Ch.144Chapter 144

Usually, thesis topics focus on “Demon Gods.”

However, Demon Gods are so diverse that categorizing them all under the single term “Demon God” seemed too broad. It was like a vast collective where exceptions would inevitably exist.

Because of this, papers about Demon Gods inevitably contained errors. Recognizing this, researchers nowadays classified Demon Gods into separate groups.

Iris browsed through early papers on the subject.

Since these were among the first written on the topic, they were the kind people might skim over quickly. Written in the early days, they lacked proper classification and contained many errors upon closer inspection.

It was like mistaking footprints for evidence that someone had already traveled the entire path ahead. But the owner of those footprints hadn’t actually examined everything that lay ahead.

The moment Iris realized this, she approached her research as if enlightened, almost entranced. She meticulously checked everything, making sure nothing was missed, and noted down topics she thought could be useful.

“…There were attempts to study the socialization of Demon Gods, but no actual cases.”

Demon Gods define themselves from nothing. Laws don’t exist for them, and with only themselves in existence, they become beings that embody pure selfishness.

Even when night came and the lights went out in her room, Iris remained seated, staring intently at her computer screen.

Click, click—the sound of the mouse wheel turning filled the room.

Socialization was something anyone could think of. Professor Yuria would certainly use that angle. She might already be writing about it, so Iris needed to think of something else.

What if she researched the individual Demon God entity, “Ourr”?

Only people within the Academy knew about Ourr’s existence. And even then, only those close to her really knew her—how much could those who merely knew of her existence actually know?

Iris quickly found her path. It felt like reviving that initial feeling when she first arrived. Her week-long search seemed worthwhile, and that excitement soon drove her to action.

“You want to join the study group?”

Ourr was surprised. She never dreamed Iris would approach her about the study group, so she even doubted her ears.

But Iris was serious, and when Ourr asked again, she got the same answer.

Entering the academy without achieving proper results meant investing four years or more. Not everyone could make such a choice.

It was a choice not easily made unless you truly wanted something.

Yet it was an attractive path if given the opportunity—a choice that reminded you why you entered the Academy in the first place.

“Yes, the study group. Wasn’t it for studying in advance to get into the academy?”

“…I don’t know if it was formed to get into the academy, but it was just created to study? So Karen could get help from various sources.”

Ourr explained the reason behind the study group’s formation.

Everything costs money. The same applies to studying. While you only need books, those books have prices, so the only way to read books without paying is to use the library.

Finding useful books among that vast repository of knowledge was difficult.

Even with books on the same subject, interpretations and observation methods differed depending on the author, so understanding which approach professors followed was typically necessary.

With limited time, it was impossible to read and memorize every book in the library. The study group was created to help Karen by setting up a platform where she could receive assistance from seniors, professors, and others.

It was a simple story without much history.

“Eh, wait. So it wasn’t formed for the academy…?”

Iris was startled.

Realizing that the study group’s origin wasn’t solely for students aiming for academy admission, Iris let out a small groan. She turned slightly pale, wondering if she hadn’t been listening carefully enough to Ourr’s words.

But setting aside such unusual thoughts, she decided to move on to her request.

“Yes, that’s right, but let me ask anyway. There aren’t that many people in it.”

Ourr nodded.

The study group existed, but if it grew too large, one might question whether it could still be called a study group, so they hadn’t advertised it widely.

As a result, they had quietly gathered one friend at a time, and with Iris joining, they would now be four members.

Ourr felt proud seeing the study group she had envisioned doing well.

Seeing Ourr grinning happily, Iris thought she had made the right decision to ask.

After the lecture ended, most students were packing up to head home after finishing their afternoon classes, but Iris made her way to the research lab.

It was Professor Yuria’s personal research lab and Ourr’s main residence within the Academy.

“Ah, hello! I’m Iris, second year in Demon God Research Department!”

She had already spoken to the professor, but since she had only informed the study group members via message, the timing still felt unfamiliar.

“She wanted to study together starting this semester, so I brought her… uh, hmm.”

Ourr had entered with a proud feeling, but once inside, she began to worry about whether the others would be receptive.

She should have asked them discreetly beforehand. Bringing Iris here and then asking might make it difficult for them to refuse, yet they might not be able to properly welcome her either.

Ourr looked back and forth between her friends in the lab and Iris, then swallowed hard.

“So, she said she wants to do well in her third year and get into the academy, so she wants to learn some know-how…!”

Ourr was desperately trying to say something persuasive.

Aria, seeing Ourr like this, asked in a calm voice, suggesting no such effort was necessary.

“So you’re aiming for the same academy as Sera.”

“Hello, I’m Sera. And this is Aria. If you’re aiming for the academy, let’s work hard together.”

At Aria’s words, Sera shrugged as if this was her cue to step in.

“Yes, nice to meet you all!”

“Wait a minute.”

“Yes?”

Iris had greeted them brightly, but suddenly Sera raised her hand to stop her.

Then she stared intently at Aria, who was sitting quietly beside her.

“Why are you talking like it’s someone else’s business? Aren’t you going to the academy? Will you go with me? After saying all that.”

“No, I’m still thinking about it.”

“Traitor! After we agreed to go together?!”

Sera threw a high-pitched complaint at Aria, but Aria turned her head away with an unconcerned expression.

Meanwhile, Karen bowed her head.

“Hello, I’m Karen, a first-year.”

“Ah, hello…!”

“You can speak comfortably with me!”

“T-then, hi…”

Iris also seemed unfamiliar with how to interact with a first-year student.

Karen thought it was easier to just speak formally since they were all her seniors anyway.

“Are you all in the Demon God Research Department? Karen too?”

“Ah, I’m in Demon God Research, but the seniors…”

As Karen turned her head, Sera and Aria, who had been bickering, sighed deeply.

“Well, we’re in the Magic Composition Department now. Our departments are different, but it’s not a problem to cross over to Demon God Research. We can take double major courses. We’re planning to go into original research later, like the professor.”

“Oh, you’re trying to create originals?”

“What are you planning to do after entering the academy, Iris? The professor says you need to have that.”

Sera added friendly words to Iris. As she spoke, she shifted her gaze toward where the professor was.

The professor, meeting her eyes, smiled gently. As if confirming Sera’s words with that smile, Iris hesitated for a moment before lowering her gaze.

She didn’t have a grand goal like creating something original.

Nor did she have the mindset to hunt Demon Gods out of revenge or simple anger.

Iris simply wanted to study and research. Pure academic passion. Since academic passion doesn’t have a specific goal, she could only feel blank when asked to define her objective.

“Uh, I just want to research…”

She might have been able to speak freely if it was just among students, but with her supervising professor right beside them, she found herself at a loss for words. She even felt dizzy wondering how she should respond.

“Just research?”

“Yes, I want to study more. I want to explore things I don’t know yet and research more.”

The professor found Iris’s words interesting.

While it wasn’t an extraordinary goal, it wasn’t one to be taken lightly either, so she approached to hear more details.

“That kind of academic passion is good too. Karen is here with the same mindset.”

“…Ah.”

Iris finally opened her eyes.

She realized that something grand wasn’t necessary. What mattered was having enough determination. Moreover, since she wasn’t heading directly to a research lab, she understood there was no need to feel burdened about joining the study group.

Sera had a significant goal and determination but wasn’t desperate, while Aria was still considering. There was even Karen, who, like Iris, simply wanted to research and study. Iris realized she wasn’t so different.

“Then, I look forward to working with you all.”

Iris bowed her head in greeting to those welcoming her.