Misconceptions Create Misunderstandings (2)
Baden. Just as you said, I went to confirm Raphael's remains, but there was nothing there. With the help of the inquisitors, I read the memories and discovered that the day before, Raphael's body transformed into light and vanished. This, too, must be the Goddess's will. Therefore, the demons are not controlling her. Raphael has lost her memories... It feels like there's some hidden truth behind it all. The inquisitors are in complete chaos right now. To them, Raphael is nothing short of a living legend. For someone like her to vanish in an instant... it's taking everything we have just to calm them down. Once I've settled them, I'll head to the academy officially as well. If Raphael is truly there, I'd love to fool around like we used to back then...
— Your close friend, Audrey
Baden had received a kind of divine revelation. The one and only way Raphael could avoid sacrifice. It was Ian. If Ian killed the Demon King and someone on par with the Demon King, Raphael wouldn't need to be sacrificed. He had to pass down everything he possessed to Ian. Ian would probably become the next Hero. In that case, they'd need to form a new Hero party as well.
"Hoo... This is tough. So damn tough..."
"Raphael... The path to saving you is long and arduous."
"But I swear I will save you no matter what."
Having made that vow, Baden began drafting his plans as the night slowly passed.
Meanwhile, in the imperial palace, Athalia was thinking about heading to the academy.
Raphael... Were you truly alive? I definitely tried using time magic, but I couldn't save you. Yet this aura is unmistakably yours. You're the only one capable of magic powerful enough to birth a sword in the sky. I just contacted the Holy Kingdom, and they told me your remains had turned into light and disappeared... What is the truth here? I'm so confused.
"Heimdall Stardust. Are you there?"
"Yes, ma'am! Heimdall Stardust, awaiting orders!"
"I have business at the academy and wish to entrust you with my duties while I'm gone."
"If anything happens, summon me immediately. Understood?"
"Yes, ma'am!"
Raphael. I will come see you myself. Just wait a little longer. I am coming to repay the debt of gratitude I owe you.
Achoo! Ugh, is someone talking about me?
Today marked the real start of my professorship. Time to give it a proper go.
"Ah... Professor... I mean, Professor Nameless. You've arrived?"
"Sorry for being a bit late."
"Not at all. Why don't we take a look around the academy first?"
"All the lecture halls are clustered around the central plaza."
"What sort of focus will your classes have?"
"Will you emphasize theory, or will you teach the children based on real-world experience outside?"
"I'll naturally focus on hands-on experience."
Kids who study theory first and then try it in practice end up dying all the time. Learning with your body first and picking up theory later is never too late. Especially with demon hunting—the senses of the body are what matter most. It's a class far removed from theory.
"That's what I thought you'd say. In that case, you may use this plaza for your lessons."
"Huh...? But there are many students who use the plaza..."
"Kahaha, you don't need to worry about such things."
"There's plenty of space behind the plaza. We can just build another training ground there."
"O-oh... I see..."
"Don't look so surprised. You are the first specialized demon-hunting professor to appear in nearly twenty years. So hold your head high!"
"Also, try not to show off that barrier and offensive skill you demonstrated earlier if you can help it."
"If you attack with your full power, everyone here would die. Kahahaha."
"Hahaha, Principal, I didn't know you could joke like that."
"Hm? I wasn't joking."
"...Excuse me?"
"Do not reveal your true strength as much as possible."
"Ah... Yes, ma'am."
"Today is your first lesson. What will you be teaching?"
"Hmmm... Since I have to teach demon hunting professionally, I suppose I should teach them about demons."
"After all, I'm pretty good at hunting them, if I do say so myself."
Raphael spoke with confidence. Principal Flora simply watched her with a quiet gaze.
"Ah, and you should get along well with the weapon techniques professor."
"Weapons are important when hunting demons, after all."
"You're right! Weapons are crucial when fighting demons."
"What's the weapon techniques professor's name?"
"...It's Baden."
"Baden...?"
Are you kidding me? Why did it have to be that guy of all people? I still remember him confessing to me on my deathbed. Just seeing his face is awkward enough. And now he's the weapon techniques professor? Ugh. My head hurts.
"Ugh..."
"...! Are you alright?? Is your head hurting? I must have been too hasty... I'm sorry... I'm so sorry..."
"It's nothing... Just... hearing the name Baden made my head ache. I'm the one who should apologize."
