Balam Shichiro’s True Power: Unmasking the “Gargoyle” in Iruma-kun’s Heartbreaker Arc

Among the many powerful demons in Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun, few characters fascinate fans quite like Balam Shichiro. At first glance, he looks like a walking nightmare—towering, intimidating, and constantly grabbing students or magical creatures to “study” them.

But long-time readers know the truth: Balam might be one of the kindest demons in the entire Netherworld.

And yet, during the Heartbreaker Arc, we finally get a glimpse of something deeper hiding beneath that kindness. Something raw. Something ancient.

Fans often joke that Balam is the school’s “friendly gargoyle.” After this arc, that comparison suddenly feels very literal.

A Teacher Who Looks Like a Villain (But Isn’t)

Balam’s design is intentionally misleading. At 1.93 meters tall, covered in scars and with an intense aura, he looks like the last person you’d want supervising a classroom.

But his actual personality is the complete opposite.

He teaches Mythical Zoology at Babyls Demon School, and his passion is studying living creatures. That curiosity is what leads to his infamous “aggressive skinship.” He grabs people, examines them closely, and observes their reactions.

To new students, it’s terrifying.

To readers? It’s hilarious.

More importantly, Balam represents something rare in the demon world: empathy.

He treats magical beasts with respect, protects weaker demons, and is one of the few characters who genuinely cares about emotional well-being. That’s also why he becomes one of the first demons to learn the truth about Iruma Suzuki being human.

But as the Heartbreaker Arc proves, kindness and weakness are very different things.

Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun Heartbreaker Arc: Results, Spoilers, and Shocking Aftermath

When the Gargoyle Starts Moving

The Heartbreaker exam begins as a brutal training exercise for the Misfit Class. Their goal is simple in theory: protect the first-year students at all costs.

But when an actual threat infiltrates the school, things escalate fast.

The intruder is Atori, a member of the notorious Six Fingers.

And this is where Balam stops being “the nice teacher.”

He becomes something else entirely.

The moment Balam realizes Atori’s true nature, the tone of the fight changes. It’s not flashy magic or dramatic speeches. Instead, it’s pure suppression—the kind of overwhelming pressure that only top-tier demons can produce.

Fans on anime forums often describe this scene the same way:

“It felt like watching a peaceful animal suddenly reveal it’s actually the apex predator of the forest.”

The Secret Behind Balam’s Rank

In the demon hierarchy, ranks determine power, influence, and status. Reaching the upper tiers is extremely rare.

Balam holds Rank 8 (Cheth)—a level achieved by only a handful of demons.

For comparison:

Reaching Rank 8 at only 34 years old is almost unheard of. It means Balam isn’t just strong—he’s among the elite defenders of the demon world.

And the Heartbreaker Arc shows exactly why.

Balam’s Most Dangerous Ability: Detecting Lies

Balam’s Bloodline Ability is called Buzzer, sometimes translated by fans as “Falsehood Bell.”

Its function sounds simple, but the implications are terrifying.

He can detect lies, deception, and cheating within a massive area.

At Babyls, this ability is mainly used to prevent students from cheating during exams. But in combat, it becomes something far more powerful.

Imagine fighting someone who can instantly sense hidden traps, fake strategies, deception tactics, and ambush attempts.

That’s exactly why Balam was able to locate the hidden team of Agares Picero even while they were buried underground.

Against infiltrators like Atori, it essentially turns Balam into a living lie detector with combat instincts.

Physical Strength That Rivals the Strongest Teachers

While Balam’s intelligence and perception are impressive, his physical power might be even more shocking.

Unlike many demons who rely heavily on magic, Balam combines magic with brutal hand-to-hand combat.

Some feats mentioned throughout the story include:

• Bending metal bars as a child
• Blocking powerful mana blasts with his bare arms
• Training Asmodeus Alice and Sabnock Sabro simultaneously for weeks without taking damage

And remember: Alice alone is considered one of the strongest students at Babyls.

If Balam can casually handle both of them at once, it gives fans a rough idea of his true level.

Fighting Smarter, Not Just Harder

Another underrated aspect of Balam’s combat style is his knowledge of biology.

As a Mythical Zoology expert, he understands anatomy better than almost anyone in the Netherworld.

That means when he fights, he doesn’t just swing randomly.

He targets pressure points, joints, and weak spots in magical creatures.

This is why Balam can subdue massive beasts without killing them—something even veteran demon hunters struggle with.

In a real battle, that precision becomes devastating.

The Vines: Control Over the Battlefield

Balam also frequently uses magical vines.

At first, they seem like simple restraints used to control students. But during the Heartbreaker Arc, they reveal a much more strategic purpose.

These vines allow him to immobilize enemies instantly, control movement across large areas, and protect students by blocking attacks.

In other words, Balam can turn the entire battlefield into his territory.

And once you’re caught inside it, escaping becomes nearly impossible.

Why Balam Matters for Iruma’s Future

Beyond his power, Balam plays a crucial emotional role in the story.

He is one of the very few demons who knows Iruma is human—and instead of exploiting that secret, he protects it.

In a world where demons are often driven by ambition or instinct, Balam represents trust.

That’s why many fans believe he will become one of Iruma’s most important allies in the future conflict against forces like Baal and the Six Fingers.

If Babyls ever faces a true invasion, there’s a good chance Balam will be the one standing at the front gate.

Just like a gargoyle.

Silent. Watching.

Waiting for the moment someone threatens the people under his protection.

And when that happens?

The gentle teacher disappears.

The Rank 8 monster takes his place.