Monday, October 3rd, 807
8:45 AM
It seems the cadets are in turmoil as I hear intense noises even before entering the classroom. Inside, groups have formed around specific desks, with the largest around Koto, another sizable one around Kairi, and smaller groups around Yumiko and Shiori.
They must be surprised by the results of the latest test.
As I enter, the cadets turn in my direction, approaching me. I close my eyes and pass by, unsure how to handle their attention. Soon, they redirect towards Soichiro, who arrived just after me. I go to my usual seat, slightly disappointed, ignoring everyone.
While waiting for Mary, I take out my phone and watch some funny videos online.
....
9:00 AM
Mary enters the classroom punctually. As she begins speaking, all voices hush, and attention shifts to her. She approaches the podium, scanning us before greeting: "Good morning, cadets..."
She turns on the projector, displaying images on the board.
"These are the results of the previous test, as I mentioned, not considered for ranking, so relax."
Group 1
Seiji Koto, Hyouka Kairi, Asa Seyun, Masuhiro Toki, Azka Ban
Time: 1 day and 12 hours
...
Group 4
Shin Soichiro, Kakegurui Shiori, Hanakawa Aki, Matzuo Jin, Takeo Riina
Time: 10 days and 4 hours
...
Group 8
Yu Yumiko, Tess Mercer, Yun Che, Lin Ming, Raven Finger
Time: 14 days and 8 hours
All other groups range from 30 to 60 days.
As I observe them more closely, they seem truly worn out. I wonder what demons they had to face, not to mention the conditions they had to endure.
After seeing the ranking, cadets start whispering, and I hear them clearly:
"So, it's true they passed the test in just two days."
"Even less! It's absurd!"
"It's all thanks to Seiji Koto! He's phenomenal! He'll become the greatest of Heroes!"
While eavesdropping, I'm interrupted by the cadet to my right, trying to get my attention. I look at him, silently signaling him to speak. I don't remember him; he must be a newcomer.
"You're lucky to end up in a group with him!" He says provocatively. I respond with an even bigger provocation: ~Waaaaaaan~
I throw a yawn at him as a response. I had it ready since Mary arrived, and finally, I had the perfect opportunity to showcase it. However, I think this cadet took it poorly, as he gives me a horrible look.
"Do you have a problem, huh?" He continues, seeking a confrontation.
I decide to ignore him; I have neither the time nor the desire to argue with a child.
"As soon as we leave here, I'll show you!" He insists with his childish threat.
I'm about to yawn again, but I cover it promptly with my hand.
"On Friday, there will be another self-evaluation test. This time things will be a bit different, but I'll provide more information later. As for today..." Mary begins speaking, interrupting a dispute that never really started and deciding to start the lesson.
She changes the slide. "I'll start discussing in detail the various demons that invaded Earth. I'll begin with the Technology demon."
I think... I think I'll sleep.
....
11:30 AM
I raise my head. Mary is still talking about that demon?
"... And that's why it was easily defeated. However, it was not 'annihilated.' Based on what I told you, do you understand why?"
What did she say?
Yumiko raises her hand, and Mary signals her to speak.
"Because if it were annihilated, using special weapons, all artifacts and armaments designed with its flesh would cease to function."
"Exactly, that's right. For this reason, it's kept under control in a specific facility. Like other demons with weak strength, they don't pose a significant threat to us."
Yumiko sits back down.
Imprisoning a demon isn't complicated; it's proportional to their strength, hence the fear people have of them. The Technology demon is weak because, despite many fearing technological things, it's not excessive. The fear is mostly about being controlled or other conspiracy nonsense, nothing compared to the fear of death represented by other demons.
... How boring. I wonder what Leya is doing. I should buy her a phone so we can stay in touch... just in case something happens.
The lesson continues until 12:45 PM.
"That's all for today; tomorrow, I'll talk about another demon!" Mary concludes, heading towards the exit.
As soon as she leaves the class, that cadet from before approaches me, accompanied by three others.
"I'll wait for you outside!" He declares menacingly, leaning close to my ear.
"Look, you're not my type, and besides, I'm not into that stuff..." I sarcastically reply while browsing a cooking site on my phone. I crave spaghetti... real spaghetti with sauce.
"Do you want to joke, huh?" He grabs me by the neck and pushes me against the wall near my desk.
I look into his eyes.
"No, I'm serious. I like women!" I reply with a forced smile.
He looks confused, so I seize the opportunity to wriggle free and walk towards the exit.
"Hey, wait, bastard!" He follows me, but I continue to ignore him.
Before leaving, Koto comes up to me.
"Hi Ban, want to join us for lunch?"
I see the others from the group behind him.
I look at him in surprise, then say: "No, I appreciate the invitation, but I have to decline. Thanks anyway."
"Eh?! Why not come? We're all going; you'll be the only one missing!" Toki responds, having made his way to Koto's side.
