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Chapter 2: Evil Cycle… Again?
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Iruma tossed and turned in his bed. He feels feverish for some reason. But he's unable to open his eyes. It's as if a cocoon of darkness was enveloping him. He tried calling out, but his voice couldn't quite make it. His body felt like their burning but worst of all, a throbbing feeling was spreading from his finger, the ring felt searing hot for some reason but Iruma found himself paralyzed. He willed himself through the pain, hoping that whatever this is but a nightmare and maybe in the morning he'll feel much better.
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The kitchen in the Sullivan household was bustling as one cat demon was busy preparing a huge breakfast at the behest of his demon master. Though it had been a common occurrence for the exalted one to spoil his grandson every day like this, Sullivan requested a more luxurious set of food, more so than usual that Opera had to enlist the aid of the Valacs just to procure the rarest items in the menu for today.
Sullivan is no stranger to the occasional splurge but the recent turn of events, particularly that involving his beloved grandson have made the old demon more nostalgic… more emotional. And he have been longing for the great feasts of old with the Demon King.
And with Iruma's promotion to rank 6, the chair demon found exactly the perfect excuse to relive those moments. After all, as powerful as he is, deep down Sullivan is a man who longed for the good old days. He already practiced the piece that Iruma have been working on. And since Poro-chan and Delkira-sama have also been fond of this particular piece, it's just a matter of reviewing the notes and movements in the grand piano at the great hall.
While Opera was busy preparing the meals in the kitchen, Sullivan was busy practicing at the piano, in the hopes that once Iruma had his meal, they can do a duet together before the boy sets out for school.
The man's eyes glistened as the familiar tone flooded the great hall, bringing forth memories when Delkira and Poro would play this piece together, while he stands nearby looking at the two lovebirds and admiring their music and how the melody bares forth the tapestry of their hearts together before his very senses.
He can't wait to play with his beloved grandson and experience the memories all over again.
As his long slender fingers skillfully glide over the white and black keys of the grand piano, memories of old flooded his mind. The demon world was chaotic back then and he was but a mere drone of the academia.
His drab and lifeless world was instantly changed with the arrival of a peculiar young demon, a demon who single-handedly tamed all of Babyls under his rule. A mere freshman of wild spirit, Delkira was instantly ranked 6 by the ranking owl and not long after, he gained hordes of followers.
His prestige created the current pride and joy of the school, the demon king's classroom, Royal One and from it, Delkira changed the world one step at a time. From a chaotic divided warring clans and houses, the whole of demon realm united under Delkira's 13 crowns, the same thing that's now happening with his grandson.
Sullivan is not blind to the changes in the school these past three days. As more and more demons swore fealty to each and every one of Iruma's classmates, it bore a strong parallel to the way that Delkira tamed the demon world with his own trusted generals, and ultimately, they too created a world that is free from chaos and evil.
He can't wait to see just what kind of future his grandson would bring.
"Chair demon, breakfast is ready." Opera's voice pulled the aging yet powerful demon from his thoughts. Excitement once again roared in his old bones as he stood from the piano to greet the day with his beloved grandson.
A huge smile graced his face, wrinkling the corners of his eyes as he signaled for Opera to come with him to Iruma's room, excitement clearly apparent on his face as he nearly skipped to the luxurious bedroom he prepared for his cute and adorable grandson.
But just as they reached the door to Iruma's room, Sullivan felt a strange aura from the room. He knows that Opera felt it too, as the cat's demon's ears laid flat against his head, a worried expression was shown on his face as a trembling voice confirmed Sullivan's suspicions.
"Chair demon, could this be-?"
Sullivan gulped as he stared at the tendrils of smoke leaking from the giant door to his grandson's room.
He steeled himself as he swung the door wide open, knowing that indeed, it will be a repeat of Iruma's "evil cycle". They still haven't figured out how it happened. And in the end, they theorized that it was out of exhaustion from the Student Council's intense and grueling training.
But this is different. This aura have a more sinister tone that rivals that of Sullivan himself, a Tet rank demon. Although they expected as much since he had been feeding the ring with his magic after all, but for it to reach this level or magnitude is surprising; considering that he have been fine tuning the ring's output with each passing month.
Clearing his throat, he tried to call out to his grandson.
"Iruma-kun? Good morning!" He tried to act normal, though his voice was still laced with worry for his grandson.
"As noisy as ever, gramps…" A deep voice emanated from the darkened room. But this voice is unlike the previous dark side that they encountered. This voice is much deeper, more regal and adult-like. Yet it has a more playful tone to it that calmed the older demon.
As their eyes adjusted to the room, they finally saw Iruma's figure on the bed. The boy pushed himself off the bed as the streams of light entered from the now open door. Gone were his usual pajamas that Opera meticulously dressed him in the night before. Iruma was actually shirtless.
His muscles while definitely not bulky and overgrown were more noticeable as they rippled and twitched with each movement. A hand reached up to move the glowing purplish shoulder length hair that fell carelessly on his face and Sullivan noted that the once short and pristine finger nails were much shaper and longer.
