Life often throws curved-balls at you when one is most distracted by the tapestry of daily life itself.
When one is also a transmigrator, the butterfly effect caused by your presence and actions are always numerous and never easily bound by any actions nor expectations.

Adler and Eumiella learnt that evening to always expect the unexpected; when the famed Light Mage protagonist of their Game came unannounced with grave and grim expectation of them.

Once she sat down besides Adler, Alicia Enlyght asked her inquiry strained bitterly of fear "Miss Eumiella. Are You the Demon Lord?"
As she dropped this figurative bomb upon them, the heralded silence from her approach earlier had let that severe inquiry to be heard far and wide duly.
That question had come out of the blue and so far off the field, that renewed silence began spreading across the cafeteria

Why won't such silence be heralded before Alicia's arrival?
Ms Enlyght the Light Mage was seen shaking with trepidation as she had approached the infamous Eumiella Dolkness the Darkness Mage. Eumiella, the one individual whom she often showed utmost fear towards.
Thus, anyone who at least knew of their strained relationship would take rapt attention to any development, especially the ones initiated by the lovable Ms Enlyght herself.

Even as she was bemused at the question, Eumiella still maintained control and responded calmly "Forgive me Ms Alicia, but I believe that I am not a Demon Lord".
The silence afterwards roared louder with Eumiella's answer, before she asked Ms Enlyght in return "May I ask why would you think so?"

With trepidation, the Light Mage responded "Well… Ed told me that the Demon Lord shall rise two years from now"
Calmly, Eumiella tried her best to understand the extent of His Highness' blatant disregard for propriety by asking in return.
"Ed? Do you mean His Highness Prince Edwin Varschine? Did His Highness say that I am the Demon Lord?"

Despite the soft tone of Eumiella, Alicia was taken aback physically by the implication of that inquiry.
In that split-second came a realization of doubt, but it's too weak to hold her back now.
"Well… Prince Ed just told me the Demon Lord will rise again. And…
It's two years from now. But… Ms Eumiella… Well…
You are a scary pitch black… S-so… I…" trailed Alicia's response to Eumiella's question.

Offended but intrigued, Eumiella pressed slightly further
"Haaa… Ms Enlyght.
My hair is no doubt black. But what proof do you have that connects me to the Demon Lord?
I must insist that this accusation is… Rude and inappropriate"
"I… I don't know… Really… But!" Alicia retorted with some of her confidence wanes as time passes by.

Since her initial approach wasn't hostile, dangling upon hopeful in fact; Eumiella asks once again in a kinder tone.
"Ms Alicia.
Please calm down and reconsider. Are you sure your assumptions aren't mistaken?
We were taught in class how Darkness Magic isn't inherently evil. It is part of the 6 Elements itself, yes?
Besides, the lives we live aren't a part of some fanciful storybooks, isn't it?"

That rhetorical question caused Alicia to pause in silence despite her desire to assert her earlier assumptions rather than the truth in front of her.
But neither could respond as a hand quickly blocked their view as if to protect Alicia from the dangerous Eumiella.
Said hand also nearly poked Adler in the eye carelessly.

"What do you think you're doing?! What did you do to Alicia?!" shouted Prince Edwin as he shielded Ms Enlyght from the Evil Black Mage Dolkness.
Said Prince also did not realize that he rudely (nearly) poked someone in the eye.

"Well met, You Highness.
I did little more than conversing with Ms Alicia just then. Ms Alicia had speculated a lot of nonsensical ideas to me.
She had claimed that the Demon Lord shall rise soon. And initially accused me of being the Demon Lord due to my black hair.
Naturally I must refute such a whimsical assertion" answered Eumiella politely toward her errant royalty.
- I believed Her Majesty had taken much lengths to keep such secrets under wraps. Why are you being a Royal Moronic Prince to leak it?!
Please just be reasonable for once, and dismiss her statements as it's naturally demanded in keeping State Military Secrets! Please! – pleaded Eumiella internally under the mask of her stoic visage.

