Rimuru POV
Over breakfast, it is explained to me and Iruma that today first-year students, like us, will be assigned classes. Iruma has gone on and on about not wanting to stand out, so Sullivan has pulled some strings to get him placed in the 'Misfit Class'. It is apparently full of all the troublemakers and oddballs. Their 'uniqueness' will draw enough attention that Iruma wouldn't stand out among them, at least that's the idea. I have been placed in this class too, along with Azz and Clara. I don't really like being placed in the 'problem-child posse', but I suppose a literal deity/demon lord like myself attending a demon school would be considered a 'misfit'. Same goes for Iruma, him being a human and all. Just as I am about to finish my meal, Iruma asks me a question.
"Hey, Rimuru. Remember how you did something to that vending machine yesterday? You said you would give me more details later."
"Oh, yeah. I did say that didn't I…well, don't flip out when I tell you."
"Don't worry Rimuru, I already know how weird you and your abilities are so I think I can handle it."
Did this brat seriously just call me 'weird' to my face?!
"I don't really like being called 'weird', but I guess I can see where you're coming from when you say that. So, about that vending machine? I ate it." I explain bluntly.
"Ate…it?" Iruma asks, confused by my answer.
"Yup! I'm a slime, remember? Slimes can eat just about anything; that includes vending machines." I tell him a half-truth while wearing a big smile. Using azathoth is kinda like eating so it isn't a total lie. There's no way I'm going to explain to this kid that I have access to an infinite void that I can suck things into whenever I want.
Iruma still looks very confused, so I decide to give him a little demonstration.
"Just keep your eyes on the rest of my food for a moment. Don't even blink or you might miss it." For dramatic effect, I hover my hand over the food before consuming it using my skill instead of my mouth. "See? I just ate it." I say in a casual tone while pointing at my now empty plate.
"Wow!" Iruma exclaims, still staring at my plate.
"Hey, snap out of it! We need to get ready to leave for school!"
"Yeah, you're right. Sorry!"
The two of us grab our stuff and head out the door. Once we are outside, we notice two familiar faces waiting for us on the other side of the mansion's gate. They're, of course, Azz and Clara.
"Gooood morning Riri and Iruma-chi!" Clara yells to us, waving her arms excitedly.
"We are here to accompany you to school, Masters." Azz says with a small bow.
Before I can even respond to their greetings, I hear a familiar voice come from behind me.
"Master, are you having someone else to serve you while at school? Do you believe him to be more worthy of being at your side than myself?" Diablo asks, glaring suspiciously at Azz. Azz is staring back at him with an equal level of distain. I can already see the sparks flying between the two demons.
Shit, I didn't want these two to run into each other! Why do I feel like I just got caught cheating or something?
"No, Diablo, it isn't like that! Calm down! I don't need someone to 'serve' me at Babyls, he just decided to do that on his own. You're helping me plenty by staying here at the mansion in case there's an emergency." I reassure him, trying to deescalate the situation. I guess I should at least introduce them now that they've kinda met.
"Alright, Diablo. This is Azz and Clara; they're two students that I met at Babyls. I guess you can call them mine and Iruma's friends. That means no fighting them, so behave yourself." I explain to Diablo. "Azz, Clara, this is Diablo; he is kinda like my butler." I gesture behind me.
"F-friends…!?" Iruma says, looking startled and conflicted.
What's his problem? They're definitely his friends at least, if maybe not mine. I mostly just said that so Diablo would understand that he needs to treat them properly.
#Hey Iruma, do you not think those two are your friends? Because I definitely think they are. What the hell else would they be?# I whisper to him.
#B-but can humans and demons even be friends!? Is that okay!?#
#You moron, of course they can! We're all people here aren't we?! There's no problem with a human like you having demons as friends! Plus, you have a frickin' slime/demon lord for a 'sister' so this shouldn't bother you at all!# I whisper back to him aggressively, feeling offended.
I'm pissed off since that kind of thinking is a huge problem in my book. Back home in Tempest it was a huge struggle just to get humans to trust monsters at all, let alone ally with us. Discrimination like this was the main problem behind that struggle, so I can't help but be bothered by similar lines of thinking.
"What are these 'friends' you speak of Master?" Azz inquires, looking puzzled.
"Yeah, tell us! Are they something I can eat?!" Clara asks excitedly.
Wait, what?
[[It is likely that the concept of friendship does not exist in the Netherworld, Master.]]
Seriously? That's pretty weird. I guess someone will have to explain it to them then.
*sigh* "Hey, Iruma. Explain to these two what friends are." I tell Iruma to do my dirty work for me. It's only fair that he takes care of this since he got me all worked up a moment ago.
"Um, ok Rimuru. Friends are people who you like spending time with and are very important to you. So, that would make both of you my friends…I think." Iruma explains hesitantly to the two demons. He looks pretty uncomfortable and embarrassed about doing this, which I think is a worthy punishment for him.
Before we leave for school, I decide to give Diablo a bit of info using thought communication.
#I need to let you know that I discovered a suspicious person at Babyls, but I am gathering intel on him myself. I may need you to spy him for me later but just stay here on standby for now.#
#Yes, of course My Lord.#
With everything taken care of, I start to make the horrendously long trek to Babyls on foot with Iruma, Azz, and Clara. I feel bad for the two demons because they probably don't like having to walk either.
"Masters, why don't you fly to school?" Azz asks.
