Now, then...
The Study of Imaginary Beasts Instructor Balam Shichiro
Let's begin our lesson.
Suzuki Iruma, age fourteen, is the only human living in the netherworld.
As he receives continuous praise while going to the demon school Babyls,
he discovers his ambition and goal as a student.
And that is...
to raise his rank.
What could be awaiting him in the future?
Balam's Lesson
"Balam's Lesson."
Netherworld History Room
Throughout our history—the history of the netherworld, that is—
countless imaginary beasts have existed.
The study of imaginary beasts involves learning via imagination.
After all...
Iruma-sama!
It's a subject in which we research creatures of the imaginary kind.
And...
There are plenty of unexplored regions in the netherworld.
C-Could you perhaps stop this?
So there must be new species out there.
E-Excuse me...
What's that? You want to know what imaginary beasts eat?
Huh?
We believe that imaginary beasts eat other imaginary beasts!
For example, cats in the netherworld catch demon birds and eat them...
But the imaginary version of a cat does not have wings!
Therefore, we can theorize that it eats land creatures or water creatures.
Say, Azz-kun, is the reason all the other students ran away...
Indeed.
Balam-sensei's "skinship."
Touchy-Feelies (Skinship)
Perhaps it's because he's in charge of an imaginary science,
but whenever he sees a living creature, he has to touch it, so the lesson goes nowhere.
Apparently he touches everyone to see if they're fit for his experiments.
E-Experiments?
Rumor has it he kidnaps the students he likes...
and then conducts experiments on them all night!
Huh?!
Now, then...
Today, we will think about humans.
Humans
If a human were to appear in front of you, what would you do?
Human-kun
Well, obviously...
Eat them!
I hear humans taste really good. I wonder if that's really true.
I wonder if they can truly satisfy my palate.
Humans only exist to be our food...
Iruma-sama?!
Poke... Poke, poke... Poke, poke... Poke, poke...
It is said that humans are filled with desires
and serve as sustenance for us demons.
What would you do if you encountered a human, Sensei?
Me?
Don't just stop talking. It's creepy.
He's totally experimenting in his mind right now.
Is he really going to eat them?
Well, if I ever met a human...
I'd love to ask them how they managed to survive.
Imaginary beasts are ancient...
And the fact that they've survived this long
must mean that they live in a peaceful environment.
But the netherworld's ecosystem is unforgiving.
That's why we demons attained wings during our evolution.
In the race for survival, wings are essential.
Even if you don't have horns, as long as you have wings, you can flee...
As long as you have... Huh?
Iruma-sama!
That looks fun!
Pardon me! Someone!
What's the matter, Balam-sensei?
There's an emergency! This boy doesn't have wings!
He doesn't have wings?!
Oh, come on, now. Of course he has wings!
O-Oh, no!
I'm sure they're just tucked inside his body.
He doesn't even have wing bases!
He doesn't?!
You can tell by touching him.
What should I do?
Iruma-kun, let me see your back.
They're gonna find out that I'm human!
Let's pull this off!
Right!
This is...
He does have wings.
Huh?!
Ali-san!
Aw, we just didn't notice them because they're so small.
It's great that you're so passionate about your research,
but don't let your imagination run too wild.
I was sure they were going to find me out.
It might be dangerous to be around this teacher.
I do want to ask him about our homework...
But I should probably get away.
W-Well, I'll be going now.
It's no use.
The study of imaginary beasts consists of preconceptions.
After touching your back, I'm convinced that either you have a severe illness
or you're a very special creature.
I won't be satisfied until I find out for sure.
Please...
don't hold this against me.
If he finds out I'm human...
He's going to eat—
Are we... even now?
Huh?
Whoops.
U-Um...
My fangs are rather savage.
That's not exactly rare in the netherworld,
but I got in an accident, exposing some of my fangs.
I love all living creatures,
but everyone runs away because they're scared of these fangs.
That's why I got the habit of touching them as much as possible, given the chance.
I wear this mask so I'm not as scary.
Why are you telling me this?
Well, I figured you probably didn't like
having people see your tiny wings.
That must've startled you. I'm sorry.
I wasn't sure at first, but I figured I should do this.
It wouldn't have been fair if you went through
something upsetting and all I did was apologize.
But I'm so happy you're not sick.
I see.
Balam-sensei...
is a bit unique.
Come on in.
Where are we?
The netherworld history prep room.
People might be scared of him...
Wait here. I'll pour you some Hell Grey tea.
But the truth is...
Don't spill... Don't spill...
He's actually super nice.
It's hot, so be careful.
Thank you very much.