"It is true that the Demon Lord or Demon King would be revived in two years from now.
However, only a select few people knew of this fact" said the dumb prince in the most deadpan matter-of-fact tone possible.
- Why are you being such a dud at this crucial moment, Prince Moron! – shouted Eumiella in her heart.
Naturally, the silence before was duly broken. Great clamor filled the cafeteria as everyone debated the seriousness of this new development.

"Now I get it! You're The Demon King!" suddenly ejaculated Mr Ares the Smart amongst the Trio while pointing menacingly at Eumiella.
"No. I'm not…" tiredly replied Eumiella even at elevated volume on par with Ares booming statement.
"Mr Ares. Our Prince had stated that the Demon King or Lord will rise in two years from now, isn't it?
How would You explain my presence standing before you right now?" Eumiella asked Ares the Smart to deliberate this mismatched information.

After the computation gears within his muscle-head done cranked, he explains:
"Well. You're gonna be committing evil deeds from now on until you become the Demon King.
We must stop you now, and bring you to justice!"
- Is your brain consisting only of muscle, lacking any usable neurons?!
Are you sure your mother and maids didn't drop you repeatedly on the head when you're a baby?! – retort Eumiella to herself.

"Mr Ares. You do know that no laws exist for punishing yet-to-be committed crimes, right?
It's a different story if criminal intent were found with acts fully done" ask Eumiella hoping Ares has enough mental capability to understand.
"Don't you dare pull wool over our eyes!
We will bring you to justice! Now!" he answered righteously, which pissed her off already at this stage.
Standing up, she challenged the idiot with a barely heard growl "…Do you think you could beat me, Mr Ares? ...Hmm?"
Fortunately, William Ares does remember his last sword-fight with Eumiella Dolkness, and thus backs down reluctantly.

Feeling this kerfuffle had gone nowhere, she tried to appeal to the smartest third of the trio.
She took a breath before starting conversing (pleading) with said talented mage.
"Mr Oswald. Do you too believe that I'm the Demon Lord?" Eumiella asks for a hopeful resolution by this knowledgeable and level-headed student.
"If Alicia says so… Yes" were the laconic responses she gained.
– And… That completes the Three Morons – lamented Eumiella at the disgraceful result.

"Alicia was there by my side to restore my confidence when I thought I had no talent for magic…
Hence, I choose to believe her" said Grimsad, voluntarily explaining his stance.
- When were you ever NOT talented in magic, you femboy?! You'd passed the first test of the class with flying colors, didn't you?!
Don't tell me you lost hope just because I cast that end-game spell. How weak-willed are you? – shouted Eumiella to none other than herself.
"Moreover, if you are the Demon Lord.
That alone would explain your immense strength and magic" adds Oswald, an answer that even Eumiella couldn't argue against given the logical flow for such a conclusion.

Before she could reply to Oswald's statement, someone interrupted their conversation.
In the heat of the argument, the five that is Eumiella, Alicia, and the Trio; they had forgotten there was in fact another person present at the table.
Adler Dietrich hence chose that moment to ask a dire question to his idiotic prince.

Upon hearing such outlandish claims being validated by the Prince, silence returns once more to the rapt audience within the cafeteria.
Eyes fallen upon Ms Eumiella once again as gossip runs wild. The progress made on her reputation so far would be undone easily here.
In that uncomfortable silence, Adler had an epiphany; an opportunity to which he grabbed and acted upon.

Holding his hand up high and breaking the silence, he asked a damning question to the self-righteous prince.
"Your Highness, pardon my intrusion. Please correct my mistakes.
Is it true that our Ms Enlyght is a member of our kingdom's military High Command?"
Granting Adler His best 'Are you stupid' glare, the belligerent Second Prince responded snidely
"Of course she is not. None of us are. Did your brain melt, Dietrich?"

"Many pardons, Your Highness.
I just wished to point out that your act of sharing such confidential information to Ms Alicia is a terrible breach of both etiquette and State Security.
Her public announcement of said confidential information is tantamount to an act of Sedition, which I believe, carries a long prison sentence.
Of which, if she is convicted on grounds for High Treason, could also earns her the death penalty"
Adler proudly proclaimed as clearly as he could to the roomful of students entranced already by the earlier exchanges.
It took several long seconds for these facts to sink within everyone's thoughts. And, the fallout was simply spectacular.

