After that day the week flew by, I exercised, hunted and bought more shares of the Black Skull guild now with a more fixed mentality
To rise in this hierarchy and have everyone under my feet
-Listen, the exams will be given at the beginning of June, so there are two weeks left, starting with the written exams. The combat exams will be in the second week. Remember, the written exams are just as important as the combat exams.
Today is Monday, the professor spoke in a serious tone, as he told us, the exams would begin in June, the written exams would be simple, I had nothing to worry about but the problem was in the combat.
This second exam was more like a festival. All the guild representatives would be there, as there would be a one-on-one battle, as well as other activities like dungeon clearing, student inventions, etc.
-…-
The exam aside, I was determined to destroy the hierarchy, but I can't concentrate on today's class because for the first time someone sat next to me.
Alice
This girl always sat alone, I thought she was like me... but since the last exam results, she's approached me, seat by seat. She thinks I didn't notice, and now she's next to me.
Every time I turned around, Nameless would tell me she was copying from my notebook where I had written down all my notes.
—Alan, if you want to get girls, you have to be smart. Be the best at everything. Girls will be attracted to you.
Those were the words Principal Sophia gave me when I was 10. I always followed them to the letter, and I see that my efforts are paying off... A pretty girl is interested in me!!
My popularity increased, even if it's just one girl, it was enough to make me happy.
"Hey, Alan... you won't say anything to the girl who apparently wants to copy your notes."
«It doesn't matter, I'll ignore it, but I still want to play a few tricks on her»
***
[Alice's Perspective]
I've been moving from seat to seat, being noticed by Alan Harwey just to see his notes. When I went to check it (copy it), I saw something that caught my attention.
[Introduction to Runology]
«That's a wizard's book! Where did he get it?!»
Those types of books originally belong to wizards and apprentices in wizard towers.
Wizards don't normally give those books to just anyone. That means a Wizard recognized Alan and gave him one of those books. Even my father had a hard time receiving those kinds of books, even though he belongs to the lineage of El Cid's disciple.
Inevitably, I looked at the book. Curiosity filled my entire being, and I wanted to learn a little about the runes.
*Sniff Sniff
A delicious aroma had filtered into my nose; the smell was enough to make me drool.
Alan had taken out a sandwich, which he began to eat in large bites.
I was distracted for a few moments only to see the boy put away his things and close all his books with a smile.
At that moment.
*Ring
A bell-shaped hologram materialized in the classroom and rang out loud throughout the room.
After watching the black-haired boy leave his class, I lay down at my desk, feeling a deep depression in my heart.
Would the daughter of one of the strongest hunters really do these things? A descendant of the hero's disciple and right-hand man, Cid?
«Am I that unlucky to even copy a classmate?»
I sighed as I packed my things. I just wanted to go home and take a cold shower to relax.
***
[Alan Harwey's perspective]
Even if that meeting ended on bad terms, I swore I would help them, and I keep my promises. I'm in a room with one of the friends of one of the missing victims, Julia from class 1-B.
Julia sat in a comfortable wooden chair, swallowing hard, her hands shaking slightly from nerves.
-Do you know why you're here, Miss Julia?-
-If it's because of Sylvie's disappearance, I'll tell Hajime and Damian. That's all I have to say-
-Yes, but... a little chat isn't a bad thing. Could you tell me how Sylvie disappeared?-
Sylvie is one of the missing, there are currently about 10 missing, this girl Julia already told Hajime everything she knew, but there may be small details that she didn't say and that Hajime himself ignored.
Julia began to breathe deeply, then sighed and spoke in a shaky tone.
-Ha… it was only a few days ago, she was eating quietly after the combat class we had, she was normal, she had no signs that she was manipulated by mind control magic, we both swore to go to the island cafeteria in 3 hours at 7:00 P.M but… when I waited for her she didn't come, it was already around 10:00 P.M and I couldn't see her again, since there was 1 hour left until curfew I decided to return to my dorm believing that she was sick or had some emergency-
-She didn't tell you anything... special, like what she was going to do next?-
-No, she didn't tell me anything, but everything she wrote down was in her diary-
-Diary?-
Julia began to take a small book out of her pockets and then showed it to me
-She didn't talk much... she always wrote her problems in her diary. I just went to her room to pick this up and give it to her, hoping it would help-
I grabbed the diary and put it away. It was a little uncomfortable reading a girl's diary, but it wasn't time for regrets. I just had to respond to my diary colleagues. That's all.
