Chapter 237.1
The next day―
The first-year students of Demon King Academy cla.s.s 2 were in Ledenor Plain, located east of Midhaze.
Until dawn today, they had undergone rigorous combat training using , and although they each had their own differences, overall, they had achieved remarkable growth.
The students look a little haggard, being physically and mentally exhausted from being forced to overcome death over and over again, but that was to be expected. In fact, now was the perfect time to capitalize on the training still fresh in their minds.
Who knew what awaited us in the Underground World.
“Alright, let’s head underground now.” (Anos)
“Um, Anos-sama.” (Naya)
Naya the Bookworm raised her hand.
“What is it?” (Anos)
“I don’t see Anosh-kun anywhere… Did something happen?” she asked curiously.
“Oh, she’s right.” (Student A)
“Come to think of it, did anyone see him during the training?” (Student B)
“No, I don’t think I did… Or rather, I was too focused on other things…” (Student C)
The students began to murmur and chatter.
I could tell them that he took the day off, but if people thought that Anosh was only absent during the Greater Demon King’s training, some of them might get suspicious.
That being said, it would be a pain to deliberately create and animate a body double of Anosh with magic.
People would most likely see through the deception if I didn’t keep it up with enough precision.
In that case…
“Kuhaha! What are you talking about? Anosh has been there all along.” (Anos)
I directed my gaze towards an empty s.p.a.ce.
“Huh…?”
“Anosh-kun is there?”
“Yes.”
I walked over there and spoke.
“Using and , are you? Trying to hide from me is quite the mischievous act, but you’re still far from reaching their abysses. So try to work on that during the Greater Demon King’s training. If you can fool my Magic Eyes even once, I’ll give you a pa.s.sing grade.” (Anos)
The students fixed their Magic Eyes in the direction of my gaze.
“I can’t see anything at all… not even a trace of magic…” (Student A)
“Anosh-kun really is a boy genius…” (Student B)
“But at the end of the day, even he gets treated like a child by the Demon King. Even though Anosh managed to hide himself so perfectly, he saw through him so easily.” (Student C)
“Now, let’s head underground.” (Anos)
Arcana, who was standing behind me, quietly stepped forward.
“I apologize for the late introduction, but this girl is Arcana. She’s from the Underground World. However, she’s not a draconid. To put it simply, she’s a G.o.d. She’ll guide us to Jiordal.” (Anos)
Arcana suddenly disappeared and reappeared several hundred meters away from the students.
“…What was that just now? ?” (Student A)
“No, I didn’t see any magic circle at all…” (Student B)
“So then… Is she, like, an actual G.o.d?” (Student C)
“…That’s unbelievable, but since it’s Anos-sama saying it and not Eldmed-sensei, she must really be a G.o.d. I mean, just by raising her hand, that Arcana girl turned day into night…” (Student C)
“Also, check out her magic power. That’s not normal.” (Student D)
“Having a G.o.d as a guide… That’s the Demon King of Tyranny for you… This lesson is on a completely different scale from anything we’ve had before… Are we really going to make it back alive?” (Student E)
While they were talking, the crescent moon of Artiertonoa rose in the sky.
“The earth freezes, and the ice melts away.” (Arcana)
A silver light poured down from the Moon of Creation, with Arcana at the center.
In an instant, that light froze the earth.
In the next moment, the ice cracked like a thin sheet of ice, and a vast, circular hole appeared in the ground.
It was a tunnel leading to the Underground World.
“Snow falls and becomes wings.” (Arcana)
Countless lunar snowflakes rained down.
When they were illuminated by Artiertonoa, they transformed into numerous snow dragons.
Scattering sparkles of silvery light, the snow dragons moved towards the students.
“The Underground World is quite far away. Those who aren’t good at can get on.” (Anos)
When I said that, most of the students got on the snow dragons.
“Let’s go.” (Anos)
Arcana took the lead and descended into the hole leading to the Underground World.
I flew right beside her with , followed by Eldmed and Shin.
“Wow, this is fun! We’re flying! See that, Zeshia?” (Eleonore)
“…It feels… comfy…” (Zeshia)
Eleonore and Zeshia were riding together on a snow dragon.
Misha and Sasha flew alongside them with .
“Wait, shouldn’t you both be able to keep up using ?” Sasha complained, while Misha tilted her head.
“Cheating?” (Misha)
“N-no…! That’s not it. It’s just that, I wanted to try riding a snow dragon.” (Eleonore)
Eleonore was making an excuse that wasn’t really an excuse.
Misha stared at her expressionlessly.
“And besides, I might be able to create a new spell by using this snow dragon as a reference…” (Eleonore)
As she spoke, Eleonore suddenly had an idea.
“That’s right! I might be able to create new magic!” (Eleonore)
“…A great discovery… it is…” (Zeshia)
Zeshia gave a small clap, and Misha blinked.
“…It’s not cheating?” (Misha)
“No, it’s definitely cheating, no matter how you look at it. It was just an excuse until she said it out loud.” Sasha sharply pointed out.
Eleonore raised her index finger, and Zeshia imitated her.
“Sasha-chan, in this world, there’s a saying that goes ‘All’s well that ends well’!” (Eleonore)
“…Ends… well…” (Zeshia)
Sasha looked at the two of them in exasperation.
It seemed like she wanted to retort, but couldn’t think of anything to say in response.
“Misha, any idea what to say to refute that?” (Sasha)
Misha tilted her head.
“Did you really think that all’s well just because it ends well?” (Misha)
“Good one.” (Sasha)
While everybody chatted among themselves, we continued flying through the hole leading to the Underground World.