After the lecture, we went outside to try our hand at throwing blunted shuriken at a target. The activity was a huge hit, though really, it was more that President Rias and the others were having so much fun they refused to leave. We ended up staying the entire session before finally heading back to the main building.
Just as we returned, a break had started, and we ran into Sairaorg, fresh from the gym, a towel draped around his neck.
"If Rias is looking that pleased, then I take it she has to observe Tanmon Momochi's class," he said.
"Oh? Was it that obvious?" she asked, trying to play coy.
"Of course. I've known for a long time that you've always had a strong interest in Japan. There's no way you'd meet one of its legendary warriors and not be excited."
Rias, clearly seen through, blushed in embarrassment.
As I was pondering that, a sudden commotion near the main gate caught our attention. The high-pitched voices of excited children even reached us from that distance.
"Looks like he's arrived," Sairaorg noted.
"Indeed," Sona added. "Shall we go greet him?"
We followed Sona and Sairaorg toward the gate, where a tall, imposing man with striking silver hair and a well-defined face was waiting. I recognized him immediately, he'd appeared as a guest during the rating game between Rias and Sairaorg.
"No way... That's Emperor Belial!"
"You're kidding! Even he came!? That's too much of a surprise!"
"Emperor Diehauser Belial… the undefeated champion of the Rating Games. His visit to the school is a big deal."
Amid everyone's surprise, Sona and Sairaorg walked forward to greet the Emperor, who was surrounded by excited children.
"Lord Diehauser Belial, thank you so much for coming today," said Sona.
"If you had told us you were coming, we could have arranged a proper welcome," added Sairaorg.
"No need," Belial replied with a smile. "I had work right up until the last minute, so I didn't know exactly when I'd arrive. I didn't want to trouble you when you're already busy helping with classes. After all, the true stars of this open school are the children here."
He reached out and gently patted a nearby child on the head. The child's face lit up with excitement, and immediately, the other children swarmed him, begging for the same. Calmly, quickly, and kindly, he gave each one a gentle pat.
Even if it was just for a moment, getting patted on the head by the legendary Emperor of the Underworld must've been a huge event for the kids, they squealed with joy.
"This is a fine school," he said. "Even on the way here, I could sense the energy and vibrancy of this place. I'll support this academy however I can, raising the next generation of Rating Game contenders is a noble goal."
Then Diehauser turned toward us.
"And you must be Rias Gremory and her peerage. I also saw some members of the anti-terrorist unit, D×D. Your recent match with Sairaorg was a sight to behold."
"It's an honor to finally meet you in person," Rias said. "I'm flattered by your praise, though I still see many areas where I fell short. That's why I'm working hard to improve—one day, I hope to challenge you directly."
"I heard you once said your dream is to become the Rating Game Champion," he replied. "If that's true, then you certainly have the potential—if you can defeat me, of course."
He returned her bold declaration with a soft smile that hid a quiet confidence. Clearly pleased with his response, Rias gave a proud, determined smile in return.
"So that makes it official," he added. "All four members of the 'Rookies Four'—the next generation's elite—are now affiliated with this school. That's a good sign. Even the Princess of Agares is currently in Agreas."
"Seekvaira is… in Agreas?" I asked.
"Yes. Actually, I was the one who invited Emperor Belial here. There's a movie being filmed in Agreas with him as the lead. It's thanks to a gap in the shooting schedule that he was able to come today. Some of my peerage and Seekvaira's will even be making guest appearances in that film. Seekvaira won't be helping with the open school, but she did say she'll drop by at the end."
Diehauser then shook hands with each of us D×D members.
With that, Sona shifted her focus to guiding him through the school. He was clearly a very busy man, but he still took the time to give a bit of fan service to the children before heading back to Agreas.
As for us, we started preparing to help with the afternoon classes. Based on what we had observed, we planned how best to assist each lecture.
Some of us demonstrated our unique powers—magic, Sacred Gears, or characteristics tied to our 'pieces' in the Devil's game system. Asia and Irina shared rare knowledge related to the Church, which is still difficult to come by in the Underworld.
Kuroka, though reluctant, was coaxed by Shirone and Ravel into showing off her hybrid wizard techniques, simultaneous use of senjutsu, youjutsu, magic, and demonic power.
