As the dust settled and the Tsukiyo Kekkai( Dark Moon Prison ) slowly dissolved into glowing violet particles, silence reigned over the battlefield. The audience held their breath, still frozen from the shock of what they'd just witnessed.
Iruma stood at the center, breathing heavily, his four clones dissipating in a puff of smoke around him. His eyes, once tense with focus, now gleamed with calm satisfaction. Around him lay scattered signs of his incredible victory—traces of fire, wind, and raw energy still crackling faintly in the air.
Then came a sharp voice, cold and commanding.
"Match over."
Everyone turned their heads as Kalego-sensei floated down to the battlefield, his coat fluttering behind him like wings of judgment. His sharp gaze swept across the participants before landing squarely on Iruma.
"Team B... is the winner."
The crowd erupted.
Jazz, Lied, Allocher, Goemon, and even Kerori leapt into the air with joy, cheering at the top of their lungs.
"We won!! WE WON!!" Lied shouted, practically tackling Jazz in celebration.
"This is thanks to Iruma-kun!" Goemon beamed, proudly raising his sword.
"No... this is because we all trusted him," Allocher said, his usual cool tone holding rare warmth.
Kerori clutched her heart, eyes wide. He's… not just kind... he's powerful. Truly... a prince of demons.
Clara was already crying happy tears. "I knew my Iruma chi –iruma chi was amazing!!"
Then, Kalego raised his hand, silencing everyone instantly.
"As per the results of this match, and as witnessed by both staff and upper-year observers, all members of Team B are hereby promoted by one rank."
The students held their breath in anticipation as Kalego raised a parchment in front of him.
"Crocell Kerori."
"Y-Yes!" she straightened with perfect posture.
"Gaap Goemon. Shax Lied. Allocer Schneider. Andro M. Jazz."
The named students all stood proud, shoulders back, chests out.
"You are all Win this match so congratulation. Few of you will get officially promoted by one rank."
The crowd clapped politely, the promotion expected.
But Kalego wasn't done. His sharp eyes moved to the boy standing at the center of it all—still calm, still silent, his expression unreadable.
"And..." he said, voice low but unmistakably proud, "Suzuki Iruma."
Iruma blinked. Wait… did he say my name last?
"For exhibiting unprecedented strategic coordination, overwhelming magical adaptability, and advanced techniques beyond your current rank... you are hereby promoted by two ranks."
Gasps echoed through the entire arena.
"T-Two?!" Jazz nearly choked.
"That's not even supposed to be possible in a first-year test! But we are the misfit right?" Lied exclaimed.
Kerori's hands flew to her mouth. *Jealously*
Clara fell backward dramatically. "IRUUUUUUUUUUUUMAAAAAA!!!"
Sabro, still recovering from the battle, gave a sharp laugh. "Two ranks? Hah! As expected of my rival!"
Even Asmodeus, pride swelling in his chest, bowed his head slightly. "Master Iruma... you are truly worthy of such honor."
A glowing sigil appeared in front of Iruma, and his rank marker shifted with a soft ding. He watched it glow.
Rank 3...
His eyes widened.
I really... did it.
A small smile played across his lips.
"Thank you, Kalego-sensei."
Kalego gave a curt nod. "Do not thank me. Earn your place. Now that you stand higher, expectations will weigh even heavier upon you."
Iruma nodded firmly. "I will."
As the crowd roared with renewed excitement and applause, the scoreboard behind them flickered to life with the names:
✨ Promoted Students – Final Exam Results ✨
Suzuki Iruma – Promoted by 2 Ranks[ 1→ 3 ]
Gaap Goemon – Promoted by 1 Rank [ 1→ 2 ]
Crocell Kerori – Not Been Promoted . [ 2 ]
Shax Lied – Promoted by 1 Rank [ 1→ 2 ]
Allocer Schneider – Not Been Promoted [3]
Andro M. Jazz – Not Been Promoted [3]
From the stands, upper-year one female student looked on in awe.
"That's human...But iruma?"
"There's no way. No human could pull that off."
Ameri sat silently in the back, her book clutched to her chest. Her heart beat faster as she watched Iruma, the boy who read her favorite manga aloud, now glow with power.
Iruma-kun... just what are you becoming?
