Chapter 2

Chapter 2
## Chapter 2: Rather Good

As the sun began to rise, Gordon, a member of the dark elf lineage, began his day with a lighthearted whistle.

“First impressions are everything; I can’t afford to look sloppy.”

He meticulously groomed himself, shaving away his stubble and evening out his hair. Once finished, he donned a sharp, professional suit that fit him perfectly.

Checking his reflection, he saw a striking dark elf with midnight-black hair staring back.

“Yes, quite dashing.”

The occasion was the commencement for the 99th graduating class of the Demon King Academy.

These prospective demon kings, having completed their rigorous curriculum, were about to be officially ordained and dispatched to govern various realms. Gordon was destined to serve as the right-hand man to one of these newly minted lords.

‘The valedictorian of the Demon Aide Academy, Gordon Dirik.’

While one institution forged the kings, the Demon Aide Academy molded the subordinates who would support them.

The elite graduates were traditionally paired with the highest-ranking demon kings. Having secured the top spot in his class, Gordon was assigned to Berge Dayas, the undisputed number one graduate of the Demon King Academy.

The paperwork was already finalized, and Gordon had spent time reviewing Berge’s extensive personnel files.

‘A scion of the noble demon dragon clan.’

‘A prodigy who maintained the top rank without fail.’

‘A talent without equal.’

‘The most brilliant student in the history of the Demon King Academy.’

The documents were overflowing with such high praise that Gordon couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of pride.

For an aide, there was no greater honor than pledging loyalty to the most capable leader available.

From his perspective, Berge Dayas was the ideal master, and Gordon felt like the most fortunate dark elf in existence.

‘With a leader like him, no dimension is beyond our reach.’

Even without his own efforts, being the top graduate came with a mountain of special privileges. Combining those assets with their collective talent made their future success seem inevitable.

— We shall now commence the graduation ceremony for the 99th class of the Demon King Academy.

He entered the grand hall, his heart light with optimism. The vast auditorium was already teeming with a diverse array of demons.

Gordon made his way to the staging area, joining several of his peers.

“Who did you get assigned to?”

“How is your future lord?”

“Not bad at all. He’s got that classic, commanding presence you’d expect from a true demon king.”

The soon-to-be aides passed the time by comparing notes on their new masters.

They traded gossip about assignments and shared their initial impressions of the demon kings they were bound to.

Inevitably, the conversation turned to Gordon, who was the object of much admiration and jealousy.

“I caught a glimpse of Berge earlier. He definitely looks the part of a valedictorian. He has an aura that sets him apart.”

“I agree. There’s something formidable about him. It feels like he’s capable of achieving anything.”

“He is of the demon dragon clan, after all. It’s to be expected.”

Gordon stood a little taller as his colleagues showered his master with compliments.

No subordinate dislikes hearing their superior being held in high regard. He felt a wave of gratitude toward Berge Dayas for being the pinnacle of their graduating year.

As the chatter continued, the event reached its climax.

The chairman began presenting the diplomas, and finally, Berge Dayas walked up to the stage.

‘He’s impressive.’

Standing at 190 cm, he possessed a powerful physique and a natural air of dominance. He carried the weight of his rank with undeniable poise.

‘This is the man I will follow. The one who will forge a new era.’

Gordon’s heart thrummed with excitement.

He envisioned them conquering worlds side-by-side, leaving a permanent mark on the annals of history.

— We will now proceed with the formal oath for our new demon king graduates.

— Valedictorian Berge Dayas will lead the recitation for the entire class.

The moment arrived for the pledge to uphold the Standard of the Demon King.

— Berge Dayas?

— Please, lead the assembly in reciting the sacred Standard of the Demon King.

When Berge remained silent for a moment, Gordon didn’t suspect anything was wrong.

Knowing Berge’s reputation for being the most disciplined student, he simply assumed the young man was moved by the gravity of the moment.

He could never have predicted what was coming.

“This can’t be happening.”

That Berge would speak such heresy.

“I refuse to swear to such a moronic oath. Following the Standard of the Demon King is as idiotic and suicidal as walking into a dragon’s den while carrying the corpse of its young. That Standard is nothing but trash!”

The shock was absolute.

“…….”

Gordon’s strength vanished, and he slumped to the floor in total despair.

—

“Is that the lunatic?”

“How dare he mock the Standard? He deserves the death penalty.”

“And the guy next to him? Is he just as crazy?”

“I heard that’s his aide. The assignment is locked in; there’s no changing it now.”

“What a pathetic situation. How did he get stuck with that guy?”

“Such a shame. A top-tier graduate’s career ruined by a madman.”

Gordon squeezed his eyes shut against the stinging whispers. The misery of his situation was enough to bring him to the brink of tears.

Meanwhile, Berge, sitting right in front of him, reached out a hand with completely casual indifference, showing no sign of regret.

“Good to meet you. I’m Berge Dayas.”

“…….”

Gordon stared at the offered hand, every instinct screaming at him to refuse it. Yet, he was trapped.

‘You insane bastard. I should kill you right here.’

Following Berge’s explosive outburst, Gordon’s world had turned upside down.

The hateful rumors currently circulating were merely the tip of the iceberg.

— What? He called the battle-hardened Standard of the Founding Demon Emperor ‘trash’?

— Comparing it to bringing a dead hatchling into a dragon’s lair?

— He’s not a valedictorian; he’s a psychopath.

— What kind of education is the Demon King Academy providing these days?!

The demonic public was in an uproar.

The Standard of the Demon King was the very foundation that had stabilized their chaotic world and projected their might across the stars—it was the sacred legacy of the Founding Demon Emperor.

