Ryūko and Iruma were sitting on the back of the white demon bird. It went through somethings and ended up having Ryūko heal its wound. It seems to have grown attached to her. "I wonder if its just going to take us straight to the goal." Said Iruma. To his demise, Ryūko noticed the surroundings and signs telling them to stay away. "If this valley isn't giving us a chill, relaxing route... Oh-no! We got pushed down to Cutthroat Valley by accident!" Said Ryūko in shock. Oh boy, this won't end well.

Meanwhile With Sabnock

Sabnock was still fighting against the guardian of Cutthroat Valley. He couldn't withsatnd the guardian's attacks any longer. "I was too careless. At this rate..." Thought Sabnock, "The Guardian of Cutthroat Valley... Just as its name suggests, it is a formidable foe!" Giving up just wasn't Sabnock's option! He bit on the bronze tag hanging with a silver and gold tag on his necklace and he creates a bronze axe to fight with.

He charged towards the beast. "I cannot lose here... I must become the Demon King!" He thought. Sabnock then remembers his childhood, where he read the Demon King Prophecy Scroll, where his elder brother left his family to become the next Demon King, and where his younger sister has fallen ill and asking Sabnock to become the next Demon King, no matter the cost, as her last wish. But in reality... "" He released aloud, "" He threw away is broken bronze axe and bit the silver tag on his necklace to create a steel broadsword. He relentlessly attacked the Guardian, but to no avail. The Guardian swinged its leg and catapults Sabnock's sword and slammed him to the ground, nearly at the edge over scalding hot lava. He struggled to get back up.

"" Said Sabnock, "" Before the beast could deliver a final blow, Ryūko and Iruma slide in between Sabnock and the beast with their arms outstretched. "" Asked Ryūko now using Shakespeare English. He didn't respond, his eyes were fixed on her. "" Questioned Sabnock.

Ryūko never thought it would be the end of her time of protecting her brother, but before the Guardian launched an attack on her group, it stopped when the white demon bird was in front of it. It was talking to the Guardian. "" Asked Sabnock again. "What art I doing here? I, alongside Iruma, hast seen thou in danger so support thee we must." Answered Ryūko. "Could that be... the Guardian of Cutthroat Valley's child?" Asked Sabnock refering to the white demon bird. "Guardian? This massive beast is the Guardian of Cutthroat Valley? That's the Guardian's child?" Wondered Ryūko. Sabnock eyed on his broadsword, a few meters away from him. "This is my chance to attack!" Thought Sabnock. "Guardian! Your child's foot is okay now! You must've been upset that your child was injured right!" Said Ryūko to the Guardian, "Oh, we won't do anything! Right, Sabnock-san?" "" Sabnock just picked up his sword and was prepared to make another strike, but Ryūko interfered, "What art thou saying? This is our chance to-" "" Asked Ryūko with expectant and clear eyes. For some reason, Sabnock had a weird feeling in his gut, just by looking in her different coloured eyes.

"Drop thy weapon."

"But..."

"Quickly now."

Ryūko gave a smile and reassured Sabnock to drop his broadsword, then she, Iruma, and Sabnock put their hands up in order to give the message that they mean no harm. Then, the Guardian and its child proceeded to bow. Sabnocnk couldn't believe his eyes. "The Guardian... is bowing." Said Sabnock in suprise. Ryūko bowed back to the Guardian saying: "You're too kind! Really, it was no problem! I'm really happy for both of you!" The taller demon next to her was staring at her in awe. "So this is the honor student Ryūko... What an unbelieveable demon!" Thought Sabnock while Iruma told the Guardian to fly around too much yet.

Meanwhile With Kalego

Kalego was waiting for at least someone to reach the goal. "Someone should have reached the goal by now..." He said. Asmodeus, Lavande and Clara were the first to appear through the mist. "" Yelled Asmodeus making a land on the platform while holding Lavande in his arms and blinked, "Where are Iruma and Ryūko-sama?" "I guess you two are first." Said Kalego. " We made it to the goal! " Said Clara with excitement, getting off Asmodeus's back. "And... she's second?" Asked Kalego before turning to Lavande, "By the way, what happened to Félin?" "She was shot while evading flowers shooting projectiles at us." Explained Asmodeus. He then told Clara to go back to the start and fly to the goal on her own, since she spent most of the race on Asmodeus's back. "Huh? I don't see Ryūko and Iruma-chi." Said Clara. "I figured they'd already reached the goal." Said Asmodeus.

The sun was setting over the valley and the rest of Ryūko's classmates have already reached the summit. They have waited, but there was still no sign of Ryūko, Iruma or Sabnock. "There's no point in waiting." Said Kalego removing the said twins' names from the list, "The lesson is now over. I will now announce the ranks." Asmodeus didn't like his ideal one bit. " Neither Ryūko-sama nor Iruma-sama have arrived yet!" Objected the fire demon. "Those who do not return will be abandoned." Said Kalego.

