So, on my first day in Ginsei Academy, I got into a fight as soon as I arrived, then I basically skipped class for the rest of the day. The only thing stopping me from calling it a bad day is my meeting with Lizel-senpai, Miyabi and Reina.

I thought my second day would be better, and it started well. Lizel-senpai gave me a ride to school, but once I got into class things started going south. Nagasawa-sensei tried tricking me with an impossible problem and then some Sanjou guy tried picking a fight.

And now, I'm in front of the headmaster's office.

"What am I even doing?"

Right after my Figa burned that Sanjou guy, there was an announcement calling me to the headmaster's office. It was so immediate that I fed a faint hope it might not have anything to do with it, even if the timing was so perfect.

I was never the top of my class, but I was also never the troublesome kind. This is my first time being called to the headmaster's office. And it's on Devil King Academy! I hope the headmaster isn't scary.

Anyway, no point in delaying the inevitable. I knocked on the door and waited a little for a response.

"Come in."

It was a man's voice. A scary image popped in my mind. I considered running in fear, but it's not like that would do me any good. I'll just have to face it.

So I opened the door and entered the headmaster's office. And what I saw was not what I expected.

"Yo. I take it you're Yuuto, Lovers Candidate. Am I right?"

The man who was waiting for me inside was just standing there. He was a middle-aged-looking man wearing something like a military uniform, but in a very casual fashion.

I have to admit, this guy looks cool, even if he looks like someone with a regrettable personality. Guess it's better than the scary-looking image I'd made in my mind. But I'm here to see the headmaster. I wonder if he's out.

"Yes, I'm Yuuto Morioka. I came here because I was called, but is the headmaster not here?"

"But I'm the headmaster, you know?"

The guy pointed at himself. No way he's the headmaster of anything. I couldn't believe him.

My eyes seemed to betray my thoughts. Whoever this was, he kept insisting he really was the headmaster.

"It's true. I'm the headmaster of Ginsei Academy, Barbatos Gandou."

"Ah, I'm Yuuto- wait, I already introduced myself!"

"Haha! You were too hasty and came quick, Yuuto. Girls don't like guys like that, you know."

Is that a… joke about premature ejaculation? I was about to consider maybe believing this guy, Barbatos, but now I'm at a loss again. Would a headmaster really make such a joke? No way, right?

Before I could arrive at any conclusion, Barbatos continued.

"But, if you can't help it, you can always build your endurance so you can go multiple times."

Hmm, seems like nothing important. I'll just continue thinking. There's no way the headmaster of Devil King Academy would make such lame jokes, right?

Barbatos kept trying to get my attention, but I just ignored him. Eventually, the room's door was opened again.

This time, the person who entered was a young man who seemed to be only slightly older than me, maybe around Lizel-senpai's age. He had white hair long enough to cover a little of his eyes, but not enough I couldn't see their green color. He also had bags under his eyes, from lack of sleep I'd guess.

He was wearing a uniform, so he must have been a student. I have no idea who he is though. Was he called here as well?

"Ooh, Amon, please save me! Yuuto doesn't believe me and want to talk."

"Geez. If you made yourself more presentable, maybe he would respect you. You are the Devil King, after all."

Wait, what?! Did I hear that right? I looked at the newcomer, Amon, for confirmation. He only looked back at me with a troubled smile.

"Don't tell me you didn't know… the Devil King is also the headmaster of Devil King Academy. I know he may not look the part, but he is this guy right there."

"Hey, what do you mean 'this guy'? That's no way to talk about your father."

Huh? T-this is just way too much at once…

So Barbatos is the headmaster and current Devil King. And Amon is his son? But, looking at the two of them, they don't really look alike…

"Oh, I know what you're thinking. No, I wasn't cucked, I don't even have a wife. I adopted Amon when he was still a kid. He used to be such a nice boy, but I guess he entered his rebellious phase."

"Maybe I wouldn't be like that if you didn't dump basically all your work on me! Are you listening, Yuuto? Don't get closer to this guy than you need to, he'll find a way to make use of you to make his life more convenient."

"Now now, don't be like that. Say, Yuuto, what are your hobbies? Do you perhaps play games or watch anime?"

"Eh? Ah, yeah, when I have time. My parents are both otaku, so they're always showing me new stuff."

The conversation had derailed so much from what it was supposed to be that I answered reflexively. Amon let out a sigh and the Devil King nodded in approval.

"Aah, so you had a gifted education from the beginning. It's no wonder you were chosen by Lovers. Your parents must be good people. Sensei can't openly support any one Candidate, but, just between you and me, I'll be rooting for you."

