The throne room of the Demon King was never a quiet place. Even in silence, it seemed alive—its obsidian walls pulsed faintly with red veins of mana, and its black torches burned with crimson flame that never wavered. Today, however, the atmosphere was thick enough to crush bone.
Dozens of demons knelt upon the stone, their heads bowed, their horns catching the dim light. Commanders, nobles, and advisors—all summoned to witness what was about to be decreed. The weight of their fear was palpable, yet not one dared to raise their eyes until their King spoke.
And he did.
The Demon King leaned forward on his throne of jagged obsidian, his hand resting lazily on the armrest, yet his gaze sharp enough to cut through steel. Crimson eyes blazed as they locked onto one figure standing apart from the others.
A boy—though no one dared call him such anymore.
Golden eyes shone like molten moonlight, horns longer and sharper than any noble's, his body lean with muscle hardened by years of brutal training. Even without trying, his aura seeped from his frame, a heatless flame that licked at the stone beneath his feet.
The King's voice rumbled, deep and unshakable, echoing across the hall:
"Asura."
Every kneeling demon stiffened. The boy did not.
"You have grown strong," the King continued, his words heavy with pride and warning both. "Too strong to remain caged in this castle."
A hush rippled through the court. The thought was unthinkable—letting the heir of the Demon King, a child no older than eight, wander beyond the fortress walls.
But the King's grin spread, sharp and wild.
"It is time," he thundered, his laughter rolling like thunder. "You will leave these walls and walk the world. Learn its dangers. Witness its cruelty. And carve your name into it."
Gasps broke the silence. Officials exchanged glances, some horrified, others intrigued. Their whispers slithered through the chamber.
The prince… leaving?
What of his safety?
What of the prophecy?
The King raised one hand, and the murmurs died instantly.
His gaze shifted—not back to Asura, but to the figure standing quietly behind him.
"Selene."
The maid stepped forward, her violet eyes calm as ever. Her black hair gleamed under the firelight as she bowed low, voice steady.
"Yes, my Lord."
"You will accompany him," the King ordered. His words carried no room for refusal. "Guard him. Guide him. And report his progress to me without fail."
The air stirred faintly, as if even the torches themselves leaned closer to hear.
Selene lifted her head, her expression unreadable. For just an instant, her gaze flickered toward Asura—sharp, searching—before returning to the King.
"…As you command."
The tension broke. Whispers erupted once more, though none dared raise their voice. A maid? The prince's escort? What trick is this?
Asura stood silent, but his jaw tightened. He wasn't stupid. His grandfather trusted Selene, but this wasn't just about loyalty. She wasn't simply a maid who fluffed his pillows and scolded him for dirty robes. No. She was being tasked as both guardian and leash.
So that's it… She's not just here to watch over me. She's here to watch me.
But Asura was nothing if not a performer. He forced a grin, tilting his head with mock innocence.
"Guess it'll be fun to have company," he said lightly, his tone playful.
Selene's lips curved into the faintest smile, but her eyes gave nothing away.
From the throne, the King's laughter boomed again, shaking the very walls.
"Good! Then it is settled! The prince of demons shall walk the earth—not as a child, not as a caged heir, but as one who will inherit my blood!"
The braziers roared higher, crimson flames licking at the shadows until the entire hall was bathed in scarlet.
And beneath that firelight, the golden-eyed boy smirked, already dreaming of the world waiting beyond the walls… and of the countless ways he would break it.
✦ The Departure
The gates of the Demon Realm were not mere doors; they were monuments.
Forged from obsidian dragged from the heart of a dead volcano, etched with runes older than kingdoms, they towered like the jaws of a titan waiting to swallow whoever dared step through. For Asura, they had always been there—unchanging, immovable, symbols of a world he could only imagine beyond.
Until now.
With a low groan, the gates began to part. Mana surged through the runes, crimson light spilling across the black stone as ancient chains rattled. The very air trembled as the portal to the outside world yawned wide for the prince.
For the first time, they opened for him.
The path leading to the gate was lined with soldiers. Demons in blackened armor, their halberds planted firmly in the ground, heads bowed low. None dared look at him directly, but their voices carried like a chant.
"The prince departs…"
"…May his blade bring glory to the realm."
"…May his shadow strike fear into our enemies."
The whispers were reverent, awed—and tinged with fear. Even at eight years old, Asura's reputation had spread throughout the castle. He was no ordinary child, no pampered heir. He was the golden-eyed prodigy who had endured his grandfather's fire and survived.
