Chapter Text
IT'S already almost time for dinner but Iruma, the grandson of Sullivan decided to go at the library in his home. He want to find something at library that could help from his assignments but somehow he find himself in a place where there are some portraits hidden at the back of those book shelves. Out of curiosity, Iruma suddenly had urge to want know what those portraits are for. Iruma is very aware that he mustn't do this without his grandfather Sullivan Sullivan's permission but the feelings inside him telling opposite, it's saying something that he should take a look to see it.
Please don't let me caught for this
Worrisome is written at his face but he strengthen himself and gulp before picking up a certain portrait who looks standout from the collection. Iruma groan when he had hard time picking it at the back of shelf. It was unexpectedly big so he really having hard time for this. He could ask assistance but as same time he could be grounded later on.
"Just let me see you for a little bit!" Frowning a little bit and after sparing time to get it. Iruma collapse at the floor and catch his breath. That was tiring for Iruma add that he don't have enough strength to pull it off but his curiosity is really just. He can't help it.
After being seems good, Iruma sat and look at the portrait who seems cover in dust. It's way too dusty but it's really big portrait. Iruma already seen some back on Human World when he work as Janitor at museum but unexpectedly, this one is way too big.
The shelf thankfully didn't collapse but Iruma took a glance again at portrait and observe it. The frame is mix color gold and black, Iruma knows that the gold was total real but the black thing looks diamond for him because it's shinning. He look around to see something that could use to wipe off those dust and found one at the corner not so far at his place. Getting up and running on that place, before going back.
He started cleaning it and the amount of those is totally could hug Iruma's whole body. It was way too many! But still he continue to dust it off and cough as the dust came straight at him. He decided to close his eyes and continue his cleaning. After wiping off from its back to front, Iruma stared in awe as he finally could see clearly the portrait. It was a portrait containg demons who is smiling all together. After observing and some guessing, Iruma finally figured out what it is.It was a class picture! and it looks like they are former students from Babylus based on the uniforms they wearing.
It looks different from their uniforms but he could tell that they are former students from his school now. He once more observe it well and as he roomed his eyes to see more of it, shock began to written on his face as recognize the something about the portrait. It's not like he knew the people there but the room.
"This is Royal One. They are the first students of Royal One Classroom." He mumbled upon his breath. This is really his currently classroom, the famous Royal One. He stared at it looking amaze. It didn't change at all. The students on the portrait is wearing different types of uniform. There are some wearing Goth Dress, Beatnik, Dark Academia and many more styles. Iruma was just truly fascinated on this sight. His eyes also spotted the once judge from Music Festival named Amducias Poro. The demon in portrait is looking different as it stand proudly with someone who is sitting...
"On the throne..." Iruma's lip curled as he finally saw the person who is told the most proud demon. The demon who make things impossible for Netherworld. The demon known as Demon King. The demon was once entered Royal One before him.
"Derkila..." Iruma felt something unusual inside of him. It was like burning something and he can't clearly explain it. The one who caught his eye the most is him, the Demon King Derkila. Sitting on the throne while grinning, having dark violet hair that stood out most. Iruma gulped as he started to feel somehow uncomfortable looking at that person.
He tried to look back at some students in portrait but Iruma can't stop himself to take glance again at the demon who is sitting at the throne. The demon is clearly looking directly, must sound insane but he getting chills just looking at him but somehow comfortable too? He grunt and bit his lips.
This might be just single looking portrait but it looks like the demon on the picture was alive and really staring at him right now. His looks giving him as if its checking his inner soul. Iruma shiver on that thought and start to feel quite anxious.
"I need to leave now." Iruma is starting to back and forth as his eyes starting to twitch already. He stood and tried to push back the portrait at shelf but the portrait became too heavy all of sudden. He even made a inch yet to push it back! And worse of that Iruma almost completely forgot the dinner! That was mistake of him. Iruma silently hoping they haven't found─
"Iruma." Iruma jumped off in surprised and accidentally pulled up his hand on portrait making his hand got scratch from it. He was surprised hearing someone calling him. He didn't mind the sting of his hand and turn to see who he is person who called upon him.
and I'm done for, It's Opera san
Iruma is crying inside already but he stood in composure and act nothing is happening. He tried to act breath in relief and face properly the servant "O-opera san ah sorry If I miss your call for dinner. It looks like its time for dinner already right? Yeah hahaha I'm going now. Thanks." Iruma wanna smack his head for stuttering for a moment, It would make things suspicious but it's better to cool off this and without hesitation. Iruma run off outside the house library leaving the servant eyeing at him suspiciously.
