Chapter 144

Sooner or later, I gotta set up a private torture chamber in the academy that only I know about.

Though human rights are important these days, torture gets a lot of flak. But there’s no helping it. I didn’t expect Frey to have such strong willpower.

I underestimated the hero Frey. When I realized she’d been a customer at Black Point, I merely thought it was a bit surprising.

I figured she’d spill the beans with just a little prodding. I believed I could draw out her heartfelt confessions… but…

“Aru, am I hitting too softly?”

“Huh?”

“Just asking. You never know.”

I landed two punches. There was quite an impact on her insides. Because of that, Frey even wet herself.

But still…

“Fists? Wanna take a swing?”

“Your palm?”

“Huh, hit me hard. I’ll measure the power.”

“Sure, it definitely shouldn’t be painless, but this is strange…”

Frey didn’t reveal the truth. She didn’t submit to me and instead showed hostility.

BAM!

“Kyaa! Ow!”

“Huh? Hurts?”

“It hurts! Kyaa! My hand hurts so much!”

“Hmm… interesting. How did Frey endure this? I did hold back a bit…”

This fact doesn’t make sense. It’s surprising that the ‘Cowardly Hero’ has the willpower to withstand torture.

So, I’m going to dig up some old memories. If Joker-style special torture is used, even someone as mentally tough as Frey would break.

Though I don’t want to go back to those days, if I must… well, can’t be helped.

Absolutely not because I enjoy torturing people. I dream of reforming as a jester!

“Kyiiing… hurts… chomp…”

Aru licking her own hand after being hit by my punch. Her worn-out palm instantly became clean.

Is it because Aru’s tongue has healing powers, or is it just her hand’s excellent regeneration ability? I think it’s the latter. My stomach, licked the same way early in the morning, is still battered.

“But Evans, where are we going?”

Suddenly, Aru asked, her big blue eyes shining brightly.

“To meet a friend.”

“Huh?”

After giving a short answer, I grabbed Aru’s hand and crossed the main building hallway. The whispers of students talking about us were audible.

I don’t care what they say.

Creak!

At the end of the hallway was the staff room where teaching assistants stayed. Without hesitation, I opened the door and went in.

There were several teachers sitting at their desks. They quietly gasped when they recognized Aru.

“That student is the rumored new student with the seal…”

“He single-handedly subdued Pianke from the third year, right? Impressive spirit indeed.”

“But why is this student here…?”

Just like the students, the teachers weren’t of much interest to me. I walked past them toward one particular teacher.

A teacher with brown ponytail hair, standing with her legs firmly apart while checking documents.

“Hello, Teacher Beatrix. I’m Evans, who recently enrolled. This is my friend, Aru. Have you heard of us?”

Her deep gaze scanned me thoroughly. Though she appears indifferent, closer inspection reveals a hint of joy.

Beatrix Constantinople, the knight I once commanded 400 years ago. A Holy Knight who contracted with a demon and eventually became a warrior serving demons.

“The talk of the academy, aren’t you? So, why have you come?”

Beatrix replied while trying to hide her apparent delight. Since she’s currently a teacher at the academy, she treats us like other students.

But there are reactions that can’t be hidden. Like Aru’s swaying tail or the slight blush on Beatrix’s cheeks.

“I actually have a favor to ask.”

“Favor? From you to me?”

“Yes.”

After taking a brief breath, I spoke clearly.

“I’m planning to establish a crew, with Aru here.”

“…!”

It was a statement that caused a stir.

“Lord, what exactly are you thinking?”

Beatrix questions sharply. I scratched my head awkwardly.

As soon as she heard what I said, Beatrix dragged me into a private consultation room. Now, I’m in a small room with only Aru and Beatrix.

“Why?”

“You suddenly want to create a crew? It’s not an easy task like forming a club…”

“Is it difficult? Or complicated? Why were people surprised earlier in the staff room?”

But rather, I wanted to ask.

Why have people been shocked since earlier? Just because I’m setting up a crew after receiving an invitation to join one?

Especially the teaching assistants reacted more than usual, though they’re usually not ones to overreact.

“Lord… Didn’t you receive a crew membership offer from Shine Stella of the third year a few days ago?”

“What? How do you know?”

