All the professors of Goldway Academy had been summoned to the conference room.
Over forty professors, including the Dean, were all focused on Floy.
"...I'm not certain if that monster is truly a demon, but even if it isn't, it's still extremely dangerous. I couldn't even mount a proper counterattack against it. We must report this to His Majesty the King of Cobalt and request reinforcements," Floy declared to the assembled professors.
The professors fell into deep thought, each lost in their own considerations, while Dean Harvis's face remained grimly set.
The only non-professorial figures present were myself and Melissa, the Student Council President.
As an involved party, I attended the meeting, with Melissa representing the students. Melissa was also the eldest daughter of the Duke of Argentina. If she were to leverage her family's influence, she could exert considerable power over the Academy, even Dean Harvis couldn't ignore.
"Professor Floy," Dean Harvis said, "that creature might not be a demon. Could a black mage have created a magical beast and abandoned it in that cave? We lack sufficient information to definitively classify it as a demon."
Dean Harvis was skeptical about the existence of demons. Despite his benevolent appearance, he was a man consumed by greed.
This was evident in how I had been able to attend Goldway Academy by making a donation to him.
Had he been a man of integrity, I would never have been admitted to the Academy.
"If rumors of a demon spread, the city would immediately descend into chaos. Citizens would panic, and students at the Academy would rush to flee the city."
In the worst-case scenario, the Academy might even be forced to close. Moreover, there was no telling how much time and money it would take to hunt down the hidden demon.
From the Dean's perspective, denying the demon's existence would protect his career, wealth, and power.
"That's how it appears on the surface. Behind the scenes, they'll be searching for the demon. It's too great a risk to ignore."
Several professors agreed with the Dean.
"Without concrete evidence, our Goldway Academy will be condemned by the people of the Cobalt Kingdom... no, by everyone across the continent for causing widespread panic."
However, other professors held dissenting views.
"But what if it really is a demon? The demon drew the Magic Circle with the bandit's blood. We haven't even fully deciphered the Magic Circle it created."
The professor pointed to one side of the conference room wall.
There, two Magic Circles were drawn in black ink on large sheets of paper. One was the circle found on the cave wall, and the other was a copy of the Magic Circle that had been drawn on the ceiling.
"Professor Mariel, who entered the cave for investigation, reported that she detected no magical reactions. These Magic Circles might just be elaborate scribbles."
"Scribbles? Are you truly a professor from the Magic Department? To dismiss such intricate Magic Circles as mere scribbles! We simply haven't deciphered them yet. Interpreting these circles is our duty, and for the sake of the world, we must find this demon."
"As the Dean mentioned, it's too early to conclude it's a demon. Objectively speaking, there's a considerable chance it isn't."
The professors exchanged opinions, their views diverging into three main categories: those who believed it was a demon, those who didn't, and those who remained silent, unwilling to commit to either side.
"Wait! Professors, please be quiet! We can't yet determine whether it's a demon or some other creature. Professor Floy is from the Swordsmanship Department and lacks extensive knowledge of demons, as does Student Sung Yujin. Their opinions alone provide insufficient grounds to declare it a demon."
"..."
Floy's right eye twitched, but she remained silent. As the Dean had pointed out, she possessed no knowledge of demons.
This is the reality for professors in the Swordsmanship Department.
Most of the opinions being voiced came from professors in the Magic Department, while those from the Swordsmanship Department remained largely silent. Opening their mouths here would only invite humiliation from their magical colleagues.
"Dean, what is your opinion?"
"I believe we must first decipher this magic circle. Does anyone recognize it?"
"..."
The professors fell silent.
If even Archmage Dean Harvis didn't recognize the magic circle, how could they possibly know what it was?
Knowledge of demons, especially their magic, is extremely rare and forbidden.
The magic circle had been drawn by Yuria.
Yuria had received a book from Bella Huetris, who had once made a pact with the Plague Demon, and the magic circles were based on the knowledge contained within that book.
"Professor Priscilla, what are your thoughts?"
All eyes turned to Priscilla, who sat quietly in her chair with her arms crossed.
"...Why are you asking me?"
She spoke casually, using informal language with the Dean.
I glanced around. Knowing her true identity as a Dragon, I wasn't surprised by her behavior, but I wondered how the others would react.
To my surprise, the professors remained remarkably unfazed.
Perhaps it's because Priscilla publicly operates as an Archmage?
I observed the Dean's reaction.
"Professor Priscilla is renowned for her expertise in magic circles, isn't she?"
The Dean treated Priscilla with caution, his tone noticeably softer than when addressing the other professors.
He must know Priscilla's true identity. Given that Priscilla is working as a professor, there might be some kind of agreement between them.
"..."
Priscilla rose from her chair and walked toward the wall where the magic circles were drawn.
She pointed to the rightmost circle. It was the same magic circle that had been etched into the ceiling of the underground cave.
"This is a sacrifice ritual magic circle. It converts the life force of living beings into magical energy."
Just as Yuria said. It's indeed a Dragon.
"Impressive, Professor Priscilla. If it's such an evil magic circle, it must have been drawn by a Demon, right?"
One of the professors exclaimed in admiration. But Priscilla shook her head.
"I can't be certain."
"Huh?"
"This magic circle isn't used exclusively by demons. Black mages also frequently employ it. Just because a spell is evil doesn't mean only demons use it."
"..."
Priscilla pointed to the magic circle beside it.
"This circle has two meanings."