"This kid..."
Opera sighed at his young master action, this child is truly something but they don't hate him even knowing they are not kin of them. They won't going to judge their master decision for this. Opera take a glance at what Iruma seemly been looking at. In that moment, the stern looking servant winded its eyes as they see what Iruma just saw. Opera immediately find some big blanket around to cover the portrait. After wrapping it up, the servant place it back where the young master seems found it.
"Just what the hell that child been doing. This portrait is sacred." Eventually after arranging things there, they decided that the Chairdemon must have knowledge of this event. These need to be informed. After running off at the house library, Iruma immediately take himself at his bedroom. He went inside and didn't hesitate to throw his body at the bed.
If it's my old bed, I might die but it doesn't matter now
Iruma stared at the room ceiling for a minute before wrapping himself at the blanket. He rolled himself at the blanket and sighed in frustration.
"Just what I'm thinking to do that. Geez it's so embarrassing for Opera to see it but it feels like my hand just move on its own that time and I don't know! I even leave the portrait hanging there without thinking! Grandpa will get mad at this aren't he? That portrait is important I know." Iruma to let those frustration, ever since he came and learn in this realm. There some other side of him making him surprised that he could show but still. Iruma is frustrated as hell right now. But true on his words, Iruma really don't know why he suddenly do that back on library but something really inside of him telling that he should do it. That he needs to unfold something but Iruma didn't really can't understand himself these past few days.
He keeps getting weirder and weirder. Might that's why Clara and Azz kun is silent these past few days? Or just overthinking things? But he just hope he won't be scolded later for doing it. He knows he's wrong for suddenly tampering something not clearly his.
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"Iruma kun may I come in?" While Iruma is on deep thoughts and busy scolding himself. Sullivan came into his grandson's room to check if the boy was there and he isn't wrong cause looks like Iruma is busy on his thoughts right now. He chuckled as he see his dear grandson warp up on the blanket making it looks like a big sushi with his dear cute grandson inside.
What a cute child
Opera also tailed their master behind. They are just silent and look busy thinking something. Sullivan sat at the edge of the his grandsons bed and wave in front of the human making it almost fall at the bed so Sullivan catch up his grandson from almost falling at bed.The boy looks surprised as he saw his grandfather along with Opera inside of his room. He didn't even notice because he is busy thinking about this night's event.
I get reported
Iruma went pale in that thought. "Iruma kun is there something wrong?" Sullivan spoke while helping his grandson tidying back at his bed. Sullivan is getting worry at the child expression. It looks somehow scared and something? He can't tell. As the blanket remove, Iruma thanked his grandfather and smiled.
"N-no. I'm okay Grandpa." Why did I stutter once again?! Iruma screamed on his mind. He will literally gonna smack off his head if there's next time. It will make things really obvious that something is really wrong about him right now. He look away and silently sighed, Sullivan on other side slightly knitted its brows and look at Opera who is still standing on door. Opera step in and look directly at their young master.
"Iruma sama went into library and find a old portrait. It's that portrait Sullivan sama." Iruma bit his mouth as Opera started reporting what he did today. He thought he got reported already but it doesn't matter because he really got himself on trouble now. Sullivan squeeze his lip for a moment as what he heard.
That portrait...so it's that portrait
Sullivan look back at his grandson Iruma who went flinched when he look at him. Iruma can't read what expression his grandfather having but he tried to stay composed as possible. Sullivan remained silent making Iruma really want to dig up his own grave right now. He is really wrong and ready to get scolded for this. It's okay. He is trying to calm his nerves but he is really way too nervous. He closed his eyes and bow his head.
Getting scold is what you already experience before Iruma so it's okay
"Tell me Iruma kun. What do you think of the first students of Royal One?" Iruma open his eyes and look at his grandfather slight dumfounded. He just got huh expression at his face.Iruma is confused. He about to get scolded right? So what with this question? Iruma only gave his grandfather a confused stare as a reply so Sullivan showed a thin smile and chuckled.
