Morning.
When I woke up, Sally was gone.
It seemed like she had woken up early and left.
Well, if that’s the case, I’ll just see her at the Academy. That’s what I told myself.
“Adel. You’re up.”
“Oh, sister. Did you shower already?”
“Mm. The bathroom facilities were better than I expected.”
“By the way, are you alright? Things got pretty wild yesterday.”
“…I’m fine… more or less.”
“Yeah? Then that’s good.”
“……”
***
The Three-Day Break.
A short break, if you can call it that… it really was short.
After the hectic first day, the weekend vanished in the blink of an eye.
The Academy returned to its usual routine. The flowers had started to fall, and even with the windows open at night, it was no longer cold.
Soon enough, final exams would be upon us, and then summer break would follow.
Yes. Time flows like that. Students still growing up continue to learn and gradually become adults.
That holds true not only for the playable characters I haven’t met yet but also for the regular students.
However—
“……”
There might be some people who don’t grow. Or maybe even shrink, in a way.
“…I’ve shrunk.”
When I woke up this morning, I was shorter. Not just shorter….my brand-new uniform sleeves were clearly too long.
When I checked the mirror, I saw that same pale, delicate face again.
…So this must be the result of the height I gained from demonification.
It’s a phenomenon I can roughly understand. Since I hadn’t transformed in a while, my body must’ve started reverting.
Crackle—
◆ Trait [Shape Transformation] activated.
◆ [Adel Bliss] → [Adel Bliss (Rage Demon)]
With a cracking sound, I temporarily transformed into the demon form.
My muscles expanded so suddenly that my uniform almost tore, but as expected of the prestigious Tane Academy, not a single stitch came loose.
Once I canceled the transformation, my properly grown height returned.
“……”
As I suspected. The effects of “Shape Transformation” linger even after it’s undone. Probably not the muscles, but the bones. Once they’ve grown, they can’t just shrink back down completely.
What a hassle.
I can’t risk being seen in demon form. Which means I can’t just transform every time I need to look taller.
So I’ll have to live in this smaller form for a while again.
It’s a shame, especially after giving Camilla all that mature advice.
Still, it was a pretty productive night out.
I did nearly die, but I earned a whopping 200,000 NP.
Back when I fought Camilla, I hadn’t received a battle bonus, so my NP had been running dangerously low.
And now, I can access Black Alley without hesitation.
All in all, not a bad result.
All the magical tools I got from Deeks were for Camilla.
I basically handed her every type she could possibly use, but how she applies them is entirely up to her.
I explained how to use each one, and with Camilla’s talent, I’m sure she’ll come up with some wildly creative ways to use them.
With that, peace is finally mine.
The first boss “Mad Adel” has exited the stage.
All that’s left is to live the model Academy life, earn high marks, land a great job, make a ton of money, and enjoy the rest of my life. That’s it.
Of course, there’s still the problem of the demon worshippers.
They’ve probably realized that the “Demon Seed” vanished without any casualties, so there’s a good chance they’ll try something.
“…Demon worshippers, huh. Well, still.”
I’m not afraid anymore.
Because Camilla is on my side now.
From here on, I’ll help her from time to time and focus on growing stronger at my own pace.
But to do that, I’ll need a new approach—
Everything I’ve done so far were just early-game tricks.
Now that my NP is starting to pile up and I’ve got a way to boost my mana reserves, what I need next is high-level magic.
But formulas for advanced spells aren’t easy to come by.
Books that contain them are usually sold for a premium.
[Imperial Auction House Transaction Records]
On the last day of the break, I opened a document with that title.
If it’s a place where expensive items are traded, then of course, the auction house is the go-to.
By looking through the records, I should be able to find where high-level magic books have ended up.
“…It’s thicker than I expected.”
Still, it’s something I have to do. For the sake of peace in my life—
To grow stronger, step by step.
That’s what I thought.
***
The next day, things began.
A strange sense of unrest and urgency.
Even though the sun hadn’t risen yet, the Academy was abuzz.
Maids were seen whispering to each other all over the place.
It should’ve been a calm and peaceful early morning, but it felt like something had definitely gone wrong.
“…?”
I racked my brain. Was there an event around this time?
Was this when the Headmaster made a move?
What came to mind was an event involving Tane Academy’s Headmaster, one of the playable characters.
But that was supposed to happen somewhere else, not here.
There’s no reason for the Academy itself to be this chaotic.
…Which means this must be something happening behind the scenes of the main scenario.
I’d better prepare myself. Just in case.
Just like that, without much thought, I headed to first period.
Today, for some reason, it felt like more eyes were on me. But that’s nothing new. No reason to pay attention to it.
“Before we begin today’s lesson, there’s something I need your cooperation with.”
That’s when Professor Quinoron entered the classroom earlier than usual, wearing a stern expression.
“It’s rather sudden, but the Imperial Special Task Force apparently needs to check something with the students. There will be a type of inspection. I’m informing you in advance as your professor. Make sure to maintain your composure and dignity.”
And just like that, he hurried back out the door.
Right before the usually quiet start of first period, the classroom erupted with murmurs.
“The Special Task Force? What’s that?”
“I heard they only carry out secret missions.”
“An inspection? Why?”
As those conversations continued, one student stepped out and quickly returned.
“Same thing’s happening in the other class! Looks like a full-scale inspection!”
“Something must’ve happened. What do we do?”
“If it’s the Special Task Force, it might really be something serious…”
This kind of anxiety-fueled commotion spreads easily.
And understandably so.
The Special Task Force is an imperial organization that handles heinous criminals and magical disasters.
Given the nature of their work, it’s only natural they have significant authority.
“……”
Amid the chaos—
I sat quietly, deep in thought.
It’s not widely known, but the true purpose of the Special Task Force is to combat demon worshippers.
