After a long, grueling month of punishment and isolation, Theodore stood before the full-length mirror in his dorm room. The morning sun filtered through the window, casting a golden light over his pristine school uniform. His butler, Belial, adjusted his tie with his usual meticulousness, ensuring every detail was perfect.
"You've certainly made an impression, my prince," Belial remarked, stepping back to admire his handiwork. "The academy has been abuzz with rumors during your absence."
Theodore smirked, brushing a stray lock of hair out of his face. "Let them talk. Fear has a way of spreading even faster than gossip."
Belial nodded, his crimson eyes glinting with amusement. "And fear is far more useful."
With a satisfied glance at his reflection, Theodore turned and strode out of the dorm. As he walked through the hallways, the whispers began almost immediately. Students leaned against walls, glancing nervously in his direction, their hushed voices barely audible over the sound of his polished boots clicking against the floor.
"There he is... That's him."
"Theodore—the one who almost crippled that student from the opposite class."
"I heard he was punished for weeks. Do you think he's still dangerous?"
Theodore's smirk widened as he caught snippets of their murmurs. Their fear and avoidance only fueled his sense of superiority. Good, he thought. Let them tremble.
When he finally entered his classroom, the effect was immediate. Conversations ceased mid-sentence, and every student froze in their seats as if caught in the gaze of a predator. No one dared meet his eyes. As Theodore walked to his desk, the sound of his chair scraping against the floor was deafening in the silent room. He sat down with a deliberate, casual grace, leaning back as if he owned the space.
Jin, his closest ally and one of the few who could meet Theodore's gaze without flinching, adjusted his glasses and leaned closer. "My prince," he said with a sly grin, his voice low so only Theodore could hear. "You really are a demon. The same class that once mocked and bullied you now fears the very sight of you."
Theodore's smirk remained as he stared ahead. "Fear has a way of rewriting history," he said simply, his tone cold.
Jin's grin faltered, and he hesitated before speaking again. "Speaking of history, I had hoped to meet you in your dorm earlier, as we planned. But... something's happened."
Theodore turned his head slightly, raising an eyebrow. "Something that kept you from your duties? Explain."
Jin's expression darkened. He adjusted his glasses again, a nervous tic Theodore rarely saw in him. "It's about Vivian. Something... terrible has happened to her."
Theodore frowned slightly, leaning forward. "Vivian?" he repeated, his voice calm but with a hint of curiosity. "What are you talking about?"
Jin's voice dropped to a whisper, and his usual confidence wavered. "Her split personality... it's taken over completely. The real Vivian is practically gone. She's not herself anymore. She's been acting strange—erratic, aggressive. Even her closest friends are scared of her."
For a brief moment, Theodore was silent, processing the information. Then, slowly, a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "Interesting," he murmured, his tone dripping with intrigue. "Very interesting. I'll look into it."
Jin blinked, clearly unsettled by Theodore's reaction. "You don't seem concerned."
"Concerned?" Theodore repeated, tilting his head slightly. "No, Jin. This isn't cause for concern. This is an opportunity. Chaos always brings opportunities if you know where to look."
Jin hesitated but nodded. He knew better than to question Theodore when he had that look in his eye. The prince thrived on chaos, and it was clear that Vivian's situation had piqued his curiosity. Whatever Theodore had planned, it wouldn't be simple—and it certainly wouldn't be boring.
Theodore lounged in his seat, the tension in the classroom still palpable from his return. His classmates remained rigid, barely daring to breathe in his presence. A heavy silence lingered in the air, interrupted only by the occasional scratching of pens or the shuffling of papers. Theodore's smirk never left his face as he basked in the oppressive fear emanating from his peers. It was almost intoxicating.
The door creaked open, and a familiar figure entered—Second Prince Caden, his entourage trailing behind him. The moment Caden's eyes landed on Theodore, he froze for a fraction of a second. Though the hesitation was brief, it was enough for Theodore to catch. Caden quickly composed himself, his face settling into a forced smile as he approached.
"Good morning, brother," Caden said, his voice carrying an air of forced politeness. He took the seat in front of Theodore, his friends following suit.
Theodore didn't even glance at him, his expression bored as he spoke. "Don't talk to me."