What the hell! Was he reading my mind or something?
[[The individual Asmodeus Alice does not possess mind reading abilities.]]
I was joking Ciel, of course he doesn't. Thanks, though.
Iruma looks really uncomfortable with the question, so I decide to answer for him. Since I am being inconvenienced greatly by him, I decide to have a bit of fun at his expense.
"I want to fly to school but we have to walk because of him." I say, pointing at Iruma.
Iruma looks at me like I just sentenced him to death or something.
"Rimuru! How cou-" Iruma yells at me, shocked and scared by what I just said. I cut him off.
"He doesn't like to fly because he's a little wuss who's afraid of heights!" I say with a sinister grin and chuckle.
"Master Iruma…is afraid…of heights?" Azz asks me, looking surprised. I nod at him.
"I-I am not a wuss! I-I just-" Iruma protests but I cut him off again.
"Yes, you are! What else would you call a demon who's afraid of heights?!" I taunt him, still laughing.
"I d-don't fly because…because…" he desperately tries to come up with another excuse but fails in the end and gives up.
[[Master, that was quite mean.]]
I know, but because of him I have to do all this horrible walking!
[[That is not the boy's fault though, you know. You should apologize to him for humiliating him in front of his friends.]]
Fine, I guess I can pretend I was joking.
"Okay, okay! I was just kidding! Iruma just likes walking for some reason, he isn't actually afraid of heights."
"Oh! That makes much more sense!" Azz exclaims.
"Yeah! Iruma-chi isn't scared of anything!" Clara yells excitedly.
#I wouldn't say that…# Iruma mutters to himself.
After what feels like an eternity of walking, the four of us arrive at Babyls. With help from Ciel, I guide us to the Misfit Class' homeroom. If it weren't for the fact that Ciel is pretty much never wrong, I would think we were going the wrong way. The directions led us into a cave and down a steep set of stone stairs. The walls of the place were covered in graffiti, and we passed a large pile of garbage halfway down. When we arrive at the door to the classroom, let's just say I wasn't impressed at all. The thing was so beat up that it would probably give you a splinter from just looking at it.
"What an unsightly door! This is no place for my Masters to learn!" Azz complains.
"It's so old! I want to knock it down!" Clara says.
"Stop! Do not vandalize school property, Valac!" Azz yells at Clara before I can.
[[Master, I have detected a trap set to activate when this door is opened.]]
A trap, huh? I'm guessing it is no threat I can't handle. What kind of trap?
[[Correct, your universal barrier will easily deflect it. Also, wouldn't telling you the type of trap take the fun out of it for you, Master?]]
Yeah, that would take the fun out of the surprise. Appy a barrier to those three also so they don't get hurt by it when we enter.
[[Understood, Master.]]
"Guys, I have a bad feeling about this so stay on your toes." I tell the trio following me.
"Uh, sure…" Iruma responds.
"Of course, Master." says Azz.
Clara doesn't say anything but seems excited by the possible danger, literally bouncing up and down and giggling to herself.
Me and Iruma enter the classroom with Azz and Clara following closely behind us. As soon as we step through the door, dozens of weapons are launched in our direction by some sort of contraption. Not knowing he is protected by my barrier, Iruma desperately but successfully dodges every attack from the trap. I use a mix of dodging and grabbing the weapons mid-air in order to neutralize the threat.
"What the hell was that all about!?" I ask the students already in the classroom, irritated despite being aware of the trap before entering. This isn't the first time something like this has happened to me, although last time it was fire instead of weapons that was launched. I notice one of the students is collecting money from some of the others.
Were they placing bets on the results of the trap? That's pretty sadistic, but that should be expected from demons, I guess.
"I can't believe you two dodged all of those! You're the only people who have managed to do something like that. We did have someone who caught all of them though…" A boy with yellow hair with a black stripe in it says to me, pointing at another student.
Caught? How could someone catch that many weapons with only two hands? That's why I just dodged some of them. I might be able to pull it off somehow, but nobody normal could manage that.
I look over and see an extremely tall (like twice my height tall) and muscular boy with spiky blonde hair. He's practically shirtless for some reason, I guess that's allowed with the custom uniform policy. I heard that a student assaulted a teacher on the day of the entrance ceremony and based on people's descriptions, I'm pretty sure it was this guy. Oh wait, I'm glossing over the most important part…he has tons of weapons sticking out of different parts of his body!
So that's what he meant by 'caught'…Why didn't he just dodge? That can't feel good having all of those sticking out of him like that.
"Dodging would be the act of a coward! I, Sabnock Sabro, the one most worthy to become the future Demon King, would never do such a thing! Unlike you and your sister!" He says in an overconfident voice, getting right up in Iruma's face. Azz forces himself in-between them, trying to protect Iruma. I decide to sit back and watch the show unless it starts to get violent.
"That's enough from you, Sabnock." Azz interrupts.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't the head of the class, Asmodeus Alice? I heard you summoned a gorgon snake as your familiar." Sabnock says tauntingly.
"Indeed, I did." Azz responds bluntly, glaring at Sabnock.
"But I summoned a Kelbie! It has more legs than yours, so it wins!" Sabnock announces with a large grin splitting his face.
"What kind of absurd reasoning is that!?" Azz spits out, dumbfounded.
"Of course, the moment you became the Sullivan Twins' slave, you lost the right to be my rival." Sabnock says disrespectfully.
