Observation

September 29, 807

11:00 AM

"Have you ever wondered why demons only appeared in the last century and not a few thousand years ago?" Mary asks, looking at the thoughtful class, but receives no answer.

"There must have been something that triggered such an event..." She continues, trying to make her students think.

Yumiko raises her hand, and Mary signals her to stand up and speak.

"We said that demons are born from people's fears. So, the more people are afraid of something, the more that something will materialize into a demon." Yumiko interrupts her response and looks at the instructor to see if she's doing well.

Mary signals her to continue.

"So... During the time when the first demon appeared, the world population must have reached the right limit of people to decree its birth." Yumiko concludes, waiting for the instructor's words.

"As your classmate said, that's the main reason. Excellent answer, cadet."

Upon hearing those words, Yumiko sits down and starts boasting to her surrounding classmates.

Meanwhile, Mary continues the discussion, shifting her gaze to the class.

"100 years ago, the world population surpassed 5 billion people. Over the centuries, people's life expectancy has risen frighteningly, as well as birth rates. Today we've reached almost 8 billion people, 3 billion more in 100 years! And that's considering the victims of demons.

The concept I'm teaching you is - the more people fear something, the more likely a demon born from that fear will emerge -.

But you must keep in mind that this is related to the number of people experiencing fear. As long as we are relatively few, there will be few demons. But what would happen in a future where humanity reaches terrifying numbers, say around 20 billion?"

"Will there be more demons?" A curious voice interrupts Mary's speech.

It was Koto speaking, remaining seated among the front rows.

She approaches him.

"Currently, it has been estimated that there is one demon for every 300 million inhabitants... So, to determine the birth of a demon, you need 300 million people to be afraid of something. Currently, we are 8 billion, so there should be just under 30 demons around... Does that make sense?" She looks at Koto but addresses the question to the entire class.

Yumiko raises her hand.

"Currently, among the demons in circulation, both dangerous and not, there are several thousand!"

Mary nods.

"Who can tell me how this is possible?

~WAAAAAAAAAANNNN~

I can't hold back a strong yawn. I bring my hand to my mouth, but it's already too late.

I notice everyone looking at me; they must have heard it clearly.

Damn.

"Cadet Azka Ban, would you like to answer?"

Ignoring the chuckles on my sides, I decide to respond to avoid further problems.

"Because people are not afraid of just one thing, but many things. Maybe in a group of 'only' 300 million people, you can identify only one common fear, while the others are not considered. But when that group expands to 8 billion, then the probability that their other fears are shared by others increases, reaching that statistical limit that determines the demon's birth."

As soon as I finish speaking, I realize the class is in complete silence.

It seems logical enough, so why are they surprised?

Mary, however, continues to speak.

"That's correct! So..." She shifts her gaze to Koto.

"Imagine what would happen if the population reached 20 billion... What I'm telling you is pure theory, but some historians hypothesize that continuing in this direction will eventually lead to a new era, where we will no longer be the dominant species on Earth."

The author often referred to this new era, but always talked about it as if it were an urban legend.

Looking around, I notice the cadets starting to darken.

I make a confused face, attracting Mary's curiosity.

"Cadet, aren't you convinced by what I said?"

I mentally curse for not hiding my emotions.

At this point, I might as well talk to her; maybe she knows something I don't.

"The era of humans can never end because they are the ones who gave life to demons. And demons cannot exist without someone capable of fearing them. So unless demons are masochists, they would never bring about our extinction." I speak to her as curiously as she spoke to me.

"And then, what do you think would happen in the hypothetical case of reaching 20 billion people or more?"

Just hearing this question, memories of the days when I read "The Courage of a Hero" come back. There was never a Maria Ross at the academy, and these hypothetical discussions were never addressed. The lessons were entirely based on past historical events and the nature of demons, learning how to counteract them.

But in fact, it's something I've always wondered about and could only theorize about.

So now I share my theory: "The demons would kill us first. They are aware that their existence depends solely on us. On the one hand, it's advantageous for them that humanity progresses in terms of numbers because it allows them to exist, but on the other hand, it's disadvantageous. This is because they are still creatures that kill people. At present, with a few thousand demons, they don't pose significant problems. But if they were to exceed millions or even billions, then the number of people they would kill would be close to the total. If they are masochists, then I'm the first to say that the era of demons will come, but it will also mark their end. So, in my opinion, their intention will be to control us. When we reach such high numbers that threaten their own survival, then they will intervene... By killing a good portion of us."

How fascinating is such a scenario?

It doesn't seem to have an escape route. There's absolutely no knowing how to eradicate this threat from the world. Will the demons truly prevail?

Ahhh, here comes the desire to read "The Courage of a Hero" again. Thinking that I had only reached the middle makes me furious, especially now that I'm immersed in it.

After finishing speaking, I realize the class has fallen into silence again. I can even hear a faint crying in the distance.

I look at Mary, who is looking at me with perplexity.

But what...?

I notice it's now 1:07 PM. Technically, the lesson ended 7 minutes ago, yet everyone is still sitting here.

The instructor is still looking at me thoughtfully. Is it because of what I said? I just told her what I think...

I start staring at her with an inquisitive look until she starts speaking.

"Your perspective is really interesting..."

Here comes the compliment, great Mary!

"... But it's not supported by any evidence."

I nod with disdain. I just want to go to the refectory right now.

She starts walking back and forth along the lectern a couple of times, before she stops.

"I conclude the lesson by telling you that there will be a practical test tomorrow, in groups. Further information will be sent to you in the afternoon. And don't worry, it won't affect your ranks!"

Finally, she dismisses us.

I go down the various steps and leave the classroom, heading quickly to the refectory.

....

3:45 PM

-Zzz Zzz Zzz-

This vibration indicates that information about tomorrow's exercise has arrived.

- At 9:00 AM tomorrow, the exercise will take place in the Virtual Room. Cadets from class B have been divided into 20 groups, listed below:

Group 1

-Seiji Koto

-Hyouka Kairi

-Asa Seyun

-Masuhiro Toki

-Azka Ban

...

Group 4

-Shin Soichiro

-Kakegurui Shiori

-Hanakawa Aki

-Matzuo Jin

-Takeo Riina

...

Group 8

-Yu Yumiko

-Tess Mercer

-Yun Che

-Lin Ming

-Raven Finger

...

...

So, I ended up in Koto's group... But most importantly, I also see Seyun's name. It's really fortunate that she ended up in this group; it will bring her closer to Koto and make my job even easier. Koto is a kind-hearted person who always helps others, so he'll be a great friend for her.

As for the other groups, aside from the other protagonists, I don't recognize most of the names. I think, unless there are surprises, none of them will be relevant to the story.