Chapter 1

  Another Brick In The Wall

  Orientation at the academy had concluded.

  That night, deep in the forest several kilometers behind the campus, Dan Burn and Zeedee Lamb pushed their way through the tall grass until they reached a long, winding river.

  “This is your brilliant idea?” Zeedee asked.

  “We’re building our home right here in the forest.”

  Beyond the trees were mountains, and past those lay a vast wasteland—an old battlefield now silent. No one passed through here. The river meant water was abundant. The terrain wasn’t humid or tropical. In short, it was perfect.

  Dan marked the ground with a stick while Zeedee was sent to collect firewood. Together, they began constructing a simple cone-shaped shelter, something reminiscent of Native tribal huts. They’d already bought axes and knives from a shop in town.

  “You’re cutting costs way too hard,” Zeedee grumbled.

  “I could cut more, actually.”

  “What’s even left to cut?”

  Dan pointed directly at her.

  “Your highnessss!!!”

  “Be thankful. At least we didn’t have to forge the tools ourselves.”

  “You’re stingy as hell.”

  “Two hundred thousand years.”

  Crack. Crack.

  Fwoosh.

  The fire crackled to life. Their tent stood complete—rudimentary, but sufficient.

  “Not bad for what we can manage in these human bodies.”

  Both of them stood, admiring their work, chests heaving with exhaustion, sweat streaking their bodies. Even in this form, fatigue showed.

  “Human bodies get dirty so easily. It’s maddening.”

  “I told you to strip down. Human bodies release heat through liquid on the skin... I just didn’t think it’d be this much. We’ll need to pace ourselves better.”

  “You’ve such foresight, Dan.”

  Zeedee now wore only a chest wrap and lower undergarment. Dan, similarly, was down to just his underpants.

  “Now, about food...” he said, glancing at the sky. “From the moon’s position, it’s past midnight. Too late to cook. We’ll just eat breakfast at the academy tomorrow.”

  “Saving money on breakfast too, huh?”

  “Yup.”

  “But can we survive the hunger? My body’s starving...”

  “Just hold out.”

  “Ooooh—oohhh! C-cold!!”

  Dan shivered violently in the stream’s icy waters.

  “W-why is it this cold!? I’ve never felt such agony! Is this... what they call cold!?”

  “Ah! Ah! Dan! I’m freezing too!”

  To an outsider, the scene likely looked compromising—man and woman bathing nude together—but for them, this was war against the cold.

  “I can’t take it anymore!” Zeedee shouted.

  SPLASH!

  She lunged and wrapped her arms tightly around Dan’s trembling body.

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  “Human bodies warm up when they touch,” she said. “I read that.”

  Dan blinked. “I feel... unsafe when you grab me like that.”

  “You’re imagining things.”

  “...Are you sure?”

  “Did Casca used to do this to you, Dan?”

  Smooch.

  “So this is how humans show affection.”

  “It’s called a kiss.”

  “A kiss... I see.”

  In the world of demons, there were no words like “hug,” “kiss,” or “affection.” Since the day Dan hatched from his egg, the only things that existed were kill, die, and breed.

  But Casca had changed all that. She’d introduced new ideas into their empire—concepts like love, kindness, and hope. Since she’d come to live with them, his relationships with family—his father, mother, and siblings—had all begun to improve.

  “You’re a fast learner, Zeedee.”

  “Just like my talent with magic.”

  She pressed her body closer to his back.

  “By the way... you stepped on my foot twice back there.”

  Her voice came close to his ear as she hugged him tighter.

  “You weren’t very nice, Your Highness.”

  “If a human said the Emperor built a castle just to show off, would you let that slide?”

  “That’s basically suicide.”

  “Exactly. So maybe she felt the same way.”

  “...You’ve got a point.”

  “And she’s a princess of Snowhaven.”

  “That explains the arrogant attitude—wait. How do you know?”

  “I talked to her. And she’s not arrogant—just... stoic.”

  “You talked to her? How?”

  “She lives in the same dorm. What about you?”

  “I’ve had boys all over me.”

  “Bragging?”

  “Not at all! They keep saying things like ‘Don’t worry! I’m strong!’ Just so they can start a conversation.”

  “Transform back and they’ll run for the hills.”

  “Or run toward me.”

  “Those are the dangerous ones.”

  “The girls are jealous too. I’m just too dazzling.”

