Demon Girl.
Slightly pointed ears.
Black hair, black eyes.
A big backpack that almost topples her over and a scholar-like gaze.
“How did you get left behind?”
Pastel tilted her head.
The Demon Girl hurriedly gulped down her soup.
“Phew. They said there’s a problem with the Airship and that I needed to get a new one, so I took a short-term request. But in the meantime, they left without me.”
Oh, wow.
It’s like getting back from the restroom during a school trip just to find out everyone left without me?
Whoa.
She handed over a new soup bowl.
“Eat more! Eat a lot!”
“Thanks. But wow, you really cook well.”
The Demon Girl looked at her with admiration. A table full of splendid dishes spread between the Demon Girl and Pastel.
Proud.
“I’m a bit of a chef.”
Puffing with pride.
“Oh my.”
Hehe.
Pastel held up a pepper shaker with a smile. As she turned it over the soup, gem powder fell down like rain.
“What’s that?”
“It’s a secret recipe!”
Pastel said coyly.
“I can’t even tell my friends~.”
Scooping with a spoon, she took a bite.
The savory and deep flavor filled her mouth.
Whoa, whoa, the Demon Lord really knows how to cook.
Finishing the soup, she tore into a roasted chicken leg. The meat shredded smoothly. The brown skin ripped away, revealing the white flesh. Grease dripped enticingly.
Whoa.
Dipping it in the gem powder and taking a big bite. The moist chewiness filled her mouth. An explosion of savory flavor.
Whoa.
“I adjusted the seasoning to fit the sweetness of the gem powder. How is it?”
Pastel answered with a hearty bite of the chicken leg.
“…Eat a lot.”
The meal continued without conversation. Whether it was the homeless Demon Girl or Pastel, who had to exchange gold bars for a single meal, their situations were the same, leading to a shared understanding.
Plates were emptied one by one. A spoon was placed on the last empty plate.
“Phew.”
Pastel, with a full belly, slumped in her chair.
So full.
No, I’m hungry, but I’m full.
There was no physical space left in her stomach. The feeling of fullness filled her body.
Yet the hunger didn’t fade. A hollow feeling in her soul whispered that she needed to consume whatever she lost.
She poked her finger into the gem powder and popped it into her mouth. A candy-like sweetness. It felt like eating junk food.
Hmm.
It’s better than not eating, but somehow it feels like I shouldn’t be eating this. There’s no thrilling stimulation to mind.
“What’s the matter?”
Pastel shook her head.
“Nothing.”
The Demon Girl, who had been sprawled out beside her, looked over.
“By the way, I forgot to properly introduce myself. I’m Elly.”
After a brief wait, no surname was heard.
Ah.
Raising a hand to lighten the awkwardness.
“I’m Pastel Love Craft! Just call me Pastel! Nice to meet you, friend!”
Elly, looking surprised, nodded.
“Okay.”
A refreshing voice.
Oh yeah.
Finally, a friend I can talk to.
Pastel blushed.
“What weapon do you use, Elly? Are you a wizard? Do you go poof with a staff? Or bang bang boom?!”
Magic special?
Elly tilted her head.
“I don’t know how to fight.”
Huh?
“I’m here for academic research.”
Huh?
Oh.
Sure, it’s an academy, not a soldier training camp.
Pastel smiled brightly.
“Then we’ll get along just fine! I’m really smart! I’m top of my class!”
“Really? You must be really smart!”
“Of course!”
Hehe.
“So, what’s your major, Pastel?”
Major?
Her mind went blank. What have I been learning all this time? Since I’m top of my class, I must have learned something smart.
Hmm, I don’t know.
So, my major is…
She held up the Demon Sword.
“Power projection!”
Whoa.
You’re totally cool.
Elly looked at her in a daze.
Then nodded.
“I see. My major is Myth and Legend. Specifically the Legend of the Demon King.”
“The Legend of the Demon King?”
What an amazing title!
“The Demon Lord’s.”
Elly suddenly turned pale and changed her words.
“There’s a legend that the evil Demon Lord’s legacy lies asleep on a Sky Island. It’s the site of the final battle of the Great Demon War.”
Elly’s finger twisted her black hair.
“Of course, legends are just legends. But you never know what dirty schemes might be out there. We must research to report to the Empire to prevent another maniacal human murderer driven insane by magic from appearing.”
Magic?
Huh.
“What is a scheme?”
The Demon Girl gulped.