But suddenly, a strong wind was picked up and the Guardian of Cutthroat Valley was flying towards the goal. "That's... the Guardian of Cutthroat Valley!" Said Kalego. "That's the Guardian?" Asked Asmodeus. "Why would it leave the valley?" Kalego prepare for a magical attack to protect his students, "" Iruma and Ryūko waved: "" Ryūko wished, she had a camera to snap a photo of Kalego's face. His shocked expression was priceless. "Hey! It's Ryūko-chi, Iruma-chi and Goldie!" Exclaimed Clara. "I-Iruma-sama! Ryūko-sama!" Asmodeus and Lavande couldn't get their eyes of their friends. Them being on the back of the Guardian was a truly wonderful sight.

And so, Ryūko, Iruma and Sabnock arrived at the summit and Kalego puts their names back on the list. Ryūko thanked the Guardian for taking the three of them to the goal on time. She thought things would end well, but unfortunately...

They had to sit inside a fenced spot with signs hanging around their necks. Ryūko and Iruma had the signs saying whereas Sabnock's sign says . Probably for not breaking stuff again. "I will now annouce the ranks." Said Kalego. At the cue, a white, three yellow-eyed owl lands on his right shoulder, "This is a Rank Owl. He was watching and examining your every move."

"We've seen a lot of birds today."

"It's birdy bird day!"

"There's also that one other bird too..." Joked Jazz about Kalego as a familiar. "Moving on. If you put your hand in to the pocket on its belly, he'll give you your ranking badge like this." Said Kalego doing what he said before talking to the three, "You filth who came in last will be last to get ranked as well." Clara threw small rocks at Sabnock saying: "You suck." This made the other classmates laugh. "That should teach you a lesson. Enjoy having everyone laugh and throw rocks at you." Smirked Kalego. He probably made the most punchable smirk ever. "" Yelled Sabnock, "Such humiliation..." "Sabnock-san. Let us just be grateful that we did not get expelled, since we came back with the Guardian." Said Ryūko. "Hmph. The look on their faces were quite a sight." Said Sabnock. Iruma nodded in agreement.

The blond demon then turned to face the gothic girl. "Ryūko, this is something I could not have accompliced on my own." Said Sabnock, "Allow me to show thee my gratidute. I am not match for thee, Ryūko. I apologise for my rudeness towards you and Iruma. Thou art truly amazing. And, starting today, I dub thee my " "What? Thy rival?" Questioned a suprised Ryūko. "Let us compete for the Demon King's throne!" Declared Sabnock giving Ryūko a thumbs up. "Sabnock-san, I appreciate this declaration, but I have not intention of becoming the-" "" Commanded Kalego.

Asmodeus was the first to get his rank, he was a, so was Lavande who was the second to earn her rank. They're the heads of the class, alright. "First years are usually or at best!" Said Camui.

Most everyone was ranked either Alef or Bet. Clara and Jazz were the only ones who were ranked . And Clara in this rank, irked Asmodeus. " Why in the world are you a Gimel? That can't be right!" Argued Asmodeus. "" Said Clara. "I'm ranked higher than you, you fool!" Cleared up Asmodeus. "She did place second in the race. I guess luck is also a valid skill." Said Kalego. "I cannot accept this!" Growled Asmodeus. Sabnock was next and got Bet. He doesn't seem to be dissapointed with his result. "Bet, eh? Very well. I came very close to dying just moments ago." Thought Sabnock, "This is not enough to set me back. I will simply climb the ranks and aim to become the Demon King." Iruma was next and thought for a while: "Sabnock-kun's amazing... He actually has a dream for the future. I wonder what's going to happen to me and Ryūko here in the Netherworld." He didn't hold himself back any longer and put his hand into the owl's pocket.

"Maybe he'll pull out something weird again." Said Jazz. "Like his familiar teacher?" Joked Lead. " Hmph. The Rank Owl is solemn and true. Nothing can sway it." Said Kalego, "Not to mention, this Rank Owl hasn't even made a peep in centur-" Before Kalego could finish his sentence, the owl started screeching, "" The owl fluttered frantically in circle before it regained it composure and returned to its original position. "W-What is wrong? He didn't give me my badge..." Everyone was astonishingly staring at Iruma's right hand.

"Iruma-sama..."

"Iruma-chi, what's that?"

Iruma eneded up wearing a golden ring on his middle finger. And then, the Rank Owl made another screech when Ryūko had her hand in its pocket. This time, the owl flew away, without giving Ryūko her badge either. Everyone's attention was directed to her. "Hey, wait! Seriously? He didn't give me my badge either." Said Ryūko.

"Lady Ryūko, your middle finger..."

"Ryūko-chi, you bave something weird too."

She then stared at the platinum ring she just obtained on her middle finger of her right hand. It had the same oppressing aura Iruma's ring has. "T-Those are..." Sabnock remembered what was written on the Demon King Prophecy Scroll. It was said to predict who the next Demon King is.

The Demon King Prophecy Scroll

They shall make one and all their servants.

They shall form blood pacts and heal all demonkind.

