"Excuse me?" I tilt my head. What did he just say? I think I must have misheard.

"I said that I would like to know your true goal, demon." Thorvadis' tone doesn't change, but he puts emphasis on the last word.

How does he know? The saint wasn't able to tell when she assessed my affinities, and we both had about the same amount of physical contact. Ah, good thing I didn't stupidly blurt out that question. Can I play dumb? No, he said it as if he knows for a fact that I'm a demon. But why? I didn't let anything slip, I even said I wanted to take down the demon lord with my party, which seems to fire up anyone in this world. Could it be that he saw through my lie? That I didn't put all my heart into it?

What should I do? This guy looks like he'd be able to fire some high level spells without even chanting. Luna's spells already look like they could kill me, unlike physical attacks from human weapons. I don't want to face someone like that without any proper knowledge of magic. This came at the worst timing ever. I might be strong, but there's still too much I don't know about counter-magic battle. I mean, maybe the light shield is strong, but I don't think it'll be able to block all kinds of spells. If I fought, I'd drag Kamii into it, too. Even if she has some fighting capabilities, this is without a doubt beyond her.

Senka? Maybe she can help me? But I don't know what she's capable of, and whether she's the offensive or defensive type. If she could protect Kamii so that I don't have to worry about her... but no, even then, I still don't know how strong this old man is. What if he takes me out in an instant? Kamii would lose her mind and surely try to attack him to avenge me. Then she'd be killed, too.

Even if I was able to beat him, what then? Even if he's the strongest mage in the kingdom, I'm still in enemy territory and far from the Demon Continent. Let's say I kill him, then I'd still have to get out of here. There are surely a lot of talented mages in this academy, and if they find out, they'll all come down on me with their full power. Quantity, in that case, will beat quality. Even ten mages on Luna's level would pose a problem - even if they took a while to chant - and it feels like there're going to be far more than that here. And then it still comes down to the problem of protecting Kamii.

But wait, if he hated demons as much as normal humans do, he wouldn't have given away the fact that he knows about me. He should have blasted me away with a spell before I could react. There must be a reason for him to go out of his way to tell me that he knows what I am. Or is this a bluff and he's just testing me? If I answer in the affirmative, he might just outright kill me right here and now. But if I play dumb while he actually knows, he might do the same. Damn, I feel like my head will start to overheat, if this continues.

What do I do? My grip on Senka intensifies and I look to Kamii. It's not just my own life, it's hers, too. I can only make a gamble, and if things go wrong, I will have to give it my all to fight my way out. I won't let it end here!

"My personal goal is to lead a peaceful life, and give this child a warm home." After what felt like an eternity in thought, but was really just a few seconds in reality, I finally respond. I'll have to go with this old man not being a xenophobe who hates all demons and wants to eradicate them on sight.

"Ah, a truly relatable goal." He strokes his beard and laughs a typical old man laugh. "I can see that she is very precious to you. What is her name?"

"Kamii..." I respond cautiously.

"Your compassion for her is commendable, especially coming from a demon." Ugh, I can't tell what he's thinking at all. He doesn't seem fazed by my admittance, so it means he actually somehow knew that I'm a demon.

"Knowing that I am a demon, what do you intend to do with me?" I ready myself, in case I have to fight. I'll take Kamii and Senka inside my body, cast a volley of spirit spears at him, transform into a Vularen and run for our lives.

"No need to be so tense, Miss Marcott. You are scaring her." He points at Kamii, who looks up to me with a worried expression. I must have made a scary face. Damn you, old man. "As I said before, we accept any talent into the academy, but we need to know your affiliation. I can tell that your response was truthful."

Wait, what? Well, it was the truth, I prefer peace over war, and I want Kamii to be happy. But how can he tell? A hunch or is there more at work?

"How did you know that I am a demon?" I need to know, although he doesn't have any obligation to tell me. And even if it's already too late, I still want to see whether it's his personal experience or skill, or an acquired ability that others could have, too.

"I simply have the talent to see things others cannot." He leaves it at that. That's really vague, but somehow sounds really overpowered. "Now, as for the reasons I am even talking to you, and have not killed you - they are simple." That was straightforward... "One, your elemental affinities. Demons generally have the dark affinity, and maybe one or two nature elements." He looks into my eyes intently, his expression indiscernible, but filled with a feeling I don't like. "Having all affinities is unheard of. Even among the gods, there is not one who is said to have that." I'm more amazing than the gods of this world? Doesn't change the fact that I feel like a rat frozen under a snake's gaze. "It is my duty as a mage to learn more about you." Lab rat frozen under a scientist's gaze.

"I feel honored..." A snide remark doesn't hurt here, I hope. I don't want to just lie down and do nothing, even though I know it's futile...

"Secondly..." He ignored me. "... your love for that cursed child, Kamii, is real. An existence that humans shun in the best cases, and will persecute and kill in the worst case. For a demon to show such compassion, you cannot be considered evil." I'd also like to think of myself as good, but I think it just comes down to points of view. To the humans, the man-eating demons are evil, while to the demons, the humans that attack their homes with large armies are evil. Ah, did I just have a very profound realization about the world there? Aaand it's gone.