The blood drained from the bodies of both Alicia and Prince Edwin were the first of reactions upon Adler's controversial proclamation.
So pale were both that it's surprising that neither Prince nor the Light Mage had fallen down and fainted due to it.

Next, Mr Grimsad's own face starts alternating non-stop between looks of anger, shock, cringe, and confusion.
Being well-read as part of his magical studies, his mind had gone into overthinking mode at full throttle; thus unable to choose a single definitive emotional response.

Simultaneously, Mr Ares seems to experience a delayed brain meltdown and is held frozen stiff.
His face slowly turned goofy looking as the mix of horror, confusion, and indignant mixed thoroughly and formed his new visage.
Being part of a knightly house, even a muscle-brain like him could understand how bad this could be for his friends.

The reaction of students present at the cafeteria is mixed as well.
Naturally, everybody's initial reaction is slacked-jaw surprise.
The High Treason accusation by Adler was heavy enough as it is, not adding the fact that he aimed it directly at a member of the Varschine Royal Family.

The Royalists collectively groaned afterwards, some loudly even.
This revelation of such egregious oversight committed by a member of the Royal Family itself was a chore and half to process, much less attempting to report back to their family and/or authorities.
Most just sit back down in painful resignation, hoping that the Academy could sort it out instead at the very least.

The Neutrals mostly sit back down.
They simply aren't willing to handle this event, nor spread this so auspicious news to their parents.
This is simply beyond their capacity to manage or take action.
The consensus amongst them was similarly just like the Royalists were: "Let the Academy sort this one out".

The Radicals, most pompous the bunch they are, grinned and smiled. The more partisan of them starts giggling and loudly laughing even.
What could be more amusing and enlightening to one's heart when one's political opponents make a clown and circus of themselves, being caught red-handed committing downright illegal and probably treacherous acts?

Adler, being a sly young man, does NOT fully know the law he blatantly spoke of.
He simply took the opportunity presented to throw a legalese bomb just for the ensured drama.
Ms Dolkness besides him sent a resigned eye glance indicating her annoyance at the childish provocation. And yet her slight covert smirk signed her agreeing acknowledgement of the need.
She however had some more pieces to say to that quartet in regards to their current abilities.

Eumiella already knew of the Their Majesties' Subjugation Squad's arrangement, and she's simply not happy for the protagonist quartet in front of her.

"Mr Oswald! Regarding your last statement.
Indeed… I am powerful. And I am aware of it. Perhaps powerful enough to even rival the Demon King.
However… That meant little to me for I gave His Majesty my personal oath to serve as our Kingdom's [Shield].
I hence take some offense that it is questioned by You! For I believe you have, at the least of all, an awareness of this development as the close associate of our Prince Edwin" she announced her stance.

"Since all of you harbored aggression against me, I wish to remind you of one important issue.
I can say this without lie nor artifice to you four.
The lot of you are dismally weak!

Our gap is simply beyond compare that even I felt anxious for your own sake.
If you wished in entertaining the slightest hope of defeating me, as a sort of training for defeating the Demon King;
Consider only ONE thing!

Become! Stronger!

You already have the foundations. It's time to properly build it!"
Stated Eumiella authoritatively despite her monotone voice.
The silent reluctance from the quartet said much of their acceptance of this inconvenient and painful fact.

Gaining the necessary momentum, Eumiella instructs them.
"I trust that all four of you have the basic techniques and skills patted down. Leveling up shall now be your utmost priority.
I've heard the Demon King also wields Darkness Magic, just like me, Eumiella Dolkness!

Alicia Enlyght!
Your Light Magic is the key to your team's success. Please hone it! Do your very best!
Train your capabilities by using it constantly. As you level up, you shall learn great skills and abilities. Use it!"

Alicia looks up towards her with utter confusion. And Eumiella still can't find a reason why.
Maybe the Light Mage's trepidation against her is still rooted deeply.

