Chapter I. The Secret Behind The Rings
A/N: The first few chapters of this story will have Isabelle and Acheron out of focus so that they will give emphasis to the Suzuki twins.
It was 06:05 of morning in the Netherworld. At another second, a pair of Hellraiser Clocks crowed to signal the time of awaking to the day anew. In their beds sat up twins Ryūko and Iruma Suzuki, descended from the Human Realm and adopted by a demon.
Iruma, the male younger twin in purple nightwear, stretched his arms out as he walks to his window. As compared to the atmosphere in the Human Realm, the birds are larger and monsterous, whirlwinds of dark clouds slowly stirred without eruptions in clear skies.
"It's gonna another great day today!" Said Iruma.
Ryūko, the female elder twin, brushed up her dark azure hair before looking upon the same view at her window.
"Thanks be to the Lord of this realm for the safety of the previous night." Said Ryūko.
After preparations, Ryūko and Iruma greeted their adoptive demon grandfather Sullivan, their demon cat butler Opera, and their cambion housemate Isabelle Abaddon.
"Good morning. Hey, Grandfather/Grandpa. Hey, Isa and Opera!" Greeted the twins.
"Morning, you guys." Greeted Isabelle.
"And a good demo-rning to you, my darling grandkids!" Cheerfully greeted Sullivan moving aside the newspapers in hand.
"Yes, good morning, Iruma and Ryūko." Greeted Opera.
In front of the twins laid what appeared to be a strange worm-like dish, fish stew, a salad bowl and a stack of pancakes.
"This all looks so yummy!" Gleamed Iruma, "I'm gonna dig in!"
"Of which, we shall." Added Ryūko with her hands in a prayer and monotone voice.
Iruma was already enjoying his breakfast, as his expression suggested his satisfaction. The latter sibling was keeping a noble posture while she silently eats. Same goes for Isabelle.
"Your Hell Gray teas." Said Opera serving the twins cups of tea.
"Thank you." Thanked the twins and their housemate.
Resting his face in both hands, Sullivan addressed Ryūko and Iruma and got their attention for a certain manner. "By the way, it appears that your Ring Of Pride and Gluttonous Feeder Ring are a bit hungry at the moment." Said the elder demon, "Let's feed them some of my magic power. The rings need to eat their fills, too after all."
He extended his arm towards their raised arms and his nail touched their rings one at a time.
At that touch, both rings emitted a purple glow before they shortly lit up in their designated colors: platinum for the Ring of Pride and gold for the Gluttonous Feeder Ring.
"Ah, they should be completely sated now." Said Sullivan.
"Wow, Grandpa. Thank you/Thank you, Grandfather." Said Ryūko and Iruma in sync.
Sullivan turned into a sort of egg-shaped form in his cheery mood and said, "And of course, make sure you eat to your hearts' content, too, kiddos!"
At the gate outside of the Sullivan Mansion, a quartet of voices greeted the Suzuki twins.
"Hey, you three. Are you done in there?" Called out Acheron Gremory, the demon whom Isabelle saved on their first day in Babylus.
"Ryūko, Issy, and Iruma-kins! Good morning 4 you!" Greeted the playful girl in green hair, Clara Valac, "5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12..."
"Miss, Isa, Miss Ryūko, and Master Iruma!" Addressed Alice Asmodeus, the noble male demon in white and gold, "Let's head to school now, shall we?"
"Good morrow, my lieges!" Greeted Dame Lavande Félin, the feline lady knight in purple armor.
That said, Ryūko, Isabelle, and Iruma rushed out the mansion to meet their friends.
"We shall meet after school!" Said Ryūko, "Indeed, good morrow to you four!"
"Iruma-kins, your cowlick is so devi-devi on-pointe." Complimented Clara.
"You fool. Don't be absurd. That's not remotely a cowlick. This is so clearly his cutting-edge hairstyle." Argued Asmodeus before his attention turned to Iruma, "Wait... Perhaps this is the sign I should style my own hair the same as..."
"Sir Asmodeus, best to think not, nor should you intend." Suggested Lavande.
"Yeah. I don't think Iruma's hairdo would look good on you, Azz." Agreed Acheron.
"Are you sure of this?" Asked Asmodeus, "If that's the case, allow me to carry bag!"
"It's fine." Said Iruma, "Honestly, I got it."
Clara then tried taking Iruma's bag, saying that she'll offer to carry it, which brought Asmodeus telling her to stay out of it. But Clara asked Iruma persistently, using the word "please" several times before Iruma decided to hand his bag to her—he cannot refuse when someone asks him for something, he is the ultimate pushover, after all.
