Piers and the other students stood in the training hall. Behind the scenes, the staff member who orchestrated the fight presented the results to the four house teachers: Severin (Black Serpents), Abbadon (Demonic Badger), Hecate (Death Vulture), and Mordred (Dark Lion).
"So, teachers, who are you going to take under your wing?" the staff member asked.
"He would do much better under my wing," Hecate claimed, referring to Piers.
"Just who are you talking to, Hecate?" Abbadon snapped.
"Right, he will do better under me," Mordred asserted.
Severin, silent, just observed before walking away. Soon, all four teachers returned to the training hall.
"Now we will be taking students under our wing," Hecate announced. "Piers, first is your turn."
Piers walked forward, lost in thought about the morality of his actions during the fight. Seeing him, Severin simply stated, "I would take him."
"You can't just decide that on your own; we have power too," Hecate protested.
"Fine," Severin conceded. "Then how about we fight using our devil powers to decide who takes him." Severin's eyes glowed red.
"If you want a fight, I'll give you one," Hecate replied, her eyes turning cat-like, yellow and black.
Another person interrupted. "How about this: I will create a tiny smoke demon. Whoever attracts it or it selects will take the boy."
Severin agreed. The person created a smoke demon that could fit in a palm. Hecate tried to hypnotize it, but Abbadon suddenly created intense heat, snapping the demon out of its daze. The demon instinctively moved toward the safe, cooler area Abbadon created. "Abbadon!" Hecate yelled.
"I want that boy with me," Abbadon stated.
As the smoke demon entered the safe area, it felt a pulling force. Mordred was using his Black Vertex to attract it. Then, countless hands wrapped around the smoke demon and hurled it toward Severin. Severin caught it.
"Looks like I win," Severin said. He turned to Piers with his usual apathetic tone. "Congratulations, Piers. From now on, you are the disciple of Severin at the Black Serpent house."
"Yes, Master," Piers replied.
The rest of the selection was simple. Everyone was assigned to a house that matched their aptitude. Piers noted that the girl who had been the first to kill and instigate the fight, Astarte, was chosen for the Death Vulture house. As she left, she gave Piers an angry look, clearly unhappy that he had outmatched her. Piers said nothing.
As the houses were decided, Piers and his house went to another area for training. On the way, Severin asked, "Does anyone of you know why the houses for the students are separate?"
No one answered. Piers said, "To create competition and friendships at the same time."
"No, that's not the case," Severin said. "The houses are separate based on the students' powers. A student who is well-versed in demonic rituals goes to Demonic Badger. A student who is well-versed in their demonic powers—like using demon power to strengthen the body, attack with demonic powers, etc.—goes to Death Vultures. A person well-versed in demonic ability—like creating claws, horns, body armor, etc.—goes to Dark Lion. And a person who is well-versed in black arts comes to the Black Snake."
Piers thought, "Then wouldn't I be better at Death Vulture than at Black Serpents? No, my demonic powers are already very strong. What I should do is hone my other capabilities."
"Sir," Piers asked, "what criteria does the Demonic Badger look for?"
"The Demonic Badger looks for the criteria of having pure energy," Severin explained. "Because with pure energy, the ritual will be most effective."
In the classroom, Severin instructed, "You will be learning black arts with me, so make sure to always keep your black arts book open." As everyone opened their books, Severin continued, "Now, I want you all to focus on the spells you want to learn."
Piers opened The Umbrae Codex and took out the Umbrae Vorax spell, where black spirit is unleashed to consume the essence of enemies, leaving them hollow, and Atrum Possessio Spell, where the caster sends a black spirit into another's body, taking partial control. He was interested in both to allow him to both kill and control.
"Now, look at it and concentrate," Severin commanded. "The energy you take out to cast black arts is the same energy that stays in hell. I want you to focus. Don't only use your black arts but also your devil powers to enhance it."
Piers started using black arts with his Mephisto power, attracting many black spirits that revolved around him. He devoured a black spirit and used its power to cast the spell. "Umbrae Vorax," he commanded. The black arts amplified with black spirit amplified, sending black spirits to attack, but he made them return. Then he said, "Atrum Possessio," and sent a black spirit into a desk. The desk turned black, and fangs emerged from its middle portion. He stopped the black arts, and the spell ceased.
"Looks like some of you here are more talented than others in regards to using black arts," Severin noted. Piers then decided to move on to a Hidden Art, selecting the spell Noctis Pinion.
Meanwhile, in the Midgard, Selene was looking around the mobile fortress. "So you live in such a grand way now, Ben?" she remarked.
"No, this isn't my cart. Midgard is just the cart of my friend," Ben clarified. "I usually stay in the mansion of the revolutionaries' headquarters. I would be happy to show you that."
"Well, our situations have always been different, from how we were born to how we were raised," Selene sighed.
"Yeah, I guess," Ben agreed. "Well, after your people arrive, tell them to go to the revolutionaries and serve under them, okay? Once we secure your country, they are free to leave. I will sign the contract as well."
"Thank you for helping me," Selene said.
"No problem. After all, I promised."
Once Selene's people arrived, she stood before them. "Hear me, my people! Principality is no longer safe. If we want to survive, we would have to leave Principality. I want you all to go to the Astria Kingdom toward the Genos Town. There, the revolutionaries will give you protection."
After her people had departed, Ben said, "Now we have to get to the previous mission: Saving Rei."