They shall descend from a foreign realm and wear the platinum and golden Rings of Solomon on their right hands.

"D-Don't tell me those are the platinum and golden signs of the Demon King... !" Said Sabnock. Ryūko and Iruma tried to remove their rings, but they won't come off. They approached their classmates, trying to ask them for help, but they seem to be scared of something. "W-Why do they look so scared?" Asked Iruma. "Maybe because of that... thing on your shoulder." Said Ryūko pointing at the strange flame and cat-like creature clinging on Iruma's shoulder. He panicked, but when he saw Ryūko's shoulder, he shakily pointed at it saying: "O-O-Onē-chan... L-Look on your... On your..." Ryūko looks over her shoulder, seeing a ghostly, black peacock on her. Unlike Iruma, she doesn't seem to react, but tries to find a way to get rid of it by shaking her hand up and down.

"" Screamed Iruma. Asmodeus came over to him, trying to calm him down. "Please calm down, Iruma-sama!" Said Asmodeus. "No, I must be overthinking things. I never heard of the Rings of Solomon producing black flame cat and a peacock." Said Sabnock. Iruma ran after Kalego, desperately asking for his help. "" Begged Iruma. Kalego fleed from Iruma and shouted: "" Then, Iruma's strange entity started sing an unholy melody, even Ryūko's peacock. The screeching song was so deafing with the flaming creature already, but with the peacock, it was worse and it could make someone bleed their ears out. In fact, it was so loud that the whole school heard it, even Opera and Sullivan, though they don't seem to be in pain or agony hearing it. "A-Are you guys alright?" Asked Iruma to his other classmates. "You're somehow okay, Iruma-kun?" Asked Lead, "What about Ryūko-chan?" Ryūko was fine too, but it seems like she couldn't hear them, even her brother can't be heard. "If you two are okay, then make these things stop screevhing already!" Said Lead while he and the others writh on the ground. "Right! Uh, to make them stop screaming... D-Do we go like this?" Asked Iruma. He and Ryūko were cradling their entities. "I just meant you should cover their mouths or beaks!" Shouted Lead. Ryūko let go of her peacock and sang a dark, yet elegant melody.

"Now that I know what I'm without

You can't just leave me

Breathe into me and make me real

Bring me to life."

The parts of that song seemingly were able to stop the peacock from screaming anymore and it calmed down. But then, Clara decides to sing a lullaby for the entities which went like...

"Sleepy, sleepy, sleepy times.

Once you rolly roll to bed,

You'll never wake up again."

"Now there's even more unwanted noise!" Yelled Asmodeus.

"Someone shut her up too!" Yelled Lead. Suprisingly, the both songs seem to bring the ring creatures down. Iruma's entity liked Clara's singing, while Ryūko's... it got agitated and prefers Ryūko's singing. She held the peacock tightly before it decided to peck Clara's eyes out. But at least, they're not screaming anymore.

"Bye-bye, baby.

Beddy bye-bye."

The other students got interested in the enitities and started to take pictures of them and feed them candy. "" Shouted Kalego. "All right! Leave this to me!" Said Sabnock approaching Iruma. He warned Sabnock that it maybe too dangerous to come too close to it. "Fear not, my rival." Said Sabnock, "I'll easily pull this black smoke out-" The flame cat-like spirit touched his nose and Sabnock collasped. Asmodeus was going to try and get rid of it, too, but it chomped on his head and then he collasped. "A-Are you okay?" Asked Iruma. "I'm perfectly fine, Iruma-sama." Said Asmodeus, "Th-Though it appears to have sucked away some of my powers... Fear not! I barely even felt a thin-" The entity chomped on him again, only this time, Asmodeus ended up coughing out blood. It's clear that the damage is substantial.

Kalego grabbed both siblings' shoulder to further inspect the spirits. "Hey, Iruma and Ryūko. Let me fet a closer look-" Something made an illusion that Kalego saw his arm cut off. Iruma's entity was threatening Kalego, he clicked his tounge before looking over to Ryūko's peacock. It's blood red eye were staring deep into his soul. "Sensei, is everything alright?" Asked Ryūko. Kalego stepped back, looking back at his hand. "Two illusions? No... They're me! I see." Thought Kalego. He then raised a finger saying: "This... " But then, his intentions were stopped by Sullivan. "Hey, now. That's not allowed." Said Sullivan.

"Grandpa/Grandfather!"

"Chair-Demon!"

"Hi hi, your grandpa is here!" Greeted Sullivan to his grandchildren before he proceeds to scold Kalego, "Bad Kalego-kun! You were about to try to blow Ryūko-chan and Iruma-kun's arms off, weren't you?" Ryūko tried to hold back her cute laughter thinking: "Overprotective much?" "I thought the other students might be in danger." Said Kalego. "Bad! Haste makes waste!" Scolded Sullivan while the twins sweatdropped, "Sheesh! I was startled by the noise, so I came out to check, and..." Iruma's enity decided to choose Sullivan as its next victim.

""

"There we go. Eat up."