Back to Routine: Lingering Mysteries
Team Performance Evaluation Results. 1st Place: Team 4 (Lur, Liz) - 782 points + Divine Beast's Crystal (50 points). 2nd Place: Team 1 (Teren, Kim Eunhasu) - 244 points. 3rd Place: Team 7 (Adam, Eve) - 117 points... These three teams successfully earned an A-grade.
1st: Team 4 (Lur, Liz) — 782 pts + Divine Beast's Crystal (50 pts)
2nd: Team 1 (Teren, Kim Eunhasu) — 244 pts
3rd: Team 7 (Adam, Eve) — 117 pts
... A-grade teams confirmed.
Normally, there would've been tons of skepticism like, "How the hell did that trash-tier team with Lur score that high?" But no one questioned the rankings this time.
Instead, the hot topics were the blue giant's foot that wrecked the Instant Area and vanished in three seconds... and the unidentified aura that left everyone trembling in terror.
Some even said they'd been plagued by nightmares for days because of that aura.
Theories spread like wildfire: "It's Zeke's summon ability," "The Abyss Church poisoned the Instant Area," "Blame the politicians," and so on. But no one could provide a clear answer.
'Sorry, kids. I tried not to activate Fear Factor if I could help it... but Zeke held out way too well. Plus, I figured one light tap would've killed the old man!'
Cough... Anyway, this team evaluation, riddled with unanswered questions, finally came to an end.
About three days later, it seemed the old saying "time heals all wounds" held true. Ordinary academy life resumed.
Thanks to Zeke keeping a tight lid on info about me.
The only minor issue was...
"Lur, you really don't remember anything?"
"Yeah... Liz, this is the third day you've asked... I seriously don't remember... Sorry."
"Ah, no. You don't need to apologize."
Liz kept pressing Lur about whether she remembered that day. Once every three days, like clockwork.
"You even got the Divine Beast's Crystal."
"I don't know... I've never seen a divine beast..."
After chatting with Lur, Liz kept staring at the floor where I lurked. She was probably hoping I'd explain something.
But there's just too much to explain. Like how I was originally an Eastern guy from a totally different world in my past life, died from a virus, got reborn as the king of the demon realm, and now the cutie next to you treats that demon realm king as her summon. Oh, and the demon realm is real, and everything the Abyss Church folks say is true.
Telling her all that would take forever, and she probably wouldn't believe it anyway. It's boring and pretentious.
Better to stay quiet and keep the mysterious vibe? That way, I score both storm-level coolness and charm points.
"This Divine Beast's Crystal thing... it's awesome. It even sparkles at night."
Lur loved the crystal so much she carried it everywhere. It glowed just right at night, like an idol concert lightstick—super helpful for avoiding stubbed toes on the desk corner when grabbing midnight snacks from the fridge.
Well, that's not its real purpose, but if our adorable master likes it, who cares?
"There's shops that buy Divine Beast's Crystals, y'know. They go for a fortune."
"Really...? But I think it's pretty... don't wanna sell it."
"You must really like it, huh."
"Yeah!"
Liz watched the delighted Lur with satisfaction, but suspicion lingered. She'd clearly seen Lur approach the divine beast Apis, pet it, and get the crystal. Yet Lur remembered nothing...
"You said it was a dream, right...?"
"Yeah, what?"
"Nothing. Just thought you said it was a dream."
"A dream?"
"Forget it."
Liz resolved to pry info out of me next time I poked out from the shadows.
"Oh, right. Zeke told me to raise our Thanatos properly...?"
"Yeah."
"What did he mean...? Did something happen with our Thanatos...?"
Yep. Lots happened. The old man grabbed my arm, spun me around a few times, chucked me into a mountain and wrecked the ecosystem. So I stomped his ass, ripped out his ribs, dropped him in a sinkhole, and left him half-dead.
Who'd believe that? Even from our pure-hearted master's lips, it'd just be, "What kinda bullshit is that, Thanatos?"
