They crowned Iruma and his friend the demon king of the harvest festival for bringing home the legendary leaf and cultivating it into a plant. The celebration was going on strong, students cheering and dancing. Having a good time as the day progressed. It had been a bountiful harvest this year and Suzy was most excited.

The leaf had exploded making beautiful cherry blossoms all over the forest edge. For a demon world they had human things like that leaf. Sullivan was doating on his grandson and Opera stood to the side telling him to calm down and not embarrass Iruma. I hugged him, feeling his back for whatever, that demon touched him for. A small device was attached to his back. No bigger than a pea.

In the belongings of the demon there was a voice recorder. It said nothing, could the two go together? Was the recorder a tracker or was this a listening device? I was glad I had not come soon enough to join his class. That could have been worse, not just that. Could I have competed like they had?

Two were constantly deceiving, and then taking the points. Iruma found the legend leaf. And Kerori and Caim created a kingdom, and they collected for them. A fortress by another pair, and then Asmodeus Alice and Sobnock Sabro. They were just terrifying in battle.

I should go home and freshen up for tonight. There was no way I would ever become demon king with demons like that to compete against. I was already seen as a late bloomer. I should have been in and out of school by now for my age. I was not even a student; I was given a different classification; a real oddball.

Someone tapped on my shoulder. "Excuse me."

I turned to see Orobus, I smiled. "Hello."

"I must apologize for what I had done. I am sorry for using my blood line ability on you."

"There is no need in this situation. Do not beat yourself up over this, you were under that demon's manipulation ability. Let us put this behind us and keep moving forward."

"Thank you. They do not call me the number two guy anymore. I should also thank you for that." He bowed.

"Stay safe." I turned to leave.

"We have one more person to recognize. You may know her as the girl who plays the Violin." I looked over my shoulder. "Violetta is a student Teacher aid." I fully turned. "She earned merit as a teacher, proving to be a great protecter with keen senses. For that, her rank will rise by one from He to vav." My badge raised off the front of my half cloak and the symbol changed, dropped, and I reclipped it.

"Viola." My arm was grabbed, I yanked it away from Iruma. "Sorry, I was wondering if you could play for us."

"Play what?"

"Your violin. Other students what to hear and see it. I might have told them you can create phantom apparitions."

I took a breath in and out hard, looking behind him. Many eager faces from his class, a girl with lime green hair jumped on him.

"Irumkins. Did she say yes?" She acted like a young and wild child.

I could not say no. "I suppose I can, but once. I need to go home and drop all my things off."

"Yay, yay, yay." She ran off. "The violin lady said yes." She cheered as she threw her hand in the air. She ran back grabbing my hand and pulling me forward to a stage, then pushed from behind up the steps. She threw up two thumbs with a huge smile and twinkling devils' eyes. "You got this."

That was when I realized I messed up. There were several classes here. The court was not so bad as I could not see the students. Now I had every eye possible watching me. When it was the teachers, it was a small crowd. I see Balam in the back, my eyes pleading for help. He gave a thumbs up. I could hear the whispers of the crowd.

'Why is she dressed like a teacher.'

'That is new. It is not the one I saw her play during the game.'

'Right, one string breaks and you get a whole new violin?'

'Talk about flaunting what the chair demon gives you.'

'I heard she was rank five.'

'She is an adult, which is average.'

'She just ranked up, look.'

'Talk about getting a second chance. None of us will.'

'What is she even doing here.'

I looked at Iruma, he mouthed I'm sorry. He was hearing it all too.

I walked up to the microphone, reaching for my violin. "I guess this goes out to my brother Iruma and his friend Lied for winning this year's Harvest festival." I brought it up to play, whispers fading.

I did not sing much, but Opera said I had a good voice. Starting slow and low I raised it up and into a verse. Singing a song of victory for is win. The music notes danced into images I thought of, and students' eyes no longer centered on me. Making it that much easier to play and sing. A fierce battle, and victorious win.

Coming home to the ones you love, the ones who miss you most. I controlled myself, not letting Eli show, but when it was done, I walked off stage, and flew off towards the teachers tent to get my things and head home. Tears flowed down my cheeks, as I packed the books. It was a blind trip home, but I eventually made it.

I will not be able to leave here tonight, too distraught to think of it. Eli, my sweet precious boy. He was there and I was in the netherworld. I was playing a student and he would be that demon woman's meal. The image of him being ripped apert still in my mind. She might be torturing him as I cry here, helpless to save him.

