Sullivan had me following him around, he really did not want me to even gain an opportunity to look at a book. He was the principal of this school, no wonder he had so much pull to get me enrolled. He was the deciding factor in it all. There was a democracy, so other teachers did have a say in how I could attend and the conditions.

The exams on the side, facing teachers. Then the deadline to do the exam. They expected me to be able to pass the exam in a week. I was an adult, expected to know more than the average student. Kalego and Shichiro both said I should be given more time as I never had a proper education. They then gave me one week for execution cannonball and three for the final exam.

I should thank them both later at the party. For now, I was out looking at dresses to attend this formal party. When it was Iruma it was only a celebration dinner. Why was he throwing me a whole party? Every teacher was supposed to attend, too. Is this even fair, or right? Teachers had lives. I was not looking forward to any of it.

"My most beautiful and precious Granddaughter. How about this one." Sullivan pulled out a green dress that matched my hair. "I think you would look fantastic in this one."

"Is a formal part a bit much. I did agree, but for it to so formal?"

"Nonsense, now go try this on."

I gazed at the Victorian vampire style dress. "Yes, grandpa. I just…"

"Just what?" His smile flattened.

I bit my lip. "Just…"

"What is it, you can tell me." Why does his face terrify me like that?

"Just love that color." I forced a smile.

"Oh, good. Run along, try it on." He pushed me towards the dressing room. The attendant helped me dress into the thirteenth dress on this trip. I emerged, walking up to the wide view set of mirrors. My eyes widened. It was beautiful, and it fit perfectly. Match my hair, but not enough to take the focus off my face.

"I like this one. Out of all the dresses I have been stuffed in, I like this one best."

"Wonderful, we will take it." I grabbed the price tag; how much was this thing. It was taken from my hands, and off the dress. "No amount of money is too much for my granddaughter."

I waved my hand down. "Merely curious, Grandpa."

Curious to how much I would owe if I failed to be a successful demon. I was ranked fifth, but if I fail the test, I will go down a rank. I should be cramming for the exam, but I was out dress shopping before Iruma left school. As the principal, should he not be there? I felt there to be so many things wrong with this world.

Some seemed right, even better in a few aspects, but a neglect of duties was something I could not do. I was the CEO of my own company. I worked from the ground up in a medium sized company. Growing the strong foundation and raising us up to the sky. We were competing with the top after three short years.

Opera carried the dress behind us while we walked, ears perked up. I noticed something with his ears, up was happy or content. Down was upset, or not amused. A twitch would mean he was overly happy, excited or looking forward to something. His ears were up most of the time, but when we trained, they were all over.

When I was not blocking or dodging properly, they would slowly go down. When I flopped on the ground giving up, or if I answered a test question wrong, they would slant down or flop completely. Besides his ears, he shows no other emotion to him. He may keep a game face of composure, but he let everyone know with only the movement of his ears.

I looked at carts of street sellers. Where was Sullivan going? We had the dress, the sole reason for him to skip being principal and take me out. What else could I need? Was he letting me look at the world? At this walking pace, it was a stroll in the park. I gazed at the store front windows as we walked by, tea, clothes, bakeries. It was like the human realm but a different skin.

A music store caught my eye. They had instruments like the human world. A violin, guitar, flute, and some other instruments were on display. The Violin was close to the center, a new arrival to the store. The dark wood was lined with rose gold edges. A bow lay at the base to match.

"Go in. You stared hard enough to burn a hole in the window."

I glared at the Opera. "I already have a perfectly good Violin. I was simply admiring the craftmanship. Grandpa, can we go home? I am so tired. I worked hard and played hard. Then the dress shopping." I pretended to look faint. "I might fall asleep in the street." I pouted my lip, softening my gaze to beg him to leave. "Please?"

"If you wish."

He placed a hand on mine and Operas shoulders, and we were taken back home. He did not need a magical elevator to take him anywhere, he could think of it and go at the drop of a hat. I got the dress from Opera, holding it behind me.

"I will be taking a nap."

"No secret studying. A little camera demon popped up over his shoulder. "I will be watching."

"I got it, but that thing goes away when I get dress for tonight."

He smiled. "Of course, I would never peep on my most precious Granddaughter."

"I am your only Granddaughter, but not your only adopted grandchild."

"One each, it's fair to call you both the most precious." He skipped down the hall. "Opera, we must decorate."

"Yes, sir."

I sighed, finally some breathing room. I went to my room, threw the dress bag on the foot of the bed and flopped on the other side. Grabbing the edge, I Rolled with the blanket and making myself a burrito. My social battery was on E, and I was not looking forward to tonight in the slightest. All the people watching, the ones I met. Shopping around others.

I closed my eyes, but no sooner than I felt myself drifting, the door opened. It could not be time already. "No."

Opera bent down, peering at me from the edge. "I am here to assist you. We can do your hair first, but after you shower."

I narrowed my eyes. "My battery is on empty."