That moment of silence afterwards emboldened Prince Edwin to try and question her, but Eumiella's face betrayed that there were more to be unloaded.
That sight should have halted any arguments from him, and yet the Prince.
"Hey… Hey! What's the matter? Do you have a lot more to lecture us?!" the prince said, annoyed after being berated of his and his team's shortcomings.

After a breath, Eumiella continues softly yet loudly clear for all spectators
"Truly I do, Your Highness!
I need this to be known for everyone's sake.
I wish to teach you the basics of leveling up faster.
I'll admit that it is daunting for the uninitiated, but it works wonders and is relatively safe when properly done.

It is what I've personally done , you must be prepared to trade in your Protection Charms for Growth Charms instead!
Truly, it's more risky without the extra protection; but the additional experience hones your instincts and increases your rate of leveling exponentially!

Secondly, please use a Demon Summoning Flute to attract more enemies to defeat!
Especially when you'd defeated most of the nearby ones.
The more that you won and defeated, the more you'd grow, thus calling them towards yourself instead is the best action!
I can assure you that both Charms and Flute are legal items even despite some!

Thirdly! Please fully exploit all and any elemental advantages you have to defeat your enemies!
Studying the bestiary of the targeted locations is a must, as well as choosing the right opponents.
Dealing the right elemental attacks and skills not only hastens and eases your opponents' defeat, but hones your skill better and faster!
And...

Finally!
I believe that solo hunting is the most efficient method for leveling up fast and easy!
Hunting in groups is safer and efficient for beginners. But!...
Your growth shall plateau quickly when hunting extensively in a team. Thus, solo hunting becomes necessary when the need does arise.
Similarly, the added tension from dealing with an encounter alone enhances your skills, instinct, and quality experiences better than anything else!

Ms Alicia, thou are a Light Mage, thus your best training comes from defeating Darkness elemental such as Skeletons, Shadows, and Dullahans
I could recommend all the suitable Darkness type Dungeons and Fields for you to train.
Please do your best to level up!"

Following that spirited lecture by Eumiella, silence reigns supreme once more.
None else could comprehend the incredulous ideas put forth by Eumiella.
Speeding up the leveling process?
Use both Growth Charms AND Demon Flute?
Hunting demons ALONE?
How could she spout such heretical propositions? Such preposterous suggestions?
Is she truly crazy? Or is she truly a Demon herself, masked behind a young lady's face?

"Dolkness! Are You crazy?!
You wanted all of us dead, didn't it?! Are You really a Demon?!
Alicia might be right! You probably are the Demon King!" shouted the proud prince once he got his bearings back up and running.

Before a new wave of murmur and gossip began, their table was slapped loudly hard by Adler in order to gain the attention of everyone.
"Pardon me, Your Highness!
But I must disagree against your assumption.
What Ms Eumiella suggested is in fact valid, logical, and viable. I could vouch for its efficacy" he announced his rebuttal.

Incensed by Adler's gainsay, the prince instantly rebutted accusingly while poking back at Adler.
"Of course you'll agree with HER!
You. Are. Her. Minion!
I. Don't. Trust. You! Or. HER!"
With tempers flared, Adler took a moment to respond with the best argument he could.
He decided to appeal to the crowd by using them against his prince.

"Very well then, Your Highness.
I care little of being called as some lowly minion, by You or anyone else. But I shall back my claim with facts.
Pray tell my Liege, what is your entry level announced at the Welcoming Ceremony?
And what was mine, my Lord?" Adler calmly asked with hidden guile.

The jarring shift to a calm yet firm question broke Prince Edwin's concentration and led him to answer dismissively.
"If you had forgotten, Mr Dietrich!
The device showed me as a Level 8, and the Headmaster had announced it as thus.
While you were... Level 6!
Yes! Just Level 6! That is what you are!"

Unfortunately for the prince, some of those present had remembered better than he did; and they inwardly cringed.
"My Prince, Your subjects remember your announced Level well.
I unfortunately must bear the news that Your Highness was mistaken for my Level.
I am actually at Level 16!
Not a Level 6 as you've believed.
Your Highness may refer to the records kept by our honorable institution for proper confirmation" replied Adler in correcting his prince.
Naturally, the prince sputtered incredulously at that news.