The crowd around the battlefield exploded into thunderous cheers, a storm of voices chanting Iruma's name.
"Iruma! Iruma! IRUMA!!"
Jazz pumped his fist into the air. "That was insane, man! You really went all out!"
Lied practically leapt onto Iruma's back. "Bro! Did you see yourself?! You were like BOOM—CLONE—POW—KABOOM! And the moon prison thingy—SO COOL!"
"You truly surpassed expectations, Iruma-kun," Allocer nodded, hands folded behind his back, clearly impressed. "I had to recalculate your combat potential."
Goemon clapped a hand on Iruma's shoulder, grinning from ear to ear. "You fought with honor and skill, friend! Truly worthy of a warrior!"
Kerori gave a dainty applause, still blushing faintly. He's even more amazing than I imagined...
Asmodeus stepped forward calmly, his face proud, but solemn. "Iruma-sama... I acknowledge your victory. Even though I gave it my all, you defeated me fairly. You've grown stronger... magnificently so."
Iruma, cheeks tinged pink, smiled. "Thanks, Alice. I really had to push myself."
Then a low voice cut through the celebration like a cold breeze.
"Silence."
Kalego descended with his arms crossed, landing a few feet from Iruma. The joy in the air froze momentarily as his piercing gaze swept over Team B.
"Suzuki Iruma, your judgment during the final stages of the match—evading attacks, timing your strikes, and seizing opportunity—was commendable." He narrowed his eyes. "However..."
Iruma flinched slightly. Oh no… here it comes.
Kalego stepped closer.
"If I find even a single hint that Asmodeus allowed you to win out of loyalty..." His voice darkened, cold and final. "I will punish both of you severely."
"Yes, sir!" Iruma yelped, standing up straight.
"That said..." Kalego reached into his coat and pulled out a dark, rune-etched crystal. It glowed faintly as he held it up.
"Suzuki Iruma is hereby promoted from Rank 1 to Rank 3."
Gasps filled the air again—twice in one day.
"A two-rank promotion?!" one student shouted.
"He skipped Rank 2?!"
Iruma's eyes widened as the seal of Rank 3 formed in front of him, etching itself with shimmering runes. His hands trembled slightly as he touched the glowing emblem.
Rank 3… I did it. I really… did it.
Kalego turned toward the crowd of students, voice sharp. "Let this be a lesson to all of you. Take these evaluations seriously. Or don't bother showing up at all."
Everyone nodded rapidly.
As the students resumed celebrating, a familiar silhouette approached Iruma from the crowd. Her cape fluttered softly behind her, and her eyes sparkled with subtle pride.
"Iruma-kun."
He turned—and froze. "A-Ameri-san!"
Ameri crossed her arms, smiling just a little.
"That final throw was something else. You've changed since the last time I saw you in action."
Iruma rubbed the back of his neck, nervous. "Yeah… I guess I trained a lot. I never thought... it could feel this exciting. Doing something for myself, I mean."
Ameri tilted her head.
"That's ambition, Iruma-kun."
"Ambition...?"
"Mm." She nodded. "Even if you don't recognize it yet. You should be proud. Congratulations."
Her smile deepened ever so slightly. Iruma's face lit up like the morning sky.
"Thank you, Ameri-san!"
Later that Evening – Sullivan's Mansion
Sullivan spun in his chair, arms wide open.
"My adorable grandson returns victorious! So, how was it, Iruma-kun?! You utterly annihilated the enemy, right? Did the crowd weep tears of joy? Were there doves? Music? Fireworks?"
Iruma laughed. "Well, not all that, but... I won. We all got promoted by one rank." He paused, eyes glowing. "Except me. I was promoted by two."
Opera raised an eyebrow, sipping tea. "Oh? So you're already Rank 3. That was fast."
Iruma turned and bowed deeply. "Opera-san, thank you. I couldn't have done it without your training. You helped me get this far."
Opera blinked. "You followed instructions. That's more than enough."
Sullivan, suddenly pouting, whined. "Ehhh?! Why didn't I get thanked?! I'm the grandpa, you know!"
Opera deadpanned. "Because you didn't help."
"B-But I emotionally supported him! And fed him fruit! That counts!"
Iruma laughed again, warm and full of joy. I finally did something for myself. And it feels… amazing.