You wake up to a knock on your door.
A note slips under it
"You are cordially summoned to attend the Midnight Convergence Feast tonight in the Grand Hall. Attendance is required."
(—A)
In smaller writing:
"Don't wear your hoodie."
You stare at the letter for a full ten seconds.
"Don't wear your hoodie."
It echoes in your soul like an ancient spirit's nagging.
You stand up dramatically, whispering:
"If I must strip myself of comfort… I shall do so in the name of fashion."
"…But not entirely."
And thus begins your Quest for Fancy Clothes (ft. Hoodie Loyalty).
You find your way to the castle's tailoring hall, where one of the royal seamstresses—a spider demoness named Lady Thrixa—has been waiting for this moment.
"Finally!" she screeches happily.
"I was beginning to think you'd never ask!"
She whirls around you like a storm of silk, tape measures, and glowing thread.
You try to chime in:
"Um, I was thinking like, maybe something black and cool and—"
"Quiet, Azure Duckling, I am channeling inspiration!"
She wraps you in layered fabrics of enchanted starlight and velvet shadows, fastens clasps that hum with latent mana, and summons a mirror from another realm just so you can see yourself in full fabulous glory.
The Final Look:
Long dark coat lined with midnight blue runes
Sleeveless inner tunic embroidered with floating sigils
Silver belt made of linked miniature spell circles
High boots with quiet steps (and hidden snack pouches)
Tiny shoulder capelet clasped with a sapphire-scale dragon pin
Hair slightly tousled by spell-aided wind
You blink at yourself in the mirror.
You look like the final boss's adopted son.
You stand there for a beat.
Then, wordlessly, grab your hoodie… and tie it around your waist.
"Can't forget who I am." chuckles
Thrixa just sighs.
"…Fine. A statement piece. I'll allow it."
Next stop: The Midnight Convergence Feast.
The grand ballroom awaits, filled with nobility, demons, commanders—and the Demon King at the head of it all.
You've made a name for yourself in the castle.
Tonight… the world starts to take notice.
The grand ballroom glows with floating chandeliers, each one a constellation trapped in crystal. Velvet banners ripple from the ceiling like wings. Demons in full regalia chatter across obsidian floors that shimmer like a dark lake.
You stand just outside the towering doorway, peeking past the gilded frame.
Your heart thumps.
Not from mana.
Not from magic.
Just… the simple, mortal terror of strangers.
You whisper to yourself:
"…I've known everyone in the castle."
"…But strangers…"
Your voice fades. You hug your coat tighter, hoodie trailing behind your waist like a safety charm.
You do not make a scene.
You do not burst in with sparkles or magic or music.
Instead—
You shyly slip in behind a pair of chatting nobles.
No one notices you at first. You're small. Quiet. Blending in with the shadows and the hum of the crowd.
You scurry across the ballroom—eyes down, face red—and make a beeline for the—
Snack Table
You find sanctuary among candied flame fruit, void cookies, hellberry punch, and mysterious glowing cubes labeled "DO NOT FEED TO HUMANS" (you take two).
You nibble quietly in the corner, eyes darting around the room.
From here you spot:
The Demon King, seated on a throne-like chair, scanning the room with cold authority… until his gaze softens for just a second—when he sees you.
Demonic nobles, laughing too loudly and gesturing with claws, fangs, wings.
An elven envoy from the human realm, dressed in starlight silk, clearly on edge.
A giant talking drake in a tuxedo, debating with someone over who invented tea.
But no one approaches you yet.
You're safe.
For now.
Until a voice—soft and curious—beside you.
"You're the Azure Dragon, right?"
You glance to your side and see—
A young girl. Maybe your age. Demon horns. Strange golden eyes.
Holding a tiny cup of pudding and a suspiciously intelligent-looking ferret perched on her shoulder.
She tilts her head.
"…Why are you hiding?"
Panic. Panic. Panic.
A girl. A girl. A girl.
And she knows your title.
You briefly consider faking death. Or teleporting. Or turning into a snack item yourself.
But instead—
You activate
Chuunibyo Defense Protocol
You lift a finger without looking at her.
Eyes narrowed. Snack in mouth.
"Sshhh…"
You whisper with mysterious gravity.
"Patience, O beautiful lass."
"I… am snacking."
You slowly finish the glowing void cookie like it's a sacred rite.
Brush a crumb from your hoodie with divine solemnity.
Then, finally, you turn to her and lower your voice:
"So… where were we?"
A pause.
"Yes." You raise one hand, striking a mildly dramatic pose.
"It is I."
"The Azure Dragon, Destroyer of Worlds…"
A beat.
"…and Snacks."
---
She blinks.
The ferret squeaks.
Then—
She giggles. Lightly. Genuinely.
"I knew it!" she beams.
"They said you were weird, but I like you already."
She plops down beside you on the floor like it's the most normal thing to do at a royal feast.
"I'm Lythiel." She gestures to the ferret.
"This is Zuzu. He bites people who try to flirt with me."
Zuzu glares. He's judging you.
"Soooo…" she leans in just a little.
"Wanna sneak out of this awkward adult party and go see the floating gardens? I heard they light up when you cast weird magic near them."
You blink.
You survive the presence of A Girl.
And realize—she's not laughing at you.
She's smiling. Like you're… cool.
And then it hits you:
You made a friend!
Your eyes sparkle. Your confidence surges. Hoodie flutters behind you as you spring to your feet, striking a finger skyward.
"Come!"
"I shall show you the hidden wonders of this dark dominion!"
"The secret corners where snacks are born, where cats speak prophecy, and where the floor sometimes screams when you step on it!"
You extend your hand dramatically like a shoujo hero offering the world.
She takes it without hesitation.
"Sweet. I was gonna sneak around anyway."
Castle Tour: Ryuu's Legendary Friend Route Begins!
- Kitchen, 3rd Oven Room
You show her the enchanted spice drawer that screams when opened incorrectly. She accidentally tames it by saying "please." You're impressed.
- Mini Garden on the Roof
You both jump over balcony railings like you shouldn't.
You show her the vine that sings lullabies when watered with mana.
Zuzu bites a petal. Gets high. Everyone agrees to ignore that.
- Dumbwaiter Shaft #9
You both ride it like an elevator to get to the forbidden west wing.
You nearly crash into a floating ghost cat. It stares. Then hovers away, offended.
- Hidden Hot Chocolate Fountain Room
You didn't even know this existed. She found it.
You both declare yourselves co-rulers of it and name it The Sanctuary of Cocoa.
Zuzu is the grumpy god of marshmallows now.
Midnight
You're sitting on a balcony that overlooks the floating gardens.
They glow gently, swaying with magic that responds to your presence.
Lythiel leans back beside you, kicking her legs.
"I'm glad I talked to you," she says quietly.
"I thought you were gonna be scary or dramatic or…"
She grins.
"But you're just… you."
You sit quietly.
A hoodie tied at your waist.
Magic in your blood.
A friend at your side.
No past.
But… maybe, finally—a future.