Humans: The Worst Kind Of Demon

——— Minho ———

Mira was fuming about me calling her 'cute' in front of the Headmaster. 

The truth was, I didn't quite want Mira to draw attention as a 'prodigy'. 

While she seemed to revel in it, I was getting very concerned about the attention we were drawing. I, an average human, was being heralded as if I was some kind of a Demon Lord here - the WORST kind of a Demon Lord. 

I felt it was only a matter of time that my (unintentional) charade was going to be exposed. Of course, I wanted to do as much as I could to help Mira progress in the contest, but once we got to the later stage of the tournament I was certainly doomed to death.

Will dying 'again' send me to yet another world?

To hell? Does that thing even exist?

Nevertheless, people here seem to believe in such things, and as far as they were concerned, I was as bad as a demon out of hell. Or worse. 

'What's wrong, Mira?'

I tried to talk to her, invisible to everyone else under the Concealment Magic.

'I bet you are really looking forward to the invitation'

'Why wouldn't I?'

'So you ARE looking forward to it!'

'We probably get treated to some amazing food. I've been eating only bread and water since I came here.'

'Oh, I'm sorry for being so poor'

'Hey, I didn't mean it that way. But wouldn't it be a nice change of pace? You also need some nutrition too. You are still recovering after all.'

'So you are doing it for ME now?'

'Half half.'

'Pig'

Sigh. 

When she's in a bad mood like this for no reason, there really is no helping it'

"Look, there goes the girl with the Human Demon", one of the three boys we passed by in the hallway commented.

"Whoa, did you see that fight?"

"That Human was really something"

"I know, right? Taming a monster summoned by another mage…"

"Is that even possible?"

"I never heard of such things"

"Maybe his superiority as a demon enables him to dominate weaker monsters?"

"He's a formidable foe"

"But why would such a demon choose someone like… Mira was her name, right?"

"Yeah, she seems nothing special"

"Kimus was calling her a pleb"

"Tsk, a so-called 'mage' with no real heritage"

"I'm really curious how she keeps the Human under her control"

At this point, Mira stopped walking, her hands clenched into a trembling ball of fist. 

She turned around and burst out at the boys. 

"It's because I'm CUTE! Got it?!"

"What the heck?", the boys were confused and amused. 

"Show yourself!", Mira commanded and I was exposed to the naked eye. 

"WHOA! She brought him out! Crap"

"Tell them, Minho!"

"I chose Mira because she was the mage with the greatest talen-"

"No, not THAT!"

"Oh."

"Tell them what you told Lord Kinsky"

Man, this is going to be embarrassing. 

"I… picked Mira because she's cute"

"Mwahahaha, you heard him!", Mira had her hands on her hips in triumph. 

"Gees, Mira must be the type that demons like"

I suppose I'll play along.

"You are right. Mira would be very popular in the Human world", I announced. 

"Wow, doesn't that mean like she looks really hideous?"

"Yeah, surely demons like hideous-looking things. And here I was thinking she was just plain"

"Asdoahsjduiqhjkahjrkhak….", Mira was starting to whisper her spell. 

Ah, fuck no. Not the Mirror of Despair for such silly reasons!

'Stop it, Mira! Save your big spell! It's going to ruin your health again'

That diffused Mira. 

"What is all this commotion?"

Sir Vicario, Mira's teacher whom I've seen before during the monster introduction session stopped on his way to the classroom to listen in on what was happening. 

"Sir, we just found out Mira is 10/10 in the Human world", one of the boys quipped. 

"That's truly hideous, right?", another boy chimed in. 

"Enough. Stop mucking about, boys."

Sir Vicario's stern voice made the boys back off. 

"We are sorry, Sir"

"Right, let's go to class, Mira. Shall we?", the kind teacher turned to Mira, gesturing her to walk on to the classroom. 

"Tha… thank you, Sir"

Just as I was starting to get engulfed in Mira's Concealment Magic again, she was stopped. 

"Mira, new instructions from Lord Kinsky. I was told to pass on the message"

"Oh, what is it, Sir?"

"Do not conceal your Human - Mr. Minho at the Academy"

"Excuse me?"

"And you are not to let him wander around the premises alone"

"But, he's MY demon. Everyone's hiding their monsters"

"He is far too powerful and we need to keep an eye on him - I do apologize Mr, Minho. But I hope you understand"

I understood fuck all.

"Yes, Sir. No problem as far as I'm concerned"

"So unfair", Mira pouted. 

"And no more duels before the contest"

"Lord Kinsky already told us that"

"Good. Just don't get in trouble if you don't want to lose your place in the contest"

Mira froze on the spot startled. 

"I could lose my contest in the contest?!!!!"

"I'm afraid so. But only if you don't abide by the rules"

"I will abide by the rules! You have my promise, Mr. Vicario!"

"Good. And… I wasn't specifically asked to tell you this, but there is something you should know"

"Yes, Sir!", Mira saluted. 

"Sh… keep your voice down"

Then Sir Vicario leaned toward us a little and spoke quietly. 

"People from the Association of Royal Magi are going to attend as spectators from the preliminary rounds"

"SERIOUSLY?!!"

"Keep it down, please. They were to come see the matches from the Quarter Finals onward, but words have reached them quickly that you've summoned a Human. It's causing quite a stir and you are already drawing a lot of attention"

Yup. Exactly what I was worried about. 

"Do not tell anyone"

"Why are you telling us then, Mr. Vicario? Shouldn't you keep it a secret?", I asked this time. 

"Yes, it shall be kept as a secret. Between us"

Mr. Vicario then gave us a wink and walked off, leaving the enthused and nervous Mira behind. 

"Boy, we are going to put on a show, hehehe!"

Be careful what you wish for, Mira.