Chapter four: First Impression

After some minutes of waiting, (Which, to Beelzemon, seems like hours) Clara finally emerged from the closet. The first thing that one could notice is that the light blue pajamas had gone. Instead, it was replaced with a white long-sleeved shirt covered with a gray sweater with no sleeve and an emblem that spells 'DA' at the chest along with a knee-length skirt with red and black stripes pattern. There are also black long socks that covered most of her leg, reaching just below knee and white and black tennis shoes.

She look satisfied at herself, no doubt because she was spared from the embarrassment of not realizing that she was wearing her pajamas. Speaking of pajamas, she was currently carrying it in her arms. Beelzemon, who had decided to entertain himself by playing with his fingers, look up and spotted her.

He huffed, "About time." He said, "I thought that it would take more hours than that." He continued, "Just why it did take that long anyway? Surely, changing your clothes can't be that long."

Clara just waved his hand, "I didn't take that long! Stop overdramatizing things!" She paused, "And for your information, it took quite a time to find a perfect size for myself. There are a lot of sizes there; it even makes me wonder how it can fit in that closet." ("…I'm more confused of the fact why there is a closet here at first place…" Beelzemon muttered.)

"On any case," she started, "I'm ready to go now." She paused. "…What are we going to do again?"

"You are supposed to go to your class to start your lesson and became an official student in the academy." The headmaster suddenly spoke, "But you have to wait for your teacher first. Speaking of her, she was supposed to arrive here earlier. No offence, but you did take quite long in the closet…" ("Ha! Two against one!" Beelzemon shouted, "…Shut up." Clara replied, "And I took offence in that!".)

The sound of rushed footsteps could be heard from outside the office. The sound became louder each passing second. It was pretty obvious that the owner of the footsteps is heading here in hurry. Hearing the footsteps, the headmaster raised an eyebrow. "Well, it seems that she has arrived." He said with an amused tone. "That took quite a time…"

The door was opened (Maybe slammed seems to describe it better…) with a loud 'BLAM'. There, in front of the opened door, which now seems to bend awkwardly, probably because being slammed too hard ("The poor door…" Clara muttered.), stood a woman.

She was quite young, maybe around 30 or younger. She has a shoulder-length chocolate brown hair that was tied into a bun with a white ribbon. She has a pair of light brown eyes. She seems to be distressed as her eyes showed a clear panic.

The woman immediately spoke, "Headmaster, sir! I am terribly sorry for my delay, but it's just that those kids I run to skipped class again and I have to spend some time lecturing them about how they're supposed to be learning things in their class instead of hanging around in lesson time and about how their parents would be disappointed if they know that their kids had not been learning anything at all, and-"

"Miss Elizabeth." The headmaster cut off, "You are babbling again."

Elizabeth blushed, "O-Oh! My bad, I didn't mean to babble, it's just that those kids seems to never learn their lesson." She gives a quiet laugh, "I'm really sorry for my delay." She bowed a bit. At that time, Clara and Beelzemon were staring at her 'grand' entrance with surprise and shock.

'She is…a truly one interesting teacher.' Clara though. 'I can only wonder how she fare in class…wait, she teaches my class right? I suppose I don't have to wonder anything, I just have to wait and witness it myself.' Beelzemon, on the other hand, 'That's a one heck of entrance.' Beelzemon though as he glance at the door, 'And some strength she got there.' Referring to the bend door.

The woman, Elizabeth (We shall refer her without miss unless it was in speech) look up, her gaze landed to Clara and Beelzemon. It seems that she finally notice them. Elizabeth blinked, before smiling at them (It surprises Clara and Beelzemon a bit, because to this point, no one has ever done that), "And this is….?" She asked, the question was directed to the headmaster.

"Clara Triste and her partner Beelzemon. I have informed you about them haven't I? On any case, you should be escorting them to the class." He said, "They've wait quite a while for you." ("Really? She arrived less than a minute after Clara emerged from closet." Beelzemon said, Clara shot him a look.) "I hope that your other student weren't complaining that you have to leave your class to get her." he continued.

