Chapter III. Iruma's True Feelings
At Babyls Demon School, Professors' Office
After School
Marbas, Professor of Torture Arts, was looking through the lineup of the Misfits' tutors, shocked to see they're all famous figures. Momonoki admitted she was impressed with quite the selection. Blushenko was also amazed to see how they all got to Babyls for that purpose. Just then, Dali started leaning against his armchair to chat with Kalego on the matter.
"I gotta say, I know we're placing a plethora of high expectations on the Misfit Class, but still this feels a wee bit harsh, no?" He said, perhaps hinting some sarcasm, "You handpicked the tutors yourself, didn't you, Professor Kalego? You wouldn't actually be attempting to... reclaim the Royal One for the school by giving them a hopeless challenge? This wouldn't be personal, would it?"
"Well... I must confess I quite enjoy it. Watching those insolent brats squirm and suffer." Replied Kalego as he did his work.
What he said, right? Clearly he's loving that part of his sadistic character. Momonoki thought it's part of what makes him such a great instructor. But there's more to that than to see his students suffer for Kalego.
"However, I chose the perfect tutors who are ideal to whip those ragamuffins into shape, in a dignified manner." He elaborated.
Truly a work of outstanding requirements as the Misfits continued to push through the heavy weight of their hellish trainings. Will they be able to overcome the obstacles before the Harvest Festival? That we will find out today.
At the Battler Tower, A Corridor
From where we left off previously, Iruma and Bachiko stood in front of the entrance to the Magical Apparatus Battler. The latter stated that it was popular for the creation of strange and peculiar devices of sorts.
"Your first assignment will be to get these whacky guys to make you your bow, which'll be your partner!" Said Bachiko.
"Funny story. This is, uh, actually my Battler." Said Iruma, surprising Bachiko before she started chomping on his head.
"What?! Why didn't you tell me sooner?!" Exclaimed Bachiko in angry embarrassment.
"I had no idea we were coming here!" Answered Iruma.
"Now I'm embarrassed for bringing you here, acting like a know-it-all! You jerk!" Snarled the pink archer, later getting off her student, "I wouldn't have thought that you'd be one of those wacky doodles, though."
"I mean, it's much less chaotic than it used to be." Said Iruma, "It was a kind of storage space for magical apparatuses, but we've all been working hard to clean it up for a while. My sister's also in current control over what happens here, but I just hope it doesn't go back to the way it was since she's training. Come on, let's go in."
Iruma opened the doors, seeing that it was surprisingly furnished with a few tempered glass cabinets and a large wooden set of open shelves, holding experiment equipment and some strange items, just at the side of a wall.
'Huh? Did she buy those for organizing utilities?' Asked Iruma in thought, 'And it's much nicer than last time we left it.'
"Is that you, Mr. Iruma?" Asked a person nearby, greeting Iruma and Bachiko with a flamboyant pose with figures of girls in his hands, "Welcome! It's a delight to have you back, sir! I'm the unrivaled genius inventor! The Magical Apparatus Battler's lovable senior! The reliable Eligos Schnell is alive and well!"
Well, what a crazy introduction. In case you don't remember, Schnell is a third-year student assigned to this Battler after a case of changing Ameri's personality was resolved. Under Ryūko's supervision, it appears that he hasn't made any chaos within the Battler in the absence of the other members.
The three sat down on the floor as Schenell fidgeted around with his figures.
"Oh, how rude of you, Mr. Iruma!" He said with an altered voice, "I returned here at the End-of-Terminus and I've been working so hard to get it running again under the vision and guidance of your vigilant Deputy President sister, Ms. Ryūko! Unlike her, you didn't even come to say hi once! That really hurt my feelings."
"I hate to admit it but I'm actually kinda amazed you've managed to add all this weird stuff to your collection." Commented Bachiko.
"Well, I am a rather progressive inventor, as you may know." Said Schenell, "But that's not as great as how Ms. Ryūko went as far as to get new utility furnishings so it wouldn't get messy around the room."
"Hey, take a look around already, will ya?" Said Bachiko to a still surprised Iruma, "So this was what that sister of yours was doing? Be glad she didn't let it go down in remonsterization. Come on, quit being so glum. With all this stuff here, I'm sure we can find your bow's core."