"Two meanings, you say?" Dean Harvis asked, his eyes, along with those of the other magicians, gleaming with curiosity for this new knowledge.
"One is a summoning circle. This particular circle is designed to summon the Demon King."
Priscilla's words instantly sparked chaos.
"Holy shit! The Demon King?!"
"Is it really a demon?!"
"Quiet! Quiet down! Professor Priscilla hasn't finished explaining yet."
At the Dean's words, everyone fell silent, turning their attention to Priscilla. Priscilla glanced around with a disdainful look before speaking.
"I don't understand why everyone's making such a fuss. It's impossible to summon the Demon King with just one magic circle, isn't it? To summon the Demon King using human sacrifices alone would require offerings on the scale of an entire kingdom."
"...Then what is the other meaning of this magic circle?"
"Worship."
"Worship...?"
"This magic circle is also a symbol of the Demon King. Lower-ranking demons draw it to worship him."
"If Professor Priscilla is right... does that mean the creature in the cave was a demon?"
"I don't know."
"...Didn't you just say that lower-ranking demons worship the Demon King through this magic circle?"
"Demon Worshippers with advanced knowledge are familiar with all these Magic Circles. Simply drawing these two circles doesn't automatically mean it's a Demon. The ones in the cave merely used human blood to draw the circles, didn't they?"
"...So you're saying the culprit might be human, not a Demon."
Though they had identified the Magic Circles, the case only grew more perplexing.
The meeting continued.
Midway through, Priscilla rose abruptly and stormed out of the conference room.
"Professor Priscilla, where are you going?"
"My research is more urgent than this meeting."
"..."
The Dean remained silent despite her rude behavior. Now he was certain: he knew Priscilla's true nature.
The meeting finally concluded as evening fell.
"We cannot determine whether the creature in the cave was a demon or a Demon Worshipper. Given the gravity of the situation, we require more detailed information. Without conclusive evidence to identify it as a demon, we will postpone judgment on the creature Professor Floy claims to have seen. Everyone is to continue their duties as usual. However, absolutely no one is to disclose any information discussed during this meeting, for the sake of the Academy and the city. I trust in your cooperation."
"Surely you're not suggesting we bury this matter, Dean?"
"Of course not. I fully recognize the danger this situation poses. We will summon a demon expert to the Academy, and several professors will secretly investigate the matter alongside me."
In the end, there wouldn't be an immediate, large-scale hunt for demons.
Just as Yuria intended.
This was good news for me. I still wanted to enjoy my time at the Academy, and there were still women I hadn't bedded yet.
I glanced at one of the female professors. When our eyes met, she twisted the corner of her lip into a suggestive smile.
That perverted bitch I met in front of the burger joint... So that's what she meant by "see you again."
She was the woman I'd had sex with in the street while waiting in line at the burger joint. I'd been wearing my Academy uniform at the time, meaning she knew my identity and still went through with it.
Filthy slut. I'll have to pay her a visit later.
"Haa... The Dean has no intention of investigating properly. He's just stalling, hoping the demon will escape the city."
Floy sighed, leaning against the window in the dimly lit corridor.
I shared her sentiment. The Dean would likely sweep this incident under the rug it was the most convenient course of action for him.
"Professor Floy seems disappointed in the Dean."
"Disappointed? Yes. I expected him to take more decisive action."
"What kind of action do you think would be appropriate?"
"Even if we don't alert the public, all the professors should be mobilized to hunt down the demon... Ugh. What what are you doing?"
I reached out with both hands, groping Floy's breasts and buttocks. One hand slipped inside her blouse, kneading her full breasts, while the other slid into her pants, stroking her pussy.
"What do you think I'm doing? I'm caressing you, as you can see."
"M-My Lord... This is a hallway! If someone comes...!"
"Who would come here at dusk? Besides... your pussy is already wet."
"This... Aangh..."
"As my sheath, you should quietly accept my Flesh Sword."
"Aangh... Yes... My Lord..."
I pulled down the female knight's pants and thrust my cock inside her.
Later, when Melissa and I were alone in the Student Council Room, she asked me:
"Yujin, you asked about demons before. And you and Professor Floy nearly died in that cave while investigating demonic traces. You knew demons were hiding in this city all along. Why didn't you say anything?"
"...It was just a hunch. Professor Floy and I went to the cave to find evidence. Who would believe me if I claimed there was a demon without proof?"
"If you had told me the truth and asked for help, I would have assisted you."
My eyes lit up at Melissa's words. This was my chance.
"...You would really help me?"
"I'm the Student Council President. I don't refuse legitimate requests for assistance from students."
"There are several suspicious places this time. Professor Floy is busy preparing for the Competition Tournament, and the other professors wouldn't believe me. President, please help me."
"By 'suspicious,' do you mean something related to demons?"
"I don't know yet. I'm going to investigate."
"I'll help. What are you planning to investigate?"
"The Turtle Dormitory. I'm going to check it out."
"The Turtle Dormitory? There's nothing particularly wrong there... Ah, there was a rumor about ghosts appearing there. But no student has actually seen one. I always thought it was just one of the Academy's silly rumors... You seem to think differently."
"Where there's smoke, there's fire. We can't rule out the possibility."
"It's absurd to think a demon could be hiding within the Academy, but... fine, let's investigate. The rumors have been bothering me too. When are you planning to go?"
"Now... No, tonight. Ghosts usually appear in the dead of night."