Adler adds more to his explanation before Prince Edwin is able to argue further.
"Your Highness, I was made known that most of our instructors at this distinguished Academy are at least Level 25.
With that in mind, without prejudice, I'm allowed to state that I am already twice Your Highness' Level,
I ranked higher than even our strong friend William Ares here, and hopefully halfway as capable as our own Academy instructors.
And I'm already being so ever since the Welcoming Ceremony!

The main reason why I've reached Level 16 is the same reason why I could vouch for Ms Eumiella's incredible suggestions.
It's simply because I had trained using the last two methods out of the four she's given us.

By studying a copy of my local Bestiary, I could choose to fight and train against creatures that are either easily beaten by, or their attack lessened by my Elemental magics.
This also enables me to fight solo and win as easily, since I have learned the necessary knowledge to do so efficiently.
Hence my Level grew faster than if I'd done neither.

Besides, Ms Eumiella never demanded that others can't join your fight, especially when you're on the losing side.
Merely she affirms that all encounters are preferably fought alone for the purpose of gaining experience most.
I've yet to utilize Growth Charm in concert with a Demon Flute, but it should be more than doable with proper preparations" Adler winded out his reasoning to support the propositions laid out by Eumiella earlier.

The sputtering prince only sputters even more as his innate cognitive bias and pride began their war footing against the invading truth he just heard from someone He most displeased with.
Fortunately, this escalation was halted by a commanding boom "Mr Dietrich! Your Highness! STAND DOWN!"

The confrontation between the Second Prince and Eumiella Dolkness was duly reported by some students to their instructors when it began.
Naturally, several teachers and staff quickly arrived at the scene to handle an expected destructive quarrel by the overwhelming Ms Eumiella.
They were fortunately in time to prevent something untoward, only to hear out Adler's implication of the Prince's disregard for proper handling of classified State Secrets.
Naturally, they too felt cringed at the young prince's tactless acts, and also horrified by the implied criminal repercussions of said actions.

Facing the different responses of the students afterwards, the staff group entered the cafeteria while everyone's still distracted from the controversial conclusion Adler made.
Mere moments later, Eumiella started berating the prince and his friends for their lacking strength and capabilities in fighting the Demon King.
It was harsh at the very least.
Then, she began her short lecture on how to Level up faster using dangerous items and intimidating methods.
This should have been the last straw for the staff to react, but they acted too late.
Prince Edwin accused Ms Eumiella of being the Demon King.

Adler reacted strongly to the prince's insinuation that his best friend truly is a demon.
He defended his best friend's method by asking their known Entry Levels, and he used his higher Level to prove that her systematic Leveling up method does in fact work.
This in turn infuriates the prince further, and it would have escalated into a fist-fight if not for the Deputy Headmaster's authoritative voice demanding both of them to stand down.
Facing the presence of authority, both compiled and eventually went their separate ways.

Today is not a great day for the Deputy Headmaster, as the Headmaster had recently retired following the advice of His Majesty.
The new Headmaster will assume his office next week, thus making this particular confrontation rest squarely under his jurisdiction as the interim Headmaster.

Despite his disdain in involving himself in politics, and despite not privy to State Secrets,
He could figure out easily how Prince Edwin might be assigned to be the new Hero against the Demon King based on his Royal Bloodline, and how Ms Enlyght's Light Magic being central to their success.
Thus the suggestions of Ms Dolkness are beyond useful if at least viable, and Mr Dietrich proof of experience utilizing it is interestingly encouraging.

An investigation must be conducted pending the fallout of the confrontation. Especially due to the actions of His Highness.
Still, he must be Fair and Just. The six of them will be called in for questioning and setting the record straight.
...Probably best if it's done one person at a time.

Another chapter done.
Thank you everyone for reading.
If you wish to write your own Fict, let nothing stop you.
As daunting 1000 words maybe, always remember:
[One (word/sentence/paragraph...) is always better than None] And,
[It's easier to edit a book than is it editing a blank page]

I am all ears for constructive criticism. Tell me: 1) WHAT I could write better, and 2) HOW You could write it better. I hope I don't regret this quest(ion) of mine.
Thank You EveryOne.