Now, a full month and a half after it was originally announced, was time for the Devil King Academy Athletic Festival. This time, also called the Devil VS Lovers Festival.

In a bit of an ironic twist, at the same time Ibiza wants Miyabi's Bloodline Magic for himself, we need his magic circuits to unlock it. Well, more specifically, we need the Devil Arcana's magic circuits.

Until we have Miyabi's Bloodline Magic on our side, we couldn't save Rebecca or anyone else under Ibiza's control, so we couldn't just go ahead and try to defeat him.

But it's not like we've been sitting on our asses this whole time. Lizel-senpai had gotten everyone together for a few brainstorming sessions during that time.

The main problem was that the ritual to take someone's magic circuits only worked if they were willing to offer those circuits. There's no way Ibiza would give it to us, so that was out of the table.

It probably makes it sound like we can't solve our own problems, but in the end, we just left it to the Arcana. She herself said she might be able to figure something, and even Lizel-senpai said the Arcana might be able to think of something we couldn't, besides it's not like we would stop looking for a way.

And so we left that task to the Arcana while we focused on preparing for the Festival and the fight with Ibiza.

By the way, I opted to participate in only 2 events: the 3-legged race and the obstacle course. Normally, I wouldn't mind participating in more, but the events here include magic usage.

By only taking part in 1 event per day, I'd still participate without tiring myself too much. I've been getting stronger, but I still don't have much, if any, leeway against other Candidates.

"Ooh, so this is Yuu-kun's school."

"I-I never thought I'd be able to set foot here. Ooooh! I'm getting excited!"

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, Ginsei Academy is left open during the 2 days of the Athletic Festival. That means anyone can come in and watch, be them a big shot devil, or a student's parents.

So that's why my parents are here today. Of course, Miyabi and Miyako also came along with us.

"… It's been years since I've been here."

"Are you alright, mom?"

"Yeah… I'm just remembering a few things…"

Miyako was probably remembering her sister, the previous Devil. I could see some tears forming in her eyes, but she didn't seem sad.

She was probably feeling a whole turbulence of emotions that couldn't be pinpointed to a single thing. It's best to leave her be for now.

Near Ginsei Academy's entrance, there was a big stage on the final steps of being set up. This is probably where things like the opening ceremony, cheering competition and closing ceremony would be held.

"Let's go to the area reserved for the Himekami house. We should still have some time before the festival actually starts."

We had come in a big group, since it was me and my parents, Miyabi and Miyako, Reina and Lizel-senpai. Thankfully, Lizel-senpai let us borrow her family car so we could all come together.

"By the way, Lizel-senpai, will your parents come as well?"

"No, they won't. So there will be no problem if we use my family's space."

"Oh. I thought I'd get to finally meet them."

"… I'm sorry, Yuuto. But my relationship with my family is a bit…"

Ah, so there was something complicated there? Maybe I shouldn't have asked. Me and my big mouth.

For some reason, my parents also seemed a little down after hearing that. Maybe it was something well known that I hadn't heard about? That seems a bit strange though.

"R-Reina-chan, help me bring our lunch."

"Yes desu."

"I'll also help. It's the least I can do."

Mom, Reina and Miyako were bringing a few baskets with food mom had prepared. It felt like we were going for a picnic. Somehow, it felt like it was the wrong atmosphere for this, but whatever.

So we walked to the spot reserved for the Himekami family. I say that, but it was clearly a luxury spot with a privileged view. If this was a show or something, it's the kind of place the tickets might even sell for thousands.

It was to the point everyone was clearly troubled, but then Lizel-senpai just said to make ourselves at home, so we slowly began getting used to it.

"A-ahaha, this kind of thing really is very senpai-like."

"R-right. It's easy to imagine Lizel-senpai used to this kind of thing."

"D-desu."

We didn't have much to do before the opening ceremony. I was starting to wonder what we could do to pass time, but luckily something happened.

Or rather, someone arrived. The people that arrived were Stella, Neith and Ruki.

"I knew they'd be here. Let's go in."

"Please excuse us, Lizel."

"Ooh, are these Yuuto-kun's parents. Nice to meet you, I'm Ruki Kouma."

"Oh my, Yuu-kun has so many cute girl friends."

