2.22. Wish Against Revenge

"Iona's food is the best really," Ro said, mixing up the perfectly creamy eggs, special gravy and rice– omurice.

"Iona, were you a chef in the past? You sure know a lot about how to cook good food. Schwii must be really lucky to have you to make her food like this every day," Lilian voiced her thoughts.

"I appreciate the words," Iona bowed simply without saying much.

"Iona, has there not been any contact yet?" Schwii asked.

"As of yet, no."

"I expected them to contact us sooner. Was my prediction wrong?" Schwii glanced at Sequencee.

Today was a Thursday, three days since their dungeon excursion. Yesterday they had class as usual, the morning practical session and afternoon theory classes. After their first hand experience of what it was like to be in a dungeon, the students have come to realize that the classes by Miss Willy were much more significant in surviving in dungeons than they thought.

"Maybe something happened to the hero. I heard it was Hero Risa Takashi that got in an accident." Sequencee said.

"Don't you think it's weird? No one got injured to the point of needing to pull out except for the hero. Makes it feel like the heroes this time are weaker than what most people expect for some reason," Ro said, shoving a spoonful of delicious gravy-filled rice into his mouth.

"Ro, Hero Rika also started out weak. Just give them some time, they'll eventually become the star we all hope to see. Speaking of which, when will the demons attack us anyways? Schwii, any ideas?" Lilian retorted, then directed a question.

"At least, I presume it would likely not happen unless a major conflict breaks out.."

"But aren't you afraid then?"

"Afraid?"

"You're a high demon after all.." Lilian said, biting on her fork

".. Since when you.." Schwii's eyes twitched.

"So it's true?! Wow! I knew demons aren't bad people."

"..."

"Seriously?" Ro looked at Schwii and Iona with a pertuberted expression, "Hey Sequencee, were you aware?"

"Lilian, what's your justification," Sequencee asked curtly.

"Justification? Leticia told me. I don't mean to be enemies, I think it's cool to have a demon as a friend," Lilian said with sparkling eyes.

"As long as you don't mean any harm," Iona warned.

"Mn, I know. I wouldn't want to stop eating Iona's food after all," she nodded with a flat-bread smile.

===

"I didn't think they would find out so soon."

"It's to be expected.. we've been living under the same roof after all. I mean.. they might find out that we're demon lords eventually."

"That's concerning. I still hadn't the information to gauge the reaction of the people if that was revealed."

"If anything goes wrong, we'll just have to run.. right?"

Schwii showed a sentimental smile, "You're right."

They arrived at the training theater early. There weren't many students of class A2E that had arrived yet so Sequencee and Schwii began by practicing magic.

"Are the hell flames the only magic you use?" Sequencee was curious, so he through to ask. All the while Schwii had been using various versions of this same magic.

"Iona taught me the importance of focusing on one. If you spread your effort too far, you'll draw too thin. Because I was so busy with work before this, I had no choice but to prioritize the most efficient option for self defense, which turned out to be this magic here," Schwii juggled the dangerous flames around as if they were rubber balls.

"Hm.."

"The same principle applies to everything actually. It's better to pick and focus on one, not on many at the same time."

"You're right about that.." Sequencee assessed his current magic. So far he had done as Iona told, which was to create a few, originally unique spells that would be versatile in resolving multiple situations. What Schwii meant here was to then take those original spells and focus on amplifying their possibility.

"Oh, my friends are here. Morning–" Schwii waved at the arriving students with a radiant smile.

Seeing how cheerful she was today, Sequencee felt a sense of calm and peace in his heart.

'Focus on one..'

===

"Sequencee, are you planning to go back first?" Schwii knocked the stack of papers against the table to straighten them out.

"You're going to the office?"

"First I'll post these on the class notice board, then I'll need to pass these up to the office."

"Uh.. sorry."

"No worries. It's something I'm familiar with."

As the class representative, Sequencee felt ashamed that a lot of his duties were done by Schwii who was better familiarized with admin work. Somehow, this diligent, hardworking side of her made Sequencee feel a tad embarrassed.

