The Demon Princess and the Blank Check
The days flew by in a blur of magic training and sightseeing around the capital with Cani. Before I knew it, the first day of the academy had arrived.
“Hehe.”
The academy was where I was going, yet somehow Cani looked far more excited than I did.
“You’re that happy about going to the academy?”
“Of course! You nobles like Young Master probably wouldn’t understand, but for ordinary commoners, the academy is a place of pure longing! That’s why it shows up in every romance novel.”
“Right. Then why don’t you try finding yourself a husband at the academy too, like all those romance heroines? If you keep sticking to me every day, you’ll never get married.”
“…”
Cani pouted, sticking her lower lip out and avoiding my eyes. I’d said it out of genuine concern, but she seemed to think I was just teasing her again.
Clop, clop.
While we chatted, the carriage eventually arrived at the academy. Even on the first day, the main gate was packed with students heading to class.
“Identity confirmed!”
Since the academy was attended by high-ranking nobles and even members of the imperial family, the security checks were extremely thorough.
“You may pass!”
The carriage ahead of us moved on, and it was our turn. I showed the guard the academy admission certificate I’d received by letter in advance.
“Edgar… Edgar… Yes, confirmed!”
The guard made a circle on the document and gestured. With a heavy rumble, the gate opened. I couldn’t see any mechanical devices, so it must have been powered by magic.
“Whoa…”
The moment we entered the academy grounds, the scenery changed completely. Cani gaped, shaking her head in disbelief as she took in the view.
The paths inside were impeccably maintained, making the carriage ride smooth and comfortable. Neatly trimmed trees lined the roads, easing the mind. But what left the strongest impression was the students wandering around with bright, carefree smiles. Their fresh, vibrant energy felt genuinely healing.
Cani glanced at me while I watched contentedly and said, “Young Master, you look like a middle-aged uncle right now.”
“Shut it.”
“Yes, sir.”
Once I’d silenced Cani, the magic department building gradually came into view. Naturally, the department I’d be joining was the Department of Magic. Following the knight and administrative departments, it was the third-largest faculty in the academy. Since admission was based purely on magical talent, it had the highest proportion of commoners.
‘Am I going to end up getting ostracized here?’
No matter how much the academy preached equality regardless of status, it would be difficult for anyone to casually approach me—the next head of House Edgar. If I couldn’t befriend the few other nobles here, I might end up living a lonely, depressing school life with zero friends.
“Young Master, we’ve arrived.”
“Yeah.”
At the coachman’s words, I carefully stepped down from the carriage. The first thing I saw was the magnificent magic department building, decorated not only with gold but also with priceless diamonds.
“Young Master, you’ll be fine attending class without me, right?”
“How old do you think I am? Of course I can manage class by myself.”
According to academy rules, servants weren’t allowed inside the department buildings. That meant Cani would have to wait in the carriage, bored out of her mind until my classes ended.
I pulled a few gold coins from my pocket and tossed them to her.
“Whoa!”
Cani scrambled to catch the coins that suddenly flew her way.
“While you’re waiting, go look around the academy. Buy yourself something delicious too.”
“Young Master, I love you!”
Her loud confession of love drew the eyes of everyone passing by.
“Sigh…”
I rubbed my throbbing temple, pretending not to hear Cani’s passionate declaration, and entered the building.
The first thing I saw upon stepping inside were portraits of great archmages. It felt strangely bittersweet to think that, had things gone differently, that ghost’s portrait might have been hanging here too.
‘The facilities are better than I expected.’
Just like its extravagant exterior, the interior of the magic department was impressive. Several mana-powered elevators that must have cost a fortune to maintain were installed, and expensive-looking sofas were placed throughout the common areas. I’d heard the magic department’s alumni association was incredibly tight-knit—looks like the rumors were true.
Students hurried about carrying thick books. Most of them wore glasses, which was an interesting detail.
‘It was on the third floor, right?’
The third floor. Too low to bother with the elevator, but too high to comfortably walk up. The healthy students from the knight department probably took the stairs, but a frail mage like me naturally headed for the elevator. It seemed everyone else had the same idea, because a massive line had already formed.
“Did they take attendance for Mana Theory 2 yesterday?”
“Yeah.”
“Aaaagh, I’m screwed.”
“Want to grab lunch together…?”
“No thanks.”
“I’ll buy you that tomahawk steak you like.”
“…And cola too?”
“Obviously!”
Most people were in groups, so standing alone in line made me feel a bit pathetic. Weren’t mages supposed to live aloof and solitary lives? Contrary to the image in my head, the mages here were surprisingly sociable.
Ding-dong~
The moment the elevator arrived, I quickly slipped into a corner. A crowd of mages poured in after me.
> CAPACITY EXCEEDED. THE LAST PASSENGER TO BOARD, PLEASE EXIT.
Only after the elevator screamed that it couldn’t take any more did the flood of people stop. The car was packed so tightly it was hard to breathe. I made a mental note to arrive even earlier next time so I could ride in comfort.