The reason demon worshippers can’t freely operate in the Imperial Capital isn’t just thanks to the efforts of “White Ship”, the group Sally belongs to… it’s fair to say the Special Task Force deserves even more credit.
Judging by this… they’re not here because I disabled the barrier.
If that were the case, they would’ve summoned me directly.
Tane Academy was filled with children of influential families. There’d be no reason to create this kind of stir.
Besides, what happened with the barrier, destroying it in an instant, would be of more interest to the Mage Tower than to the Task Force.
If anyone were to approach me about that, it’d be them; not the Task Force.
I checked. The demonic energy left in the gym was completely gone. Then this has nothing to do with me.
So what is it?
I’ve never seen an event like this. Did I trigger something without realizing it?
Just as I was thinking that—
Clunk—!
The classroom door swung open.
There, stepping in without warning, was a knight clad head to toe in steel.
“Nice to meet you. I am Niel, of the Imperial Special Task Force.”
A voice altered to conceal any trace of gender. A calm tone that carried authority. A helmet that hid their face completely.
A familiar figure. No need to reconcile game and reality.
They appeared exactly the same in the game.
No less than the commander of the Task Force.
“I’m sorry, but from this point on, I’ll need you all to show me the back of your necks.”
“……?”
“The back of our necks?”
“What the… who is that…?”
The murmuring lasted only a moment.
The ones here were certainly children of noble families. But when it came to an inspection by the Special Task Force, there was an undeniable authority that made resistance impossible.
“Everyone, stay seated and turn around.”
Though some looked uncomfortable, one by one, they began to follow the order.
“You, over there….lift your hair. Let your neck show… all right, you may lower it.”
That phrase, “you may lower it” kept repeating over and over.
Each student, reassured after hearing it as if they’d passed some kind of test turned back around with relief on their faces.
“……”
“You may lower it… mm. You as well; you may lower it.”
My seat was in the very back of the classroom. Slowly, my turn was approaching.
Clang, clang.
In the descending lecture hall, Niel ascended the steps with the sound of metal, reaching the very back and turning to me.
“The last one. Student with the gray hair. Please turn around.”
“……”
Without a word, I turned my back. There was no need to lift my hair. My neck was already visible.
…Silence.
“…Mm. You may turn back around.”
Far off, I saw Professor Quinoron exhale in relief.
The other students who had been holding their breath during the moment of silence did the same.
“My apologies. I appreciate your cooperation. Professor, I’ll be taking my leave now.”
“…Understood. I’ll report to the head professor.”
“Ah. Are there any absentees?”
“Not in this class… but there should be a few.”
“If possible, I’d like those students to be summoned as well.”
“…I’ll make sure that’s done.”
The Task Force commander descended the stairs again with the sound of clanking metal, then exited the classroom.
Thud—!
“…Alright. Settle down. Today’s class will be self-study. Oh, and Adel….there are two professor notices related to your midterm report. Please check on that.”
“…Understood.”
With that, Professor Quinoron also disappeared.
“……”
***
The demon seed planted in me had caused a tattoo to bloom over my heart, marked by the symbol of a burning flame.
That symbol represented none other than the Rage Demon.
Each demonic mark, depending on the demon, differed in both the form it took and where it appeared on the body.
So, for players who remembered proper strategy knowledge, the location of a tattoo alone could reveal what kind of demon a character was harboring.
That inspection just now was likely done to check for that kind of information.
Truly, as expected of the frontline organization opposing demon worshippers. Even in front of nobles’ children, their actions were bold and swift.
“……”
But they were wrong.
The commander of the Special Task Force was operating on false information.
And I knew exactly what that false information was.
There is no such thing as a demonic mark that appears on the back of the neck.
“……”
However, there is one case where something other than a mark appears on the back of the neck.
In the first place, it isn’t a mark. It only appears to be one for about a day, then climbs up the neck and vanishes.
Its true identity is a pseudo-demon created by demon worshippers.
A being modeled after the “Imperial Patroller”.
A demon of justice and execution that parasitizes humans.
So it’s found its way into the academy. That’s troubling.
I didn’t know the reason why. Originally, the scenario involving that being was supposed to be resolved by the Headmaster of Tane. It was never meant to reach the academy.
Though it didn’t appear in many scenes, the Headmaster was also a playable character in a few instances.
A character who captivated players early on with the satisfying feel of their crisp, impactful combat. And the demon of justice and execution was their designated prey.
Originally, it should have already been dealt with at the first stage. How it ended up here… I couldn’t begin to guess.
I’ll have to ask Sally about it.
Having made up my mind, I nodded.
Since she belongs to another organization that opposes demon worshippers, she must be aware of this situation.
***
The Imperial Special Task Force. The Knight Commander.
Niel was thinking about the student he had just seen.
“…Professor.”
“Yes?”
He seemed quite lost in thought. Enough to speak without realizing it to the academy professor who had come up beside him at some point.
“That student earlier.”
“…? Earlier…?”
“The small one with gray hair.”
“You mean Adel. Was there something about him that caught your attention?”
“Has that kid… been sick often, by any chance?”
“…That’s what I’ve heard.”
“Just as I thought. How unfortunate.”
What came to mind was the overwhelming magical energy that had surged inside him. It was far too powerful for someone of his age.
But that power remained trapped within his body… which likely meant he had a condition that rendered him incapable of using magic.
Had he been born properly, he surely would have had the talent of a great mage, but with a condition like that, it would only shorten his life.
“Professor. Ask that boy if he’d be willing to be introduced to ‘Heinel Shifter’.”
“…Heinel Shifter? You mean that…?”
“She’s the genius mage of the Mage Tower. I have a small connection to her, and it seems her recent research might benefit from him.”
“…I see. I’ll pass the message along.”
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