"Violetta?" It was Opera.

"Go away!" I shouted.

"I am coming in."

"Go away! I want to be alone." I sobbed harder, curling around a pillow.

The door opened and closed, and I felt him sit on the bed. "Don't listen to them."

"That's not it. Not even close. The ending to that song, it was coming home to the one you love. Eli, the one I love. A helpless child, my child. When the Trauma ability was used on me, I saw him being killed. I am here playing Granddaughter to a powerful demon who can cross realms and I can't have him here with me."

"I see. He is human, and it is dangerous for him here."

"And Iruma? I would protect him, a soul would not touch him if he were here. Not until my dying breath."

He rubbed my back. "There is nothing we can do. Lord Sullivan might be imprisoned if he were to go again. It was close the last time."

"If I can help it, I will cross back and murder her if he had a single hair on his head harmed."

"If you become demon king, you can. No one could tell you not too."

My eyes shoot up. "Then it is demon king I must become." I dropped my head. "That seems hopeless as well. There are so many strong demons in the misfit class."

"True, but if you work hard in school, and rise to the challenge each and every time you can become anything. Come on, cheer up. Not all is lost, have hope."

I wiped my face. "They all stared at me. The things they said. I just ranked up and they talked like that?"

"As for just coming here only two weeks ago, that is impressive. To them you are an adult, to us, an infant. You are strong, cunning, and you come up with creative ideas to help move you forward. Keep going and anything is possible."

"You mean it?"

"I do, now let's get a cold rag to help with that flushed face. The other teachers are going out tonight, you should go as well, make stronger bonds. They are more your peers than the younger students anyways."

"Who all is going?"

"Everyone, you need to as well." He opened the closet and pulled out a fresh uniform. "Shower, change, and I will do the rest for you." I did as he said, letting him take care of my hair as I pressed a cold cloth to my face.

I was puffy like a marshmallow, and red like an apple. I fixed the rest with a little foundation that was gifted to me by Sullivan. I lined my eyes with some cat liner, and I did not look like I had been crying a few hours ago. Violin on my back, I flew next to him, and he dropped me off at the door.

"Go, in."

"Can I call you if something goes wrong?"

"Of course."

I took a deep breath; the party was already starting. "There she is." Robins arm slung around my shoulders. "Blushenko said you were coming, but we all bet against it. Finally taking time away from studying I see."

I took his arm off me and turned. "Opera I…" He was gone, Balam had arrived with a grumpy looking Kalego blocking the exit.

Balam waved a hand. "I brought him with me." He petted my head as he walked by.

"Thank you, Balam." Dali had a smile on his face. "Oswell will not be joining us, as he does not drink. Everyone is now accounted for. Sit, order a drink, the tab is on Lord Sullivan tonight."

Dali hooked an arm around mine. "That means you too. I see how hard you are trying to learn. You are a perfectionist when it comes to drawing and learning. You did what was right even when you were being dismissed. I admire the tenacity." He gently pushed me to sit down. Kalego and Balam sat on either side of me.

"The thousand years' drop of evil." Kalego ordered.

"You must really like that drink; you have ordered twice now."

"It is the most expensive." Balam answered. Robin had grabbed hold of a lady trapped behind a pillow cushion wall being guarded by an old man. He was rambling but lost to Robin's quickness. He set her next to Kalego around the table.

"Devil's dance wine for her."

"Kalego, ordering for everyone now?" Robin teased.

"Quiet, you fool."

A waiter came back with glasses and two bottles. Pouring our drinks. How was I to mingle when all of them were my teachers. I took a drink. Now I will be called a teacher's pet. I took another swig, this was good. I was made one giant target before I ever started attending. From the entrance exams to the dodge ball game. I down the rest.

Kalego nudged me. "Slow down or you will drop before Suzy, and Morax."

"It's ruff. I do not expect you to understand." I lifted my glass. "I need another."

Robin filled my glass. "As you wish pretty princess lady."

"Much appreciated, not a princess." I took a sip, setting it down. He pointed to his head.

"Ah, Operas Idea. Violetta or Viola is perfectly alright.

Opera texted me. 'Stick to the script.'

Dali sat a crossed from me. "Where are you from. Sullivan mentioned a few things, and you did receive a rank from the owl. So, you never went to school?"