"W-w-wait, isn't that Stella Hoshigaoka?!"

"Thanks for recognizing me. I was about to question if I'm actually famous."

Seems like my parents were having a bit of an overload with the sudden appearances. I should probably introduce everyone so they'll calm down.

But it's probably best if I keep them being Devil King Candidates a secret for now. I don't know about mom, but dad would surely die of a heart attack.

So I introduced everyone. Of course, once that was done, Stella being a big star is what stood out the most.

"To think that the day we'd meet the famous Stella-chan actually came. And not just that, she's friends with our Yuu-kun!"

"We of the Morioka family are big fans. Please give me your autograph!"

Dad suddenly opened his shirt only to reveal he was wearing a shirt that said "Stella's #1 fan" under that. Oi, why did you even wear that? You couldn't have known you'd meet her today.

"Haha! Your parents are fun, Yuuto. Where do you live? I'll come visit every now and again."

"Please don't. Mom is getting too excited and dad is about to have a heart attack right now!"

It took some more time for everyone to fully calm down, but we eventually managed. Although dad's life was unexpectedly at risk all the sudden.

He took a few calming pills, so he was fine after. But, considering this and the shirt, maybe dad was more prepared than I gave him credit for.

"Anyway, what are you all even doing here?"

"I just came to spend some time with Yuuto-kun. Bond a little before our 3-legged race."

"Me? I just came to tease Lizel, but got an unexpected surprise with Yuuto's parents."

"I just wanted to spend some time with friends…"

Stella apart, seems like everyone had wholesome reasons to come.

Originally, Miyabi was going to be my partner for the 3-legged race, but we decided to change her with Ruki because she couldn't concentrate and we ended up tripping more times than I cared to count.

Apparently, Miyabi decided to enter a mini martial arts tournament that would be held. Also, Reina entered something similar, except hers was a sword tournament.

Lizel-senpai focused on a quiz, apparently Fleminar would also be a part of that. Neith would join me for the obstacle race. Stella didn't join any events because she focused on the cheering competition, but she told me that's already as good as won.

I'm really impressed at the range of events in this Athletic Festival, but apparently I was the only one. According to the girls, the theme was the only thing unusual this time.

And so we passed some time. I was a little worried over dad's health, but I think he'll survive. If nothing else, mom was taking care of him.

Eventually, we heard the Devil King's voice, much like when the festival was first announced.

{Sorry for the wait, everyone. We'll be starting this year's Festival shortly. If the Candidates of Devil and Lovers could please come to make the pledge of fair play.}

I won't comment on dad's mini heart attack when he heard the Devil King's voice.

So it was time for me to go now. It would only be for a few minutes, but I felt a little uneasy to be so close to Ibiza, but it's not like it can be helped. I doubt something would happen right beside the Devil King himself.

"I'm going."

"Mm, be careful, Yuuto."

Everyone else told me basically the same thing. Of course, I wasn't about to let my guard down so easily, but I didn't think there would be any traps right now.

As I left the Himekami-reserved spot and went to the stage, I heard the Arcana's voice talking to me.

[Request…]

… If that works… alright, I suppose there's no harm in trying.

I made my way to the stage that was currently next to the entrance. I suppose it's the best spot for it to be, since people can go into the building and watch from there if they want.

Not long after I arrived, Ibiza came. He was alone, but I knew better than to think this was some kind of chance.

"Hey, I'll give you credit, Lovers, most people would have run away or come crawling to me by now. If nothing else, at least you've got guts."

"Enjoy while it lasts, I'll save everyone from your claws soon enough."

I started sending out some mana. It was very little, if you caught it all it might not even be enough to feed a Basic Magic, but Ibiza was definitely feeling it.

He seemed confused at first, almost like there was a bug being noisy around him and he couldn't find it. Then, he finally noticed the mana was coming from me.

"The hell is that? Is it supposed to be intimidating?"

"Think whatever you want."

"Bahaha! That was funny! You know, for a while, I thought you would be some sort of challenge or whatever, but if this is your intimidation, I've got nothing to worry about. I might decide to keep you around as a court jester or something though."

I could hardly blame Ibiza. It really was such little mana it was barely perceptible.

But that's fine. My objective isn't to waste mana or intimidate him. If he underestimates me because of this, all the better.