"Huh?!"

Is it this easy to get the Devil King's favor? I feel like this would be a big advantage in the Devil King War. Also, I feel like my parents being otaku doesn't have anything to do with Lovers Arcana.

"So, Yuuto, tell me. What have you been watching recently? What are your favorite shows? You see, Amon doesn't enjoy those things, and people avoid me in fear, so I'm always in trouble trying to find people to talk with."

"T-that's…"

Suddenly a lot of questions, and such personal ones as well. I was at a bit of a loss. Was it fine to just answer them? Also, should the Devil King seem so lonely?!

Amon seemed to be getting annoyed by all this.

"Can we just get this started? Please."

"… Let's continue later, Yuuto."

Both the Devil King and I felt bad for Amon, he just seemed so miserable for some reason, so we took our seats and restarted the conversation as if everything before hadn't happened.

"Let's restart with introductions. I'm Barbatos Gandou, current Devil King and headmaster of Devil King Academy. Sensei may be a little old now, but I won't lose to you youngsters when it comes to endurance, hahaha!"

"… Amon Gandou, for all intents and purposes, that guy's son. I'm also a second year here at Ginsei Academy and Fool's Devil King Candidate. Let's do our best in the war, Yuuto."

"Aah, I'm Yuu- wait, am I going to introduce myself for the third time when you two already know who I am?! Also, you're Fool's Devil King Candidate?!"

Is this a bargain sale of surprise revelations?! Also, since Amon is a Devil King Candidate and the Devil King's son, doesn't that give him an unfair advantage? Wait, but didn't the Devil King say he was rooting for me? Shouldn't he root for his own son? So many questions!

Both Amon and the Devil King noticed how shocked I was, so they gave me a few moments to get my thoughts together.

Once I'd calmed down some, the Devil King continued the conversation.

"Since Yuuto doesn't seem to have much knowledge, let's start from the beginning. Right now, we're about to officially start the Devil King War, a battle to decide who will be the next Devil King. With Yuuto now accounted for, we have all 22 Candidates, right?"

"Yes, although there are a few… irregular occurrences this time, let's focus on Yuuto and Lovers for now. There is no mistake that you are the Devil King Candidate, right Yuuto?"

The Devil King had been the one to start talking, but Amon was the one to ask me. I nodded to his question.

He followed by asking me "how exactly did you come to possess the Arcana?"

"I… don't really know. I woke up one day and it was there."

"Hmm, so the Arcana chose you. You see, Yuuto, how it usually happens is that, once the intention for a war is announced, the children of noble families, usually those already attending Ginsei Academy, attempt to get an Arcana, normally the one more closely related to their family. The Arcana itself choosing its Candidate… it's the stuff of legends. And it's the first time a human was chosen to participate in the war as well."

The Devil King explained to me. So I was like an ultra-rare case, since I was both a human and chosen?

Well, this seems like the setting for some Light Novel, only that usually the protagonist would be incredibly overpowered or at least have some cheat ability. I have nothing…

"Now, I have one more question for you, Yuuto." The way it was going, it seemed more like Amon was the headmaster, while the Devil King was like… a friend?

"Yesterday, you had a fight with one of the World's Cards, a man called Geld. In that fight, did you perhaps hear the Arcana's voice?"

"Huh?"

I… how was I supposed to answer? Lizel-senpai had already told me that being able to hear the Arcana's voice was something amazing, was it alright for me to just say I could do it?

But Amon said he was the Devil King Candidate for Fool Arcana. He was honest, so shouldn't I be as well? But what if this comes back to bite me later?

While I was lost in thought, Amon seemed to reach his own conclusion.

"It's fine, you don't have to answer anymore. Rather, do you have any questions?"

"That's… I have a lot of questions. Like, hum, how is the Devil King War? Is it just people killing each other?"

"Aah, is that the impression humans have? I can't deny it has been like that in the past, but not this time. The reigning Devil King is the one who organizes the current Devil King War, and the past Devil Kings oftentimes just had people killing themselves. I plan to do things a little different, I have a few events and whatnot in mind for the duration of the war. But the core of fighting the other Candidates is still there."

"I feel like that'll just be more trouble for me…" Amon muttered.

So it won't just be battle after battle? In that case, I might just have a chance.

… I really have to find out why I'm insisting on the Devil King War so much. Preferably before my life is at stake because of it.

"I have a question for you, Yuuto. You've met Lizel, the girl from the Himekami house, haven't you? What did you think of her?"