It no longer have the sharp shiny sheen of a nail polish that Iruma had been using but they resemble actual purplish demon claws. The limbs too have been more veiny, especially the one closest to the ring, as if the ring itself is now joined directly to the hand and appendages nearby.
But what caught their attention even more was the pair of shadowy wings that spreads behind him. They resemble that of a bat wings but also not since they glow purplish to black to iridescent blue from time to time. They aren't physical in a sense, much more ethereal than tangible. And for a brief moment, they were there and yet in an instant, they were gone, retreating to a small crevice behind the young human that resembled wing roots.
Sharp glistening fangs peeked from his grandson's lips as he gave his grandpa a small smile.
"Well, good morning to you gramps, Opera. What's for breakfast? I'm hungry." The two older demons was still mesmerized as Iruma stood up, their eyes transfixed on the purplish smoke that run up and down his right arm, emanating from the ring of gluttony where the concentration of the dark aura was at its highest.
As the boy moved past the two stunned adults, they noticed two shadowy tails swaying lazily behind him as they followed him wordlessly to the dining hall.
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Breakfast was eaten mostly in silence, with Sullivan taking in his grandson's new appearance, too shocked at the resemblance to Delkira… but at the same time, the differences that made the young demon unique and definitely Iruma was definitely there, especially as the young human devoured Opera's cooking much faster than usual.
Unlike the evil cycle Iruma that they previously encountered, this version of the young boy was much more animalistic in his eating, tearing into meat with unrestrained fury, sometimes even growling in satisfaction as he ate the huge feast with gusto. While some parts of them were relieved to see that his appetite remained distinctly Iruma, they're still troubled with how alien…strange this new Iruma feels.
Iruma's deep and guttural voice interrupted their thoughts.
"Thanks for the meal gramps, Opera! Well. I'm off." Iruma stood as he grabbed his blazer from Opera and started buttoning them.
Once he left the dining hall, Sullivan and Opera let out the breath that they didn't know they were holding.
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Alice was waiting for Iruma-sama at the gate, slightly annoyed that Valac is late… again, which shouldn't surprise him considering how busy Clara had been at the party. Most of their new followers have been showering the young demon with unbridled attention , something that Clara clearly was happy to reciprocate. And since the music festival has ended, she have been busy entertaining guests after guests.
He couldn't really fault her for that, though, considering the look on her face when she saw the genuine respect that the students sent her way after she received her He badge. That admiration was, as far as Asmodeus is concern something that Clara was never used to, being the subject of everyone's ridicule for as long as he can remember.
True enough, his ears heard the soft rustling of Clara's sandals Connor and Murf as he saw the smaller demon approach the gates to the chair demon's house.
"Good morning Azz Azz!"
"Valac!" Alice responded.
"Is Iruma-chi out already?"
"Not yet. But we'll just have to be patient alright? No doubt Iruma-sama's been exhausted. If he only let me ward off those peasants with my magic." It was true, Alice's patience was tested to their very limits when everyone wanted a look at Iruma. But Iruma-sama was kindhearted as always and refused his offer to create a wall of flame, saying that everyone's in a festive mood and they should let everyone enjoy the occasion.
Clara merely shrugged, as she too enjoyed the new attention that their class had been getting.
"Heheh. Calm yourself, fellow He!" Clara playfully responded, still excited at their promotion. While ranking was never Asmodeus' goal, he was a bit miffed that they're now both rank 5 and Clara isn't shy to wave that to his face at every turn she gets. Still he supposed she's earned it, considering how hard she really worked both for the harvest and music festival.
"Shut it, Valac! We may be of the same rank, but I'm still Iruma-sama's right hand man! You would do well to remember that!"
Clara was about to retort back, starting another round of their usual banter when the massive door to the chair demon's house opened and from it, a sinister aura froze them.
Their eyes instantly looked at the figure that exited the house. And chills run through their spine simultaneously.
Is Iruma in his evil cycle again?
Alice looked at the figure more closely. And while this is definitely his Iruma-sama, there's something… strange, to put it mildly with this figure.
His clothes more importantly was haphazardly worn, and he had forgone his usual undershirt, causing Alice's eyes to fixate themselves on the developed chest muscles that peeked slightly from the half-buttoned blazer.
Ignoring the heat rising to his cheeks as his eyes meet intense purplish ones, he vaguely notice Iruma handing his bag to an equally stunned Clara. And before long, he felt familiar hands pulled him into the carriage.
"Shall we?" That pulled them out of their stupor. They found themselves sitting on the comfortable soft seats of the carriage as they sat side by side with their leader.
The two felt strong arms snaked its way on their shoulder, and they were pulled to the center, pressed against a hard body that was different from the one they were used to. Before they had a chance to protest, they were cradled against soft velvety wings from both sides that momentarily caused them to drift off, enjoying the sheer comfort and warmth.
And thus Iruma's army got a weird surprise early that morning. But more importantly, the school is definitely in for a much bigger surprise as the carriage sped to the gates of Babyls Academy.
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To be continued…
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A/N: Sit tight, we're not done with Iruma's changes just yet. I hope you enjoyed this one as much as I enjoyed writing this. Until next time.