"Nope. I was very sheltered by my mom."

"Must have been ruff to realize all of this was out here."

"I knew a little, that is why I ran away. I was vastly unprepared." I picked my glasses up.

Kalego set his drink down. "Not an exaggeration. Balam and I found her tied up in vines about to be eaten. She was trespassing on school grounds, so we took her to Lord Sullivan."

Dali took a drink. "She still traveled far if she came from the boarder of the glass dessert."

"I lived off the land, food was not hard to come by if you know what you can pluck from the ground. My focus was to never be found and… Sorry it is hard to talk about." I looked down and swirled my glass of wine. "It still haunts me."

Balam petted my head. "You are safe here. Under Sullivan they would never dare to come around. He would destroy them where they stand for almost robbing you of a future."

"I am Momonoki, I am a new teacher here as well. It is nice to meet you, Violetta." Her eyes were shut, but she was trying to smile. Why was she so nervus?

"Like wise."

She fidgeted with her fingers, looking everywhere around the room. What are you hiding? I wanted to ask if she was alright but did not want another Vaper moment with her. What if she was always like this? Humans did their best to shove everything down so seeing everything always on display made this easier. I could feel the alcohol coursing through my veins, the world becoming lighter.

"Uh, Violetta. Do you mind coming to the ladies room with me?" This was universal through the realms.

"Sure."

I followed behind her, inside the bathroom she covered her face. "Finally, I can breathe."

"Are you alright?"

"Are you close with Kalego?" She eyes watered.

"I guess, but he is my teacher."

"I mean, are you into him or are you two courting?"

"No, never." I grinned. "You like the grumpy demon?"

"I do. I can never talk to him, I freeze up. I am sorry for unloading this on you."

"Oh, friend. You got a crush, and bad. Things like that never end well. I know you may be nervus but that leads to a road where you do not get what you want. You must be calm and talk with him like he is a person. Have you done that?"

"No, I freeze. When he walks away, I am relived but hate myself for not trying harder."

"Ah, try less. Less is always more."

"Can you help me? No one knows if he is even married, has a girlfriend, or betrothed. No one has asked him. You too are together a lot. I watched you cover him in a blanket, he reminds you to do things. You might as well be together."

"Whoa there, slow down. He reminds me to eat, that is because of Grandpa and Opera. If I am focused on something I forget to do basic h… demon needs. I returned the favor as best as I could to help him back and covered him in a blanket. I do not have much to really offer someone like him. I can ask, but what will you do with that information?"

"Uh, I do not know. I did not think I would get this far." She covered her face again. "Why do I feel like this?"

"It is a crush; you think he is good looking right?"

"So much so. He is also powerful and enticing. If he gave me the time of day, I would not be this bad."

"Be assertive. Talk to him, get to know him. He may be avoiding this kind of thing. He tends to like to be alone."

"See, you already know more about him than me." If I told her all the stories that I had been told she would die right here in this bathroom.

"I can tell it by his personality. You are looking to much at his face and not the soul."

She clinched a fist. "You are right, I can do this. Ah, after I know if he is with another person."

I dampened a paper towel with cold water. "Here, it will help your flustered face."

"Oh my. Thank you. Sorry, I drink, and everything spills out." She covered her face with the wet towel.

The door opened, Suzy staggered in. "Excuse me, I must use the lady's room. Do not mind me girls."

"Kalego was right."

"What?"

I whispered in her ear. "If I did not slow down drinking, I would be down before Suzy."

She laughed. "I am better, thank you for listening."

"Anytime. It is nice not to be looked or talked about as the odd one out."

She tilted her head. "Odd one out?"

"I am an adult here; I am taking student classes. Did you not hear how the students talked about me? The school papers Iruma brings home. How the others asked questions like I am weird. I understand the curiosity, but I feel out of place."

"Excuse me." Suzy came between us. "But do not fear. We are here for you. You are a beautiful demoness. You could grab the world with a fist, the way you use your bloodline gift is extraordinary." She washed her hands. "I saw your entrance exam after the match. Come on girls, let's go dance and drink some more. I'm not down yet."

I raised my hand. "Uh, Suzy. Dance to what?"

She lifted a CD. "Hehe, I brought this. Kalego will be so infuriated I dug this bad boy out."

"Uh, is that even aloud?"