Asura walked the path slowly, his wooden katana strapped at his side as if it were a divine relic rather than a training blade. His horns caught the crimson glow, casting jagged shadows along the walls. His steps echoed—calm, steady, unshaken—each one a declaration that he was no longer bound to the castle.
Behind him, Selene followed with measured grace. Her presence was quieter than the chants of soldiers, but sharper than any weapon. She carried herself not as a maid today, but as a shadow sworn to his side.
The gates opened fully.
Beyond them stretched a world untouched by the Demon Realm's walls. Forests black with ancient trees rose in the distance, rivers gleamed faintly like veins of silver, and the horizon stretched endlessly toward kingdoms, monsters, and the unknown. A wind unlike the castle's artificial stillness swept past him, carrying scents of earth, wildflowers, and danger.
For a moment, Asura simply stood there. His golden eyes took it all in—the vastness, the promise, the danger—and his chest tightened. This was no anime screen, no daydream he had once cursed his old world for lacking. This was real.
He inhaled deeply, filling his lungs with the breath of freedom.
"…Finally."
The word slipped past his lips, quiet yet heavy enough that Selene heard. She glanced at him, violet eyes narrowing just slightly. She said nothing, only adjusted her gloves and took her place at his side, ready to follow wherever he would go.
The gates boomed shut behind them, the sound echoing like the closing of a chapter. Ahead lay the untamed world.
And Asura smiled.
✦ Selene's Concern
The winding path seemed endless.
Roots as thick as pillars coiled across the forest floor, forcing Asura and Selene to weave and climb as they made their way. The air was heavy with mana, so thick even Asura could feel it humming against his skin. Every few steps, the cries of unseen beasts echoed from the undergrowth—a chittering insect shriek, a wolf's mournful howl, the hiss of something reptilian watching them from the shadows.
And yet, Asura's grin only widened. His golden eyes darted from tree to tree, drinking in the unknown like water in a desert.
"So this is the outside world," he murmured, placing his wooden katana back at his side. "It feels… alive."
Selene, walking with her usual elegance, did not share his enthusiasm. Her violet eyes swept the trees constantly, every shift of shadow making her fingers twitch toward the dagger hidden beneath her apron. Even her steps—measured and silent—spoke of readiness, not awe.
"Are you excited, young master?" she asked, her tone light, but her eyes never leaving the treeline.
Asura chuckled under his breath. "Excited? I've been waiting for this since the day I got here. This is what I dreamed of—adventure, danger, all of it."
Selene's lips curved into the faintest of smiles, but the warmth didn't quite reach her eyes. "Adventure is not without cost. The world beyond the Demon King's walls does not care who you are, or whose grandson you may be. Humans, beastmen, rival demons…" She glanced at him briefly. "None will treat you kindly if they discover what you are."
Her words hung heavy in the air.
Asura tilted his head, then smirked, his expression half-childish mischief, half-burning defiance. "I know. That's what makes it fun."
He spread his arms wide as though to embrace the whole forest, the whole dangerous unknown. The grin on his face was unshakable, even arrogant, but his golden eyes gleamed with determination.
Selene sighed, shaking her head softly. Her long black hair swayed with the motion, the faint glint of mana along her horns betraying her unease. "You truly are reckless, young master."
"Not reckless," Asura shot back, puffing out his chest proudly. "Strategically daring."
The reply was so absurdly earnest, she couldn't help it—Selene's lips parted in a small laugh. It was brief, a quiet ripple of amusement, but it was real. For a moment, the iron tension in her posture softened.
Still, as quickly as it came, her concern returned. Her gaze lingered on him, the boy who looked ahead like the entire world was nothing more than a playground. He was only eight years old, but the aura around him was already heavier than many commanders she had seen fall in battle. His wooden katana rested casually on his shoulder, but every step radiated confidence—too much confidence.
Too strong for his age. Too reckless for his own good.
Selene folded her hands neatly in front of her, her expression smoothing into practiced calm, but inside her thoughts swirled. If you won't protect yourself properly, young master… then I'll have to do it for you. No matter the cost.
Asura hummed cheerfully beside her, seemingly oblivious to the storm in her mind. Or maybe he wasn't oblivious at all. Maybe he had noticed the faint edge in her voice, the way her eyes never left the shadows. But if he had, he said nothing. He simply marched on, golden eyes glowing, heart racing for what was to come.
Selene exhaled slowly, allowing herself one more glance at him—this boy who was both prince and child, both prodigy and fool. Her lips pressed into a thin line.
"…I only pray your idea of 'fun' doesn't get you killed."
Asura grinned at her over his shoulder, fangs flashing. "Don't worry. I'm not dying until I've had my big, dramatic anime hero moment. You know—the kind where everyone gasps, and the music swells?"
