Morning sunlight stretched across the Demon Realm village like warm gold poured over dark stone. Birds—strange ones, half-shadow, half-feather—chirped lazily from rooftops. Inns rattled with early adventurers slurping breakfast stew while others boasted about dungeon spoils, monster hunts, or near-death encounters… mostly near-death encounters.
The inn Asura and the others stayed in wasn't large—more cozy than grand. Wooden beams, old carpets that smelled faintly of spices, mugs clinking, and a burning hearth that warmed the center of the room.
Downstairs, a few adventurers glanced over as something small and white-haired wandered sleepily to his table and poured juice like he owned the place.
Asura acted like this was perfectly normal.
✦ The Pajama Dilemma
Lucilla descended the stairs, adjusting her bangs like someone preparing for battle rather than breakfast. She scanned the inn floor with the calm grace of a noble—then frowned.
"…where is Mary? She hasn't come down."
Asura took a slow sip, innocent as a kitten.
"She's embarrassed about wearing her pajamas this whole time. Because Rhazor said wearing pajamas in public is childish."
From across the table, Rhazor sputtered so hard he nearly launched crumbs across the room.
"I NEVER SAID THAT!"
Asura raised a finger like a mini-professor.
"You implied it."
Rhazor planted both palms on the table. "I literally said entering a DUNGEON in pajamas was silly—"
"Yea but I entered a dungeon in pajamas," Asura said proudly, "and still kicked ass."
Lucilla smiled, gentle but amused.
"Of course you did."
A nearby adventurer snorted.
"Kids these days…"
Asura didn't even flinch. He just sat there like the universe's most confident eight-year-old… who hadn't really been one in a long time.
The three marched upstairs and stopped at Mary's door.
Asura knocked politely.
"Maryyy, we're going to the tailor shop~"
"No," she barked from inside. "I am NOT going out in this. I have suffered enough humiliation for one lifetime."
Rhazor leaned toward the door.
"Come on—armor shop too. I need a new sword."
"No," Mary repeated. "Leave me. I've decided to live in pajamas permanently. Goodbye."
Lucilla sighed, crossing her arms elegantly.
"If we leave her here she'll actually become a hermit."
Asura turned around thoughtfully.
"…then we buy clothes for her."
Rhazor brightened instantly.
"And I need a sword before mine disintegrates mid-swing again."
Lucilla flicked her hair, already walking away.
"Then we leave her to sulk in peace. For now."
✦ The Search for Asura
The halls of the Demon Academy stretched endlessly—ancient stone, high ceilings, windows that let in cold light. Old magical paintings watched students pass with expressions of silent judgment.
Selene and Keith walked side by side.
Selene's brows were knitted, hands clasped in front of her maid uniform.
"If I know Asura—and I certainly do—he won't be in his dorm room."
Keith yawned deeply, barely conscious.
"Well… maybe he's matured over the last four years. Maybe he doesn't sneak out anymore…"
Selene paused, staring at him.
"Asura? Grow up? Keith… you should be a comedian."
Keith blinked slowly.
"…fair."
—Elsewhere, in the village—
Asura sneezed.
Lucilla: "Bless you."
Asura: "Someone must be talking about me again."
Back at the academy.
Keith and Selene reached Asura's dorm door. Selene inhaled softly, a little nervous.
"…If he's actually here, I'll be genuinely shocked."
Keith put a hand on the handle.
"It would mean he listened. That he followed rules. That he matured."
Selene whispered, astonished,
"It would mean he actually—"
Voices came from inside.
Young voices.
Keith and Selene stared at each other—both equally stunned.
"…he's INSIDE?" Selene almost hissed.
Keith opened the door, heart thumping—
✦ The Village Market
The Demon Realm village stretched wide like a melting pot of every race imaginable. Demon vendors shouted prices, vampires sipped morning blood-tea in shaded corners, dwarven smiths hammered glowing metal, and dragons in human form towered through crowds.
And three dangerously powerful youths walked right through it like lost tourists.
Nobody spared them more than a glance.
"Beginner adventurers."
"Probably doing goblin quests."
"Cute kids."
Little did they know.
Asura pointed to a hanging sign embroidered with mana-thread.
"Tailor!"
Lucilla examined fabrics from afar like a noble inspecting gowns for a ball.
"Mary needs clothing that isn't translucent nightwear…"
Rhazor lifted his ruined sword hilt.
"And I need something sharp that won't snap in half."
Asura stared at adventurers passing by—heavy armor, enchanted weapons, cloaks lined with runes.
"So cool…"
Rhazor elbowed him.
"Don't cause any trouble Asura."
Lucilla added without looking at him,
"And don't wander off by yourself."
Asura puffed his cheeks.
"I wasn't going to…"
(His system absolutely knew he was planning something.)
A demon blacksmith watched them pass.
"Poor kids. Probably lost."
A vampire merchant blinked.
"A demon boy with two other species?"
Lucilla didn't hear it.
Rhazor ignored it.
Asura heard it… and simply smiled, because chaos was funny.
The deeper they walked, the bigger the crowd got.
Stalls glittered with:
• enchanted fabrics
• monster leather boots
• demon-forged blades
• mage robes with floating embroidery
Even the air tasted like magic—warm mana drifting from forges, spicy food sizzling, smoke carrying enchantment dust.
Asura inhaled deeply.
"This place is amazing."
Rhazor chuckled, adjusting his coat.
"Welcome to the Demon Realm, kid."
Asura puffed his cheeks again.
"I'm not a kid."
Lucilla flicked his forehead lightly.
"You are literally eight."
Asura grinned, rubbing his forehead. *If only they knew I'm ageless now,* he smirked.
[ ＳＹＳＴＥＭ : Ageless, but still acts like a child. ]
✦ Mission: Tailor, Sword, and Possibly Snacks
Before entering the shop, Lucilla leaned down to Asura, voice soft.
"We'll pick something Mary actually likes. Otherwise she'll never leave that room."
Asura nodded seriously.
"Operation Save Mary begins."
Rhazor lifted his broken sword.
"And Operation Fix My Sword."
Three forces of nature…
one demon prince,
one vampire noble,
one dragon heir…
…casually walked into a tailor shop like regular children.
No one had any idea they were technically world-ending threats.