Elizabeth seems to be uncomfortable when he mentioned the other student, "Yeah, well, about that…Umm, well, they, err, not complaining, but, umm…" she squirmed uncomfortably, "It's just, well, most of them is still…, that, you know?"

The headmaster sighed, "You mean that they're still that? How long had it been?" he paused, "And how many left now?"

The teacher look down, "Months. And there is only one now…counting Clara, it would make two." She looks depressed, "I'm sorry, I've tried, but they just reject me altogether….I wish I could do something about it, I even give lectures! But it just didn't work…the other student just keep doing that over and over again, and no one even give sympathy! It's really bad." She sighed, "It was quite a blessing that the some of the Royal Knights didn't join in, but they didn't help either, it was quite a chaos now, since no one is willing to listen, especially after the last incident. It just makes it worse."

"I see." The headmaster frowned, "That is quite a problem. If these keep up, I can't be sure what will happen later." He sighed again, "This is truly a stain for the academy…"

Clara stared at the exchange, finding the whole thing confusing. "Err…" the headmaster and teacher both look at her, "What are you talking about?" Beelzemon has the same question in his head, and was staring at them, expecting answers. What about the others that they're not aware of? The whole conversation was confusing and, at the same time, a bit worrying.

Elizabeth just gives them a barely seen thin sad smile, it surprises both of them a bit (Why are there a lot of surprising things today?), "…You'll know soon." She looks sad. She was giving them a look full of sympathy, a look that Clara found a bit strange. Could it be that there's something about the whole academy that they're overlooking? Something that the headmaster hasn't told them? But since they haven't technically enrolled yet, she can't be so sure yet.

The whole thing is worrying, and it doesn't seem that the headmaster or teacher are willing to tell them anything yet.

"On any case," Elizabeth said, turning to the headmaster, "I have to excuse myself to guide them." She turned to both of them, "Now, come. I'll show you your class." Not even waiting for affirmation, she has already gone out from the office (Trough the bend door of course…)

Clara and Beelzemon look at each other for a moment. Silent conversation took place right there and now. And no, they're not using telepathy, they were whispering to each other in a very low voice.

'What do you think? Do you find the whole thing weird? Especially about the Academy's problem and about the others?' Clara whispered.

'Yeah, I do. I'm more worried about the others the teacher mentioned about. Even if I didn't really remember the other Demon Lords, it's a bit worrying that something happened to them.' Beelzemon whispered back.

'And she mentioned something about the Holy Angels and the Royal Knight too, it was clear that something happened and they're involved in this. But what could it be?' Clara whispered in a confused tone.

'There's also something about being the only one, and counting you would be two. Do you think it has some relation with the partners of Demon Lords? Other than you?' He replied.

'Could be.' She whispered back, 'The whole thing's worrying.'

"If you are done whispering to each other." The headmaster's voice shocks them out from their silent conversation, "Miss Elizabeth is currently waiting outside, wondering why you didn't follow her immediately." He continued, "And while I do not want to interrupt your conversation, it's better if you go on your way instead of hanging around my office. I have works to do, you know?"

Suddenly realizing that what the headmaster said is right, they immediately stopped their conversation and headed out the office. Clara gave a brief glance at the headmaster (She was amused at the fact that he was still hidden behind the stacks of papers) and gave a thoughtful expression, as if debating if she was going to ask something or not.

The headmaster noticing this, said, "If you are worried about the books for the academy, your things back home, and the fact that you are currently carrying your pajamas, I have it all solved." He said, shocking Clara as all he said were true, except that there's still more than that, "The books and your things will be send to your shared house immediately, so you could take lesson normally starting tomorrow. As for your pajamas…you could left it here, I'll send it with your things."

"Ah…Thank you." Clara said, bowing a bit as she put down her pajamas near the chair (Which Beelzemon previously sat at when he waited for her) and went after the teacher and Beelzemon who has started walking without her. She's still not satisfied as she didn't get to question him about what he mean by his earlier words, but it's better if she didn't pry further than she already did. He didn't seem willing, and he was the headmaster.

