Chapter 8: A Chance Meeting

It was the next day. From the sky, it was evident that the crack of dawn had just begun. The morning dew could be found glistening on plants, a cool breeze blowing softly through the uncluttered streets.

Birds chirped in the distance, and the gentle stir of people rising from their slumber to begin the day echoed from several directions.

At this hour, not many walked on the streets. The little movement came from those taking early-morning walks, or the singular fitness enthusiast on her morning jog.

And among this set of people, Kuro Kurosu strolled—on his way to college. Moving at this time made him content, an odd sensation even he couldn’t fully understand, save for the fact that it simply felt good.

The satchel slung across his chest matched the shirt on his back. In it were a handful of materials for study related purposes. Yesterday, after returning from the mansion—and perusing his stash of “assorted” manga and light novels stored in his desk—he’d made sure to pack what he needed.

Another reason he left so early was the commute. Starting from his home, it would take about an hour to walk. There were many other options: cycling, taking the bus, or a train.

But he chose to walk, partly because it was a form of “exercise” in itself, and because it wouldn’t take that much of an effort. So, it was a win-win scenario—Talmarius wouldn’t be able to complain about him not getting enough exercise.

His first lecture started at exactly 9:00AM. At his current pace, he would arrive at a moderate hour and thirty minutes prior. Like before, there was no specific reason why he’d always gone early, he just did so.

● ● ●

Up ahead, Kuro could finally see the college building coming into view. As expected, it had a splendid air surrounding it—a presence ebbing and flowing with academia, through and through.

The exterior design was an additional eye-catcher, too. The letter, H.

That was the core composition of the structure, in the sense that: there were two, huge blocks, each containing their own faculties. And between them, a bridge. One encased in glass and framed in a sleek fashion with choice metals. Kuro thought it was pretty neat for such a little-known school.

Arriving at this time meant a lesser chance of meeting a crowd. And so, Kuro waltzed into the right block, unperturbed. The one or two early-birds—like himself—gazed at him as he moved through the halls to the lecture theater.

Kuro navigated to the middle section of the tiered rows of lengthy, curved desks. He plopped himself down on his regular spot. One time, while fiddling with his pen, he accidentally scribbled his initials—K.K.—onto the edge of the desk.

Half an hour went by, and during that time span, more students trooped in. Amid the influx of new faces, a particular individual was sitting next to Kuro on his right.

“Hey there, ‘K.K.’,” the person hailed, scooching toward Kuro. “Early as usual.”

“I told you not to call me that, Hisashi,” Kuro reprimanded in a playful manner. “I mean it.”

The person teasing Kuro was a forward fellow. Hisashi Bando—the self-proclaimed “best bud” of Kuro. In just the first week, this young man had the innate courage to approach Kuro, and successfully befriend him as all others watched from a distance.

He had an odd habit of always wearing merchandise from any one of the numerous titles he regularly consumed. Today, it was a grey sweatshirt, with white line art depicting what Kuro believed to be a cat girl from a manga he once read…

Hisashi stood at about two heads shorter than Kuro, and had deep brown eyes. He wore a pair of spectacles that accentuated the modest sprinkling of freckles on his cheeks. Unlike Kuro’s wild hair, his was combed neatly and had a glossy texture.

“Hey, have you heard of that one manga getting an anime adaption? Can you freaking believe that? I hope it has, ‘Immaculate Sakuga.’” Hisashi pinched his index finger and thumb together in a flourish.

“Oh yeah! I heard of that one—” Kuro abruptly paused mid-sentence, catching a glimpse of the professor walking in. “On second thought, we’ll discuss that later.”

“Pardon me, my Liege,” rang a voice in Kuro’s head.

“What is it, Talmarius?!” Kuro asked in a slightly miffed tone. “A class is about to start.”

“Forgive my sudden intrusion, but I absolutely must inform you—”

“Tell me later, okay? Now, please leave my head.”

Hisashi looking at Kuro’s calm demeanor would never have imagined that he just had a mental spat with his butler all the way in a mansion situated at Okutama.