"Up, up." The blanket was ripped from me. I looked at the clock, it had been an hour.

"Fine, but only because I know you made food." His ears twitched.

I showered and sat at the vanity in robe. Opera's tail twitched behind him as he dried and started to style my hair. I practiced smiling, and how to gesture myself. If it was going to be this formal, I would need to pull out all the manners possible. Opera pinned the last piece of hair back for the half up hair style. He lifted the dress.

"I will take that to the bathroom, give me a moment." He nodded.

The dress slipped on, I held it up and turned my back to Opera. He had it tied in seconds. "The guests should be arriving soon." I looked in the mirror and plastered my smile like a painting. I can get through this night. I told myself. "You do not have to put on a smile and pretend to be anything you are not."

"But, is it not required to smile?"

He shook his head. "I do not."

"Your ears give you away."

"Kalego never smiles, maybe a smirk but he has never smiled for as long as I have known him."

"Then…" I looked in the mirror. "If I do not care I can look that way?"

He nodded. "You are not in the human realm."

I followed Opera to the dining room, a smile fake smile no longer a picture perfect one. I did not have to pretend to be anything I did not wish. I had already proven myself plenty capable. I still walked like I owned the world, because to me I was halfway there to concurring it. I would become demon king if that was what I had to do to get my child back.

Kalego and Shichiro arrived early; others filed in later. Sullivan greeted them as they came through the door. They came dressed nicely, thanking Sullivan for the invite. Shichiro in a suit was a sight. He did not correct his posture, but the effort was there. Opera was right, they all acted how they wanted but in a decent manner.

Kalego did not smile, as well as a few others with unamused looks. I did not have to pretend to be anything. The crying lady was back, she wiped her face as she talked. No one asked her if she was alright or bothered to take notice. I walked up to her while she strolled to the table.

"Parden my asking, but are you alright?"

"Oh yes, you will find I am always like this. I am quite happy to be here. I am Lady Vepar, I can manipulate water." She cried harder, then hugged me. "You did so well, I am proud of you for doing your best." Is everyone a hugger? Hmm, I could not imagine Kalego doing such a thing.

Music was playing in the background; food was an eat as you go affair. An open bar, Opera said I was able to partake as I was technically an adult here. Time to drink and get through this night. This was their Friday, drinking tonight might get heavy. No school and a weekend to recover spells drink until I pass out if you want.

"What will you be having," asked the bartender.

"A sweet wine." He poured a glass, handing it to me.

"Shichiro and I will have the thousand years' drop of evil." I peered to the right, Kalego was right next to me.

I took a sip, savoring the sweet taste of the juice. Was this even alcohol? I hummed, picking up the bottle and pulling it to me. "Are you serious? You gave me Juice?"

He cleaned a glass in his hands, checking for spots. "Lord Sullivan did not want you drinking before you ate."

"This is my party, and I will celebrate how I wish if I have to be here."

"I am sorry, but Lord Sullivan is scarier than you."

"Shichiro, what wine did Vepar want again. Never mind. Bartender, a glass of Rosey Devils Kiss."

He served it up. "Here you are sir."

"Violetta, Dali has been meaning to talk with you about classes. Follow me." He walked beside me, but we did not go around any other teachers. Shichiro moved to my left side, blocking the view of Sullivan.

Kalego handed the glass of wine to me. "You should be celebrating. So that's how you made you last move."

"Thank you, but what?" I took a sip.

"I could not believe my eyes when I saw how you used your gift. The last ball was slow and bobbing. You were humming to control the ball. We could not hear it over the violin."

I smiled. "You're right, any form of noise making, if it is continual. Humming is not an affective source because you need to pause to breathe. Anyways, I will eat later when the food looks more appetizing." I took a long sip, savoring the sweet taste.

"Hard time adjusting?" Shichiro asked.

"Not used to my food looking at me, or still being alive. Opera has been making the food different for me. He says I am too picky, but he does it anyways. This makes it easier."

Shichiro chuckled. "How different is it in the human realm?" I looked at him wide eyed. "Kalego knows."

I looked around. No one was in ear shot. "It is very different. I was picky before this, but it was textures. There are no eyes on food except on special dishes in high class restaurants. I always requested them removed when I would have company dinners."

"So, what job did you do? Intern, secretary, board director?" Kalego asked.

"I'm offended that the boss was not included. I owned my company. I worked hard to bring it up into the big leagues. If I had to rank it like you all do here, I might have been considered a rank eight. I was known as the rising star in the business world. I was securing another partnership when that woman did this to me." I stared off, Eli on my mind.

Shichiro offered a handkerchief. "Was it that bad to lose something like that."

A tear had stung down my cheek. Taking the hankie, I wiped it away. "No, I… I do not wish to talk about it. I have the exam in two weeks." I drank a big gulp.

"You do, have you been studying?"

"About that." I played with the liquid in my glass. "I must come up with a different way to tackle that. Opera is not always there; he mostly serves Grandpa."

"I am not understanding the problem."

