Chapter 12: The Power Within and a Demon's Loyalty
The air remained still, frozen in the timeless silence that lingered over the school grounds. Not a single leaf moved, not a single breath was heard. Only two beings stood untouched by the phenomenon—Mickey Windgrace and the figure he had summoned, the Demon Monarch, Draco.
Draco's piercing crimson eyes narrowed as he studied the young boy standing confidently in the center of the summoning circle. "You... you're the one who summoned me?" he asked, his voice low but laced with awe.
Mickey nodded slowly, still trying to grasp the magnitude of what had just happened. "Yeah... I guess I did."
With a flick of his wrist, Draco opened a glowing red system screen—Mickey's stat tab. The symbols danced in the air as the Demon Monarch scrolled through Mickey's information, reading every line with increasing disbelief.
"Strength... A-rank. Mana reserves... S-rank. Mental control... S+. Hidden potential... EX-tier?!" Draco's voice cracked. "This... this is the power of a Demon King—or greater!"
He stumbled back a step, clearly shaken. For a moment, the monarch, once feared across multiple dimensions, stared silently at the small boy before him. Then, as if the realization finally set in, he knelt down on one knee.
"I am Draco, Monarch of the 72 Demon Realms," he declared. "From this moment onward, I swear eternal loyalty to you, Lord Mickey Windgrace. I shall lend you my power, protect your life, and follow you to the ends of any world."
Mickey blinked. "Wait, what? You're swearing loyalty to me?"
"You summoned me. But more importantly, you have a soul that burns brighter than any mortal or demon I've ever seen. I do not kneel easily, but I kneel now because you are worthy."
Draco's form began to fade into black smoke, merging into Mickey's shadow.
"You will not need to summon me again. Call my name, and I shall rise from your shadow in an instant," he said, his voice echoing as he vanished completely.
And just like that—time resumed.
Students gasped, the teachers blinked rapidly, and murmurs filled the summoning grounds.
The staff who had been overseeing the familiar summoning cleared his throat awkwardly. "What... what just happened? Was that... a human? No—he had horns—was that a demon?"
Before anyone could process it fully, another teacher stepped up. "Alright... uh... next student!"
Mickey walked off the summoning platform silently, the shock still settling in the minds of everyone present.
Next up was the combat test.
The large gymnasium was enchanted to withstand powerful magic and weaponry. At the center stood a massive stone dummy enchanted with defensive runes, meant to absorb attacks for analysis.
Mickey entered the arena, and a voice rang out from the observation booth. "Mickey Windgrace, begin when ready."
He took a deep breath. "Alright. Just a little blast should be fine... I think."
He raised his hand. A glowing red and blue magic circle formed in his palm—unusual, as most students could only conjure a single color based on their affinity. Mickey didn't know this, though.
"Flame Pulse!"
The moment the spell launched from his hand, it expanded far beyond expectations. The blast tore through the gym's center, shattering protective barriers and sending shockwaves that cracked the floor tiles. A few staff had to shield the younger students with defensive magic.
BOOM!
A blinding flash engulfed the room. When the dust finally cleared, the stone dummy was gone. Not destroyed. Not broken. Gone.
Silence.
Then, a cough. The instructor floated down from the booth, brushing dust off his cloak. "Uhm... impressive. Too impressive. Mickey Windgrace, you pass the combat test. Though... please avoid completely vaporizing the training dummies in the future."
Mickey smiled sheepishly. "Sorry. I tried to hold back... I guess I need more practice."
The instructor laughed nervously. "Indeed. You're officially admitted into the Elite classroom. School begins in three days. Prepare well, Mickey."
With that, the exam concluded.
Outside, the golden evening sunlight filtered through the academy gates. Elena stood by a marble pillar, eyes scanning the crowd. The moment she saw him, her eyes lit up.
"Master Mickey!"
She ran to him and without a second thought, wrapped her arms around him tightly.
"You passed, right?!"
Mickey smiled and returned the hug. "Yeah, I passed. All of it. Barely kept the school in one piece though."
Elena blinked. "What do you mean?"
He chuckled. "Let's just say... I might have overdone things."
She giggled and looked up at him with pride. "I knew you'd pass! You're not like anyone else."
Mickey gave a small, humble grin, though his thoughts drifted toward the mysterious crest he received, the incredible strength he barely understood, and the Demon Monarch now living in his shadow.
He had a feeling things were just getting started.