"Yuu-kun, how was your first day?"

Let's see…

I arrived at school just before classes, got too marveled at everything which somehow got me into a fight with Geld, one of the World's Cards. The only reason I survived is because Lizel-senpai helped me.

After I beat Geld, I ended up fainting, so Lizel-senpai, Miyabi and Reina brought me to Lovers Palace, where Lizel-senpai would use Healing Lovers to help me recover. … Every time I remember that, I also remember Lizel-senpai's naked figure.

A-anyway, wasn't I just playing hooky from the first day?! No way I can tell mom that.

"I-it went well I think."

"Oh, that's good. Dad and I were worried for Yuu-kun, you know?"

"That's right. I only managed to win 10 consecutive games and lost the 11th one I was so restless. Even mom ended up missing one or two of the currently airing anime yesterday."

Maybe it's just me, but that seems pretty good already. Am I supposed to take this as they didn't really care?

Nah, that's just how mom and dad are. Their rings' anti-aging effects might also apply to their minds as well. Or maybe because their bodies are still young, so are their minds.

Well, there's a good side to it though. It's like having a friend at home that you can talk about the latest games and anime and such. Though it's also embarrassing sometimes as well.

"But were there any problems, Yuuto. Like, did anyone pick on you or anything?"

Dad asked. Of course, there was one, Geld.

But I won't tell them about it. It would only make them worry. For now, I'll have to take advantage of their little knowledge of the Devil King War to make them think there's no danger.

"No, everything was fine."

"I see. Thank goodness."

Dad let out a sigh of relief. Bullying is already a problem between humans, it wasn't hard to imagine something even worse with the prideful devils. More so because the ones at Ginsei Academy are nobles. Dad was happy something like that didn't happen to his son.

Well, it did. But again, let's leave it aside for now.

"How about friends? Did Yuu-kun find anyone you think you can be friends with?"

The images of Lizel-senpai, Miyabi and Reina came to mind. They had asked to be my Cards and I asked them to give me some time to think. I've been thinking about it since then.

If nothing else, even if I decide to not take them as Cards, I'm pretty sure we could still be friends. But, if I'm being honest… I'm really thinking of taking them as Cards.

I mean, I know I've only thought about it for one night, but it's not like I've given it little thought. I almost couldn't sleep thinking about it. A-and it wasn't just because of the lewd part.

I… can't properly explain it, but I don't feel like giving up on the Devil King War, so I'll need Cards. Lizel-senpai, Miyabi and Reina are the very best I could ever hope for, and there's no reason for me to refuse them.

That said, I don't plan to rush into a decision just yet. There should still be a lot of time, I think.

"Yeah. There's three people in particular that I think I'll get along with especially well."

"That's great son. Make sure to make lots of memories."

"But don't do anything dangerous, Yuu-kun. If you think you might get hurt, please just try to keep yourself safe."

I gave a nod to mom. My heart felt a little heavy, since I'll have to lie about the Devil King War, but it's something I have to do.

I finished my breakfast and started my commute to Ginsei Academy. This is honestly my biggest complaint about everything right now.

I noticed a car parked near my house. The reason why I took notice is because it seemed like some kind of luxury car. I don't know enough about cars to say anything about models and whatnot, but it looks expensive.

After a few seconds, the car started moving and it soon stopped again right by my side. It came at such speed I thought it was going to get run over!

"Yuuto, get in."

"Lizel-senpai?!"

The window on the back opened and the person that appeared was none other than Lizel-senpai. No wonder the car seemed so high-class.

I had gotten rides to school with friends before, but this is a whole other league. I considered declining, but I knew Lizel-senpai wouldn't give up, so I got in as she said.

The car wasn't a limousine, but it was bigger than the usual car you see on the streets. Even with Lizel-senpai and I at the back, there was still room for even more people.

"Thanks for the ride, Lizel-senpai. But you didn't have to do this."

"It's fine, this makes the commute more enjoyable for both of us. Also, there's always the chance Yuuto will get attacked on the way to the academy, so it's best to always have someone nearby."

"T-there's no way I'll be attacked as casually as that, right?"

"It happened yesterday though."

Ah yeah, with Geld. Yup, that really came out of nowhere and I really would have died if not for Lizel-senpai.

"But it still feels uncool to be protected by a girl like this…"

"You're still just learning magic, so it's fine. Soon, you'll be more powerful than me, or anyone else. You being able to hear the Arcana's voice is proof of that."

"Yeah… but sometimes I wish the Arcana would be a little more considerate. Like, she won't even let me sleep in for five minutes."

Lizel-senpai looked at me with a shocked expression. Aah, I tried to make some casual talk, but maybe I overdid it?

"The Arcana… wakes you up? I'm impressed. The Arcana must really love you."

"O-ooh, yeah I guess."

