Before the Rookie Hunt officially started, the teachers gathered everyone and announced the rules of the Treaty.
"Don't bother the other hunters. Don't leave the boundary lines. And most importantly — play nice. No reckless behavior," they warned, voices sharp and heavy with authority.
The moment the announcement ended, the chaos exploded. Several upper-year demons bolted into the open fields, eyes gleaming, searching for first-years to drag into their Divisions.
Several tried to approach Iruma immediately, but Alice effortlessly blocked them with controlled bursts of magic, creating a protective zone around Iruma. Others tried to reach Alice himself — no surprise, given his reputation — but he coldly repelled them, even burning their cheat sheets with precise blasts of flame.
Iruma remained where he was, arms crossed, observing everything.
So this is the Rookie Hunt... brutal.
Around him, first-year students were being grabbed, cornered, and even carried off like prey by larger demons. Some screamed. Some tried to resist. Others simply gave up.
Alice, noticing Iruma's quiet stare, adjusted his glasses with a cool gesture.
"It will quiet down soon," he said confidently. "Once the Division that controls the student body arrives — the Student Council."
True to his word, only minutes later, the noise died down like a flame snuffed out by a gust of wind.
Iruma turned instinctively, and froze.
Walking with commanding steps through the crowd was a tall, striking figure: Azazel Ameri.
Her very presence seemed to suppress the chaos. Students parted before her like waves before a ship. Authority clung to her like a second skin.
Iruma stared, stunned.
Wait... that's the President?
Alice leaned closer and whispered as if sensing his shock.
"That is Azazel Ameri, the President of the Student Council."
Iruma's mind reeled. He remembered Alice mentioning before that the President had taken an interest in him, but seeing her now — seeing how the entire crowd trembled under her silent authority — was something else entirely.
Then, Ameri's sharp, golden eyes locked onto Iruma. Without hesitation, she walked over.
Many students watched in awe, whispering among themselves.
"She must be going for Alice!"
"Of course, he's so powerful!"
But to everyone's shock, Ameri stopped directly in front of Iruma.
She held out a simple but official-looking flyer.
"You are invited to join the Student Council Division," she said in a firm voice. "Think about it."
And with that, without waiting for an answer, she turned and left, her subordinates moving crisply behind her.
Iruma stared after her, mind spinning.
What... just happened?
As the tension loosened, Iruma realized he needed some space.
"I'm going to step out for a bit," he said quietly.
Alice and Clara nodded, understanding. They had seen how intense that encounter had been.
"We'll be at the Classroom Tower if you need us, Iruma-sama," Alice said respectfully.
"See ya later, nya!" Clara chirped, waving both hands.
The three parted ways.
Iruma wandered toward the Classroom Tower, trying to clear his head. Posters, banners, and Division members flooded the halls, trying to lure in rookies. He gathered more flyers than he meant to, barely reading them as he walked.
Meanwhile, Alice moved like a knight, shielding Iruma from being mobbed, rejecting offers with elegant disdain. Clara, of course, cheerfully accepted a flyer from the Seduction Division, laughing all the while.
Soon, they ran into some familiar faces.
Lied, Jazz, and Kamui were gathered around a pillar, clutching different flyers.
"I'm joining the Game Division!" Lied said proudly, punching the air. "Strategic training, baby!"
"I'm looking at the Magical Development Division," Jazz said with a sly grin. "Perfect place to invent new spells... and maybe steal a few tricks."
"I'm aiming for the Female Body Division!" Kamui announced boldly.
Alice gave him a look so cold it could freeze lava.
"You are a disgrace. A true pervert," Alice declared, before shooting Lied and Jazz a glare. "And you two... playing games and stealing... unbelievable."
Lied, undeterred, turned to Iruma.
"Hey, Iruma! What Division are you thinking about? Bet you're crazy popular with that magic of yours!"
Iruma smiled awkwardly, feeling the weight of their expectant eyes.
"I don't really know yet..." he started to say—
But then, the Ring of Gluttony on his finger began to glow.
The familiar pulse of energy wasn't chaotic this time. It wasn't dragging him wildly or rampaging without control. No — this time, it simply tugged lightly, insistently, pointing him forward, like a guide.
Huh? It's... showing me the way?
Iruma looked at Alice and Clara.
"I'll catch up with you later," he said simply.
