recap + speculation on The Sweetest Test in the World 📚
I really liked this one! If Im being brutally honest, the character interactions are what I would've wanted from Devil wears an OL look. I need to see the kings lowkey fighting over mc more often 😭 Imo they did something very interesting with this one, even if it was basically filler. I do have one major critique of this story tho :0
Also yk whats really funny about this one is that... whb is already an isekai, then they all get reverse isekai'd into a human world that mirror's where MC is originally from >w< this game is so silly
The Sweetest Test seems to mostly serve the purpose of introducing Angra Mainyu (one of the love interests in PB's next game, Ark Academy) and the whole multiverse/extended universe concept they seem to want to accomplish with their games. Again, I really liked this event so it's not a criticism just an observation; but this felt more like a collection of scenes rather than a cohesive story. So I'm just gonna focus a bit more on the world that is (literally) created because they do show a lot of the world building and the kings innate personality traits by plucking them out of their story and putting them in a different genre.
It starts off with Satan thinking MC is depressed based on a series of encounters they have with him where they seem to be out of it and he jumps to conclusions. It's genuinely very cute how worried he is about them despite MC consistently verbalizing that they're totally fine. One day while in Satan's office with him and a few others, he accuses MC of being depressed again, they deny it, and Asmodeus shows up out of nowhere and says MC must be homesick if not depressed. Then everyone in the office freaks out and they start opening windows to vent out Asmo's pheromones, which isn't plot relevant it was just really funny.
Asmodeus, ever the schemer, of course says he has a solution for MC's "depression homesickness" and that is to make a deal with the god of another world, Angra Mainyu, to create a perfect world for MC with no stress or war. (Also the game uses he and they for Mainyu so imma hc them as he/they nonbinary even tho its probably just a translation error :) The other kings hear word of this and insist on meeting Mainyu with Asmodeus, so they borrow rent a little drone from Mammon and Asmo takes it with him to meet Azathoth, who can connect them with Mainyu.
Now, Azathoth's domain is described as the origin of all dimensions. We've seen him before in the kitty event, he rewinded time for MC to prevent the kings from dying but this created a branch (?) in the timeline and an alternate universe where the kings are turned into giant cats. Also MC is not present for this meeting with Azathoth/Mainyu.
In Azathoth's void, we get a glimpse of Mainyu's realm and it is blinding and brilliant, filled with giant golden mechanisms; and Mainyu themself is described as an expert in the creation of spacetime.
Mainyu seems evil lol, but he is very entertained by the idea of holding a bet with the kings. He'll create a perfect world for their human, but if MC decides they want to stay in that perfect world then the kings have to give up their entire Hell to Mainyu. The kings scoff at this proposal, saying ofc MC will want to return and they even increase the stakes, each asking for something from Mainyu if they win the bet and MC decides to come back. The only wager we see tho is Mammon saying he'll place his entire fortune on MC returning.
In the dream
MC, again, has no idea this is happening and wakes up from their nap on Satan's office couch in an unfamiliar room, no it's Minhyeok's room. Honestly it's really interesting that they find the room to be unfamiliar, and that it 'doesn't even smell like him'. In the main story, I think around ch 5 or so, MC isn't able to conjure the room anymore so I do wonder if their feelings for Minhyeok are changing because they've been able to form relationships in Hell. Although, this is just speculation on my part. Later in this story too, MC opens their lunch box and it's the same lunch Min used to cook for them. They feel lonely for a bit, but rather quickly get over it.
Since waking in this strange environment, MC feels more energetic and capable than usual from the effects of the wager with Mainyu. They basically have godly powers, but they don't realize it since no one told them this was another world created just for them. And since they believe this is a dream and they're wearing their school uniform they figure it's time to go to school.
We see the roles picked out for the kings at the school assembly. Beelzebub is shown first, he's the student council president. And he's really more of a figurehead than an actual leader. This is very similar to his role in Abyssos, where he... doesnt really do any kingly responsibilities but all his subjects still love and follow him.
Satan is introduced next. He's the leader of the biker gang, and the students seem to flock to him for being very cool. This is similar to his role in Gehenna, where even the devils of other countries look up to him. Mammon is Satan's rival, and a leader to the rich kids. He's also very cool and competent, and his faction seems to follow him for being a powerful and capable leader.
