Chapter 40

“—Well then, starting from today, you will all spend a week in these groups. If there are any who wish to divide the rooms into male and female, please let us know.”

As I was half-despaired by the merciless and awful group assignment, the voice of a teacher from the Demon Academy reached my ears.

Upon hearing the teacher’s words, I was probably the fastest, instantly raising my hand.

Honestly, I’d prefer to spend time alone, apart from everyone, but… since that’s impossible, I absolutely must make sure this perverted nympho spends time alone, at the very least. I can’t even imagine spending a whole week with someone like that.

Just as I shuddered at the thought, I heard the sound of hands being raised behind me.

I turned around to see who it was, and to my surprise, Wilhelm and Kurt had both raised their hands. Both of them were glaring at Mireille, the vice president dressed like a nympho, with eyes full of disdain. That’s when I remembered that they both hated her.

“Alright… Group 35, correct? Do you wish to be in separate rooms for men and women?”

“Yes.”

“Of course.”

“I… I also prefer that…”

“—Hey, wait! Why are you all saying such mean things about being in separate rooms?! I’m totally against it!!”

Mireille objected, whining with, “That’s so cruel…” at the three of us who had immediately responded to the teacher’s question. However, the three of us, myself included, quickly responded with perfectly legitimate counterarguments.

“Well, it feels like you might attack us. You showed up in front of me, a stranger, dressed like some kind of nympho. And besides, I don’t have any taste for abnormal stuff.”

“Guh… such harsh words, despite your cute face…”

“Same here… My demon even told me, ‘Don’t get involved with lust. She’s not even worth being jealous of.'”

“Even a demon despises me… cough…!”

“You’re despicable. Whether it’s a man or even a teacher, you’d make a move no matter what. You’re the biggest problem in this academy, not me.”

“Th-that’s just unfair! You go berserk too, don’t you?”

“Only once a year! Unlike you, who’s in heat year-round! Go to an orc’s nest or something, you nympho!”

“That’s… the worst thing to say…”

She was being utterly torn apart.

The students and teachers from the Spirit Academy who overheard our conversation looked completely horrified, while the entire Demon Academy nodded in agreement, as if to say, “That’s exactly right.” Well, considering her behaviour, it’s not like we can say otherwise.

“Now, everyone, please calm down. Mireille was going to be placed in a separate room from the start. She’ll be staying in a special room surrounded by teachers.”

At that, the three of us heaved a sigh of relief in unison.

Later, when Mireille was dragged away by the teachers after complaining non-stop, she hardly looked like the vice president of the student council anymore.

About ten minutes later, Mireille returned, no longer wearing her provocative outfit but a regular uniform. She also seemed noticeably quieter.

While we waited, other groups were chatting and bonding with each other, while an unbearably awkward atmosphere hung over our group. Wilhelm kept observing me as if assessing my strength, and Kurt tried to talk to me several times, but I ignored him completely.

“—Well, shall we start with some introductions?”

I suggested this as we moved to a more secluded spot, and since no one objected, I decided to go first.

“I’m Shin, from the Spirit Academy. The spirit I’m contracted with is mid-rank—”

“—What?”

The moment I mentioned the rank of my spirit, all three of them looked at me with expressions of shock or suspicion, as if wondering why I was lying. Cold sweat started to pour down my back.

“U-uh… is there something wrong?”

“Why are you lying…?”

This is bad. Demons typically hate liars. Even though Mireille is an exception, both Wilhelm and Kurt are the kind of demons who would detest dishonesty… What should I do?

“By the way, how do you all see me?”

“An overwhelmingly powerful opponent. I definitely want to fight you.”

“I’ve never seen anyone with such talent… I’m so jealous…”

Wilhelm instantly showed his battle-hungry nature, while Kurt looked at me with envy, his eyes gleaming as if eyeing prey. It seems I’ve completely become Kurt’s target.

“Uh, can I call you Shin-kun?”

“No, just call me Shin.”

That’s a privilege reserved for Hera. There’s no way I’m letting someone like you call me that.

“Aw, stingy…”

“That’s fine, now tell me what you think of me.”

“Hmm…”

For some reason, Mireille gave a sly smile and whispered into my ear.

“You’re hiding it, right? That you’re a Divine Spirit Contractor.”

“……”

“Oh, and don’t bother lying. The only ones who can nullify my ‘Eyes of Seduction’ are high demons or Divine Spirit Contractors. Besides, you wouldn’t have come to a secluded spot like this if you didn’t want it to be found out.”

Mireille flashed a triumphant smile, trying to corner me into admitting it.

This woman… she may always be in heat, but her intuition is sharp. And she’s smart, hitting her target’s weak points without mercy.

“…Fine, yes. I’ve contracted with a Divine Spirit. But it doesn’t matter if you tell anyone. It’s not going to get out.”

“Hmm… By the way, do you have someone you li—ACK!?”

“—Hey, what were you about to say?”

I grabbed Mireille by the neck and growled in a threatening voice. Kurt flinched in fear, while Wilhelm didn’t react at all.

“W-wait…”

“Answer me. What were you about to say?”

“Ca—”

“—If you make another suspicious comment… I’ll kill you, even if it means taking down the demon too—!”

Sensing someone approaching, I let go of Mireille’s neck and cut off my sentence.

Cough, cough…
“Next time you say something dangerous, I’ll kill you.”

“O-okay…”

I turned away from Mireille and left the classroom to intercept the approaching figure—it was Hera.

“What’s wrong, Hera?”

“—Shin?”

There she was, frowning slightly as she stood before me.