Guardian of My Heart

Chapter 22: It's Time to Duel!

Iruma's POV:

It was Thursday night of my second week at Babyls, and my nerves were once again at an all-time high. Tomorrow the class was competing in a game of 'Execution Cannonball', or essentially the human equivalent of dodgeball. I was fairly confident about my ability to do the dodging part of the game, my instincts refusing to fail me still. Grandpa had initially been adamant about helping me by teaching me some dangerous spells that would have blown the rest of my classmates out of the water, but Mom and I both agreed it would be better if I tackle this obstacle on my own. Speaking of Mom, they had been helping to train me throughout the week, along with Azz and Clara because they both really wanted to hang out with me. Learning to catch the ball had been somewhat simple, but I did have to spend a decent amount of time rewiring my brain's response to danger. Like with their advice in flying, Mom encouraged me to become excited when faced with something I was afraid of. Eventually I was able to consistently catch the ball, at least when it was feasible to catch in the first place. As for throwing the ball back at my opponents, that was something I found myself struggling more with. Every time I went to launch the ball, I could feel Ruin's energy bubbling up to the surface, itching to get out and inflict pain. I was too scared to let him out for fear of losing control again, and he was getting restless with being cooped up in our head. Clara and Mom kept giving me calming words, hoping to soothe me after each of these episodes, but oddly Azz just gave me a small smirk and a knowing nod. Now I couldn't sleep, and I was puzzled over what to do. Having already asked my closest friends for their advice and not receiving a satisfactory answer, I messaged the one demon who I felt I could get a brutally honest response from.

Blue Kitty: Hey Sabnock, is now a good time to talk?

Future Demon King: My rival! Of course, I am willing to converse with you at such an hour, you need only ask! Pray tell, what is on your mind?

Blue Kitty: It's about Ruin. You know, the demon portion of me? The one that makes my eyes go all black. Anyway, I'm having trouble keeping him in check during practice for tomorrow's match. Every time I go to throw the ball back at someone, I feel him trying to take over and it causes me to freeze up. What should I do?

Future Demon King: Your position is a rather unique one, which I'm sure you've heard from plenty of demons by now. My honest advice is to stop trying to stifle your other half so much. Try letting go for a change.

Blue Kitty: WHAT?! That's your best advice?! I can't just let him out!

Future Demon King: Why not? The entire match will be supervised by Kalego, and I've even caught wind that the Student Council will be in attendance. There will be plenty of powerful demons around to contain Ruin if things do run awry. Besides, it's not healthy to constantly suppress that aspect of you, Iruma. It's akin to us pure-blooded demons suppressing our evil cycles.

Blue Kitty: But Mom and Grandpa say that evil cycles are dangerous, even Professor Balam thinks it's better for me to keep Ruin locked away.

Future Demon King: While evil cycles are indeed a perilous thing, they are also a natural part of a demon's identity. Entering an evil cycle means that a demon has reached a point where they've accumulated so much stress that they need to release it immediately. Preventing such a thing would lead to insanity or agonizing death. This isn't like your duel against Asmodeus, there will be adult supervision and rules to keep things in check. You have a rare opportunity to unleash your true power in a controlled environment for once. I would heavily suggest that you seize that chance.

Blue Kitty: I'll . . . think about it. Thanks for the chat Sabnock, I'll see you tomorrow.

Future Demon King: Best of luck to you, my rival! May the odds be ever in thy favor!