It wasn't long after that the Devil King called for us. Both Ibiza and I took to the stage. I could see the place Lizel-senpai and the others were, so I gave a light wave to them.

The Devil King placed his right hand in front of us, and we had to place our right hand over his.

"Now then, repeat after sensei. I swear to compete fair and square against my opponent."

We repeated after the Devil King. I'd seen pledges of fair play in normal schools, but I wonder how different it'll be here in Ginsei Academy.

"I will do my best to surpass my opponent and prove myself superior. Be it in physical ability, magical ability, or intellect, I will surpass all others."

Devil is a race that likes to feel superior to others, so so far there's nothing really unexpected. If it had ended there, I would even think this is quite normal.

"It's only cheating if I'm caught doing it. I swear I'll murder every being that stands in my way to victory."

Oi, what's with that?! I wanted to say, but when in Rome do as the Romans do I guess. Still, I didn't really like this part of the pledge.

"May God have mercy on you, because I won't. And… done. Alright everyone, with this, the Devil King Academy Athletic Festival, Devil VS Lovers edition, is officially started. Please watch any events that catch your attention, you never know what diamonds in the rough you may find."

With that announcement from the Devil King, the Athletic Festival had officially started. Of course, this also marked the countdown for my showdown with Ibiza.

Time to check the results of my actions. Arca-

"You're starting to piss me off!"

As soon as we couldn't be seen by the outside anymore, Ibiza slammed his hand on the wall beside me. It made a really loud noise, maybe it was even heard on the outside.

I had noticed Ibiza seemed to be getting mad during the pledge. I suppose even that small amount of mana gets annoying eventually.

"Geez, Ibiza, you really want to make sensei that mad?"

"It's Lovers fault. He keeps sending out this small amount of mana since before. It's annoying me."

"Yuuto is…? Ah, I see. It's so little I didn't even notice it. Now, Yuuto, don't make sensei get mad at you. I'll forgive you this time, but don't do it again alright? Break up now."

After the Devil King said that, Ibiza let me go and I stopped sending out my mana. Ibiza left right after, still clearly annoyed, but there wasn't much he could do.

"Hehe, and so the human tricked the devil. Well, hope Yuuto finds out something interesting with this. Sensei's going to go look for something fun to watch."

And so the Devil King left, only I remained. I guess he caught on to me.

That's right. However little it was, I couldn't afford to waste mana, so I had an objective other than try to annoy Ibiza.

The Arcana told me she could try to talk with the Devil Arcana if my mana reached Ibiza. I was hoping I could do it unnoticed, but it didn't work quite so well.

She said that, with some luck, she might be able to have the Devil Arcana install its circuits on Miyabi, allowing her to unlock her Bloodline Magic.

So, Arcana, what did you find out?

[The Devil Arcana does not approve of the Candidate's actions, and is willing to cooperate in his defeat. However, there is not much he can do on his side. Unfortunately, it was not possible to have Princess gain Devil's magic circuits.]

Just knowing the Devil Arcana itself is on our side is already a big help. Even a little bit of help is enough.

But I'm wondering, if the Devil Arcana is so against it, can't he just… I don't know, not give power to Ibiza anymore?

[There is an ancient curse placed on us Arcanas before the first Devil King War. That curse only allows us to choose a Candidate from a few select pure-blooded devils, and once we choose we can not go back, no matter how much we regret it.]

W-wow, I didn't know that. So there was such a story behind the Devil King War. But who placed that curse on you?

[The then Devil King.]

Huh? But if that was before the first Devil King War, then did the first Devil King do that? That's not how the Arcana called them though, so were they not the first?

Also, how did they become Devil King without the Devil King War? There were a lot of questions in my head, but I suppose it's a story best saved for another time.

But I do have a question I'd like answered right now if possible:

Do you regret choosing me?

[Negative. From the day I made that choice until now, Yuuto has yet to make me regret my decision.]

Then that's all I need to hear for now. I know there's clearly more to this story, since the Arcana said they can only pick pure-blooded devils, but I already knew I was an exception from the moment I, a human, was picked.

Let's save the thickening of the plot for after we've dealt with the problems already on our hands.

For now, I'll focus on beating Ibiza. Then, one day, I hope I can hear the rest of the Arcana's story.