Leviathan is the head of the disciplinary committee. It's a bit abstract, but this is a really good role for Leviathan since Hades devils tend to know a lot of secrets. (Them knowing about the reverse tower in the main story, and Orias being the only one to know how to get into heaven in the previous event.) Later on in this story, Leviathan also mentions that he has students watching the campus exits, similar to how they do keep an eye on who or what is coming and going from Hell.
Belphegor at first is introduced as just a student, no special role like class president or biker gang leader; but~ later on it is revealed that he's the top student AND the head of the academic club. I read his origin story event recently and his power seems to be what keeps Nilfheim in existence (?) He's not one to brag or be a real leader, his strength is enough for others to want to follow him. Not to mention Belphegor is actually quite smart, I think he genuinely enjoyed being in school lol.
Asmodeus is another abstract one to place in the school life. Let's be real for a sec, the meta reason he's a teacher is bc they wanted to reuse his teacher sprite, BUT it does make sense for him. Asmodeus is often, especially lately, the one to have a sort of higher dimension of power than the other kings. He knows how to travel between dimensions and between timelines to get items or deals with higher powered beings, similar to how the teacher in a slice of life school series will often be the plot device that allows characters to do things for plot reasons that students otherwise wouldn't be able to do. Not to mention his narcissism probably loves having him in a position of power.
Last to be introduced is Lucifer, he doesn't attend the assembly and later in the story it's said he doesn't usually go to class or to his other student responsibilities. His introduction is very interesting, after the assembly MC is running down the hall and they bump into him. He's described as having a sort of command over everything around him. Students move out of his way instinctively, "as if the space had always belonged to him from the very beginning." This is sort of explained towards the end of the story, he says since he was there when God created the world, the "forcing power" of other worlds doesn't affect him. He is carrying a guitar case here and later it is said he is the head of the music club, similar to his role leading the angelic choir when he was still in Heaven.
The rules of this world
As MC settles into school life, they find themselves being extremely capable in everything they do. From school work to sports, they even find themselves sprinting down the hall and they never seem to get tired. This world was created for them, so their every whim seems to come to fruition.
Lucifer, similarly, seems to have extraordinary skill without even putting in any effort. From the start, the story really draws a parallel between these two. As mentioned, Lucifer is basically unaffected by the world because of his higher power. And MC likely also isn't affected by the world in the same way as the kings because of the contract with Mainyu. Idk if this points to their dynamic in the future in the main story or in other events. It was just really cool to see them being mirrored like that since Lucifer is the end game romance in this event.
At some point as MC is walking down the hall, they start to think to themselves that this is really a perfect dream and maybe the things they want to happen really will happen. Then they immediately get pulled into a storage closet to have a steamy little meet up with Satan.
I'm not gonna go into too much detail with the H scenes, but I will link this post by @/wihellib that compiled them all :3c
In the closet, Satan confirms to MC that the kings are all actually here themselves and Satan explains that he feels his "will" is the same, and he has his memories, but the world's "forcing power" is pushing a role on to him. He says he can't really help himself when he feels the urge to fight his rival Mammon; and I am also going to assume he couldn't help himself from kidnapping MC. It's also sort of implied that MC has a certain control over the forcing power of the world; because they were thinking about having a sex scene and then it happens. It sort of seems that they altered the world and turned it into an otome, and Satan is amused that their wishes are so "simple".
I did re-read chapter 1 recently, and this is actually very similar to their early interactions too. Satan asks MC for help and they agree "because they want to help", not for the promise of power or anything else a contract can bring. Which Satan also found charming back then. It's very interesting how this story mirrors the main story, even in the order the h scenes are in and how the kings treat MC. Let's look at the H scenes and MC's school life first and then we'll talk about Luci in a later section :3
After Satan's H scene, we get Leviathan's H scene. This one takes place after he sends MC to look for Lucifer and they come back empty handed. When MC reports their failure to him he sort of expected it, Leviathan doesn't have a conversation with MC about this world the way Satan and a few others do, he seems really into his role but he does know what's happening and that it's basically a roleplay. Then Levi noticed the mark Satan left on MC's neck and gets jealous~.
He proceeds to cover the marks Satan left on MC's skin with his own and then they have a good time together :) Afterwards, Leviathan tells MC that fetching Lucifer was actually a pointless quest. It's just part of the roleplay and he probably knew Lucifer wouldn't be as willing to play along.