Be careful not to burn yourself.
I think it tastes good.
Um...
Sensei.
I'm... human.
Huh?
Sure
Take that! And that!
Hey, Balam.
You're looking at picture books again?
The Chick Triplets
He's still reading picture books?
Gross.
Like any of those creatures actually exist.
Right?
I'm... human.
Huh?
I-I accidentally said it!
H-Hu... Hu...
Er, um...
You said "human," didn't you?!
No, I—
Lying is bad!
You said you're human, didn't you?!
Er, um...
Yes...
Balam-sensei!
A-A-Are you okay?!
No, I am not...
What?!
Wait, your wings...
Th-They're fake.
Then what about a tail?! Do you have a tail?!
No, I don't.
Um, Sense—
D-Don't come any closer!
I, um... won't be able to hold back any longer!
Wait, does he mean his appetite?
I'm so nervous.
Huh?
I mean, you're a human! A real human!
The real thing versus what I've been imagining!
You really don't have wings!
I wasn't wrong!
Y-You don't want to eat me?
Well, sort of... But you're a precious protected species!
I-Is that how this works?
If we're being honest here, I really want to touch you.
Poke.
Good sir!
S-Sorry! I couldn't help myself.
You need to be aware of your position!
If the others find out you're a rare and frail human, there'll be trouble!
Er, well...
You're just so nice, I let my guard down.
But I have gone this long without the others finding out.
Listen, you! I'm the only one who'd react to a human like this!
Any other demon would've devoured you in a single gulp!
Do you understand that?! You don't, do you?!
I-I'm sorry!
You are too naïve of a creature.
Azz-kun and Clara are probably worried.
I ended up getting lectured for several hours.
But...
What about your scent?! How are you masking it?!
Is it perfume?! Put it on every day!
What about your food?! Is netherworld food okay?!
It's good? That's great to hear!
Balam-sensei is so nice.
Tremble at the sound of black wings...
Wh-What's wrong?
We just can't get motivated.
We're done for!
We held out as long as we could...
But you just started studying yesterday.
Can't you do this more efficiently?
Maybe have someone tutor you.
Have someone tutor us?
All right, all of the morons, gather over here.
Morons
Smart
Morons
Smart
All right... dismissed!
We've been forsaken!
There's no way we can teach all of you!
I'll be accompanying Iruma-sama, after all!
You shall learn by watching my back!
There are no shortcuts in learning.
Yeah, I can't.
Well, I guess that's not happening.
Sabro, I didn't know you were a goody-goody smarty-pants.
As a future Demon King, knowledge is vital.
Good boy! Good boy!
Are you also an idiot, Elizabetta-dono?
Is that bad?
No, it's exciting!
But I also admire the smart, bespectacled ladies.
I'm good.
At this rate, our end of terminus is gonna be ruined by supplementary classes!
By the way, do you all have plans for break—
Glad you asked!
The netherworld is filled with tons of fun stuff!
Amusement parks! Water parks!
The bloody pool!
The kickass rock festivals!
Shopping at the Vampire's Mansion!
There are a bunch of festivals, too.
We'd need clones to do it all!
All of you cheer up when you start talking about playing around. Honestly, I...
Iruma-chi, you're so bright.
Er, it's just... that all sounded like fun.
Every single Iruma summer vacation
Yakisoba
I basically only ever worked during my summer vacations!
Iruma-kun, you've never been to a water park?
N-No...
Let's all go together, then!
What? Really?!
Let's have fun together!
Yeah!
Going out somewhere with everyone...
Yay! Yay! Yay! Yay!
That will only happen if you pass your exams.
Oh, right...
By the way, I will be in charge of the supplementary classes.
A road to death!
That's awful!
You just don't understand youth, Kalego-sensei!
I really don't want to, but I guess I'll study.
Cheating's impossible, too.
Impossible?
Well, if anyone tries to cheat on these tests, they always get caught.
No idea why.
Ah...
What the?!
Scary!
Pipe down...
B-Balam-sensei?
Wait, the guy everyone says is experimenting on students?
Did he come to kidnap someone?
Huh? No, Balam-sensei would never—
Sensei.
You seem well, Shichiro.
Hey there, Kalego-kun.
Did you get even taller?
Yes.
Excuse me...
How do you two know each other?
We're classmates.
Classmates
We also went to Babyls.
We're stuck with each other.
Does that mean you're friends?
You're just like me and Iruma-chi, then!
Y-Yeah, maybe.
But you can't just show up unannounced.
You're right. Everyone seems surprised.
Well, yeah, we were surprised, but...
More importantly, Kalego-sensei...