Iruma switched back to focus on reality and Bachiko stood up to look about the room.
The archer picked up a piece of a broken branch and chanted "Quartz Quartz" to create a fantasic styled bow. Iruma and Schene looked in awe of such magnificent feat.
"I'm able to make magical bows due to my incredible bloodline ability, but normal, boring demons need a core to store their mana in." Explained Bachiko, "With wood, you get a wooden bow. With flowers, a flower bow. And with iron, of course, you get an iron bow. By using Evolve: Quartz Quartz, we're basically using our mana to force the bow to morph into the exact shape we want it to produce. "
"Wow! May I try that, as well?! It looks delightful!" Asked Schenell.
Not even hearing a response, he used the figurine he was playing with as the core of his bow, looking way too much like Ameri for anyone's comfort but his own. Bachiko said it wouldn't function as a bow as Iruma looked in pure disbelief.
"As you can see, the Quartz Quartz spell reveals the user's true personality." She continued to explain, "You need to be compatible with your core, too. So choose wisely."
As he sweated profusely under pressure, Iruma stumbled upon a box of glittering black feathers. Schnell told him that those feathers were from the Guardian of Cutthroat Valley. Seeing how the feather of a great beast can be utilized, Bachiko told Iruma to try using it as a bow core. He turned his Ring of Gluttony's power of Ifrit Mode before using the spell, resulting in a rather decent-looking feathered bow. Not bad for a first try. Too bad Bachiko kicked it into half because she noticed a detail that Iruma missed. Although he appears to have an impressive amount of mana, he was copying what she did with that and it did not fit him at all.
"See, you need to clearly visualize the bow that you actually want." Said Bachiko.
With that, experimentation continued with nothing that works. It was incredibly embarrassing for Bachiko, who felt as if Iruma was mocking her. She picked up another feather and told him that he only has one last chance to prove himself able to think of the bow he truly wants.
"Huh? But there are still plenty of feathers left..." Said Iruma.
"Second chances don't exist on the battlefield." Countered his tutor, "The next school event coming up, the Harvest Festival, is an exam where you'll be fighting for your survival. In other words, a battlefield. An archer who blows the opportunities that work to their advantage in combat will not survive. If you're gonna be a true archer, you have to be able to make quick decisions when it counts! Okay, then... I'm gonna do a little shopping. In the meanwhile, worry about that bow of yours!"
Schnell followed her out, asking if it was a good idea to have Iruma doing things for himself. She thought if he gives up, the sooner would be better.
With a great dive to the past, Bachiko turned out to be training others while she was still a student. Seeing her former student's bow disappear without seeing it, Bachiko didn't give up on him and encouraged him that he would be able to nail it off. She wouldn't leave his side until he got to it. Through thick and thin in every circumstance, Bachiko truly kept her promise to remain by her student's side until the day he succeeds, and so it did. She told the story of success to Robin, who was really happy to hear the good news. However, everything was gone for good. That student left with a note to Bachiko that he quitted becoming an archery student. It broke her joy and her dedicated heart to see someone leave each time another demon was given the same lesson. All fell hopeless and the powerful archer fell depressed. Each student quitted once they made their bows, and it was worse than the next no matter how determined she was to teach those who admired her Hundred Bullseyes ability. Robin attempted to lift his cousin's spirit by saying one day she would bear witness to an archer she has never seen before.
Back towards the present day, Bachiko began to wonder if Iruma survived being her errand boy and if he's different from her former students by a little. She believed that nothing would be so different from the current time.
At the Silent Sniper Training Grounds
Isabelle and Acheron are surrounded by automatic training dummies in a circle. Lately, those two have greatly improved in the past several days and this would be considered the ultimate practice training.
"Remember what I taught you, my young hunters." Instructed the head of the organization, "Your opponent may switch weapons quickly before you know it. Remember the signs."
'Focus on the cues of the enemy you will face.' 'Observe their sudden changes in movement on your adversaries.'
Isabelle and Acheron took a deep breath and proceeded to attack the dummies. True to what their instructor said, the dummies begun switching weapons in a split second. Of course, the two young protégés took cue of this sudden outcome and they evaded every stab, shot, and slash thrown at them.
And with that, Isabelle and Acheron use every weapon they have to retaliate, disarming every single dummy of their weapons.