Better to stay silent—half the mystery sells itself.
"The scent from that time is definitely around here."
Suddenly, a black-furred wolf burst into the dormitory cafeteria, mane flowing.
Students freaked at the wolf, but Class 1 kids knew who it was and chowed down with it as a side show.
"Damn... it's right nearby."
Then Teren suddenly approached Lur and started sniffing around her.
"Eek...! T-Teren... stop... what're you doing...!"
"Hold still a sec. I'm almost—"
Wham!
Lur kicked Teren out of embarrassed reflex, and he faceplanted.
"You mangy mutt! What the fuck do you think you're doing?!"
"No, the blue giant's scent is around here..."
"Sorry 'bout that! This fool's got dog-level brains to match his looks! Real sorry! Lur, forgive him!"
Kim Eunhasu grabbed Teren's hind leg and dragged him back. Teren resisted, claws gouging the floor.
"Argh! It's nearby, Eunhasu!"
"Shut it, you! I'm too embarrassed to be seen with ya!"
After the commotion, they headed to Lur's room. Using paper-writing funds from their professor, they'd stocked up on snacks and drinks from the convenience store—including my favorite sausage bread.
Probably bait to lure me out. Heh. As if I'd fall for—
"Tasty, right, Thanatos?"
I'm the demon realm king. Yeah. Nah, I was a normal guy once too. Who can resist sausage bread? Hating it means you're a reptilian for sure.
"Lur, mind lending me your summon for a bit?"
"Huh...? You need Thanatos...?"
"Yeah."
"Thanatos, you okay with...?"
No way in hell. I shook my head, so Lur apologized to Liz and refused.
Liz had a mountain of questions, but let it slide.
The two girls chatted peacefully like proper young ladies, beaming. I played with the Peros Liz brought out.
It generates attractive/repulsive forces on nailed targets—iron-related attacks. Badass ability, ruined by that statue look.
"...?"
What're you staring at? Gazing at the demon king with those eyes? Too weak to sense my aura, huh? Zeke spotted me in the shadows fine. Wanna play with him again. Getting tossed was a blast.
"Liz, it's almost bedtime... shouldn't you head back...?"
"Nah, I'll crash here."
"But there's only one bed..."
"I know."
Liz dove onto the bed ahead of her master and beckoned her over.
"Eek... it's cramped..."
"No it's not."
Lur blushed and lay beside the class president.
"Hehe, the blanket smells like Lur. Even your scent is cute like its owner."
"Eek... don't say that..."
"Why not! Our Lur's the cutest in the world!"
"Hieee...!"
Aigoo. Guess explanations are off the table now. Time to spectate from the shadows.
Two days earlier.
"Professor Ellie, what happened in the Instant Area... is it true?"
"Yes, Principal Nelson."
The principal sipped expensive liquor, gazing leisurely at Professor Ellie.
Deep brown hair combed neatly from left to right, glossy side part. White shirt, light beige vest, light beige jacket over that. It evoked an early 1900s American gentleman style.
He read the newspaper, rolling the liquor on his tongue—its bitterness and lingering floral aroma.
"Drinking again today, Principal?"
"Without booze, I'd be dead by now."
Ellie wanted to refute it outright, but couldn't.
Because the living proof—someone who'd lived nearly 230 years despite daily drinking—was right there, boldly sipping away.
"An F-rank student in Class 1 handles an Immeasurable-grade summon?"
"Yes."
"What's the chance this incident ties to that student and their summon?"
"...I don't think so."
"Is that right."
"We might all have been hallucinating. Maybe... some substance in the Instant Area."
The principal took another sip. The pauses in conversation from his drinking made Ellie's palms sweat.
"Anyway, you may go."
"Understood."
He watched her leave, then stood and approached the full-length mirror, straightening his crooked black bowtie.
"A tale involving the Absolute One... not interested, Predator?"
In the mirror reflected a monster drooling, hunting its next meal.