[25.7] The Demon Shows his Horns

Zephyr pinched his lips together, "Just how… Just how important is this?"

The Headmaster shook his head, "A matter of life and death… For both Reika and her mother. Possibly even me."

Zephyr stared at our somber looks and let out a sigh. He ruffled his hair with a frown, "I see."

He took a deep breath.

I felt the air start to turn tense and become electrified.

I quickly looked over at Zephyr and watched with wide eyes as smoke started to form around him as his body started to change. His childlike body turned back into his original, demonic body. One single horn appeared on his forehead, giving away his secret.

He opened his eyes, revealing blood-soaked irises, "Then I have no choice. Please pardon the intrusion."

In a wisp of smoke, he moved into my mother's body. Her body tightened up in shock as he entered her body and possessed it.

I took a step back with my mouth wide open.

T-This idiot!

Did he just transform and use demonic magic to possess my mother without permission!?

Is he not afraid of death!?

I told him he would die if he ever revealed his secret without permission!

Well… It's not like he will.

From the very beginning, I may have told a small fib about the restriction I placed on him.

In fact, I never actually put that slave's contract on him. I just made him think I did…

After all, slavery is bad.

It doesn't matter which species is the target.

After he jumped into my mother's body, he looked at me in surprise, "Y-You're not going to kill me?!"

I froze, "W-What?"

Zephyr blinked in disbelief, "You said that if I ever used my demonic energy without permission, you would terminate my life! But! Just now! I did it without your knowledge and I'm fine!"

My mouth hung open speechlessly.

He stared at me in shock, "You… You lied?! Why?"

Before I could explain, ice spikes shot up, nearly impaling us. We dodged them and looked at the Headmaster to see his furious expression. We grabbed each other, too afraid to even scream.

The Headmaster clutched his wand, "A… DEMON?!"

We both flinched.

He took another step towards us as frost began to form around us, "You… You were a demon the entire time?!"

Seeing him raise his wand threateningly, my eyes shrank back.

I jumped in front of Zephyr protectively, "Don't hurt him!"

The Headmaster paused, "You… Why are you defending a demon?! Don't you realize how dangerous he is?! He can possess a human body! A demon capable of that only holds malicious thoughts!"

"NO!" I shouted with tears in my eyes, "Zephyr is not like that! He is a good person!"

Zephyr stared at me, feeling moved, "Reika…"

I continued, "Sure, he has a terrible mouth, poor manners, snores a lot, likes to cause drama, is constantly stealing my chicken, burps all the time, and is a bit stupid-"

His face twitched, "Oi."

"-But he has always been there for me. Even when I was trying to kill him, he never raised a hand to hurt me. Even though I forced him into thinking he had a slave contract, he never once betrayed me even when I gave him the chance. He was the one who helped me out the most in this world when I didn't understand a thing."

I bit down on my lip to prevent tears from falling, "He is… As close to a friend as I have."

The Headmaster froze, "You…"

I met his eyes with determination, "Also, you can't forget that he came to you and begged for you to help me. Why would he do that if he held malicious thoughts?"

The Headmaster looked at Zephyr with a frown, "And how can you be sure he didn't do all of that just so he could trick you and gain your trust?"

Zephyr averted his eyes in embarrassment, revealing a slight blush on his cheeks. In my mother's body, he looked extremely beautiful. He whispered, "I-I wasn't… I would n-never help a filthy human…"

I added confidently, "Because he's terrible at lying."

Zephyr froze, "Oi."

I stared at him with a confident smile.

The restriction I had placed on him was to prevent him from harming me physically. If he ever tried to, then would he suffer from pain.

That's why I'm confident that he has never tried to hurt me.

…But I can't say that.

I need Zephyr to think that I completely trust him. When people believe they have your complete trust, that is when they usually try to harm you.

You always need to have your guard up.

ESPECIALLY with those closest to you.

I looked back at the Headmaster, "Do you trust me?"

He paused and slowly nodded, "I do."

I smiled at him faintly, "Then trust Zephyr."

The Headmaster studied us for a bit before letting out a sigh. He clicked his tongue, "What did I get myself into…"

I looked away to hide my rejection, "Do you regret adopting me now?"

He shook his head, "Never."

I paused.

Never?

I was suspended from class.

He still kept me around.

I nearly blew up the school.

He still kept me around.

I caused nothing but trouble for him, but he still kept me around.

Even after I committed necromancy and revealed I had a demon for a familiar, he was still by my side.

If that can't chase him away…

Then does that mean nothing ever will?

Isn't this…

Unconditional love?

I bit down on my lip and ran towards him with my arms outstretched. I wrapped my arms around him in a tight embrace, "I love you, Papa!"

He paused then quickly embraced me back, "...I love you, Reika."

I looked up at him with puppy dog eyes, "Do you forgive me?"

"I do…" He kneeled down and stared deep into my eyes, "But you need to promise me something."

I nodded at him quickly, "Anything."

"From now on, you can't EVER use necromancy again. You must never use dark magic even if it is to help another person. You aren't just endangering your life, but others around you."

"I won't. As long as you let my mummy stay by my side, I won't ever use a thing like this again."

"Good." He continued to scold me, "But this case is very serious, you still have to be punished. I can't just let you go free after committing necromancy."

I nodded, "I understand… But what is my punishment?"

He stood up, "After we figure out this situation, we will go on a study-abroad program."

My face stiffened, "...A study abroad program?"

He looked away with a wise expression, "I heard that to increase knowledge and to reinforce morals, parents often send their children out of the country… I don't think I can trust you on your own, so I will have to go with you."

My face paled, "B-But you're the Headmaster! You can't just leave the school!!!"

He nodded, "It will be hard to get approval, but luckily the King owes me a favor. My secretary can cover the paperwork until I return."

…Poor Karen.

He clapped his hands and looked at Zephyr who was still in my Mother's body, "So what's the plan?"

Zephyr nodded quickly, "Ah! Yes. So, no one will believe this woman suddenly turned good, right?"

We both nodded.

He continued, "But what if she was possessed by a demon and the demon suddenly left her body?"

The Headmaster nodded in understanding, "That may work. But no one will believe the word of anyone if they say that."

"That's true. Which is why you have to chase me around town. When there are many eyes on me, you are going to exorcise me from the body. Then I will fly into the distance and make them think I got away."

The Headmaster stared at him, "I can't exorcise demons. Only holy light priests and priestesses can."

Zephyr shrugged, "Then make up a fake relic."

I looked at Zephyr with concern, "Are you sure you can hide without getting caught?"

He nodded, "Oh yeah. Easily… As long as you hide me."

My eyes widened, "Me?"

He grinned, "I'm your familiar. When I'm in my human form, no one knows I'm a demon. Even fairies can't tell. They only sense that I am different, but they don't know how."

The Headmaster's eyes widened in understanding, "Ah, so that's why Belle felt so uncomfortable around you."

Zephyr crossed his arms, "No. She's just a dumb bug."

The Headmaster stared at him, "I seem to recall demons being affected more by fairy magic than humans. I wouldn't insult her if I were you."

Zephyr's face paled.

"What are we waiting for?" I started walking to the door with a bright grin, "Let the show begin!"