"Would you like me to have your baggage under my care, Lady Ryūko?" Asked Lavande.
"Thank you for your kindness, Lavande." Said Ryūko, "But much would I prefer to handle my belongings personally. If ever at any situation, I will inform you to be of assistance."
"But of course, I am at your service, my lady." Bowed the cat demon.
Now on their walk to Babylus Demon School, the prestigious demon secondary school in the Netherworld. Most other students prefer to go to Babylus by flight on their wings, but since the twins live near the school and humans don't have wings, flying would be unnecessary for them.
Above the group, a few passing demons in flight took notice of them.
"Hey, it's the Ryūko and Iruma Corps." Said a male student.
"I still don't get why they love walking to school. And that grem-girl's as strange as always." Added another male student referring to Clara.
"Look, it's the heads of the class, Asmodeus and Félin!" Exclaimed a female student, "He's so hot and she's so beautiful."
"And aren't those Isabelle and Acheron? It's weird that Acheron is friends with Iruma and the rest of that group since they're in the Misfit Class while Acheron's in Class A." Said another female student.
"My right foot is Connor, and my left foot is Murf!" Said Clara, talking about her green monster slippers, "Are you ready? Let's run a demon-athon to school! Go! Zoom!"
And with that, Clara was on the run as fast as the wind.
"You're going to ruin Master Iruma's things if you shake his bag so much!" Exclaimed Asmodeus chasing after the running girl, "Come back here!"
"Those two get along so well." Remarked Iruma.
"Do they?" Asked Isabelle rhetorically.
"More bickering for them, I suppose." Objected Ryūko, "Running in the school compound is against the rules, you know."
"Come on, Sis! Try to loosen up a little." Suggested her brother before he went to run off to Asmodeus and Clara, "Wait up, you two!"
"I guess it leaves us, then." Sighed the duel-orbed woman.
"I'm still worried about them getting hurt, though." Said Acheron.
"They may await for as long as we stay punctual, Lady Ryūko." Added Lavande as the ladies walked.
With that aside and for those of you who may have forgotten, let us get to know a little bit about our protagonists, shall we?
Ryūko and Iruma Suzuki, age 14. The former is a cambion—half-demon and half-human, and the latter is a pure human, but were sold off by their selfish moronic parents. Now, they're the demon Sullivan's grandchildren, and is attending a prestigious demon school called Babylus in the Netherworld.
Isabelle Abaddon, age 14. A cambion like Ryūko, Isabelle has had a terrible life enduring endless bigotry. After moving in Sullivan's mansion, her life has been improved ever since. She even started going to Babylus with her two housemates. Recently, she revealed to them about her dual heritage and they easily understood her plight.
As the name hence, it's a school meant for demons in the Netherworld, so Ryūko, Iruma, and Isabelle are the odd ones out. At first, Iruma was frantic with fear and worry, believing the demons might find out he and his sister were human and end up eating them as punishment, but his fortune has changed dramatically and he's gotten quite accustomed to life here along with Ryūko. As for Ryūko, she had less worries as part-demon and adapted to her new life in the Netherworld and is holding up a relationship with a demon. Isabelle on the other hand, also had no problems in her new school but she still had a lot of secrets best kept secret for now.
Now with that out of the way, let's get back to the group (bar Acheron, being in a different class and all). On their way to their classroom, known as the Misfit Class, they were walking down the stairs and see two janitors complaining about a situation regarding rubbish.
"Look at this mess. Who would think to dump garbage here?" Said one of them.
"Yeah." Agreed the elderly janitor, "Demons are too lazy to dispose of it properly. It's a devi'n problem."
Seeing this as a problem, Ryūko and Iruma decided to help them out with it.
"Well, Ryūko and Iruma! Thanks a lot." Said this elderly demon.
"We'll always appreciate your help." Complied the younger janitor, "You're such good demons, young Ryūko and Iruma."
"Ah, that is not of any issue." Said Ryūko modestly as Isabelle, Clara, Asmodeus and Lavande also decided to help. As they all cleared up the pathway, little did they know one of the teachers was watching their actions.
In The Misfit's Classroom
The said teacher watching the so-called Ryūko and Iruma Corps was homeroom teacher of the Misfit Class, Kalego Naberius, a stern and dignified teacher who holds a disliking toward Sullivan, who is the Chair-demon of Babylus.
"Listen up, my little misfits." Said Kalego, "You'd better not cause any trouble. Don't burden anyone. While you're at school, you must follow all the rules to a tee, respect your teachers, and strive to do your academic best. Your end-of-the-terminus tests are coming up. Do not forget to prepare."
'End-of-terminus tests?' Thought Iruma, 'I wonder if those are like finals.'
