Chapter 10 : Grandpa,I want to be strong

The next morning at Babyls, a strange tension lingered in the air—like a faint storm cloud hovering over a clear sky. Iruma walked through the corridors with his usual calm stride, though his mind was far from settled.

That girl hasn't spoken to anyone about what happened right?… but why do I feel like I've been marked by her?

He kept his expression neutral, shoulders relaxed, eyes scanning out of habit. The Sharingan, hidden beneath a subtle layer of demonic energy [Becauseof his Grandpa's Magic], only flickered for a second when he glanced at reflective glass—just enough to catch the odd presence of someone watching him from the shadows.

"Iruma-sama!" Alice call Iruma.

"You've got to be careful! The Student Council President… she's searching for you."

Iruma blinked. "President Council?"

Alice nodded frantically, lowering his voice. "That student council asked around all morning. No one knows why… but it's you They wants to see."

Why now? Did that girl decide I was too dangerous after all. And then report to student council?

He kept his composure, but a flicker of unease crossed his thoughts.

She already knows I'm human. That much is certain... yet she did report me. She's playing a deeper game than I thought.

Iruma placed a hand on his sword's hilt—reflexive, subtle. Just enough to remind himself it was there.

"I'll handle it," he said quietly.

Alice blinked. "You're not worried?"

Iruma gave a small smile, one that barely touched his eyes. "Of course I am."

Then he added with a chuckle, "But that doesn't mean I should run away."

Meanwhile, in the Student Council Office, Ameri sat behind her desk, hands folded, expression unreadable. The other officers had long since cleared out, sensing she wanted privacy.

The book Iruma had read aloud yesterday lay on her lap.

He's human. He has to be. But why does he remind me so much of the main character?

She touched her lips unconsciously, cheeks faintly pink.

He read the lines so naturally… like he knew how to make someone's heart skip.

Then her expression hardened.

As Student Council President, I can't ignore this. But as a fan of this series…

Her hand clutched the edge of the book.

I need to know how it ends first.

She glanced at her enchanted mirror, which reflected Iruma walking through the hall.

"Come alone," she whispered. "Like I told you."

Iruma reached the door to the Student Council room and paused.

I'm not walking into a trap. She could've exposed me already if she wanted to.

He exhaled slowly and knocked.

"It's Iruma."

The door opened… not with a flare of magic, but with an audible click. Ameri stood behind it, her expression blank. But Iruma didn't miss the faint red across her cheeks.

"You're late," she said.

"I wasn't told I had a time limit."

"Come in."

He did.

They sat across from one another, silence stretching out between them.

Ameri was the first to break it. "You remember our agreement. Don't tell anyone about this."

Iruma nodded. "Of course."

Then she placed the book in front of him.

"Continue from where you left off."

Iruma looked down at the pages. So this is how it's going to be. Not interrogation… not confrontation...

This is her way of observing me. Quiet. Calculated. But it's also… a little childish.

He gave the faintest smirk. Not mocking—just amused.

"Alright. Let's see… Chapter 1 to chapter 4."

His voice softened into the rhythm of the story, shifting tone and inflection with ease. Ameri leaned forward slightly, captivated but trying not to show it.

By the end of the session, the sky outside had turned orange. Ameri seemed dazed again—caught between authority and emotion.

Iruma glanced at his phone.

"It's late. I should go—"

Ameri snatched the phone from his hand, typing quickly before returning it.

"There. Now you have my number."

Iruma blinked. "Uh… thank you?"

She turned away. "Next time, don't bring anyone. And tell no one you're meeting me. Understood?"

"Understood. But i didn't bring anyone"

He moved to the door, then paused. "Hey… I never got your name."

Ameri turned slightly.

"Azazel Ameri. President of the Student Council."

Iruma smiled faintly. "Iruma Suzuki. Just… Iruma works."

Alone again, Ameri clutched her book, eyes narrowed in thought.

He's definitely human… but…

She stared at the collection on her shelf.

I'll wait. Until the story is finished. Only then will I decide what to do with him.

The door to the Student Council room closed behind him with a soft click, and Iruma exhaled.

So… she's the Student Council President, huh?

A smirk tugged at his lips as he walked back toward the outer gates of Babyls. Well, that makes things a little easier. If she's that high up… I might be able to understand this world better through her. And maybe... even work with her.

Despite the pressure of being watched, interrogated, and subtly tested by Ameri, Iruma didn't feel threatened.

That curiosity in her eyes… She wasn't afraid. She's dangerous because of it. But it also means… there's hope she'll understand me.

As he passed through the glowing gates of Babyls, a breeze swept through his dark blue hair. The moon hung high over the Netherworld skies, casting a cold, silver light.

Iruma's steps slowed. The sakura tree flashed in his memory again.

I need to become stronger. Not just to survive… but to protect what I've found here.

That evening, Iruma returned to Sullivan's mansion, his thoughts still tangled.

Sullivan was lounging on a floating sofa, sipping a steaming mug of spiced venom tea. Opera stood silently nearby, as still and precise as always.

Iruma stepped forward.

"Grandpa… can I ask you something?"

Sullivan's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Of course, my dear grandson! Ask away!"

"How can I raise my rank faster?"

Sullivan blinked, then floated into a sitting position.

"Oh-ho? Ambitious, are we?" He stroked his mustache with a chuckle. "Well, the ranking system here can be… a bit chaotic. If you're in the lower ranks—Aleph, Bet, Gimmel—then sports battles or public games can push you up one level."

"But," he added with a knowing smile, "once you start climbing higher… it's not that simple. You'll need to prove yourself. Flashy magic, dangerous fights, commanding presence—things demons respect."

Iruma's eyes sharpened.

"So it's like… tournaments and contests back in the human world. Sports, but with real danger."

Sullivan nodded proudly. "Exactly! Oh, and speaking of danger—your next exam, the Cannon Ball Execution, is in three days!" He spun in the air with joy. "So exciting!"

Iruma blinked. "Wait—what?"

"Yep! Better prepare, Iruma-kun!"

Iruma clenched his fists.

Three days…

Then, quietly—his voice lower than usual—he asked:

"Grandpa… can you do me a favor?"

Sullivan immediately flipped mid-air and landed beside him, eyes sparkling like a child on festival night.

"A FAVOR?! What is my dear grandson's wish? Tell me! Tell me now!!"

Iruma looked up at him, serious.

"Make me strong. Strong enough that I never have to see my friends or anyone I care about get hurt again. Train me?"

Sullivan's laughter stopped. His expression grew unreadable. Slowly, he floated back to his throne-like chair, his glowing yellow eyes fixed on Iruma.

"Why?" he asked simply.

Then suddenly—a wave of pure demonic pressure surged out from Sullivan's body. It was overwhelming, crashing through the room like a storm of thunder and ash. Iruma's knees buckled instantly.

So heavy… I can't… breathe…

He dropped down—one knee to the ground—but forced himself not to bow his head.

No… I won't fall… I won't let it break me! I have to stand tall. Even if it hurts—

His legs shook violently.

But then… the pressure stopped.

Sullivan exhaled, a wide grin spreading across his face as he clapped once and bounced back to his usual cheerful self.

"Yippee~! My grandson is strong!"

Opera stepped forward silently at his signal.

"Opera! Train him. Show him how to balance defense and offense. Let him taste what it means to protect… and destroy."

Opera gave the tiniest nod.

"Understood."

Iruma, still panting slightly, wiped sweat from his brow and looked up—determined.

No turning back. I've made my choice.