Anyways, student council meeting time! MC is the class rep and they get appointed by Beelzebub to be the head of the festival committee. Again, this is very much like Beelzebub in Hell. He does have a way of appointing others into responsibility they didn't ask for but that they are capable of conquering. After the meeting is over, MC heads to the storage closet to look for old records and stuff they need for planning the festival. Oh no, a gust of wind locks them in the closet with none other than Lucifer! And then we learn one of my favorite things ever.
Lucifer and Belphegor apparently hang out while Belphie rambles about manga to Luci 😭 oh my god this was hilarious. I love that Belphegor isn't afraid of any of the other kings, most of the others are afraid of Lucifer and Asmo, but not Belphie. "Lucifer never chased him away," I feel like he genuinely enjoyed hanging out with Belphegor. Because Belphie is the type to pick up on non-verbal queues from others, he totally comes back because he knows Lucifer enjoys listening to him. Eeeeee! >.<
So anyways, because he remembered Belphegor's lectures, Lucifer realizes he's meant to play as a love interest to MC and he haates the idea. Then Mammon comes to save us yay!
Another iconic moment, Greed mixed with Jealousy towards an angel that refuses to sin. Mammon takes us away from Lucifer and we thank him by paying him with our body 😭. A dream come true for MC and me tbh.
The next day, MC is doing festival tasks when some unexpected visitors stop by. It's the boys from Seraphim Academy.
The Angels
Honestly,,, I was so sus of them but,,, they don't really do anything LOL. They all looked so good tho in their uniform <3 esp rafita
They go to MC's school and recruit MC to transfer to their school. MC refuses, saying they're busy with the festival, but the angels insist MC can transfer after the festival is over. Then they trick MC into going on a tour of Seraphim Academy. When they all get to the campus, a crowd of students has gathered to watch. Michael and Raphael are holding MC tightly, as if "escorting" them in. It makes MC really uncomfortable and they want to hide from the embarrassment. The atmosphere is described as perfect but sterile and eerie. This is really what Heaven is like, from the few glimpses we've seen.
It's unclear if these Seraphs are actually the real ones. The kings are the real kings but they also were the ones that made the deal with Mainyu, would the angels have just been yoinked from Heaven to be put in the other world? I don't know. It would've been cool if yes. Imagine Mainyu approaches the Seraphs with a proposal, if they can convince MC to stay in the other world they could get something in return??
But no, I really am 50/50 on if that was the real Seraphs or not. Either way, Raphael and Michael are very eager for MC to accept their offer. Gabriel on the other hand, says no. Now is not the time for you to transfer. This felt soooo nefarious to me. If everything in this world is a parallel to the original world, us "transferring" after the festival must mean something, but I don't think it just means living in Heaven instead of Hell.
MC second arc
The next day, amidst all the planning MC decides to go take a nap in the student council room. But it seems like someone else had that idea first.
Belphegor is sleeping on the other edge of the long table, MC sits down and uses their bag as a pillow and closes their eyes. When they open their eyes again, Belphegor is right in front of their face. He's very cuddly, he gets real close and personal and then licks MC. Queue H scene.
Afterwards, and before MC can leave, Belphegor asks if they're really planning on transferring. Again, I don't know what "transferring" represents. But MC responds with "I haven't decided yet." And Belphegor responds with "That so? Ya gettin too soft on folks-that's your trouble." but of course he doesn't explain himself.
My interpretation is that he thinks MC doesn't want to say no to the angels. From what we've seen in their cards, MC clearly thinks they could be redeemed. Honestly I think all the kings do pick up on the fact MC is trying to help the angels to some extent. Beelzebub also mentions this in his episode later in this event. Clearly, the king of never doing anything unless it's actually important thinks MC is wasting their time.
The next day, another student council meeting. The kings are all here and they are arguing over what they should do for events at the festival. No one can agree on anything and eventually MC is fed up and takes charge. They propose much better alternatives to the Kings' bad ideas and everyone thinks their a genius and extremely capable. After the meeting, everyone is so proud of MC. But then someone says, "That's the wisdom of Solomon." MC flinches, but ultimately ignores this comment.
After they let out, MC realizes that Lucifer didn't attend the meeting. They ask another student and the student says he's never really around and that he's always avoiding recruitment offers from other clubs. I think this might represent how Lucifer isn't/wasn't entirely on Hell's side of the war until he made a contract with Gaap, which I think happens after this story takes place.
Eventually MC finds him in an old storage room playing the piano. I will circle back to this in a later section.