"Hmmm... impressive." Leonard commented.
"But in the case where an opponent has enough mana to heal themselves or others, are you able to put end to such? Absurd as it may seem, but some demons have great powers of regeneration. Do not underestimate your opponents and fall blind to their next move that may hide under the guise of close defeat!"
As he said such, the dummies rose again repaired by themselves, making this a wave of perhaps endless warfare.
"Perhaps pouring in some of our mana in our weapons would work wonders." Isabelle continued as she infused some of her mana on her dual daggers.
Acheron does the same thing, too, "This mana is specific. It can nullify the healing factor of an opponent and they will stay hurt until it wears off."
"Stand firm ground when approaching a significant loss of stamina." Advised Leonard from the sidelines, "Your opponent may or may not have as much left to make haste towards your points of direction. Such cases are perfect for disabling abilities before landing a strike for the kill."
He was not joking around when he mentioned any usage of stamina. Those dummies where a massive hoard, charging like bulls when facing the red cloth irritating their sights. At just 60 kilometers an hour, this proved the contemporary magic soldiers a formidable obstacle.
With their eyes and ears alert and weapons all loaded, infused, and ready, the two young hunters nimbly dodged and attacked every mannequin inching closely to them. Some of them stayed down while some immediately got up and that's when they used the mana infused in their weapons to incapacitate the still-charging mannequins. All the while, Leonard watched them from a safe distance.
'Well, well. This is something I haven't quite seen in a long time.' Thought Leonard, surprised with the coordinated and synchronized tactics used in the battlefield. The juvenile snipers were less than half an hour later, standing on the training grounds that were smothered in hay-filled carcasses, ashened to defeat as the dust cleared. Flabbergasted, Leonard silently cleared the field through a spell before he made an approach to the protégés.
"That, my pupils, was an outstanding performance." He praised, "In fact, I have not seen any similar tricks in a long time. Not everyone I've known could learn such techniques in less than a month. Well done, you two!"
"Thank you, Captain/Father." Isabelle and Acheron replied. "We are deeply in honor to be under your tutelage."
At the Underground Gym
Goemon and Picero were still stuck underwater in Vepar's near impenetrable vortex. She watched in pity and wondered if she should let them out of it, which drew her back in reluctance.
'I must be strong! This is their training!' Said Vepar to herself, 'Oh, but they seem to be suffering so... I knew it. My training is too extreme. I need to give them 15 seconds. My family told me, as well... "There's no way you could ever be a tutor!" Because I don't understand the concept of limits! I'm just not cut out to do this. I should cancel this. I'll resign as their tutor- huh?'
Before doubts could take hold of Vepar, Goemon and Picero finally made their way out for her water spout with great force.
Garp Clan Bloodline Ability: Wind Blade
Goemon is able to freely control blades of wind.
Agares Clan Bloodline Ability: Bed (My Area)
Picero is able to manipulate the ground or any spot he sees into his bed.
"We finally escaped!" Exclaimed Goemon.
"I'm so tired, ugh!" Whined Picero.
"But I figured something out!" Said the samurai, "Water and wind actually flow quite similarly!"
"Yeah, and I was also finally able to recognize the water as the ground." Added the sleepyhead, getting water out of his ears, "But hey! You need to be clearer in your instructions! I mean, come on!"
"Master! What do you say? Do we pass now?" Asked Goemon.
Amazed by this unexpected revelation, Vepar happily sobbed as she took her students in a proud embrace.
"You were able to think critically and come up with your own solutions!" She cried, "Well done! You are truly worthy of being my students! Thank you!"
What fantastic progress have these two made, and a happy tutor in the process! Let's see what else there is to offer!
At a Dem-dol Studio
Mr. Hat was giving Keroli and Kamui training to communicate with magical beasts, so how did that change over the weeks?
"Establishing relations with a magical beast relies on contact." Said Mr. Hat, "You must hold them in high regard and show them respect. For that is love! If a summoner finds creatures despicable and foul, that is a critical limiting flaw. Hence this specific training for you... But this sight is truly... inconceivable!"
He was referring to the mass number of beasts sitting still before Keroli, who was atop a crate with her legs crossed.
"Listen well." She said with a stern gaze, "Stay where you are. Don't you dare cross that line."