Caden flinched at the curt response but forced himself to remain calm. Leaning slightly over his desk, he lowered his voice, attempting to sound casual. "I only wanted to ask you something."
Theodore's gaze shifted, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied Caden's expression. "Speak quickly," he said coldly, his tone making it clear he had little patience for his younger brother.
Caden hesitated but pressed on. "Have you seen... a creature covered in black magic?" His voice was barely above a whisper, his eyes darting nervously around the room to ensure no one else overheard.
For a brief moment, Theodore's expression froze. He knew exactly what Caden was referring to. The "creature" wasn't a monster at all—it was him.
A month ago, when Caden had foolishly tried to challenge his authority, Theodore had let his dark magic seep out, surrounding his brother with a suffocating aura of malevolence. The memory of Caden trembling in fear as the shadows closed in on him still brought Theodore immense satisfaction.
But black magic was a dangerous topic. It was a forbidden art, a taboo that could destroy reputations—and lives—if discovered. Theodore couldn't risk Caden or his lackeys sharing what they had seen, even accidentally. That was why he had ordered Belial to erase their memories after the incident. To ensure the story held no loose ends, Belial had fabricated an illusion in their minds, convincing them they had seen a monstrous, otherworldly creature instead of Theodore's power.
Theodore's smirk returned, his sharp gaze meeting Caden's. "A creature covered in black magic?" he said slowly, his tone feigning curiosity. He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "No, I haven't seen anything like that."
Caden's eyes searched Theodore's face for any hint of deception but found none. Satisfied—or too nervous to push further—he nodded slowly. "I see... I just thought I should ask."
"Do yourself a favor," Theodore added, his voice cold as ice, "and stop chasing shadows. It won't end well for you."
Caden stiffened, but before he could respond, the door swung open again, and the imposing figure of Mr. Roman, the academy's mage principal, strode into the classroom. The man's long robes billowed behind him, and his sharp, hawk-like eyes immediately found Theodore.
"Theodore," Roman announced, his voice commanding. "Come with me."
The room fell into silence again, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife. Theodore's smirk disappeared, replaced by a scowl as he rose from his seat. The entire class watched him, their fear now mingled with curiosity. Jin raised an eyebrow but said nothing as Theodore followed the principal out into the hallway.
Once they were away from prying eyes, Roman turned to face him, his expression unreadable. "You've missed a full month of classes due to your... disciplinary issues," he said, his tone sharp. "I will personally oversee your lessons to ensure you catch up."
Theodore narrowed his eyes, his irritation barely concealed. "Why are you so obsessed with me, Roman? Surely you have more important things to do than babysit."
Roman's lips curled into a faint, knowing smile. "Because you are not like the others, Theodore. Your power, your potential—it's dangerous. I intend to see that it is properly controlled."
Theodore's fists clenched at his sides, though he forced his expression to remain calm. He didn't trust Roman. The man's eyes were always too sharp, his curiosity too intrusive. Theodore suspected that Roman knew more about his true nature than he let on, and the idea of being under his scrutiny was deeply unpleasant.
Before Theodore could respond, Roman continued. "Next week, you will be moved to the advanced class. You've outgrown your current peers. But more importantly, you'll be assigned to a mission—one that will take years to complete."
Theodore blinked, his annoyance momentarily replaced by intrigue. "A mission?" he repeated, his tone shifting to one of interest.
Roman nodded. "Yes. This will not be an ordinary task. You will leave the academy and see the world as it truly is—dangerous, unforgiving, and full of challenges that will test your abilities. Consider it the next step in your education."
Theodore's lips curled into a slow smile, his previous irritation forgotten. A mission beyond the walls of the academy? A chance to test his strength in the real world? It was exactly what he had been waiting for.
"Very well," he said, his tone calm but carrying a hint of excitement. "I'll join this mission. I'm ready."
Roman studied him for a moment, his expression inscrutable. Then, with a nod, he turned and walked away, leaving Theodore alone in the hallway.
As the principal disappeared from view, Theodore's smirk returned, more sinister than ever. "A mission in the real world..." he murmured to himself. "Perhaps it's time to show them all just how dangerous I can truly be."
He turned and headed back to class, his thoughts already racing. Whatever lay ahead, Theodore knew one thing for certain: it was the opportunity for him to grow stronger.