#712 The Demon Students’ Brash Mystic

I’m a demoness, Ose.

From the moment of my birth, I was aware that I was destined to become the Demon King.

Huh?

Just because I said so, I must’ve been born with royal blood, you say?

Not really?

I was born into a regular family. 

But regardless of my birth or social status, I am a woman destined to become the Demon King! 

Why, you ask? Because I have talent.

Ever since I became aware, I have had a magical aptitude beyond ordinary people’s. No one in the village was a better alchemist than me.

Not even among the adults, let alone my peers.

My father and mother praised me as a “genius,” but simply calling me that means they have yet to fully understand my essence.

I am more than a genius!

I have more talent than anyone who has ever been called a genius, so I am sure I can become the Demon King, regardless of my lineage!

Having been born with such transcendent, far-out talent, I must walk a life that maximizes its use. Otherwise, I would be unable to justify myself to the underworld deities who bestowed this talent upon me.

And so, I embarked on a journey to become the Demon King.

I am going to the heart of the Demon Kingdom to join the Demon King’s Army.

After all, I aim to be the ruler of the demons.

I heard that the most important person in the Demon King’s Army is the Demon King, so if I make a name for myself there, I should eventually be able to become the Demon King, right?

I volunteered, thinking so, and was able to join the army.

As expected of the super-talented me! Enlisting was a piece of cake! 

Not that we had to take particular exams or anything.

But from here on, I’m going to make a beeline to become an officer, then a Heavenly One, then the Chief Commanding Officer, and then the Demon King!

As I worked hard every day with these thoughts, a strange notice was issued to us soldiers.

“We’re recruiting applicants to enter Farm School!”

This was announced by Officer Eryngear.

She’s an oddball recently transferred to the capital, but it’s still a mystery where she was stationed before.

“It’s part of the Demon King’s Army’s executive development program! We have decided to gather talented youth and educate them together in one place! That place is the Farm School!” declares Officer Eryngear.  “Those proud to bear the army’s future should volunteer with pride. Depending on your efforts, I promise you will gain power worthy of your spirit! Those who wish to participate, come to me and register! That’s all, dismissed!”

A determination to shoulder the Demon King’s Army...!

...How wonderful. That’s precisely what I’ve always wanted.

After all, I’m going to be the Demon King in the future, so I’m prepared to shoulder not only the army but the entire Demon Kingdom!

This plan seems to be made for me!

Thinking so, I immediately expressed my desire to participate.

Farm School.

I wonder what kind of guidance awaits me there.

However, for someone like me who has more than genius-level talent, I might not even need teaching or guidance.

Surely, when I enter, the instructors there will be astounded by my super talent. 

Then, they will shower me with generous praise.

...Let’s try simulating the flow of events just after admission.

It’s a school, so they probably start by measuring each student’s ability.

For example, they might have a test where you cast magic at a target. 

They use it to measure the spell’s power and accuracy of each group.

However, since they’re rookies who just entered, none can cast any significant spell yet.

They probably can only do things like scorch targets with basic fire spells.

Then I, Ose, step in gallantly.

With my high-level fire magic, I blow not only the target but also the wall behind it to partially destroy the training ground.

But for me, that’s just natural, and I actually held back. 

I turn to the dumbfounded teachers and students, look at their expressions, and say, puzzled, “Did I do something wrong?”

Brilliant!

This is how my life in Farm School or whatever will get a headstart!

And after studying for a month, the students probably start to get used to it and begin to have practical-like classes. 

Like diving into dungeons and knocking down monsters.

Some relatively capable students will beat up orcs and goblins in the blink of an eye.

Getting carried away, they go deep into the dungeon, forgetting the teacher’s warning.

Then, they encounter the dungeon’s guardian, the Lifeless King!!!

Or a dragon is fine too!

As one of the world’s Two Greatest Calamities, there’s no way a student can match either of them!

I, worried, rush to the scene of their desperate situation and stand in the way!

“I’ll hold them off! You guys escape while you can!”

Saving my classmates in style, I fight with the Lifeless King!

Even I, a super genius, am still young and in the process of growing, so I can’t compete with a world-class Calamity!

Driven to a desperate situation, my dormant talent awakens due to the crisis, and I power up in one fell swoop!

An overwhelming comeback victory!!!

What do you think?!

I predict that such events will happen a lot at that school!!!

I can’t wait!

I hope the day I go to Farm School comes soon.

***

At last, the day to go to Farm School has arrived.

I immediately encountered a Lifeless King.

“I’m a Lifeless King who will study with you all. Please call me Sensei.”

Isn’t the order of events messed up?

I thought my encounter with a Lifeless King was supposed to happen much later?

And he’s even appearing not as an enemy but as a teacher!

“Well, I suppose there might be those taken aback by my appearance, but that’s a minor detail. More than anything, I love watching talented young people like you grow. I consider it a joy beyond anything else to meet all of you.”

Actually, wait. He’s a nice guy!

Not just me, but all the students gathered at the Farm School are frozen in place, unsure how to react.

“Since today is the first day, I’ll introduce the other teachers involved in your education. We have specialized teachers for various fields besides myself.”

The Lifeless King proceeds with the conversation as if nothing happened?

“First, let’s start with the orcs and goblins. They will serve as guides during your dungeon exercises.”

Wait, what?

So, it’s not orcs and goblins that will attack us in the dungeon?

“By the way, they have undergone mutation and are as strong as the Heavenly Four even on their own, so they are reliable instructors. If things get dangerous in the dungeon, call them immediately.”

Orcs and goblins as strong as the Heavenly Four?!

What does that mean?!

If they’re that strong, we won’t be able to defeat them in the dungeon, will we?!

“There are also other teachers, such as elves and dwarves, for specialized classes. Several times a year, we plan to invite the Demon King for special lectures and other prominent figures...”

“When’s my turn for the introductionnnnnnnnnnnnnn?!”

What the?!

I turn toward the loud voice and see an unfamiliar lady holding a large rock in one hand.

“Starting this year, I’ll be instructing your classes too! I’m Letasreit, your bean specialist teacher!”

Whaaaaaaaaat?!

Who’s that incredibly strong womaaaaaaaaaan?!

“I’ve realized that if I teach the younger generation about the wonders of beans, surely, I’ll gather individuals who share the same vision! Beans will then spread even more widely throughout the world! That said, I will conduct a demo to welcome and educate you!”

Then, the strong woman hurls the huge rock she’s holding skyward and delivers an uppercut...

“Bean Penetration Strike!”

Woaaaaaah!

The impact didn’t just bounce off the surface; it penetrated the rock, shattering it from the inside out.

“Miss Letasreit, wasn’t that the chunk of mana metal I brought as a souvenir for Lord Saint?”

“Huh? Oh, my apologies, it just seemed like the perfect size for smashing...”

She smashed mana metal with her bare hands...?!

Whether it’s true or not, all we can do is stare in disbelief, unable to comprehend.

“...Oh? Did I do something wrong?”