There was a large forest on the grounds of the academy.

　It was a forest where precious medicinal herbs grew, and that's why the school was built in this location in the first place. The dangerous monsters have long since been eliminated, but the backcountry was still a natural sanctuary where human lights could not reach.

　In that forest, there was a shadow of a man.

　A huge blue-white magic circle was drawn in an open area, and he stood on it, concentrating his mind.

　Black skin illuminated by the moonlight.
　An oddly shaped head with curled horns.
　It's not a human figure.

　If it had been in a previous life, it would have been mistaken for a demon.

The moon is shining on a strange night. You are not a human being, and you must be pure.

　A figure turns at the sound of my voice.
　I smile at the black demon.

This is a song my teacher wrote. I hated him, but I love this song. It means that if I meet someone on a night when the moon is suspiciously beautiful, it makes me feel good, even if it's not a person, but my arch-enemy, Keshou. It fits my mood right now.

　I continue to look at the demon, who is looking at me swiftly.

Master was mentally ill in his later years. The 'bastard' part of his life is on himself. Even though I have lost my human heart, I still have an emotional attachment to the moon that makes me feel beautiful. What about you----how do you feel?　Although I am not a human being, I wonder if I have the heart to feel that the moon tonight is beautiful.
What?　You are.

　What finally came back was a low, earth-shaking voice.

　A black goat-like, human-like face.
　I've only read about this guy in books, but this guy must be of the demon race ... a race called demons among them.

　Its mouth twists.

'Why is there a human child. Don't tell me he's sniffed this place out?　If that's the case you're a fool. To attempt to challenge me here alone.
I just wanted to have some fun. I was feeling sick to death.
"...do you wish to be impatient? Woe to you, short-lived man.

　I ask the devil, who's interpreting it in a convenient way, "If you're so sure, I won't run away and tell you.

I'm not going to run away, if you're so sure. What are you looking for?　You've been watching all along. Through the eyes of that Lesser Demon.
"Law.

　The demon's eyes widen slightly.

'Do you notice? But it is a foolish question. There is only one such thing.
So what?
You won't understand unless I tell you. A brave man. It's obvious.
"Brave?

　I nod my head.
　I've read about it in the books on this earth, but...

"The Legend?
Yes.
Why are you doing that?
'Of course it's because you were born!　Even though a hero from the human side has appeared, our Demon King, the hero of the demon race, has yet to be born.... That's why I've come to destroy it. Before our heroes gain strength.
Hmm. I'm just checking, but by brave, you mean the brave man in that... fairy tale, right?
A fairy tale?

　After a moment of silence----the demon man let out a high-pitched laugh.

''This is ludicrous!　Stupid, stupid humans!　How could that legendary battle be a fairy tale? If the people don't know, it appears that they have lost the art of prophecy to know the birth of the brave men and the Demon King. Although the time without conflict has gone on for a long time, I'm not surprised that people have fallen to this level.
Huh, I don't know if I understand what's going on, but...

　In short, there was a hero and a demon king, and they reincarnated periodically, but because of the long interval between them, the human side became a fairy tale, while the demon side, which has a long life span, was passed down to them...?

'But is it true that you're a hero or a demon king?　Isn't that what you guys are delusional about?
Nonsense. The oracle of twelve years ago cannot be a falsehood. I have seen it this evening in the house. The brave one mentioned in the Oracle, the red-haired woman who wields extraordinary power.
Red hair?

　That's not possible.

'Oh, you mean Amu?　You're right, she's a bit funny and strong. Hmm, a brave man........
'So your name is Amu. Save me the trouble of looking it up.
You're welcome. You're welcome.

　I smile at the devil.

"You know, I'm gonna kill you right here.
"...hmmm, is that all the questions and answers?　Then let's make this quick. ----Come on, Attendant.

　From the huge magic circle, a slightly smaller magic circle embedded inside it - three daemons appeared.

　Mu, they look a bit strong.
　They are much smaller than the ones in the auditorium, but the flow of power is large.
　Especially the one in the back center with a red pattern on its body.

I'm not like the Lesser Demons. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work. I'm sorry to say...
Okay.

"The Fire and Earth Phase - Demon Fire Technique.

　An oversized blue fireball hit the left one unit.
　The nucleus of the exploding 《Oni Fire》 had gouged out a large portion of the daemon's chest.

　To blind the individual on the left that crumbles with a flourish, one of the Hitogatas secretly sticks to the one on the right.
　It ties a mark with one hand.

《Phase of Yang----Falling Fruit Technique.

　Instantly, the daemon on the right side was crushed.
　Due to its own weight, which was multiplied by a thousand times in one fell swoop, the ground was depressed and its body was sludge in it.