"Yes, she is very important to me, and I will do everything in my power to make her happy." Why does it sound like I'm asking Kamii's father for her hand in marriage? Please give her to me, father. Who are you calling father?! Uh, I shouldn't be thinking about jokes in this kind of situation. While he's saying that he won't outright kill me, it's very possible that he'll just lock me up in a dungeon and experiment on me.

"There is one thing I would like to know, however. Why are you in our kingdom? It is a long way from the Demon Continent. And for a spy, you are too incompetent." Ouch.

"I have been banished by the demon lord." I'm practically telling the truth here. I was randomly thrown somewhere in this world, and it just happened to be here. "I was sent through the transportation network without even clothes on my back, left to die in the human territories. It was the kindness of humans that saved me from starvation and certain death." That's an alternative truth.

"I see..." What do you see? "In either case, I will approve of your enrollment at the academy. However, know that you will be kept under close surveillance." Wait, does that mean I won't be locked up in a cell and used as a lab rat?

"Why... are you letting me live?" What are you asking, me???

"You are not the only demon enrolled at this academy, Miss Marcott. They each have their own circumstances, but none of them have a home to return to on the Demon Continent." Thorvadis stands up and walks to the large window behind his desk, to look into the distance. "I like to think that the majority of demons and humans are not so different from each other. Aside from the physical characteristics, of course. We are both born from parents, have people who are important to us and value life in our own ways." Ahhh, this guy's an idealist. "Of course, there are evil demons, but the same goes for humans." I think maou-mama is one of those evil ones, even though she's a ditz.

"So, I am allowed to attend classes normally?" I feel like I shouldn't be thinking about school under these circumstances, but rather about how I can get out of here as quickly as possible. But I'm intrigued by the prospect of meeting other demons at this academy, too. I've only ever seen the anthropomorphic animal maids, maou-mama - who is the same as I - and whatever Mithra is. And learning magic is still important to me.

"Indeed, you are. Remember, that your behavior will be judged, and any transgressions, whether that be against humans or fellow demons, will be punished." Go figure. But that's pretty normal, only that they're watching me more closely than other students, I guess? "Do you have other questions?" He turns around to me with a smile.

"... I would like you to keep my being a demon a secret from the other students." I don't want to receive any special treatment, and most likely discrimination from the humans - also, being accused of betrayal by Luna and her party, when they learn about it.

"That, I cannot guarantee. It will be up to your behavior. My students are all very perceptive and will most likely see through you almost immediately." It can't be? My perfect disguise isn't something so weak that any child can see through! Well, it was easily seen through by this old man, but that's because he must have had a lot of experience with demons - and most likely a cheat-like ability to see a person's stats or something. "Know, though, that we do not tolerate discrimination among each other. Everyone is here in pursuit of knowledge and mastery in the arcane arts."

I know from my previous life that schools are a breeding ground for bullying. It's always been a reflection of society in its most raw state. Teachers had no power to supervise the students at all times, so they would find a target to let out all their pent up stress and pressure on. There were even those who would bully outside of school, by harassing their targets every waking hour. I'm proud to say that I stood up against it in my class and that it declined to the point where I didn't notice it anymore. It's one of those things I can't forgive. After all, a friend of mine nearly committed suicide in her first year of high school due to bullying... Ah, my thoughts are moving into a direction I don't want them to again...

"You will find that I am the first to condemn discrimination, Master Eklundstrom." How did our conversation come to this from me being found out as a demon? Not that I'm complaining about there being no repercussions to it. At least no apparent ones right now.

"Is that so? That is good to hear." He is genuinely happy to hear me say that. I can say that he is at least a good person. "Really, though. Your existence is fascinating, Miss Marcott." And now he's staring at me intently. Ahhh, you're undressing me with your eyes! Sexual harassment right after I praised you in my mind! It's like I'm an office lady working at a black company! "A demon with an affinity for light magic is just as unheard of as having all elemental affinities. I hope to learn much from you." Why do I feel like he means from my body, after he puts me in formaldehyde? He takes up the bell from his table and rings it once.

A knock on the door almost immediately after announces the person that enters without waiting for a response. A man in a black robe, with long, straight black hair and pale white skin enters. His eyes are a piercing crimson, with eyebrows that seem to be curled up in an eternal frown. He seems to have a prideful disposition, since his posture is very straight and he's literally looking down at Kamii and I with his chin held high.

Everything about him screams vampire...

"Basarab, please give the ladies a tour of the academy." I can finally get away from Thorvadis. "Be advised, they are more than meets the eye." He's smiling at these words. I guess that's the code expression for saying that I'm a demon.

"Understood." Basarab's voice... I think I just felt something in my nether regions... "I am Basarab Laiota, instructor for defense against dark magic. Please follow me." Ahhh, I think I'll melt away, if you speak any more~