“…Degenerate and disgusting methods to create a new madman. A barbaric, crude way of patching inferior talents and bodies with magic and gems.”
Gems?
Her heart raced.
“Th-then, did Craft say you were a combat major? Have you prepared for practical combat? Isn’t it hard for a swordsman?”
Pastel’s eyes widened.
“Oh right!”
She shot up.
“I need to prepare for practical combat! Thanks, Elly! You reminded me! Sorry, but I’ll be busy for a while! I like to train alone!”
With the Demon Lord.
Elly wiped her forehead with a handkerchief.
“But if you do that, you shouldn’t be here, right?”
Huh?
“I’m taking the academic practical exam. Even if we don’t arrive, the combat practical might start, right? The late Demon Realm Airship will arrive shortly.”
What does that mean…?
“Ahhhh?!”
Pastel clutched her pink hair.
“I’m going to be late!”
Aaaaah!
Run, Buzzer…!
Buzzer is the name just given to the Airship.
—
In the middle of a forest on the outskirts of the Sky Island.
“Where’s Craft?”
The professor surveyed the group of students from the podium. The pink presence that should stand out was missing.
An upperclassman replied next to him.
“She borrowed the Airship with the authority of the student council, regarding the issue of the lost test takers.”
“Borrowed? Why are we using honorifics for a young student?”
“Oh, she borrowed it with the authority of the student council regarding the lost test takers.”
“Student council? Lost test takers?”
The professor squinted in thought. He tapped the podium with his finger.
“She was definitely top of the class, right?”
“Yes.”
“Show me the file.”
Pastel’s file was passed. The practical combat item was laid out.
On the crossroads of pass and fail.
The professor’s quill moved.
Suddenly, a horn sounded through the forest.
“Terror!”
All eyes shot up to the sky. A small Airship was rushing down like it was plummeting. A girl’s voice faintly echoed.
The Airship crashed into something invisible in mid-air. Glass shards rained down upon them.
“First barrier breached! How foolish!”
“It’s a Demon, inferior beings. I knew this would happen. They should have been exterminated long ago.”
What was the Knight Order doing to let a Demon Airship pass?
The professor, with a cold expression, pulled out his staff. Numerous staffs followed suit, pointing at the Airship.
Cannons on the ground aimed at the target.
“Heavy artillery ready! Target is the Demon Airship! Fire-!”
From the Airship’s railing, a pink head flew in the wind.
“Buzzer! It’s too fast!”
The professor’s mouth dropped open.
“Huh, your Excellency the Marquis?!”
The professor hurriedly shouted.
“Change of target! The secondary barrier!”
“What?”
“Craft has arrived! Destroy everything but the last! Fire before the collision causes injuries!”
The senior who had been scolded for using honorifics toward the young lord’s title opened his eyes wide.
The professor, with no hint of shyness, shouted.
“Fire!”
The cannons on the ground fired. Projectiles shot up into the sky. The gem powder on the projectiles formed magical patterns.
The magic circle glowed and conjured magic. Flames flickered. A thunderous roar erupted. An explosion filled the sky.
Countless glass barriers shattered.
In the face of the noble’s authority and influence, all threats were swiftly obliterated.
Cutting through the flames, the Airship plummeted.
“Whoa!”
The pink hair flew wildly.
The Airship crashed right beside them. A tremendous noise rumbled. Dust kicked up, and the wind howled. The stunned test takers’ heads and clothes fluttered.
“Craft!”
The professor rushed forward.
“Medical team! Right now!”
The personnel followed behind.
The staff swung, stirring the winds and clearing the dust. A half-destroyed Airship came into view.
A pink girl sprawled among the debris muttered.
“I-I’m alive….”
Pastel staggered to her feet, dazed, scanning her surroundings.
Professor, upperclassmen, medical team.
Behind them, a crowd of stunned test takers.
Test takers?
She raised her arms high.
“I arrived just in time!”
Fail, hunger, barely survived from a collapse.
Oh yeah.
Suddenly, the leading professor let out a rough breath.
“Phew.”
The professor wiped his cold sweat. His expression turned intelligent and cold.
Oh, wow.
“Craft also arrived. Now everyone’s here. Since nothing happened, we’ll restore the barrier and continue the exam.”
Whoa, whoa.
A merciless death game.
There’s no room for leniency for the latecomers.
The professor turned to the upperclassman who followed.
“What are you doing? Hurry and restore it. Finish it within an hour. Thoroughly and meticulously. The intruder prevention system is in place, so we can do the rest quickly.”