“Rumors spread fast. Usually, students called by Shine Stella mostly join Panthera. That’s why some call her summons a ‘path to success.’ People say if you’re called by Stella, success is guaranteed.”

Ah, that’s why everyone’s surprised? If I’m applying to create a crew, it means I’ve rejected that offer.

Panthera is the top crew on the continent. Rejecting such a place is certainly surprising enough. To me, as a demon uninterested in worldly success, it’s no big deal.

“Hmm, I’m not the type chasing a successful path anyway. Besides, that wasn’t my purpose for entering the academy.”

“…”

“Rather, Beatrix Sir, let me give you an order.”

“An order?”

“Yes, become the advisor for the crew I’m creating. Can you do that?”

Of course, Panthera is an excellent crew. They have top-notch facilities, highly skilled members, and generous funding. No matter what crew I create, I doubt it will match Panthera’s tradition and prestige.

But what I desire isn’t fancy equipment or anything like that. It’s the most ‘fun’ crew.

“Yes, if it’s Lord’s command. I shall follow wholeheartedly.”

Huh? Just like that?

“Do you not have any doubts?”

“There’s no reason to. It’s natural for subordinates to obey their lord’s orders.”

“Oooh, the virtue of absolute obedience?”

“It’s the basic principle of a knight.”

Beatrix accepted surprisingly smoothly. I expected her loyalty would lead her to agree, but I didn’t think it would be this quick.

“Anyway, why are you establishing a crew?”

“There’s no suitable crew that appeals to me. Even first-year students can create one, right?”

“Yes, clubs aren’t possible, but crews are.”

With that clear answer, Beatrix pulled out a document from under her desk. It was placed in front of me.

“What’s this?”

“It’s the crew creation application form. What name do you want for your crew?”

“My Magic Crew. Doesn’t it sound fun? It makes my heart race, doesn’t it!”

“…Very fitting for you, Lord.”

She wrote down the word I blurted out in a dark tone. The name “Magic” was written in the crew name section.

Heheh, just looking at it fills me with pride. Soon, this will be the name of the wildest crew in the academy. How exciting!

“However… Lord.”

“Yes?”

“To establish a crew, you need at least four members. Have you gathered all the members?”

“Four…?”

Uh… minimum number? Didn’t think about that…

“Your expression shows you haven’t considered it yet.”

“Cough, yes. Is it a big problem if I don’t have them?”

“I’ll be your advisor, but you must obligatorily gather the minimum number. Otherwise, I cannot assist in the establishment. It’s beyond my authority.”

Beatrix stated firmly. Not a single crack in her resolve.

Four members? Who could they be? Aru, Maria, me, and…

“Bring these four members together first. Then, we’ll re-establish the application.”

Rustle.

Handing me the application form, Beatrix stood up. Since it’s beyond her authority and I can’t override it with my autocracy, I held my tongue.

Putting the form in my pocket, I pushed my chair back to stand up. That’s when Beatrix’s quiet voice stopped me.

“Lord, please button up your shirt.”

“My shirt?”

“The middle button is undone… Hmm? When did it get torn off? You haven’t had this uniform long.”

“Torn off? Mine?”

Following her words, I hastily looked down. In my lowered vision, the gaping middle of my shirt was visible. Thanks to the running suit underneath, skin wasn’t exposed, but it was still embarrassing.

The button that should have been there was missing.

“Eh, when did this happen?”

“You still haven’t corrected your careless habits. I’ll mend it later.”

“No… I didn’t even notice it was torn… Wow, how strange.”

Where did I lose this button from my school uniform? A question arose, but I didn’t want to dwell on it.

I’m busy now. With dealing with the hero Frey and the crew creation issue.

Surely nothing serious will happen just because a button got torn off, right?

Eden Academy. Infirmary.

In the place where students injured during practice battles or hunts gather, a blonde female student was sitting on a bed. After neatly laying out her school uniform shirt on the bed, the female student kept comparing a small, round object pinched between her fingers.

The name of the female student is Shine Stella. The student commonly known as ‘Heavenly Hero’ was astonished at the startling reality she had just discovered.

“Again, it’s the same…! The weird villain I met yesterday left behind a button identical to the academy’s uniform buttons!”

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