In a few minutes, class would begin, and the number of students coming in were thinning as well. Kuro got out a pen and a notebook in a reflex, ready to scribble down whatever was worth noting.

Everything was as it should be—that was until 9:00AM struck.

Straight, flowing strands of golden hair. Clear, crystal blue eyes. Soft rosy lips. And a grey suit that was perfectly fitted on an impeccable gait.

● ● ●

The young lady that had entranced Kuro began to scan the gathering from the entrance. Immediately, Kuro knew what exactly she was searching for.

Demons and Heroes alike emitted palpable auras. For the Demons, it appeared as a dull shade of purple. While for the Heroes, a dim yellowish glow.

But it was very much different for the beings that sat at the top of the hierarchy. The Demon King’s aura would be dismal pitch black; The Hero’s would be a splendid gold.

Regarding the level of power, their Stages, that could be perceived on an instinctual level. The skilled users of magic could suppress the intensity of their auras down to that of a Stage I—which Kuro was already doing.

It was a difficult task for those with higher Stages, and it was an accomplishment to even lower it by a single Stage.

This jarring development led to the realization of something thought impossible. Kuro focused every fiber of his being on one single task: completely suppressing that aura of his.

It was not only suppressed, but it had completely vanished.

No matter how talented one was, it was considered impossible to completely eradicate the aura—but Kuro Kurosu had done exactly that.

Not long after, the lady stopped searching. She seemed to be puzzled for a moment, before dismissing it with a subtle shrug.

She looked his way—she started heading toward him.

Kuro was at a loss. Why was she approaching him in the open—?

His eyes slowly panned to his left…

A vacant spot.

What sort of twisted fate was this?!

It had never occurred to him that people like Hisashi were a very rare find. Those who couldn’t be more immune to intimidation by looks or appearances, status quos or even social hierarchies.

That was why the people to his left gave some distance between themselves and where he sat, leaving a taunting, empty seat right next to him.

He had never glared at something with such disdain—he wanted to vaporize it on the spot—

“Could you please excuse me?” the lady politely asked the people at the far end of the desk.

She had squeezed past and was shuffling nearer and nearer.

Hisashi nudged Kuro in the side, grinning slyly as he muttered something about how hot she was. Kuro obviously paid him no mind.

Before he knew it…

“Do you mind if I sit here?”

“No, not at all,” Kuro replied with no signs of worry, or hesitation. His self-control was ironclad.

How come I sense no hostility from her? Kuro wondered. Is this some sort of mind game, or strategy?!

Truly, the person sitting next to him exhibited no malice or ill will. Instead, her presence was oddly…delightful?

This could definitely be part of some plot. There’s no way she hasn’t figured out I’m the Demon King, Kuro concluded in his thoughts. I’ll be fully on guard. Come at me!

That was his scarce competitive streak rearing its head. He had taken her actions as a challenge of sorts.

But, it wouldn’t hurt to confirm one last time if she really was The Hero…

This decision of his stemmed from the realization that he never did look at her aura which was a sure fire way to ascertain her profile.

Aura Sense was a spell that allowed one see the auras of just about anything. It was a fundamental spell that could be tweaked in range and intensity. He could reduce its area of effect and concentrate a minuscule portion of its power enough to make it go unnoticed.

Aura Sense… Kuro said in his mind. My eyes!!!

The moment he used the spell, a light far brighter than any sun lit the entire hall—striking his eyes.

But Kuro didn’t flinch. It was like none of that even happened.

“Oh, before I forget…” The Hero added, before turning her face with her cheeks slightly flushed at him. “My name is Irina Belova.”

“Cool, nice to meet you. I’m Kuro Kurosu.”

“And I’m Hisashi Bando,” came quietly from the individual peeking from Kuro’s right side.

Wait a minute… Belova? As in Belova Industries?

Kuro’s dug through his memories—specifically his most recent sparring session with Talmarius, where he had launched a tissue box. He remembered a line of text on it that read: In partnership with Belova Industries…

She’s some kind of bigshot, too?!

And with that final revelation, the professor adjusted his glasses… Lectures had started.