"Although, personally, I wouldn't give a serpent's forked tongue if you dimwits failed." Added Kalego with a strict expression.
His face was enough to send chills in Iruma's bones and remind himself that he better study.
In Magic Basics Class
Magic Basics class is conducted by Momonoki Morax. For today, students will be starting with page 80 in their textbooks and practicing transformation magic. What was on her desk was a small pot with purple crystals and a green frog with red stripes in a bottle. Students will cast a spell on the said frog to change its color.
"Let's see... Iruma. How about you?" Called Momonoki.
"Y-Yes, ma'am. I'll try." Replied Iruma nervously as he stood up.
While Asmodeus and Clara cheered him on and Isabelle telling them to keep quiet so Iruma will not be distracted, Monoki instructed Iruma, "The spell I want is 'Cherusil'. Are you ready?"
Iruma hovered his hand above the bottle, using Devil Mode in his ring and chanted the spell. His ring glowed blue and the frog turned from green to black.
"As you can see, its color has changed." Said Momonoki, "It's now a lovely charcoal."
"Absolutely splendid, master!" Praised Asmodeus, "That is the most perfect shade of black I have ever seen!"
"Nice! Amazing!" Complimented Clara while Isabelle did a small yet sincere applause and their classmates smiled at him, with Keroli pouting.
"I'd say it's above average." Said Ryūko undully over her critical tongue.
"Fufufu, that is quite the tongue of judgment, my lady." Laughed Lavande softly as Asmodeus still praised Iruma, who has a small blush while nervously thanking them.
'I'm getting used to doing magic with the ring.' Thought Iruma, 'I gotta say, using magic could be a lot more fun once I'm finally able to master it. But I think Sis would get it faster than me someday, considering that she's a cambion.'
Because Iruma is merely a human being, he has no powers and wouldn't normally be able to use magic. Thanks to Sullivan's magical powers and this Gluttonous Feeder Ring he also happened to get, he's able to flex these skills and appear proficient at magic.
As Ryūko is a cambion, she just so happens to have magical powers of her own that still remain a mystery. So before she can find her bloodline magic herself, she'll be using magic given by Sullivan and stored within the Ring Of Pride she got the same way as Iruma did.
After some classes, the demon school's bell set off to signal Lunch Break period to students. In the cafeteria of Babylus, students can get their meals for free and purchase goods from the school store, run by school shopkeeper, Come-Come.
"Sir Iruma, would you like to get the A lunch (Akuma Lunch) today?" Asked Lavande as Clara does her lunch chant, "Or perhaps the D lunch (Devil Lunch) instead?"
"Hmm, they both sound good." Said Iruma.
"Then why choose? I shall get you both." Said Asmodeus.
"I'm gonna go order the W lunch (Waraidake Lunch)! Off we go!" Said Clara.
"H-Hey, come back, you! That lunch has funny mushrooms!" Warned Asmodeus before going after Clara again, "It's not-"
"Both of you! Please wait!" "Hey, slow down!" "Get back here!" Requested Lavande, Acheron, and Isabelle, following the two, leaving Ryūko and Iruma on their own.
Just before Ryūko and Iruma could catch up to them, their ring entities came out of their rings: a raven-like peacock for the Ring Of Pride, and a black cat-like flame creature for the Gluttonous Feeder Ring. This brought much dismay and fright to Iruma.
'What?! I-It's those things. The things that sucked away everyone's magical powers before!' Flashbacked Iruma in memory of what occurred after the Flying Race of day 4 at school.
In fear of the same occurrence from the memory, Iruma tried to shake away the entity.
"Why?! Why?! Why?! Why?! Why?! Why?! No! No! No! No! Get off me! Begone, evil spirit!" Yelled Iruma in attempt to deter the creature, "Wait, how can you be hungry? Grandpa already fed you this morning! I know he did! Looks like I need you to get back to him anyway! Come on, Sis! Let's go!"
"Actually, I'm not really all that hungry." Countered his ring's flame.
"Neither am I." Added the peacock.
What's this? After such a long while, this was the only time they've ever spoken? This came to surprise with the four and the humans asked if they really spoke.
"Huh?! Why would we ever speak to you?" Asked the Gluttonous Feeder, "Have we ever done so before? Now, you listen here."
Ryūko deadpanned at the obvious with her raven. They all stood silently before the Gluttonous Feeder broke the silence.
"Wait, I'm talking! You're right!" Exclaimed the spirit.
"You think?" Asked Iruma.
"Wasn't it obvious?" Asked Ryūko with a face-palm.
"So I have a voice all of a sudden? Wait, but why?" Asked the cat-like entity.