There's actually a demon you get along with?!
Ow, ow, ow, ow! He read our minds!
Ow, ow, ow, ow!
Um, what are you doing here, Balam-sensei?
I was worried someone might've discovered you're human, so I came to check on you.
More importantly, I heard you're having trouble studying for your exams.
I'll make you something useful.
The Magical Siblings
Once upon a time, there lived...
Mu-chan!
Ko-chan!
Kei-chan!
...three siblings.
Jibber jabber, jibber jabber...
Ko-chan cast a spell and used magic.
Raffire!
This is called verbal magic. It covers many types of spells.
Verbal Magic
Rarity:
The flame's just too small.
Leave this to me!
Mu-chan can use magic without verbalizing the spell.
Mental Magic
Rarity:
This is called mental magic, and it requires a lot of training.
Kei-chan has special magic that only she can use.
This is called bloodline magic.
Bloodline Magic
Rarity:
With enough practice, it can be made even stronger.
They all have different kinds of magic,
so they live happily together while helping each other out.
These are the basics of magic.
The Magical Siblings
This is so easy to understand!
Really?!
Did you really write this, Balam-sensei?
That's so cool! It's so cute!
I've always loved picture books. I even create some on my own as a hobby.
I try to show the others, but everyone always seems to run away.
666 Beasts Cerberus
But it must've been a lot of work to make this.
What are you talking about?!
You need to know more about the netherworld to protect yourself!
I'll make you picture books for the other subjects, too,
so make sure you read them!
I guess he's happy to have someone read his picture book.
Okay!
The Magical Siblings
I guess there are a lot of ways to study besides just reading textbooks.
It's easy to learn when you sing, too!
With just a little bit of water,
they grow like whoosh, nigi nigi greens...
They love dark, dreary places, namejirooms...
General Andras sure is strong.
They used a real-life battle as inspiration for this game.
Wow.
Netherworld history is filled with dreams.
Sure...
I'll work hard at my studies!
With just a little bit of water...
They grow like whoosh, nigi nigi greens!
They love dark, dreary places, namejirooms!
Spinny spin and you get Ouroboros!
It'll sprout on the night of the blood moon!
Hurray, hurray!
With just a little bit of water,
they grow like whoosh, nigi nigi greens!
They've completely broken.
A Lone Torturer
I never thought there'd be such a touching story in the history of torture...
You look like a mess.
Are your studies going well?
I'm still getting a lot of wrong answers...
But I'm definitely updating.
Updating
Updating?
I basically feel a new me coming through, I guess.
So it hasn't been rough. Actually...
Observations
Wait, why are you taking notes?
Oh, I just find you fascinating.
Here's your next picture book.
A Lone Torturer II
Oh, thank you very much!
No, thank you.
And stop!
I-I got more right answers than wrong ones!
Though this is a mock exam, you've scored above a failing grade of 40!
Next, we should shoot for 100!
Huh?
Hrm...
Well done improving so much.
You've made this professor proud.
Thank you.
Iruma-sama! Don't let her fool you!
The professor only got a 58! She's not better than you!
Huh?
They're actually studying!
Yeah, well...
We're suddenly interested in studying now.
We feel like we can do this.
I put together all the ways to figure out the calculations.
Nice! I got some hints from Orias-sensei about the exams.
Let's trade.
I'd like to see, too.
Let us all compare notes, then.
Balam-sensei's picture books are so easy to understand.
Azz-kun is great at teaching.
Clara's always cheerful, even when she's studying.
We're all studying together as a class and sharing our thoughts.
I never had any idea
that studying could be so much fun.
Thanks to them, studying has been fun.
This must be something amazing.
And this is... This is just a tiny little thought.
Maybe I'm actually...
really smart.
Studying High
Studying high.
Part 2
This happens when you get a big head after scoring well on a test.
With just a little bit of water...
And so, everyone's preparations continued.
I guess it's about time.
Now...
The end-of-terminus exams...
will begin!
Sukima, Sukima!
Su
Ki
Ma
1st Day
The first day.
Balam-sensei.
Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait!
What if I accidentally hurt you?
Stay back! Back!
I'll be fine.
2nd Day
The second day.
Okay, I'm used to this now.
This is a bit extreme.
Balam's research on humans was going well.
Next Episode Preview
Hi! Dosanko here.
Call me Dosa-chan.
Next time on Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun,
we have "The End-of-Terminus Exams" and "Girl Talk."
Now, now, don't look so anxious.
You studied really hard, so be more confident.
I worked hard on improving my eye and my inner self.
As for how... that's a girl's secret.