Chapter Text
Bathin Baraki was on fire! This was the best way to start the year with a bang!
"This is it people! The teachers went out with a bang right at the beginning, but that was not enough! Not against the Abnormal Pack!" Baraki shouted on the microphone, to the excited screams from the students. All reunited to observe the Promotional Rank Test of the Abnormal Pack, all united under the same desire: to see what they'll do next. And they did not disapoint! "At first, Robin-sensei tried to get Team Leid with an arrow to the heart! But... he missed! Yes, the genius archer missed a shot! How was that was possible, you might wonder. Well, here our Student Body President explained it to me. Leid used his blood skill to have not only Robin-sensei's sight blocked but also his magic's sight blocked. That caused the arrow's aquracy decrease and no balloon was popped. Leid extended his magic around his team, as a shield to have all magic deviate from attacking them. Wasn't that ingenious?!"
"That's so cool!"
"Can someone use their bloodline magic like that?"
"He grew up so much during the summer!"
"Did the Abnormal Pack have a especial training session while they were out of school? How did they manage to get so good in so little time?"
"That's the Harvest King for you!"
"They managed to escape, as Oswell-sensei stopped Robin-sensei from using his blood skill Bullseye Shot. Now they are gone! Vanished! And all of their balloons intact!" Bathin continued his broadcast in excitement, he truly loves his job. "Next came Team Valac! They faced off against Suzy-sensei! Clara was fast on the use of her bloodline magic and had vendine machines barricated before her and her team as protection. Not even Suzy-sensei's flower bullets could pierce through them!" More cheering from the crowd, the first years were getting quite hyped up. "She then created more balloons, then used them to distract Suzy-sensei, who proceeded to pop them all. Then with the aid of her kohai, Marbas F. Yabashi, who used his blood skill Perfect Understanding, Clara managed to get into the flower while it is reloading, and delivers a Pepper Bomb to Suzi-sensei, which left the sensei snizzing a storm!" The students laughed at the memory of their cheerful teacher sneezing and cursing. "For those who do not know, Perfect Understanding allows one to see the structure of all things. As they were running away, Suzy-sensei tried to catch one of the students under Clara's protection with a thread. However, Clara was expecting something like that! While her team was retreating she had created a corresive cloud, that's how Suzy-sensei's thread was desintigrated before she could trap anyone!"
"As expected of Iruma-sama's second in command after his mate Asmodeus-sama!"
"She is so much fun!"
"She even got Marbas to cheer! Is her charm unbeatable?"
Clara indeed grew up this summer, Ameri thought with a proud smile, from her seat next to Baraki. To be able to copy Iruma's corrosion... she has gotten stronger. Especially, since it is not a tangible object!
"Then came the one we were all waiting for... Iruma!" Baraki shouted alongside the crowd. To say that Iruma was a crowd favorite was obvious, no one other than his mate Asmodeus Alice could match him in popularity. "Team Iruma faced off against Shiida-sensei. Shiida-sensei came out from nowhere and tried to capture Corcell Chima. However, Iruma had sensed her! He returned her kick, matchig in her in strength!"
If only they knew he was only able to do so because he is a Demi Demon and his strength is above average, Ameri thought with a dry chuckle.
"Iruma then quickly drew his bow and four arrows! What a mastery for someone so young!" Baraki continued, getting swept into the excitement of the crowd. "Shiida-sensei thougth that his aim was lacking, evading them all, but what she did not know was that it was all part of his plan! Out of the blue, he had her stuck to the wall with four arrows, arms and legs pierced! Team Iruma then ran away before Shiida-sensei recovered!"
"Amazing!"
"So cool!"
"That's the Abnormal Pack's Alpha!"
"He managed to get a teacher to bleed! Unbelievable!"
"I want to be like him when I grow up!"
Shiida-sensei was surely shocked, Ameri thought with a frown. She had not been expecting that. But how could she, when Iruma did not want to hurt her to begin with. I saw how his eyes flashed with guilt when he did so... he did not want to hit her. However, he did. That's braver than most demons can do. That's why I decided to ally myself with him and his pack. They are truly outstanding demons.
"But tricking teachers did not stop with Iruma, no. Team Soi took over that duty next!" Baraki continued, totally oblivious to Ameri's internal crisis. "Soi had managed to completely dissolve his team! His technique was impressive and got them to trick not one, but three teachers! By the time, Attori-sensei had discovered their trick they were already gone!"