Commotion between them passed around for some time and it looks like the Gluttonous Feeder is panicking about his personal update that even he has no idea how it came out while seemingly oblivious to the world outside of the ring.
The Pride Raven, on the other hand floats quietly before a group of girls were passing by.
"What is that thing? Some kind of shadow?" Asked Konatsu.
Taking notice, Ryūko and Iruma retreated away from the group.
"Youth doesn't always just bask in the light, you know." Said Dosanko, "As part of your youth, seize the shadow, too."
In Prep Room #3
The humans and entities retreated to a preparatory room. Inside, they were able to converse privately.
"So... it would seem that I'm the Gluttonous Feeder Ring's... incarnation, is that right?" Asked the cat-flame.
"Maybe?" Said Iruma.
"But I haven't the foggiest of how I'm speaking to you! Truly! And neither has the raven your sibling holds!"
"Yeah, you said that was striking self-assurance.." Said Iruma.
"No... It must mean somehow, someway, my screams, even my feelings... have taken tangible form!" Examined the entity again. "That's right, Master. I have a whole mountain of things I'm dying to say to you!"
"Things to say to us?" Asked Iruma, also wondering about her sister.
"As neither I nor the entity of Gluttony have ever spoken in person, I can be sure he and I have something to speak of with you and mein Fräulein." Said the peacock.
"Mein Fräulein? That's German for 'my lady', but really, there is no need to treat me as royalty." Said Ryūko, "And, I do apologize for my inconsideration of order during Execution Cannonball, Raven of Pride."
"You may not think you are royalty, mein Fräulein, but that is what you have yet to discover in yourself." Said the raven.
"So you're telling me that I don't think I have royal demon blood, but you can tell I might be Prinzessin der Däemonen?" Asked Ryūko.
"Yes, mein Fräulein. And that us for me to guide you on your embarkment of your journey."
"Very well, I accept your proposal." Nodded the cambion with a noble voice.
"Now then, back to business." Said the Gluttonous Feeder, "The main thing is, you're using your magical powers all wrong! You lack elegance! You make me gobble up all of his power at once... Then I'm forced to horf it out just as quickly. Be kind to me! Keep mistreating me so terribly, and I won't let you use my magical powers."
"Hold on! What else you believe him, a mere human, to do as to protect Babylus from a malicious work of destruction that I do not wish to explain?!" Countered Ryūko standing up for Iruma's causes.
"First of all, magic is the ability to make your thoughts come to life based on desire as its roots." Said her entity.
"The transformation spell you did in class was the actualization of your desire to turn that green frog black." Explained Iruma's entity making shapes of a cat and bat, "The primary element of magic is your imagination. When that's on, you'll be able to pull off a far more difficult Cherusil."
"So I have to clearly visualize it?" Asked Iruma.
"That's precisely it." Said Ryūko with arms crossed, "Here's a little task I got for you. Try using a transformation spell on him while I do the same with mine."
"But what kind of transformation?" Asked Iruma.
"Well, let's see... Imagine me with big eyes, a curvy body, and long, slender legs. I wanna be a hottie! Imagine it seizing your mind's eyes!" Said the Gluttonous Feeder.
"What about you, raven?" Asked Iruma, having his eyes on his sister's spirit.
"Mein Fräulein will have her own decision to make as I have none to make up my mind." Said the black peacock, "Just so long as it is fitting to my title as the Entity of Pride."
"As you wish then." Said Ryūko, "Ready?"
"Um. okay..." Replied Iruma, "Let's see... Eyes? Curves? Long and slender... Ch-Cherusil!"
A purple smoke appeared as Iruma chanted the spell. Seems that he sort of got the form, but not at his entity's expectation because he looked a little more cutesy than hot. Still dark purple with a white dress shirt, a tailcoat and pants while his tail is his tether to Iruma's ring. He only has one eye and a pair of tall and straight horns.
Expectation
Result
After a look at the mirror, it was time for his verdict.
"Ah, yes, indeed. This is a big eye, I guess these are curves, and my legs are long." Said the newly transformed spirit before another mood swing burst, "Where's your imagination?! Simple is best, you fool!"
"I-I'm sorry! I'll do better!" Apologized Iruma.
"Master, what am I going to do with you?" Questioned the Gluttonous Feeder.
"Um, could you please maybe not call me "Master"? Sorry." Asked Iruma politely.
"Oh, then how about 'Li'l Iru'." Said the demon spirit, "and you can call me... Alicred."
"Alic...?" Attempted Iruma.
"Nah, just call me 'Ali'." Clarified Alicred, "Wait! I almost forgot about your sister. Let's check out her attempt."
