Demon Evolution System

Chapter 13

The rumors spread faster than Miles expected.

By the time the afternoon bell rang, Miles Reed could feel the weight of countless gazes pressing against his back and whispers followed him through the corridors like shadows that refused to let go. Students leaned close to one another, voices hushed yet sharp, eyes flicking toward him before darting away again.

Did you hear?

He beat them all.

Zack, Noah, Jordan—sent to the clinic.

“They’re in the clinic.”

“He’s insane.”

“He’s finished.”

Miles walked with his hands in his pockets, posture relaxed, expression unreadable. He was headed for another lecture when a stern voice called him in the hallway. “Reed.”

The voice stopped him mid-step.

Miles turned around.

He turned to see his homeroom teacher, Mr. Halden, standing stiffly by the classroom door, arms crossed. The man’s eyes held no concern—only irritation, as though Miles were a complication that had disrupted a perfectly ordered system.

“Come with me,” Halden said curtly.

Miles nodded once and followed, clearly not surprised as he could already guess what the conversion was going to be about.

They stopped in an empty classroom.

Sunlight streamed through the windows, illuminating dust particles drifting lazily in the air. It felt painfully ordinary for what was about to happen.

Mr. Halden didn’t ask Miles to sit.

Instead, he placed a tablet on the desk and activated the holographic display. Images flickered into view—footage from the cafeteria. Jordan falling. Noah screamed. Zack unconscious on the floor.

“Do you recognize this?” Halden asked.

“Yes,” Miles replied calmly.

“You caused significant damage to school property,” Halden continued. “Multiple tables destroyed. Food wastage. Disruption of order.”

Miles met his gaze. “They started it.”

Halden sighed, rubbing his temples. “I am aware of your claim. It appears that you seem ed to have awakened and the thrill of that has caused you to misuse your powers”

“They confronted me,” Miles said evenly. “They have been harassing me and many other students for years . Today, Jordan struck first. I defended myself so how can that be considered a misuse of power.”

Halden’s eyes hardened slightly. “Zack, Noah, and Jordan are currently in the academy clinic. Two of them suffered fractures. One sustained internal bruising.”

Miles said nothing.

“And yet,” Halden went on, “despite your explanation, the facts remain. You escalated the situation. You used excessive force.”

Miles clenched his jaw. The seneca hypocrisy in Mr. Halden's judgement couldn't be any clearer.“They’re awakeners. Stronger than me. Or at least, they thought they were. My point is that we wouldn't be having this conversation now if the situation between them and me was reversed”

“That is irrelevant,” Halden snapped.

Silence stretched between them for a couple of seconds. Then Halden straightened. “The decision has been made.”

Miles felt it before the words came.

“You are suspended for a week,” Halden said. “Effective immediately.”

Miles exhaled slowly.

“And the others?” he asked.

Halden hesitated.

“Zack, Noah, and Jordan will receive a warning,” he said. “Their parents have expressed… concerns.”

There it was.

Miles laughed quietly—not mockery, not anger. Just understanding.

“So they get a warning,” Miles said, “and I get suspended. I'm being punished for defending myself ”

Halden stiffened. “Watch your tone.”

Miles looked him straight in the eyes. “I didn’t start it. I finished it.”

That earned him a sharp glare.

“You should be grateful,” Halden said coldly. “It is because of the money their parents donate to this school that makes it possible to fund your scholarship. In other academies, students like you would have been expelled but we are being considerate since you have a good record.”

Students like you.

Scholarship students. Poor students. Disposable students.

Halden tapped the tablet. “Collect your things and leave the premises. Do not return until your suspension period ends.”

Miles nodded once. He knew there was no point in prolonging this conversation.

As he turned to leave, Halden added, “Reed.”

Miles paused.

“Don’t let this happen again,” the teacher said. “Know your place.”

Miles didn’t respond.. He just silently walked out.

Outside the academy gates, Miles stopped.

For a long moment, he simply stood there, watching students pass by. Laughter. Ambition. Futures paved with money and protection.

Education had always been his escape route.

The one clean path he believed could pull him and his sister out of the mud without staining their hands.

But standing there now, suspension notice burning in his pocket, Miles finally understood something he had refused to accept for years.

In this world, effort means nothing without power.

Hard work didn’t matter.

Talent didn’t matter.

Truth didn’t matter.

Only money.

Only influence.

Only strength.

His fingers curled slowly into fists.

Then I’ll take it, he thought. All of it.

Miles didn’t go home.

Instead, he changed direction and boarded a bus heading toward the Awakeners Association.

The building loomed over the district like a fortress—tall, reinforced, etched with protective runes glowing faintly against the evening sky. Hunters came and went through its massive doors, some laughing loudly, others carrying themselves with the calm confidence of people who had stared death in the face and walked away stronger.

Miles stepped inside the building and approached the female receptionist.

A receptionist looked at Miles with a welcoming smile. “ Good afternoon, may I ask about your Purpose of visit?”

“I want to register as an awakener,” Miles said, straightforwardly

The receptionist raised an eyebrow, then gestured to a terminal. “Fill this out.” she said, handing him a form.

Miles collected and immediately filled out the form as instructed then he handed it back to the receptionist.

“Please, have a seat. You will be called in when it is your turn to take your mana reading to determine your rank.” The receptionist explained, gesturing Miles towards the seats at the lobby.