"Y-yes, I have met Lizel-senpai. Honestly, if it wasn't for her, I wouldn't be here now. I was a bit surprised when she asked to become my Card… ah-"

Oh crap, I just blurted out something I shouldn't have. I was so worried about talking about being able to hear the Arcana before, and now I just blurted that out.

The Devil King and Amon's attention focused on me. They must have never thought someone would make such a careless mistake.

"Oh, so she asked you that huh. Then the girls from Yuugaoze and Koiwai must have also done the same. So, what was your answer?"

"I… asked for some time to think."

Amon looked stunned. I thought he was about to yell at me and call me an idiot or something, but the Devil King was the one who spoke up first.

"I see. I suppose it wasn't a bad decision given what little information you had. But still, you should make a decision soon. After all, it wouldn't be funny if you lost them because you spend all your time thinking rather than acting."

The Devil King said as he looked me straight in the eyes. I couldn't believe this was the same guy from before. He seemed so… dependable…

Who are you? And what did you do to Barbatos? Also, are you the real Devil King?

"What do you mean?"

"Well, the Devil King War isn't just for the Candidates, it's also for everyone else. Think of it like this, there are 22 Candidates for Devil King, and there's no way to change them once selected. Now, imagine you're not a Candidate, but you still want to secure a good position for the future, what is your best option?"

"That's… being a Card?"

"That's correct. Each Candidate can have 14 Cards, totaling at 308 Cards with everyone together. Sure, it's not often that a Candidate has all 14 Cards, but you get the idea. The students will align with the Candidate they think have the best chance of winning and will help them in hopes of becoming a Card. If their Candidate does win, then they can get a position in the government, or they can just live an easy life, or anything really. So it's important for Candidates to choose good Cards, and for Cards to choose good Candidates."

"And you should be grateful, Yuuto. Lovers are usually the first one out in the war. These girls' families may have a history of supporting Lovers, but that doesn't stop them from choosing any other Candidate. In fact, I know of other Candidates that have interest in them. I myself am having trouble looking for good Cards. If you're their first option, you should just make the contract as soon as possible!"

Amon got a little worked up at the end. Now that they say it like this, I realize how dumb I was.

Yeah, I was considering taking them as Cards, but I was still planning to wait a little more. But what if they got fed up and decided to go to someone else? There would be nothing I could do.

Just thinking about losing them to someone else made my blood boil. It wasn't a pretty feeling, it was like I wanted to monopolize them, but… I had to be honest with myself at least.

Even if they weren't such good options for Cards, I still don't like the idea of just anyone being their master. In that case, I might as well-

"Mmh, yeah, enough about this topic. I think Yuuto gets it, let's trust that he'll do what he thinks is best, Amon."

The Devil King ended the topic. Still, this was going to bug me for the rest of the day, wasn't it?

… What do you think, Arcana?

[Analysis, at the current moment, there are hardly better options for Cards. Recommend taking them in as soon as possible.]

Yup, so I really was just being dumb huh. Well, at least I found that out sooner rather than later. I would be embarrassing to bring up the topic the day after I asked for some time, but I have to get this done soon.

"Oh, would you look at the time? It's time we move on to the next important subject."

The Devil King said. Even Amon seemed a bit surprised. I wonder what that important subject was.

"Hum… should I go?"

"Oh, no. Actually, I'd rather Yuuto stay for a bit."

I wondered if it was fine, but the Devil King himself told me to stay.

Next thing I knew, the Devil King pulled a remote from somewhere and turned on the big TV at the office. Then, a certain music I thought I recognized started playing, and then I saw characters I knew.

"Hey, isn't that…?"

"So Yuuto recognized it, as I expected."

It was anime! And what's more, a big classic. But this isn't the one I watched as a child…

"Is it the new one?"

The Devil King nodded at me. I see, that's why I thought the music was slightly off, must be a remix.

"Have you watched this, Yuuto?"

"No. I mean, I watched the classic, but I haven't tried the new one. I was afraid I'd be disappointed."

"Ooh, I understand. But, at the same time, you can't just live in the past and miss enjoying all the new stuff. Why don't you join me for a while, Yuuto?"

"Can I?!"

It would be the second day I skipped class in a row. I feel this might become a habit. But it's-

"I can't believe you! Why did I even think there was a remote chance of this being serious?! I'm going now."

Amon stormed out. For him to be this angry… maybe this isn't a rare occurrence with the Devil King.

Anyway, I stayed and watched anime with the Devil King for the rest of the morning. I ended up making an unexpected new friend.