"Oh, okay." Nodded Iruma, "Sis, have you gotten it yet?"
"Yes. I have." Said Ryūko.
"Let's have a look, Madam!" Cheered Alicred.
"As is does with the reversal of the Fallen Archangel of Pride's name... Reficul, reveal thyself!" Declared Ryūko elegantly with a great gesture in posture.
Flying alongside her was her entity, whom is named Reficul, now a black and purple raven in the form of a gallant and noble Japanese phoenix.
"Wow! You both look great together, Sis!" Beamed Iruma, "You're so cool!"
"You humble us with your kind words, dear brother." Curtseyed Ryūko as Reficul bowed.
Ryūko isn't addressed as "mein Fräulein" just because Reficul supposes she is royalty. She is addressed as "mein Fräulein" by her pheonix for her strong sense of direction and critical thinking are equivalent to that of a true Prinzessin der Däemonen (German for Princess of Demons)
In the Student Council Office
Ameri Azazel, Student Council President and daughter of Demon Border Control Chief, Henri Azazel, looked upon the school newspaper article of Dem-dols Kuromu, Titania, Akuryū and Irumi collaboration performance held at Makubari Dome some days back. Her gaze seemed exhausted, judging from the dark circles around her eyes and her pale expression.
'Everytime I see it, they look more and more alike.' Thought Ameri, 'And the closer I look, the more uncanny the resemblance... to Ryūko, Isabelle, and Iruma!'
In case you have forgotten or missed out, Ameri was given a ticket to the same concert she saw them, and she thought of how the Suzuki twins and their housemate and the three dem-dols bear a striking resemblance.
"Could it actually be? Are those them?" Asked Ameri to herself, "In this overly frilly and fluffy thing? No, it can't be. Ryūko and Iruma are way too driven. I know they're always working towards some kind of goal and trying to overcome obstacles along the way. Their hearts are filled with a pure, fiery passion. While Isabelle and Ryūko would mind not for themselves, Iruma would never wear something like that... Obviously, it has to be someone else."
Apparently, the noble president seems to be in denial over the matter when it is unfortunately true.
In Prep Room #3
"Okay. The next is to attempt to it on yourselves." Said Alicred, holding another task, "You can look all freaky, too!"
"As it would be inappropriate to change your current physical forms, I suggest transforming your fabrications that which you wear." Suggested Reficul.
"He means to transform our clothes, you're welcome." Elaborated Ryūko.
Hands on their uniforms, Ryūko and Iruma changed the colors of their top and bottom, almost completely white.
"Well, that's a start." Said Reficul.
"That's weak!" Complained Alicred slouching, "You turned a frog black, and now this blandness? See? No imagination."
"High expectations will get us nowhere if we rush." Countered the heterochromatic girl before she turned her head to her brother, "Let's try something more dynamic."
"I wanna see a fashion show!" Cheered Alicred.
First up, Iruma changed to a simple green collared shirt with a pair of brown shorts and boots whereas Ryūko was in a long-sleeved white and blue sailor shirt and short blue skirt, paired up with white thigh-high socks and black shoes.
"Spiffy! But still boring." Remarked Alicred, "Now shoot for something flashier!"
The second attempt got Iruma in Sabro Sabnock's clothes and Ryūko in Isabelle's clothes.
"Flashy and edgy! You could stand to bulk a bit, though!" Said Alicred again.
"I beg to differ, Alicred, but mein Fräulein seems to have some weak points in this vulgar dress, since her shoulders and upper back are showing." Countered Reficul.
"Iruma could use more muscle for this." Chuckled Ryūko, trying to hold her laughter, "Sabnock does have a muscular build, so I think it would be better that way."
The next trial of change got Iruma is Asmodeus's uniform and Ryūko is Lavande's armor. Those definitely don't make the cut on personality, but they look great in noble clothes. But the issue now is that Alicred notes how the two lack originality. Ryūko thinks otherwise as this was a trial of magic, anyway.
"All right! Next, think of something you'd never be caught dead in. We're going to force your imagination to work overtime!" Instructed the floating demon.
This hit Ryūko and Reficul like a truck ran them over, both cambion and phoenix knew where it would lead them.
"What the f- are you implying?!" Question Ryūko with her vulgar words upon anger, "That is completely out of question because that is absolutely a perverse mind of yours!"
"What mein Fräulein and I have thought is that you ask him to dress as a woman." Said Reficul in irritation, "How indiscreet!"
But that was too late, Iruma had already made up his mind under pressure.
Outside of the corridor, Ameri was walking by on her patrol and noticed a blue glow from the preparatory room. She slammed the doors open and asked, "Who's there?! You need permission to use vacant rooms!"
