The Sword-in-Water Tournament had ended only hours ago, yet the Academy still felt like it was vibrating ⚡.
Students shouted theories across walkways.Teachers argued over rulebooks until their voices cracked.Entire classes were canceled because no one could focus after watching two idiots dig a stone pillar out of the ground like farmers harvesting potatoes 🥔.
The Academy of Wolves had not recovered.
And it wouldn't anytime soon.
Ben, still riding the high, slapped Aren on the back with enough force to stagger a normal person.
"Brother! We're unstoppable! From now on, every tournament, every event—Team Rockhold forever!"
Aren shrugged.
"Hm."
That was agreement enough.
🍽️ Cafeteria Aftershock
The Academy cafeteria buzzed louder than usual.
Aren and Ben sat at their usual table, eating lunch calmly while dozens of eyes kept drifting toward them.
Upperclassmen whispered behind hands.Competitors from other divisions stared with mixed hatred and awe.Some students still clenched their fists, remembering lost points.Others secretly smiled, inspired.
Aren didn't care.
Ben absolutely did 😏.
He waved at people who glared at him.
They had just started eating when—
The air changed.
Whispers rose.Gasps followed.
A boy with golden hair stepped inside.
Handsome.Perfect posture.Expensive noblewear that screamed money 💰.
His aura rolled through the cafeteria like a silent command.
"It's him…""Prince Rose Belwyn…""He came in person?""He must be choosing team members!"
Behind him walked two students, a girl and a boy, eyes shining like disciples.
Prince Rose approached Aren's table with a warm, gentle smile 😊.
"May I sit here?" he asked softly.
Ben blinked.
Aren kept eating.
Prince Rose waited.
Aren did not respond.
So the prince sat down anyway, folding his hands like a holy man about to deliver wisdom.
"I've been watching you, Aren," he said kindly."Your strength. Your decisions. Your… unconventional intelligence."
He leaned closer.
"I want to change this world. Make it fair. Free it from corruption, violence, and inequality."
The girl behind him wiped a tear 😢.The boy nodded like he'd just heard a prophecy.Some students nearby even clapped softly.
Prince Rose continued, voice glowing with hope.
"With your help, I believe we can build an ideal future.Please… join me."
Silence.
Everyone stared.
Aren chewed slowly.
Then paused.
Sniffed the air.
And smelled something rotten.
Fake smile.Two-faced ambition.A saint costume hiding a knife.
He wiped his mouth.
"No."
The cafeteria exploded 💥.
"H-HE REJECTED THE PRINCE?!""Is he insane?!""People get executed for less!""What arrogance!"
Prince Rose froze.
His smile didn't vanish—but Aren saw the crack beneath it.
"I… see," the prince whispered calmly."Well then… have a pleasant day."
He stood and walked away with grace, but the two followers glared daggers at Aren 🔪.
Ben leaned close.
"Brother… that guy… was royalty."
Aren nodded.
"And?"
Ben opened his mouth.
Closed it.
"…Yeah. Fair."
👑 Enter the Devil
The noise hadn't even settled when it died instantly.
A tall man in a long black coat entered the cafeteria.
Slow steps.Heavy presence.Cold eyes.
Tables subtly shifted away from his path.Girls grabbed their bags.Boys avoided eye contact.
Everyone knew him.
Everyone hated him.Everyone feared him.
He stopped directly in front of Aren's table.
Ben stiffened 😬.Aren didn't look up.
The man sat down across from Aren.
"You," he said coldly, "are the only one here who didn't kneel for that golden prince."
Aren continued eating.
"Hmm."
The man leaned forward, eyes sharp.
"Good. I hate saints."He smiled slightly."I need killers."
Ben whispered urgently.
"Brother… who IS this guy?!"
The man slapped a heavy bag onto the table.
THUD.
Gold coins spilled slightly 💰✨.
"I need your ass for the Blue Phoenix Tournament next month," he said."You're the captain."
Ben's eyes nearly popped out.
"C-CAPTAIN?! AREN?!"
Aren finally looked up.
"Name?"
The man grinned.
"King."
Aren stood up.
Held out his hand 🤝.
King shook it, amused.
"Good," King said. "I like monsters."
He walked away, coat flowing like a shadow.
🐺 A New Reputation
Ben stared at Aren.
"…Brother. You rejected a prince."
Aren nodded.
"…And accepted a demon."
Aren sat back down.
"A prince talks too much.A demon pays."
Ben thought for a second.
"…Fair."
The Academy whispered again.
But this time, it wasn't mockery.
It was fear.
And awe.
Aren was no longer just a student.
He was becoming something worse.
A legend.