"Who would even want to be your rival!? Also, I am not their slave! I am their…FRIEND!" Azz protests.
Oh god, why does he have to say embarrassing stuff like that out loud!?
Both me and Iruma are standing nearby, listening. I can tell he is just as embarrassed and uncomfortable as I am right now.
"Yay, friends!" exclaims Clara.
"What is that word? What are you talking about?!" Sabnock asks.
"Let me tell you…" Azz says.
"Um, you really don't have to say it out loud…" Iruma tries to stop this embarrassing situation.
"Yeah, Azz please don't…" I say to Azz, but he doesn't listen.
"Friends spend time together, sharing both their pain and pleasure and form a blood pact of their willingness to die for one another!"
Ugh…why!? Why is he turning it into such a big thing!?
"Well, that was awful dramatic…" I say defeatedly.
"Yeah, you could say that again!" Iruma agrees.
The door to the classroom suddenly opens and a man enters. The teacher has arrived, interrupting Azz and Sabnock's fighting. He blocks the trap by casting some kind of barrier he produced from his hand that stops the weapons mid-air. Of course, it is the last teacher I could possibly want, Naberius Kalego (aka Professor Stick-Up-His-Ass). He scowls at the arguing students, then at me for some reason. I guess he holds a grudge or something.
"SILENCE! Find your seats at once!" Kalego yells at the whole class. I find an open seat and sit down. The shy, petite girl sitting next to me has chin-length, ice-blue hair (close in color to mine) and large circular glasses.
She seems familiar somehow…have I seen her before?
[[Based on her facial features, it is certain that this is the same girl as the 'dem-dol' you noticed in the school newspaper.]]
Wow, really? So, she must have been wearing a wig in that photo, then. I better not tell her that I know who she is. She's probably trying to live a double life or something; like in that one tv show my niece used to make me watch with her in my past life.
"I am calling the roll!" Kalego announces.
"Agares Picero"
The lazy-looking red-head boy appears to be wearing a sleep mask with eyes on it. Strangely, he is laying on a floating cloud. Agares only yawns in response to Kalego calling his name.
"Asmodeus Alice"
"Yes sir." Azz stands up and bows.
"Allocer Schneider"
This kid looks like a lion with a derpy expression. For some reason he responds to Kalego with "I am a thinking reed." whatever the hell that means!
"Andro M. Jazz"
The boy is leaning back in his chair wearing a relaxed expression. (wasn't he the one taking money from the students when they made bets earlier?) He has short, jagged black hair and red eyes. on every finger, including his thumbs there is a gold ring. He responds with a casual "Yo."
"X Elizabetta"
She is a tall, red-eyed, blonde-haired babe dressed in a frilly custom uniform with lots of pink and bows. "Here." she says with a smile.
"Valac Clara"
"I'm here, Eggie-sensei!" She responds cheerfully, waving both arms in the air.
"Stop calling me that." Kalego says to her in a flat, but irritated tone.
"Caim Camui…Are you not here, Caim Camui?"
"H-Here!" It took him a few moments to respond, probably because he was distracted by the girl sitting in front of him. This kid looks like an owl, having wings for arms. From what I can tell, he seems like a perv since he won't stop giving Elizabetta 'looks'. He seems thrilled to be sitting right behind her, not even able to sit still.
"Garp Goemon"
The boy is covered head-to-toe in white hair, to the point where I can't even see his eyes. He is also carrying a katana.
"I am here." He responds.
"Crocell Keroli"
#Here…# Whispers the shy girl next to me, barely even able to get a word out.
How is this girl a celebrity? She seems too timid for that. Are you sure, Ciel?
[[Yes, I am certain. A possible reason is that she is only confident when wearing her celebrity disguise, essentially playing a different person.]]
Yeah, maybe.
"Shax Lead"
The boy with the yellow hair with a black stripe from earlier is playing on a portable video game console of some sort, half ignoring the teacher. "Yeah. Here, I'm here!" He says quickly so that he can go back to focusing on his game.
"Sabnock Sabro"
"Indeed!" he responds confidently.
"Purson Soi"
The quiet boy with pale lavender hair doesn't respond and just continues to look out the window. Nobody else even looks at him. Kalego responds to his silence with a "Hmph."
Why is everyone acting like he isn't here?
[[He appears to be hiding his presence to some extent. You are not affected due to your enhanced senses.]]
So, nobody else can see him them? I wonder if his hiding is intentional or not?
"Iruma Suzuki"
"He-" Before Iruma can finish responding he is interrupted.
"Now, let us begin class!"
Hey! What about me!?
"Hey, professor! You didn't call my name! I'm here too!" I say, raising my hand.
"Yes, unfortunately you are. Rimuru." Kalego says to me, coldly.
Sheesh. That was uncalled for.
[[We should crush him…]]
I can tell you're mad Ciel, but we can't let him make us lose our composure in front of everyone. If we do, he wins. He's obviously trying to make me do something that gives him a reason to punish me.
[[Yes, Master…]]
"All of you idiotic troublemakers, outside, now. We're going to determine your ranks." Kalego announces.
On the way to the door, I approach Kalego.
{{Didn't Sullivan tell you not to get on my bad side? I guess you didn't listen to him based on what you just tried to do. If you want to make my life harder, then I will return the favor.}}
I use telepathy to threaten him, giving him a smile while doing so. Kalego looks at me, eyes wide, as I continue to innocently walk out the classroom door. Yeah, I listened in on his little conversation with Sullivan where he warned Kalego not to provoke me and stuff. If he is gonna treat me unfairly then I am going to do my best to make his life harder too.