To her surprise, she saw Iruma in a frilly and fluffy blue dress with a red bow. Ameri, Ryūko and Reficul were on point to shock. The latter pair were more surprised that Ameri found them in the middle of their magic trial.
'Frilly and fluffy!' Screamed Ameri mentally.
She was so surprised by the view of Iruma in a dress that she couldn't say nor scold him but asked why was he wearing such outfit.
"President Azazel! This is not what you think it is!" Said Ryūko in a panic, "This is just us practicing magic!"
"Magic? Really?" Asked Ameri.
"Indeed." Nodded Ryūko.
"We were just chatting with our rings here, and we were practicing it together!" Clarified Iruma.
'You can't just say we're talking to rings, you idiot!' Scolded Ryūko in her mind.
"Now, stop it! Rings do not talk!" Yelled Ameri, "First the frilly, fluffy outfits, now you're delusional and talking to inanimate objects, too?!"
"President, he's not saying that right!" Countered Ryūko, "If I can just tell you-"
Before Ryūko can finish her sentence and Iruma could find Alicred, Ameri ran out of the room and the boy fell on his knees with disbelief and embarrassment.
In the Corridor
Iruma walked down a corridor with lamentation and asked himself how would he explain the misunderstanding. Ryūko thought it was time for a scolding, so she made a karate chop on Iruma's head.
"Ow, ow, ow! Sis, what was that for?!" Asked Iruma in pain.
"You know, he's right. You really are an idiot, Iruma." Condemned Ryūko monotonously, "You can't simply tell people that we can talk to rings. That tells people that we're suffering from delusions."
Right on cue, Alicred and Reficul came out of their designated rings.
"Just tell her you're into that. Problem solved." Suggested Alicred. "Ali! Why did you disappear before?" Asked Iruma, "Same with you, Reficul! Why did you both disappear?"
"Heh. I watched the whole saga unfold from the ring." Laughed Alicred, "Pretty funny."
"Still, it doesn't explain why did you both disappear when we needed you guys to be seen so that my idiot brother here isn't looking like he's being delusional." Said Ryūko with a stern look and arms crossed.
"Sis! You're so mean!" Whined the younger twin, insulted by his elder sister.
He then turned over to Alicred and Reficul before telling them, "But she's right. You gotta help us fix what happened with Ameri. Just let her see you."
"Unfortunately, that will have to pass, mein Herr." Said Reficul, "At basic knowledge, we are unknown entities. If we are found, threats to us will be having our forms as a subject of experiments."
"Indeed you know, Reficul." Agreed the cambion girl, "Mutilated by the coil of bondage unnatural."
"And will never fly again as we do." Commented Reficul.
"Deprived from the humble coif of which it was to gaze at the majesty of its monarch." Added Ryūko, making a monologue, "Surely, it is a glimpse of my pride's hell in the flesh."
"You say the strangest things sometimes, Sis." Said Iruma.
"That said, Lil' Iru and Madam, don't you remember what it feels like to not want to stand out?!" Said Alicred, who then poked Iruma's cheek.
"Well... Yeah, we do." Said Iruma.
Ryūko and Iruma try their absolute best not to stand out, no matter what it takes. As the only human residents in the otherwise demon-filled Netherworld besides Isabelle, they know that this is the only way they can remain alive and uneaten.
"I know but you gotta help. Ameri will have the wrong idea forever!" Lamented Iruma.
The boy then cried on Ryūko's shoulder as she tries to comfort him.
"Fine. If there have been other entities like me who've done this before, then I guess it's okay to pop out and help." Said Alicred.
"Really?! Do you promise?!" Asked Iruma.
"Well, that is if we know it is safe to appear, it would be fine." Supposed Reficul.
"And I'll make a glamorous appearance like an actress on her red carpet debut." Said Alicred, who took the form of a woman as he said so, "Although, I really like this mysterious thing I've got going-"
"Come on, we're doing this right now!" Declared Iruma, clasping his hands on Alicred's, "Let's work together! What do you say?!"
"You're a smooth talker." Mumbled Alicred.
"Shall we do it, Reficul?" Asked Ryūko.
"Indeed we shall, mein Fräulein." Nodded the raven.
With their minds set on a new mission, the twins decided that they'll discover the secret behind the rings and clear the misunderstanding with Ameri.
"So, Lil' Iru, you got any leads yet?" Asked Alicred, "You seem amped up." "Yeah! I am completely positiive! He knows all about what the rings do!" Said Iruma.
"Then, to the Chair-demon's Office we go." Said Ryūko, manually fluffing her dark blue hair.