"We bought the house out for the night. Unless…" She crossed her arms. "You know upbeat dancing music. Wait, you do. Give me leeway, I'm a little drunk." She giggled, covering her mouth. Her cheeks are a little redder.

"I try not to annoy people with my playing."

"Pfft. No, every time you play it is like the world melts away." She grabbed my hand. "Let's go."

"You can play the music, I do not…" She opened the door, dragging me along.

"Violetta is going to play music."

"Suzy, I…"

"Really, this will be good." Dali leaned back.

"Oh yes, play again. You took off so fast earlier." Robin added, while others pushed for this to happen.

"I… I… Can't. I took off because…" They all leaned in. I turned around, pulling my phone out. It was snatched from my hands by Kalego.

"I too would like to hear you play. As you can see, we are all in support of you." He leaned down. "Give them a dosage of what you did for Orobus and that other Demon."

"I will tell Opera, give it back." He tossed the phone to Balam, who tossed it to Dali.

Dali's smile was to die for, was it the alcohol or was I liking him? "I can take the downfall. If you were so sheltered, how did you learn."

"I taught myself, mother saw me and what I did, and locked me down. Taking it all away." All this lying, when could I say I was human. That I was wronged. I walked over, picking up my glass and drinking it down. The wave hit me faster than the last.

I calmed and cleared my thoughts. Letting the notes merely fill the room rather than controlling them. The ones that were more drunk had laid on the ground watching. Kalego, Balam, and Dali had leaned back in chairs. Like a hug, I let it caress them slowly. They closed their eyes, watching the pleasant things I showed them.

It catered to each differently, Opera and Sullivan having different experiences. It happened often, too often to be coincidence. It calmed the students, the beasts, these teachers. I changed how they were feeling. They had forgotten I was even here. I was able to summon my phone from Dali's grasp. I stopped slowly; Suzy passed out. Eyes blinked, as if coming too.

"What happened?" Robin asked.

"My bloodline gift and emotion. I can use it to control objects, phantom things feel solid. That's not all I have learned recently. If I control them, add music, I can make others feel as well. Like trust. I can use it to control how others perceive things. Being music, it nullifies a voice of manipulation as it is louder and more concentrated."

Dali blinked, looking too Kalego. "I never encountered a gift this strong since you were in school."

"I told you she earned the Daleth on her own. The Ranking Owl never lies."

"About ranking, you're not just giving me them to me, are you? I need to understand the process."

Dali stood. "That is dishonorable. The Ranking Owl is its own entity, it gives the first rank you start with. It is only allowed to go up to four." I retreated to between Balam and Kalego.

Balam petted my head. "We collectively decide the next rank ups. Before you Played Executioner's Cannonball It was decided if you win, you rank up. If you do not, you remain the same. If you flopped, you would have gone down."

Momonoki clutched her fist, speaking firmly. "And during the harvest festival you proved yourself. We all voted for you to be ranked up. Kalego only announced it."

"I see."

I was patted on the back and an arm went over my shoulders. Robin smiling. "Do not worry, you are one of us now. Vav is a strong rank, and you might go up again after the exam."

I took his arm off me. "No hanging on me. The exam, I need to go home and work on that."

Kalego and Balam grabbed either side of me. "Absolutely not." Balam laughed.

They sat down and I was forced to sit. "Guys, I have a week."

"And I already know you will pass." Kalego retorted.

A glass was handed to me. Drinks were passed around and they talked about students and how they were doing. The biggest topic being the misfit class. Iruma was a hot subject. I had no clue he had done so many things for a human. I was on my fifth glass and giggling at some of the stories. I fell over on Kalego.

"Sorry, I think I am at the limit."

He smirked. "You made it past most the others."

Half my peers had fallen drunk and were sleeping on the floor. Morax, Suzy, Momonoki, Raim, and Marbas. Furcas had left early; she was a light drinker. Robin and I were the next most intoxicated looking. Kalego, Balam and Dali looked fine.

"You really think I will pass?"

"Why all the doubt?"

"Test anxiety." I leaned up but fell over on Balam, pointing to my head. "Do the thing or I might float of this world."

He rubbed my head. "Not many tell me to do this. Usually it is the opposite."

"I think it's time to give Opera a ring." I put my phone on the table. "Let him know the drunk princess needs to go home and be put in bed."

"When did you take that from me." I pretended to play violin, then fell backwards. A soft landing into pillow clouds.