The upperclassman screamed silently in despair.
—
“Walk to the left, to the river.”
Pastel checked the map as she walked through the forest. The sound of flowing water was heard.
She rushed ahead.
The river flowed rapidly.
“Ah! Is this the place? We’ve arrived!”
『Seems right.』
The merciless entrance exam continued.
Trembling.
The practical combat was Golem hunting. Everyone went to their designated spots, then caught the golems sprinkled throughout the forest. It’s a absolute evaluation.
Thank goodness.
With the Great Demon beside her, Pastel surveyed the forest with meaningful eyes.
“Demon Lord, Demon Lord! Did you hear?”
『What about?』
“It’s said to be the treasure of the Demon King!”
Whoa.
“They say it absorbs magic from the atmosphere. And it replicates gems!”
I don’t really know what that means, but it can’t be impossible, right?
The Demon sighed a long, exasperated sigh, as if it came from the depths of his essence.
『You have absolutely no connection. You’re from the Craft family.』
Huh.
What did our family do again?
『The Demon King’s throne is a position that can only be attained through a fateful thread. The legacy and schemes for that are the same. Discovery is not coincidence but fate. That’s why the Empire, despite knowing the location, cannot find it.』
“Oh, it’s not just a legend!”
Whoa.
The Demon paused.
『…Think what you want. After all, the Craft bloodline has no connection to the Demon King’s legacy. I can assure you of that.』
What exactly did our family do to be so sure?
Regrettable.
Pastel sighed heavily and continued walking.
Then suddenly, her foot caught on a tree root.
Huh?
Her vision tilted, and she fell.
Thud.
Her hand touched a stone on the ground. The stone buzzed, revealing a magical pattern and shining brightly.
Brrrrmm.
The ground opened up, revealing a ruin.
Pastel stared dumbfounded at the ruin’s stairs. A cold underground smell wafted up.
Huh?
The Demon murmured in the silence.
『This, this can’t be.』
Could it be?
No way, no way?
“Could this be?!”
Pastel jumped up.
Raising her arms high.
“My life is so easy…!”
Whoa!
Oh yeah.
Oh yeah, oh yeah.
Rustle.
Footsteps were heard from behind.
Huh?
Pastel turned her body.
She met the gaze of blue eyes.
A blonde girl in a wizard’s robe.
Melissa Camelot.
『It’s a mess.』
The Demon spoke firmly.
『First, we need to eliminate the witness.』
Huh?
—
Dear Mother.
I always reflect on your words and teachings.
But lately, I’ve begun to wonder.
Is it really okay to reject someone just because of the family’s infamy?
Is that truly a dignified act?
Is that really noble?
…I’m sorry.
I’m of the age to enroll in the academy. I’d like to assert my opinions at least once.
Is it so wrong to ask a fellow peer who fell from a crashed Airship if they’re alright?
Even if that person might be someone from the Craft family, whom I shouldn’t even step on their shadow.
Pastel’s test location was deduced and Melissa trampled through the bushes.
As she pushed aside the branches, the pink scene filled her view.
Under the sunlight, the pink hair sparkled. The pink eyes reflected the light delightfully.
Mother, dear mother.
There’s no way such a beautiful person can be in the wrong.
If there’s justice in aesthetics and reason in art, doesn’t this girl possess the truth?
Is there not a hidden heart within her, without deceit, that beats with betrayal and schemes?
Like sunlight illuminating the clouds, like dew covering the leaves, wouldn’t this girl be without lies?
So, I want to check on the wounds just once…
Yes, you’re right.
To be honest, I want to become friends with this child.
That’s the way of a noble who loves art.
I will live as a noble.
Just like you, Mother.
Melissa gracefully placed her hand on her chest and lightly bowed her head.
“Craft, I’ve come to apologize for my previous rudeness.”
The pink girl stepped forward.
Then, she suddenly reached both hands toward Melissa.
“Sorry, friend! Let’s talk next time!”
Melissa’s body was pushed away. She turned, and the river came into view.
“Ahhh!”
Splash-!
The river rushed in.
Melissa was swept away, flailing about.
Mother! Mother!
As she drifted, her robe caught on a tree root. Melissa flailed her arms. The root gripped her hands.
Gasping for breath, she crawled out of the riverbank.
Water dripped from her tangled golden hair.
Her exhausted eyes looked down at the ground.
Mud fell from her hair.
Mother…
I’m sorry.
You were right.
Craft is bad.
Totally bad.
Melissa sank into despair.
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