In the Chair-demon's Office
After explaining their rings to Sullivan, the Suzuki twins got an unfortunate answer.
"No, rings don't just start talking." Said Sullivan with his hand up, which made Iruma shocked that even he doesn't believe them, "The Gluttonous Feeder Ring and Ring Of Pride are just magical apparatuses that store power. They absolutely do not have a consciousness. Nope. Nope. Nope."
"But, did you speak not of the entities for the first time we have encounter them?" Asked Ryūko, "I have remembered that their forms of a spirit and peacock have taken the magical powers of others at the ranking after our race."
"Er, they can't appear right now, of course, but we..." Continued Iruma before Sullivan made a nod.
"Poor children. You're tired." Said the Chair-demon, "Let's get you both a warm cup of milk."
"Aw, come on!" Insisted Iruma, "Wait, I mean it. Really, it actually..."
Just then, Opera placed his hands on both siblings' shoulders before putting them both in a bed with a couple of stuffed toys.
"It's time for a nice, long nap now." Said Opera.
The butler sang both of them a lullaby and Iruma immediately fell asleep. Ryūko doesn't feel tired, but decided to hit the sack for a little because she doesn't want to cause Sullivan and Opera any trouble.
In the Library
Gaako, a female student in the form of a dragon and Acheron's classmate, was with her friends Eiko Oni and Darris Graveston, Acheron's other classmates and two students saved by Iruma and his sister from the first day of school.
"Hey, Eiko, Darris, what books are you trying so hard to find?" Asked Gaako.
"Well, I'm interested in cameras so I thought I'd study up on them." Said Eiko.
"I'm finding how I would be able to make a good impression in front of nobles." Said Darris.
"Cameras and nobles, huh? What are you planning to shoot and why with people of great levels?"
Eiko instantly flushed red thinking about Iruma and Ameri.
"Top secret photos of Iruma and President Ameri, but... I can't tell her that!" Flustered Eiko while hiding her blushing face and shaking her head.
"Meh, if you want to talk with someone like Ryūko and other nobles, it would be hard to no thread over eggshells." Said Darris, "So then, I'll have to make sure I don't let her get me wrong."
In darker and more private corner, Ryūko, Iruma, Reficul, and Alicred looked over demonic relics that might help them in understanding the rings.
"Gluttonous Feeder Ring... Where's the Gluttonous Feeder Ring..." Repeated Iruma, flipping over pages of a book.
Ryūko silently read through the book in her hand, which talks of the Deadly Sin of Pride.
"I suppose the Gluttonous Feeder Ring is named after the sixth Deadly Sin of Gluttony." Whispered Ryūko, "It makes sense, but there has to be some history of the Ring of Pride."
"Found it." Said Iruma.
The quartet looked over the diagram of the Gluttonous Feeder Ring.
"A somewhat rare enchanted apparatus that stores and releases magical power." Read Iruma aloud, "Once resources run out, a mist appears and sucks up all of the magical power in the area."
"The same applies to the Ring of Pride, but it says in this chapter that it also feeds on negative pride." Said Ryūko.
"Well, that sounds like it was annoyingly troublesome." Said Alicred.
"Meaning, you don't remember what happened after the ranks are announced?" Asked Ryūko.
"The only part I really remember is, "Man, I was starving"." Replied Alicred.
"Huh? What about going berserk?" Asked Iruma.
That was also another thing neither Alicred nor Reciful can remember, the same applied for the occurrence of cherry blossoms and Japanese maple trees, and the first Libera.
"We were likely still just rings with no intelligence back then." Said Alicred referring to himself and Reficul.
"So when did you first come of consciousness?" Asked Ryūko.
"Oh, that was... the dragging incident." Answered Alicred.
"Ah, yes. That moment." Commented Reficul.
"When we made you tackle that oddball with glasses to show you he was dangerous." Said Alicred.
"What?! You've gotta be kidding me! That's why that happened with Kirio then?!" Asked Iruma, "A-And don't call him oddball in front of my sister! Y-You're going to make her mad!"
Right he was, Ryūko took him in he hand and threw him on the floor.
"Mein Fräulein is currently in a relationship with that demon you speak of." Explained Reficul, "So mind your words in front of her."
"My, my. Madam shows no mercy for such a young person." Said Alicred, wobbling from the impact.
"Even so, could you both have another way of telling us that he was a dangerous individual?" Asked Ryūko, "Dragging us like that was more dangerous than you think and I had to use some of my spare change to help pay for the broken glass."
"We thought it was pretty clear. I don't know." Said Alicred.
"And it was not." Deadpanned Ryūko.
