Chapter 72
The five of us got first place in the Gairadeite expedition test .
Though clearly troubled Menou announced it to the other students who had not even left Deiruheido yet .
The test determines your grade by relative evaluation so we scored 100 points, however, there is such a big difference between our points and the all the others that the other student’s grades have dropped . It was unavoidable though considering our speed .
I didn’t care about the points at all but the teacher was bothered by it .
I was guided to my dorm room and offloaded my luggage .
The rooms are divided into male and female with me and Ray sharing a twin room . Misha, Sasha and Misa are sharing a triple room .
“Haven’t we got 10 days free time now?” (Ray)
“So they said . ” (Arnos)
Only after the 10 days are up can the students who made it to Gairadeite start taking lessons . Until then we are free .
“I’m going to go around the city for a while . What will you do?” (Arnos)
“That’s a good idea but I think I’m off to the dining room . ” (Ray)
The dorm dining room is open from morning to evening and apparently, you can go and eat at any time .
It’s breakfast time at the moment .
“I see your appetite is as huge as ever . ” (Arnos)
He ate breakfast before we left Deruzogedo .
“I’m interested in Azeshion cooking . ” (Ray)
“Later then . ” (Arnos)
Ray raises his hand from the bed as I leave the room .
“Ah…… . . ”
I’ve just met Sasha .
“You going somewhere?” (Sasha)
“I’m going for a walk around the city . Do you want to come with me?” (Arnos)
“Eh……? Yes…… . that’s fine…” (Sasha)
I left the dorm with Sasha .
“What are Misha and Misa doing?” (Arnos)
“They are contacting the members of the fan union using Thought Transmission . It seems they are giving advice on the best route to get to Gairadeite . ” (Sasha)
I see . They are taking good care of them .
“We should have brought them with us as well . ” (Sasha)
“They’re weak . It will do them good to earnestly do the exam . There’s no point raising your grades without the ability to back them up . ” (Arnos)
“Hmmmm . ”
Sasha looks at me meaningfully .
“What?” (Arnos)
“I thought you just went around doing crazy things but you actually consider things as well . ” (Sasha)
“What are you saying? I always think about the right thing to do . ” (Arnos)
Sasha’s face becomes as expressionless .
“Even though you tried to kill me yesterday during self-study?” (Sasha)
“You never actually died though . That’s something to be proud of . ” (Arnos)
Sasha didn’t appear to be expecting that counterattack and seems lost at what to say back to me .
“…… . Did you think you can fool me by praising me? Unfortunately for you, I’m not that simple . ” (Sasha)
Sasha turns to the side in a huff .
“I’m not deceiving you though . Three times you surpassed the magic I was sure would kill you . You carry the same demon eyes as me . ” (Arnos)
Sasha’s ears turned red and she looked down .
“I said I won’t be fooled even if you praise me . You were honestly trying to kill me . ” (Sasha)
Yare yare . Why aren’t you pleased? I rarely praise you .
“Sasha . I told you before that your demon eyes are beautiful . I wasn’t lying about that either . ” (Arnos)
“Wha…… . ” (Sasha)
Sasha slowly turns around .
“What are you saying so suddenly?” (Sasha)
“It’s not sudden . I’ve thought it since we first met . Your demon eyes are tranquil and uncorrupted . Yesterday’s self-study only reinforced that belief . ” (Arnos)
Demon eyes are used to look at other demons . By continuing to do that you can improve your skill level and look even deeper into the abyss, however, by doing so your eyes eventually become tainted .
Peaceful and clear demon eyes mean you are strongly resistant to magic . Even if you are exposed to ominous magic power your eyes remain untainted .
“What were you thinking about during our self-study…… . concentrate properly……” (Sasha)
“What else did I need to think about? I was concentrating on staring into your abyss . ” (Arnos)
By trying to prevent my magic Sasha polished her even further . Even after all that I still can’t see the bottom of her power .
Speaking of pure talent Sasha easily surpasses even the mazoku from the age of myths .
“Nee…… . ”
Sasha looks down in embarrassment .
“……Show me your demon eyes…… . ” (Sasha)
Fumu . You want to use my eyes as a reference?
“This okay?” (Arnos)
I activated my and stared at Sasha .
“……I think your demon eyes are more beautiful than mine… . . ” (Sasha)
“No, they aren’t . ” (Arnos)
Sasha became speechless at my firm declaration .
