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Heir to the Throne
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Summary: During Walter Park, the thirteen crowns heard of the news and deemed it fit to give everyone involved a rank up. When Amduscias decided to promote the entire class to Daleth following the events of Music Festival, Iruma who was already ranked He was promoted to rank Vav. This has unexpected consequence on Alikred. How will this affect the demon world going forward? May turn to Iruma X Asmodeus but undecided for now.
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Chapter 1: Ascension
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Disclaimer: Some events may vary from the manga. And there will be mentions of Poro X Delkira (just my headcanon as to why the two is especially close in the manga.)
"Come with me! For your awarding ceremony, this is a salute for you misfits!" Amduscias frolicked excitedly in front of the perplexed class. On his eyes, a playful glint as he turned to the Pixie of the class.
"You there, might I borrow your love for a bit?"
Realizing that a former 13 crow was addressing him, Soi handed his trumpet without hesitation and as the class watched on, perplexed but more than anything curious as to what the man has in store for them.
Once Amduscias had the trumpet in his hands, he smirked, enjoying the attention of everyone as he gestured for the misfits to hold out their badges.
"I know the challenge was for everyone in the class to become Daleth but your achievements is known to us, misfits. It would be a grave injustice NOT to afford you these gifts. So everyone, hold out your badges."
Everyone did so, not noticing the smirk on the man's face widening. As he started playing his trumpet, they were far too distracted by the enchanting sound that ripped the sky opened to notice how their badges has changed.
"Woah! There's magma in the sky!" Leid exclaimed.
"Ara, what a beautiful light!" Elizabetta marveled, staring at the aurora-like light that briefly reminded everyone of Iruma's fireworks back at the school's Batra party.
As everyone was transfixed at the various physical manifestations that transformed, transfigured and tore the sky in a spiraling kaleidoscope of earth, fire, grass, and even ice, Amduscias Poro played to his heart's content, shaking the very air itself as cracks of light appeared in the spaces around them.
For a few minutes, no one said a word, too stunned at the man who single-handedly stopped a war with his music. This must be how it feels to be in the presence of the demon king's partner; a man whose soul is so vibrant and pure that even his melody touches the world around him beyond any known magic. This radiance that tugs at their heart, this strange warmth that envelops their very soul; everyone was utterly mesmerized at the strange sensations emanating from the man's music.
That is until Jazz broke the silence. His usual care-free demeanor now a picture of utter shock and bewilderment as he looked around at everyone's badges.
"Oi…" He began. "Everyone… Take a look at your badges!"
Puzzled, everyone look at the small glittering gold that's resting innocuously at their hands. And everyone, exclaimed, surprised at what they saw.
"Ehhh?" A collective gasp was heard as the other students also took note of the changes in the misfits' badges.
There, resting on their hand was the rank 5 proudly emblazoned on their individual badges.
Everyone is ranked He? He? At first year?
"Everyone! We did it! We're all He! Now we're definitely staying in Royal One, right?" Iruma exclaimed, his eyes admiring everyone's shiny new badges. Being the only rank 5 in the group, his badge didn't change but he's elated just the same. He's just glad that they won't be losing the classroom that they worked so hard to achieve.
As everyone gathered together, admiring the shiny new piece of gold on their hands, Amduscias clucked his tongue as he shook his head playfully.
"Tsk. It would be boring to give you all the same rank. You…" He pointed at Iruma. "You didn't think I'd leave you out didn't you?" He snapped his fingers and immediately, Iruma's badge glowed. And in front of everyone's eyes his rank 5 has become 6.
Iruma is now Vav. The first ever freshman to attain the rank being that such a level is only afforded to second years. But he just made history in the school.
Before anyone could react, Amduscias laughed loudly, skipping towards the exit.
"Do not doubt what is due to you, Iruma. For such is merely a gesture of the recognition you deserve. Now go forth and make us all proud." And just as the former 13 crown left the room, an uproar exploded as excited students poured in, especially as the rumors of the first ever freshman in years to reach rank 6 spread like wildfire.
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Amduscias skipped to the exit of the school, his heart light and his soul fulfilled. He was skeptical when Sa-chan first introduced him to his grandchild, but he has seen it for himself. When news of how the boy and his class saved Walter Park from the six fingers, he was skeptical at first. Surely, no children can ever match the strength of a prolific terrorist organization- especially one that eluded the claws of the demon world's police for so long.