Schwii was as much a girl as she was his fiance, it was wrong of him to expect her to be in a good mood all the time. He recalled the cold treatment he received from Schwii during her needy times.

'Maybe I should ask Iona for advice.'

"I'll follow you to the office."

"I'll be glad. Then let's go post these up first."

The two smiled at each other. The other classmates who saw that can't help but be envious.

"So sweet, I could puke sugar–" Taylor mused.

"I'd like it if that was really possible," Adrinne retorted.

Schwii carried the papers, Sequencee fixed the notices on the board. It was the assigned teams for next week's dungeon excursion. This time around, Sequencee and Schwii would be in the same group, Team Ten.

"I wonder who assigns the teams?" Schwii mulled.

"Our instructors, perhaps?"

"I feel like it's more random. If it really were the instructors, they shouldn't put two of the top students in the same team. That would be ineffective."

"True."

Having posted the team list and dungeon tasks, Schwii and Sequencee headed to the office. The office and enforcer classes were in two separate buildings, one had to cross a link bridge to move between the two sectors. When they arrived, they were surprised to find Her Highness Evelyn conversing with Judy.

'What is she on about now?'

"Good evening Your Highness," Sequencee greeted.

"Good evening to both of you, Sequencee, Schwii," Evelyn didn't seem to be in a good mood.

"Miss Judy, here are the documents for you. Do you know if Sir Grian and Miss Willy are present?"

"It's alright. Just leave it all here, I'll pass it to them later," Judy tapped on her desk, Schwii placed the papers down as instructed.

"Schwii, can we have a talk?" Evelyn interjected all of a sudden.

"About?" Schwii tilted her head in confusion. Her previously reproachful expression was no longer present, having renewed her trust in Sequencee. If anything, the lack of a hostile colour reflected through Evelyn's favorability scale made her even more furious.

"Just follow me. And Sequencee, you stay there."

"No. I'm not going then. I don't see a point," Schwii declared.

"What's wrong exactly?" Sequencee asked, perplexed.

"Sequencee, do you think you're under threat?" Judy asked.

"Me? No, why?"

'Under what threat?'

"There's no way that's the case. Ugh, fine. Bring Sequencee too, we need to talk," Evelyn almost wanted to drag them both.

"Actually– Sir Grian wants to talk to Sequencee regarding the dungeon so he has to stay back.." Judy added.

"Doesn't matter! Leave the situation off for another time–" Evelyn demanded.

"Who you're after is me, correct? So if I accept your invitation would you leave them alone?" Schwii asked, a slight irk in her voice.

"Yes. We need to talk, please."

"Fine. Miss Judy, Sequencee, I'll bring Her Highness away and leave first."

"Excuse us," Evelyn said with a huff as she turned around and walked towards the exit.

Sequencee and Schwii exchanged a nod as they parted. The instructors from the other classes peeked over out of curiosity.

"Are you curious what Her Highness said?" Judy asked.

"Of course I would be.."

"Your fiance is seducing you."

"Um.."

"What's wrong with that, right? She is your fiance after all. I don't get the princess," Judy got up from her seat, "Follow me."

Sequencee tailed her as they made their way out of the building.

"I thought you said Sir Grian wanted to see me?"

"That's a lie."

"???"

"I don't think there's anything wrong about living with a demon when you're a demon yourself. So I wonder why Her Highness thinks that you're in danger."

"That's what she told you?"

'The hell is going on? Is Schwii going to be alright?'

Sequencee touched the necklace, thinking to contact Schwii when he decided against it. She should be able to defuse the situation with that glib mouth of her's. It's likely a misunderstanding on Her Highness' part.

'At this rate, our identities will be revealed.'

"I wonder what will happen if the news gets out."

"If something does happen, you and Schwii are my proud students. I will not allow anyone to degrade the two of you simply because you're from another race."

"Really?"

"Of course. I'm in support of racial equality."

".. I see. Thank you."

"Anyhow, aren't you curious where we're going?" Judy spun around and showed a shrew smile.

"I don't?"

"A secret meeting with the two heroes. Not even Her Highness is aware of this."