After wrapping up our impromptu Breast Dragon event, I retreated to a quiet corner of the courtyard to take a breather… In the end, I was forced to enter my Balance Breaker state and put on a little show. Kiba agreed to be my partner, so it turned out pretty well for an unplanned show. It was all part of the job, so I couldn’t complain. The children were happy, so in the end, it was all good.
From where I was sitting, I could see most of the school areas. The kids were still absorbed in their example lessons, enthusiastically following the teachers’ instructions.
From what I could see, some of the classes were focused on the use of demonic energy and magic. Watching the children with undeveloped powers trying to develop their abilities reminded me of how Asia and I were when we just started out as demons.
While I was taking a break, the others had split up to help with the various classes—just as I would once I was properly rested.
“Issei Hyoudou,” sounded a voice—Sairaorg.
I looked up to see him approaching, a towel draped around his neck. Chairwoman Sona and Vice-Chairwoman Shinra were with him. Were the three of them out for a stroll? In any event, they stopped next to me.
“Thank you for earlier, Issei,” the chairwoman said, looking over the grounds. “What do you think about our school?”
“It’s great. The kids are full of energy, and the location is so peaceful and tranquil. It’s perfect.”
The children really were serious about learning. They broke out into laughter every now and then, but what stood out to me most of all was how intently they were following their instructors’ words.
“…Besides the children who want to take Rating Game classes, there are also those who were turned away from other educational institutions,” the vice-chairwoman said. “They’ve been denied a future until now… Some were dismissed from their previous schools because of their weak powers, and others were never able to enroll in the first place because of their family’s low social status.”
…It sounded like the children all came from complicated backgrounds. They must have seen this school as a lifeline.
For the aristocratic demons who reigned over the underworld, the idea of elevating what they considered low-class and talentless demons was unthinkable.
If given the proper education and support, some of these children might grow to equal, or even surpass, high-class demons. If that happened, demon society’s turn toward a meritocracy could mean they would threaten the nobility’s standing.
Ultimately, that was what lay behind the strong opposition to the chairwoman’s new school.
“…Japan is a good country,” she murmured softly. “Everyone has the right to an education. Your homeland, Issei, Tsubaki, is much more enlightened than the underworld.”
…Maybe she was right. I had never been in a situation where I wanted to go to school but couldn’t. School was always there, and there were always people around to teach me. It was simply a matter of course.
But these children had lived their lives without something I had always taken for granted.
“The significance of this school is immense,” Sairaorg said, taking in the facilities. “I hope it has an effect on other territories as well… No. We have to make sure it does.”
His eyes, along with the chairwoman’s, burned with intensity. They were serious about wanting to expand and build more schools—and both, I sensed, were the kind to follow through when they set their minds on something. They would keep on pushing to reach their goal, one step at a time.
All of a sudden, Sairaorg clenched his fists and broke into a grin. “I’m teaching martial arts,” he said.
The sight of him in the gymnasium earlier flashed in my mind.
“If you lack talent, you just have to make up for it elsewhere. It could be wisdom. It could be strength… For me, it’s brawn. Right now, I’m teaching the kids how to look after their bodies. This is my first time pretending to be a teacher, so I’m really just winging it after reading a few books,” he said with a genuine smile. It was clear that teaching martial arts brought him boundless joy. “They’re giving it their all, every single kid. They throw their punches for real.”
“Yeah. I felt that while watching,” I answered.
Sairaorg stared down at his fists. “These big, rough, misshapen fists have just been tools for throwing punches, all so I could get where I am… Teaching those kids, I finally understood something… Maybe I was born to do this. I came into this world without my family’s powers of destruction. This might sound a bit dramatic, but I was really happy to find something of value in these hands.”
…Sairaorg’s life was so spectacular that words failed to fully capture it. He was smiling, though, so he must have found the experience rewarding.
Chairwoman Sona looked over the school with pride. “Let’s do our best. We’ve barely even started yet. From here out, out task is to break through the barriers standing in our way.”
She was speaking almost like Rias… It just went to show how passionate she was about founding this school.
“We’re going to give it our all, too!” I declared, rising to my feet.
Today, we were all in!
A moment later, an eerie scream pierced the air. We spun around, sighting a group of children—even those who should have been in class—gathering a short distance away.
Had something happened? I shot the chairwoman a puzzled glance, but she, the vice-chairwoman, and Sairaorg all seemed to know what was going on, as they exchanged nods.
“Ah. He must have arrived.”
The chairwoman and Sairaorg headed over, while I decided to tag along to see what had caught the children’s attention.
In the center of a group was a man with a neat face, and gray-colored hair and eyes. I recognized him at once—or rather, his image was burned into the inside of my eyelids.
He was one of my goals.
Noticing us, he raised a hand in greeting. “Hey. I came to check out the school.”
This man with his refreshing smile was none other than Diehauser Belial—better known as Emperor Belial—the current champion of the Rating Game!
Seriously?! The reigning champion was here?! I sure hadn’t been expecting this! Even I was getting all hyped up! I wanted his autograph!
Sairaorg and the chairwoman took turns shaking his hand.
“Thank you so much for coming, Diehauser,” Sairaorg said.
The champion looked over the school buildings. “Looks like a nice place. You’re going to get lots of good students coming here.”
“Emperor! Emperor!” the children screamed in excitement.
Naturally! This was a school full of kids who wanted to learn about the Rating Game, so of course they would get carried away having the reigning champion show up!
“…It’s great to have the champion himself come to visit,” I murmured under my breath.
Vice-Chairwoman Shinra, overhearing, turned to me. “Actually, Diehauser Belial is taking part in a film shoot tomorrow in Agreas. He was already in the area.”
Whoa, a movie?! Being the emperor of the Rating Game must come with lots of perks. I mean, getting a role in a film? That was serious star power!
Would I get opportunities like that if I won the crown? Hold on, hadn’t I already featured in a movie? Not as the main character, mind you… A leading role would be nice.
The champion looked us straight in the eyes. “I’ll support you as much as I can. It’s great to see new Rating Game players stepping up.”
Emperor Belial even shook hands with me and Vice-Chairwoman Shinra! He seemed like such a nice guy! People really learn how to shine when they rise to the top!
Yes, this surprise visit from the Rating Game champion gave me the push I needed to help with the mock classes.