Iruma, looking at Eiko's worried eyes, immediately stood firm and lost.
"No way! I… I like Eiko-chan, so… uh…" Iruma realized halfway through his sentence that he seemed to have said something quite significant, and he started to panic. Even after all this time, Iruma had never explicitly said "I like you" to Eiko.
Eiko-chan, blushing, watched this scene and chuckled.
"Iruma-kun is still like this, isn't he? No, even so, I have to work hard. I will catch up to your pace," Eiko said, clenching her fists and looking seriously at Iruma. Iruma was stunned, then smiled and bumped fists with Eiko.
"Mm!" Then Iruma looked at the recommendation letter and couldn't help but think,
"It's okay to wait a little longer, isn't it?"
Eiko, however, seemed to have noticed Iruma looking at the recommendation letter.
"Iruma-kun, are you thinking about whether to go or not?"
Iruma looked at Eiko when he heard her, then nodded.
"I don't know if I'm capable of holding the rank of [6] yet, or if I can pass the test…" Iruma's worried words made Eiko pause, then she looked at Iruma.
"Iruma-kun, why are you worried? I think Iruma-kun is perfectly fine."
"Haha, is that so…"
...At home
"Brother, I'm a little worried that I'm not qualified enough…"
Iruma said, looking at Shesi, who had already changed into his pajamas. Shesi, on the other hand, frantically put his phone behind his back; he was currently on a video call with Ameri… he couldn't let his younger brother know.
"Qualified… for what?"
"To advance to [6]. I don't know if I'm capable of holding the rank of [6] right now."
Shesi asked, puzzled,
"Why?"
"Eh? Why what?"
"Why are you talking about being qualified or not? Do you think everything you've done is ordinary?" Shesi asked, confused.
"Eh? What?"
"Do you think you're like an ordinary demon? You are a special [demon] with a bunch of titles like the Young King, Opener of the Royal Classroom, Grandson of Three Greats, and so on. Why are you showing your unease about this? What is your goal?"
"Demon… Demon King… No, my ambition seems to have changed again. After all these experiences, compared to being the Demon King, I hope more that I can protect… everyone, Brother, Grandpa, Opera… protect everyone."
"Then you must have the determination to protect everyone. Don't express your unease in this regard. Your dream is the vast sea of stars!"
Hearing this, Iruma felt like he had drunk a big bowl of chicken soup, then walked out of the room with renewed ambition.
Shesi then took out his phone and looked at Ameri, who was smiling at Shesi.
"Oh my, Shesi-kun's words have made me ambitious too~"
Shesi smiled when he heard this.
"What, is Ameri also going to challenge for rank [7]?"
Ameri's expression turned serious upon hearing this.
"I will. Although I'm not ready yet, I definitely will."
Shesi, hearing this, didn't say anything more on the matter and looked at Ameri with a slightly aggrieved expression.
"So you're saying~ Ameri doesn't want to wait for me? Even though I'm about to catch up to you."
Hearing this, Ameri looked at Shesi's playful antics and couldn't help but laugh.
"Of course, I definitely won't wait for you. It would be too embarrassing to be caught up to by my junior… Of course, if you can catch up, giving you a reward isn't out of the question." As Ameri spoke, her face suddenly turned red.
Shesi raised an eyebrow when he heard this.
"Oh~ Then I'll have to work hard. May I ask what the reward is?"
Ameri shushed him when she heard this.
"Secret! Then let's continue to work hard towards the goal of the peak of the Demon World." Ameri finished speaking and hung up directly, seemingly stimulated by Shesi's preparation to advance to [6].
Shesi lay on the bed when he heard this.
"The peak of the Demon World? Very interesting."
The next day, Shesi and Iruma each carried a huge backpack.
"Waaah, I'm so sad to part with Shesi and Iruma~" Grandpa cried loudly, circling around the two.
Shesi and Iruma could only helplessly watch Grandpa, who was eventually led away by Opera.
Shesi and Iruma each sought out their respective leaders… they should be considered the 13 Crowns, or more accurately, examiners.
Northern Demon World, Heruheru Wasteland
"Are you alright? You've been spacing out," Mephisto said, looking at Iruma.
"Ah, it's Mr. Mephisto."
"Yes, after all, the examiner cannot be someone close to you like Lord Sullivan, Lord Amy, or Bachiko. Mr. Azazel also seems to be too strict, so~ I will be the one. By the way, I will evaluate fairly."
"Ah… Then… the promotion test? What exactly do I have to do?" Iruma looked at the desolate surroundings confusedly, then at Mephisto.
"Relax, you don't have to do anything big. The [Skala] rank upgrade condition is to perform meritorious deeds beneficial to the Demon World."
..."So, what is my [Skala] test? Mr. Amaymon?" Shesi also arrived at the southern Shurushuru Rainforest of the Demon World and asked Amaymon, who was in front of him.
Amaymon assessed Shesi, then looked at him and asked unhurriedly, "Do you know the current situation?"
"Of course, although the previous Demon King Delkira ruled the Demon World, the Demon World is so vast that it has not yet been fully explored. Moreover, the northern battlefield is currently fighting against the former Great General [Yaluvilo], while the south is at war with the former Wise General [Kushinashi]. To be honest, if it weren't for our many talented individuals, I would be surprised that we've lasted this long." After listening to Shesi's words, Amaymon nodded. It seemed he was much stronger than his brother.
"Exactly. No demon knows how vast the Demon World truly is, and our scouts accidentally discovered a secret realm that leads to an unknown place." Amaymon led the way into a cave formed by two rocks.
"So? My mission is to explore?" Shesi raised an eyebrow. This test… shouldn't be this difficult. After all, to explore the unknown means that the creatures inside could also be unknown, unknown viruses, unknown creatures… This doesn't look like the difficulty for a rank [6] promotion at all.
Amaymon smiled when he heard this.
"Don't be scared, kid. Most of the threats inside have already been cleared out, and your task is just to do a field survey."
Amaymon's words made Shesi pause, then Shesi looked at Amaymon confusedly.
"So this is considered special treatment?"
"Hmph hmph, it seems you haven't realized how popular your recent identity is. Shura Hime-sama even had a big argument with her mother because of you."
"Eh?" Shesi was stunned. Indeed, Shura Hime hadn't invited him to a tea party recently.
"No, wait? Why is it because of me?"
Amaymon also shook his head.
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