I'm back! Well, not really. But I updated! Yeah well, don't hope too much in my random update time. Been busy with live…ah, so many homework to do…

Chapter Ten: The Bet is On

A large mansion stood tall in front of them. The garden is wide and fast and there is even a fountain inside it. They were blocked by the towering steel gate, but by this point they have no intention of going in.

In fact, Clara and Beelzemon were both gaping at the sight.

Clara looked at the paper she has in her hands, then back at the mansions, "This is…the right place, right?" she said unsure.

"It is…supposedly." Beelzemon muttered, "Have you checked the address again?"

"I did, it was right here." Clara replied, staring at the paper Elizabeth gave her. There are the Demon Lord's addresses written on it. After some careful planning of Clara's part (In other words, tricking Elizabeth), they finally manage to convince Elizabeth to give them the task to deliver a notebook about materials thought in the school. In reality, they only do this for getting some information.

They decided to pick one of the addresses randomly and somehow ended up in front of the big mansion.

She looked at the name, "Vald Sinclair...I think I heard that name somewhere before….But where?"

"The school?" Beelzemon sarcastically said, "Wait, I got it! From the notebook you're holding!"

"Correct, but no. And I don't appreciate sarcasm." Clara replied, "I think it's somewhere in my hometown, far before I came here."

He raised an eyebrow, "You know a Demon Lord partner before coming here?"

"No, I don't remember meeting any 'Vald' in my lifetime. Could be the last name…Sinclair…Wait a minute…Sinclair?" she gasped, surprised.

"Does it have some significant meaning?" Asked Beelzemon, his interest is peaked.

"Not really, I only heard that the Sinclair family is rich and famous. They own many world-wide companies. Lots of everyday products in markets are produced by them. They're like celebrities to us 'normal' people." She explained, trying to remember the details, "Personally, I don't know much about them."

Beelzemon just gazed blankly at her, "Yeah, I don't get what you're saying." He flatly said, "Anyway, he's a Demon Lord's partner, right? Let's just get this over with."

"I suppose." Clara muttered.

They both looked back to the towering steel gate.

Beelzemon stared at it, before turning to Clara, "Any idea how to get in?"

"Well…"

"Should we climb it up?" He wondered. The gate maybe a bit too tall to climb to, but the surrounding walls seems to be quite climb-able. The only problem would be the height of the thing. The wall is surely tall…What kind of people wanted to live surrounded by tall walls?

The girl looked aghast at the suggestion, "That's breaking in!"

"So?" He didn't get why they can't do that.

"That's crime!" She shouted.

"...And?" He still don't get it.

Clara paused a bit, trying to calm herself down. She breathes in some air, before saying, "Anyway, we're not breaking in. I'm sure there's a door bell or something around here. Look! There's one at the left of the gate! So let's press it and not breaking in, alright?" She said firmly.

"Okay…?" Beelzemon looked confused at her reaction, but decided to leave it.

The two 'partner in crime' approached the 'door bell'. It was an impressive looking white intercom with screen. Taking a deep breath, a bit nervous of the unfamiliar technology, Clara takes a good look at it.

…She suddenly realizes that she has no idea what to press from the wide array of buttons.

'Usually intercom have one button…so why does this one have a dozen of it?!' She thought, frowning at the intercom, 'Which one is the door bell?! What will happen if I pick a wrong one?'

Oblivious to Clara's dilemma (As always), Beelzemon reached out to press one of the buttons.

When Clara stared at him, he just shrugged, "You're taking too long. Besides, I don't see anything wrong with the buttons."

'I don't know if he is carefree or careless…' she thought to herself.

She banished the thought in her head as a sudden sound from the intercom, along with the flickering screen gained their attention. The face of an old man with completely white hair appeared at the screen. The old man was wearing a standard black butler clothing. He also wore a pair of glasses.

The old man gazes at Clara, "Greetings, I am a butler of the Sinclair family." He paused a bit, his eyes went up and down, seemingly scanning her, "If you have no business to do here, then I suggest you to leave. This is no place for a young girl such as you." He said with a firm tone.