"Her calm spirit and elegance keeps them at bay..." Observed Mr. Hat, "Yes, she is truly... a lady. Nay! She has the potential to become a queen! And, I can see that you are also a true gentleman, G. Camui."
He was talking about how that bird was having a delightful talk with some smaller, more docile animals.
"Quite right, Master." Said Kamui, "Though they are different species, they are still lovely ladies."
Mr. Hat seems to be satisfied with his students' performance in training, while Kerori demands to be taken out of her cell. That was quite a unique take on taming beasts in great numbers. Who else has a unique form of training? Oh, yes- that would be in games.
In Royal One
Robin had just one another game against Lied, who already suffered lack of sleep in the course of his concentration training.
"You still doing okay?" Asked the former, "Want to take a quick break, get a little fresh air, and check up on Iruma?"
"No!" Defied Lied, "It's best out of five! I haven't completely lost yet!"
Lied's been playing non-stop, so his concentration may be unable to sustain itself before he could win a round? Robin thought he wouldn't mind holding back a bit for Lied to make some positive reinforcements. Load and behold, Lied finally won against his tutor by great surprise! But wait, Robin hasn't held back to begin with. How exactly did he lose?
"Come on, teach!" Said Lied, resting his head on a hand, "When you hold back, you get a beatdown."
'Huh? He planned it?' Wondered Robin, 'He purposefully lost so I'd hold back? We just need to play these games, but he's actually aiming to win?'
That work of increasing focus was also the work of reverse psychology- Lied made Robin positively reinforced to ensure he never saw the potential win after every loss! Now let's see what else is at the offensive departments!
At the Royal Guard Castle, Training Grounds
Sombre was observing his lady students, who were at the test of techniques after weeks of intense breathing exercises and blade-based combat training alongside their bloodline magic.
"Now, keep posture steady and concentrate in your breath empowering your abilities." He instructed, "Do this, and your Breath Style magic will arise from air escaping thine lips."
As such, Ryūko and Kaminari took slightly elongated inhales before releasing slow yet strong breaths out. Lavande, accustomed to this technique, applied greater strength to her magic while all three of them held the handles of their swords with tight grips.
'Do not falter, let the air and rhythm around you be a strength.' Reminded Ryūko to herself, 'This is a magic that cannot be severed by anyone you can ever imagine. Now, illustrate your strength, as the time is never delayed.'
'If this is the way to win, I will do everything in my power to do this. Stick to tradition...' Kaminari gritted her teeth and readied her stance, 'Even if it involves sticking to a rhythm... Well, it's time I learned to drum along to someone else's beat!'
When all is ready, the trio finally get their hold of technique together as they encant words of power.
"Shadow Quartz Breathing: First Form - Kesura av Görtvivlan (Swedish/SV - 'Caesura of Despair)!" Shouted Ryūko as her crystals surrounded her metal dummy opponent before breaking themselves apart, binding the limbs to the ground and blindfolding the helmet. Soon after, Ryūko at great last slashed the dummy's head away from body, leaving her katana's crystals inside the wounds.
"Lightning Breathing: Second Form - Hylende Tilbakekalling (Norwegian/NO - Howling Recall)." Said Kaminari softly, before bellowing like the thunder, "Time to go back to where you belong!"
She threw her blade. If you blinked, you would have missed everything. With loud thunderclaps, the blade left electricity in the air, before returning to Kaminari, who slashed the sword as the strings exploded, leaving the dummies scattered and beaten. Looking for any enemies spared from her attack, she somehow looked frustrated and slightly displeased even though she produced such a good outcome. There was certainly some amount of ferocity in her eyes, but no matter.
"Floral Breathing: Third Form - Giftige Rose Verurteilung (German/DE - Venomous Rose Condemnation)!" Enchanted Lavande, erecting rose thorns from the blade's direction. They curled all around her dummy and natural toxins entered the inflictions. She also guillotine-cuts away the still opponent, while her blade remains surrounded by thorns.
A stunning display of highly advanced magic was present to all who witnessed it, including Sombre himself, applauding with the rest of his men present.
"Ladies, what magnificent and elegant showcase of unleashing those Breath Style Forms." He praised, "All three of you performed excellently and prove great potential for what lies ahead of you."
"Most grateful we are of your flawless guidance, Father!" Bowed Lavande.
