The hallway of Kuoh Academy still felt empty as Issei walked slowly across the gleaming wooden floor. His eyes were fixed on the nameplate attached to the sliding door that read:
"3-B"
Issei sighed and gently pushed the door. The sound of wood scraping was soft, and the distinctive scent of an unused classroom immediately hit his nose—a mix of chalk, wooden floor, and warm air from the room heater.
Still early.
Only three other students were in the classroom, all sitting in corners or arranging their bags. Issei walked to one of the seats near the window—a spot that somehow felt familiar—then put down his bag.
He sighed, then rested his head on his folded arms on the desk.
'Ddraig, wake me up when the bell rings.'
A voice echoed in his mind, sounding annoyed.
{Hmph. I'm a dragon, not a bed-warming alarm clock.}
Issei only let out a soft breath and closed his eyes.
Time passed.
Footsteps began to echo into the classroom. Soft chatter filled the air, gradually growing louder. Then…
"Yo, Issei!"
Issei stirred slightly when his shoulder was tapped gently.
"Wake up, wake up. The first class is about to start."
The voice came from Motohama, the guy with thick glasses. Beside him stood Matsuda, bald with a wide grin. Both looked at Issei with worried... and slightly curious expressions.
Issei slowly lifted his head, opening his heavy eyes. The white mask was still on his face.
"Huh? You guys…"
Matsuda exclaimed, "Whoa, you're sick?"
Issei nodded lightly. "Yeah… fever. Slight chills, but manageable."
Aika Kiryuu, a short-haired girl with a mischievous smile, also joined them. She tilted her head and observed Issei.
"Last winter was really harsh, huh? No wonder so many people fell sick. But Issei-kun looks paler than usual."
Before he could respond, the bell for the first period rang—loud and echoing throughout the school building.
Immediately, the students returned to their seats. The atmosphere became quiet. Only the sound of light footsteps and rustling paper could be heard.
{Do you know them?} asked Ddraig suddenly in his mind.
'Not a single one,' Issei replied honestly. 'I don't even know what I was like before this amnesia...'
{Hmmp. Then be careful. We don't know who can be trusted. And the more I observe... worst case: this school is full of Devils. I thought this was just an ordinary human school.}
The classroom door slowly opened.
A female teacher entered in formal attire, hair neatly tied up, and carrying a stack of textbooks.
"Good morning, everyone."
"Good morning, sensei!" the class replied in unison.
The teacher placed her books on the teacher's desk and picked up a piece of white chalk, beginning to write on the board:
"Japanese History Class – Sengoku Period to Meiji Restoration."
The class became quiet.
The sound of chalk hitting the board was rhythmic.
"Pay attention, we'll be discussing the beginning of the Sengoku period, when Japan was in great turmoil due to the collapse of the Ashikaga government system…"
Issei slowly opened his notebook, trying to take notes even though his head was still slightly throbbing.
The lesson went on peacefully. Silent. Even Ddraig remained quiet—perhaps paying attention too, or bored.
The bell for break rang.
Issei was massaging his temples when Motohama and Matsuda quickly approached with enthusiasm.
"Issei, let's go to the cafeteria!" shouted Matsuda.
"Even if you're sick, you need to eat to recover fast," added Motohama.
Issei stood up slowly. "Alright. I'll come…"
The cafeteria was filled with the aroma of warm food. The hustle and bustle of students lining up, laughing, and choosing menus echoed in the large room.
Issei stood in line with his two friends. When he removed his mask to start eating, several girls sitting at a table near the window whispered while glancing at them.
"Look, it's the perverted trio…"
"One even caught a fever. Karma, maybe?"
"Don't go near them. Especially Issei."
Issei just lowered his head slightly. No expression, only calmness. But in his heart—
'Seriously? I'm part of the perverted trio?'
{Hahahahaha! Issei… turns out you used to be disgusting too. No wonder you wanted to erase your memories.}
Issei sighed internally.
They ate. Motohama and Matsuda were the same as usual—gluttonous and full of comments about girls.
"Hey Issei," said Matsuda, "after school, come with us to the swim club. They said there's practice for first-year girls!"
Motohama added, "You might recover quickly if you see water and wet girls!"
Issei only stared at them blankly. "…I'll pass. I still want to rest."
"Ah, too bad," said Matsuda, "but health comes first."
The sky began to cloud over. Issei sat back at his desk, opened his bag, and took his medicine. He briefly removed his mask and swallowed the pill.
But…
"HAAAACHOOO!!"
A loud sneeze erupted from Issei—but it wasn't just any sneeze.
In a split second, a small burst of fire shot from his mouth. Not only that—the pill melted, and part of Issei's wooden desk CAUGHT FIRE.
The small flame quickly spread across the desk. Several students who were seated immediately stood up.
"WHAAAT?!"
Matsuda and Motohama froze in place.
Aika could only gape.
But one small, sharp voice broke from the back corner of the classroom.
"Nyaa…!"
A petite white-haired girl, Koneko Toujou, immediately stood from her seat. Her ears seemed tense. She scanned toward Issei, then…
Sniff sniff
She sniffed. Her nose wrinkled, as if she caught something foreign and out of place.
"…Not human… not a Devil… This scent…"
"Dragon."