The next day, after a successful inspection of the festival grounds, MC finds themself alone with Beelzebub. He compliments MC for the hard work they've done organizing, but they don't want to accept the praise, saying it's all because they're overpowered in this world. Beelzebub doesn't let that slide. Similar to when they meet in the main story, Beelzebub gives them much needed reassuring words. He says they may be buffed here but it was still them that was able to accomplish all of this. H scene.
It's a little funny, Leviathan and his faction are doing like a security sweep and Beel is just down here playing with MC, they both can see him almost going down the stairs but then leaving. I wonder if that'll happen in Beel's main story H scene lol.
After they both clean themselves up, Beelzebub says to them he wanted to reassure them, he knows they have a tendency to take on more than they can handle. Like how MC is always trying to redeem those damned angels, he says. And how they're always trying to fill Solomon's shoes. Then he gets a bit serious, as if he knows something. He says MC should spend more time with him after "this" is over, to which MC interprets as when the festival is over. The festival might represent the war or like a final battle, and Beel wants MC to stay with him when it's over ;-;
The next day is Asmodeus' H scene! He has his power fantasy and they do it in the teacher's lounge. Honestly not much stands out to me about this one. It was really cute tho.
The H scenes theory
So, interestingly enough, the order in which the kings have had H scenes in the main story is actually Satan-Mammon-Leviathan-Belphegor. But the order of the H scenes in this event is Satan-Leviathan-Mammon-Belphegor-Beelzebub-Asmodeus then Lucifer in the L card. But you know what does match this story's order of H scenes so far? Their contracts. Satan makes a contract with MC first, Mammon does not, then Leviathan makes a contract with MC. I continue to believe Mammon's contract is next.
Festival Day
The Kings are really enjoying themselves in their roles, and MC is glad they could share this fun experience with the boys. MC soon decides they've done enough and go to watch Lucifer's performance. He's shredding on the guitar and everyone is mesmerized, and in that moment MC sees a more real version of Lucifer. This whole month in this world he's been pretty much avoiding everything and not playing along with his role. Except for this performance. And when its over he escapes again. But I guess he sees MC being swallowed by the crowd and comes up behind them to guide them to safety. Then disappears again.
The second day of the festival went well too. The Seraphs were guest performers but MC missed their show because Satan had started a fire ._. But we do see the angels' thoughts about MC! Gabriel wants MC to make Heaven a better place, Raphael wants MC because he has a crush, and Michael also has a crush but it's on both MC and Lucifer. Very true and accurate, I loved that they were invited to the isekai.
On the last day of the festival was the fireworks show. MC decides to do one last security run before the show, and as they go to check if the roof top door is locked, they see Lucifer on the roof. Here, he explains that he is not influenced by the forcing power to the same extent as the others. He says he cannot be forced to do anything against his will. MC responds with joy at this confession, saying it makes them so happy that Lucifer chose to do such a good and genuine performance at the festival because it meant he was actually enjoying himself too. Lucifer seems to have realized something in that moment at MC's response, as his eyes quivered. But then he leaves saying he wanted to be alone, and he is not alone with MC here so he must leave now... Wow, tsundere ass >.>
Soon after, to MC's surprise, "Minhyeok" appears with an offer to stay in this perfect world. To avoid death and war, to live a happy life here. Lucifer is in the stairwell having not left and is listening in.
A man named Job
As he is eavesdropping, Lucifer remembers a story from a long time ago about the man named Job. Job had everything he wanted and he was loyal to God. But God and the devils decided to test his faith and stripped Job of everything he built for himself. Job remained loyal to God despite it all. Now, Lucifer listens in as MC has a trial similar (?) opposite (?) to Job's. Let's talk about Lucifer for a bit tho before getting into MC's final decision :3c
Back on the rooftop, when Leviathan asked MC to go find him, Lucifer asks how they're feeling now they're in a perfect world. MC says they're having a lot of fun. Lucifer doesn't really say anything else to them, they try to tell him he needs to play along and go get demerit points but he doesn't budge. So MC says they'll just tell Levi they couldn't find him and leave. Lucifer watches them leave.
The next time they end up together is in the storage closet. Lucifer was taking a little nap in there before MC came in. Another romance manga cliche. He asked them again how they're feeling and MC says they're having a lot of fun! He, again, doesnt really respond. They want to ask him what he's thinking but then Mammon knocks on the door and rescues them. He gives Lucifer the side eye and Im pretty sure Luci sees this, but he doesn't react and just lets MC be taken by Mammon.