'Talk about a blunt way to shoo someone…' Clara mentally thought. She coughed, bringing up Vald's notebook, "I'm here to deliver Va-I mean, Sinclair's notebook." She corrected herself; don't want to make the butler mad for disrespecting his master…

A look of confusion spread on the butler's face, "Notebook? To my knowledge, young master never forget anything at school. And he hasn't gone there for a while…a few days after that."

'Was he talking about the incident? I'm tempted to ask him about it, but I better not prolong my stay here.'

She lowered the notebook, "Err, no. It's not exactly his notebook. It's a summary of every material that he misses in school. It's from Miss Elizabeth, the teacher. She's a bit busy, so I'm the one who delivers them." She carefully explained, occasionally gazing at the butler to see his reaction.

The old man nodded, "I see. However, I think that your effort is purposeless. Young master already have tutors to teach him all materials that the school teach after he stop coming to school." He paused a bit, murmuring under his breath, "Even if none of them stayed long because of his 'condition'."

He certainly didn't mean to be overheard, but both of them clearly heard it.

"I, erm, understand. But if that doesn't impose of you, could I, umm, see him?" Clara shuttered nervously, 'Condition? He doesn't mean the fact that Vald is a Demon Lord partner, right? …Nah, I think he meant exactly that.'

Before the butler could reply or reject her suggestion, Beelzemon (Who has stayed silent long enough) butted in.

He shoved Clara to the side (Earning an annoyed glare from her), and said, "Condition? Heck with that! People misjudged us too often that I didn't care about it anymore. Anyway, I need to see the Demon Lord who's partnered with your 'young master'. Open the door, I say!" he ordered the old man, all while snarling in annoyance. They wasted enough time talking to this 'butler', whatever that means! Beelzemon mentally remind himself to look for the meaning of the word in his dictionary later.

A shocked look spread across the old man's face, "W-Wha? Y-You're...!"

"Beelzemon, Demon Lord of Gluttony, at your service." He sarcastically introduced himself. He then pointed his finger at the girl beside him, "This is Clara, my partner. So, you're going to let us in or shoo us? Decide it quick, will you? I don't have all day."

The butler still looks shocked, not like anyone can blame him; it's not every day that a Demon Lord drop by your house. Even if there is one in the mansion, seeing another one is something else.

Snapping out from his stupor, the butler awkwardly coughed, hiding his embarrassment for being caught off guard by Beelzemon, "I…You're welcome to enter the mansion. Young master and Sir Lucemon would not mind being visited by a fellow Demon Lord. Although…I have to admit that it is a bit…no matter, do come in."

The screen blanks out. A few second after that, a rattling sound was heard as the huge door opened by itself. It was certainly entertaining to watch as the door slowly opens.

At the other side, the same old man is running towards them in a hurried matter. After he got in front of them, he took a deep breath and bowed.

Standing up straightly, the butler introduced himself once again, "Welcome to the Sinclair mansion. My name is Jeremy Gregory, loyal butler of the Sinclair family for 50 years. I shall escort you to Young Master Vald's room. Follow me, please."

Glancing to each other as the unspoken is spoken; Clara and Beelzemon trailed behind Jeremy, intent on meeting the Leader of Demon Lords.

A young boy with jet black hair and dark purple eyes sit at the sofa near the window, gazing at the scenery outside with a bored look. How long has it been since he last went out? Not like there's any point in doing that, nothing will change anyway. The world will always constant, never-changing. He briefly looks at his watch. There's going to be another tutor today…one that is the same as others.

"Another tutor? Can't you just study yourself? Those humans are useless." A voice was heard. The boy turned to look at the angelic demon. If anything, he is a fallen angel of some short.

The boy sigh, "True enough, but father always insist for I to study…Though I have to agree with the 'useless' part. They did nothing but shutter nervously in your presence. Then again, this is you we're talking about, Lucemon."

Lucemon raised an eyebrow, "And you listen to him? Vald, your father has no power over you."

Vald Sinclair gives a small smile at that, "But ah, it's better to please him so I could get the inheritance. For that, I listen to him. Although the fact that he still insist me coming back to school is ridiculous." He frowned at that, "What's the use of it anyway? It's just a waste of time."