What do I think? I really don't know. I can't express my feelings
Sullivan moved into his side and sat comfortably as both of them are now facing the wall. It was a cue for Opera to leave so they step outside and headed to dining room to arrange things. Now the two is alone. Iruma look at his grandpa who seems thinking something.
"Royal One is a room of the current Missing Demon King Derkila sama. I was once student at Babylus and I also got myself in trouble sometimes because students back then still haven't learned to control their selves. If there was a fight suddenly break out, expect a lot of students who may not also involved will suddenly got engaged into the fighting. The Babylus motto that day is 'Shed Blood and Survive Until You Graduate'. I got myself a lot into fights and then one day I met an outstanding student who helped me to get out in that kind of disastrous situation."
Iruma look surprised at his grandfather as he heard what Sullivan is telling to him right now. He can't believe that Babylus was once like that. Yes, he once heard how horrible the system of Babylus before from Opera san and Kalego sensei but to think that, back on those kind of days the one thing you really need to put on your mind is to survive and that is Iruma is trying to do right now here in Netherworld. To survive despite being a human.
Or else I'll be killed
Sullivan smiled as he notice that he already hooked up his grandson's attention into his story so he leaned on him a little. But on Iruma hearing that his grandfather is also Babylus Student before was new to him. Well clearly because he just have a little bit knowing about past.It's not like he ain't interested. He want somehow to his grandfather know well too.
"There was one lone student who always focus on the interesting things. Whether fight break out or something else, as long as it sound interesting. That student will be present to witness it. A student who got recognized by strength and will power. A student who also changed the whole Netherworld balance."
Sullivan before just really want to have a normal life inside the school even though it's really sound impossible to happen. Babylus is the most prestigious school before and still this present day. He just clearly want to graduate but he haven't made a decision what to do once he graduate. He is still undecided for that kind of thing that time.
But an opportunity come and he accepted it behind knowing he can't turn his back anymore.
It's just really quite tempting
----
Young Sullivan is walking down at the hallway of 4th floor building for 2nd years like him when he suddenly he got pushed off on the balcony all of sudden making him didn't react faster and meet the ground as he fall down. Groaned as he feel the pain of his new wound he just get.
That wound is still healing damn it
"Just who's the punk who tried to kill me again." Sullivan voice is full of frustration. He look up above to see the culprit but only flowers fell from balcony. It's definitely him again. He run off his hand on his wavy hair. Cursing inside, Sullivan sit up from ground immediately but he stop dusting off himself when he suddenly heard loud footsteps looks coming on his place.
Fuck fuck! Wrong timing damn!
Sullivan immediately try to stood up to make his run off and made escape for this but his way too late because he got caught already into the mess of this damn gangsters. He is squeezed between the fight making him hard to move around. Punching and kicking around, Sullivan is thankful that somehow he id good at dodging but he let his guard down and well received a sudden kick from his stomach. Once again Sullivan groaned because the hit was freaking striaght up from his wound!
"I just seriously want to treat my wound you bastards!" The Young Sullivan is look furious as hell. He is just on his way to make his wound treated because he caught up from a fight but hell he caught one again. What a luck. He take a look at the culprit and glared to see who is the punk who dared to pick fight with him.
Getting on my nerves again
"Ya Sulli, looking good are we? HAHAHA." It was Belial, the most likely started this mess again. This freshman is stubborn even though he is older than him but it doesn't matter right now. Sullivan grinned and throw a punch in his face, Sullivan half day got wasted from fighting the demons he just barely know but for the sake of his wound. He will seriously fight for it.
He sighed as he get out on the Principal's office. He look up the sky and seems like all class is already finished. He kick the wall not so far from the Principals office and take his leave. Someone shouted at his back calling him but he ignore it. The demon frustratedly ruffled his hair.
He should really at least to leave that damn mess when he caught up but it so tempting to not kick back that bastard. For sure he would receive a detention slip tomorrow but it's better to jerk it off. It's really waste of his time something trivial like this. The young demon continued to walk busy swimming of his thoughts not knowing someone's eyes is locked on him.
Someone is getting interesting on him
----
Sullivan smiled remembering those kind of days when he always got called into Principal's Office because someone is always tipping him, almost like very week because he always caught in the wind of mess inside the school. He is not starting the mess and just wished to got slightly good life inside but as he said. It's way impossible to do that in that kind of school system before. The old demon look at the child beside him who seem stunned to say a word. Iruma is sure surprised, he is beyond one. Way too much. He thought his grandfather is like someone kind? back when he was a student. Because that's what Iruma seeing right now. He is basing on the action of the demons that he is seeing but he shrugged off his shoulder for this delusional thinking.