Before I can say anything, Koto intervenes: "If he's not coming, it's because he has other commitments, right?"
I nod, then wave them goodbye and leave.
I meet Seyun's gaze, pleased to see her getting along with the group.
I climb the stairs and quickly reach my room on the fifth floor. As soon as I cross the threshold, I hear Kataleya crying.
"Leya, is that you? What happened?" I ask thoughtfully. What could have happened to make her cry? Did she watch a drama?
After hearing me, she stops sobbing. I reach her in a few seconds and see her curled up in the armchair.
...
I try to stare at her, but she avoids my gaze. I decide to make my move: "Too bad... I wanted to get something delicious for lunch. But if you don't tell me anything, I'll eat alone..."
After hearing that, she stops crying and points tremblingly at the TV, so I approach it.
"What's this burnt smell?" I wonder, noticing the unusual scent in the air.
She starts sobbing again.
Maybe she saw something that frightened her and used her powers on the poor TV.
Meanwhile, I internalize the 'corpse' into the phone; I'll buy another one of the same model later.
"Did you use your powers?" I ask seeking confirmation and she nods in response.
"Not much happened, no need to be so sad!" I reassure her, gently patting her head.
Leaving her, I approach the table with one thought in mind: I'm hungry... Very hungry.
I order two extra-large portions of spaghetti with sauce from a 4-star restaurant site. Each portion costs around 150 stark, but for food, I'd do this and more.
In just two minutes, both portions materialize on the table.
"Leya, come to the table, w-w-w-w-we're eating."
Just the smell sends me into ecstasy.
Leya gets up from the chair and slowly approaches, then sits beside me. It seems this divine dish has lifted her sadness.
"W-What are these?" She asks in amazement.
"This... This... is food fit for the gods!" I reply joyfully.
"Even this???" She questions, eyes wide open, finding it hard to believe what's happening.
"Use the fork and twist it with the spoon, like I do."
As I take the first bite, I sigh... Paradise. This is paradise.
After about ten minutes, we finish our portions.
"So... did you like them?" I ask, the usual post-meal question.
She's staring at the empty plate with a strange expression. Then, she shifts her gaze to me and asks: "Can we really eat this?"
"What do you mean?" I don't understand; is she having second thoughts now that she's finished?
"T-This is god's food!" She exclaims.
"In truth, it wouldn't be possible, but I have some connections among them. They owe me some favors, so we can enjoy these meals without repercussions..." I explain quite seriously.
I can see deep admiration in her eyes.
I pick up the phone and order a new TV, which arrives in a few minutes.
"Don't break this one, okay?" I place it in the same spot as its predecessor, hoping this one has a longer life.
With this incident, it's accepted that Leya doesn't know how to control her powers.
"Last time, I told you to remember a scary event to use your powers. While it's true, it's not enough." I tell her.
She looks at me with a puzzled expression.
"Try sending a shock towards me, remembering that event." I calmly instruct.
Okay, maybe I'm making a mistake.
"I-I don't want to... I might hurt you!" She hesitates.
"Come on, it won't do anything to me."
Maybe... I can still back off.
"A-Are you sure?"
"100%."
Let's say 90%... No, just kidding. I'd say there's a solid 80% chance of not dying.
She lifts her arm towards me, fingers pointing in my direction. I feel a bit uneasy.
"Okay, now think about what scares you the most..."
"S-So, can I go?"
I nod.
Seconds pass, but nothing happens. Seconds turn into minutes, and still, no sparks in the air.
"I can't do it. I can't use them!" She exclaims, surprised and happy.
Internally, I breathe a sigh of relief.
"So... Have you figured out what else is needed to use the Lightning demon's abilities?" I ask her clearly.
She enters a long period of contemplation. I decide to sit in the armchair, waiting for her answer, which comes in about ten minutes: "I have no idea!"
I try to explain it to her as clearly as possible.
"In addition to fear, willpower is also necessary. When you opened those gates two days ago, you used your powers because you wanted to escape from there. Today, you sent the TV into retirement because something scared you enough to want to destroy it. I'm still here simply because you don't want to kill me. Do you understand?"
She looks thoughtful, then asks me: "But how did you know... that I didn't want to kill you?"
How did I know? Well, I wasn't sure. But I would have felt offended if, after everything that happened, she wanted to kill me.
"Well... let's say I trust you."
She approaches me hesitantly.
"Do you want to sit? I have to go to the gym now."
I stand up.
Before I can move away, she stretches her slender arms and hugs me.
"Thank you..."
Does she really want to sit?
"Thank you for being so kind to me."
I give her a couple of strokes on the back.
"Now sit and watch something. Remember, you're in control of your powers. If you use them, it's because you truly wanted to."
I break free from her hug and head towards the door.
"Oh... By the way, money isn't infinite, so try to restrain yourself. See you later!"
She nods.
I leave the room and go to the gym.