Chapter 11: Hellâs Dominion (11)
[Ms. Rias]: As some of you may know, we have a new student who will be going through a class transfer. For those who donât, you shall soon. You may come in now.
A gust of wind begins to blow through the classroom as the door opens. Amidst the strong gust emerged a beautiful girl with silky purple hair and eyes that oozed the depths of purgatory, surrounded by an aura of shadows.
[Ms. Rias]: Let me introduce you all to Ms. Hela Augustus.
The classroom falls silent for a second, then erupts into awe as everyone gazes at Helaâs beauty.
[Hela] (Smiling): Good morning, everyone. Itâs a pleasure to meet you all. I hope we can get along and become friends.
Everyone in the classroom begins to cheer for Helaâeveryone except for two people: Kaiser and Alice, who had both just witnessed something rather shocking.
[Both]: Huh? Did she wink at me again?
[Ms. Rias]: Alright, everyone, back in your seats. Ms. Hela, you may take your seat next to Mr. Kaiser and Michael.
[Hela]: Yes, Ms. Rias.
As soon as Kaiser heard that, his heart began to pound at an incredible rate as he thought to himself:
[Kaiser] (Thinking): Huh? Next to me? Ms. Rias, you canât be serious. How could you sit her next to me?
While Kaiser was panicking, Hela had already taken her place next to himâand decided to make her move in her game of 4D chess.
[Hela]: Hello. Iâm sure you already know my name, but Iâm Hela Augustus. I figured that since weâre going to be classmates for the rest of the year, we might as well get acquainted. So, whatâs your name?
Her words were smooth like the wind, carrying a certain potency that seemed to momentarily cloud Kaiserâs judgment. He answered without realizing the situation he was in.
[Kaiser]: Oh heyâuh, yeah, youâre right. Nice to meet you, my name is Kaiâ
Before Kaiser could even finish his sentence, a powerful force halted his words with overwhelming strength.
[Kaijin]: Stop. Do not answer her truthfully!
[Kaiser] (Mind): Huh? What, Kaijin?! Why shouldnât I answer her? And why have you been silent all this time?
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
Silence falls, as the eldritch creature recedes back into a deep slumber.
[Kaiser] (Mind): Hello? Helloo?! Where the hell did he go? And why doesnât he want me to answer her truthfully? Did he sense something amiss with her?
While Kaiser was deep in thought, Hela wondered to herself, âCould he be on to me?â but quickly dismissed the idea. There was no way he could know her true intentions.
[Hela]: Hey, are you in there? I hope I didnât ask a weird question.
At that moment, Kaiser snapped back to his senses and decided to give her an answer.
[Kaiser]: Oh yeahâuh, my name is Kaijin. Itâs nice to meet you too.
[Hela]: Oh, I see. Well, Kaijin, I hope we can become really good friends.
[Kaiser]: Likewise.
At that same moment, only two people overheard their conversation: Michael and Alice, both shocked that Kaiser would lie about his real name.
[Michael] (Whispering): Psst⦠psst⦠Kaiser.
[Kaiser]: Huh? What do you want, Michael?
[Michael] (Whispering): Why did you lie to Hela about your name?
[Kaiser] (Whispering): Itâs kind of a lot to explain right now. Remind me to tell you later. And while youâre at it, remind me tooâ
[Alice]: Hmph. If you two idiots could wrap up your little chat, I canât focus on the lesson.
[Kaiser]: Oh yes, of course, your highness.
[Alice] (Thinking): Good. That should keep them from saying too much for now. Iâm not sure why I have a bad feeling about this girl, but clearly, Iâm not the only oneâif Kaiser would go so far as to lie about his name.
As Alice finishes her thought, Hela sends her a sharp glare filled with evil intent, which Alice picks up on immediately. If she were to describe it, sheâd say:
âIt felt as if a monster of immeasurable magnitude was standing before me, warning me not to get involved.â
[Ms. Rias]: Thank you, Ms. Alice. Now, back to the lesson. For those unaware of what todayâs lesson is about, let me refresh your memory. Todayâs lesson is on Magic Refinementâor Mana Refinement, depending on where youâre from.
[Ms. Rias]: This is the concept of re-fortifying oneâs magical abilities by strengthening the magic one already has, instead of trying to increase it. The idea is that, after a certain point, expanding oneâs magical reserves becomes increasingly difficultâbut Magic Refinement allows one to continue growing stronger beyond that limit.
[Ms. Rias]: However, I believe itâs more effective to show rather than tell. Thatâs why Iâve brought in a third-year student to give you a visual demonstration.
As soon as Ms. Rias says this, a man in a sharp school uniform walks in. His aura is so intense that everyone in the classroom feels as if theyâre being crushed by two thousand poundsâeveryone except Hela and Kaiser. The man notices and takes note.
[Albert Kreg]: Hello, everyone. Itâs a pleasure to meet all the brand-new faces of this school. My name is Albert Kreg, and as Ms. Rias mentioned, Iâll be demonstrating Magic Refinement. Before I beginâdoes anyone have any questions?
[Kaiser]: Uh, yes. I have a question. If Magic Refinement is the act of refining oneâs magic, then how do you physically show that process?
[Albert] (Thinking): Oh? This oneâs got a good head on his shoulders.
[Albert]: Thatâs a very good question. Itâs easier to show you than to explain.
Albert raises his hand into the air and begins casting a spell.
Ifritâs Flame: Fireball.
A ball of fire begins to slowly form from nothingness, responding to Albertâs will.
[Albert]: As you can see, this is a basic fireball. Itâs decent in its current formâbut it can be improved.
With a sharp focus, Albertâs entire demeanor shifts. The fireball begins to change shape, going from a loose, flickering flame to a far more stable and condensed form. Its light and heat intensify, and the size increases as well.