The "Totally Normal" Morning
The cafeteria buzzed louder than usual.
Talk of student ranks filled the air. Promotions to Elite Tier. Demotions to Commoner Tier. Nobles sat smugly in velvet-lined seats, while the rest scrounged around wobbly wooden tables.
At the far end of the room, Rayan sat beside Yeon, holding a stale roll like it was a sacred artifact of failure.
"Despite being called Emperor, I'm still stuck with powdered milk and burnt toast," Rayan thought blankly.
Yeon stabbed a slice of jammed bread with his fork, frost swirling around its tip.
"Guess titles don't matter if you're born without a crown," he muttered.
"I like being a background character," Rayan said, eyes dead inside. "No pressure. No enemies. Just bread."
Tonio sipped lukewarm tea. "You've rebranded mediocrity."
Cezar casually leaned back, snagging a sausage from the Elite Table with beast-like reflexes.
"Commoner-tier food tastes better when stolen."
Then—
SLAM!!
The doors blasted open like a cannon shot. BAM! Trays clattered. Students flinched.
And in stepped a demon.
The General Walks In
Tall. Towering. Skin pale as bone. Twin horns curled like obsidian blades. Crimson eyes burned like wildfire.
The cafeteria went silent.
SCCRRAAAAPE. Chairs dragged back.
CLINK. Forks hit plates.
SHHHHH. Whispers hissed through gritted teeth.
"A demon?!"
"That's a demon!"
"A real one? In Arcania?!"
A third-year noble screamed and ran. Several students fumbled for wands but couldn't move.
"This is supposed to be a sanctuary!"
"This violates ten international accords!"
Up above, Headmaster Elira Vance watched from the balcony—her expression unreadable, lips pressed into a firm line.
The demon's boots echoed—THUMP… THUMP… THUMP…—until he reached the center.
"I am Elzure, General of the Crimson Legion," his voice smooth and deep like coals cracking. "I seek the strongest human. The one they call…"
"The Wandering Hermit."
Rayan's jaw dropped. "Oh no no no."
Yeon ducked under the table like a cockroach. "Nope. I'm not real. You can't see me."
Prince Kael – Blood of Kings
High above in the tower dorms, Prince Kael shut his journal hard enough to shake the windows.
"A demon inside the Academy walls…? And the faculty allows it?"
His blue cloak swirled behind him as he marched to the window, hand tightening around the hilt of his ancestral blade.
"Was this what fate meant? I came to meet the Hermit, and instead I find another threat to my people."
He turned sharply. "If no one stops him—I will."
Courtyard Showdown
By the time Elzure reached the courtyard, half the school had evacuated. The air itself bent from the pressure of his aura. Students hid behind trees, pillars, and whatever benches remained.
"I see it in your eyes," Elzure said calmly. "Fear. Disgust. Weakness. Typical of your kind."
From behind a bush—
Rayan: "He's monologuing. That's villain phase two."
Yeon: "We're next. I can feel it. My death theme is already playing."
Cezar: sniff sniff "Anyone else smell burning toast?"
Tonio scanned the sky. "The Academy's barrier didn't even flare. He walked in freely."
BOOM! A magic spark exploded midair—someone tried to cast. It fizzled. Panic rose again.
A student cried out, "W-Who's going to stop him?!"
Yeon dramatically pointed to the heavens. "Not us!"
Rayan grabbed his shoulders. "Stick to the plan: Background character tactic… DON'T. DO. ANYTHING!!"
"GENIUS."
The Prince Arrives
FWOOOM!
A golden blur streaked across the courtyard.
Prince Kael landed in a shockwave of light and wind, blade drawn.
"You've insulted humanity long enough."
Elzure chuckled. "Royalty? Hmm… Let's test your spine."
CLANG!!
Steel and claw met with a sonic crack.
FWOOSH! A wave of flame burst.
ZING! Kael's blade flashed, slashing across Elzure's cheek.
The courtyard erupted. Trees snapped. Flags ignited. Magic flared like fireworks gone wrong.
Behind a stone pillar…
Yeon: "We could've done something cool."
Rayan: "This is cooler. Hiding is peak strategy."
Tonio: "I'm sketching your fear expressions for future blackmail."
Cezar: "We're gonna die as commoners."
Someone Else Is Watching
High above the chaos, hidden near the bell tower, another watched the duel.
Not a human. Not a demon.
A Dragonoid, silver-scaled with reptilian eyes, leaned forward.
He whispered to himself, "So this is the strongest humanity can offer… and that one." He eyed Rayan.
"…He reeks of something ancient. Untamed."
He grinned. "I wonder… what would happen if I struck first?"
Kael drove his sword down—CRACK!—and Elzure skidded back, laughing.
"You're strong, little prince… but not enough."
Kael stood tall, defiant. "Then I'll make myself enough."
And behind the broken bench:
Rayan: "Okay, hear me out—what if we join the villains and betray everyone?"
Yeon: "Only if they have pudding."
End of Chapter 15