"On basic affairs, we cannot point the exact time we changed." Said Reficul, "That is all we have remembered."
"But if Ali's and Reficul's memories are all that fuzzy, then it's not enough to go on." Said Iruma.
"This means we have to arrange things through a line of sequenced events that happened before." Said Ryūko, still reading the book in her hands, "Because I can see that they both seem to remember the fireworks of the Battler Party. Ah, that night of a heart's betrayal, moment of star-crossed demons have yet repaired the damage of their hearts before another night."
With that piece of information, Iruma took his sister's suggestion and started to write something out.
Alicred noticed his sudden note taking and asked what was up.
"I'm trying to put together everything we've been through." Said Iruma. When he was done, he made a timeline of events that occurred. No awareness at Alef (א), then has awareness at Bet (ב) and Gimel (ג).
"It splits up perfectly." Said Ryūko, "You both have no memory of the two trees or Libera, but remember things that happened after we reached Bet rank. You remember Amy and the fireworks. And at Gimel rank, you could speak."
"So basically, the reason I can talk now is..." Mumbled Alicred.
"Actually because our ranks went up?!" Continued Iruma.
!Mystery Solved!
The quartet went out of the library with laughs of accomplishment.
"It's all making sense now. Because of essence, you and I are one entity!" Said Alicred happily.
"It that is so, we will be able to experiment." Said Ryūko.
"What mein Fräulein means is that if we keep changing as they climb the ranks, we should grow even more when they reach Dalet (ד)!" Explained Reficul.
"Okay, then. We're gonna work even harder to raise our ranks!" Exclaimed Iruma.
Alicred looked at Iruma with some concerns as that would bring attention to him. Ryūko thought the same, but she has made her resolve clear that she wants to remain in the Netherworld.
"What to do..." Wondered the demon entity, "Though, if you insist, maybe I can find some way to be happy about it."
"You better, because I have my resolves clear to remain in this realm and my academic ambitions still stand true." Said Ryūko.
"Oh, also, Lil' Iru and Madam, don't bother being so formal with me or Reficul." Said Alicred.
"Very well. We grant you permission to journey with us." Said Ryūko.
Thus Ryūko and Iruma began their lives with the incarnations of the Ring of Pride and Gluttonous Feeder Ring, Reficul and Ali.
However, what will this experience mean for the Suzuki twins?
In Sullivan's Mansion
After school, Isabelle, Ryūko, and Iruma returned home in time for dinner.
"When they mentioned the rings were speaking to them, I admit I was a bit worried..." Said Opera.
"At any rate, it seems like they're okay now." Said Sullivan before he went into tears, "I'm so very relieved!"
Opera then had a handkerchief in hand to clear away his tears.
Later as the night goes late, Iruma has set himself in his bed.
"I can't believe how much fun I had today!" Said Iruma, "And we got a closer to figuring out the rings' secret, too. This is so gre-" He immediately snoozed away with Alicred on his pillow.
Ryūko waved a goodnight at her projected screen of someone she was speaking with before she turned it off. She turned off the lamp nearby and set herself in her bed, as well.
"Today was eventful." Said the young lady, "But even on a daily basis, I hope he's still safe."
She then laid herself down before she slept peacefully away, with Reficul by her side.
The Next Day
The Sun was up, Ryūko and Iruma awoke with eyes open. It was as if they forgot about something.
"The mix-up with Ameri! She still has the wrong impression!" Exclaimed the two in realization.
Back to square one. Poor Ryūko and Iruma. They have no way of knowing the tumultuous future lying in wait so shortly beyond
~Interval~
Eiko's finally got the hang of using an evil-lens camera. From AOV to sensitivity, not to mention feeding, she'll finally have the oppertunity to take beautiful pictures of Iruma and Ameri. The only thing for her to do now is purchase a camera and get a devi-time job.
For that, she seems to sell demongos. You can say they're a Netherworld version of mangoes. But that was kind of not what her friend, Gaako, expected as she thought how crazy this idea was all for a camera.
Additional Voices
Reficul - Shinya Sumi (JPN) and Ben Pronsky (ENG)
A/N: Images are provided in Wattpad version of this story. Videos are provided in Wattpad, Quotev, and AO3 version of the To Demon School! Iruma-kun (C) is created by Osamu Nishi. The following characters, excluding Abaddon Isabelle and Gremory Acheron (which are mine) belong to Osamu-chan. Suzuki Ryūko and Félin Lavande are under Hayami_Minato's property. Levina Kaminari is Spiritanimalpanther's character while Siegfried Yanna belongs to LunaWu3. I have no rights to claim any canon characters of the anime as my own as it it considered plagiarism.