The moment she heard the name Baden, she reacted instantly... It seemed her past memories were returning far too quickly. Flora couldn't help but worry if she would truly be okay. She had no idea what might happen if Raphael regained all her memories. Surely she wouldn't just disappear without telling anyone... right?
"It's fine... For now, compose yourself. Why don't you take a look around the plaza? I'll be going now."
"Your first class begins in one hour, at ten o'clock. You'll be teaching Class C first."
"And do your best to teach them well. This year's students are truly a golden generation—there are many children with exceptional talent..."
"This old woman has talked too much... I'll take my leave now. Do your best."
Raphael began planning her demon-hunting lesson.
"Hmm... It's a demon-hunting class... So I suppose I need a demon?"
"No, wait. Can't I just use necromancy to control the demons I've already killed?"
Clatter—clatter—
The moment she activated necromancy, the resentful wails of the cylindrical demons began to echo.
Then they started hurling every curse imaginable at her.
"You damned whore... How dare you kill me—"
"Die die die die die die die die die die die die—"
"You'll eventually die in agony... Your whole body will be torn apart!"
"Ugh, so noisy. If you're going to curse someone, at least make it a proper curse. All I'm hearing is buzzing flies."
"What I want are loyal slaves who obey only my words."
"You lot will become the foundation for that."
"Necromancy—Reconstruction—Soul Forging—Wicked Demon."
"No... No...! I don't want to be erased...!"
"Someone save me...!"
"You great witch...! I curse you—!"
"Hmm. These things really only have working mouths."
Boom—crunch—crack—
You have synthesized the Wicked Demon (Reconstruction).
You have synthesized a demon for the first time.
...You have acquired Demonification.
Demonification: You are freed from all demonic energy. All abilities are strengthened. Demonic energy dwells within all skills, granting the power of corruption.
Special demon skills have been unlocked. These can only be used while in Demonification state.
Seed of Corruption, Devourer of Offerings, One Who Rejects Death, Sacrilege, Demonic Energy.
Demonification exists as the polar opposite of Angelification. They cannot be used simultaneously.
You have partially acquired the Fiend's $%^.
...What the hell? Why do I only get these kinds of skills? And I'm an angel? Is it even allowed for an angel to obtain demon skills? The gods really must be dead. Giving an angel skills like these... And that last bit about the Fiend... Does creating demons have something to do with the Fiend? This is pure chaos. Argh...
"My lord and master... This faithful servant greets you."
"Sigh... Yeah... Well, at least I made it..."
"Stand over there in front of the plaza."
"As you command, my master."
The demonic energy began to creep across the plaza like a slow fog.
The professors and students who sensed the demonic aura hurriedly rushed toward the plaza, preparing to fight the demon.
"...This aura undoubtedly belongs to a high-ranking demon..."
"Professor Tallen...? Are you certain...?"
The professors and students who didn't fully trust Tallen's words. Tallen pointed at the demon standing before the plaza and shouted.
"Look! At the demon standing right there!"
"....!!"
"That's... the Wicked Demon?!"
"Everyone, retreat...!"
While everyone else fell into chaos, Raphael alone remained perfectly calm. She stepped forward and called out in a loud voice.
"Everyone, stop! Please calm down."
"...Professor Nameless? What do you mean...?"
"That demon is a slave who obeys my commands."
"I needed a demon for my demon-hunting class, so I brought one. There's no need to worry."
"Hey, Professor Nameless! Are you joking right now? You expect us to trust a demon?"
"Sigh... So full of suspicion..."
"Then allow me to demonstrate."
"Hey, kneel."
"As you wish, my master."
Thud—
Before the eyes of every professor and student, the demon knelt. Professor Tallen watched the scene in disbelief.
Does that even make sense...? A demon submitting to a human? Just who is this Professor Nameless? Does she possess a skill that lets her freely control demons? This is dangerous... Extremely dangerous... If she were to fall to corruption, this world would undoubtedly face destruction. The overwhelming power of the skills she showed at the training ground... A mage proficient in ancient magic... And now she's taming a demon like it's a puppy... I need to keep a closer eye on her. If she turns out to be a threat to the future... I will personally... kill her.
"See? It's fine now."
"I brought a demon because I needed one for the first lesson."
"So please, everyone, relax."