To the demons, the Standard was more than law; it was their religion. A holy, untouchable truth.

And Berge had spat on it.

— Demand a full audit of the academy’s grades!

— Someone who insults the Standard has no right to be a demon king!

— Strip him of his title and send him to labor in the Golan mines!

The outcry was fierce. Given the volatile nature of demons, it was only a matter of time before the anger turned into physical violence.

They were safe inside the academy for now, but eventually, that fury would find Berge—and by extension, the aide forced to serve him.

“……Why on earth would you say that?”

Gordon couldn’t hide the venom in his voice.

“Say what?”

“The Standard! I’m talking about the Standard!”

He was practically vibrating with rage.

“If you had just kept your mouth shut and taken the oath, everything would have been perfect! Your records and your status had you positioned for the most elite life imaginable!”

He couldn’t wrap his head around it. This man had incinerated his own glorious future for no reason. It was beyond foolish. Why would the top student do something so self-destructive?

Furthermore, why attack the Standard itself? How could a sane demon even think such things? Was he even the same species?

Anger gave way to a flickering sense of revulsion.

Berge, however, simply brushed the questions aside.

“You’re a graduate of the Demon Aide Academy, right?”

“…….”

Immediately after the ceremony, Gordon had sprinted to the office of the Demon Aide Academy’s chairman.

He had pleaded for a reassignment. He begged to be separated from Berge Dayas.

‘I’ve heard the reports. I expected great things from the top graduate, but a total moron? I suspect the faculty has lost their minds.’

‘I’m afraid I can’t help you. Once the bond is forged, it is permanent. That is the decree of the Founding Demon Emperor.’

‘I can’t have a top student following someone who treats the Standard like garbage, can I?’

The chairman’s disappointed sighs and pitying looks still haunted him.

‘Why did I have to be the best? If I had just been second place…….’

But regret was a useless emotion now.

“……The perks.”

“Hmm?”

“Do we still have our graduate benefits?”

The rewards for being at the top of the class. If those were still intact, there might be a silver lining.

“All revoked, I’m afraid. Punitive action for slandering the Standard.”

God damn it!

It was predictable. No one was going to let a blasphemer enjoy luxury.

The only reason they hadn’t executed him yet was likely because of his raw potential.

They figured it was better to work a valedictorian to death in service of the realm than to simply waste the talent.

‘But why do I have to suffer too…….’

He realized that he himself was essentially a “perk” that Berge still got to keep.

Seemingly oblivious to Gordon’s inner turmoil, Berge held out his hand again.

“Well, since we’re stuck together, let’s try to get along.”

“…….”

Gordon simply couldn’t bring himself to touch that hand.

—

In the private office of Archduke Alcaine Blamif.

I had arrived promptly following his official summons.

“Enter.”

As I took a seat on the expensive sofa, Alcaine personally served me a glass of wine as red as fresh blood. The metallic, sharp scent of it hit my nose immediately.

“I’ll be blunt: I find you distasteful. Regardless of your lineage or your academic success, I have very little patience for someone who dares to mock the Standard.”

His voice was calm, but it carried a razor-sharp threat.

“Is that so?”

I took a slow sip of the wine, unbothered. I knew his personality well enough to know that if he actually intended to execute me, he wouldn’t be wasting time on a private conversation.

“However, you are a walking contradiction—a rebel who also happens to be the academy’s finest student. The masses might doubt your grades, but I know the chairman. He is a man of absolute integrity who cannot be bought.”

That integrity was why he had held his position for centuries.

“Your abilities are undeniable. It would be a waste to discard such talent, even if you are a fool. Other archdukes might not be so pragmatic.”

“…….”

“Abandon this madness and offer a public apology immediately.”

The glass clinked as Alcaine set it down.

“Prostrate yourself before the monument of the Founding Demon Emperor and pledge your life to the Standard. Show true remorse and beg the people for their mercy.”

Then, using my status, I will ensure your punishment is light.

He was offering me a way out, his voice dripping with false sweetness.

“But if you choose to be stubborn, I will have no choice but to deploy you to Aren.”

Aren. Of the five primary dimensions the demon realm was currently colonizing, it was the absolute worst.

It was the graveyard of demon kings—the one assignment everyone dreaded.

It held the highest casualty rate in recorded history.

“You understand the implications of being sent to Aren with nothing but a single aide.”

I understood perfectly. Entire legions led by powerful demon kings had been swallowed by that place. Sending two people was effectively a death sentence.

“So? What is your choice? The offer is still on the table.”

He wore a cold, confident smirk, certain that I would crumble and beg for his protection.

The irony was so great that I couldn’t help but smile back.

A typical demon king would have been on their knees by now.

But I was far from typical.

“I’ll go to Aren.”

“A wise choice, wait…… what?”

“My position remains unchanged. I have respect for the Founding Demon Emperor, but the Standard is obsolete trash. It may have served a purpose once, but now it’s just a collection of idiotic rules that prioritize the means over the ends.”

“You insolent brat……!”

The room began to shake.

“……You clearly haven’t tasted true despair yet. You think being top of your class allows you to act without consequences?”

A suffocating wave of murderous intent filled the room, making the air feel heavy. I didn’t even blink.

“Perhaps.”

I had already experienced death once; a second time wouldn’t teach me anything new. If anything, my first death was what finally cleared my vision.

“So don’t wait for an apology. Just send me to Aren.”

The place everyone avoided?

The world that devoured demon kings?

It was actually quite perfect.

Because that’s exactly where those pests who once ridiculed and manipulated me are hiding.

My former hunting ground.

‘Just wait for me, you so-called heroes.’

This time, I’m going to tear your throats out with my own hands.