''I don't need to be weak.''

　Without even a glance at the two bodies that were defeated in an instant.
　The red patterned demon sprinted toward me.
　Its claws are closing in.

"I'll just keep this one.

　The last demon stopped moving.
　It didn't move a muscle as it swung its claws at me.

　Around it, there were five human gadgets.
　At the top of it was a pentagram formation that blocked the daemon's movement.

　He floats the Hitogata, which is a doorway.
　It ties a sign and chants a mantra.

'----Lo_913म् दश सप्त षोडश त्रीणि अष्ट एकम् निक्षेप सकल स्वाह'
"Protection, Demonology, Phase Transmutation.

　Space distorted and light leaked out.
　The last daemon was quickly sucked into the doorway's human gutter.

　Before I knew it, the surroundings had returned to a quiet forest with only the remnants of phosphorus burning and sludge emitting an unpleasant odor.

''You ... what did you just do?''
Hmm?　I got it. I didn't really need it, but just in case.
"A transference spell.... I don't know where you've sent him, but you manipulated dark magic to bury my family members. You seem to be doing a bit of that.

　The devil himself glares at me again, with some kind of convenient interpretation.

"Good. "Then you shall be proud. "Then you should be proud to die at the hands of this male demon, Gal Gal Galleos.

　A demon named Galeos or something like that. The soil around it rose up.

　A number of black and silver swords sprouted out of the clods.

'I am a metal demon of earth and fire. Don't think you can get through the same hands as my people.'

　The blade emerges and points the tip of the blade at me.

　Is that made of iron?
　It's definitely stronger than the daemons.
　I'm not sure, though, because I took them down too quickly.

"Can't we do the same thing?

　I hit a few shots of 《Oni Fire》 to try it out.
　Galeos intercepted them, sending the floating blades flying.
　The blue fireballs didn't reach and all exploded and cracked in the air.

''Hmph. Then what about this one?
It's useless.

　The Hitogata of the "Fallen Fruit" that had been flying in secret.
　All of them flared up as soon as they approached Galeos.

　It seems it's true about using fire magic.

'Is it the end?　Then you're dead already.

　Galeos releases his blade.
　I dodged it just fine.

　What took you so long? I'm afraid I'm not what you expected.

"Stupid.
Huh!

　I quickly avert myself as soon as possible.
　

　When I glance back, I see the afterglow of a magic circle in the air.

　Did this guy transfer the flying blade?

"I am a demon race. I'm a demon tribe, it's only natural that I can manipulate the dark-attribute transferable magic like a limb.

　This time, a fire spell is fired at me.

　I avoided it by a long shot, but the light blinded me.

　I'm not going to be able to get my hands on any of them.

"Aren't you proud of yourself?

　The black and silver blade in his hand is flashed.

　A severe pain in his right arm.

　---- He was cut off from the elbow to the tip.

　The time it took to realize that fact, fortunately, only took a moment.

''Tch........''

　I quickly swap positions with the nearby formula to get some distance away from Galeos.

　I suppress the pain in my right arm with my chi flow and use the Hitogata to stop the bleeding in sections.
　I can still fight, but I can't help but feel frustrated.

　I've done it.

'You use strange transference magic, human. But how about this?

　The countless fine blades that had been created before I knew it were released from Galeos in all directions.

　They pierced my shikigami with precision.

　The Hitogata, which had lost its power, fell to the ground with a flutter.

　I feel my expression growing stronger.

I can't believe that you can recognize the shikigami. I was supposed to be blinded by it.
I can't use the transference now.

　Galeos says.

'I admit it, human. You are strong. You have lightly defeated my family members and defied me with an array of magic. You and your heroes can be proudly described as having been defeated.
What do you think is going on here?

　I fired a series of Demon Fire.

　But the sight of Galeos disappears with the afterglow of the magic circle.

The reason for your defeat is your arrogance.

　Next moment.
　Black blades fell on me from every direction.

　There was no way to avoid it, and it pierced my entire body.

　I jabbed my knee.
　Blood rushed from my guts and poured out of my mouth.

　My guts bleed and my mouth overflows with blood.

It's unfortunate that you have that much power as a child. If you were mature enough, you would not have fought so recklessly.
So what, you think it's over?
It's over.

　Galeos swung his sword carelessly.

　The blade was unshaped and unmarked.
　But it cut off my head.


****


　Galeos, looking down at the headless corpse, muttered with a sigh.

''How could we have an interesting fight against a human child... no, there's still one more brave man left.

　Turning on his heel, a man of the demon tribe.

　Against him.

　I compose a song.

"Dark and dreary is the loneliness of a clear night. Hateful black cloud, I forfeit my sight.