I walked into the academy and the inside of the front entrance was big. The school was big on the outside but it was even bigger inside!
Hmm, I might have to rephrase that.
The first thing I saw when I walked in was a large lobby-like room. There were people everywhere. There were 3 halls; two of them were medium-sized and the one in the middle was the largest one. There were fewer people going into the middle and more people going to the one on the left. I'm guessing that they all lead to the arena but I'm just gonna walk to the one on the left since mostly everyone is heading there.
When I walked forward, I was stopped by a knight. When it touched me, I felt an empty presence inside the suit of armor. This thing was animated armor.
It shook its head and pointed to the hall on the right.
I was a bit confused but I noticed that on top of the hall entrance were what looked like numbers.
The one in the middle had the numbers 7, 8, and 9 written in roman numeral. The same went for the one on the left and the one on the right except that the one on the left had the numbers 3-6 and the one on the right had 1 and 2.
So each hall is ranked by what circle we belong to? That's really discriminating, but effective.
So I guess I have to go to the one on the right, huh? Well, I guess I can do that.
I walked over to the right hall and entered.
The room I had entered wasn't filled with much people. There were also more monster-looking people than human-looking ones. When I finished examining everyone, it seems safe to say that I am the only Hybrid here. Not that it's a good thing.
Everyone seemed to be lined up and getting some kind of paper. I got on the line like everyone else did.
"Hey, isn't he the kid that picked a fight with Chakzo?"
"I heard it was stopped by Oyuki from the 7th circle. Man, she was scary, but she was also beautiful."
"I wish I had her as my wife."
"Dude, you can't say that out loud. She'll freeze your ass."
I don't know what the guys behind me were saying but all I heard was someone wanted that ice princess as his wife. Well, I'm just gonna wish him good luck.
There is a reason why I wanna pass this exam. I heard that if anyone from the third, second, and first circle managed to pass, then they are immediately placed in the fourth circle. To be honest, the conditions up here are pretty nice, better than Asphodel. Just gonna wish Cordelia good luck when I leave the house. I don't ever wanna live in that dump again.
Eventually, after a while, I got to the front. The lady in front of me would ask me what my name was. When I gave her my name, the bat familiar next to her opened its mouth and out came a piece of paper.
I took it and it had my name on it with a number. Number 13.
The lady then told me to wait till my number was called and I would proceed down towards the arena. I'm guessing I have to wait. Well, at least I have a number in the double digits and not triple digits.
For now, I'll just wait.
I walked over to an empty seat and sit down, crossing my legs.
I'd adjust my gloves which came along with the case. I got these so whenever I use Ignis and/or Brina, I don't get the chills or burns on my palms and fingers. It's also so I can grip them better. A black leather holster that can hold both Ignis and Brina also came with the case. It'll be useful for quick drawing.
Now, since my waist is gonna be occupied with my guns, I wonder how I'm gonna hold Mortel, my Katana when I fight.
Maybe on the back? It should work. I mean, I could strap it on my waist but that's just gonna get in the way when I wanna draw Ignis or Brina.
So the back it is.
While I was waiting for my number to be called, a group of large figures approached me. I looked up to see a cyclops, an orc, and a goblin. I immediately had the perfect name for them, "the ugly trio."
I couldn't help but laugh and they yelled at me.
"Hey! Get off of there!" The orc yelled.
"Yeah, we want that spot!" The goblin followed.
I looked at them but I shrugged. I didn't really wanna get up so I'm just gonna say no.
"Nah, too lazy. Don't worry though, I'll get up when I'm called and I'm not that far. What number are we on... 12? Yeah, I'm next," I answered and smiled at them.
I sensed a fist incoming and I immediately dodged.
That punch seemed to have come from the cyclops. I glared into his eye and he immediately backed up. Seems he's a quiet guy because he's not talking.
"Number 13!"
I heard my number called and I got up. Looks like the guy before me was either finished off quickly. I can tell because he didn't look strong at all.
"Well then, have fun with your seats."
Then I walked away. As I walked towards the passageway, I could hear them saying things about me but I just ignored them.
As I walked down the passageway, there was a voice.
"Welcome. I am a guide. I will proceed to tell you the requirements for passing this test," it spoke in a woman's voice.
"Alright, throw them at me."
"To pass the test, you will go through 2 stages. This is only required for participants under the third circle. The first test will be a duel against 3 random participant. It will be a random lottery so you will either get one equal to your circle or another one from a higher circle."
"Will I be facing those above the 7th?"
"Applicants from the 7th circle and above are not required to participate. However, they can if they want to but it will be rare for you to fight anyone from the 7th circle or above. What will not be rare is that you will be fighting someone from a circle above you. Please do not underestimate your opponent if you want to pass."
I see, so people from the 7th circle and above basically have a free pass into the demon academy. I'm guessing those between the 3rd and the 6th need to beat one person to pass. The second part...
"What is the second part about?" I asked the voice and it replied, "I am unable to answer that. It will be explained to you soon when you answer the first part."
Hmm, fair enough.
"Do you have any more questions?"
"Yes, is anything allowed?"
"Yes." It answered. After that, I heard nothing else.
I saw a light at the end of the corridor and walked out. When my eyes adjusted to the light, I was in a round stadium.
Above the walls were the spectators. Filling those seats were seniors that had been administered into the academy and those in the 7th, 8th, and 9th circle. There were also teachers sitting in one of those seats.
Ha, so this test is going to be overlooked by not only the teachers but also the seniors. Well, guess they just want to see those in the lower circles and younger ones murder each other. How cruel...
"Oh, it's you, huh?"
I heard a familiar voice and turned my head.
Walking towards me was the same buffed guy I met at the entrance. What a coincidence, I didn't even know I was gonna be fighting this guy. Well, he is from the 6th circle I believe. Or was it the 5th? I don't really know. Not like I care.
"Heh, good thing there are no rules. There won't be anyone saving you now!"
Saving me? Is he talking about the ice princess? What was her name again... Oyuki? I don't have any associations with her, she just interfered. This guy is just spitting out stuff.
"I don't really need saving but alright."
"Heh, don't complain once I kill you Hybrid. Oh wait, you won't be able to, cause you'll be dead."
Wow... this guy really is cocky for someone that couldn't even lift his own sword up.
"By the way, how's that arm?"
Chakzo immediately frowned and drew his large sword. I smirked.
"You won't be laughing once you taste my sword."
"Taste? No one would wanna taste that thing."
"Tch. Why don't you draw your weapons?"
"Me? My weapons? Sorry, but if you want me to bring them out, you are gonna have to force me too."
"You cocky brat."
Jeez, this guy really is toxic.
"Someone from the 2nd circle against someone from the 6th circle? It's pretty obvious who's gonna win."
"Yeah, especially if the Hybrid is from the 2nd circle. He stands no chance."
I could hear chit-chat coming from the spectators.
"Any means of winning is allowed. Only one can win by the use of making their opponents yield, or killing them," A voice similar to the voice I heard in the passageway spoke.
Killing them? Guess that means this guy isn't going to hold back. Well, not that it makes a difference.
"Are you both ready?"
Chakzo grips his weapon with both hands while I still had my weapons in my case which I was still holding.
"Begin!"
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