After breakfast, Luna and the others arrived at the classroom. At this time, there weren’t many students yet; they were among the first to arrive.
Luna sat down in her seat, but Eliza’s words still echoed in her mind.
…So annoying.
What exactly did Eliza mean by that?
I’m a Demon?
That’s impossible.
My parents are Lu Ming and Lu Zhen. My sister is Lusina, and I’m a human — that has to be right!
My whole family is human. There’s no way I’m a Demon, and there’s no such thing as [Demonization] for me!
That’s right, I’m just a stubborn mule. I absolutely refuse to admit it!
“Ha—”
Damn it…
Overthinking is making me sleepy.
Sigh… Today’s really unlucky; nothing’s going right.
And tonight, I still have to face my sister’s scolding. What should I do?
Soon, during Luna’s daydreaming, more students gradually entered the classroom. Before long, the room was full, and the class began.
The first lesson today was to announce the results of yesterday’s Midterm Exam. All the students listened attentively, except for one person.
That person was me.
“Next, I will announce the results of this exam.”
Afterward, the Teacher began to read out the list of scores. The results were the average of the theoretical exam and the combat test.
The other students’ scores didn’t concern me much; I only cared about our results.
Lusina had the highest score in class: 99 points.
Qingyan barely passed with 60 points.
And Su Luoluo scored 82 points.
Then it was my turn. My score was similar to Su Luoluo’s — I got 84 points.
If I hadn’t held back, my score might have even surpassed my sister’s, but I didn’t want such a high score.
I certainly didn’t want to become the center of attention in class.
The Teacher stood on the podium, scanning the students and said:
“All of you did well in this Midterm Exam. Some students are even close to a perfect score. Everyone else should learn from these outstanding classmates and keep working hard.”
“Also, I hope everyone shows their true ability and doesn’t deliberately hold back scores. Show your best side.”
Holding back scores, huh…
That has to be about me.
After all, the questions I held back on were the simplest ones — obvious at a glance.
“Alright, let’s start the lesson.”
After announcing the scores, the Teacher officially began the lecture.
But I had no interest in listening at all. Since 3 AM this morning, I hadn’t slept, and now fatigue was crashing over me like a tide, overwhelming.
I let out a soft yawn.
Fine, I’ll just rest my eyes for a bit.
Anyway, I already knew what the Teacher was going to say. Listening again wouldn’t be meaningful. I could just copy notes from my sister later.
So, I propped my book up, trying to block my vision, then rested my head on the desk and closed my eyes. I didn’t know how long I’d sleep, but at this moment, I just wanted to escape the encroaching drowsiness.
I knew well this trick wouldn’t fool the Teacher. Even if the book blocked my eyes, the Teacher could still tell my state. This self-deception would only bring me a momentary peace.
I lost track of time…
“Luna, please stand up and answer the question.”
The Teacher’s voice suddenly broke the classroom’s quiet.
Luna was gently shaken awake by Qingyan. Still half dazed as she opened her eyes, she looked at Qingyan in confusion.
“Uh… What is it, Qingyan?”
“You’re still sleeping, little Lu. The Teacher wants you to answer a question!”
Qingyan urged anxiously.
“Ah!”
Luna jolted awake, instantly sitting upright and then standing to face the Teacher with a snap. All the students’ gazes focused on her.
The Teacher looked at Luna sternly. “You’re Luna, right? Sleeping in class instead of paying attention!”
Great…
Today is just plain unlucky.
I glanced at the time, surprised to see I’d unknowingly slept through until the third period.
The third class was history, which I usually enjoyed, but today I missed it all because of sleepiness.
“Since you’re so sleepy, then stand! Unless you can answer my question.”
As if punishing me, the Teacher said this abruptly.
Maybe there was still a chance to save myself. Why not try answering?
I thought this, but today was a new chapter, so it might be hard to get the answer right.
Still, I decided to gamble a little.
“Go ahead, Teacher.”
I opened the textbook to today’s lesson and prepared to answer the upcoming question.
The Teacher seemed interested upon hearing this.
“Good! Now I ask you, what is the official name of what we call the Demon Realm now? And what was its previous name?”
I quickly flipped through the textbook, searching for the answer.
But after several pages, I couldn’t find the full answer.
How come?
There’s nothing about this in the textbook!
What was the Demon Realm’s former name?
The Teacher watched me flipping through the book with a smug expression.
“So? Can’t find the answer? That was something I just mentioned casually in class — it’s not in the textbook.”
That old guy… what’s there to be so smug about?
“Hey Qingyan, can you tell me the answer?”
I whispered to my deskmate, hoping for help.