"That was incredible!"
"Did you see those first years on Team Soi? They were huge! How did he managed to do that?!"
Training, a lot of training, Ameri nodded to herself in pride. Soi suffered through Opera's ardous training, increasing his stamina and magic, to the point he did not need to stay completely still and focus a lot to manage such a high-level technique. Ameri then frown at the memory of Attori-sensei laughed maniacaly afterward Team Soi had gotten away. There's something wrong with that teacher... I don't know what, but something is off...
"Now... let's see who it will be next," Baraki said turning towards the screen. The crowd shouted so much that many demons feared that they were going deaf. "That's Team Alice and Team Caim! They are joining forces for the newly added task to the Heartbreaker Promotional Test!"
The students watched as Alice asked Caim to take their kohai away to safety.
"Wait, we are leaving Alice-senpai behind?" Silvia asked in concern.
"Don't worry. We've already decided what to do in case of an emergency," Caim reassured her.
"Amazing!" Silvia exclaimed amazed, while the rest were stunned as to when they had the chance to do so.
"Oh man! You were so quick-witted!" Ifrit-sensei sighed in both wonder and annoyance. "It's incredible how you guys splitted away without missing a beat, you guys are truly a pack. Couldn't you have hesitated for a second?"
"As you've said Ifrit-sensei, we are a pack," that's all Alice had to say to defend their strategy.
"Indeed you are," Ifrit-sensei smirked, amused by the cockiness of his student. "But have you not underestimated me?" Suddenly, scorching flames had Alice backing away in a hurry. "Have you ever fought someone who is more skilled in fire than you, Asmodeus Alice?" What followed was Ifrit-sensei toying with Alice for a while, he was practically kicking the omega's ass. "Why are you so persistant on not using your bloodline magic?"
Alice stopped frozen at that, stunned that anyone would ever question that.
Isn't it obvious?! Alice exclaimed internally.
Memory of his mate asking him to show off his fire flowers, sprung to his mind.
"Your strong is beautiful and strong, and so warm," Iruma hugged the fire flower, Alice had been showing off, without a second of hesitation, stunning Alice. "You always lower the temperature around Clara and I, right? Even though, controling your magic like that must be tough. The reason I adore the warm flames that are always protecting us is because they are made up of your feeling and hard work!"
Aaah, he always does that. Bestow words like this upon me, Alice thought tenderly at the memory. Words that touch me more than I could ever imagine. He praised my magic for being beautiful and warm... so it will be the only magic I'll ever use!
He rose to his feet in determination and drew strength from his flames.
"Still won't take my advice, so stubborn," Ifrit-sensei sighed in disappointment, expecting more from an Asmodeus. "Alright, I'm done. If you want to lose so badly. I'll just finish you off right now!" He called upon his fire to finish off the battle. However, his flames got punched back. Ifrit-sensei watched in shock the scene before him. "W-what is this?"
Crystal Blue Flames...!
"I was hoping to save this magic for when I face my mother-in-law, but you leave me no choice," Alice spoke, as poise as ever. As if he had not been toyed around a few seconds ago. "Now, have you ever fought someone who weilds fire you've never seen before, Ifrit-sensei?" Alice smiled mockingly, echoing his sensei's previous words.
Ifrit-sensei smiled, both in annoyance and excitement, and thought: Your kids sure know how to have fun, Kalego-sensei. A beautiful Blue Flower! That's what attacked him. What the hell?! His blue flames are drawing Ifrit in!
"Back off!" Ifrit-sensei growled, making Alice jump back. The teacher was annoyed, this was his bloodline magic he was losing control over. How annoying!
"That poor thing, your discipling is scaring it!" Alice smiled as he rushed forward for another attack.
"You flames could use a little more discipline!" Ifrit-sensei replied, not backing out and returning the attacks. "Luring in other fires and absorving them, just what is that blue blaze?!"
"Amaryllis," answered a dead serious Alice as he wielded a sword made of pure fire. "I made this after studying some old documents with Balam-sensei. The details are top secret."
"So stingy," Ifrit-sensei tched. "Oh well, in that case, I'll just figure it myself!" From Ifrit-sensei's back two flame wings spread out. "So, your flames can absorb attack, huh?" Ifrit-sensei concentrated his fire in a form of a ball on his hands. "Now, I can't help but wonder... how much can you swallow?! Aren't you curious too?!"