I think I really have more to learn from demons like Grandpa
Demons are really demons and they are really like this like what Human Elders always telling him when he was child. They are frightening kin but sure Iruma is having fun hearing this kind of story from his grandfather. It's just fun knowing more of him for Iruma.
"But why Grandpa is suddenly telling me this?" and not scolding me from what I did? Iruma is having fun to know his grandfather background before even just a little but he is really curious why would his grandfather suddenly tell him this. Sullivan put his right hand at Iruma's head and pat it slowly before showing a warm smile to the child.
A warm like touch Iruma's heart
"I don't know either." They both stared at each other for a minute before bursting out their laugh. Opera on dining room who heard it smiled a little. After they laugh Sullivan hug his grandson and silence take in inside the room. For Sullivan suddenly telling this kind of story of him. He just want his grandson to be reassured that it's okay to make trouble sometimes. It's not like seeing that portrait means a grave sin.
"You're not mad at me Grandpa? About...that portrait?" Iruma released himself from the hug and look directly at his grandfather.
What a cutie grandson~
Sullivan wanna throw a whim but he composed himself. "No. Not at all. It's okay, you don't need to worry Iruma." He reassured on the child. The boy shut its eyes and hug Sullivan. The old demon hugged back Iruma and pat slowly the back of his grandson. Look like he's right on his conclusion. His grandson thought that he may mad at him for that kind of thing but clearly he's not.
It's time already
After making all things clear, it's already late but they still took a dinner together. Opera is glad to know that looks like things are seems okay and there's nothing wrong with Iruma and that's what they think.
Because there are some things that awaits will come forth now
-----
Time to go in sleep but Iruma is still fully awake. The human is quietly sitting on a chair near at his bed while processing what he learned this day. Hearing those kind of stories from his grandfather made him think who is the student that help his grandpa before? He didn't mention it. It just a story but it keeps bugging him plus the portrait from the library. Thankfully his grandpa is not mad about it.
Because if he do, well it's okay on Iruma
His gaze turn into the window as the chippers of the birds can be heard. He stood up and sat beside the small edge near window. He stared outside and look up at the sky. It's not look like of what he's been seeing at Human World that one gaze would make him at ease. This night he feel very uncomfortable despite being really spoiled in his current state.
Maybe because I'm still human after all?
"What are you worried for Iru boi?" The human took a glance at the avatar of his ring, Ali who is now sitting on a chair he used to sit at this moment. Iruma take a deep breath as he started to say what he is worried for and bugging him this night. The avatar seems not letting his playful attitude at this moment and just quietly listening to the young master's words. After explaining everything to the avatar Iruma just stay staring at the avatar who seem in deep thoughts. He was about to open his mouth to called his partner when Ali started to speak.
"You know Iru boi. Demons are really more complicated than you thought. Unlike humans who can easily to read like you. The demons here in Netherworld tend to put on their mind a 'goal' that they think is necessary to achieve because they believed that only that 'goal' will make them bring such happiness in life but they been putting wrong thought for years. Tons of conflicts and wars started because of the certain goals they always putting. Great number of conflicts and not proper communication started to break. Demons really don't have control on their self so they started the 'goal' thing on their life and its been passed down, generations by generations until present."
The history of demons are quite complicated to understand
That one for sure Iruma understand on Ali's explanation. Demons and humans are clearly different at each other that's why both realms are separated because it's impossible to make them stay on same place is like the other meaning. Ali looked at Iruma and stood up while the young human is busy on thinking about his words. He place his hand on Iruma's shoulder and give a reassuring look.
"But Ali san can I ask something?" Ali wave his hand telling Iruma to go on of that he want to ask but suddenly Ali get back on his ring and just disappeared before Iruma can even ask for something. He tried to call back Ali but the door of his room suddenly opened, a sudden bright light came in his room making him shut his eyes and avoid his gaze who may open it. Before he could open his eyes to see it who might be it. He suddenly felt sleepy and the human immediately left his consciousness, falling at the ground of his room.
NevhinLec │Izu