The Sword-in-Water Tournament had ended only hours ago—
Yet the Academy still vibrated ⚡.
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 up a stone pillar like farmers harvesting potatoes 🥔💥
The Academy had not recovered.
And it wouldn't anytime soon.
Ben, still riding the high, slapped Aren's back hard 💪.
"Brother! We're unstoppable!"
"From now on—every tournament—Team Rockhold forever!"
Aren shrugged.
"…Hm."
Agreement.
🍽️ Cafeteria Aftershock
The cafeteria buzzed louder than ever.
Aren and Ben sat calmly.
Eating.
But the room wasn't calm.
Upperclassmen whispered 🤫Rivals stared 😠Some smiled secretly 😏
Aren ignored it all.
Ben—
Did not 😏
He waved at people glaring at him.
Then—
The air changed.
Whispers sharpened.
Gasps spread.
A boy entered.
Golden hair.Perfect posture.Clothes worth more than most students' lives 💰
His presence silenced half the room.
"It's him…""Prince Rose Belwyn…""He came personally?""He's choosing people…"
Behind him—
Two followers.
Eyes glowing with devotion.
Prince Rose approached.
Stopped at Aren's table.
"May I sit?" 😊
Ben blinked.
Aren kept eating.
The prince sat anyway.
Graceful.
Composed.
"I've been watching you," he said softly.
"Your strength… your decisions… your intelligence."
He leaned closer.
"I want to change this world."
"End corruption. End inequality."
"Build something better."
The girl behind him teared up 😢The boy nodded like a disciple 🙏Some students even clapped lightly
"Join me," the prince said gently.
Silence.
All eyes on Aren.
He chewed.
Slow.
Calm.
Then paused.
Sniffed.
Something was wrong.
Too clean.Too perfect.Too… practiced.
A saint's smile.
With a blade behind it.
Aren wiped his mouth.
"No."
BOOM 💥
The cafeteria exploded.
"HE REJECTED THE PRINCE?!""IS HE INSANE?!""HE'S DEAD—!!"
Prince Rose froze.
His smile remained.
But cracked.
"…I see."
"Then… enjoy your day."
He stood.
Left.
Graceful.
His followers glared 🔪
Ben leaned in.
"…Brother… that was a prince."
Aren nodded.
"And?"
Ben paused.
"…Yeah."
👑 Enter the Devil 🐺
The noise hadn't settled—
When it died.
A man entered.
Black coat.Slow steps.Cold eyes.
The room shifted.
People moved away.
Instinctively.
Everyone knew him.
No one liked him.
Everyone feared him.
He stopped at Aren's table.
Ben stiffened 😬
Aren didn't look up.
The man sat.
"You," he said quietly,
"are the only one who said no to that golden fraud."
Aren kept eating.
"…Hm."
The man smiled slightly.
"I like simple people."
Ben whispered—
"Brother… who is this—"
THUD 💰
A heavy bag hit the table.
Coins spilled.
"I need you," the man said.
"Blue Phoenix Tournament."
"You're captain."
Ben's soul nearly left his body 😳
"C-CAPTAIN?! HIM?!"
Aren looked up.
"Name?"
The man grinned.
"King."
Silence.
Aren stood.
Extended his hand 🤝
King shook it.
"Good," he said.
"I like simple people."
He left.
Like a shadow passing.
🐺 A New Reputation
Ben stared.
"…You rejected a prince."
Aren nodded.
"…and accepted a demon."
Aren sat down again.
"That prince looks like a girl."
Ben thought.
Seriously.
"…yeah."
The cafeteria whispered again.
But now—
Not mockery.
Not curiosity.
Fear.
And awe.
Aren wasn't just a student anymore.
He was becoming something worse.
A problem.
A legend 🌑🔥