  “Keep it up. You're doing great.”

  “You are jealous.”

  “I’m not.”

  “You are! You’re worried about me, admit it!”

  “I’m afraid you might be in danger.”

  “Aha!”

  “Why would I be jealous? I already have a wife.”

  “Really~?”

  “Fine. I admit I’m a little worried... but if you meet someone good—human or demon—I hope they treat you right.”

  “Someone good? In this world?”

  “If someone like Casca exists, anyone can.”

  “Then let’s cheat on her.”

  “Wait—what the hell?!”

  Grab.

  “I will rip your intestines out if you put your hand there again. Let. Go.”

  “Anyway, what did you and Princess Nora talk about?”

  “Nothing much—just small talk. But I was glad to see she respects Casca too.”

  “Poor girl... duped by marketing.”

  Splash.

  Dan stood up in the water.

  “Speaking of marketing—”

  “Yes, Your Highness?”

  “When we return to Diablo, we’re calling an emergency summit.”

  “A national agenda?”

  “Exactly. We need to rebrand our nation. Our reputation is worse than dirt.”

  “Wait, seriously?!”

  “I’m ordering you to start gathering surveys—daily. I want real opinions. Play the clueless villager—ask innocently. The dumber you sound, the more honest the answers. Get name, age, occupation—everything. Fiorentina will kill me if we don’t compile solid data.”

  “Understood!”

  “No talking back, either. Even if they insult me—or my father—don’t react. Got it?”

  “Complete silence, huh?”

  “Even if they scream bloody murder, do not flinch. This is an order. I’m serious.”

  “I’ll do my best.”

  “If Dominic were here, he’d nail it.”

  “If he can do it, so can I!”

  “Good... Now get some sleep.”

  The first day of class.

  Dan and Zeedee arrived at the academy early, dressed in their gold-trimmed white uniforms. They stuffed themselves at the dining hall (free meals!), drawing stares, but couldn’t care less.

  “Zeedee. Timetable.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Dan rolled open a scroll.

  Morning: Geography

  Afternoon: Magic Arts

  “Easy start for the morning.”

  “Afternoon’s gonna be rough... What about you?”

  “I’m free in the afternoon. I could visit you?”

  “No. Use that time to finish the surveys. Then go back and keep working on the shelter.”

  “Aww, I wanna go into town!”

  “Home first, fun later.”

  “Fiiine.”

  They cleaned their trays.

  Just then, an explosion shook the air, followed by a wave of heat. Everyone turned toward the academy garden.

  Two students were fighting—magic flaring, alchemical gear clashing. A crowd gathered.

  Dan analyzed them instantly—one girl in heels, standing like a knight; the other, a boy draped in black, chains swaying. Luminous versus Velmount.

  Casca had explained it all to him.

  Luminous—order, knighthood, sanctity, radiant cities and temples.

  Velmount—rebels, strength, chaos, black magic. A nation born from Luminous’s outcasts.

  Dan wasn’t surprised they were clashing—those two nations had hated each other for generations.

  It was worth watching—until whistles blew and security came running.

  The girl sheathed her blade. The boy vanished in dark mist.

  Dan turned back. Time for class.

  The geography classroom was in the academy’s oldest wing—creaky wooden floors, the scent of oak and dust hanging in the air. Classic charm preserved through ages.

  Dan walked in early and touched the chalkboard, rolled the globe, absorbing it all.

  He made for the back row.

  Only to find someone was already seated there, flipping through a textbook.

  Princess Nora Ophilis of Snowhaven.

  Right... Royalty goes to school too.

  He placed his books with a thud and sat beside her. Twenty minutes early... yet she’d beaten him here.

  He glanced sideways. She read in complete focus, flipping pages and jotting notes without distraction.

  Dan touched his geography book. He barely needed to read it—he already knew more than it contained. He even knew which parts were censored, like Luminous’s covert military base hidden in the Tiger Fang Valley.

  Thank you, demon spy network.

  He glanced at Nora again. Still taking notes.

  ...She’s really diligent, huh.

  She looked at him briefly, then returned to studying. Dan looked away, quietly impressed.

  Soon, other students trickled in. Dan couldn’t even tell who was nobility and who wasn’t—humans all looked the same in uniform.

  Then, the clock’s heavy bell tolled, vibrating through the wooden beams.

  The professor entered the room.

  “Good morning, class.”