"What took you so long?" Beelzemon immediately ask when he sees her running to catch up with them. They've already went quite far, but not far enough to be unseen by her.

"Just asking a few question to the headmaster." Clara replied, "Nothing more, nothing less…." She muttered the last part, frowning while doing so.

Beelzemon noticed this, but he didn't say anything, only giving her a worried look. Clara smiled in return, trying to assure him that it's fine.

Elizabeth spoke up, "Well, since Clara has arrived, let's go to your class now!"

"Yeah…" Clara said in monotone. "…Whatever." Beelzemon said in disinterest tone. But nether less, they followed the teacher.

The whole walk was…tense.

Both Clara and Beelzemon didn't say anything as they followed Elizabeth, who only spoke to explain the academy and such. They've learned quite a lot from hearing her, but they gave no comment at all. Sure, they ask question there and now, but it was mostly a silent walk.

In addition to the already tense situation, just a while ago, the bell rang (Elizabeth mentioned that it means breaks) and most student were already pilling up the academy grounds. They passes quite numbers of students along with their Digimon partner. Uncomfortable? Definitely.

It didn't help that most students were giving them looks. Some also point at them and whispering each other. Clara felt a bit nervous at the looks they're giving them, while Beelzemon is just annoyed at them. Some of the looks describe plenty of things; some look scared, some look angry, some just plainly avoided their eyes.

Clearly, that is not one of the most welcoming greeting they're getting. And it's already clear that they're not welcomed…somehow, Clara expected that.

Beelzemon, who is tired of the silence and annoyed at the looks he's getting, leaned to Clara, "When do you think we're going to arrive? It's been a time since we departed, and even I know that it shouldn't take that long to reach our class."

"Maybe it's because our teacher decided to take a 'detour' around the academy first." Clara replied, "While I agreed with you that it took quite a long time, it is helpful in one way to another. We now know quite things about the academy right? Besides, with this, it lessens the chance of getting lost in this ridiculously big Academy." She paused, "And we've only take a 'tour' at the main building. In fact, we haven't got out from it yet and seen other buildings."

"…True." Beelzemon said, "But still, the looks we're getting are ridiculous. People sure have plenty of different opinion about us didn't they?"

"Ha, this probably isn't the worst to come yet." She huffed, "I wouldn't be surprised if I was referred as the evil girl who was partnered with the Great Demon Lord of Gluttony, Beelzemon. And I must be avoided at all cost if you didn't want to die…and such things like that." She shrugged, "That's people opinion to us. At least, I thought so."

"You weren't bothered with it?" Beelzemon said

"I would lie if I said I'm not." Clara replied, "But it's just opinion. In the end, opinions are opinions, they're not true, and such opinions about us shouldn't be even bothered at first place." She continued, "And it's not like its affect me that much, I'm somewhat used to it."

"…'somewhat' used to it? What do you mean by that?"

Clara stopped walking for a bit, before resuming walking again as she began to talk, "Well, it's my brother's fault."

"It's just…he's the partner of Royal Knight, you know? That small little fact changes everything. People back at my old school always ask about my brother, and how 'cool' it was for him to be partnered with a Royal Knight. They always talked about my brother, not me. Our parents always compared me to him, 'Why can't you be like your brother?' or 'Your brother is good at this, why can't you?' and they also keep hoping ridiculous things from me, 'Your brother could do this, so you could too.' or 'Your brother's partner is a Royal Knight, so your partner must be something amazing too,' the last part is true, I suppose, Demon Lords are extraordinary aren't they? On any case, they just keep going with your brother this and your brother that. It's just frustrating."

"No one ever saw me, they only saw my brother. People want to be friends with me not because of who I am, but because of my brother. Because of that I never have real friends. To me, real friends are people who became friends with you because they consider you one. Someone you could share happiness and pain to, not someone you befriend because of their status and fame. People around me do that all the time."