He had been outraged at the current Thirteen crowns to pressure Sullivan into giving the inexperienced class a rank up. For he believed that such an award, while earned, was earned outside the school. And the assessment he felt was arbitrary. In fact, he was not alone with this view. Even Kalego was hesitant to accede to the Thirteen crown's request. But when they reminded him of how he was able to first hand witness the class' performance during the crisis, the usually stoic man finally relented and acquiesced to the request.
So Amduscias stormed outside the meeting, especially because he viewed the decision hasty and sensationalized, thinking that the crowns only acted due to pressures from the media.
But now he has seen the class for himself and understood the reason. He knew that the demon world that his love created would be safe if left in the hands of these misfits. For this class is no longer a bunch of misfits in his eyes. They are the true heirs that will safeguard his beloved's demon world in his temporary absence.
"You're awfully generous aren't you, Poro-chan. Are you sure?" Poro's thoughts was cut short when Sullivan's figure loomed in front of him. Gone was the man's usual playful demeanor. Amduscias saw the rare glint of seriousness in the man's eyes. And he could understand what the man's asking.
The rank he gave his grandson is beyond mere number. It is a rank that's not been given to a freshman in the history of the demon world. The only one who achieved such a rank was his own beloved, for Delkira have been given the Vav ranking on day one in Babyls and became Zayin even before ascending to his second year. This is definitely not a light and easy decision for him.
"Do you doubt my assessment, Sa-chan?" Amduscias became serious as well.
Sullivan smiled. "No. But you can't blame an old man for worrying about his grandson can you?" For a brief moment, Amduscias smirked. He loved seeing the old man squirm. He always hated the calm and regal demeanor that Sullivan exuded. Even when acting as the personal aide to his beloved, Sullivan always had this know-it-all attitude that Amduscias thought was disrespectful to the sheer power and magnitude that his Delkira-chan possessed. But this time, he can understand the man's dilemma.
The promotion will definitely paint a huge target mark on Iruma's back. And not just from those who envy him. But those who seek his power for their own.
"Tsk. I like you better when you act like you know it all Sa-chan, not whatever this sniveling coward is in front of me. But make no mistake. My consignment of the rank is not for mere whims and fancies. No, not this time. I can see it in his soul, in his heart, in his sheer radiance. That boy will go very far. The rank is definitely earned this time. And I will defend my decision for any who'll challenge it."
And as Amduscias turned to leave, he allowed himself a small smile as he took a peek at Sullivan's glistening eyes, pride shining through the old man's eyes that overtook his initial worry and doubts.
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Iruma laid on his bed, tired from the long party that erupted, and went on for almost three days. Even Kalego could not put a stop to the excitement that had engulfed the school over Iruma and the class's promotion. Even the teachers were excited. It is a rarity that a former 13 crown, especially one so close to the demon king would give such an award and they have been excited at what this could entail, especially for the school going forward.
Becoming all Daleth was one thing. But He, and one Vav? Even some third years go into their fourth years without ever becoming Daleth. And here, the misfits, the abnormal class, the "garbage class" of Babyls have single-handedly attained the impossible. Everyone became He with their leader a Vav.
Naturally, the class was elated, their prestige growing exponentially as hordes of demons swore their allegiance to every single one of them. Even some of their juniors and sophomores have pledged allegiance to one of the misfits, much like how Asmodeus swore fealty to Iruma following their duel at the opening ceremony.
So the celebration is no longer just of the misfits but them and their legions of growing followers and indeed, even that of the school itself. Even Ameri was awed at the sheer willingness of the student body. She mused silently how the misfits' influence is now growing even stronger than that of the student council. But the fact the she and Iruma now have the same ranks quickly supplanted her other thoughts and she too daydreamed of the day where they can finally stand as equals.
Truly, rank is everything to demons. And the fast pace that the misfits ascended in their ranks fascinated and intrigued both studentry and faculty alike.
Not just the teachers mind you. Iruma himself was popular to the staff of the school, especially since his presence have made all their jobs exponentially easier.
So the celebration lasted days. And Iruma who had been the de facto leader of the misfits even back when he was still Bet have been roped into the celebration. The misfits just wouldn't accept it if their recognized leader, a Vav at that were to leave the celebration.
And since all of the misfits answer to him, Iruma was stuck greeting all the attendees, as if they were his own followers as well which while exciting for him at first, had been severely draining as more and more students clamored to see the very demon who reached the prestigious at such a young age.