"Indeed, for we are most blessed to be in the most honorable and chivalrous mentorship of a even greater power near indecipherable to the common eyes." Curtseyed Ryūko, "Forevermore and through eternity after eternity, one hereby calls to your soul and surrendering my gratitude to thy most noble heart. I, Ryūko - Prinzessin der Babyls, extend my kinship of grand and noble protection of our world to the hands of the Royal Guard, for all that is good."
"Yeah, not the result I wanted, but still amazing that you trained us for a powerful magic." Said Kaminari, "Thanks a lot!" Well, what a powerful lineup of the newest generation of Breath Style Magic users. They fought well against biological odds, but it was all worth it!
At the Underground Gym, Varied Section
Charging in hot with a couple of insults, Asmodeus and Sabro finally managed to land a hit Shichiro together.
"That was a hit!" Exclaimed Asmodeus, "We got a hit in, right?!"
"You did." Replied Shichiro.
"Then we pass?!" Asked Sabro.
As the answer was certain that passed, the two jumped in victory as Shichiro looked proudly at them.
'How surprising...' He thought, 'They were just attacking recklessly before, but as soon as they started working together, they both improved immediately. I said they only needed to get one clean hit in, but a coordinated attack? Truly... What exemplary students I have.'
Amazing teamwork for the fighting spirits! Let's go and check out the more passive team!
At a Succubus Booth
Raim was gazing upon Elizabetta, praising her to be a true natural in utilising seductive fashion to an advantage. She was undeniably stunning in that outfit with her hair untied. While Elizabetta was happy to be praised, Raim warned her to not let her guard down. Yanna was the next to be looked at.
"Well, how's your little act going along, Yanna?" Asked Raim, seeing how Yanna was on the floor with a grassy sheet over her, "That's a good trick, right?"
Yanna then slowly lifted her head, pushing her hair a side.
"Yeah, it keeps me hidden, but I can steal hearts modestly at the same time!" Replied the Gorgon demoness, "Now, I can use a clever disguise of nature or distress before they realize that I'm actually after what they have for points!"
"You were a little stiff at first, but now you slither like a natural rouge of beauty!" Said Raim, "I guess the only problem left to solve is... Oh, baby girl, listen to me..."
Just as Raim closed her eyes, Clara suddenly disappeared from her sight. The said student reappeared hugging her waist by surprise. The succubus didn't anticipate that and the fact her heart skipped a beat as a result.
"I call it Rolly, Rolly, Into Your Pocket." Said Clara while pirouetting.
'Her purity makes her sexiness shine?!' Thought Raim, 'The element of surprise! How intriguing!'
Who would have thought Clara would actually use her sweetness to make hearts flutter by catching people off their guard? How fascinating!
At Magical Street
Bachiko was still on her shopping, with Schnell tagging along with her.
"What the heck would you be shopping for here, weirdo?" She asked.
"Well, I haven't ventured out to the city in ages!" Said Schnell.
"Ugh, what a freak... I don't care that he's tagged along, but man, he's getting my last nerve." Said Bachiko.
After that, the two finally got the chance to get back to Babylus. The archer was left to wonder what happened with Iruma's bow while she and Schnell were out.
'He doesn't seem to have any desires...' Thought Bachiko, 'Even if he made one, I bet it'd be toothless. Honestly, it wouldn't surprise me if he gave up and gone home.'
Would that really be the case? There's only one way to find out!
In the Magical Apparatus Battler Room
Iruma was sitting on the tatami mat, staring at his feather. He appeared to have a struggle with what he should make out of a bow.
'A protective bow isn't right...' He thought, 'And a powerful bow is wrong, too? What's the answer?'
A few ideas passed his thoughts, but none of them were good for any offensive purposes whatsoever. Iruma gave himself a mental burnout and was rendered with no ideas for his bow left.
The moment he thought of another useless idea, his ring entity, Alikred, appeared and nagged that Iruma was a glutton, much to his surprise for a sudden appearance.
"You're seriously overthinking this." Said Alikred, "Soften up that rock-hard head of yours. You're always so stubborn! You do have the choice of changing tutors, you know. No one said you have to use a bow."
