"I say that the experience we experienced was one of the biggest rewards one could hope for but of course, if others are satisfied by just knowing what sort of plants grew 5000 years ago and by bringing those plants here, then by all means, suit yourself."
Vaan spoke as he momentarily glanced at Declan before turning towards Octavius.
Declan obviously knew that the kid was trying to taunt him, offended, he wanted to reply,
"I say that the experience we experienced was one of the biggest rewards one could hope for but of course, if others are satisfied by just knowing what sort of plants grew 5000 years ago and by bringing those plants here, then by all means, suit yourself."
"You…"
However, before he could say anything,
"What did you say?"
Octavius spoke as he glanced at Vaan with a solemn look on his face. Previously, he was acting out because he was forced to stay in this room for 18 whole days, now however, none of that was visible.
It was as if he had magically regained his Headmaster's Aura, no, it was more than that. The look that he had on his face was rarely seen before and it wasn't just him, the other teachers who were at Advanced Levels all had similar expressions on their faces as they glanced at Vaan.
"Humans backed up by Demons?"
Octavius questioned, "Did you see them with your own eyes?"
"That is correct." Vaan nodded.
"But that is not possible." Suddenly, a Professor from the Swords Division spoke up. Unlike most professors from the swords division, he wasn't looking at Vaan with a strange look on his face, after all, unlike others, he couldn't care less about this foolish 'Swords versus Magic' stuff.
In his eyes, Vaan was an excellent student, a prodigy that, in the future, would change this world, he was even glad that he was able to witness the rise of such a prodigy with his own eyes.
Right now, however, he was the first one to void Vaan's claims.
"The Humans who were backed by the Demons do not make a move without a Demon following them because even though they had teamed up with them, in truth, none of the parties trusted each other."
The Professor spoke.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"The humans you saw wouldn't be backed by the Demons, you must have made a mistake in the midst of the situation."
Of course, the Professor wasn't trying to berate Vaan.
"It is not your fault either, you were sent into a place you know nothing about and all your focus is on hiding your presence against beings who could end you with the flick of their fingers, it is understandable that you would make a mistake, don't think too much about it. It was also your first time entering the Ruins, mistakes like these are much more common than you would think."
The Professor spoke with a gentle smile on his face. Vaan however, just tilted his head in confusion,
"When did I say I didn't see a Demon?"
The instant those words left his mouth, it wasn't just the professors, even the students, including, Lirael, Declan, and the others widened their eyes in disbelief.
Vaan just glanced at the others and smiled inwardly,
Obviously, he knew why everyone was reacting in such a manner.
The Demons hadn't made a move since the War that took place 5000 years ago. Of course, everyone knew that they hadn't died yet.
The Proof of which was the Demon Continent.
The Demon Continent was a large land, if the Demons had perished, considering the Human Greed, they wouldn't have left that land alone, however, the fact that none of the powers had made a move yet makes it clear that the Demons were still there.
Another proof of the statement was the fact that for 5000 years, every single one of the exploration team, the team of the Church of Light included, that had ever stepped foot into the Demon Continent, had never returned.
The Demons still existed and the very fact that they didn't make a move even when the humans were weakened after the War between the Tower of Magic's mages and the rest of the Human Powers, gave a clear indication that the foul creatures were planning something.
As to what it was, no one knew. It was just that all the higher-ups in the world, the Heads of the Major Powers, all of them are worried and cautious of the Demons.
They know, that once the Demons make their move, all the political warfare they were raising against each other would instantly crumble into nothingness as the Humans would then stand united against the Demons.
Or… at least this was what most were hoping for.
Anyways, the fact that Vaan was able to see a Demon was surprising and gained so much attention not only because Demons were a rare sight these days, it was also because the information the humans had on the Demons was severely limited.
Most of it was lost in the War and what had left was lost with the flow of time. The Humans, including the big powers, were pretty much clueless about the Demons other than knowing that they were evil beings that should be eradicated by the face of Agresia.
"Are you sure you saw a Demon?"Octavius questioned with a grave look on his face.
"I am."
Vaan nodded.
"What kind of creature it was? What did it do?"
Another question was shot, this time, however, Vaan wasn't given the option to not answer the question.
Even if he had entered the Ruins by gaining that right through his own power, the ruins were still the Academy's property.
Not to mention the information he was carrying was extremely important for the sake of Humanity, Vaan had no choice but to reveal it.
"I didn't see its face, it was covered with a dark clock."
Vaan's first answer, however, was not optimistic.
No one doubted him because they knew that he had no reason to hide such information, even if it was the Vesta House, when it came to a Demon, they had a zero-tolerance policy. Let alone team up with one, the Vestas abhorred even breathing the same air as them. So unless they wish to monopolize the information because they wish to deal with the Demons without the support of the other major Powers, which, they didn't have the capability to do, there was no reason to hide or alter the information.
The Professors just shook their heads in disappointment, the light of hope that had flickered in their hearts was crushed into pieces.
"Well, I didn't see its face, but I do know what ability it used."
And just then, Vaan rekindled the flames of hopes.
"What was it?" Octavius questioned, not even minding the games Vaan was playing in front of so many respectable professors.
"He controlled the Mages' team members' bodies and made them explode."
The instant he said those words, the eyes of the Professors turned grim.
"The Ebonaths…"
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmOctavius muttered.
"I can't believe you saw an Ebonath in action…"
Other professors nodded at the above statement.
"Wait, how was the Ebonath defeated? The Ebonath Demons can control Human Bodies and make them explode as they wish, how is one supposed to counter that?" Another Professor questioned.
Hearing those words, Vaan frowned as he then shook his head, "I don't think they are that strong, they cannot control everyone's body. There has to be certain criteria, or else it would have used its ability on the Mage who fought and killed it.
Heck, the Demon didn't even come in the Frontlines the entire time. It was the Human Swordsman who was fighting the Mage."
"A Swordsman?" Declan narrowed his eyes. He didn't think a Swordsman would do something as shameless as teaming up with a Demon.
Just how low does one have to fall in order to choose such an option?
'Pathetic Bastard ruining the name of the Swordsman.' Declan snorted inwardly.
"Well, there were Mages on their side as well. It is pointless to blame the weapon of choice. In the end, what is in the Heart is what matters."
Vaan spoke up.
He didn't try to pin this on the Swordsman to get to him because, well, his own father was a Swordsman. It would be hard to counter if Declan mentioned that.
While Vaan and Declan were busy with their little game, Octavius and the other Professors were thinking about a different thing.
"A criteria huh…"
Octavius muttered to himself.
"How was the Demon killed? What spell did the Mage you were talking about use?"
Another Professor questioned as he glanced at Vaan and Vaan couldn't help but recall the image of that terrifying ball of flames that Veronica had created.
He felt goosebumps all over his body as he thought about it, he also didn't forget the huge amount of Faith Energy that was gathered before the spell was cast and…
The God for whom the Faith Energy was gathered…
"The Mage was blessed by the God of Magic, so copying that won't be possible."