← The Demon Lord Who Only Wanted Friends ☰

Chapter 4A Duel Between Friends

The next day at the academy, Ard is cornered by a girl who confesses her love to him and admits that she has inappropriate thoughts about him, which frightens him completely. Ireina arrives just in time, chases the girl away, and then ends up angry at Ard as well. He tries to approach her, but Ireina stays upset, and he is left wondering how he could ever become better at maintaining human relationships and improving his bond with her.

Elsewhere, a teacher informs the headmaster of the Laville National Academy of Magic that the academy's budget has been increased. Although the headmaster is happy about it, he reveals that the budget was never his real goal. He explains that what he wanted was for Ard to become an instructor at the academy, which is why he kept pushing him to perform at the event: it would have allowed everyone to see his true abilities, and made it much easier to appoint him.

The teacher, Professor Jessica, assures the headmaster that he has nothing to worry about, and says that she will handle the matter and try to convince Ard herself.

Later that night, Ard lies peacefully on his bed, still thinking about his troubles with Ireina, when Jinny suddenly visits him. She enters the room and removes her scarf, leaving herself dressed only in her nightgown. She walks over to Ard's bed and declares that she will not let anyone else take Ard's virginity. Ard is left completely confused and starts thinking about Ireina, while Jinny takes the initiative and moves closer to him.

Meanwhile Ireina, too, is thinking about Ard, and she realizes that she was wrong to be jealous and decides to apologize to him. The moment she enters the room and sees Jinny on top of Ard, however, she is overwhelmed with anger and jealousy.

Jinny, for her part, shows no embarrassment at all. She gets off Ard, walks over to Ireina and asks whether she has come to seduce Ard as well, pointing out that Ireina is also wearing nothing but her nightgown. Ireina becomes angry and blames Jinny for encouraging the idea of Ard having a harem and being surrounded by several girls, and then challenges her to a duel.

Ard grows frustrated at hearing that and tries to stop them both by shouting at them. Jinny and Ireina immediately sit down and listen while Ard orders them to apologize to each other for fighting over something so trivial. They both agree, and just as they are about to shake hands, Professor Jessica walks into the room.

After revealing that she heard everything, she encourages Jinny and Ireina to settle their dispute with a duel. She explains that they should compete during the upcoming event, and then invites Ard to be present at the event too, mentioning that the headmaster wants him to become an instructor. She also points out that if Ireina and Jinny perform well, it will prove that Ard is worthy of becoming an instructor, since he has been training them both ever since they joined the academy.

The two girls quickly agree, while Ard simply stares at Professor Jessica, realizing that he no longer has any choice in the matter.

On the day of the event the students battle one another while the instructors, and even their parents in the audience, cheer them on. After several matches it is Ireina's turn to fight. She steps onto the main battlefield, effortlessly dodges her opponent's opening attack, and counters with a single move to win the match.

Right after Ireina's victory it is Jinny's turn. The two of them meet in the hallway beforehand, wish each other good luck, and say they hope to face one another in the finals. Just like Ireina, Jinny keeps on winning all of her matches, and the two of them eventually advance to the finals to battle each other.

As Jinny and Ireina prepare for the final match, the commentators praise them both, and Ard as well, mentioning that he has been teaching them magic ever since they first joined the academy.

Just before the fight begins, however, the Satanists hiding among the audience remove their cloaks and transform into monsters, throwing the entire arena into chaos. As the civilians evacuate the grounds, Professor Jessica approaches Ard and Lady Olivia and asks them to deal with the monsters, while she helps Jinny and Ireina fight and escape the arena safely. Ard's parents and Ireina's father also step in to help battle the monsters.

In the center of the arena, Ireina and Jinny fight side by side, using teamwork to defeat several monsters. Then a giant monster suddenly forms from the rocks of the ground right in front of them, startling them for a moment before they both unleash powerful magic attacks at it. Even so, the monster remains completely unharmed, and both Ireina and Jinny grow frightened and begin to back away.

Olhide arrives just in time and uses a powerful wind magic attack to defeat the monster, leaving Jinny amazed as she praises the heroic Baron for defeating it so effortlessly.

At that moment Professor Jessica walks onto the battlefield and attacks Olhide from behind, leaving both Ireina and Jinny completely shocked. Professor Jessica laughs, and reveals herself as Elzard, the frenzied king of dragons.

She explains that their goal is to take Ireina with them, and assures everyone that no one will be harmed if Ireina agrees to come with her without resisting. Hearing that, Jinny becomes furious and charges at Elzard, but Elzard blocks every attack effortlessly before countering just as easily. As Elzard moves in to take Jinny's life, Ireina rushes at her in anger, only to be beaten just as quickly.

Ireina then agrees to go with Elzard, asking her not to hurt Jinny. Elzard accepts her request and flies away with Ireina on her wings.

After Ireina is taken, Olhide is carried away from the arena by the others and treated for his injuries. Once he finally regains consciousness he tells everyone what happened, and Ard declares that he will defeat Elzard and bring Ireina back safely.