The castle backyard of Naveros was my whole world right now. Forget the bustling town, forget the shouting merchants—An energetic demon little girl was trying to beat me up with a wooden sword.
Her name is Kaomi.
Thok! Thok! Whoosh~ Thak!
I barely parried another swing. My arms were starting to feel like lead, but Kaomi? She was still grinning like she had infinite mana.
"Heh!! I ain't losing to you, Jid!" She shouted, her laugher almost drowning out the clacking of our swords.
My name is Jid. Sounds simple, right? But here's the catch — I'm the son of the Demon King. Not as cool as it sounds, trust me.
I glanced at Kaomi, who was breathing heavily but still grinning like a maniac.
I'm only eight years old, by the way. No grand wars, no fiery battles — just endless training and getting smacked around by this brat with a wooden sword.
Kaomi interrupted my thoughts with another barrage of attacks.
"Take this! And this! And thisss!!!"
I parried her attacks but she managed to knock me back. I paused for a moment, clenching the hilt of my sword.
"Tsk... you little—" I lunged at her, aiming for her lower body.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Thud!
She effortlessly dodged every strike, her movements almost inhuman.
"Too slow~" she teased, flipping mid-air before landing lightly on her feet, sitting mid-air as if gravity itself couldn't touch her.
My eyes narrowed. Something felt off.
That's when I noticed it — the faint breeze coiling around her ankles, her hair flowing as if caught in an invisible current.
I gritted my teeth and aggressively pointed at her. "You cheater!! Using wind magic to buff your movements!? That's not fair!"
Kaomi landed gracefully, sticking out her tongue.
"Pfft! You never said no magic!"
I clicked my tongue. Honestly, though... I was done.
"I'm tired! You're insane" I groaned, dropping onto the grass and stretching out under the shade of a big tree.
Kaomi stomped over, her cheeks puffed out like a brat. "Tired? You haven't even tried yet!" she huffed, hands on her hips. "You're just trying to get out of our training, hmph!"
I shot her a lazy glance. "I'm not getting out of our training. I'm just conserving my energy. You know, like a strategic move."
She snorted, clearly not impressed. "Strategic? You mean you're just lazy. You've got all these fancy moves, yet you can't even keep up for five minutes?"
That's Kaomi for you.
My only friend... and my biggest headache.
She's the only one who doesn't give a damn about my title as the Demon. She's two years older than me and an orphan raised by the necromancer of Naveros. To be honest, I envy her, she can use any sort of magic.
I grinned, rolling my eyes. "You're just mad because you can't hit me."
She flicked her hair back, her eyes narrowing with a smirk. "You're right about one thing—I'm definitely not gonna let you slack off. You know, if you just stopped being so stubborn, maybe you'd actually win once in a while."
I sighed dramatically, stretching out further on the grass. "You're impossible, you know that?"
She nudged me with her foot, not letting me off that easily. "Impossible? I'm just trying to teach you something. Maybe if you weren't so busy being his majesty's kid, you'd learn how to actually have fun."
She's right—about one thing. I'd been way too focused on all the serious stuff... but whatever, not like it matters. I've got bigger things to worry about.
I sighed, "Fun huh? You call this fun? You're insane."
Her grin widened as she plopped down next to me. "Maybe. But I know you need a break from being all serious. You can't just be a brooding prince all day, Jid. You need to have some fun if you want to get better. Plus, if you keep lying here, you're gonna start getting soft."
"Soft?" I snorted. "You're one to talk."
"Hey!" Kaomi shot me an offended look, poking me in the side. "I'm in perfect shape, thank you very much."
I chuckled. "Sure you are."
She gave me a pointed look, clearly not letting me off the hook. "But seriously, you can't keep brooding about everything. Not everything's a big deal, hmph."
I hesitated, glancing at her. She wasn't wrong. But I had my own reasons for pushing myself so hard. I wanted my father to see I wasn't just some weak kid—like I actually had the strength to stand on my own.
"Easy for you to say," I muttered. "You don't have to worry about being the Demon King's son."
Kaomi slapped my arm, rolling her eyes. "Spare me the 'I'm special' talk. You're just like the rest of us."
I looked at her, and for a second, I saw the genuine concern in her eyes. She wasn't just pushing me for the fun of it—she really did care.
Before I could say something, I heard a familiar voice calling out my name.
"Jidu-sama!!"
I groaned, sitting up quickly and looking toward the castle. Sure enough, a maid was rushing toward us, looking urgent.
Kaomi shot me a sly grin. "Guess you can't avoid your royal duties forever, huh?"
I rolled my eyes and stood up. "Yeah, yeah. Guess I'll get back to being important."
She smirked. "That's the spirit, Mr. 'I'm-too-important-for-fun.'"
I shot her a playful glare as I dusted myself off. "You're impossible."
