Chapter 3

The arena has been split into various sections .

An owl is perched on one of the bronze statues of knights that are lined up nearby and speaks .

Please line up by the letter that was printed on your invitation card .

Looking at my invitation I could see the letter F printed on it .

Mishas is?

. E . she says while showing me the invitation .

An owl flies to the end of each line carrying a piece of parchment with a letter on it .

Well then . My best regards on entering this school .

Nn .

Separating from Misha I line up in the F row . Its a long line but I peer ahead using my demon eye .

It looks like we enter a waiting room one at a time .

It looks like my turn will take some time . At a rough count, there are about 100 people ahead of me .

All 7 lines are the same though so theres about 700 people here .

I know its been 2000 years but my decedents have increased well .

It seems my worry about my bloodline dying out was unnecessary .

While idly thinking such things I wait for time to pass .

After a while, Im finally at the front of the line looking at the waiting room .

Entering inside theres another owl waiting again .

Whos familiar is this?

I cant feel any traces of magic power so I cant see who its master is . They have hidden themselves well .

It seems there are some decent magic users in this age after all .

Welcome, please come in . Ill explain the contents of this practical exam .

Inviting me and examining me . I cant judge if the admission for this school is right or wrong though their first purpose is to find the reincarnated demon king .

This is the first time I reincarnated but reincarnating with your memories intact is supposed to be quite rare . How aware are they that they are the reincarnation of the demon king Arnos . The mazoku of now probably have no idea .

If I stepped forward and introduced myself I could finish it . Saying that, it was arranged for me to come here so its only common courtesy that I hear them out first .

In this practical test, we have students duel each other in the arena . After beating 5 people your magic power is measured, we examine you and if you pass you are admitted into Deruzogedo . If you lose you will be unable to gain admission .

I am the first demon king . Theres no chance of me losing .

Also, by watching the magic that a person uses it is possible to tell if someone is the founder .

I think that the test is a bit simple but it might be right for this time and place .

All weapons, armour and spells are allowed . Any questions?

Not really .

Well then, I wish you the blessing of the founder .

I opened the door at the back of the waiting room and proceeded down a dim and long passageway .

Even though its my castle this is the first time Ive used this corridor . The arena was originally a place where people fought to show off their skills for combat .

A light appeared as I neared the end of the corridor and I exited out into a round stadium with high walls .

Above the wall was the spectator seats filled here and there with mazoku .

Looking closer I can see that they are all wearing the same uniform . Are they students at this school?

Yo! We meet again .

A man with swarthy skin was standing at the opposite end .

It was Zepes who I easily dealt with last time .

Fumu . My partner is a small fry . It will be difficult to prove Im the founder fighting him . What should I do?

You . Oi! Are you listening .

Without answering I walk forward 3 steps and the passage behind me closes with a magic barrier .

Oops . You retreat has been blocked . Are you nervous? Zepes said in a proud tone of voice .

You thought I was thinking of running away? Dont worry, I wont kill you so feel at ease .

Zepes clicks his tongue .

Yare yare . I was being polite but this guy has no manners .

Is he really a fool who cant tell the difference in our power?

Let me tell you I wont go easy on you . Ill change your proud face into a soggy, tearful face full of horror then Ill kill you .

I couldnt help it . I burst out into laughter .

Kukuku, Haahaahaahaa . Nonono . Kill me? Who? This me?

I glare at Zepes .

Know your place you buffoon .

Power can be put into words but it didnt effect Zepes this time .

The dull coloured armour he was wearing flashed anti-magic formations across its surface .

Hou, I wont eat from that hand anymore . This armour contains the power to block any magic cast at it .

I see . Because he relies on that armour his own personal anti-magic power is weak .

Despite being my descendent hes a completely pitiable man .

All weapons, armour and spells are allowed . Victory or defeat leads to death for someone but you can give up and Ill determine the winner .

The voice of the owl flying above fills the arena .

Practical exam, start!

Zepes immediately whips out the sword that was hanging from his waist . The blade was burning brightly .

Are you surprised? demon sword Zefried . A sword born from an ancient fire thats been passed down through the Endou family . It will amplify my magic power tenfold . You seem to be good at anti-magic but the flame of this sword cannot be erased .

Fumu . Are you perhaps bad at maths?

Zepes openly shows his anger while cutting down the distance between us .

What are you trying to say?

One multiplied tenfold will still only be ten .

Bastard!

Zepes kicks the ground and in the next moment appears in front of me putting me in range of Zefried .

Die .

Fuwaa . I suppress a yawn .

Hes extremely slow .

If I had a sword Id have done 100 slashes by now . Well, adults should pay attention to children when they are playing .

Oh, it came .

The weapon aside, hes no sword master so I have no real need to avoid it .

The demon sword Zefried was swung in a horizontal flash and was about to connect with my neck when I absentmindedly looked properly at the sword for the first time .

This is bad! I quickly dodge out of the way .

Hou . You did well to avoid it .

That was dangerous . Several more millimetres and it would have connected with the weak anti-magic field I always have active on myself . It would have snapped the sword in half .

Its the Endou familys treasure thats been passed down through the generations . Even though its blunt I dont want to break such an important item of theirs . Truly a pang of conscience .

However .

Is that a demon sword?

Indeed . Is this the first time youve seen one? Its different from modern magic . Its true magic . Its an old sword from the time of the gods . Demon sword Zefried!

This is a demon sword?

If I had to compare it to the time of the gods just pick up any old stick from the ground and it would have more magic power than this .

If you were told that this is a product from the time of the gods you got a fake .

A true demon sword has its own will and such vast power that even its user would be ruined eventually .

The words demon sword are being used too carelessly as well .

Fuu .

I blow and the fire from the demon sword Zefried goes out .

Geh, Geeeeeeeeh!?

A wordless scream comes from Zepes and a surprised voice leaks out from the spectators .

I cant believe it . That person erased the flame from Zefried!

That old flame is said to not disappear until the end of the world . Also, I didnt see the activation of any magic!!

Zepes grits his teeth .

Bastard . Possibly . . sealing magic!?

What? I just blew it out . With the amount of power hidden in that sword, it should reignite itself in a couple of years .

Zepes has a bitter expression .

Sealing magic, compulsion magic, you certainly seem to have acquired magic power at a terrible level . The magic that you use is not suitable for battle however, so how are you going to break through my anti-magic armour?

Fumu . That armour will break if I simply pat it though that would be a bit childish on my part .

I dont think I can feel proud if I break it though .

Hmm . Have you lost your nerve?

No, but I do have an interesting proposal . In the first place, its wrong that we are fighting over the same viewpoint .

Zepes stares at me cautiously .

Ill give you a handicap . I will not move a single step from here . I wont use magic and I wont empower my words or breath with magic . I wont move my limbs and I wont even use my eyes or hair . Ill defeat you without even blinking .

Ha! There should be a limit to bluffing . Is that your excuse for when you lose? Apparently, your magic really isnt suited for battle . Ha . .

Zepes vomits out blood .

Impossiblethis is . .

Can you hear it?

Dokun . A sound echoes .

Its a heartbeat .

Magic power was infused in the beating and the sound shook Zepes violently . Even though its an anti-demon armour its not a particularly good item . There are a number of gaps in the anti-magic formations . My heartbeat passed through them .

Ka . . ha . .

With blood seeping out from his whole body Zepes fell to his knees and then fell forward .

Fumu . I give up . So weak . If I get excited my heartbeat will kill everyone .