We head outside using some magic tent things that transport us to a platform surrounded by a valley. Kalego explains that our ranks will be determined by a combination of our familiar summoning results and this flying race. Our goal is a flag on the other side of this valley. He reluctantly pulls out another cutesy tutorial screen which explains that there are two routes to the goal.
Warbling Valley – Longer but much safer.
Cutthroat Valley – Shorter but extremely hazardous.
Once the thing is done with its explanation, he smashes int on the ground like last time. He really hates that thing, maybe even more than me.
"The only way to get through quickly is Cutthroat Valley!" Sabnock announces.
"The only option this year is Warbling Valley." Kalego responds flatly.
"Hey! Why!?" Sabnock shouts at him.
"The Guardian of Cutthroat Valley has been moody lately." Kalego gives him an answer.
"Guardian?" Iruma asks, looking concerned.
"It is an enormous magical beast that rules over Cutthroat Valley. With how it has been behaving lately, we cannot guarantee your safety if you encounter it. That is why its domain is off-limits." Kalego explains to us.
"I'm going through Cutthroat Valley! Otherwise, there's no point!" Sabnock insists.
"All of you, get ready!" Kalego commands. All of the students (except for Iruma) unfurl their wings. I mimic them by sprouting a set of my own. They are mainly for looks though since I can fly perfectly fine without them.
"We will now begin the flying race."
[[We must win this and show that disrespectful teacher that you are superior!]]
Feeling pretty competitive today, huh Ciel? Want to take over so you can have some fun?
[[Yes, Master! I would love that!]]
Alright, go ahead and take the wheel! Make sure you win, but make sure you do it without teleportation, only flying. I don't want to be accused of cheating.
[[Understood!]]
Despite all my practice, I still can't fly as fast as Ciel can when she is in control. In cases where I want to fly at top speed, I need to let her take over.
Iruma POV
I watch as all of the other students sprout wings.
How am I supposed to participate in a flying race without being able to fly!?
I look over to Rimuru, desperate for some kind of help with my situation but there is something strange about her. It isn't the fact that she now has wings that's weird, but her eyes and expression. Her eyes are now bright crimson instead of their normal golden color and her face is completely expressionless. She normally has some kind of emotion on her face so the fact that she looks like this is pretty unsettling.
What is going on with her? She doesn't feel like the same person somehow.
Before I can fully process what is going on, my thoughts are interrupted by the professor's voice.
"Ready…go!" Kalego says as he brings his raised arm down, signaling the start of the flying race. All of the other students take off, creating a wind that nearly knocks me off the cliff. Just as I regain my balance, I feel a push from behind.
"Get moving." Kalego says in a cold voice as he shoves me over the edge.
I scream, flailing my arms and legs as I freefall towards the jagged rocks below.
Rimuru POV
Ciel flies us at an absolutely ridiculous speed to the finish, only taking a few seconds at most. We even got there before Kalego, who is using some type of teleport device. Ciel returns control of my body at this point.
Good job Ciel! Let's see what his face looks like when he gets here!
[[I am sure it will be wonderful, Master!]]
Definitely!
I sit down, laying against a rock and put my hands behind my head, striking a relaxed pose with my eyes shut. I lazily open one eye halfway and watch as the 'teleport-tent' appears and Kalego steps out. He looks over at me, rubs his eyes, and does a double take. I suppress the urge to laugh at his confusion.
Hahaha! I was right! His face is priceless!
[[I agree.]]
"Hmph. Took you long enough…" I say to him, feigning boredom, only glancing at him before closing my eyes again. Despite my eyes being closed, I see his expression twist from one of surprise into irritation.
"H-how did you…?" Kalego sputters out.
"I flew, obviously. It's a flying race so I thought that was pretty self-evident." I respond casually, keeping my eyes closed.
I sit there for a moment before I realize I forgot about something, or should I say someone.
Crap…Iruma! I forgot about Iruma!
I jump up, now on my feet.
Find him with universal detect, Ciel! I need to help him out since he can't fly!
[[Understood.]]
"Hey, professor! I need to go do something, so I am gonna leave now! Bye!"
"Wait, sto-!"
I don't even give him a chance to answer before I fly off. I get out of his line of sight before teleporting near Iruma's location.
Iruma POV
I am currently experiencing the horrifying sensation of freefalling, unable to do anything about it.
Well, I guess I'm gonna die today…
I close my eyes and decide to accept my fate, but my momentum is suddenly stopped by something.
"Hey! What were you thinking jumping off a cliff like that!? You could have been killed, you idiot!" a familiar voice scolds me.
"Rimuru?" I ask the person holding me in their arms.
"Who else would I be? Seriously though, why did you jump off that cliff?" Rimuru asks me.
"I didn't jump off; I was pushed by the professor! I assume he doesn't know I can't fly so he wasn't trying to kill me or anything, though." I respond.
"Yeah, even though he seems to hate both of us, I doubt he would try to murder you like that. Let's get you to the finish line now, we can't do it the same way I did the first time though."
"First time? You already completed the race!?" I ask, surprised.
"Um, yeah? I backtracked to help you after surprising Kalego by arriving before he did. It was hilarious!" Rimuru says, laughing to herself.
