Among us! (part one: Ryuji Kasugai)

A man sat alone inside a dark room.

He was waiting, waiting for someone.

His name was Ryuji Kasugai, the director of the royal magic academy. He was a tall and handsome young man, but his face carried an aura of mystery.

Through a small window, he watched the academy's main gate entrance.

A group of students passed by outside the gate, talking to each other and laughing.

He waited for his target, a boy of about fifteen.

"Welcome, Master Kasugai-san."

Ryuji smiled at the voice that suddenly came from behind him.

"I'm sorry, but could you come closer?"

"Of course."

The door opened slowly, and Ryuji turned around.

Standing there was a girl with pale skin and red hair. Her face wavering slightly, she gazed at the director with cold, lifeless eyes.

"Hello, Cindra."

"Why did you call me here?"

"I have a job for you."

She took a step forward.

"What kind of job?"

"Don't worry. It's a simple job. And a very easy one. All you need to do is this."

He pointed his finger toward a paper sheet on his desk.

"What are you going to do?"

"Nothing. You'll see soon enough."

Cindra walked away.

"Wait! I forgot to tell you..."

But she didn't turn back.

Ryuji sighed and closed his eyes.

"What am I doing? Why do I always have to chase after her?"

Suddenly, the door opened again.

This time, it was the boy.

"Master Kasugai?"

"Ah, yes. Welcome."

"Thank you."

The student bowed politely.

"Can I sit down?"

"Certainly."

The boy sat down in the chair.

"Now then, let's get started," said Ryuji.

"I got the info you were asking for, master."

"Good work."

"I also found out about the guy you want to kill."

"Really?"

"Yeah. The new teacher. His name is Baal. He's good friends with king Zola."

"I see."

"And... he's a human."

"Huh?"

"Yes, he's a human, but with some strange abilities."

"What kind of power?"

"He can manipulate the weather. He has a vast knowledge of summoning magic and elemental magic."

"An 'A+ rank', no 'S rank' adventurer... Maybe that explains why King Zola made him a teacher in this academy without asking my opinion."

Ryuji paused and thought about this information.

"Hmm... Maybe I shouldn't kill him yet."

"Master?"

Have you found anything useful in the angel case?"

"Yes, I did..."

The boy smiled.

"Two days ago, an 'A+ rank' celestial creature, aka angel, appeared in the boys' dormitory. Before I could capture it, a boy named Atsuko Kamitani killed it."

"I've heard this name before! He's one of the expelled students!"

"You're right. Kamitani became a student in class 2-F, which is Baal's class."

"Could it be...? Could the angel be..."

"Summoned by the demon lord's army?"

"Probably."

"Then... this means the demon lord's army is attacking us?"

Ryuji stood up and walked to the window.

"It's too early to say, but we may have to prepare ourselves for a battle against an 'S rank' adventurer."

"What should I do?"

"There's nothing you can do. I'll handle it myself."

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely. No need to worry about this."

Ryuji smiled at the boy who was sitting across from him.

"You can go now."

"Okay."

As soon as the boy left the room, Ryuji began thinking.

"All the students I expelled are still in this academy... Eliminating all the threats to my plan is crucial. First, eliminate Kamitani and his friends. Then I'll eliminate anyone else who gets in the way."

Ryuji chuckled to himself.

"After that, only the weakest students will remain... Heh, what a lovely dream."

                                                               *****

After leaving the director's office, Cindra walked through the hallway with an indifferent expression on her face. She headed toward the library. It was the only location where she could enjoy a peaceful time.

That was until she noticed someone standing in front of the entrance.

"Oh, hello there."

It was non-other than her teacher Baal. She bowed gently.

"Good morning, master."

"Just call me teacher."

Baal had a friendly smile on his face. But it was still hard for little Cindra to look at the mighty demon lord straight in the eye. He was her master, after all.

"I was in the director's office earlier..."

"Did he tell you anything important?"

"No, he doesn't fully trust me yet. So he kept talking in circles."

"So, what were you discussing?"

"I told him about the angel that appeared two days ago. He's currently investigating the matter."

Baal laughed softly.

"Come now. Don't tell me the director became concerned about the rumours?"

Cindra shook her head.

"Nope. Mr Ryuji said he'd investigate it himself because he thought it was merely a coincidence. As if that would help..."

She paused for a second.

"Anyway, I am going to the library. I was wondering what you were doing here."

"I came to check on an old friend of mine. He works at the library. I haven't seen him for a while."

"Oh, okay. I guess I'll see you later then."

"See ya."

Cindra bowed once again and walked off.

"Hey, I forgot to tell you something."

"What's that?"

"Thank you! You've been helping me so much."

Cindra stopped walking, turned around, and bowed at Baal.

"You're welcome, master."

Baal smiled at the young girl.

"Keep on the good work!"

"Yes, master"

Cindra ran to the library. She was a bit late, but she didn't care. After all, she had a lot of things to do today.