A Whole New World

"Alright, Demon, now to explain why I summoned you. I am a 2nd-year student at Arkshire Academy for Dark Wizards, and this week is our midterm exam. The purpose of the exam is to summon, contract with and have a demon complete various tasks. The next week will involve you and I getting to know one another, particularly me getting to know your strengths as much as possible. On the last day, you will be required to perform a variety of tasks, and there will be a final test. Does that make sense?"

Alesha thought for a moment. Arkshire Academy? Dark Wizards? Demon summoning? Tasks? This was all so very like a fantasy book that she was having trouble believing it was real. "Let me get this straight. You're a Dark Wizard, and you summoned me for a Dark Summoning exam. I need to help you with this exam as per our Contract, since for whatever reason I qualify as a demon?" That last part felt like a stab to her heart. In this world, apparently having "carnivorous" in front of her species and "Bloodline: Chaos Dragon" tagged onto the end together made her a demon. Why was that? Was that the case back home, too? Or was this world's definition of "demon" just far too broad?

"That's correct. Though I don't know why you think you're not a demon. You're clearly not human."

Alesha remembered something and felt jipped. "Wait, but how could you tell? I have an innate trait that works until I reach a certain level of strength. It hides the fact that I'm different from normal humans, so how did you see past that?"

The boy thought for a second, then asked, "Does it work if we don't expect you to be human from the start?"

[Aha! That's it,] the System said. [They never expected you to be human, and the innate skill "Chaos Embryo's Camouflage" relies on that expectation in order to function. These people saw through it from the moment they summoned you.]

"Oh," Alesha said quietly. "No, it doesn't work if you don't expect me to be human."

"Well, then don't expect it to work on anyone here," Seth told her. "In those clothes, everyone will expect you to be a summoned demon. Especially this week, when new faces, most of which are demons, are very common due to the exam. Though, not many of them will look as close to a human as you do."

A part of Alesha felt oddly relieved at the fact. Here, her strangeness would be easily perceived (which was a little nerve-wracking), but it would be considered normal. She didn't have to worry about what would happen if she was discovered. No threat of the Alliance taking her away to incarcerate her and maybe study, experiment on or re-educate her, no potentially worried or scared looks from her parents. Just a bunch of people that thought she was a demon -- in a place where such a thing was normal.

She wasn't sure she liked the idea of being pegged as a demon (scratch that, she really disliked it), but at least she wouldn't be seen as a freak and singled out for it. 

"Do you have any other questions before I show you around?" Seth asked.

"What world is this? Also, how long are the days here, as in how many hours?" Being from a spacefaring human civilization, Alesha was quite accustomed to the realities of how worlds are different from one another. She had already noticed (while pacing in the Circle earlier) that this world's gravity was slightly less than her home world's. It wasn't enough to seriously bug her, but it was enough to be a little distracting.

"Our world is known as Avalon, and we're in the country Denia, which is ruled by King Gerald who is a Paladin. I don't know why you're asking about the length of the day, but each day is 10 hours long, with a 14 hour long night. Anything else?"

"I couldn't understand you or your teacher at first, did you cast some sort of language translation spell?" 

"Yes, is that all?"

"For now. You said you'd be showing me around?"

Seth answered affirmatively and proceeded to give Alesha a tour of the campus grounds. It was spacious and rather like a mansion with several buildings, all inside some hefty castle-like walls. During the tour, it became clear that in this world, it wasn't yet halfway through the day. Did that mean she had more time to complete her quest? 

[Yes,] the System answered. [We'll go with the time of day here, since it wouldn't make much sense to do otherwise at this point.]

Alesha felt relieved. That, at least, was a stroke of luck.

"Why are the walls so big?" Alesha asked.

"Ah, that would be because Arkshire Academy is in the middle of Owlbear Forest. There are lots of dangerous beasts outside, and if it weren't for the combination of strong walls and magical barriers, the place would have been overrun long ago. One of the options for the final part of the exam is to kill beasts there.

"What's the other option?"

"Battle to the death with another student's summoned demon."

"... Ah." Alesha did not like the sound of that.

"That option is certainly less popular. Fear not, I have no intention of sending a weak demon such as yourself to battle stronger demons. Speaking of which, I must know your strengths." With that, Seth looked at her and continued, "Next we shall head to the training area, and you will show me the extent of your power."

What was with this kid? He hadn't spoken to her informally at all this whole time, and showed little sign of his age. It made her wonder. "How old are you, Seth?"

"You will refer to me as Master, Master Kayson, or Contractor. I am sixteen years of age."