Rimuru maneuvers my body so that I am hanging onto her back with my arms around her neck. After getting into position, I feel something wrap around me, holding me in place.
"What is this stuff?" I ask, referring to the strange strings holding me down.
"You could call it a seatbelt; it is made out of thread from one of my skills. I can't have you falling off since I plan on going fast, at least by human standards." She explains.
"Um, how fast?" I ask concernedly.
"Don't worry about it! You can handle it, I'm sure!" she reassures me without actually answering. She looks over her shoulder at me and gives me a comforting smile. I don't exactly feel comforted by it though.
"Here we go! Brace yourself, Iruma!" Rimuru says as she suddenly accelerates. It's scary, but I get used to it pretty quickly. I notice we are passing some signs indicating danger ahead.
"Um, Rimuru? Did you notice those signs just now?" I ask hesitantly.
"Yeah, why?"
"They are warning us not to go this way!"
"Yeah, we're gonna go through Cutthroat Valley to save some time. I'm having to fly slowly since your human body can't handle any faster, so we're taking a shortcut." She explains.
She calls this 'slow'!?
"B-but the professor said it was off-limits!"
"Only because of the Guardian. I'm sure it's nothing I can't handle." she responds confidently.
"O-okay…"
I really hope she is right about being able to handle it…I know she is ridiculously strong but still…
Asmodeus POV
I am making good progress in the flying race, despite not seeing Master Iruma of Rimuru since the starting point. I would say things are going smoothly, but I have one problem. Valac has been riding on my back since the beginning of the race and won't let go! Suddenly I notice another student zip past me.
Was that Sabnock?
"You're slowing down Azz-Azz!" Valac says, still on my back. I ignore her annoying comments.
"That fool…" I say as I look towards the forbidden path, Cutthroat Valley.
Sabnock POV
I proceed down the only path for those worthy of the Demon King's throne, Cutthroat Valley. I'm not scared of some stupid Guardian! If I happen to run into it, I will just slay the beast using one of my weapons created by my bloodline ability! There is no way some animal is any match for the great Sabnock Sabro! The wind is intense, but this is just one of the trials I must overcome to become Demon King, this is how it should be!
Rimuru POV
I make my way through Cutthroat Valley with relative ease, despite the strong winds. As I progress, I begin to hear a strange noise far off into the distance.
"Is that…whimpering?" I say, mostly to myself.
"What?" Iruma asks.
"I hear something strange, almost like crying or whimpering." I explain.
"What should we do?"
"What do you mean?"
"Should we go check it out? Maybe help it if it is hurt?" Iruma asks with a worried look.
"I want to, but this detour will affect your score. Are you ok with that?" I ask him.
"Yeah, let's go!" Iruma insists.
I begin to fly in the direction of the strange sound, slightly off course to our destination. We soon arrive at the source of the sound, a large bird-like monster with four legs sitting in a giant nest.
"I wonder why it's crying…" Iruma says.
I look a bit closer at the beast and realize it has a large gash in one of its back legs.
"Look at its leg, it is definitely injured."
"We need to help it!" Iruma insists. Before I can stop him, he finds a sharp rock on the ground nearby and slices his own hand with it!
"What are you doing?" I ask.
"Just watch!"
[[Don't interfere Master, not unless the boy seems to be in imminent danger. I do not feel any hostile intent from the beast.]]
Alright, I will watch and step in if that thing suddenly decides to attack him.
He then wraps his cut hand up with a scrap of fabric he ripped off of his clothes.
"So, I want to do this to you. Can I?" He says as he walks closer to the creature. He looks scared but is overcoming that fear in order to help it.
Surprisingly, the beast seems to understand and extends its leg out to him. Before Iruma can begin to treat the monster's wound though, a drop of his own blood falls into the cut. The gash quickly begins to close once the blood comes into contact with it.
So, this kid's blood acted like a healing potion for the monster!?
[[Master, based on some of the data I absorbed from the books in the library, I believe human blood has healing properties for Netherworld residents, demons and beasts alike.]]
How strange…
Iruma is staring at where the wound once was in total shock, obviously not understanding what just happened. I decide to share the knowledge that Ciel just gave me with him.
"Seems like human blood has healing properties here in the Netherworld. Better keep that a secret though, you wouldn't want someone draining you dry to get their hands on it!"
"Rimuru! Don't joke about stuff like that!"
"Yeah, sorry. All jokes aside though, I'm serious when I say you can't let other people learn about this. It will put you in even more danger." I say, putting one hand on his shoulder and staring him in the eyes with a serious look. I want to make sure he understands the gravity of what could happen if word gets out about this.
"I understand that. I won't let anyone else know, I promise!" he says as he looks away from my intense gaze.
"Oh, by the way. You didn't need to do any of that for the bird-thing. I have potions and healing magic that could have taken care of that cut." I casually let out the fact that his actions just now were technically pointless.
"Why didn't you say so before!?" he protests.
"You were on a roll, and I didn't want to stop you. Here, let me heal that cut on your hand with some magic at least." I say as I take his hand in mine, a glow surrounds the area where the cut is. Both of our faces are lit up by the faint light emitted by the healing spell.
I look up while healing him and notice that his face is bright red, and he is staring right at mine.
Seriously, this shit again!? I swear, anything will turn on a teen boy!
"Iruma, remember what I said about making that look at me? You need to calm down, you look like a tomato right now." I complain.
"But F-first you touch my shoulder and th-then my h-hand! You're no fair Rimuru!" he whimpers.