Kaomi gave a dramatic sigh.
The maid reached us, bowing as she caught her breath. "Jidu-sama, His Highness has summoned you."
I raised an eyebrow. That was unexpected. My father never called for me, and when he did, it usually meant something important. My thoughts raced for a moment, wondering what could be so urgent.
A faint sigh escaped my lips. "I see..."
I shot a glance at Kaomi, not sure if this would be the last time I'd get a break today.
I paused, taking a deep breath before straightening my posture. "You coming?"
She gave me an exaggerated eye roll. "Do I ever have a choice?"
I smiled slightly. "Nope."
With Kaomi trailing behind me, I made my way toward the castle doors, already wondering what my father had in mind for me this time.
Inside the castle, I skidded to a halt in front of the massive doors. The guards saluted,"Jidu-sama!" one of them pushed open the entrance.
I let out a deep sigh, my gaze fixed on the towering door before me. A knot tightened in my stomach, but I shook it off. Whatever this was about, I wasn't about to let it throw me off.
"...Tch. I got this."
The moment I stepped inside, the throne room's atmosphere hit me like a wave. The eerie red glow from the pillars flickered slightly, as if sensing a shift in power.
The air felt heavier—not in a choking way, but in a way that made you instinctively stand straighter. The demon banner, draped across the far wall, seemed to pulse with an intimidating presence.
A row of maids stood in silence, each bowing as we passed, their eyes cast downward in respect. The floor beneath me echoed with each step, amplifying the weight of the moment.
Kaomi, normally full of energy, went silent beside me. "Wow..." she whispered, taking in the vast chamber, her voice almost lost in the stillness.
And there he was.
Sitting on the elevated throne, his silver crown floating above his head like it was held up by unseen forces. His terror mask hid his expression, but I could feel his gaze settle on me. He hadn't moved, hadn't said a word, yet his presence alone was enough to make my chest tighten.
He's the demon king—king Micheal, the known grand and wise ruler of demon nation, the Naveros.
He's the Demon King—King Micheal, the grand and wise ruler of the demon nation, Naveros.
Then, slowly, he stood. His movements were deliberate, each step down the throne's staircase carrying the weight of authority. The room seemed to hold its breath as he descended, the very air thick with his presence.
Without thinking, I knelt, Kaomi following suit beside me, her expression a mix of awe and respect. The moment felt surreal, as though time itself paused for the Demon King's approach.
"Jid…"
His deep voice echoed through the chamber, sending a shiver down my spine.
"...my son."
I looked up at my father, kneeling with my posture straight, feeling the weight of his gaze.
"Hai—father?"
Kaomi elbowed me, as if telling me not to look nervous.
To my surprise, my father chuckled. It was soft, comforting, like the kind of sound you hear from a parent who's seen you grow up before their eyes.
"It's been a while since we had a proper talk, hasn't it?"
I scratched the back of my head awkwardly. "Uh… yeah, I guess?"
He nodded gently. "And how's your training going? Keeping up with it?"
Me and Kaomi both stood up, and I exchanged a quick glance with her, who was giving me a questioning look.
"Yeah, I do..." I muttered.
Kaomi snorted, hands on her hips. "You totally slacked off earlier!"
I shot her a glare. "I was tired!"
My father chuckled again, but this time there was a touch of warmth to it.
"But then, his expression shifted. The warmth in his red eyes—still masked by his gentle gaze—didn't fade, but there was a noticeable change in his posture. His words, once soft and reassuring, now carried a weight he couldn't hide.
I felt it, like a shift in the air, as if the fatherly figure I knew was momentarily set aside for the ruler he had to be.
That's good to hear, son. Because starting today, you'll begin to learn what it truly means to lead our people.
The words hit me like a ton of bricks.
"…Huh?"
I blinked, trying to process what he said.
"Learn what it truly means to lead our people?" I repeated, confused.
I looked at Kaomi, hoping she was as lost as I was, but she was too busy gawking at the room.
"Yes," he confirmed, his tone firm but still gentle. "It's time you start understanding what it means to rule."
I frowned. "But… I'm only eight."
He chuckled again—with an affectionate shake of his head. "That's exactly why you need to start now."
I shook my head. "But, I don't get it."
My father took a step forward, looming over me. Even though his mask hid his face, I could feel his gaze.
"Jid, do you know what it means to be strong?"
I blinked. "Uh… beating up the bad guys?"
Kaomi snickered behind me, but I ignored her.
He sighed, his hand resting gently on my shoulder, his voice quieter now. "True strength isn't about just beating others. It's knowing when to fight and when to lead. It's about understanding that power isn't just for conquering. It's for protecting."
I tilted my head, trying to wrap my mind around it. "But... doesn't being strong mean being the best fighter? Isn't that what everyone expects from me?"
"Isn't that the same thing?" I asked.