"… Is that some kind of sign, that I should go wake him up? I could also join him and his family for breakfast if I do that."

I didn't quite catch what Lizel-senpai was mumbling to herself, but it probably wasn't important. Besides, I had something else to think about.

Lizel-senpai was being really nice to me, not only for letting me in the car but also for protecting me like this. She could have just kept her distance and waited until I had no choice but to rely on her, but she didn't.

So I'll make a promise to myself. It may be hopeless now, but I'll get stronger. And if Lizel-senpai ever needs my help, I'll be there for her. I didn't tell her, since it would be pretty embarrassing, but I made that promise for myself.

We kept making small talk for the duration of the ride. We reached Ginsei Academy much faster today than I had done yesterday. But I shouldn't get used to this! It was just a bit of kindness from Lizel-senpai, I couldn't keep taking advantage of it.

I got my hand on the handle and was about to open the door, but I stopped. Lizel-senpai hadn't moved an inch. I thought something might have been wrong, but she was just waiting for the driver to open the door for her.

She really is the daughter of a noble house. Incidentally, the driver also opened the door for me, but all it made me feel was a little embarrassment.

We calmly walked until class 1-D, my classroom. My time with Lizel-senpai has come to an end.

"Then, this will be goodbye for now, Yuuto. The next guard will take over."

"Take over? Who…?"

Someone came to mind, someone I met yesterday. She had said we would have met if I had gone to class.

Sure enough, my suspicions were right.

"Heya! Morning, Yuuto."

"Miyabi!"

As soon as she popped into existence from who knows where, she hugged my arm to her chest. Since her uniform still had as much exposure as yesterday, it was… quite the feeling.

Lizel-senpai seemed a little annoyed by this. She let out a sigh and then reminded Miyabi of her duties.

"Miyabi, I'll leave Yuuto to you. Make sure to keep him safe. And don't stick so close to him if you don't have to."

"But I have to! I want to make an impression on him so he'll take me as his Card. There's nothing wrong with that, is there?"

Not being able to deny Miyabi, Lizel-senpai just gave up and headed to her own classroom. Miyabi pulled me into class 1-D.

As soon as we entered, there was silence. I was hearing people speaking before, but now there was nothing. Everyone had stopped talking to look at Miyabi and me.

Now, Miyabi was such a beautiful girl I could understand it if it was because of her, but I'm pretty sure they're looking at me. That's because I could feel hostility and scorn in their gazes.

"Say, Miyabi, you think everyone hates me because I'm human?"

"Humm, yeah, if I had to guess. But don't let it get to you. They're just the usual devil nobility, meaning they'd probably sell their family if it benefited them."

Miyabi looked back at everyone that was looking at me. Maybe I was mistaken, but I thought I could feel her looking back at everyone with as much hatred as they had shown to me…

But, before I noticed it, she was back to her usual self. Her smile was so bright it even made me forget how everyone was looking at me.

"But these will be our classmates for a while. So Yuuto should just hit 'em with a 'bam' and get their respect."

"Yeah, I think I'll do that. The getting their respect part, not the hitting them."

"Hahaha! Well, I'll be there to give Yuuto a hand with whatever you decide."

Miyabi once again hugged my arm close to her chest. Once again, I felt angry gazes directed at me, but these seemed to be coming from the boys in class.

After a few more minutes, the door to the classroom was opened again. A woman entered, and considering her attire, she's probably the teacher.

"Everyone, to your seats. I'll be starting class now."

Everyone sat down on their respective seats. Except me of course, I don't have a seat as far as I know.

Because I was still standing up, I obviously stood out from everyone else. The teacher seemed to finally notice me, but she didn't seem exactly happy about it.

Miyabi tugged my sleeve. I turned to look at her and she whispered.

"That's Nagasawa-sensei. She's really strict and probably won't be too happy with Yuuto. So smack her with a 'blam' or she won't even let you stay here."

"Again, I'd rather not resort to violence from the get go. Maybe if I ask nicely…"

"You, human over there, shut up! To think you're so rude you don't even know you should be silent when a teacher enters. You're a disgrace to Ginsei Academy! Leave right now!"

"That's… I'm sorry. I was just, uhh, wondering where I could sit down."

"Sit? Oh, now I get it. The Arcana chose you as a jester rather than as a Candidate, now it makes sense."

Right after she said that, the whole class started laughing. Even Nagasawa-sensei herself soon joined in.

The only one who wasn't laughing was Miyabi, though she did look at me as if to say "told you". Yeah, guess it's going to be rough if I can't at least have the teacher and my classmates accept my presence.

Eventually, everyone quieted down again. Nagasawa-sensei went back to the board as if nothing had happened.

The board seemed to be magical, since Nagasawa-sensei didn't use any chalk or anything. She wrote something… no, not something, a magic formula.