"I was just trying to get an important point across and then healing your hand. Don't turn it into something else!" I say dismissively.
After I finish healing him, I hear a familiar voice yelling somewhere nearby.
"Great, Sabnock is here in Cutthroat Valley…"
"How do you know that Rimuru?"
"I can hear him fighting something, probably something more than he can handle. I better go help that idiot. You should stay here with your new bird friend." I point towards the large monster rubbing up against Iruma, obviously pleased that he healed it.
"No, I should come with you!"
"Fine, I don't feel like arguing with you right now. Let's hurry!"
The bird beast starts squawking like it is trying to say something, maybe it wants to help? It scoops up Iruma, putting him on its back before pointing with one of its front legs in the direction Sabnock is in.
"Whaaa…!?" Iruma yelps as the beast throws him onto its back.
"It seems like your new friend wants to help; we better get going."
I take off and start flying in Sabnock's direction, the bird monster carrying Iruma following close behind. I'm kinda happy I don't need to carry Iruma right now, it may not be hard, but it isn't enjoyable either. Our destination ends up being a sheer cliff surrounded by a pool of lava, Sabnock is facing off against a gigantic furry black beast. It seems he can't even put a scratch on the thing and is having his ass handed to him.
Sabnock POV
This was a mistake! I am currently facing off against the Guardian of Cutthroat Valley and there is no chance I can win! Every weapon I have created during this battle has done absolutely nothing to this beast! My wings have been torn up bad enough that I can't even escape either. I believed I was the strongest, destined for greatness, but it seems that my journey will come to an end before I reach my goal. My goal to be the coolest thing a demon can be, the Demon King! Just as I am about to resign myself to my fate, two figures suddenly appear between me and the Guardian. The Sullivan Twins.
"Sabnock!" the boy Iruma calls out.
"What are you two doing!?" I yell at the two blue-haired students standing in front of me.
"Saving your sorry ass, what else!?" the female twin, Rimuru yells at me as she blocks the claws of the Guardian with a golden katana. Suddenly, the Guardian stops its attacks.
"Seriously, what are you doing here?" I ask them.
"Rimuru heard you fighting so we came to help." Iruma responds.
I look over and see a bird-like beast talking(?) to the Guardian.
"Could that be…the Guardian of Cutthroat Valley's child?" I ask.
"Guardian? So, this is the Guardian of Cutthroat Valley?" Iruma asks.
I look over at the Guardian and notice it is not paying any attention to us, fully focused on the smaller creature it is talking to.
This is my chance! I must attack while it is distracted!
"Guardian!" Iruma calls out to the beast. "Your baby's foot's all better now! You must've been upset because you child was hurt!"
I pick up a broadsword I made earlier off the ground, readying myself to attack the distracted beast. Rimuru gives me a sharp look as if saying 'Don't even think about it!'. I swear that I see a dark aura emanating from the girl.
"Don't worry, we won't do anything!" Iruma says.
Iruma then turns to me too, with a much softer expression than his sister.
"Right?" He says softly. "Put it down."
"But…" I protest.
"Quickly." He says while smiling at me warmly.
"You heard him! Drop it, now!" Rimuru scolds me, that dark aura growing in intensity.
I drop the broadsword, letting it fall to the ground with a clatter. I lost all the will to fight in the face of that girl's aura. She nods at me and sheathes her katana, the darkness that surrounded her a moment ago nowhere to be seen. All three of us put our hands in the air to let the Guardian know that we won't take any more action against it. I watch in shock as the giant beast lowers its head.
"The Guardian…is bowing..." I say staring at it.
"Oh, no! You're too kind!" Iruma says with a giggle, bowing back.
"Yeah, you don't need to bow to us! We wanted to help; it was no problem!" Rimuru says, now acting much more friendly.
So, these are the infamous 'Sullivan Twins'. What unbelievable demons!
"So, I need to ask, why the hell did you think you could take this huge thing on? You would have died if we didn't show up!" Rimuru asks scoldingly.
"I…don't know…I was foolish." I respond sheepishly, regretting my actions.
"That's for sure! You need to use your brain more! If you ever want to reach your goal, you can't go around picking fights you can't win! If you die first, you have no chance of becoming the Demon King!"
"I…understand."
"Good, think about my words next time you are about to do something stupid, ok?" she says. I nod in response.
Rimuru POV
How did it come to this!?
[[Relax, Master. We have almost arrived.]]
I am flying along with one boy under each arm: Iruma and Sabnock. Neither of them can fly because Sabnock's wings are injured and Iruma never had any to begin with.
"Rimuru, how are you able to carry me and Iruma at the same time!? You must share the secret to your strength with me!" Sabnock exclaims.
"That's a trade secret." I respond with my generic line for when I don't want to share something with someone.
"I guess someone should keep their training methods secret from their rival." he says in a disappointed tone.
"What? Since when was I your 'rival'!?"
"Since now! I have deemed the two of you worthy to be my rivals! From this moment onward we must compete for the Demon King's throne!"
#I don't need another throne!# I say under my breath.
"'Another' throne? What do you mean by 'another'?" Sabnock asks.
Shit! I guess I said that too loudly!
[[You must be more careful, Master!]]
"What?" I ask, playing dumb.
"You said something about 'another' throne. Do you already have some kind of royal position elsewhere?" he asks, sounding very curious about the answer.