Selene pinched the bridge of her nose, her patience tested. "…Young master, sometimes I wonder if you say these things just to make me worry more."
"Maybe," he said with a mischievous wink.
For the rest of the walk, her sighs chased his laughter through the forest.
✦ The Mission
Night draped the forest in velvet silence. The only sounds were the steady rush of the nearby river and the occasional crackle of firewood breaking under the flames.
Their camp was simple—just a small fire, a bedroll for Asura, and Selene sitting watch as though even the stars required guarding. The pale moonlight spilled across the water, painting it silver, while shadows of trees loomed on either side like silent sentinels.
Asura crouched near the fire, the map and scroll spread across a flat stone. His golden eyes danced in the firelight as he traced the paths marked by ink, the bold red circle around their destination pulsing in his imagination like a heartbeat.
Mission Directive:
Cleanse the eastern forest of a growing monster nest.Observe the movements of human adventurers who hunt the same beasts.Return with knowledge.
Asura leaned back on his heels, smirk tugging at his lips.
"So basically… kill monsters and spy on humans. Easy."
He folded the map with practiced care, tucking it into his cloak. Excitement bubbled in his chest, the kind he had felt every time a new quest marker popped up in the games of his old life. Except this wasn't a game. The smell of smoke, the chill of the night, the weight of his wooden katana across his lap—all of it was real.
Across the fire, Selene's violet eyes sharpened. Her voice was quiet but firm.
"Do not take this lightly, young master. The Demon King does not send you out on whims. If he entrusts you with a mission, it means danger worthy of his concern."
Her gaze lingered on the flames, her profile lit in gold and shadow. She looked every bit the maid she pretended to be—composed, graceful—but the edge in her tone betrayed the warrior hidden beneath.
Asura tilted his head, then let the smirk fade into something softer. For once, he spoke without teasing, without childlike pretense.
"I know. I won't."
He leaned back on his hands, eyes reflecting the firelight as they drifted toward her.
"Besides… I've got you watching my back, right?"
The words slipped out casually, but there was weight beneath them—an unspoken trust, a bond forged in nights of training, bruises tended, and secrets almost exposed.
Selene blinked, startled, the firelight flickering in her eyes. For the briefest moment, her mask slipped. Then she lowered her gaze, her long lashes casting shadows on her cheeks.
"…Always," she said quietly.
The crackle of the fire filled the silence that followed. Asura turned back to the flames, his golden eyes gleaming with resolve. Selene's words settled into his chest, warm and heavy, stronger than any spell or blade.
Tomorrow, monsters would fall. Tomorrow, humans would be watched.
But tonight, by the river, under the gaze of the moon, Asura felt ready.
✦ The First Night
The campfire burned low, its embers glowing like scattered stars fallen to earth. Beyond its circle of light, the forest loomed endless and alive—the rustle of leaves in the night breeze, the ripple of water along the riverbank, and the distant cries of unseen beasts reminding him that this world was no longer confined to books, dreams, or anime scenes in his old life.
Asura stretched out on his bedroll, hands folded behind his head, his wooden katana laid carefully within reach. The blade's simple grain reflected the firelight, a constant reminder of where he had started—of sneaking out under moonlight to practice swings too heavy for his childlike arms.
Now, at eight years old, his golden eyes glittered with a maturity no child should carry. He didn't dream of escaping the castle anymore. He didn't dream at all. He lived it.
The cool night air filled his lungs, sharper and freer than anything he had known behind palace walls. His heart drummed steadily in his chest, excitement thrumming in every vein.
Monsters. Adventurers. Kingdoms.
Everything he had longed for since his reincarnation was finally before him.
"…This is just the beginning," he whispered to the stars, his voice low but steady. His golden eyes reflected the fire's glow, as though they themselves carried embers of his destiny.
Selene, ever watchful, sat at the edge of the firelight, her back straight, gaze sweeping the forest. To anyone else, she might have seemed calm. But her hand hovered close to the dagger strapped beneath her skirts, her instincts sharpened to the tension in the air. She had noticed it too—the way the forest was too quiet, the way the wind carried something heavier than the usual night chill.
Asura didn't notice her unease. He was too busy savoring the pulse of freedom in his chest, too focused on the promise of tomorrow.
But in the deeper dark, beyond torchlight and beyond human senses, something moved.
Eyes gleamed faintly in the brush. Breath rattled like dry leaves. The trees swayed—not with the wind, but with weight.
The forest was watching. Waiting.
And the boy who dreamed of becoming a legend was about to be noticed.