The Legend of the Flower Demon Lord

Chapter 40 - Show off your overpowering strength!

Chapter 40 – Third step to becoming a Demon Lord: Show off your overpowering strength!

"We are rooting for you, Ellie-sama!"

A sea of boys parted way before me, bowing their heads in straight lines on either side. Walking past them smiling and waving, I reached the area where the opening ceremony of the competition was to commence. There was already a large crowd – hushed, exited whispers traveling amongst them as they glanced up upon the makeshift stage.

Headmaster Cecile was there, of course, arms crossed and look smug as her sharp eyes managed to find me in the crowd. Snickering as if at some hidden joke, she looked away haughtily. Then, grabbing a microphone, she began to address the crowd.

"Everyone! Welcome, to the annual inter-student magical competition!"

The crowd cheered in response. Cecile waited for it to die down, then continued in a less excited tone, "The event everyone has been waiting for is about to commence. Students will prove their proficiency in all kinds of magic, hoping to surpass, well, my scores." A smirk pulled up her red lips at the mention, "Now, I know it has been a while since a new record has been set, so I decided to help out a bit. These..."

With dramatic pause, the headmaster now pointed to the two boys who had been standing beside her, "Are Ciel."

"What?!"

"No way...!"

"Can't be!"

The whispers now traveling amongst the crowd were more like hushed screams of shock. Everyone looked from the supposed "Ciel" to each other, voicing their disbelief.

"Now." As Cecile spoke into her microphone, everyone's attention turned back to her, hoping for answers, "I know that it is hard to believe. However, these two recently managed to become a Ciel to their respected gods, and I was able to successfully scout them for our esteemed institution. They are hoping to learn and grow like everyone else, so I hope you all welcome them with open arms. But, since they are here already, of course, they will participate in the competition! I hope that gives you all the edge you need to finally surpass your predecessors. I wish you all the best of luck, and may the games begin!"

As they heard the signal to start the competition, everyone forgot their shock and began cheering again, fists pumping in the air as they excitedly looked forward to the games to come.

"Ciel are gonna participate in the games!"

"This is the best year ever!"

Cecile's haughty eyes found mine again in the crowd, and she couldn't help but reveal a smirk. She means to have them overshadow me... I guess, if someone is to surpass her records, she would rather it not be me, huh? ...Why does she even hate me so much? She doesn't know yet that it was I who broke the curse! ...Womanly jealousy? Heh...

I smiled gracefully and even bowed my head slightly in greeting. Sure, competing against Ciels will be hard, but...that won't stop me! I just have to go all out! Hahaha! I could feel my smile widen, and Cecile looked away, unnerved.

The crowd began to disperse to find seats or their respective waiting rooms, and amongst the bobbing heads, my eyes finally laid upon the two boys. One was rather short, but cute, with fiery red hair and a cheeky grin. He looked extremely excited, as if he had too much pent-up energy, and kept looking everywhere in awe, practically jumping in place.

The other, on the other hand, was rather tall and lean, and seemed to not care for anything around him. His long silvery hair fell smoothly to his waist, his eyes sparkling like jewels even as they squinted arrogantly while looking nowhere in particular, his nose upturned as he looked down upon everyone. Where have I seen him before...? I had a strange feeling I had seen him before but couldn't really place my finger on it.