"I didn't say anything about a throne." I lie through my teeth.
Iruma has been listening in this entire time and facepalms at my response. I shoot him a dirty look since he is wrecking the credibility of my little lie. Sabnock gives me a suspicious look but drops the subject, realizing that I'm not gonna give him a different answer.
The rest of our trip is filled with an awkward silence. When we arrive at our destination, we are greeted with surprised looks from all the students and one of anger from the professor. There was also some laughter at the sight of a 'little girl' carrying not just the gigantic Sabnock but Iruma too at the same time.
"Where have you insolent fools been!? And how dare you run off without permission, Rimuru!"
Oh boy, he's pissed. Apparently, we got here a lot later than the rest.
"I was busy saving this guy's butt from the Guardian of Cutthroat Valley. He would be dead if me and Iruma didn't show up and help!" I say before explaining my entire story (minus some unnecessary details) to Kalego and the Misfit Class. Sabnock and Iruma end up being shamed for being so late and I was scolded for running off after reaching the goal.
An owl with three eyes and a pair of horns descends from the sky and perches on Kalego's arm.
"This is a Rank Owl. He was watching and examining your every move. If you put your hand into the pocket on his belly, he'll give you your ranking badge, like this." He explains. Everyone stares at the small golden badge Kalego pulled out with awe.
"You filth who came in last will be last to get ranked, as well."
"You suck." Clara says as she pelts small rocks at Sabnock, who is sitting on the ground in the 'box of shame' with Iruma.
"That should teach you a lesson. Enjoy having everyone laugh and throw rocks at you. Heh." Kalego says with a sinister smile.
How spiteful…
"Also, Rimuru, despite arriving first, you left without permission so your punishment will be getting ranked with those two losers."
[[How dare this lesser creature punish you master!]]
It's fine Ciel! It doesn't even matter!
"Sure." I say, not really caring about this whole ranking thing.
"All right, line up in a single file." He commands.
One by one, each student reaches into the Rank Owl's pouch and pulls out a badge when finally, it is my turn. I reach my hand in and touch something metal. I grab hold and pull my hand out. I am shocked to find that it is a rank 5 badge, He.
Wait, seriously?
[[The rank owl has acknowledged your greatness, Master!]]
*sigh*
"Omigosh! she's a He!" one student yells.
"That is almost unheard of! Rank five as a first year!" another exclaims.
I can see Kalego fuming off to the side, probably pissed that his least favorite student got such a high rank. Now it is Iruma's turn so I watch him as he steps up to the Rank Owl. He pauses for a moment before reaching into the pouch.
"Maybe he'll pull out something weird again." Says Andro.
"Like his familiar teacher?" laughs Shax.
"Hmph. The Rank Owl is solemn and true. Nothing can sway it. Not to mention, this rank owl hasn't even made a peep in centur-" Kalego is interrupted by the rank owl letting out an ungodly screech.
"Huh? Hey, wait!" Iruma yells as the owl begins to fly away. "But I didn't get my badge…yet…" he says reaching out to the owl as it flies out of reach.
"Master Iruma? Azz asks.
"Iruma-chi, what's that?"
I look at his right hand and notice a strange gold ring on his middle finger, the same hand he reached into the pouch with. There is an ominous aura emanating from it, but Iruma hasn't noticed yet.
"T-that's…d-don't tell me that's the golden sign of the Demon King…The Ring of Solomon!"
Ciel?
[[Analysis reveals that is a 'Gluttonous Feeder Ring'. It can store magic power from the user, but sucks power away from anyone who comes near when is runs out of magic. You cannot remove it once it is put on.]]
So, the kid's stuck with it then.
[[It also appears to be inhabited by some kind of strange presence, which is not normal for this type of magical device.]]
Presence?
[[A spirit or soul of some sort. It is too degraded to identify.]]
We will need to keep a close eye on this thing, it might be dangerous.
Just as I am thinking about the potential danger the ring poses, a billow of black smoke bursts from it. The smoke forms into a rough shape of a creature with a face and two arms, remaining attached to the ring by a string of smoke. Everyone backs away from him, terrified of the smoke-creature.
"Um…I" Iruma is about to ask his other students for help, since he just tried to remove the ring but couldn't, but they just back away, scared. He hasn't noticed the ominous smoke attached to his ring it yet.
"Hello?" He asks them with desperation.
"They're scared of that thing coming out of that ring, Iruma!" I yell to him.
"Huh?" he looks over and finally notices it and screams. Iruma begins frantically waving his arm around, trying to shake off the smoke. "H-H-H-HELP MEEEEE!" he shrieks.
"Please calm down, Master Iruma!" Azz pleads with him.
"Nope, nope, nope!" Iruma yells.
#No, I must be wrong, The Ring of Solomon doesn't emit black smoke like that…# Sabnock mutters.
"Wait, no! What is this!? I don't want it!" Iruma continues to panic. "I don't want it! I don't want it! Get it off of me, professor!" he yells as he runs towards Kalego.
"Stop waving that thing around!" Kalego scolds.
The black smoke creature begins to emit a loud screech, making everyone have to cover their ears. Everyone except for myself, and Iruma too for some odd reason. He doesn't seem affected by the noise.
"What the hell!? It's like a dying scream!" Shax says, now curled up on the ground in pain from the noise.
"A-are you all okay?" Iruma asks in a panicked voice, looking around at all the students now on the ground in fetal positions.