"I need help because I learn differently. You can give me all the textbooks but reading them is hard. I reread the same paragraphs over and over. For some reason it just does not stick. When it is read to me and I do something else, I can tell you about it like I have known it for years.

I will give an example. Training for the match, Opera had gone over the entire book of the Diabotany textbook, and I could tell you all there is to know." Kalego rambled off a few questions and I answered perfectly.

"Kalego, next week is the harvest festival, no classes will be held."

"We are on retrieval of students." He replied.

"Yes, but we would be around for the most part. Nighttime is when they start dropping. Follow Iruma to the grounds, and we will find you to take you to the teacher lounge."

"Am I permitted in such a place as a student?" I asked.

Kalego took a sip of his drink. "You will be soon." What was that supposed to mean?

Shichiro wrote something down on a piece of paper and handed it to Kalego, who also wrote something. Kalego then handed me the small piece of paper. "For now, here are our contact numbers. If Opera becomes too busy during off school hours, give a text or call."

I did not have a phone yet; I went to speak but was interrupted.

"OH, Granddaughter of mine."

"Fiddle sticks." I slammed the drink, handing the glass to Kalego. I moved past Shichiro smiling. "Grandpa, over here." But he was already close. He moved me to the side and up steps to where a stage had been built.

"As some of you heard, we are gaining a new staff member, but in a different stance. Violetta will be a teacher student aid. Once she has done the end of terms final exam. As of now she will be joining the school as a rank He. She will aid in the classroom, but also do the same rank ups as students. Let us all raise a glass in celebration to a new member of the school. This glass is for you Viola."

He handed me a glass of wine. He remembered. Was this a closeness scenario for nicknames? Thank the netherworld he did not see the first. If I finish this all food will look like candy. I looked over at everyone as they raised their glasses. Kalego and Shichiro nodded. Was I to do this, was I missing the cue?

I spoke. "Cheers," Some clanked glasses, others raised them and then sipped.

"Opera?" Opera opened a curtain where gifts were splayed out and a chain.

I waved Sullivan down and whispered in his ear. "This is nice, Grandpa. But I did not want to open all of these in front of everyone like a five-year-old."

"Half?"

"No."

"Five?" I shook my head. "Two?" He held up two fingers.

I held up a hand with a pinky out. "Pinky promise and swear to die by the heat of the glass desert."

"I promise."

"Did you get that opera." He moved his face from the camera and gave a thumbs up.

Grandpa smirked. "They grow up so fast." He pretended to wipe a tear. A nicely wrapped box with a green bow on top was placed in front of me. I untied the gift and opened it up. I pulled the blouse from the box. No, uniform. It was like the teacher uniform, but white and with black edges. I will stand out like a sore thumb now. There was enough for an entire week within the box.

"You had to wear the student uniforms until this was made for you. Last one as promised."

Opera held a black wooden case with a silver bow. I cracked the case open; a dark wood violin lay inside. Lightly raised Roses made of metal, the color a glimering rose gold. A larger but flat rose on the back, engraved with lines and shadows. A bow strapped to the lid matched the violin. I ran my fingers along the base, looking at Sullivan.

My heart softened, a pang of guilt for being so reluctant to play along like a good granddaughter. "You shouldn't have, all I needed was a new E string."

"I did not, this is the only thing I did not get you."

"Then?" I looked to Opera; he shook his head. I looked out but there were head shakes around the room.

"There is a card." Opera handed it to me. A poem was written inside.

This instrument is as resilient as you.

Strings that will never snap,

a bow that will never break.

Made of obsidian Oak,

wear it like a cloak.

It will never need a tune,

I hope to hear it soon.

"No sender name, but they put a lot of thought into this." I picked it up, testing the strings, and grinned. "The best time to break in a new Instrument is as soon as you tune it. this one has been waiting." I raised it up and played a note, the sound reverberated beautifully. "Now it is a party."

I played an upbeat song; the notes filled the air. I formed them to make a beautiful scene of dancing couples, and friends laughing and having fun. I could not help myself and moved with the song, dancing with all the phantom dancers. The teachers danced with each other, but Kalego and Shichiro stood in the background leaning against the wall talking.

The song was over, but how would I wear this as a cloak? That part did not make since to me. Obsidian Oak was a special type of wood, but I forget why. The thought of Opera hitting me with a ball made me shiver. It was special because the wood was alive, embedded with a magical essence.

When processed and charmed by magic, it would be able to form to the owner without hurting them. So, wear it as a cloak, or maybe like a backpack. I will either look stupid, or like a genius. Over my shoulders and pressed to my back, vines came out and wrapped around my shoulders and hugged me like a backpack. I read the poem one more time.

Whoever you are, I will find you and thank you. It was a sweet poem and an amazing gift. I had reason to believe that Grandpa was lying, but he gloated on everything he did for me. He would have taken the credit. I did not know many teachers so the top candidates might be Dali and Shichiro. I felt they had the personality to write a poem.