"How about this? This magic formula is unfinished. If you can solve it, I'll allow you to stay. Don't worry, it's a kindergarten level problem, so you should be able to solve at least that much if you use all your brain."

The class snickered at the teacher's remarks. Well, leaving that aside, just looking at the formula that was drawn on the board, it didn't seem that much more complex from Figa or Barricade, though they didn't look anything alike.

But I never studied magic before. Even if it's such a simple problem, I don't even know how to solve it. … But is it a simple problem?

Miyabi tugged my sleeve once again and just shook her head from side to side. So it wasn't an easy problem after all, huh? Well, in that case, I have no reason to play fair either.

Arcana, can you help me solve the formula?

[Searching for a matching magical formula… analyzing… the formula is not only incomplete, but parts of it are also wrong. Beginning process to correct and complete the formula.]

Wow, the Arcana really is amazing. I could see the whole process in the back of my mind. It was like watching a supercomputer working.

"Look, he's confused."

"Ahahaha! What? Can't even solve such a basic problem?"

Because it took a second, the class thought I wouldn't be able to answer. Miyabi started looking a little worried. I couldn't tell if everyone knew this was a hard problem or if they really did think this was a simple formula. Regardless, it doesn't matter anymore.

[Advanced Magic World Fall acquired.]

I walked up to the board, beside Nagasawa-sensei. I didn't know how to use the board, but it seemed Nagasawa-sensei was willing to teach me at least this much.

I started writing the complete formula. I started by erasing the wrong parts and then correcting them. Then, I started filling in the blank spots.

At first, Nagasawa-sensei seemed unfazed, but then she started getting pale. It wasn't long before she told me to stop.

"W-wait, you know this formula?!"

"It's the world destroying magic, World Fall. Isn't it?"

I knew I was right, but I still asked just so Nagasawa-sensei would have to confirm it. Of course, the rest of the class started getting in an uproar after that.

"Wait, isn't that an unsolved magic formula?"

"T-there's no way this human knows how to solve it. He's probably just writing bullshit, right, teach?"

Nagasawa-sensei checked the board, and got paler with every passing second. She soon erased everything that was written on it.

"E-everyone, please forget what you've just seen. Guuh, I did promise, so your seat-"

"I don't accept it!"

Someone had to interrupt Nagasawa-sensei. One of the boys from class got up from his seat and then walked to stand right in front of me.

"This is unacceptable. If you can't even get rid of a lowly human, you have no right to teach. I declare in the name of the heir of the house of Sanjou! Take your things and leave, you're unqualified to be here!"

"T-that's…"

Hey, that's no way to talk with a teacher. Sure, we didn't get off on the right foot, but I'm not about to just go tell her to give up her job or something.

But Nagasawa-sensei wasn't even reacting. In fact, she looked like she was about to cry. What was this about? Shouldn't she have authority over her students? … Maybe I should lend her a hand.

"Hey, chill out. You don't have to get mad at h-"

"And you! I won't allow a human in my presence. I'll make you leave, or I will leave the academy myself."

I don't think we need to go that far, but it doesn't look like he'll listen to me. I guess I'll have to take him on and hope that'll be the end of that.

The Sanjou guy thrust his palm forward and made a Figa. It was a good flame, better than what my dad showed, but not as impressive as Geld's.

But I guess what this guy did was impressive, because the whole class cheered him.

"Show me what you've got, human. I heard you know how to use Figa at least. We'll compete with this magic!"

So he wants me to make a Figa? I still have a lot of mana from yesterday, so something like what he did would be no problem.

But wait, what if he's trying to trick me? Nagasawa-sensei did, so why wouldn't this guy as well?

Yeah, he probably wants me to make a Figa like his and then he'll make an even bigger one, making me look like a fool.

In that case, I'll just give it my all from the beginning!

"B-bastard, what are you doing?!"

The flames… they were more powerful than expected. Wasn't that more powerful than yesterday?! Is this thanks to Healing Lovers?

A-anyway, I'm a little late to back down now. So I'll just take Sanjou's challenge.

"L-let's do this! Figa!"

"W-wait. Aaah, Figa! Barricade! Gaaaah!"

As I would soon find out, it turns out Sanjou wasn't tricking me, that really was his best. Guess I shouldn't use a Card as a baseline, huh.

The Sanjou guy didn't get too hurt because the class' safety magic circle deployed, but I never again saw him in class. I don't know if he was avoiding me or if he really decided to quit just to not share the same space as me.

What I do know is that, at the time, I was amazed with myself. I-I didn't know that I could do something like that.

"Hahahah! Yuuto just went 'bam' hahaha."

Miyabi's laughing out loud was what brought me back to reality. Nagasawa-sensei and everyone else from class was now looking at me in terror.

This is bad, isn't it?