He crouched down so we were eye-level. He smiled, but it wasn't a smile of amusement—it was one of understanding.
"No, Jid. Strength isn't about fighting for the sake of fighting. It's about protecting those who can't protect themselves and knowing when to show restraint."
His words settled into me, heavy but necessary. I looked down at my hands, feeling the unfamiliar weight of them.
"What does it really mean to be a king, then?" I asked, the question barely a whisper.
Micheal's voice softened even more, like he was letting me in on a great secret.
"To be a king is not to stand above others, Jid, but to walk beside them. It's not to be feared, but to be respected. A true king is a protector, a guide, a pillar for those who need it most."
He stepped forward, placing a hand on my head head. "Strength is necessary, yes... but not to conquer or destroy. It is to protect the weak, to lead those who have lost their way, and to unite those who are divided. Power alone can shatter nations, but wisdom and compassion... they can rebuild them."
Micheal turned his gaze to the grand hall, where the ancient banners of demon clans once united under one banner fluttered faintly. "Our people have suffered for centuries, Jid. Hatred, bloodshed, and endless war have burned our kind to the brink of extinction. But through unity... through understanding... I showed them a different path. One where demons need not be feared... but respected."
He knelt before me, bringing himself to my level. "If you wish to become king, Jid, do not seek to be feared. Seek to be understood. Protect those who cannot protect themselves. Mend the wounds of our past... and guide our people toward a future where demons and other races can stand as equals."
Micheal's eyes narrowed slightly behind the mask. "It is a heavy path... one that few can endure. But I believe... you are destined to carry this burden."
My small hands trembled as I clenched them tightly. I couldn't fully grasp his father's words yet, but something within him stirred — an unfamiliar warmth that slowly replaced his desire for strength with something far greater.
"Will I... be able to do that, Father? What if I fail?" I asked, uncertain.
He smiled, a proud yet gentle smile. "You won't. Because you already have the heart it takes to be a king. You have empathy, son. That's what will guide you."
I stared up at him, the doubt and fear still in me but slowly being replaced by something else—a sense of determination.
I exhaled slowly, glancing at Kaomi. She was actually paying attention now, which meant she understood how serious this was.
"So... I shouldn't focus just on being the strongest?" I asked.
My father chuckled softly. "No, Jid. I'm saying strength means nothing without purpose."
"Strength means nothing without a purpose huh?" I muttered to myself.
He patted my shoulder once, then straightened up.
"You have time to learn. But starting today, you'll begin to understand what it means to lead. At your own pace."
I gulped, feeling the weight of it all.
"So… what now?" I asked, already dreading whatever was coming next.
My father nodded toward the doors behind him. "Come with me. Your first lesson begins now."
I hesitated, but eventually, I followed him, Kaomi sticking close by my side.
The guards opened the massive doors, and we stepped into the main halls of the castle.
---
We walked until we reached a large balcony overlooking the city. The view stretched far beyond the castle walls—markets full of people, warriors on patrol, and kids running through the streets.
"Look at them," my father said, gesturing toward the bustling city. "These people—you see them as citizens. But they're more than that. They're the lifeblood of the kingdom."
I squinted, still not sure what he was getting at. "They're just… people."
Kaomi smacked my shoulder. "Idiot, he's asking more than that!" She whispered urgently.
I rolled my eyes but stayed quiet.
My father finally turned to me, his mask gleaming in the sunlight. "A kingdom doesn't stay strong just because of warriors. It stays strong because the people believe in it. If they suffer, if they lose faith, if they think their ruler doesn't care… even the strongest kingdom will fall."
His words felt heavy, but I still didn't fully get it.
"I see" I muttered.
Before I could ask more, a nobleman in fine attire approached us, bowing low.
"Your Highness, there's a dispute in the lower district. A merchant and a blacksmith have come before the court to settle a disagreement."
My father turned to me, his gaze steady. "Good. Let my son handle it." He then exchanged a knowing nod with the noble, a silent agreement passing between them, as if plotting something beneath the surface.
My father's words hit me like a jolt of electricity.
"...Wait, what? Me?"
I was expecting something small, maybe a bit of advice or a simple lesson, not this.
Kaomi glanced at me, barely holding back her laughter.
Handling disputes? Settling conflicts? That was something I had seen the adults around me deal with—something the ruler would handle. Not me.
My stomach twisted. This wasn't what I signed up for.
I didn't even know how to handle a disagreement over a blacksmith's hammer and a merchant's goods.
My father placed a firm hand on my shoulder. "A king doesn't always have time to prepare. He faces challenges as they come."
My father's voice was steady, but I could feel the weight of the moment.
No preparation, no guidance. Just... thrown into the fire.
Was this how it was going to be? Was I really ready to be a ruler?
I gulped.
No way… How am I going to handle this?
---