“Your eyes are more beautiful . Listen carefully Sasha as I’ll only say this once . ” (Arnos)
“……… . Ye…… . yes…… . . ”
Sasha’s eyes seemed to be sucked into mine .
“I want your demon eyes . ” (Arnos)
“……Eh…………… . ?” (Sasha)
“I rarely say such things . ” (Arnos)
Sasha is talented . Her have the potential to one day surpass mine . If she doesn’t neglect her training that is .
“Don’t you understand my meaning?” (Arnos)
“……Errm… . . wait a moment……I need to think……” (Sasha)
Sasha is confused though its no wonder . I’ve just told her that she might surpass the demon king of tyranny .
“Is that right?” (Sasha)
She must be hesitating being told she could surpass me .
“That’s right . ” I asserted clearly .
“… . You…… . . to think Arnos would say that…… . ” (Sasha)
“Can’t you believe it?” (Arnos)
Sasha nods . She’s pretty cute with her defiant attitude .
“Having you talk like that when I haven’t done anything is a bit…… . . ” (Sasha)
“I’m not on about the top layer . I looked deep into your abyss . Deep, deep within you is a sleeping but majestic shining light . ” (Arnos)
Sasha is at a loss for words .
Her that should be controllable now start rampaging and the surroundings start to shake .
“Look into my eyes . ” (Arnos)
“Eh… . ?”
“Don’t look away . ”
“… . . Yes… . . ”
“More . ”
“Even if you say more……”
“Come closer . ”
Sasha approaches me like she’s told and as she comes right up to me I suppress her eyes with mine .
Fumu . Even this close I can’t completely suppress her eyes .
As I thought . Her eyes are hiding a tremendous power .
“Do you understand?” (Arnos)
Sasha nods in embarrassment .
“…… . . Haven’t you gone on a date with Misha already though?” (Sasha)
A date? That time we went out together?
“What about it?” (Arnos)
“………Well, Arnos with Misha……” Sasha seems to be struggling to get her words out . “… . . and… . . well……didn’t you want Misha’s demon eyes…… . . ?”
I see . Sasha must have seen Misha’s talent as well .
“It’s true that Misha has good demon eyes and they are in no way inferior to yours . ”
Sasha looks up at me with upturned eyes .
“… . . Arnos…… . . who’s are better……?”
“Impossible to choose . ”
Who’s better? A question people will always be interested in especially if they are close to that person, however, their demon eyes have very different qualities . They can’t be compared .
“……Don’t you know?” (Sasha)
Fumu . Was my choice of words confusing?
“I want both of you . ”
“Eeeeeeeeh…… . . !? Both of us?”
Sasha raises her voice in surprise .
“Are you unhappy with both of you?
“…… . Isn’t it a bit strange…… . . ?”
I laughed unintentionally .
“Why are you laughing? What’s wrong with wanting to be number one . Is that strange…… . . ?”
“Not at all . It’s good Sasha . You should aim for the top . When you compete with others you shine even more . ”
“… . . I see…… . ”
I’m not sure if her murmur was relief or disappointment .
“You know what?” (Sasha)
Sasha speaks like she’s given up .
“…… . . I’m only going to say this once as well…… . ”
Hearing her words I look at Sasha with a serious expression .
“If you want, I’ll give you these demon eyes . ”
Fumu . Certainly, demon eyes can be taken by force but the light will never return to the person who’s had them taken . I won’t take them though it’s admirable to show such loyalty .
“I won’t take them but I want you to make a promise with me . ” (Arnos)
Sasha has a questioning look in her eyes .
“Someday, I might find myself in a situation that is out of my control . At that time I might not be able to protect those I want to protect . ” (Arnos)
“I don’t think that will ever happen……” (Sasha)
“Probably not but there’s no absolutes . Anyway, in that instance, I’ll depend on you to protect me Sasha . Your eyes have that power . ”
“If that happens and I keep my promise will you listen to what I have to say?”
“You can say anything to me . ”
Sasha looks happy and nods bashfully .
“You promise?” (Sasha)
“Do you want to use ?” (Arnos)
Sasha shakes her head .
“I don’t need it . A promise is better than a contract . ” (Sasha)
“I see . ”
Her have settled and when we start walking she seems in a good mood .
“By the way, where were you going?” (Sasha)
“To find out what type of traditions have been handed down about the heroes . ” (Arnos)
“Well then . Don’t you think you’ll get that information from the hero academy?” (Sasha)
Sasha points down one of the paths up ahead .
“Let’s go . ”
Aiming for the hero academy Arclaniska that can be seen in the distance we start walking .