The World System and the demon that could not be king.

The journey to the capital had only just begun, but I already had the feeling it was going to be a long one… not just because of the distance, but because I was sitting across from a girl my age.

I wasn't sure why, but I felt oddly nervous. Maybe it was because I had barely spent any time around people I didn't know. In fact, this was only the second time in my life I'd ever held a conversation with someone other than my mother.

Silence hung between the three of us like a thick, suffocating blanket. Eventually, it was Mr. Eduard who broke it.

"Well, I'm sure everyone will be surprised when they see the talent we're bringing with us. Right, Valentina?"

She simply nodded, her cold response making the atmosphere inside the carriage even heavier.

"Ah… yeah, I guess so."

Her voice sounded completely different when she was around her father. Distant. Controlled. So much so that even Eduard seemed visibly uneasy.

I returned the same awkward smile he had given me moments before.

"Sorry about her behavior. She's like that most of the time."

"No, no. There's no need to apologize. I understand," I replied quickly.

After that, silence returned with even more weight. None of us spoke again until we reached the outer gates of the capital.

It had been quite a long trip—almost two full days—but to me, it only felt like a few hours. Maybe I'd lost track of time… or maybe I hadn't been able to sleep at all.

The only one who had managed to doze off was Eduard's daughter. At some point, she had curled up in the corner of the carriage and fallen asleep.

Lucky her…

I shook my head and tried to stop thinking about it. Instead, I turned my attention to what lay ahead.

The capital.

From the distance, it already looked majestic: towering stone walls, gleaming spires, wide cobblestone roads, and rooftops in every color, all woven into a living tapestry of stone and light. It was far grander than I ever imagined.

I couldn't believe I was going to live in a place like this.

Mr. Eduard must have noticed the expression on my face, because he gave me a warm smile and spoke in a gentle tone.

"You look excited."

"Ah… yeah. I'm honestly blown away. I've never been this far from home."

I wasn't sure if he truly understood what that meant for me… but it was true. This was all so new.

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After a bit more time, we finally entered the city itself. Valentina was awake by then, though she didn't even bother to look out the window. Maybe it was because she already lived here… or maybe nothing really impressed her anymore.

Soon after, the carriage stopped in a large open area. I could see several students walking around in matching uniforms—silver jackets and pants for the boys, silver skirts and thigh-high socks for the girls. All of them wore the same crimson-colored tie.

I stared at them in awe.

Was this... the academy?

Without even glancing at me, Valentina responded like she had read my mind.

"Yes, it is. This is where you'll be studying from now on."

I turned to look at her, a little startled. How did she know what I was thinking? Was I that obvious?

The carriage moved a bit farther and stopped in front of a massive building with dark brown walls. It looked ancient but sturdy—well-preserved despite its age. Its wings stretched out on either side like arms, and from here it already looked big enough to get lost in.

We all stepped down and headed straight for what I assumed was the rector's office. Probably to get me registered as a new student.

The rector turned out to be an older man, his face lined with age but his expression calm and composed. He didn't look like a typical headmaster. Instead of a suit, he wore a flowing black robe and leaned on a wooden staff engraved with glowing arcane symbols.

"Here he is, Headmaster Patrick. This is the son of the great mage, Sara Garieth," said Mr. Eduard with solemnity, placing a hand over his chest. Valentina followed suit with her usual cold, unreadable stare.

I... had no idea what I was supposed to do. Should I bow? Say something? Just stand there?

In the end, I didn't do anything. Not out of rudeness—it was just that my mind hadn't caught up with everything that was happening.

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you," the rector said in a deep yet friendly voice. "Your mother is a very important figure in the world of magic. I don't know if she ever told you, but she once fought the Demon King at the height of his power. It's a shame she didn't continue the battle afterward…"

Wait, wait, wait—what?

So it was true?

Mom told me the story two years ago, but she said it with such arrogance and pride that I thought she was just exaggerating. I honestly thought she was joking.

"I wasn't really sure," I muttered. "She told me, yeah… but I didn't believe her."

Mom... you're amazing. You fought the most powerful enemy in the world. I owe you an apology the moment I see you again. That's a promise.

"Yes… she told me. But I never thought it was true."

My heart was still racing. The thought that my mom had actually fought the Demon King left me stunned. It was overwhelming. And to think I always dismissed it as one of her dramatic tales…

Yeah, I definitely owe her an apology.

After a bit more small talk with the headmaster, we were finally told we could head to our rooms.

To my surprise, the one tasked with guiding me there… was Valentina.

"I know I didn't mention it earlier, but from now on, we'll be classmates. I hope we can get along. For now, let me show you to your dorm."

"Classmates...? Wait, are we going to be in the same class?"

"Yeah. Same class. Oh, and by the way… where's your luggage?"

We stopped mid-hallway. I figured now was a good time to explain.

"No worries. I stored it somewhere safe… in a space," I replied, a bit too proudly.

"In a... space?"

"Yeah. It's an extradimensional storage pocket. I use it to carry things more easily when I travel."

Her eyes widened in genuine surprise.

"That's incredible... I've never heard of anything like that."

Even though she was impressed, her expression quickly shifted back to something more serious.

"But you should be careful. If you do things like that in front of others, they might start investigating you."

I nodded slowly. I got what she meant.

As we continued walking through the halls, I began to notice something odd—eyes. Lots of them. Both guys and girls were staring at me. Some with curiosity. Others with… something closer to suspicion.

"Why is everyone looking at me like that...? Do I have something on my face? Or is it just because I'm new?"

I tried to ignore it, but those stares were heavier than my entire extradimensional bag.

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After walking for a while, we arrived at one of the inner buildings where the dorm rooms were located. The place was quiet and modern, with clean architecture and polished floors. The rooms were lined up neatly, each one marked with a golden number plate above the door.

Valentina handed me a small key and gave me a warning—or maybe it was an explanation. I didn't catch all of it, but one part definitely stuck.

"The school decided to pair rooms either with same-gender roommates… or sometimes the opposite. Most students are paired with someone of their own gender, but there are exceptions. Let me know tomorrow who you're paired with so I can explain the rules."

"Got it. Understood."

I climbed up to one of the higher floors and found the room assigned to me. I slid the key into the lock and turned it.

And that's when I saw her.

The girl from the forest.

She stood with her back to me, wrapped in nothing but a white towel that barely covered her body. Her golden hair fell wet down her shoulders, and her figure...

Well, it was clear she had matured since the last time we met.

My brain took exactly three seconds to register what was happening before it exploded into panic.

Close the door! Close the door!

I slammed it shut, heart pounding, my face burning with embarrassment. I ducked instinctively—just as a sphere of ice blasted through the top half of the door and shattered it into splinters.

"Pervert! Pervert! Pervert! Pervert!" she screamed, her face red like fire.

"I'm sorry! I swear it's not what it looks like! This is just my room too!" I shouted back, fumbling to open a small portal to my storage space and pulling my luggage through it.

The door opened again—this time with her dressed in an oversized shirt and shorts.

"Seriously...?" she asked, her tone still sharp, but less furious. She looked straight into my eyes, searching for any hint of dishonesty.

Without saying anything, I held up my key and showed her the number engraved on it.

"See? I told you. This is my room too."

.........

Her eyes dropped to the bag beside me—proof that I hadn't been lying.

"Ah... I see. That still doesn't change the fact that you saw me naked."

She sighed.

"Whatever. Come in. Let's talk. I want to hear your explanation for this."