Then, after MC's tour of Seraphim Academy, they're dropped off and it starts to rain. MC gets very sad that they don't have an umbrella, because Minhyeok was the one that would always pack it for them. This is speculation on my part, but I think the old MC would've stood in the rain crying. That's not what they do now tho, they accept those sad feelings and then move towards a solution. They run under a building and of course Lucifer is there, also hiding from the rain. They awkwardly try to make small talk but he doesn't engage, instead he asks them again how theyre doing. Even tho they were just about to cry, they say they're doing great and they were even recruited to join another school. And this is the first time he verbally responds to them, he says "I see". Without much more thought, he gives them his jacket and starts walking off into the rain. Im not saying he read their mind, but he did give them what they were missing by not having Minhyeok there to pack their umbrella.
In the piano room, MC is mesmerized by Lucifer's music. He allows them to stay and listen to a song and when it's over he asks if the know the story of Job. They say no, and Luci's like oh okay nevermind. He asks how theyre feeling again and they do straight up lie this time. They had just been compared to Solomon which did not feel good. Lucifer does accept this answer tho. MC gives him the paper he needed to sign for the student council meeting from and starts to leave, but Lucifer grabs their arm and is about to say something... but nvm it's nothing. They leave and he watches.
Ok I feel like the Job comparison is a little bit of a stretch when it's applied to MC's situation. HOWEVER, it makes PERFECT sense when applied to Lucifer! He was the most devoted to God when he was still in Heaven, he lost everything when he fell, and imo his suicidal ideations really read as him questioning his faith in God's design and when he fights to continue living that's him proving that he is faithful, that he does believe he deserves to exist like God intended. AND, they don't explain it in the story but in the real story of Job, the one who is taking everything from him is Satan. Just like how almost every time that Lucifer is alone with MC, they get whisked away by another one of the kings!
So every time that MC and Lucifer are together, MC is the one to leave first and Lucifer always watches them walk away. This feels very somber every time, very much like he's yearning. And in the prologue for his student card, we get a bit of a glimpse into what he's thinking but Im not gonna go into that, this is already SO long. Maybe another day.
The Answer
Lucifer waits for their response to "Minhyeok" and MC immediately refuses. They know this Minhyeok is a fake, and they value the real world even with its pain and imperfections. They say they want to live in a world where even the "traces" of us remain. I think this is a reference to an early main story chat that says when humans die their souls become something like traces somewhere is Hell or Heaven. The fake Minhyeok is never revealed to MC to be Mainyu. His costume just starts to crack open and he disappears without another word... creepy.
Lucifer heard everything. He found himself really admiring MC's choice. And in that moment, he almost felt like he could understand God's love for Solomon. He comes back out onto the rooftop and actually admits this to MC. That thanks to them he is able to understand God's choices a little better. And that he wants to fulfill his role and give them a truly perfect ending. Queue L card H scene.
The other kings rejoice in their victory over Mainyu. After MC says no, Mainyu had given them 1 hour before the world ended. When the clock hits zero, this entire world shattered into particles of light.
MC wakes in their bed back in Gehenna, and on their couch is the contract Angra Mainyu had made with the kings. They see all the wagers the kings had placed and are shocked that the kings would bet all of Hell for them. Again, we hear about Mammon's entire fortune; but we do see one more wager. Lucifer demanded 30 days of peace on this world if MC returned. This fills them with warmth, to know Lucifer trusted them. And they go back to their everyday life in Hell.
Conclusion
Yes I enjoyed this story, yes I can still criticize it. There were no stakes to this whole experience. We literally just got isekai'd to win an easy bet, MC wasn't even actually depressed so why would they choose to stay in the perfect happy world if they weren't upset about their reality?? It honestly would've made more sense if MC was depressed bc then there would be actual tension in the final scene with Mainyu. OF COURSE they're not gonna stay in a dream, not when they promised to help the devils and aren't regretful about that decision.
Not to mention the random Solomon mention in their supposed perfect world. Genuinely, it's not that I'm ever actually expecting good writing from this game but sometimes they hit the mark so well that when they miss Im just confused. I knowww it's more supposed to be symbolic bc in the real world they're constantly compared to Solomon, but if this is a truly perfect world MC's inferiority complex wouldn't be targeted like that for no reason. Ehh plot holes like this are a minor nuisance at this point, Immm gonna ignore it LOL.
Lastly, I do also wish we could've seen what the other kings bet on but I'm sure it'll come into play in some future event.
Welp, thanks for reading! I swear these get longer every time >.>
