A few days later…
I headed towards the entrance of Deruzogedo Demon Kind Academy wearing the uniform that an owl delivered to me yesterday.
Today is the first day of school and many students are passing through the front gate.
On my way in I noticed that there were 2 kinds of uniforms. I'm wearing a white uniform but some others are wearing black.
At first glance, I'd say its split about 50-50 and does not seem to be affected by school year.
There also appear to be a number of different school badges.
My badge is a cross but I've also seen a triangle, a rectangle, a pentagram and a hexagram.
The thing is I haven't seen anyone else apart from me with a cross. Also, it feels like I'm being stared at.
Most of the people looking seemed human and their gazes seemed interested.
It didn't seem like I was stared at this much during the entrance exam. Whatever, no point thinking about it too deeply.
If there actually is something I'll find out soon enough.
As I enter the grounds I spot a huge bulletin board and head on over.
Aah, its the listings for the freshmen.
There's my name and my classroom is in the 2nd training ground.
This is my castle after all so I know where it is. I head off up the stairs towards my classroom.
I open the door and enter the 2nd training ground.
Desks and chairs are lined up and all the students look at me.
Fumu. As expected, I'm attracting attention.
Whatever. We'll all be studying together from now on in the same class.
I'm not accustomed to such things but I heard that first greeting are very important.
Let's impress them with how good natured and friendly I am.
With a full on smile and a fresh voice, I speak out.
"Good morning everyone! I'll be ruling this class! Anyone who defies me will be slaughtered!"
Fumu. Something like that?
Hmm. Somehow it feels like everyone is pulling away from me and the air has become heavy. Was my voice not friendly enough? Me of all people? Perhaps I'm a bit more nervous than I thought on my first day?
Out of all the gazes being sneaked in my direction, there was one set of dignified eyes that were not timid at all.
Platinum blonde hair and a body wrapped in a white uniform. It was Misha.
I walk over to her seat.
"Yo."
When I greeted her, Misha turned her cold gaze to me and paid me attention.
"…Morning…"
"Is next to you okay?"
"…Nn…"
Pulling up a chair I sit down next to Misha. There's something I want to ask her.
"My joke just. How was it?"
Misha tilted her head to one side.
"…Joke?"
"Killing anyone who defies me."
Of course, I wasn't serious. In the age of myths, it lightened many a rooms mood. [A joke…] My subordinates used to talk about it all the time.
"…I think it will be misunderstood…"
Damn, I see. A different era strikes again.
I should have learnt from the entrance exam and taken more care but it just came out.
"Should I better familiarise myself with the class a bit more first?"
"…Nn…"
I can still feel peoples gazes though.
"I feel like I've been looked at all morning. Do you know why?"
"…Because of the rumour…"
"About me? What is it?"
"…Not angry…?"
"Do I look angry? What have I got to be angry over?"
"…Your mark…"
Misha points to my school badge.
"It shows the results of your magic power measurement and aptitude test."
"Ohh, that's why they are different. How are they classified?"
"Polygon. The more sides the better the result."
I see. So triangle, rectangle and pentagram being the best?
[Editor : I had trouble with the badges bit but I think that all the badges have a hexagram on them and then a further triangle, rectangle or pentagram to show your ability.]
"My badge doesn't have a hexagram at all and its a cross?"
I don't even get a triangle?
"…It's the first time in the history of the Demon King Academy that mark has been given…"
"What does it mean?"
"Inept person…" Misha says in an indifferent tone.
[Editor: A more direct translation would be a nonconformist or incompatible person.]
"The Demon King Academy is an institute that raises the next generation of Demon Emperors. Only those from the Demon King Tribe are admitted."
Because I had the time I checked up on the school. Only the original Demon King which is me can be called Demon King. Others must be called Demon Emperors. The Demon King Tribe is those mazoku that have the blood of the founder in them.
"No one from the Demon King Tribe has been judged inept until now. Arnos is the first."
Misha stopped for a moment and then continued.
"Therefore, the rumour."
Fumu. I don't understand how you can judge the aptitude of the Demon King but to push the mark of an inept person onto the genuine founder can only mean that the inspection method is wrong.
I had thought that I would be found out by the other side as soon as I entered the academy. It seems the mazoku have degenerated much much further than I thought.
"I can understand failing the magic power measurement as my magic power is too much and it broke the machine but I should have got a perfect score on the aptitude test."
"…Confident…?"
"Yeah."
Answer the name of the founder, the feelings of the founder, all the questions were about me.
How can I make a mistake?
No…..wait.
"Hey, Misha. Can you tell me the founders name?"
Misha is still expressionless but she blinked at me.
"…You must not call out the awe-inspiring name of the founder…"
"My name?"
"....Arnos...."
"Full name?"
"Arnos Voldigod."
I see.
"Hang on."
I put my hand on Misha's head. She doesn't seem to mind particularly and is looking at me in curiosity.
"What are you doing?"
"Please think of the name of the founder."
"…Nn…"
I read Misha's thoughts.
A name emerged.
Demon King of Tyranny Avos Dillheavia
"…Who's that…?"
"Strange?"
"That name is wrong."
Misha shook her head.
"…Is correct. There is no one from the Demon King Tribe who would get the name of the Demon King wrong."
"Do you fear the name of your founder that much?"
Misha nods.
"I see."
In other words, because they were afraid to say my name over 2000 years they have forgotten my true name and handed down the wrong name.
What a stupid story.
Thinking carefully Liorg said that origin magic risked your life. I understand what he meant now. He used me as his origin but because my name is wrong he truly did risk his life.
Because my name has changed when I thought it I was wrong.