellow frantically scrapes together magic power and forcefully uses it. I naturally have it all around and can spontaneously use it.
If you couldn't do that in the age of mythology your death was certain.
No, I suppose that the peace at any price mindset has caused the degradation of magic, however, this could be a good age to live in. Demons that were weak can speak in such a grand manner now.
"Bastard...such an insult...don't think that you can return alive now."
Doesn't this fellow understand the difference in our levels?
"Wait a minute."
When I spoke, the body of Zepes stiffened like he'd been paralysed.
"...What's wrong?"
"Wha….I can't move...what have you done!?"
Oh, I see. Magic power is naturally attached to my words so I must have cast compulsion on him.
To be this easily caught by the power of words. He must have very weak anti-magic abilities.
"Oh well. Please stand there and reflect for a while."
Zepes looked apologetic as soon as I finished speaking.
"All those things I said… What have I done?...I shouldn't have spoken those horrible things to a person I just met …..If there is a hole...I want to climb in. How can I apologise for what I've done?"
Zepes carried on reflecting while standing there like a scarecrow.
The voices of the other applicants from earlier were murmuring again.
"That's amazing. That guy made Zepes apologise."
"Aah, did you see? He extinguished that demon flame. He must be a master at anti-magic."
"I've never seen his face before. He might be the dark horse of the chaotic age."
So exaggerated.
I moderated my voice though. Even that fellow should be able to undo my compulsion in about 10 minutes or so.
"I'm sorry to keep you waiting. Shall we go?"
I called out to Misha who was waiting for me and we began walking.
"....Arnos...." She calls out to me in a small voice.
"What?"
"....Strong....?"
I couldn't help laughing.
"There's no denial, but in this case, it's not appropriate."
She leans her head to one side in puzzlement.
".....Why not appropriate?"
"That guy was too weak."
We passed into the arena where the examination was taking place.