As for me, I was in charge of demonstrating senjutsu. I couldn't exactly teach it, but I could at least show the students that such techniques existed. Actual instruction would likely be limited to older, vetted students. If the school couldn't handle that responsibility, maybe a study-abroad-like system could be established. Either way, it sounded like a logistical headache.
Given that only Kuroka, Shirone, and I could use senjutsu here, our role was less support and more like actual instructors. Not that I could complain—Asia and Irina were in the same boat. Still, teaching for the first time was mentally exhausting.
I tried to recall everything I had been taught by my eccentric old master and explain it as clearly as possible. Kuroka and Shirone helped out from time to time.
After the kids left for the day, we reviewed our lectures, discussed what went well, and what needed improvement. Being surrounded by such lively kids was fulfilling—but mentally draining. To unwind, I headed to the large public bath in the student dorm.
Since Auros Academy is currently the only school of its kind in the entire Underworld, many students must live away from home to attend. Considering the varying circumstances of each family, the dorm was made large enough to accommodate them.
In the bath were just me, Yuuto, and Gasper. Sairaorg and his peerage had left after dinner and a brief meeting to prepare for tomorrow's film shoot in Agreas.
Saji and Loup were still in their meeting, so they'd be using the bath after us.
"The others are busy, huh?" Yuuto said beside me after we got into the bath. "By the way, do you know where Issei is?"
He sat uncomfortably close. I mean, we're friends, but this bath is huge. Why sit shoulder-to-shoulder?
"He said he wanted to take another look around the school. Things were pretty noisy during the day, so he didn't get to really focus. He's probably reminiscing and thinking about the school's future."
"He's a hero to the kids, after all. I can understand why a place like this would appeal to him."
"Yeah… but knowing him, he's probably already planning to give the kids a heartfelt lecture about boobs. I'm not sure that's ideal for their moral development. Honestly, I worry about the future of the Underworld with the whole 'Oppai Dragon' thing becoming so mainstream."
Yuuto chuckled. I held back any further jabs since I was also cast in the Oppai Dragon show.
Just then, Gasper joined us, wrapped in a towel like some kind of blushing maiden. …Nothing to say there.
"Well, everyone's pretty worn out today. We've got an early morning tomorrow too, so we should probably hit the hay soon," he said.
But one thing bugged me, so I asked:
"Hey… isn't it weird that classes in the Underworld aren't held at night? I mean, devils are weak to sunlight, right?"
"Now that you mention it… why aren't they?" Gasper asked, tilting his head.
Come on, man. You should know at least the basics.
Yuuto explained, "Well, while devils are weakened by sunlight, the Underworld doesn't have sunlight in the divine, holy sense like the human world does. The daylight here doesn't cause that same fatigue. That said, our magical power does peak at night but ever since the Rating Games became popular, the schedule shifted."
"Right," I nodded. "If everyone had to work at night, they wouldn't be able to watch the games. Especially when TVs weren't common, they had to play them at night so spectators could attend."
Also, if you're a merchant, enhanced powers at midnight don't mean much compared to daytime business hours.
Later, we talked about the ninja class again. Apparently, kunai weren't originally ninja weapons, they were just everyday tools repurposed. That idea of disguising weapons as ordinary objects really appeals to the chuunibyou side of people. Momochi-sensei even threw pens and pencils like darts and embedded them deep into targets.
After that, we left the bath and handed it over to Saji and Loup.
Back in the dorm, I sat cross-legged on my bed trying to meditate when Issei came in, fresh from his own bath.
Our room pairing was: me and Issei, Gasper and Yuuto, and Saji and Loup.
"How was your walk around the school?" I asked.
"It was… enlightening. I caught a glimpse of the divine in a Valkyrie's body."
I broke my meditation. Great. He's spiraling.
Apparently, the girls' dorm had a hot water issue, and Rossweisse assuming the guys were already done came to bathe in the men's bath, only to run into Issei. Of course.
I'm not even jealous. Since things with Kuroka and the others progressed, they've stopped ambushing me in the bath. But yeah… peaceful days come and go.
As we kept talking, I noticed a few moments where Issei's eyes went distant when he mentioned Rossweisse and magic. Something must've happened between them in the bath—something serious, probably.
Eventually, as we lay in our bunk beds, the conversation trailed off, and we exchanged quiet "Good nights."
Tomorrow, I hope nothing happens… but if it does, it'll probably be a terrorist attack by Qlippoth.
If we're lucky, maybe we can delay Trihexa's revival.