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

"Young Master? It is I, Jeremy. I have guests who wish to see you."

He turned to look at the door, "Guests? No one ever visits me, who could it be?" he wondered.

"There's nothing wrong in taking a look. If they're annoy us, just kicks them out." Lucemon suggested, also a bit curious of who the guests is.

"True, come in." He shouted to the butler and 'guests'.

The door opened, and from there, enter…Clara and Beelzemon.

Lucemon look surprised to see Beelzemon, "Beelzemon? Why, I never expected to see you here…or now that is. You surely took your time to appear." He mused, then turns his attention to the girl, "This must be your partner…she look weak." He finished.

Beelzemon look annoyed when he insulted Clara, but one glance from her is enough for him to drop it.

Clara sweat dropped, 'Insulting someone you just see in less than a second…as expected from the Demon Lord of Pride, wasting no time in insulting. If I really want to change people perspective of Demon Lord, that kind of attitude will need fixing since it would just encourage people to hate the Demon Lords further…err, now's not the time to think about it. Back to…Vald. And the notebook. And the questioning.'

Turning her attention away from the Demon Lord and to the boy who was staring at her in amusement, she held out the Vald's notebook. Better to do it now before she forgot or kicked out from the mansion.

Vald raised an eyebrow, giving her a questioning look.

Gathering her wits, she said, "This is the summary of all materials that were taught at class. Miss Elizabeth made it. She busy, so I'm delivering it." She still held out the notebook, expecting him to take it.

He stared at her, before smirking (Clara doesn't like that smirk, she suddenly have a bad feeling).

In a one swift movement, he took (No, snatched) the notebook from her hand and before Clara could react, or reprimand him for being so rude; he gripped the top of the notebook…

RIP RIIIP RIIIIIP

…And rip it to shreds.

Clara stared in shock at the remains of notebook. Some of the ripped parts are scattered in the floor or flying around the room. Elizabeth's hard work, ruined in an instant. She turns her attention back to the other Demon Lord partner in present, seeing him smirking in glee.

"Ahh, that feels good. Serve that intrusive poor excuse of a teacher a lesson. I couldn't care less about school. Summary of materials? Oh please, like it's any use to me." His smirk widened, "You got a problem with this?"

'No.' is the first thing that came in mind. In reality, that notebook is just an excuse to talk to him to find out more about the Demon Lords in hope of restoring Beelzemon's memories. What he wants to do with it, she too, couldn't care less.

But that also poses to another problem…since she doesn't have any other reason to stay any longer, and he will no doubt kick her out since her 'work' here is done.

So she decided in another course of action.

"Any use to you? How can you say that?! Miss Elizabeth made that just for you because you refused to go to school! Don't you care about your future?!" She shouted, pointing an accused finger at him.

Narrowing his eyes, he replied, "Future? You talk about future? As if! School is useless, because there is no future in it! Or do you sway your eyes from our truth?!"

"Truth? Truth?! All I see now is your unjust action! Don't you know how hard work she must've done to made that despite her busy schedule? She truly cares about you! And you pay her back by calling her 'poor-excuse of a teacher'?!"

"Care! How laughable! She too, is the same as everyone! Bunch of morons who are nothing more but filth! Trash to the world!"

Beelzemon stared worriedly at the growing argument, mentally debating if he should interfere of not. 'Well, Clara probably got a plan…I better watch. If things go bad, I'll interfere.' He finally resolves.

Meanwhile, Lucemon was staring at the argument with an amused smirk plastered on his face. 'Hmm, that Beelzemon's partner got guts, arguing with Vald like that.' He chuckles, 'How far the argument will go?'

"Of course not! No one is 'Trash', 'Filth', or 'Moron'! Why are you so intent on rejecting her goodwill?!"

"You're still too blind to see the truth! Can't you see that people like us have no future in this world?"

Clara paused, trying to digest what he said, "What do you mean?"

Vald sneered, "You just newly partnered with a Demon Lord. You don't know the burden of being one, just like everyone did. And on top of that, you came after the 'incident', you know nothing. Nothing at all."

