"It's really Professor Mangetsu in person!" Gian said, excited like he'd met a celebrity.
"Professor Mangetsu? Who's he?" Doraemon asked, puzzled. After all, he came from the tech world and really didn't know what made Professor Mangetsu famous.
"Professor Mangetsu?" I was a bit confused why the tech world didn't have him.
Shizuka thought I didn't know either, so she leaned close to my ear, her soft voice whispering.
"Ah! You don't know? He's a super famous magic scholar, often on TV. Haven't you seen him?"
"Oh! Right! I often forget things!" Doraemon, up ahead, overheard Shizuka's whisper to me.
Up front, Suneo and Gian were chatting with Professor Mangetsu about their admiration, and they asked their question.
"Professor Mangetsu, you mentioned demons earlier. So, does that black shooting star have something to do with this so-called Demon Planet?"
Professor Mangetsu lost his earlier casual vibe, turning serious, facing away with his hands behind his back.
"Something extremely terrifying is about to happen on Earth."
But he didn't continue; instead, he asked us first.
"Do you all really believe in the existence of demons?"
Shizuka, who knew a bit about the magic world, answered.
"They existed in the past, but they went extinct as humans evolved."
"That's the common belief, but after I deciphered ancient texts, I learned something terrifying," Professor Mangetsu said without contradicting her, continuing.
"According to the texts, modern humans learned magic from the demons, and that's the foundation of today's magic civilization."
"Those demons aren't from Earth; they came to Earth from a planet called the Demon Planet."
At this point, Professor Mangetsu paused suddenly. Shizuka and the others were interested in this record that differed from the magic world's history, listening intently.
"So demons are aliens," Doraemon offered his view.
"I know it's hard for you to believe, but historically, the Demon Planet has approached Earth many times."
"The extinction of the dinosaurs, the legend of Noah's Ark, mysterious and eerie phenomena that nearly wiped out all life on Earth—these were all destructions and influences caused by the Demon Planet approaching Earth."
"And now, the Demon Planet is slowly approaching Earth again."
Professor Mangetsu turned to face us, emphasizing his words.
"But no matter how I warn them, no one believes in the Demon Planet or demons. Yet it's an ironclad fact."
"By the time the Demon Planet is close enough to see with the naked eye, it'll be too late."
Professor Mangetsu sighed helplessly!
These secrets not only stunned Shizuka and the others from the magic world but even surprised Doraemon from the tech world.
How did a simple outing turn into the end of the world?
Professor Mangetsu, you're not joking, right?
Just as the atmosphere fell silent...
Suddenly, Miyoko's voice broke in.
"But at least Mom believed you!"
Miyoko seemed to want to comfort her old dad, but it backfired.
"Miyoko, don't mention Mom anymore," Professor Mangetsu suddenly got angry.
"But Mom, she..." Miyoko started.
"Even if it's to save someone else, borrowing power from demons is an unforgivable mistake!"
Professor Mangetsu got more agitated, even crushing the teacup nearby.
"Sorry, I got too worked up!"
"It's okay, I'll go brew another one!"
The father and daughter fell into a dead silence. Miyoko quietly left to brew a new cup of tea in the kitchen.
It seemed like we'd overheard some huge gossip—about a famous scholar, no less. Everyone has a nosy side.
Shizuka and the others' eyes were full of curiosity.
But Professor Mangetsu ignored them, staring at the family photo in the living room as if lost in memories, speaking to himself.
It was like he was venting the pressure built up over the years.
"When Miyoko was little, she fell into a life-threatening crisis, slipping into a coma she couldn't wake from."
"This child's mother back then searched almost every top magician to save Miyoko, but the answers were all that her condition couldn't be fixed with magic."
"I'd already fallen into despair, but her mother kept searching for a way to save Miyoko."
"Then, I discovered she was researching magic to make deals with demons. I stopped her right away—dealing with demons doesn't just sacrifice one life; you never know what might happen later."
"I thought I'd stopped her, but she continued in secret. In the end, she made a contract with a demon."
"She exchanged her own life, disappearing in the blazing fires of the demon world, and in return, Miyoko woke up."
Professor Mangetsu sighed with guilt.
"I often wonder if this event was the start of the Demon Planet's approach."
Having heard this big scoop, we all started worrying about the Demon Planet.
"Are demons really coming to Earth?"
"Is there really no way to drive them away?" Suneo asked Professor Mangetsu worriedly.
"It's not that there's no way."
Seeing someone ask, Professor Mangetsu didn't hide it like in some clichéd story or game NPC, or beat around the bush. He waved his hand, activating magic, and a scroll flew out from the mural.
Under our surprised gazes, Professor Mangetsu caught the scroll and unrolled it.
"About five thousand years ago, legend says a man named Nirnaeth sealed away the demons' power. The method is recorded in the Demon World Chronicle, hidden somewhere on Earth. That's what the ancient texts say."
Professor Mangetsu explained, looking at the open scroll.
"So if we find this Demon World Chronicle, we won't have to fear the demons!" Suneo said happily, but then wondered why Professor Mangetsu hadn't gone looking sooner.
"But because the ancient texts are so old, I can't decipher the part about the hiding place!" Professor Mangetsu knew what he was thinking and explained helplessly.
"Decipher?" At that moment, Doraemon suddenly remembered he had a useful gadget.
Doraemon pulled out the Translation Tool from his pocket.
"Professor Mangetsu, here! Eat this first, then try deciphering the text!"
Doraemon handed the Translation Tool to Professor Mangetsu.
Professor Mangetsu looked at the strange konnyaku in his hand, ate it, and tried.
Suddenly, he found he could understand the obscure text in his hands.
"Such an incredible magic—I've never seen anything like it," Miyoko said, returning with the tea and seeing her father's expression.
But even if he could read it, deciphering still took time. Who knows if those ancient texts had riddles hidden in the words?
The Translation Tool only lets you understand the text; it doesn't boost your intelligence.
So, realizing Professor Mangetsu needed quite a while to decipher it, we decided to head home for now.