And so Iruma was now sprawled on his soft and gigantic bed, thankful that his grandpa had been understanding and allowed him to rest after going home. Opera had tucked him in more carefully this time, leaving him snacks, sweets and a warm glass of demon milk tea that they specially prepared to sooth his tiredness away. Well, that was after the cat demon gave him a relaxing bath that nearly turned him to jelly in the security demon's arm, his heart completely putty when Opera showered him with compliments.
A soft sigh escaped his lips, feeling content with how he was pampered by his grandpa and Opera. As he stared at the ceiling above, he felt the familiar feeling of Ali-san's arrival. When he became He, Iruma had been surprised when Ali-san grew and with his growth, his aura was also beginning to show some signs of life. Not to the point where his grandpa and Opera took notice mind you. But Iruma's connection to Ali-san has always made him more attuned to the avatar's presence.
And with each passing day, he have become more and more aware of Ali-san's changes. This afforded him a degree of consolation of course, because his goal in ascending through the ranks have always been partly motivated by Ali-san. To ensure that the avatar won't be endangered of being snuffed out.
He had grown attached to him, almost like a brother.
"Iru-boy!"
Iruma gave a small smile as Ali-san's towering figure loomed over his lying body.
"Ali-san!"
"Congratulations on your promotion, Iru-boy! I felt myself stronger now. My apologies for being away since your promotion. I have been enjoying the sights around town and it was amazing!" Iruma chuckled at the taller figure. He's glad that Ali-san is no longer tethered to the ring.
Back when he was rank 5 the avatar tried going outside to enjoy the world beyond his space in the ring, only to be teleported back. But now, the avatar can come and go and Iruma let him leave while celebrating. After all, it wouldn't have been fair to Ali-san if only Iruma was allowed to party.
Of course, the ring still functioned autonomously, allowing Iruma to use magic without Ali-san in it, especially since it had been charged to the brim back when Ali-san swallowed the magical beast bomb back in Walter Park.
"I'm glad you liked the outside world, Ali-san!"
"Yes, thanks to you, Iru-boy! I'm truly thankful that I got an amazing master like you."
Iruma sweat-dropped. Just a months ago, Ali-san had been insulting his idiocy, but now that the gluttony's avatar have been given his freedom, he have been less and less overbearing; acting like a brother to Iruma, a change that Iruma especially took notice. After all he had been alone for most of his life and having a brother figure had elated him.
That change only took two days, that was when they discovered that they can be separated for longer distance and time now.
"Hehe, it's all thanks to everyone's help. And of course, YOUR help, Ali-san. So I should definitely thank you as well. I wouldn't have survived here without you." Iruma became serious all of the sudden. "So thank you Ali-san. Back when Balam-sensei exposed my back you saved me on your own by transforming yourself into wings. And after that, you helped me saved everyone at Walter Park. Then you helped me countless of times when Leid and I were back in that forest. Thanks to you I was able to help everyone. Really, thank you so much Ali-san. Back then you said that we're a unique type of partners. But I don't think that's accurate now."
Alikred paused, curious as to where the boy's going with this.
"Oh? And why do you say that, Iru-boy?"
"Well… This is kind of embarrassing but…" Iruma shifted a bit, inching closer to the towering dark figure before grabbing his hands. "I think of you as a brother. So… can you… No." Iruma stopped himelf, his eyes holding more conviction now.
"I want you to be always by my side, Ali-san!"
The dark avatar sputtered at the boy's confession, surprised but deep inside he was feeling warm at the earnestness of the eyes that's now staring intently in his one giant eye.
"Tsk. Just go to sleep already, kid. You're making me blush here."
Iruma smiled as he buried himself deeper in his sheets.
"Right. Good night Ali-san. I really wish we could stay together forever."
"Right back at you. Good night, Iru-boy."
As silence took over the room, nothing but Iruma's soft snores could be heard. But Ali-san have been wide awake, unable to pull himself back into the ring.
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A/N: OMG, that was way longer than I intended. Don't expect the future chapters to be as long as this one because my eyes and fingers were about to fall off after this. But man I was just feeling so restless after the last episode for tonight that this came out like a flood in my brain. Anyway, I hope you like this idea. Feel free to point out any mistakes or what you like or don't like about it. Until next time.
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