"I can't believe I am going to school... Again! At my age!!!" the celestial sighed.

"How old are you Ikarus?" asked Alastor.

"You know it's rude to ask a woman's age? Ikarus glared at Alastor.

"My apologies miss Ikarus! Master Alastor did not have many interaction with the opposite gender aside from me and his sister so his etiquette is still lacking." Stella bowed her head to Ikarus.

For only a few days staying, Stella seemed to have opened up to Ikarus. Most likely since they shared the same interest: Alastor.

Ikarus was curious about the boy. She wanted to be able to understand him, to see things from his view of point. And Stella was more than happy to talk about him.

Together with Edward, the trio were currently in a carriage on their way to Helios Academy. Thanks to lord Richard, Alastor and the others have secured a place in the Academy but they still needed to pass a verification test to evaluate their level and find out which class they would be assigned to.

"Uhmm.. Master!" a soft voice spoke out.

"Edward I told you that outside our training session, you will call me Alastor. It would be be weird for others to hear you say that." Alastor said.

"Sorry. Alastor, can I ask you to stay away from me at school?" Edward uttered.

"What an odd request! Why?" Alastor, bored from the chat between the girls, turned to young Edward upon hearing the unusual request.

"Tasha must have told you already. People...are not very king at school with me. They think I am a demon sympathiser. If you hang out with me, they may ...."

"Bully me too? Is that what you want to say? Really now Edward? Remember what I have done until and look into my eyes! Do you think some brats who can barely use magic can stand up to me?" Alastor raised his voice.

"No no that's not what I meant. It's just..."Edward mumbled.

Alastor understood what Edward was trying to say. He was only worried about involving Alastor and the others. He understood it but he didn't like it. Not because Edward was underestimating him but because Edward did not ask for his help. Within the short time with the young noble, Alastor has felt a certain fondness toward the boy. Perhaps because he could be considered his first friend in his entire life.

"You and I are going to be just fine!" smiled Alastor.

On arrival at the school's gate, the group separated from Edward and followed the newly admitted students to the gathering place where the exam would take place.

Inside the immense amphitheater, all the students have formed into two lines. At the head of each was a teacher from the school, asking each student to come forward for their evaluation.

"Next, Ikarus and Stella! Please come forward and put your hands on this crystal!"

When the two girls came up on the scene, the auditorium was filled with whispers.

"Wow! Two incredible beauties!"

"Are they some kind of royalties or something?"

"Hey dude, you think I have a chance ?"

Not just the students, but also the two examiners could not hide their excitement once they finished their evaluation.

"Two Dominus!!! Do you realize what this means? I thought the crystal would break the moment they touch them. In my entire life I have never seen any first year student above Sapius. And now two Dominus on the same day!!! And we have barely started. I think this year will be quite fruitful professor Logan." said the female teacher.

"Indeed professor Frith! One with expert level in two elements. The other one has soul magic. Where the hell do these kids come from?" the male teacher could not believe in what the crystal was showing him.

But they quickly quelled their emotion as there were still many others students waiting.

"Anyway let's continue! Next Alastor! Please come forward!"

The young boy slowly walked to the front. The lines were composed of students of all different age. This was because there was no age restriction in Helios. People were free to join the Academy at any stage of their life. Also there was no fixed number of years of studies. A student may spend one year or ten years at the Academy until they reached the level they desired.

While Alastor didn't want any unnecessary attention, he must made an impression if he ever wanted to approach the prince. Apparently he was considered a genius among his peers. And there were rumors about how the prince was prolonging his stay at Helios to recruit capable followers so he could increase his influence against the Archduke. This meant that by playing the cards right, the prince would come to Alastor himself without needing to do anything.

Alastor raised his arms and touched the mana stone. Infusing your mana into one such stone would make it illuminated. The brighter the light the stronger the individual. But as soon as Alastor touched it, the stone beamed brightly and shattered. The once noisy room now was silent.

"It broke....he broke the stone!!! Imperatus? Or Phaedrus? or you think?" the female teacher shouted with astonishment.

"Can't be! Calm yourself Frith! You, inform the headmaster! Quick!" the male professor yelled at a senior student who was there to help."As for you young man, please come with us!"

'It seems I overdid a bit!' Alastor thought before being dragged away.

.....

.....

.....

Alastor was now inside a room together with the two examiners. There were old books lying around everywhere, some covered by layers of dust. Behind a large wooden desk, an old man was standing looking out the window. He turned back and observed the young boy carefully. He made a gesture telling the teachers to go out being turning back to Alastor.

"Greetings young man! My name is Ganon, headmaster of Helios Academy. I heard that you caused some ruckus during this morning entrance exam." the old man brought out the broken pieces of the crystal Alastor touched earlier. "Do you realize what you have done?"

