Demon Search Operation (1)

“After much deliberation, I’ve decided to restructure the lesson plan.”

Returning to the spot in the forest where the special class students had gathered, Elfin laid everything out just as she’d discussed with me—honestly, but holding back key details. Naturally, she didn’t reveal Yustina’s identity or mine, nor did she mention her own background with the Imperial Secret ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Service. She simply announced that two demons had sneaked into the woods behind the academy, and today’s practical lesson would involve searching for them.

“A real combat exercise?”

“U-uh… I’m kinda nervous…”

The students’ reactions to the change in plans varied wildly. Yozef was openly thrilled, his eyes sparkling with excitement, while Konet didn’t show it as blatantly but wore an expression of eager anticipation. Charlotte, on the other hand, seemed terrified, clinging tightly to my side and trembling. The cat beastkin Gines scanned the others with a curious glance. Yustina and I, knowing the full story, had no objections, of course. In the end, all six special class students were on board without complaint.

Why are these kids all so damn innocent?!

I didn’t let it show, but I was honestly flustered. I’d expected at least one to question why students had to hunt demons hiding in the academy woods. Was this just adult thinking, weighing risks and benefits? Even so, facing real demons should’ve sparked ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠some tension—why were they so casual? I poked Yozef to test the waters.

“Hm? What’s up, Deneb?”

“Aren’t you worried? There are actual demons out there.”

“What’s to worry about? We’re not going alone—the professor’s with us! And wasn’t the original plan hunting magical beasts anyway?”

“Right. We were supposed to split into teams and each bag one.”

“Demons or beasts, the danger level’s about the same. Worst case, we get hurt, but the school’s right there, and we’ve got top-notch mage classmates. If a simple exercise like this scares you, how do you plan to call yourself a warrior?”

Listening quietly, I felt myself being convinced. It probably helped that Yustina had just healed the male students Elfin had taken down, earning their trust. Plus, all six had faced her directly, so they figured with her around, demons were no match. Especially Yozef and Konet, who’d tasted her kicks—their gazes toward Elfin were downright fanatical, like cultists worshiping a goddess.

“Well, if everyone’s fine with it… How about a contest to see who finds them first?”

“Hahaha! If the stakes were holding back, I’d lose for sure, but just finding them first? That I can do!”

“We’ll see about that.”

Well, the biggest reason was probably that they were all teenagers in their prime—reckless and uncalculating, charging headfirst without a second thought. Classic for that age.

Once she sensed the students had accepted the revised lesson, Elfin clapped sharply to grab their attention.

“Alright, to make the search easier, we’ll split into two teams.”

Dividing six into two groups of three was a solid call. With two targets, sticking together might snag one but let the other slip away. Two teams meant capturing one each, wrapping things up efficiently.

Wait, so which team does Elfin join?

Two teams, one professor. As that thought crossed my mind, Yustina, standing nearby, caught my eye.

Ah, that’s why two teams.

Split three students here, three there—one with Elfin, the other with Yustina. Even if demons showed up—or a demon lord—they’d be running scared. Sure, this was an Imperial Secret Service op, so Yustina couldn’t unleash flashy wide-area spells without drawing eyes, but as academy chairwoman, protecting three kids would be a breeze for her.

“Team A: Deneb, Yozef, Konet. Team B: Yuz, Gines, Charlotte. I’ll lead A, but I’ll keep an eye on B too, so no worries.”

Elfin grouped the combat class picks under Professor Perkyn together, and the magic class picks under Professor Dnei as the other. Everyone seemed fine with it—until one suddenly shot up a hand in protest.

Well, less “student” and more “chairwoman.”

“…Hold on.”

“Hm? Yuz Denbergen. A question?”

“N-not a question, exactly. I object to the team assignments.”

…Why?

I genuinely wanted to ask Yustina ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠right there. Elfin on one side, her on the other—it was perfect, just like I’d thought. Was mixing combat and magic students the issue? Needed balance for teamwork?

No way.

I couldn’t think of a logical reason. Noticing it split boys and girls, maybe she was jealous of Elfin hanging with the guys…?

As if.

Even I had to admit that sounded ridiculous. As everyone tilted their heads in confusion, Yustina fidgeted and spoke up.

“Um… shouldn’t we mix magic-savvy students with combat ones? For joint practice and synergy training?”

“Hm, surprisingly valid point. I’ll adjust.”

Classic Yustina—thinking like a true educator, optimizing practical learning. I was impressed by her dedication. Elfin, skilled in secret ops but new to teaching, readily accepted.

“Team A: Deneb, Charlotte, Yozef. Team B: Yuz, Konet, Gines. Like I said, I’ll lead A but watch B too…”

“Hold oooon!”

What was Yustina’s problem now? This setup was flawless—balanced strengths, safeguards per team, risks minimized.

But up went her hand again.

“How about swapping Deneb and Konet?”

“Me?”

“Why me all of a sudden?”

Konet and I both blinked in surprise. What the hell?

Yustina couldn’t voice the reason.

“…Ah.”

Elfin nodded knowingly, a sly grin creeping in. I didn’t know why, but seeing that look, I caught on. This wasn’t about logic—Yustina just wanted to be on my team. Not childish whining, but fallout from her earlier clash with Elfin in the woods.

“Hey, Yuz. No need to worry…”

Yustina unleashed her pent-up frustration via telepathy. It hit so suddenly I flinched. My head spun from the flood of her angry voice, but it settled quickly. I replied the same way.

I cut the telepathy and called out to Elfin aloud.

“How about three teams instead of two?”

There was some back-and-forth, but my suggestion won out. Three teams beat two for coverage—no need to explain that. Safety was the quibble, but I knew none of us—Elfin, Yustina, or me—would fold to a couple demons. Stamina mattered, but this’d be quick skirmishes, not marathons.

“Well, if it’s Deneb…”

“He’s the strongest among us.”

The other special classers nodded along. Yozef and Konet saw me as the monster who’d dropped dozens in combat class nonstop. Even Gines did. Charlotte fretted a bit, but even in worst case, I had my aces.

With this, I can spam stamina aura or sword aura freely.

I slipped a hand in my pocket, rolling the bluish-glowing mana core on my palm. Golden sword aura and stamina aura guzzled mana like crazy—couldn’t use ’em casually. But with the core from the magitech slave collar? Mana’s no issue. Aura magic on demand, no fatigue, sword aura as needed.

“Team A: Konet and Gines. Team B: Yuz and Yozef. Team C: Deneb and Charlotte.”

Three teams from two didn’t mean solo—I’d have Charlotte. A with Elfin, safe. B with Yustina, golden. C: me and defense whiz Charlotte.

Mana core plus Charlotte’s barriers. Double insurance.

Elfin and Yustina eyed me worriedly. After 500 years, flipping protector to protected stung, but they overprotected anyway. Yustina vowed to shield me from the world; Elfin called me half-revived master yet fretted endlessly.

“Fine. I’ll lead A but watch B and C as best I can. Let’s move out.”

Elfin shoved emotions aside, prioritizing the hunt. We’d already wasted time talking in the woods—arguing teams more would delay further, risking the demon siblings’ escape. Nightfall’d halt us anyway, tipping them off.

“…Especially Team C. Be careful.”

Finally, Charlotte and I stepped into the academy woods’ entrance, where thick darkness cloaked even midday.

“I’ll protect you for sure, young master!”

“Yeah, right. Just watch yourself.”

“Y-yes…”

Embracing a strange mix of anticipation and dread for whatever awaited within.