“Oh my, Lady, you look absolutely beautiful today~”
“Haha, thank you.”
Even squeezed in the crowd, the students kept chatting and laughing without losing their smiles.
‘That voice…’
Amid their conversation, I caught a voice that sounded strangely familiar.
“Want to eat together later? I accidentally made way too many rice balls.”
“Kyaaah! If it’s rice balls made by Lady Leni, I’m eating them no matter what!”
I stared intently at the brown-haired girl named Leni. No matter how I looked at her build or listened to her voice, she was identical to the bandit mage who had attacked me.
Apparently sensing my gaze, Leni turned her head. The moment she saw my face, her eyebrows twitched. From her reaction, I became certain she was the mage who had ambushed me.
Her friend must have noticed me staring at Leni, because she subtly stepped between us, blocking my view. Leni’s friend frowned as she looked up at me.
“Even if our Leni has the face of an angel, staring at her like that is incredibly rude!”
“…”
Leni placed a hand on her friend’s shoulder.
“Karin, it’s fine. You don’t have to block him.”
“Huh?”
“I know him.”
“Gasp, I’m so sorry!”
> 3RD FLOOR.
The elevator arrived at the third floor just in time. I gave Leni a look that clearly said, Let’s get off.
That woman might have an incredibly powerful background, but she was still only a 1st-circle mage. Now that I’d learned new magic, I was confident I could win a hundred out of a hundred rematches. So I called her out without hesitation.
Leni seemed to understand my signal immediately. She nodded and gently stroked Karin’s hair.
“Karin, I’m sorry, but could I skip class just for today?”
“Y-yes! I’ll take care of attendance for you!”
“Haha, thank you.”
We slipped into the crowd of people getting off and left the elevator together. Leni glanced around quickly, then pointed toward a lounge area with sofas.
“Let’s talk over there.”
“…”
I nodded while secretly gathering my mana, keeping a close eye on Leni.
Leni plopped down on the sofa and began twirling her hair in clear irritation. It was a completely different attitude from the angelic persona she’d shown in front of Karin.
Snap.
Leni flicked her fingers, the one wearing a sparkling ring. A barrier spread out around us.
“This way, no one outside will hear our conversation or see what we do.”
“…”
I swallowed hard. The magic tool Leni had just used was the Ring of the Veil of Secrets. It was an item mainly used by high-ranking nobles and diplomats. Because of its rarity, the imperial family kept the entire supply and only awarded it to nobles who had performed great services. The design was different from the one I knew—it must have been disguised to avoid being recognized.
Whether it was using expensive scrolls or possessing an imperial magic tool, I couldn’t begin to guess who she really was.
Leni crossed her legs and glared at me with an arrogant look.
“How did you figure out that I was the mage who attacked you?”
“You revealed your voice when you attacked me.”
“…I see.”
This woman acted like she was so sharp, but she seemed surprisingly sloppy. Leni sighed, pulled a check from her pocket, and tossed it in front of me.
“I want to graduate from the academy quietly, so take this and keep your mouth shut. Write down whatever amount you want. And we’ll sign one Soul Contract.”
The check she’d thrown was a blank check issued by the Imperial Bank exclusively to families of marquis rank or higher. I had no idea why someone this rich had attacked me, but I didn’t like the arrogant way she threw money at me without any explanation.
My rational mind screamed that I should quietly accept the offer from this woman who clearly had immense backing and live peacefully. But for some reason, a strange stubbornness rose inside me.
Fine. You told me to write whatever I wanted.
I took out a fountain pen from my inner pocket. Leni snorted as if she’d expected me to accept her proposal and pulled a Soul Contract from her bag.
Let’s see how you like this.
I began earnestly scribbling on the check. The smirk on Leni’s face gradually froze as my pen refused to stop moving.
“Here. This much.”
I handed her the check with the amount I’d written. Leni’s hands trembled violently as she took it.
999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999G
Watching the woman who had attacked me and then acted so brazenly now shake like a leaf instantly lifted my mood.
“You son of a—”
“What? You said to write whatever I wanted.”
Leni hurled the check away.
“You’re a complete lunatic who doesn’t listen to reason.”
You’re the one who suddenly attacked me and won’t even explain why.
Leni frowned, her eyes burning with fury. Mana began gathering in her hand.
‘So she finally shows her true colors!’
I’d already been preparing my own mana since earlier and now drew it up fully.
Rumble. Rumble.
“Huh?”
As mana gathered in Leni’s hand, black wings slowly sprouted from her back and two massive horns grew from her head.
“D-demon?”
Her identity completely shattered my assumption that she was part of some secret society. With her fully grown horns on proud display, Leni grinned viciously.
“I am Carden, first daughter of Baal, the 31st Demon King. You’re dead, you bastard.”
Wait—why the hell is the Demon King’s daughter here?