At the mention of incident, Lucemon hissed, displeasure clearly showing at his face. This brought the attention of Beelzemon.

But not Clara.

She stared at Vald…mentally smirking at herself, 'Success! He took the bait.'

The point of the argument is not winning said argument, but to bring up 'old memories'. This way, the boy will be willingly giving her information, while he didn't suspect that she had planned this for happen. She has to be careful on the next part of her plan.

Meanwhile, Vald continued to talk, "Really, it's bad enough that people keep staring at me, not like I don't mind, but it's the kind of stare that I hate! But it got worse after what Eric pull off! Now they plainly show their true feelings! Partners of Demon Lords have no future because no one would accept us! It's just like what happened to Sean."

"But." He paused a bit, "I don't really care about them, about the other Partners of Demon Lords."

He smirked, "Who cares about those weaklings? They're just frail-hearted people who can't stand the truth of their situation. They're pathetic to their very core. And don't get me started at the other Demon Lords! After they got partnered, they've gone soft. Like Leviamon! Damn crocodile got attached to his partner! And he is the oldest among the Demon Lords, too!"

"You see?! I have a future. I will inherit my father's fortune…while you all will be left by nothing because of people prejudice! I am born to be a winner, different from losers like you!" he finished his speech, smirking at Clara.

She stared back, 'Talk about ego…what a spoiled brat, thinks he's the best. But thanks to him, I got some information about other Demon Lords. So the culprit of the incident is someone named 'Eric' then? Eh, I'll think about it later. Now for the next part of my plan…'

"Isn't it because you are afraid?" she boldly said.

Vald smirk was frozen at its place when she said that, he stared at her with a look that clearly asking if she is sane, "…What did you just say?"

Clara crossed her arms, "I'm saying that you're just afraid."

He went red-faced in anger. Furious, he yelled at her, "AFRAID? AFRAID?! WHY WOULD I BE AFRAID?!"

Sighing, she explained, "Afraid that things won't go your way, afraid of what people saw you, afraid that people won't respect you." She scoffed, "You say that you are a winner…but you are just a coward. You want to be acknowledged by people."

"Why would I want to be acknowledged by them?! They're morons! Filth! Trash!"

"But you said it yourself." She explained, "You don't mind being stared at? You want attention; want something you could boast for."

"That's…!"

"But it's not only that…what you want are the other partners of Demon Lords attention. No, more like the right to lead them…to become their leader."

"NO! Why would I want to be their leader?! They're just frail-hearted weaklings!"

"So then, why do you know so much about them?" She shot back, "You care about them. If anything, you must be among the last student who decided to stop going to school because there is no one in the class, right?"

Vald glared at her, "YOU…YOU…What you say…IS WRONG! I Stop going to school because I feel like it! NOT because there is no one else but Sean!"

"HA! You just say the name of the only one who comes to school…that means you know that he is the only one who goes to school!"

'Breathe and calm down, she's trying to provoke you. Everything she said is lies.' Vald tried to calm himself. 'She's trash, she's blind. She don't know anything."

Unluckily for him, Clara has other ideas.

"Face it…the reason you stopped going to school is because the other Demon Lords aren't present. I bet if all Demon Lords is present, you'll be begging to go to school."

He angrily pointed at her, "I won't be begging to go to school because there is no way that the other Demon Lords come to school!" He said in glee, finding a comeback.

"Then how about a bet?" She said, having enough of his selfishness.

"A bet?" Vald seems confused.

"How about this? I bet that I can bring all the Demon Lords back to school…willingly, on their own will!" She declared.

He scoffed, anger momentarily forgotten, "What? That's ridiculous. You don't know anything they have faced! You're just a blind newbie! You're suggesting a hopeless bet!"

"Wanna bet on it?" She smirked.

Vald smirked back, "Why not? You're going to lose anyway. "

"And if you lose the bet…you're going serve me!" He shouted, smirking in confident, challenging her.

Clara took the challenge lightly, "And if I win the bet…you're going to be my servant!" she declared.

They both glared at each other.

The bet is on.

On the background, Beelzemon stared worriedly, "Is this really alright?" he muttered.

…It will be a long time till next update…but I'll live.