"It makes me became a bit paranoid to people around me. Whenever someone wants to became friends with me, I've always checked them first if they honestly meant it or not. In the end, none do. Every single one of them always has a hidden intention. It just gives me a sense of distrust, and even until now, I have no friends. When my old schoolmates know that I'm in Digimon Academy, and partnered to a Demon Lord, I am sure that they wouldn't miss me for a little bit, in fact, they probably curses me off."

"…But in the end, I know that I can't change fate. Fate has decided to befall me this situation, and I can't do anything about it. But I know one thing for sure; people opinions could be changed, unlike fate. I could change the way they saw me, to make them finally see me."

"People usually give up at their fate, accepting things the way they are. It wasn't true though, you could change the way you accept it. My way is to make people change their opinions, to reveal them facts that could change their mind, so they didn't draw an early conclusion based on other people's opinion."

"Ah, sorry, I was babbling didn't I? It's just this is the first time I could speak this freely to someone." Clara paused, "You know what? I was really happy that I got a partner. No matter what the partner is, I'm happy that I finally have someone I could trust. Partners trust each other, they're friends. That's why…" She smiled a bit, "I'm really happy that you are my partner, Beelzemon."

Beelzemon stared at her a bit, before smirking, "Heh, well, I suppose I'm glad too that you are my partner." He frowned, "I can't recall anything before I met you in front of that gate. I don't even know who I am."

"Unable to remember anything about myself is not the greatest experience I ever had. You told me plenty of things about myself, something that even I can't recall. A Demon Lord, that's what I am. Yet, I can't remember anything about it. I can't even remember the other Demon Lords, except the fact that they're the other 'light' I saw back then. People hate me, yet I did not understand why they did. I've done bad things in past, yet I have no recollection at all. It's just…frustrating. To know that people hate me for something I can't remember."

"I guess we both seek something; you seek companion, someone you could trust to, while I seek my memories, to know who I am." He said while chuckling a bit.

Clara nodded, "Right." She said, smiling a bit, "We're partners now. You give me companion I desperately seek for and I helped you to find your memories." She laugh, "I suppose it sounds like give-and-take? But of course not, partners had deeper meaning than that…"

"Heh," Beelzemon said, "While I'm still confused at the whole concept of partnering, I agree with you."

Clara smiled at him; Beelzemon gives a smirk in response.

"And here we are!" Elizabeth suddenly spoke up, startling Clara and Beelzemon, they immediately turned to her, "We've arrived at the Demon Lords building, the place where our class we're located at!" she continued.

"What? Already?" Beelzemon said, before noticing that they're outside the main building, evident from the lush green field, He look baffled, "When did….?"

Clara glanced around, also noticing that there weren't any students nearby, "I suppose that out talk took longer time than we thought…we've skipped some part of the tour Miss Elizabeth was giving us after we started to talk."

"Hey, you two! What are you waiting for? Get in! I'll introduce you to the others." The teacher spoke, waving at them from the entrance of the building. The building itself was impressive; It's like a miniature castle. It has two floors. Wait, why is there two floors if the class only take one floor? Oh well, that could wait for later.

"Coming!" They said as they entered into the building, showing more spirit than their last response to her (That consist of monotone and disinterest voice) the talk really helped of lifting their spirit.

Unknown to them, a figure watched from quite a long distance, in fact, it was too long to even hear their conversation, but it seems that the figure plan was not to listen at their conversation; in fact, the figure was trying confirming something.

"So it's true…the last Demon Lord has arrived…" The figure muttered, "I better inform this to Boss immediately."

With that said, the figure turn and ran to the direction of the main building.

More walking awaits them as they headed towards their class. Beelzemon has started complain about more walking and how tired he was, Clara shot him a look, and told him that she was tired physically and mentally, and told him that he should complaint about it, because it's just make it worse for her.

Of course, it was interrupted as Elizabeth spoke up, "We're here. I present you; your class!" She said, pointing to the door in front of her, "So you better get in and introduce yourself…on second thought, it wouldn't be that necessary to do that. You could do it later." She sighed at the last part, as if remembering something that makes her depressed. It was the same expression she wore back at the headmaster office when she mentioned the others, it further Clara's suspicion that there is something that is going on at her class.