But Alastor feigned ignorance.

"Mana crystal like this one has many applications. One of them is to evaluate the level of the holder by simply infusing mana into it. But the one used for the entrance exam has a limit. Are you familiar with Helios ability rank?" Ganon continued.

Alastor just turned his head.

"Everyone inside Helios, including the students and the staff, is ranked according to their power level. From weakest to strongest:

- Discipulus

- Peritus

- Sapius

- Dominus

- Imperatus

- Phaedrus

- Deus

This system allows us to group up people with the same level for them to facilitate the studies. Now because the entrance exam usually has students who have barely discovered magic, the crystal can only measure up to Dominus rank. Anything above that will overcharge the crystal and break it, like you did.

Unfortunately we currently have no crystals capable beyond that. This makes ranking you a bit difficult. But since you are still young, I think it would be best to assume your rank as Imperatus. Because honestly there is no class beyond Imperatus, simply because there are no students reaching those ranks yet."

"No one at this school is above Imperatus? Kind of disappointing to have those ranks if there is no one for it no?" Alastor asked.

"Now now I never said that. No students yes but there are still members of the staff. Well not most of them are but for example myself is rank Deus." Ganon said.

"Does it mean you are the strongest in this country?"

"Hohoho! I sure hope so. But no! When compared to the Guild rank system for example, I would be an S-rank. But even among S-ranks there are different levels. Not all of them are equal. Let's say I am in the top tier but not THE best.

As for Helios ranking system, this hierarchy is strictly unique to Helios. However I can assure you that our rank is not just for show. If you are a Dominus or above, you already have the qualification to be a commander of your own squad in the royal army. I think I don't need to explain for the rest." Ganon showed a proud face on his face.

It was no coincidence that his school has produced so many talents and now it seemed a genius has once again appeared. He must have him. That would ensure Helios reputation even more.

"Anyway I am sure you will enjoy being in this class. If you are lucky you might be acquainted with the prince of Ceadric!" Ganon added.

"The prince is also in my class?" Ganon finally caught Alastor's attention.

"Of course! He is one of the best students at Helios after all. He may be a bit older than you but I am sure you could be friends!"

"If that's what you say. Alright I am just a kid so I should follow what my elders tell me to." Alastor said.

"Just a kid you say....the least I can tell is that you are already stronger than most of the people in the school. Who are you really?" the headmaster pressed the question.

"The demon lord"

"Hahaha! You sure have a sense of humor. It's fine if you don't want to tell me. Everyone got a secret or two. Anyway it's late but welcome to Helios Academy young Alastor!"

* * *

After the meeting with the headmaster, I was guided to my classroom by one of his aide. On the way, the teacher gave me a badge to pin on our coat. It showed our rank for easier recognition and certain areas in the school were reserved or prioritized for advanced students only.

As expected of the prominent class of the school, it was filled with big shots: nobles, royalties. All were relatives of someone influential in the world. Perhaps beside the prince, I should make a few connections here and there.

"Everyone, starting from today, Mr. Alastor will be joining our class. He is still young so I hope you can guide him along the way and treat him with respect, as you do with everyone else. Alastor, we have reserved a seat for you at the front. Please go to your seat!" the female teacher presented me to the class. If I remembered correctly, her name was Frith.

I went to the empty seat on the first row to the left. Next to me sat a young man in his twenties. He had short brown hair and black eyes. The moment I sat down, he extended his hand to greet me.

"Hello there! The name is Colin. Nice to meet you!" the young man said.

"Likewise! I am Alastor!" I said to him.

"Wow you really are tiny. How old are you?" Colin looked curiously at me.

"Eleven." I answered

"You must be a genius then. I have been here since your age but I started with the Peritus rank. How did you do it?"

"Just some usual home studies that's all."

"Really? At any case please ask me anything if you have a question!"

"About that, I heard that we have a prince is in our class. Which one is he?" I asked Colin.

"You mean prince Charles of Ceadric? Yes he is in this class but he is not in today. I heard he is busy going around recruiting people in their final year at Helios so they could join the royal guard or army of Ceadric. The teachers don't really mind since he has already finished his curriculum a few months ago and soon he will be crown as the next king of Ceadric." explained Colin.

"I see. Thanks for the help!"

"Anytime buddy!"

.....

.....

.....

After the first few days at school I observed that there were very few Zagonians were in the school. I remembered Mephisto talking about the building tension between Zagon and Ceadric but I thought since Helios was outside of both countries' jurisdiction, it would not affect this.

But this should not be my immediate concern. I still could not find the prince or rather the prince still did not come finding me. Perhaps he was too busy to even hear about me. Looks like I had to create an even bigger uproar.