I printed out the entire diary, giving copies to Hajime so he could give them to the rest. He tried to apologize, but I just ignored him. I didn't want any apologies other than those from his own mouths.
I was leaving when I saw someone suspicious: a tall, handsome second-year boy talking to Shiba.
-What are you looking at?-
Hajime asked, having suddenly appeared. I was surprised by his sudden appearance. I sighed and asked
-Who is that boy? I've never seen him before?-
-Ah, his name is Jeremy. He's a second-year student in the combat class and the president of the study club. Many of the girls fall in love with him because of his handsome face. But last year, he helped capture a Daemon that had infiltrated the academy, and that's why all the younger students have a lot of respect for him-
"Oh... so that guy must be popular."
I looked closely at Jeremy. He has a charming face, I had to admit that even though it hurt, but... because I feel like there's something off.
"What's wrong?"
Nameless appeared.
«I don't know... I feel something strange when I see him»
"Do you think he's responsible for the disappearances?"
«I'm not entirely sure, but it's very likely, since after these confrontations with the Daemons... I can clearly remember what it was like to stand face to face with one»
"Okay, then I'll follow him."
Nameless began to follow Jeremy as I walked away from everyone to return to my dorm.
***
[Wednesday]
Two days have passed since the interrogation, and Nameless hasn't told me anything suspicious about Jeremy.
While he continued to monitor him, I read Sylvie's diary.
—Today I joined the study club, I'm a little nervous about everything, but I met Jeremy, he was so sensual and that bright smile made him stand out, he's very kind to everyone and always helps us with very complicated issues. Being in this club made me feel very safe.
It didn't say anything incriminating about the president, it was just compliments toward him... I shouldn't trust a girl's diary too much.
«Nameless, any news?»
"No, nothing. That boy didn't do anything suspicious these past two days. He was just talking to Shiba, nothing important"
«Shit, so was I wrong?... I guess I shouldn't be so suspicious about everything»
Unfortunately, I had to question him. I'd already made an appointment to chat with him.
I walked until I reached room 258. I was ready with my sword in case it was a Daemon. It was also surrounded by multiple hidden security cameras where no one could notice it.
I waited about five minutes inside the room until the door opened.
Footsteps sounded and I could see him face to face with Jeremy. This guy made me feel very uncomfortable, but I didn't notice anything strange about him. But suddenly the atmosphere became very cold when I arrived.
-Sorry I'm a little late, Alan Harwey-
His mere presence made my instincts go wild, and I was more alert than ever.
This only heightened my suspicions... this guy is anything but ordinary.
-Don't worry. We have all the time in the world. I'd like to ask you a few questions-
-Go ahead, ask me anything. I'll do my best to help with the investigation into the disappearances-
He sat down in the chair and put on his smile. That smile he mentioned in Sylvie's diary wasn't cute at all.
-Does he know where Sylvie was the last night before she disappeared?-
-Sylvie?... Ah! You mean the girl from class 1-B? She was a lovely girl, always very attentive to all the club news. Unfortunately, I don't know. She was with my friends the night I disappeared. You can confirm it by asking them about me-
Jeremy spoke. His words were mixed with joy and coldness at the same time. According to the investigations, what he said a while ago was correct, but I felt like there was something that didn't fit.
-Were you very close?-
-Were we really very close, but she kept asking me about everything. She wanted my help for upcoming exams, and I gladly helped her, all to help the younger students improve as students-
-Did you meet Dilan?-
-Dilan… Dilan?, the boy who became a Daemon? I don't know him in depth, but I know that he attacked Hanami so that he ended up dead… what a cruel fate that poor boy had, his parents should be in deep regret-
Jeremy began to cover his face as he wiped away a few tears that fell on his face, but I could see a slight, imperceptible smile.
If this were an acting competition, he'd take first place... my suspicions were confirmed... This guy is a Daemon!
"This guy... at this point he's lost his humanity"
Silence filled the air as I stood up and looked him in the eye.
-You may leave... thank you for your cooperation-
-Any help you need... you can count on me, I'll be at the study club if you need me-
Jeremy smiled, sending shivers down my spine. After a small bow, he left as if he had never been in this room.
«Shiva will definitely be her target»
"That brat deserves it... but unfortunately, we're good Samaritans. It's a shame if we were here in the past, we would have left him to his fate"
A hero, my ass. This guy is definitely a Daemon. I don't know how he evaded security for a whole year, but that refutes what I had in my head. To survive in this world where demons harass humanity, you absolutely must have power.