But the Teacher seemed to see through my plan.
“No helping from neighbors! This student must answer on their own, or else you’ll stand up too!”
Helpless, Qingyan had to refuse.
Damn it… Does this mean I have to stand?
My sister’s watching, the whole class is watching me. This feeling is so embarrassing!
“Hmph, can’t answer? Then stand.”
“I know the answer!”
Suddenly, a voice I’d been hoping for rang in my ears.
She appeared from the back of the classroom.
Eliza — why is she here again?
She came to my side with an air of calm confidence. Now I could only rely on her.
“Eliza, what’s the answer?”
“Oh? Weren’t you doubting me before? Now you’re begging me.”
As expected, she sounded annoyed.
Still angry about me not believing her this morning.
“Alright, alright, I’m sorry about this morning. Please, Eliza…”
I whispered, pleading with her to tell me the answer.
“…Fine.”
Seeing I wasn’t responding for a whole minute, the Teacher’s patience was wearing thin.
“If there’s no answer, then stand—”
“Wait, Teacher! I know the answer!”
I blurted out, startling the Teacher.
“Then tell me, what is it!?”
“The Demon Realm’s former official name is [Demon Integrated Kingdom]. The current name is [Demon United Second Empire]. That’s it, Teacher. Am I correct?”
“You…”
“Also, the ruler of the former Demon Integrated Kingdom was Empress Kristiane Yekalina Elisa.”
The Teacher was shocked by my answer. He hadn’t mentioned this in class, yet this student who had been sleeping just now spoke it!
“Well? Teacher, can I sit down now?”
“You… sit. But Luna, be sure to pay attention in class. Let’s continue.”
Phew…
I narrowly escaped punishment.
If Eliza hadn’t helped me, I really would have had to stand through the whole class.
All those answers were whispered by Eliza, which saved me.
But…
That former Empress’s name:
Empress Kristiane Yekalina Elisa
…is the same as Eliza’s name!?
It’s enough to make me suspicious that she really is that Empress or something.
But that thought was quickly dismissed.
It’s probably just a coincidence.
After that, Luna pushed those thoughts aside and focused on the lesson.
After that ordeal, I really have to listen properly. I’m afraid that old guy will call on me again.
Now I was fully awake…
With a pen between my lips, I listened carefully to that old guy’s lecture.
He began talking about “The Frontline.”
“Now I will randomly select a student to talk about the current state of ‘The Frontline.’”
The Teacher looked left and right, searching for a candidate.
Please don’t pick me again…
Soon he found a suitable person.
“You, answer.”
The Teacher pointed to my sister, asking her to answer.
Thank goodness, I thought it might be me again.
Actually, even if it was me, I could answer. I just didn’t want to be the center of attention.
Let her shine this time.
Thinking that, I looked at my sister who had already stood up.
“After the [Recovery War], the Terra Empire reclaimed the land it had lost before, but due to recent offensives, the Demon Realm has re-established several large teleportation gates on human territory.”
“After consideration, the Terra Empire decided not to reclaim those lands. The reason is to engage in a prolonged war of attrition with the Demon United Second Empire and prevent them from opening new fronts.”
“The Demon Realm, having secured a foothold, invested massive troops in those gates for attrition warfare. Unable to open new fronts, these places are what we call ‘The Frontline.’”
After she finished, my sister sat down. Her explanation was incredibly detailed.
To add a bit more, the nearest “Frontline” to us is at the border between Cangcheng and Liulicheng. That’s the closest one to us.
The Teacher was very satisfied with Lusina’s answer.
“This student did well. That’s the current situation at ‘The Frontline.’ I believe if any of you have the chance to go there, you’ll shine brightly!”
…Go to The Frontline…
I’ve thought about this too. What if my sister and I went there together?
But we had already reached an agreement. Both of us planned to join the Hunter Association — at least there it would be safer.
The Hunter Association I mention is also known as the Special Hunter Office, a special department under the Terra Homeland Defense Bureau in various cities.
They specialize in counter-espionage, sabotage, and hunting Demons hidden in cities. These members are called “Hunters.”
They protect cities from Demon invasion and cooperate with the local police. If traces of Demons are found, they report to the Hunter Association for investigation.
That’s the plan. Both my sister and I decided to join the Hunter Association. Where exactly we’ll be assigned is still unknown.
Anyway, we still have six years of study in this academy. We can think it over during this time.
Soon, the bell rang, and the third period finally ended.
Two classes left — just hold on for two more and then school’s out.
By the way, after Eliza told me the answer, she returned to my body.
Sigh… Now I just hope that during lunch break Eliza can change my teeth back.
If only she could…