Isla arrived at the hill on the road to Listeria Academy. The very same Naki and Habiki scouted Irauki's location some days back.
She could see the academy. Balloons, engaging confetti, and fireworks crowded the air.
The cheers and merry from the crowd were heard, despite being a fair distance away from the establishment.
"Listeria Academy, to think that's where the rogue soul resides."
She sighed and opened the book Ferr lent her.
"Now then, to see if we can alert this demon spy of my presence. What's it say here...ah yes, the leafy rock"
She closed the book and searched the ground around her for a suspicious-looking rock.
After several attempts, she found it by the edge of the hill.
She opened the book once again to verify the next steps.
"Knock twice and wait for 5 minutes, simple enough."
She crouched and did as instructed.
Five minutes later, she heard leaves rustling behind her.
Rapidly, she turned around, hand reaching for her Katana to find the light leafy gusts making way to reveal a woman.
It was Eunice, one of the academy's instructors.
"What do you know? The goddess said if all goes to plan, a certain Isla would be my next visitor." She smiled and closed her grimoire, causing the leaves to shatter and disappear.
"To think we'd get not just one but two of the divine by our side, I must say I'm impressed with Lord Hizeld so far," she continued.
"Are you the demon spy?" Isla said and frowned.
"You know the answer to that already. Try again"
Isla pulled her hand away from the Katana and turned around to face the academy.
"What can you tell me about the devil child you've been monitoring?" she asked.
"Huh, straight to the point I see," Eunice said, joining Isla.
"The devil child is called Naki. He's intelligent, cunning, and can quickly get away from trouble if need be."
"Recently, he stole a vermilion ring right under the headmaster's nose. My guess is he's been hanging out a lot with Bisky - one of the hero's companions - and must've done the deed to help her obtain divine powers," she continued.
Isla turned to her in shock.
"You mean to tell me the devil is working with the hero?" she asked.
"Again, it's only a guess. I'll need to follow his movements more to confirm it. But, it all points towards that direction." Eunice replied.
"If Naki and Emile, the hero, join forces, I feel it's something lord Hizeld should know. His plans do not account for this particular...unlikely alliance," she added.
Isla bit her thumb, pondering the possible impact of what she had just learned.
"(A hero and a devil child to work together? How did that happen! What is the hero thinking? what is the devil child thinking? It's wrong on a fundamental level, just wrong!)"
She couldn't wrap her head around what they might be planning.
"I can already sense your frustration. A hero's purpose should, on all levels, be in direct opposition to that of the devil, but for some reason, these 2 thought it wise to pair up; at least they're thinking about it."
Eunice said, opening her grimoire once again as the leaves gathered.
"Makes you wonder, doesn't it? We demons are currently the only ones willing to take the fight to the hero. We'll be counting on you to do your part against the devil child, Isla."
"Tsk..." Isla gritted her teeth in frustration. "(She's right. However unorthodox, stopping a hero-devil alliance is a must. Regardless of their agreement, we can't let that happen)" she thought.
"Right now, the devil child is occupied with 5 responsibilities. He won't be causing us trouble any time soon." Eunice said.
The leaves circulated Eunice, and she vanished with a sharp, piercing sound, leaving just a couple behind.
Her voice lingering in the air one last time, "Seek out lord Hizeld and inform him of what you've learned. I'll keep the devil child in check."
The last time Isla heard of Eunice here.
"...The hero this season was blessed by Lady Nagatha. If he's paired up with the devil child, I stand no chance against them."
"I suppose I really must count on this demon lord's strength."
Isla planned her next move, and it wasn't taking her to Listeria Academy, but to the demon lord's domain.
Meanwhile,
The Instructor's Retreat - Naki's Room
Naki was getting ready for the opening games of the competition as he donned a well-polished outfit.
In style, it was the same as before, just cleaner.
"...Hana huh."
Naki recalled the discussion he had with Maya when she revealed Hana as Habiki's rival.
<><><>
"Interesting. And where can I find this Hana?" Naki asked her
"The guest quarters. They should all be lodging there as we speak. Why? want to scout out the competition?" she said.
"Maybe."
"I can share with you details of their profiles, you know? All the competing parties have well-documented profiles, including us," she said
"Let's just say I want to find out something a profile won't tell me," Naki said.
"Huh...if you say so."
<><><>
"(If she's as good as they say, could it be she also harbors a divine entity no one is aware of?)" Naki considered the option.
"(I would check out their quarters with shadow tricks but...)"
Naki checked his mercy points
--> Mercy Points: 676/700 [Critical]
"(I have a debt to repay, so I can't risk it. I should pay Habiki a visit, we need her owl eyes)"
Naki finished dressing up and left his room.
Listeria Academy - Guest Quarters
West Allura Camp
2 boys were playing with magic tarot cards loudly by the entrance.
"Yo! I GOT IT THIS TIME YEA!!! IN YOUR FACE, PRIMAH!"
"Tsk, you just got lucky I drew Tower instead of the Fool."
"Hehe, you just can't read the wheel of fortune as well as I, Primah, admit it!"
"You wish! Alright, one more! I'm going to mess up your fate real bad this time, Rosh!"
"HAHAA! BRING IT!"
Inside the building room, 2 girls were having tea, while one of them was reading a book.
"Huh, can't Rosh and Primah play Tarot games quietly. I swear they're so loud my eardrums hurt every time," one of the girls complained.
"Hmhmhm, At least they're having fun. You should be happy for them, Marill." the girl's friend said.
"I would be happy if they weren't the weak link to our party!" Marill argued.
"Honestly, they're lucky they have us carrying their load to the top, humph!" she added proudly.
Her friend chuckled and turned to the girl with the book. It was Hana.
"Hey Hana, what'cha doing?" she asked.
"My dairies. I'm recalling the memories when Bi was still with us," Hana softly replied.
Her voice was calm, and her words felt serene.
"Bi? Ohhh...you're right, she will most certainly be a part of Listeria's party, won't she?" Marill asked.
Hana nodded, "She defeated Angel back then, and we still haven't found the secrets behind her grimoire."
Angel, the girl next to Marill, shrugged.
"I'm sorry...our only loss so far was a result of my carelessness-"
"Nonsense, you just had a bad day, that's all. Grrrr, I wish I could get paired with her, I'm going to show her what for with my familiar!" Marill confidently said.
Angel smiled at her friend's attempt to comfort her, "Thanks, Marill," she said.
Marill's cheeks turned pink as she scrambled to her tea.
Hana watched them look out for each other in delight.
Then, she turned back to her diary notes.
It detailed the technique Bisky used by her grimoire to do Angel in.
"(Bi's grimoire. In it's base form, It was strong enough to overcome Angel's grimoire trascendence effortlessly.)"
"(Lucky for us this time it's a team game and she's never been one for teamwork. Still we must be cautious if we get paired against them.)"
Hana flipped the pages to her team, celebrating their first competition win.
"(Rosalia feeds on my positive memories. To become a sage, I will need more of them. This competition is just the boost I need)"
Hana's eyes glinted as her diary's emblem flickered for a brief moment, indicating a sleeping entity.