«Nameless...»
"You don't even have to tell me"
Nameless broke through the walls and started following Jeremy.
***
[Mirai Shiba's Perspective]
The creaking of a door echoed through the halls.
I opened the door to the study club. The club room was no different than usual; it was very large with plenty of seating.
This is where monsters, divine spirits, and ways to counteract them were studied. Normally, this room felt strangely warm, but the current room was empty.
The only person on the stage was the study club president, Jeremy.
Jeremy was sitting in a chair next to a small wooden table next to a cup of tea. The president was reading a book carefully while taking a small sip.
«Where are the others?»
The atmosphere was very strange. There was a meeting for all the club members, but...
Why is no one there?
In that brief moment, Jeremy looked at me and slowly began to approach. This man had a good reputation since, in his first year, he helped exterminate a Daemon infiltrating the academy, so everything was fine.
-I see you're here?-
-Yes. Where's the rest of the club?-
-Ah, they... you arrived very early, the rest will arrive later, I suppose-
That makes sense, I arrived twenty minutes early and at this time there is usually no one there except President Jeremy or me.
-Come sit down, there's no threat, Shiba-
Jeremy spoke. I sat in one of the many chairs in the study club, front row on the stage, as I watched Jeremy stand up and then give me a charming look.
Jeremy is very popular with the girls, as there are always positive comments about him. He gave off a kind of aura that calmed anyone; just his presence made you feel comfortable in a tense atmosphere.
-Oh, Miss Shiba, I heard from a little bird that you've already joined the investigation team-
-That's correct, Senior Jeremy, but I have a question. Will you be joining the investigation team?-
Hearing my question he walked up to the podium and raised his hands while making a kind of pose, I knew what pose he was making, he always made that pose when he was going to give a speech
-Obviously, I would never allow younger students to suffer fear because of the Daemons, I want to avenge the poor souls fallen by those damned ones who fell into the path of evil, last year I saw how my friend was killed by a Daemon in front of my own eyes, I could not do anything and the only thing I could do was betray him to exterminate him, but now things are different, I am much stronger than before and with my power I know I can protect everyone's smiles-
Jeremy Decree staring into nothingness
His speech moved me a little. Someone with his vigor was hard to find, and he also had the charisma to be a leader. There's no doubt after this incident I'll ask him to join my faction in the Yamato guild.
-Changing the subject, does the investigation team already have any suspects in mind?-
Jeremy asked, curious.
-We had a suspect, but... it wasn't a Daemon-
I began to remember Alan Harwey's words
-I feel so sorry for you, Shiba-
-With that attitude, you'll only make enemies. In the end, if you manage to become the leader of Yamato, it would only fall into ruins-
That boy's gaze was in my head and his harsh, cold words were always haunting me, and inevitably the last word made me remember my hateful sister.
Long white hair and purple eyes that reflected honesty, a beautiful face and a well-endowed body, also a genius in the art of the sword, the pride of my family.
—Mirai, stop having that arrogant attitude, in the end you'll only make more enemies, you should change a little
My sister's gentle words were like a bucket of cold water, she only mentioned my flaws without any bad intentions, but even so, it bothers me a lot.
-Mmm, well, after all, that Daemon must be very slippery-
Jeremy's words brought me back to reality.
Jeremy grabbed his cup and used his magical power to heat the tea inside to the point where clear smoke came out.
Suddenly, the clear smoke hit my nose.
*Crash
I lost control of my body, falling to the ground as I tried to move even a muscle.
-What... is going on?-
-You know, Miss Shiba, I watched you very carefully, very suspiciously, and you never, ever escaped my sight-
Jeremy's warm words had turned into a dark coldness as his charming gaze hardened slightly.
-I'll tell you one thing, the Daemon you've all been looking for, it's me-
-What...?-
President Jeremy's revelation left me dismayed.
The Daemon the investigation team had been searching for for so long was standing right in front of me, and I never realized it.
Suddenly, Jeremy's figure began to distort.
-What's wrong? Why isn't my body responding?-
Jeremy smiled, his eyes and lips slowly twisting, giving him a face full of malice.
-Don't you like the smell of tea? But don't worry, dear Shiba, your pain will soon disappear-
I felt my head spin until my consciousness slowly faded.