Anyway this school was really big, almost like a small city outside Cedra. After the first day, when I moved to the dorm, I learnt that I would have a room for myself and it was right next to Edward's. As for Stella and Ikarus, they seemed to have been even more famous than me thanks to their charm. Many boys have tried their chance only to have their dreams broken almost immediately when Stella said that she was mine. When I saw the broken heart boys looking at me jealously, I could not keep it to myself. This feeling of superiority! Their bitterness against me! How wonderful! I really was a sadist.

"Hey you little brat! Come over here!" a voice shrieked from behind.

I turned back, only to see three guys older than me. I pointed at myself to see if they were talking to me.

"Yes you. Come here!" the big guy in the middle said.

"If you want to talk to me, isn't good manners to come to me instead of me coming to you?" I said to him.

"Don't you dare be a smart ass in front of me! I don't know how you did it but I don't believe in a second that you really are an Imperatus. You trick everyone to think you are so great. You even trick Miss Stella!"

Oh dear, so this was all about Stella. So this guy was a broken soul who sought revenge against me.

"Really now? You call me for this? Don't you have better things to do than bullying kids?" I said to them.

"Take this you little rascal!"

The big guy hit the ground with both of his hands but with a single side-step I avoided the attack.

"Not done yet!" the guy shouted.

From the ground, sharp rocks shot out toward me. With a single stomp of my feet, I raised an earth wall to protect myself.

"He can use earth magic. Use wind!" the big guy called the second one.

The second guy chanted his spell and made several invisible wind slashes. But his aim was a little off so a few nearby trees was cut down. He cast the spell again and this time it was absorbed by my hand. I made sure that no one saw the black hole on my hand. From afar it was as if the spell simply vanished mid-way.

"You miss again idiot?" the big guy shouted in anger.

"No I swear it hit him"

"The hell it did. Look at him! Does he look like injured to you?"

These idiots. Now that I looked more carefully. They had the Dominus badge. So in same level as Ikarus and Stella. Of course I told Ikarus and Stella to purposely drop their level down to avoid too much attention. Three Imperatus enrolled at the same time? Imagine what would happen and it would be too suspicious.

Seeing how their magic did not work so well, the three brought out their swords. Did the school really allow students to bring weapons on its premises ?

"What is going on here?" a voice interrupted.

It was Ikarus, followed by Stella behind.

"Miss Stella and miss Ikarus! Hi..." the idiot trio quickly hided their weapons and greeted the girls.

"What are you doing?" asked Stella.

"Just....hanging around....nothing special!" two of the guys tried to change the subject. But unfortunately for them, their leader did not think the same.

"Miss Stella, you are just being tricked by this piece of shit. Don't let that scoundrel fool you!" the big idiot accused me.

"What did you say?" Stella changed her tone. I could see her clenching her fists. That did not look good.

"I just...." the moron continued but before he could speak, his neck was grasped. The seemingly harmless girl now held someone bigger than her on air so easily. She brought down his face to hers before stamping him down, making a crack on the ground.

"YOU. DON'T. FUCKING. SPEAK. TO. HIM. LIKE. THAT. YOU. SCUM!!!" each word followed by a blow to the face. Everyone, including me, was stunning by the sudden change of personality in Stella.

"STELLA STOP!" as if my words have awaken her from her anger, Stella stood up and looked at the mess she has done. The guy was beaten to a pulp, his face unrecognizable because of all the blood and the swelling. Stella's white gloves has been drenched in blood.

I took her hands and looked at her face. It was always difficult to tell her expression but I could the disbelief in her eyes. She herself did not know she was capable of such a thing.

To make matter worse, here came the teachers. At first they accused me of bullying the others three but thankfully Ikarus and a few others students have explained to them that it was the trio who came to me first. Thankfully what Stella was considered as self defense so she would not be temporarily suspended like the others three.

That night I had a little talk with Stella.

"Stella are you okay?"

"I am fine. I apologize for making you worry about me Alastor!" she gave me a forced smile.

"How many times have I told you Stella? We are family. We stick together and we help each other unconditionally. That's what family is for. So don't ever say things like that again."

"I am sor....I understand."

"Do you want to talk about it?" I asked her.

"I don't really know why. When I heard him saying that to you, something inside me made me .....agitated. Is this what they called anger?"

"Even so don't you think it was a bit over line? It's not like I was in danger or anything. But I guess if someone say something like that about you, I am not sure I would be able to hold back." I confessed.

"Somehow hearing that makes me...happy." she finally smiled, and this time genuinely.

I pat her head. Her hair really was silky. I knew her body was a doll but this just felt too real. With that, we spent the night watching the pale moonlight brightening the dark sky.

"I wonder what Alice has been up to lately. I should speak with her tomorrow."

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