They both nodded, Clara waving with extra enthusiasm.
"Be careful, Iruma-chi!"
Iruma walked where the ring led him, past the bustling towers and colorful posters, down quieter halls. Step by step, the noise faded.
Eventually, he found himself standing before a forgotten storeroom — a small, dusty place where abandoned supplies and leftover relics had been dumped.
He pushed the door open with a creak.
Inside, it was dark and full of old, forgotten things.
And then — suddenly — smoke began to pour from his ring.
Iruma tensed instinctively, stepping back.
What's happening now...?
The smoke thickened, swirling around the room, condensing into strange, shimmering shapes.
Iruma narrowed his eyes, body low, ready for anything.
Ring... what are you trying to show me...?
The swirling smoke thickened, condensing into a rough humanoid shape floating before Iruma. Slowly, it formed a figure — small, robed, and with glowing red eyes peeking out from beneath a shadowy hood.
"My name... is Alikred, boy."
The voice was sly, but there was something ancient and curious hidden beneath it.
Iruma's violet eyes, calm and unreadable, narrowed slightly. He crossed his arms, surveying the being in front of him without urgency.
"You've been watching me...?"
"Hmph, of course. I've been watching you closely these days," Alikred said, spinning lazily in the air.
Iruma, ever sharp, moved straight to the point.
"What's your earliest memory?"
Alikred chuckled, smoke curling around his body like lazy mist.
"Dragging you here — to Now! It was a clear warning!" he said with a puffed-up voice.
Iruma gave a slow blink, unimpressed.
"...That was anything but clear," he said flatly.
Alikred let out a mischievous laugh.
"You're no fun, boy."
Iruma, calm as still water, analyzed the situation internally. This thing... it's been changing ever since that day.
"Tell me," Iruma said, voice steady, "what changed for you?"
Alikred twirled in a circle, his voice almost sing-song.
"Since you ranked up... everything became louder, brighter! I became... more."
So that's it, Iruma realized. Ali became more conscious when I ranked up...
He leaned against the wall casually, arms still crossed, his expression cool.
"That means if I keep ranking up... you'll keep evolving."
Alikred nodded eagerly, his eyes shining.
"Exactly. But if I change too much, others might notice."
Iruma closed his eyes briefly in thought. Another variable to control. But it's manageable.
After a pause, he opened his eyes and spoke with finality.
"Fine. We'll grow together... Ali."
Alikred blinked.
"Ali?"
"I'm not calling you 'Alikred.' It's too long," Iruma said simply, shrugging. His voice carried the usual coldness but softened slightly at the edges.
Ali floated in stunned silence for a second — then beamed, twirling higher into the air.
"Heh. Ali it is, then!"
The new bond between them settled like an unspoken pact. It wasn't loud or flashy. It was quiet, solid, inevitable — like the slow sharpening of a blade over time.
Despite the chaos swirling around him — the Rookie Hunt, the Divisions, the Student Council — Iruma felt something unshakable build inside his chest.
Step by step. I don't need to rush. I'll forge my path carefully... just like always.
That could be a problem. Especially if the Student Council is already interested in me...
But after a moment, Alikred waved his hand dismissively.
"Still, I think it's a good idea, Iruma. We're partners now, after all."
Iruma felt warmth in his chest at the casual use of his name — no "master," no strange formality. Just... Iruma.
He really sees me as an equal now.
He scratched his cheek awkwardly, feeling a little embarrassed.
"I'm not really comfortable with you calling me 'master' anyway," he admitted.
Alikred grinned wide, his red eyes flashing like tiny stars.
"Then it's settled. Iruma and Alikred. Partners!"
The smoky figure did a playful spin midair, clearly pleased.
Despite the whirlwind of events lately — the Rookie Hunt, Ameri, the pressure of the Divisions — Iruma felt something small and steady settle inside him.
Things might get crazier from here on out... but at least I'm not alone.
That night, Iruma lay in his bed, staring at the ceiling, the Ring of Gluttony — Alikred — warm against his finger.
Later that night, Iruma lay in bed, staring up at the dark ceiling of his dorm room. The Ring of Gluttony — no, Ali — glowed faintly at his finger, pulsing almost like a heartbeat.
Ali... we'll both keep getting stronger. Together.
His eyes slowly closed, a faint trace of a smirk tugging at his lips.