"I'm sorry. No! That'll only frustrate me more!" Objected Iruma, "The first time, I really wanted to prove someone wrong! Even if I end up her errand boy or get yelled, I won't give up. I don't care whatever form it takes... Just one simple phrase... A compliment from Master would mean the world!"
For all his time in the Netherworld, Iruma has truly grown more selfish than ever, fueled by desires he's never felt before with an unwavering determination to satisfy his bottomless greed.
Given into that circumstance, Alikred decided to help Iruma out.
"Well, I suppose it's time to show that tiny tyrant who's boss." Said Alikred, "Tell me, Lil' Iru! What your most embarrassing desire? Listen, Lil' Iru! Desires aren't pretty little goals like being strong or protecting others. They're about the true feelings you've hidden! I know you have them! Now show me!"
"I'm just a human being... and nothing like the rest of you..." Muttered Iruma, "But, hey... I wanted to stay with everyone, so... um... I guess..."
This piqued Alikred's interest and demanded Iruma to talk louder so he can hear the words.
"What I said was I wanted to stay here with everyone and boldly advance to Dalet (4) rank! That's the kind of hero I want to be!"
"Now that's embarrassing!" Exclaimed Alikred. For the first time, it took this human confidential feelings to be released in order to achieve his goal. Did he succeed?
Just outside the hallway, Bachiko and Schnell returned to Babylus during sundown. The former didn't like whatever things Schnell bought because they reeked, and she told him to toss them somewhere. Just what kind of medications did he purchase from the store? Schnell opened the door to the Battler room, emitting a sound of immense shock.
"What's up, Creepy Peeper?" Asked Bachiko, seeing the room was illuminated by a bright light.
He said out Iruma's name, leading Bachiko to recall what Robin told her about finding an archer someday like never before. She rushed over to the sight, a spectacular one to behold.
At long last, Iruma forged a grand bow for offensive utility as he also was seen with a body harness showing demonic wings on his back. Bachiko promised herself to never get her hopes up again, but Iruma proving her wrong about being a moron of an errand boy was the greatest sense of magnificent achievement both have ever set their eyes upon on that day.
The truth is, if the tutors had determined that any of the members of the Misfit had no potential to advance to Dalet, they would have left on the spot and not given it a second thought. But the students possessed natural talent and the element of surprise, and they worked their hardest, so they far surpassed expectations. The members of the Misfit Class finally received what they've been craving. Yes, they were given. But achieving that was only the beginning, it was time for even stricter regimes to enforce greater potential soon be revealed. For the next several weeks, all the diligent members of the Misfit Class saw what Hell was like- quite literally as the Netherworld is synonymous to Hell itself. And only some of them were more than eager to go through this level of intensive practice. You know who they are, right?
After those weeks, Dali came to check up with Kalego again as the day has finally neared.
"Can you believe the Harvest Festival starts tomorrow?" Asked Dali, "Speaking of, how are the lovely Misfit Class doing?"
"How are they, indeed?" Asked Kalego.
"You're as stone cold as ever." Said Dali, 'That expression... He's definitely excited about this.'
All the names on his clipboard were filled up and we will see the survival of the fittest play out at in grueling detail at the Harvest Festival!
~Interval~
Ameri had come to the Battler Tower to see how Iruma's training was going. She wanted to give him some encouragement, but she still wants to see his face behind her denial.
'As his trusted senior and the winner of previous year... I'm just going to give him some helpful advice for the Harvest Festival!' Thought Ameri on her way with a slight blush, 'Yes! That's it and that's all! Right!'
She excused herself for barging through the door of the MagiApp Battler, but nobody was around. Right before Ameri was the bow that was structured of herself.
"Wh-What in the world is this?!" She exclaimed, "D-Don't tell me that Iruma made this! Well, I suppose that's alright... But, oh, this is so bold!"
Ameri was all flustered about her initial thoughts before she found out it was made by Schnell.
Eventually, Ameri had it removed before Schnell returned from shopping with Bachiko. She determined it as inappropriate to have on school grounds and for the sculptor to immediately turn themselves over to the Student Council.
A/N: Happy New Year, everyone. We've finally finished our time in the year 2022 and we're now all in the new year we all call 2023. Don't worry about me, I will still continue on updating here though I still have to be wait for my collaborator to publish more chapters of her own story. So there you have it folks. This is TGRickel, signing out. Stay safe and stay stylin'.