"Why are you two okay!?" Shax asks pointing at me and Iruma "If you're okay, then make that thing shut up already!" he yells at us.
Should I help them?
[[I am sure this situation will resolve itself momentarily, Master. You do not need to intervene.]]
Iruma makes a feeble attempt at making the thing stop screaming, but it doesn't help. Clara then decides singing a lullaby would help somehow. Surprisingly, it works, but everyone found her singing worse than the screaming and urge her to stop.
"All right! Leave this to me!" Sabnock announces, approaching Iruma and the smoke monster.
"Wait! It might be dangerous!" Iruma warns him.
"Fear not, my rival This is but a simple task for the one destined to beco-" He says before being interrupted by the creature touching him. After the smoke creature makes contact, Sabnock immediately passes out.
"Sabnock!" Iruma cries out.
Is he okay? He's not looking so hot right now.
[[He will be fine. Sabnock Sabro has had most of his magic drained by the Gluttonous Feeder Ring. This smoke creature appears to be some sort of manifestation of its power absorbing function.]]
So kinda like when I passed out after naming monsters?
[[Similar, but much less dangerous. He should recover in a moment since his magic is not essential to sustain his life like it is for my Master.]]
"Master Iruma, leave this to me." Azz reassures Iruma. He also faints upon contact with the creature.
"A-are you alright?!' Iruma asks.
"I'm perfectly fine, Master Iruma." Azz says, barely able to sit up. "It seems that some of my magic has been sucked away but fear not! I barely even felt a-" Azz says before the creature bites him, making him almost vomit.
"Do you think you can stand?" I ask Azz, reaching my hand out to him.
"Yes, thanks Master Rimuru." He responds as I help him to his feet. He seems a bit wobbly, but I think he will be fine,
"Hey, Iruma. Let me get a closer look." Kalego says, now standing directly behind Iruma with his hand on the boy's shoulder. After a moment, Kalego gets a scared look on his face and back away.
"Professor? Are you okay?" Iruma asks.
"This…must be taken care of immediately." Kalego says in a stern voice, raising one finger in the air and lowering it towards Iruma. I notice a relatively large amount of magic is building up in his fingertip.
[[Hostile intent detected from Naberius Kalego! Target of hostility is Iruma Suzuki!]]
In the blink of an eye, I sprint over, shove Kalego to the ground, and put myself in-between him and Iruma. Iruma looks dumbfounded because I just attacked a teacher but that doesn't matter right now.
"H-how dare y-you…!" Kalego sputters.
"No, how dare you! I know that you were about to do something to harm my brother!" I yell at him.
Just after stopping Kalego's attack, Sullivan shows up out of seemingly nowhere and scolds him.
"Hey, now. You know that's not allowed." Sullivan says playfully to Kalego.
"Grandpa!" Iruma exclaims.
"Hi, your grandpa is here!" he says waving to both me and Iruma. "Thank you for stepping in and protecting your brother Rimuru!"
"No problem, Grandpa. That's what I'm here for, right?" I say with a discrete wink and Sullivan nods. He then turns back to Kalego, who's brushing the dust off of his outfit from being shoved to the ground.
"Bad Kalego! You were about to blow off Iruma's arm, weren't you?" Sullivan chastises him.
"Huh!?" Iruma is shocked to find out what kind of danger he was just in.
"Yeah, he was. Thankfully, I noticed he was about to attack him with magic and intervened. I can't believe a teacher would try to do something like that to his student!" I call out Kalego on his ridiculous behavior. He scowls at me in response.
"I believed the other students were in danger." Kalego tries to explain.
While Sullivan continues to scold Kalego, I notice the smoke creature begin to reach out towards him. I decide to intervene, since I know that I can handle a bit of magic drain. I reach out and let the thing bite my hand. I feel a sensation similar to when I name monsters, but this time it only uses a small fraction of my magic stores, so I barely even feel it. As my magic pours into it, the smoke creature balloons and then retreats back into The Gluttonous Feeder Ring.
"I-it's gone…" Iruma says.
"Yeah, kinda. It went back in the ring but might come back out if it gets too hungry again." I correct him.
"That's correct, Rimuru. We must keep it well fed so we don't have another accident." Sullivan says. He then explains to Iruma all the information about the ring that Ciel already figured out for me. Iruma definitely didn't look happy when he was told the thing is stuck on his finger for life.
"How does she still have so much magical power after letting it take so much?" Azz asks, leaning on Clara since he is having a hard time staying on his feet. I just smile at him knowing that he will never learn the truth.
The class ends with a group photo taken by Sullivan (him and his damn photos, ugh…). An unfortunate result of Iruma receiving the ring instead of a badge is that he cannot be ranked. It is decided, since a rank is necessary, that he will be given the lowest one, Alef. Azz was definitely not happy about this, thinking that Iruma should be ranked much higher, but Iruma doesn't seem phased by it. He's probably thinking a low rank will prevent him from standing out…but he's wrong. The two of us are actually the center of attention once again. The school paper claims we 'conquered' The Guardian of Cutthroat Valley. It also blamed Iruma for the scream everyone heard and says that he attacked the other students. I got notoriety for shoving Kalego to the ground (which is apparently something pretty hard to do) and achieving rank five right off the bat as a first year. The hallways are filled with whispers about the infamous 'Sullivan Twins', but Iruma hasn't seemed to have noticed yet.
I should let him enjoy this while he can before reality slaps him in the face.