Like, what did I do now?

Seriously, can't I breathe for one second before all the shit in the universe decides to come crashing down on me?

But honestly… this one was on me.

I should have expected this level of chaos.

I am the successor of their king, after all.

Naturally, demons would be interested in taking a good look at the glorious me and then there were these oversmart sneaky bastards, the ones who would want to use me.

Hell, I was pretty sure some demon clans were already planning how to "utilize" me politically… which explained the weird hand signals from the demon girls.

I mean, the fastest way to bind someone to your house is to make him the father of someone in your house, right?

And for someone like me — whose reputation has already turned into "the horny idiot who got exiled for kissing the duchess" — yeah…

Of course they would try the seduction route first.

Naturally, I pretended not to see any of it.

I had more important things to worry about… like figuring out where Viola and Seraphina had wandered off to.

Just then, from the corner of my eye, I saw Viola holding some boy by the collar… smiling sweetly while slapping him like she was doing community service.

"What the hell?"

The words slipped out before I could stop myself.

"What happened, Boss?" Arckon asked cautiously.

"Nothing." I replied with a perfectly straight face, then turned back to the crowd.

I cleared my throat lightly.

"Hey guys, I know you're all curious about a lot of things but the orientation starts in a few minutes… so I won't be able to answer or meet anyone properly right now."

I smiled brightly.

"But don't worry. If you really want to talk to me… or if you want to join my faction…"

I pointed at Arckon.

"…you can contact my assistant here."

Arckon almost fainted from the sudden attention I placed on him.

"But for now," I continued calmly, "everyone should go to their seats."

Now, normally, I would have just said, 'Fuck off, peasant.' But I had an image to maintain…

So I decided to act polite because at the end of the day, this was basically a political matter and politics is just pretending you don't hate everyone around you.

With those words the crowd started dispersing.

I mean, most of them were just there for simple curiosity if the successor had anything special to be chosen by the Demon King.

And even those who wanted to use me knew, this wasn't a good time.

Naturally, I didn't care about the lingering crowd anymore and turned my attention back to Viola… who was already storming toward me.

Behind her, I spotted Noah lying flat on the cold floor with his eyes closed.

Damn.

Did she actually kill him or what?

"What kind of trouble are you brewing now, you bastard?" Viola demanded the second she reached me.

My seven brand-new bodyguards snapped into formation behind me instantly, lining up like loyal little soldiers.

"And what the hell is up with this group of weirdos?" she added, narrowing her eyes at Arckon and the others.

The seven idiots straightened even more as if hoping perfect posture would make them seem more professional.

I looked at Arckon.

"You guys go ahead and take a seat. I'll contact you when I need you."

I waved them off casually.

"Okay, Boss."

Arckon nodded and moved instantly without a single question.

See, that's why I made him the leader.

Perfectly obedient, reliable and built like a premium-grade meat shield.

Exactly the qualities I value in subordinates.

"Let's talk after seating," I said, signaling Viola to follow me.

I headed toward a quieter corner of the hall, one where barely any chairs were filled yet. Mostly because that entire section was occupied by Dragonic fuckers and everyone else clearly lacked the guts to sit anywhere within their gravitational radius.

Exactly the kind of peace I needed.

I earned a few glares from the dragons sitting nearby but that was all they could manage.

No matter how strong and "blessed" Dragons were, they didn't have the balls to pick fights casually.

Maybe that's why those fuckers are impotent.

Viola didn't care about the stares either but Seraphina looked a little awkward.

Still, she followed our lead and sat down with us.

"So… what was that all about?" Viola asked, her curiosity practically glowing.

"Just some fans blinded by my sheer brilliance," I said with a perfectly confident smile. "And, you know… the tiny detail of me being the Demon King's successor."

"Right." Viola narrowed her eyes, suspicious as always. "And you still haven't told me how you became the successor of the Demon King."

"He must have seen some potential in me, probably," I replied casually. "But who knows, powerful people are insane. I mean, just look at your own father."

Yeah, mentioning her father was a low blow and I genuinely didn't want to do it. Especially since she still considered herself guilty for her father sending me here.

But sometimes you've gotta do what you've gotta do.

And honestly, that was the only reliable way to make her drop the whole "how did you become the successor" interrogation.

Her expression froze for a brief moment before she let out a smile and smoothly switched tracks.

"So… who were those fools again?"

"Ahh, they were just students I saved yesterday… and wanted to help me."

"Hmm, I see." Viola nodded.

"By the way, what did you do to that guy?" I asked, pointing toward Noah.

I was genuinely curious if that bastard was dead because ever since I sat down… he hadn't moved an inch.

"Ahh, that guy." Viola frowned. "He looked like a nutcase and tried to touch me weirdly… so I decided to give him a little punishment."

I stared at her calmly.

Then I deliberately turned my gaze toward Seraphina for confirmation.

Because honestly, with Viola… I can never be sure if "punishment" meant a slap or full homicide.

Seraphina understood immediately and nodded, serious as a saint delivering a prophecy.

"Hmm, I see."

Only after that confirmation did I nod with a satisfied smile.

But Viola did not appreciate the verification process.

"You don't trust me, you bastard?" she snapped, glaring at me fiercely.

I just grinned. "Maybe."

"Tsk." She just clicked her tongue knowing I was just joking.

—

After that, she just went silent and started chatting with Seraphina, completely ignoring me like I was made of thin air.

Honestly, I was a little curious if Noah had said anything else but judging from how casually Viola behaved, it didn't look like anything major had happened.

In the novel, their interactions didn't even start until after the rank placement exams…

Until then, they were basically strangers who didn't care about each other.

It seems my interference made them meet earlier than they were supposed to…

…but judging from the outcome, there didn't seem to be any meaningful development between them.

Unless you count attempted murder as development.

More and more students continued to fill the class as my gaze kept searching for my personal bodyguard, the one I was paying a hefty price of ten chocolates per day to.

A ridiculous amount, yes.

But what can I say?

Can't be too stingy especially since she was going to be my fiancée soon.

But I couldn't see her anywhere.

Why is she not here yet?

I mean, she wasn't careless enough to miss the orientation day, especially since attendance was compulsory for every student.

But before I could think any further, I suddenly felt a sharp gaze stabbing into me from two different directions.

And these weren't the same cheap stares from random nobody demons still gawking at me.

These felt… intentional.

I turned toward the source.

Not too far away, a woman with purple hair and golden eyes was staring straight at me.

Sylvie.

But the moment our eyes met, she snapped her gaze away instantly.

Tch. Weirdo.

Did she fall for me or something?

…Yeah, no.

I knew better.

Sylvie had way too much hatred in her to ever fall in love with someone. Especially with that seed blooming within her.

Which meant only one thing, she was curious about me, how I survived after being eaten by the Goat Monster.

She was smart, sharp and definitely the type to put pieces together quickly.

And she had probably already realized that I knew about that hidden entrance long before the exam started.

Which meant she was curious and wanted to know how I knew it, where I learned it and what else I might be hiding.

And honestly, that made sense.

Because if I were her, I would be suspicious of me too.

With those thoughts, I turned toward the other stalker.

A boy with deep orange hair and golden eyes.

I recognized him instantly, just from those features.

There was only one guy with that particular combination in the novel.

Arthur Drakenheart.

A Dragon Slayer.

And not just any Dragon Slayer but the successor of the legendary Dragon Slayer family.

But…

Why the hell was he looking at me like that?

From everything I knew from the novel, this bastard never showed emotion.

Not even when he died.

So why…

Why the hell is he smiling now?

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