Spiritist in Mairimashita! Iruma-kun "English version."

The lesson began in absolute silence, broken only by the authoritative voice of Poro Amduscias. His tone was sharp, but beneath it lay a hint of curiosity toward his new student.

—Listen up, brat. Every demonic instrument reflects the soul of its user. Its shape is not random—it represents who you are deep inside. Now, take your violin and stand up.

Cale obeyed without hesitation, gripping his violin with a mix of excitement and nervousness. Poro circled him like a judge in a silent trial, his golden eyes scrutinizing every movement.

—Rest it properly on your left collarbone. The neck should extend outward, as if it had always been part of you. No awkward angles, no hesitation.

Cale followed the instructions precisely. Then, something unexpected happened. The violin changed before his eyes.

The classic brown hue of the instrument turned deep crimson, as if bathed in blood. Dark, intricate carvings appeared along its surface, as though the abyss itself had claimed it. Two sharp, wing-like protrusions emerged from the sides, giving it an almost infernal appearance. The bow, once ordinary, transformed into a sleek, dangerous weapon, its edges glinting like a blade in the moonlight.

Poro observed the transformation, the corners of his lips twitching upward ever so slightly.

—Seems like you have more spirit than I thought, kid. —His tone was dry, but there was an unmistakable hint of satisfaction—. Good. Let's begin. I'll teach you the basics, but don't get ahead of yourself. You have a long way to go before you can call yourself a musician.

The Challenge Begins

For the next hour, Poro drilled Cale on the fundamentals—how to position the bow, the correct finger placements, and the basics of reading sheet music. His teaching was efficient yet merciless, with no tolerance for wasted time.

Poro only gave lessons on Mondays and Fridays. The rest of the week, Cale had to practice on his own. But that didn't discourage him. Kira was always by his side, sometimes watching attentively, other times simply napping in the corner of the room.

After a week of intense practice, Poro finally announced his first challenge—as casually as someone ordering a cup of tea.

—Alright, kid. I've decided how I'm going to evaluate you. We'll do this in two stages.

He crossed his arms, eyes gleaming with amusement.

—The first test is next week. You'll play "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" in front of your family… and me. And don't think I'm easy to impress. I'll be judging how quickly you learn.

Cale nodded confidently.

—And the second part?

Poro let out a theatrical sigh.

—The second part… will be during your society debut. You'll perform for the nobility, and the song will be your choice. I'll be judging your stage presence, technical skill, and control of the instrument.

Cale's lips curled into a confident smile.

—I'll impress you, Poro. That's a promise.

Poro narrowed his eyes, as if studying him.

—Oh, oh, oh… A bold one, aren't you? I like that attitude. But be warned: if you slack off, you'll amount to nothing. —He paused, then smirked—. And don't forget, you're also starting your etiquette classes. Watching you struggle with that nonsense will be entertaining.

Cale let out a sarcastic sigh.

—Fantastic. Manners and music… What a wonderful combination.

Preparation and Perseverance

The days leading up to the performance were gruelling. Every mistake pushed Cale to try again. Every small improvement fueled his determination.

At first, coordinating the bow movements while keeping his notes steady felt nearly impossible. But through sheer patience and discipline, he steadily improved.

Kira was always there, either watching him with sleepy eyes or simply enjoying his presence.

Finally, the day of the first recital arrived.

Dressed in an elegant suit, Cale picked up his violin and looked at Kira.

—Ready for this? —he asked with a smirk.

Kira wagged his tail, his silent approval clear. Holding his violin in one hand and giving Kira a gentle pat with the other, Cale walked toward the performance hall.

The First Recital

As Cale entered the hall, Ameri and Henri sat waiting for him, their expressions filled with pride.

Kira ran over to Ameri, curling up beside her with his beloved mushroom plush.

Taking a deep breath, Cale stepped onto the small stage, positioning his violin carefully.

Then, he began to play.

The melody of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" filled the room. Each note was clear, steady, and deliberate. What once felt like a battle now flowed effortlessly, as if the violin had become an extension of himself.

Ameri and Henri exchanged proud glances, knowing how much work he had put into this moment.

Poro, however, remained still, his expression unreadable.

When the final note faded into silence, Cale lowered his violin and bowed elegantly.

Ameri and Henri applauded enthusiastically.

Poro remained silent for a moment, then finally spoke.

—Well… at least you kept the timing right. —He crossed his arms—. And I see you can already read basic sheet music. Your fingerwork… isn't bad for a brat.

With those words, he turned on his heel and walked out of the room without another word.

Cale watched him leave, a smirk playing on his lips.

—Tsundere.

Ameri rushed up to him, pulling him into a tight hug.

—Brother, you looked so handsome in that suit! —she cheered, playfully pinching his cheeks.

Henri stepped forward and placed a hand on his head, ruffling his hair.

—Good job, son.

Cale beamed.

—Thanks, Dad.

At that moment, Kira jumped into his arms, rubbing his cheek against Cale's and letting out a soft, happy howl.

—Hehe, looks like you enjoyed my performance, huh, Kira? —Cale laughed, scratching the little fox's ears.

Kira nodded enthusiastically, letting out another cheerful howl.

Henri chuckled.

—We prepared a special dinner for Kira to celebrate. —His smile turned mysterious—. Oh, and I recorded your entire performance. You know, like those mothers who save every precious moment of their kids' lives.

Cale blinked.

—Wait… you what?

Henri just smiled.

—You'll find out someday.

That night, the family enjoyed a wonderful dinner together, celebrating Cale's success.

Poro hadn't openly praised him, but his silence spoke volumes.

Cale had taken his first solid step toward mastering the violin.

There was still a long road ahead, but with Kira by his side, Ameri supporting him, and a promise to keep proving himself—

He was more than ready for whatever came next.