Chapter 2: The New Student and the Duel
The grand hall of Babyls buzzed with energy as students poured in for the start of the school year. Demons of all kinds filled the seats, chatting, laughing, and buzzing with anticipation. Up on the stage, Headmaster Sullivan took the podium, beaming with excitement.
"My adorable grandchild has enrolled at this school!" he declared proudly, throwing his arms up. "He's kind, strong, and incredibly talented!"
Azazel sat near the back of the room, alone and calm. His face didn't show any emotion, but his golden eyes observed everything closely. He knew exactly what was coming. After all, he had lived a different life before this one.
Back in the hall, Sullivan finished his short speech and stepped down. One of the teachers stepped up and looked over a clipboard.
"Now then, may the student representative come forward."
Alice Asmodeus stood tall, expecting to be called. But the teacher adjusted his glasses and blinked.
"Ah, it appears the Headmaster has already selected the representative… Iruma Suzuki!"
Gasps filled the room. Iruma sat frozen in his seat.
"Did he say Iruma?"
Sullivan gently nudged Iruma forward with a proud smile. Iruma stumbled toward the stage, clearly overwhelmed.
As Iruma reached the podium, Sullivan slipped a paper into his hands and whispered, "To help you in school,To ensure you do not fall or stumble in your future school life, I gift you this phrase- From Grandpa."
Iruma unrolled it and began to read.
The moment he finished, a gust of magic-filled wind erupted across the hall. A glowing sigil formed in the air. The scroll had activated a forbidden spell the Avoidance Magic. For the next day, Iruma would automatically evade all harm or danger.
The room erupted in shock. "Was that forbidden magic?!"
Iruma's eyes widened in panic. "I didn't mean to-!"
Before anyone could say more, Alice stepped forward. "Iruma Suzuki! I challenge you to a duel!"
Iruma flinched. "What?!"
The crowd quickly moved to the school yard. The duel was set.
Azazel leaned against a wall in the shade, arms crossed, silently observing.
Alice started the duel with elegant fire attacks, each one precise and dangerous. Iruma, fueled by panic and the activated spell, dodged every one by accident stumbling, tripping, and flailing in just the right way.
"Is this luck?!" one student whispered.
"No, it's some kind of technique!"
Azazel's lips twitched into a faint smile. "It's the spell. Perfectly timed."
After several failed attempts, Alice lowered his hand and bowed.
"I concede. I've never seen such mastery of evasive combat. From this day forward, I pledge my loyalty to you, Lord Iruma!"
Iruma was baffled. "Please don't!"
But Alice stood beside him proudly, hand on his chest.
Azazel turned and walked away from the crowd.
"So it begins," he murmured.
---
The next day, classroom assignments were posted. Iruma and Alice were placed in the Misfits Class.
Azazel was already seated at the back when they walked in. The class whispered and gossiped.
"That's the guy who beat Alice?"
"He doesn't look that strong."
Iruma tried not to make eye contact, but his eyes briefly met Azazel's. Azazel's gaze was calm and distant, and after a second, he looked away.
Azazel didn't care about the others. He rarely spoke, never joined the noise. But when Elizabetta entered, his eyes softened.
They had a bond others didn't see. He was still quiet around her, but in his actions offering her a chair, letting her speak without interrupting, standing protectively near his warmth showed.
He wasn't a hero. He wasn't looking to make friends. But for those he cared about, Azazel would act.
And now, the story he once watched had begun.
———
Later that day, the Misfits Class gathered in the summoning room—an ancient, rune-lined chamber pulsing with magical energy. Each student would summon their familiar, a creature tied to their power and soul.
Professor Kalego stood at the front, arms crossed, scowling.
"You will each perform the summoning ritual. The creature that appears will be bound to you until graduation. If you fail—suffer the consequences."
Azazel leaned quietly against a far wall. He already knew what was coming—not just for himself, but for Iruma.
One by one, students stepped into the circle and summoned their familiars—each more strange or wild than the last.
When Azazel's name was called, the room grew tense.
He stepped into the circle, raised his hand, and recited the chant with calm precision. Sparks of electricity danced around his fingers as the summoning circle pulsed.
In a flash of violet and gold light, a tall, panther-like beast emerged. It had glimmering black fur, jagged horns, and crackling lightning running through its body. The creature bowed low to Azazel, calm but fierce.
"Woah…"
"That thing's insane!"
Azazel said nothing and returned to his place.
Then came Iruma's turn.
He stepped nervously into the circle, gulping. *I don't have magic… what if nothing happens?*
He spoke the chant quietly. The circle glowed—and to everyone's shock, the top half of a man shot out of the summoning circle.
"K-Kalego-sensei?!" a student shouted.
Indeed, it was Professor Kalego, his upper body sticking out of the circle, arms flailing, legs still trapped inside the magic pattern.
"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?!"
Iruma panicked. "A-Are you okay?! I'll help you out!"
He hurried around to the back of the circle and tried to pull Kalego free.
"NO! Don't pull!" Kalego barked. "Push from the other side!"
"O-Okay!"
Iruma rushed to the front and gave Kalego a careful shove.
With a blinding flash, Kalego's lower half popped out of the circle—and the familiar contract sealed itself.
A faint chime echoed through the room.
The students stared in stunned silence.
"…Did Iruma just summon Professor Kalego?" someone whispered.
"No way. He summoned a person?!"
Kalego's eye twitched. His whole body trembled with rage.
---
Later, in the Headmaster's office, Iruma sat nervously while Kalego stood fuming beside him.
Sullivan finished inspecting the familiar seal on Iruma's hand and smiled cheerfully.
"Yup! It's official. Iruma summoned Kalego, and the circle accepted it. You're now his familiar, my dear colleague!"
Kalego's scream of protest echoed through the entire school.
Outside the window, Azazel leaned on the balcony, staring down at the academy grounds.