Chapter One
Reflected in the mirror was the visage of a young man, his youth tainted by the cruel reality of life that had left marks that couldn’t be erased. His frame, slender to the point of emaciation, was clad in a uniform befitting his institution: a dark ensemble that seemed to absorb the very light around him. His long bangs fell over his forehead, framing his strikingly handsome features and adding an air of mysterious allure to his persona. His eyes, a vivid crimson, bore an uncanny resemblance to that of a snake, their mesmerizing gaze possessing an almost hypnotic quality.
His uniform, made from the darkest obsidian fabric, featured intricate silver embroidery that shimmered subtly. A deep midnight-hued shirt was buttoned to his collar, and ebony trousers draped over his lean legs. A raven-black cloak with silver-lined edges completed the ensemble.
As the young man prepared to venture out of his house, his hand reached for the doorknob, the cold metal a stark contrast to the warmth of his dwelling. He opened the door and was hit with the cold, frigid air, an unwelcome part of the day’s dawn.
“Tsk, how can they call such a shithole a realm?” muttered Ren under his breath.
Despite the harsh cold, he had to press forward. After enduring the biting wind, he reached Demon Academy. Before him stood a monumental fortress—a castle emerging from the morning fog, projecting an aura of mystery. The castle's spires pierced the morning skies, towering over the landscape with stone facades weathered by time, yet still unyielding and resolute. It was a scene that commanded both respect and fear.
As Ren traversed the halls of the institution, trying to find his classroom, a sense of loneliness clung to him like a second skin. The interior of the institution was eerily devoid of presence. Despite being a place of learning, the classrooms that lined the hallways remained empty, their doors shut tight, their interiors hidden behind dark curtains. The usually bustling corridors were devoid of the usual chatter and footsteps that marked the arrival of another day of learning.
Staring at the door of the classroom, Ren sighed.
[A-20]
This is the number of his classroom, it's full of powerful bastards. Most of them can decapitate him in under a minute.
'Another day of hell awaits'
"Yo, you going in or not?"
Waking him up from his thoughts was a hoarse feminine voice.
Slowly turning his head, he momentarily fell into a daze.
Standing before him was a young woman with short, chestnut hair that framed her delicate features. Her crystal blue eyes, vibrant and clear, provided a stark contrast to his own. Her porcelain skin, flawless and unblemished, resembling a finely crafted doll more than a living being.
Currently, her lips were parted in an annoyed pout as she stared at him with annoyance.
"Move it, Retard!"
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Seeing that he was just stupidly staring at her, she shoved him to the side in annoyance and entered the classroom.
looking at her with a bitter smile, I shook my head.
'That's the best student in the school for you. Arrogant.'
As the classroom gradually filled with students, Ren's sense of isolation intensified. He didn't have any friends in the institution, without even a single person to share a conversation with. The mornings were particularly tough, marked by the scornful glances from his classmates. Their eyes reflected a mixture of disgust and pity—an emotional cocktail that Ren despised more than anything else. Except, perhaps, the institution they were all trapped in.
The academy, a name that was supposed to inspire respect, was nothing more than a pit of hierarchical rules. It wasn't a place of learning, but rather a social battlefield where the high and mighty dictated the rules of engagement. It was a world where the weak were scorned and the strong were revered—a world where Ren felt like an outsider, struggling to find his place.
The bell rang, signaling the start of class. Mr. Araki entered the classroom, his stern expression matching his imposing physique. His suit seemed to strain against his bulging muscles, threatening to burst at any moment. This remarkable physique made him a favorite among the female students. But his ideals are nothing short of ugly, though.
He thinks that only people with royal blood flowing through their veins could ever become strong while the commoners should just grovel in the ground. Though he doesn't express it, a child could easily perceive it.
"Alright everyone, settle down. We're starting with history today," Mr. Araki announced, his voice reverberating around the room. A chuckle escaped his lips as he continued, "Today, we're delving into the creation of all the realms and the history of the rest of the world."
Instructing his students to open their textbooks to page 157, he turned to the class representative. "Class rep, please read the text aloud for everyone." It was a typical day of learning, even if the subject matter was anything but ordinary.
The students all reached for their textbooks, each one looking ancient and worn with use. They dutifully flipped through the pages until they reached the assigned section. The class representative began to read aloud, her voice clear and steady in the quiet room. “The demon realm came into existence when the greatest demon lord sacrificed his life force to create it, using an ancient weapon to aid him. After the creation of the realm, the weapon vanished without a trace. The current demon lord has ruled for several centuries, but soon, someone from the demon institution will replace him.” She continued, "In addition to the demon realm, two more realms are known. The middle realm is inhabited by humans who, while lacking in magical abilities, have advanced technology surpassing that of the demons. Then there is the angel realm, home to holy beings. The angels and demons have been at war for centuries but recently signed a treaty to cease hostilities. In the ethereal realm, devils are graced with Arkana, bestowed upon them from the moment of their birth. These Arkana bestow upon them extraordinary and singular abilities, setting them apart from all others. In the celestial realm, angels are gifted with Heilig, a divine essence akin to the devil's Arkana. Yet, in contrast to their infernal counterparts, angels possess an immense reservoir of holy mana, imbuing them with unparalleled power. On the other hand, the amount of demonic mana a devil possesses can fluctuate."
***
After enduring that excruciatingly long history lecture which seemed like an eternity, Ren found himself on the brink of a living nightmare: lunchtime. As per his usual routine, he intended to skip the midday meal. However, fate had other plans in store for him. From behind, a menacing voice, all too familiar, pierced the air.
"Hey, loser! Go fetch me some lunch before I knock you out cold," Kenji sneered, his face contorted with malice.
Terrified of the impending beating, Ren hastily fled the confines of the classroom, embarking on a frantic mission to buy Kenji's lunch. He sprinted with all his might, racing to the cafeteria and back, hoping to make it in time. Alas, his efforts were in vain. The moment he stepped through the door, a powerful right hook landed squarely on his face. Kenji, wearing a twisted smile, taunted, "You're too late, and did you actually think I'd want to eat something touched by your contaminated hands, you retard? Who knows maybe I'll become a defective bastard like you."
‘This despicable bastard!’
Ren wanted to unleash all his pent-up anger upon him. But alas, his shortage of the power that devils thrived upon, the Arkana, rendered him powerless and friendless. Kenji reveled in his superiority, believing himself to be better since he possessed a Major Arkana. In Ren's eyes, every devil should be born with an Arkana, yet he was cruelly denied this innate power. Not even doctors could explain it, so they just chalked it up to a birth defect.
Finally, the lunch hour came to an end, and it was time for the evening lectures. They were nothing more than propaganda, designed to coerce individuals into joining the army and becoming soldiers. However, resistance was futile, for even those who harbored no desire to enlist were bound by the chains of mandatory service.
The bell rang once more, signaling the end of the school day. Ren walked out of the school, beginning his journey back home. The weather offered a pleasant change, with a warmth that alleviated his distaste for the cold. The sky, as always, displayed its characteristic shade of blood red, accompanied by dark clouds that cast an ominous shadow. Along the way, his attention was caught by a group of delinquents engaged in suspicious activities in an alley. Choosing to overlook their actions, he continued, eager to reach the solace of his own home. Finally, upon arriving, he tended to the bruise on his face, a painful reminder of the punch delivered by Kenji.