Alice did not stop and lowered himself to the ground, summoning a field of blue flowers. Using Amaryllis to its whole potential. The blue flames sprung up and swallowed the huge fire ball, following the attack by trying to submerge Ifrit-sensei in it.
It's devouring me! Ifrit-sensei exlcaimed internally.
Alice suddenly appeared from bellow and punched his teacher in the gut, giving it his all. "Hell's Inferno!" Alice staggered to his knees, after exclaimed "Yes!" in victory. However, it was no victory. From the derbis, Ifrit-sensei rose. Alice watched his teacher's flames devour his body in shock.
"That's impossible!" Ifrit-sensei growled angrily. "Damn it! I'm so pissed! How are you only He rank?!" Alice stared at him stunned. "You've gotta be kidding me! No way in hell someone like you is only a He rank! I respect Kalego-sensei, but!! His evaluation of you is low! Asmodeus-kun when you go kick Kalego-sensei's butt, I'll back you up!"
"That's certainly reassuring..." Alice smiled in excitement.
"Alright now, let's begin the round two!" Ifrit-sensei beamed, summoning a lance of fire.
Meanwhile, with Team Caim. They've reached their obbjective, but they froze under the cold look of Opera.
"I-Iruma's father," Caim stuttered, making Opera's tail and ears twitch in happiness- his cold mask breaking at the pure happiness of the reminder that he was a father now. "Quick! Get to the device now!"
"Wait a second!" Momonoki-sensei appeared behind them, magic twisting around her in response of her anger. She was in a bad mood, she was just reminded that the love of her life was taken and had a son. Kalego-sensei! Momonoki-sensei moaned internally. Sorry students, but you will be on the bad end of my rage. "You'll have to go trhough me first!"
"You guys go and overloard the device, I'll hold her off for as long as I can!" Caim ordered them.
"On your own?! Are you insane?!" Marriane exclaimed in shock, not believing her team's leader's words. "You can't face a teacher on your own!"
"It is my duty as your senpai and as a gentleman to protect you!" Caim replied, making Marriane blush in wonder. "But I won't be on my own," he took out four familiar summoning riitual seals.
That's right with Caim's bloodline magic, Translator, he can understand the language of all living creatures. And with the classical education he got before the Harvest Festival, he can manage this! The first years summoned their familiars: Zeze's familiar, a peacock, Uzu's familiar, a golem, Silvia's familiar, a chomping lion, Marriane's familiar, a scaled shark. Then they rushed off, leaving their senpain alone against Momonoki-sensei. Momonoki-sensei's Bolter was blocked by the Golem's Earth Shield, her Razor Wind was fend off by the peacock's Sound Wave.
He was winning... so of course, he got cocky and goaded her. Told her that he could fend off against any magic she thinks of throwing against him.
Which was a horrible idea... Momonoki-sensei's blood skill Master of all Trades, there's no magic she is not skilled in.
"Caim-san, don't you think it is a bit presemptous to to try and win against a teacher in a battle of classical education?" Momonoki-sensei stepped forward, barely containing her indignation. "Do your best to keep me entretained for a whole minute, ok?"
"Hmph, it is a gentleman's honor to monopolize a lady's time," was Caim's answer, as he readied himself for what's to come.
The next battle was a valient one, Momonoki-sensei threw spell after spell without rest, but each and every single one of them got blocked by the familiars under Caim's guidance... until, the familiar ritual seals were worn off. Then there was nothing to stop Momonoki-sensei's spell from getting to Caim and bringing him down.
"You are over! The summoning seals have worn off, and your allies have dissappeared. Your body is at its limit too," Momonoki-sensei stood above Caim's body. "That took almost three minutes... pretty impressive. But it's over now!" She menancly stepped towards the first year student, but was suddenly stopped by Caim who hugged her from behind. "You!" She threw him to the ground in annoyance.
"I won't let you touch them..." Caim struuggled to get back on his feet.
"Tch... Girls don't like boys who don't know how to give up!" She drew our her wand and casted her spell. "Bolt Strike!" Caim swayed, but at the end stood firmly to the shock of everyone in the room. "Get out of my way!" She shouted angrily, throwing another spell at Caim. Earth, Fire, Wind, she threw everything she had at him, which left her exhausted and panting. "Haaa... haaa... haaa..."
However, Caim did not back down. He stood firmly and claimed with conviction: "You shall not pass!"