Inside the Demon Academy’s grand theater music classroom, an immersive concert was underway.
At the center of the stage, a demon whose head blazed with blue flames sang with fiery passion. Under the spotlight, his figure was clearly visible; his roaring voice was loud, vast, and untamed, like a howl rising from the deepest pit of hell. Every note was brimming with the violent force of death rock.
The judges wore serious, focused expressions—some frowning, others closing their eyes—as they listened intently to the performer’s voice.
As the lights dimmed, the entire hall sank into darkness. Then, with a sudden shift in stage lights, the song erupted into silence, only to explode again in a climactic frenzy. Magic flares burst like fireworks, illuminating the entire stage. Students in the back rows immediately broke into shouts, their voices thundering through the theater.
For a moment, Lan Qi felt that this demon academy seemed to be experimenting with some strange, “new-age” teaching models.
But the more bizarre it was, the more ominous this “Difficulty Level 2” trial seemed.
According to Bacher’s explanation, it was definitely far more dangerous than the Difficulty 1 demon magic written exam from earlier.
Lan Qi swept his gaze across the theater-like music classroom.
The four music instructors sitting in front of the stage, likely the judges, looked prestigious in rank—but strangely, none of them emanated particularly strong magic. Instead, the real aura of power pulsed from the teacher standing near the curtains at the side, like a host of the performance. Terrifying waves of magic radiated from him.
It was clear: this host-teacher was the true overseer of the classroom and its rules. From his refined attire and dignified accessories, he seemed to hold a position in this academy even higher than the dragon-demon and owl-demon proctors from before.And sure enough.
From their seats in the audience, Lan Qi, Huperion, and Bacher soon received examination manuals, delivered by strange winged eyeball familiars—assistant demons under the teacher’s control.
The brown cover of the booklet read:
【Demon Realm Music: Graduation Examination & Public Performance】
【Location: Corridor G24, Demon King’s Gifted Theater】
“Another exam?” Lan Qi muttered as he flipped the manual open.
“Since it’s close to the end of term, graduation-exam classes pop up more often,” Bacher murmured nervously at his side.
It was his first time being dragged into a Difficulty 2 classroom.
He was already completely deflated the moment they entered.
During this period, almost any classroom could turn out to be an exam hall.
But for the sake of paying the daily fee of 5 credit coins, students had no choice but to take the exams, no matter how unwilling. Failing to hand in those credits only meant execution.
Only students who had a large surplus of credits could live comfortably through this “exam season.”
“Well, since we’re here already.”
Lan Qi nodded, then began carefully reading through the course guidelines.
The manual was thin—it only took a minute or two to finish.
The rules were deceptively simple.
Once in the classroom, students could freely choose when to take their exam—
In other words, when to step onto the stage and give their musical performance:
【Exam Requirement: Your music must be recognized by at least two music instructors.】
【Performance time limit: 2 minutes. Each guest instructor has sworn upon the Demon King to judge strictly and impartially, according to their own faith in music and their personal specialty.】
【Note: Students are forbidden from using any magic while watching. Only during the stage performance may all forms of magic be used to enhance the effect of the show. Offensive magic aimed at harming the instructors is strictly prohibited.】
【Rule violators will be erased on the spot by the Demon Eye. Those who fail to meet the conditions will be executed immediately. Students who do not attempt a performance before the end will also be executed. Those who pass may leave once class is dismissed.】
The manual further explained: whether one performed early or late, no one could leave in the middle. All students had to remain as audience members, giving feedback and basic interaction to maintain the energy of the scene.
Because besides being an exam, this was also a public concert of the demon world. And what was a performance without the liveliness of an audience?
Lan Qi looked up and noticed a massive floating Demon Eye suspended from the ceiling. It seemed to be watching every detail in the room, transmitting the performance to other places.
“Lan Qi, are you… good at music?”
Huperion had already finished reading the manual. She closed it, rested it on her lap, then turned her head to ask Lan Qi.
Since he had chosen this classroom, he must have had at least some confidence.
As for herself, though she had been trained in the arts since childhood, she could hardly call herself a master.
“Music? Just so-so. But anything involving the arts usually has some overlap.”
Lan Qi crossed his arms, eyes fixed on the stage, speaking with calm thoughtfulness.
Music couldn’t be mastered in a day or two. The Shadow World, unless completely misplayed, was designed without true dead-ends. That meant this exam likely wasn’t purely testing artistic skill; there had to be hidden strategies to pass.
Of course, sometimes, if a challenger’s natural talent was exceptional, they could bypass the mechanics and speed-clear it outright.
Like the demon magic written exam earlier—if someone actually could complete the entire test flawlessly, they could just walk out in triumph.
“In that case, I’ll just follow your lead.”
Huperion nodded lightly. Since Lan Qi hadn’t given her any specific instructions, she decided her role was simple: protect him if needed.
Still, she hadn’t expected Lan Qi to have this much confidence in art.
“This is the end… the end of me…”
Bacher’s face had gone pale after reading the guidelines.
He bitterly regretted following Lan Qi into this Difficulty 2 classroom out of greed.
From Lan Qi’s calm expression, maybe he had a way to clear it. But this was a solo performance! There was no way Lan Qi could carry him through it!
“Relax. You still have to guide us around. We’ll cover for you.”
Lan Qi patted Bacher on the shoulder, signaling him not to panic.
Bacher nodded furiously.
The last shred of reassurance in his heart came entirely from the shining demon “patron” beside him.
Lan Qi then turned his gaze back toward the stage and the four instructors.
For now, he couldn’t gauge how difficult it would be to earn their approval.
Just then, the student they’d seen performing when they entered finished his song, and it was time for the results to be announced.
While waiting, Lan Qi and Huperion exchanged a glance.
“What do you think?”
“Pretty impressive.”
Both genuinely agreed the performance had been of very high quality.
At least to them, the student had certainly earned recognition.
However—
On the four towering judge’s chairs before the stage:
Only one instructor’s expression showed satisfaction. The other three looked grim and unyielding.
“I think it’s acceptable.”
“I’m not impressed.”
“No.”
“Terrible.”
And with that, the host-teacher raised his hand in a silent judgment. His gesture exuded ruthless finality.
In the next instant, the demon student’s body erupted like a crimson blossom, collapsing onto the stage in a wet heap of scarlet, blood spreading across the floor like the abrupt end of a fevered celebration!