Clara decided to ignore this and sends a quick look at Beelzemon, who nodded, understanding her. They were referring to the fact that the other Demon Lords may've some clue about his memory-loss, if not; they could ask them about his memory instead. First impression is important too, she can't screw this up. She can't let them think that she is only a bother that accidently partnered with a Demon Lord.

'But wait, what does Miss Elizabeth mean by introducing myself later?' she thought, 'If they don't know my name, how could I make first impression? There's something wrong here.'

No point of thinking it over. Elizabeth has already opened the door and entered the class. She gives her a 'come in' motion. Weird thing is, she didn't spoke up about new student and something like that, just giving her a motion to come in. At this point, they were sure there's something that they don't know going on here.

Taking a deep breath, they entered the class. If there's something wrong, they're going to find out what by themselves. Walking to the front class, they turned to where the students would normally sit, expecting to see other Demon Lords and their partners.

Unfortunately, and surprisingly, they were wrong.

Clara and Beelzemon jaws dropped, "W-what in the world?" Beelzemon said, very shocked at the sight in front of him, "No way…" Clara muttered in shock.

In front of them are chairs and tables, the normal ordinary classroom you usually have, there's not much things in the back, and the windows give a sense of calamity, but that is not what was surprising from the class. The surprising part of the class is the student.

There was no one except one.

…Who is currently sleeping.

Yes, you read it right. The classroom is empty, leaving only one student who is sleeping peacefully with his (Yeah, it's a boy) arms folded in front of him, making them unable to see his face. The only thing they know is that he has dark blue hair. Beside him is definitely a Digimon, a cute, mouse like Digimon that has two horns, bat-like ears, something that suspiciously like scars at his forehead, and wrapped by chains with an alarm clock in front of him. Clara recognized the Digimon as Belphemon Sleep Mode. The fact that such large classroom is very empty is shocking. Out of the six Demon Lords they're expecting to see, they only see one, who is sleeping and probably didn't saw them entering, or know that they're here at first place.

"This definitely not something I expected to see." Beelzemon muttered, "Just how could this happen?" he continued. "I don't know." Clara replied, "But this not something I expected to see too. This is worrying, don't you think? Wait a minute; didn't Miss Elizabeth and the headmaster mention this? The only one left and me would make it two? Could it be that they're referring to the fact that there is only two Demon Lords present at the class? And there's still the question of where could the others be."

"True." Beelzemon said, "The question of what has happened to lead into these still remains." He huffed, "But we have plenty of time to figure it out didn't we?"

"Of course." She replied, "I won't rest till I figure out what happened here, especially since we can't ask them about your memories if they're not present."

Elizabeth spoke up, cutting their conversation, "Your seat is right there." She pointed at the desk at the back of class near the window. "That's the empty one." She said. It seems that she's still depressed seeing the condition of class. But seeing the class, you could understand the reason of her sadness. What kind of teacher is not sad when only one of her student attend class? Even though said student is sleeping. If there is, then said person is not a good teacher at all.

Clara pitied Elizabeth, really. From what she seen, Elizabeth is not one of the simple minded people that hate Demon Lords just because of what they heard from others. She honestly cared about her students. Demon Lord Partner or not, they're her students, they're human too. She was sad at the fact that no one understands that. She is very different compared to the man and that Knightmon (What was his name again? Oh yes, Tanaka)

Honestly, all they get here is nothing but chaos, mystery, and confusion. People around here seem to have a knack of hiding something which left them no choice but to figure out themselves. And the man (Tanaka, she reminded herself) hasn't left a good impression of the academy. At least Miss Elizabeth seems nice, but there's still other students who gives them look earlier (Clara could only wonder what they would do next) There's also the worrying fact that more than half of her classmate weren't attending the class.

Oh well, they went to their seat. It was a long desk with two chairs, obviously meant for both human and Digimon. Sitting down at the chair, Clara can't help but to wonder what will await her in her new school.

The first impression weren't really that good after all. (You know what I mean, being kidnapped is hardly welcoming if you ask me.)