Just two simple lines were enough to raise Shinko Windy's favorability to seventy. Chiya felt like this thing measured not so much "favorability" as something closer to attitude or familiarity. After all, this was only their first time meeting.
Then again, for a stranger who had just said a few weird things to her, the fact that Shinko Windy could feel this close already really showed that she was still just a kid.
After spending so many days around her, Chiya had already figured it out. At her core, Shinko Windy wasn't bad, just playful. Like how he used to be back in elementary and middle school, messing up the classroom and causing chaos with his classmates.
By the time he got to high school, studies got busy, and he no longer had that kind of carefree time to waste, nor friends who would fool around with him like before. In university, it was even worse. His roommates either stayed holed up in the dorm all day or were constantly out. Some of them weren't even as close as classmates from other faculties.
Chasing Shinko Windy around these past few days had unexpectedly brought back those carefree memories.
So, if you asked whether he disliked her, the answer was no. Not really.
Hearing Shinko Windy's question, Chiya gave his name and added, "I'm just an ordinary trainer passing by."
"A trainer… hmph, no wonder." Shinko Windy snorted proudly. "So what business do you have with me, the Dark Demon King? Don't tell me you're here to curry favor with me. If you please me, I might grant you a position as one of my generals."
Just as childish as expected, always coming up with these strange settings.
He used to be like that too. Always talking about having some sealed power inside him, going on and on about it with classmates. Whenever he saw a stick by the roadside, he couldn't help but pick it up and imagine it was a holy sword.
Honestly, it was embarrassing.
But also kind of fun.
Looking at the Shinko Windy in front of him, Chiya was about to brush her off casually, since his goal was only to test whether the glasses' "favorability dialogue" actually worked.
But seeing her enthusiasm ignite like that, an idea suddenly came to him.
"Actually, I came to apply to join the Demon King's army."
"Oh? Interesting. As a hero, you wish to fall into darkness. But we don't accept useless people in the Demon King's army. What can you do?"
"I can… I can use magic," Chiya said quietly.
"What!?" Shinko Windy was startled. "C-come on, there's no way you can do something like that. If you want me to believe you, show me proof!"
"Of course. But I need a little time to prepare. Give me two minutes."
"Fine!"
Chiya quietly walked to a corner and pulled out his phone.
"Hello, Bamboo Memory? It's Chiya…"
Two minutes later, Chiya returned.
"Alright, I'm ready."
"Hurry up and show me!" Shinko Windy urged impatiently.
"Don't rush. I'll take you there now."
"Where?"
"Of course, to the Demon King's castle I built. A Dark Demon King must have a pitch-black castle, right?"
"Demon King's castle!" Shinko Windy's eyes lit up.
"I want to see it! Take me there!" She grabbed Chiya's hand like an excited child.
"Let's go."
Leading Shinko Windy along, Chiya brought her to a relatively secluded corner on the second floor of the teaching building. They stopped, and both looked up.
Shinko Windy's mouth dropped open.
In front of her stood a large gate, flanked by stone pillars. It was made of metal and gleamed brightly. On it, in blood-red letters, were written the words: "Demon King's Castle."
"T-this is so cool—!"
Shinko Windy jumped in excitement. She had no idea there was a place like this in Tracen!
Magic. This man really could use magic!
"Let's go inside," Chiya said, pushing the door open. Inside was pitch black.
"Th-this is a bit too dark…" Shinko Windy hesitated, unable to see even her own hand. She grabbed onto Chiya's arm.
"Well, it is the Dark Demon King's castle. Being dark is only natural. If you're scared, I can go in with you."
"W-who's scared! I'm the Dark Demon King! There's no way I'd be afraid of something like this! Watch closely, trainer. The Demon King is about to ascend her throne!"
Summoning her courage, Shinko Windy stepped inside.
Chiya remained outside and slammed the door shut with a bang.
"Eek!"
Shinko Windy jumped in fright.
Instantly, she could see nothing.
"Hey! What are you doing? Why did you close the door all of a sudden!?"
"Shinko Windy, you actually believed the hero's words," Chiya's voice came from outside. "I lured you here on purpose. Dark Demon King, count your sins."
Clap! Clap! Clap!
Three blinding spotlights lit up Shinko Windy. Dozens of figures emerged from the darkness. At the front stood a girl holding a bamboo sword, wearing an armband marked "Discipline."
The moment Shinko Windy saw her, she froze in terror.
More terrifying than any ghost.
The head of the disciplinary committee, Bamboo Memory.
"Shinko Windy."
Holding the bamboo sword, she stepped forward slowly, like a grim reaper delivering judgment.
"You've frightened teachers with masks, pranked classmates with chili spray, dug pits in the garden, broken into storage rooms, used open flames, and filled hallways with smoke. You've violated school rules repeatedly and refused to change. Today, you will receive punishment for your actions!"
Seeing the dozens of disciplinary members in the room, Shinko Windy nearly burst into tears. She pounded on the door.
"Trainer, save me! I'll make you my right-hand man! Hurry and save me!"
"Demon King, I will pass on your glorious deeds to the next generation as a warning."
"You despicable hero! Just you wait, even as a ghost I won't let you off—!"
"Threatening a trainer adds another charge! Shinko Windy, you're not going anywhere!"
Bamboo Memory and the others stepped forward.
A shrill scream echoed from the room, then silence.
A few minutes later, Bamboo Memory walked out.
"Is she still alive?" Chiya asked.
"Yeah. We just gave her a bit of discipline. Shinko Windy's a repeat offender. Her pranks have been getting worse. Not long ago, she even sprayed chili water into a student's eyes."
"I see…"
At least she hadn't done anything that extreme to Shirayuki.
"Still, I'm impressed you managed to set all that up so quickly," Chiya said, looking at the gate. Combined with the screams inside, it almost felt like a real Demon King's castle.
"We had a lot of leftover materials from a previous school event, so we just moved everything here," Bamboo Memory said, tapping one of the pillars, which looked solid but was actually foam painted over.
"Trainer Chiya, thanks for today. Shinko Windy should calm down for a while. But once she recovers, she might try to get revenge on you. If that happens, come find us."
"Got it."
"See you."
After Bamboo Memory left, Chiya adjusted his glasses.
Favorability: seventy-six.
Looks like Bamboo Memory now considered him a friend.
Not bad. And he also dealt with Shinko Windy in the process.
Even though he didn't dislike her, considering the student council's request, he still chose to hand her over. That was worth three recommendation slots. His progress would jump significantly. Getting into the student council was just around the corner.
Alright, time to test this on someone else.
Perfect timing, Rice Shower's classroom was just upstairs.
Just as Chiya was about to head up, a loud thud echoed down the hallway, as if someone had fallen.
He rushed over immediately and saw a small figure sitting on the floor.
"Rice!?"
"O-Onii-sama…?"
Hearing his voice, Rice Shower looked up.