Chapter 3

This took place just a few days ago.

Once, that young man was the center and representative among his peers.

“Gwahahaha! Well done, my minions! Our class swept the simulated battles with total victory! I love you all! You talentless minions did well to pull through!”

Arrogant and full of pride, he speaks in a way that looks down on others without hesitation.

“Darn it, lost to Damon again… I thought my strategy would work today.”

“Gwahaha, you’re a hundred years too early, Sekund! No, even a thousand years won’t be enough! Why, you ask? Because I, Damon, am the greatest genius and destined hero in human history! Still, you did well for an average Joe—good effort! Gwahahaha!”

“Alright, alright, I concede. But weren’t you cutting it a little close this time?”

“Guh… Well, maybe just a tiny bit. But since you’re aiming to be a hero too, at least there’s some bite there.”

However, his opponents bore no grudge toward Damon. On the contrary, they exchanged congratulatory looks, even somewhat refreshed.

“Damon-senpai, you were amazing!”

“Kyaa! Damon was so cool today too!”

“Ohh, I’ve decided—I’ll be Damon’s girl! I want him to make me the mother of his hero children!”

“What are you saying? Damon’s heirs are on a waiting list!”

“Yeah, they say even noblewomen and princesses across the country are lining up!”

Other female students who had been watching the battle crowded around Damon, cheering for him with flushed faces.

“It seems Damon’s team won again, don’t you think, Vice Principal?”

“Yes, Headmaster. It was close for Sekund and his team, though.”

The adults looked on with warm eyes at these young ones in the training field of the Imperial Academy of Magic Knights, where the team-based simulated battle had just concluded.

“Stop crowding, you catty girls! So you want my children, huh? Gwahahaha, that’s right! Of course, I’ll give them to you! It’s the hero’s duty! I’ll give them to you for free! Serving others is the hero’s way! But, listen, I’ve had a reservation in place since before I enrolled… Fear not, though! Once I get my fill with her, if heroes get the legal right to have as many wives and mistresses as they like, then I’ll shower all of you with my love! Big breasts, small breasts, big hips, small hips—everything belongs to me! Gwahahaha!”

The Imperial Academy of Magic Knights was a prestigious school, accepting only the wealthy noble children or the exceptionally gifted. While most students were from high-born families and well-mannered, Damon was a war orphan, brought into the academy on talent alone without proper upbringing, making him lack refinement. At first, he faced some issues, but now no one chides him for it. On the contrary…

“For someone so vulgar, Damon’s popularity hasn’t wavered.”

“That’s true. It’s not just his talk; his talent is exceptional. Rumored to be the strongest in academy history, people expect him to not only hold a class title but become a hero. It’s his talent and promise that draw others to him.”

“Indeed. For many girls, that potential is enough to catch their eye…”

The headmaster, who had fostered many heroes as leader of the academy, looked fondly at Damon and his group with a smile.

“Hey, Bude! No one marked you, so when you launched that surprise attack, the look on Sekund’s face was priceless!”

“Yeah, that was refreshing! It was all according to Damon’s strategy! Thanks to today, my individual ranking improved, too. Let me treat you in the dining hall—”

“No, no! A hero serves the people and his friends for free, with no price! If anything, since you clinched the win, they should treat you. Consider it a favor!”

“Hey, Damon! Shouldn’t my help count as a favor too?”

“Of course, Ponno! Your scouting skill was essential in the end! Consider it a favor!”

“But in the end, Damon took all the glory. I tried my best, too, you know? Glances~”

“Gwahaha, don’t say that, Seifre! When I become a hero, I’ll make you my mistress for free!”

People gathered around Damon, and the air was filled with laughter.

“Alright, you’re all dismissed to return to class! I’ll stay to clean up the training field! For a hero, serving without reward is duty! And I bet this boosts my reputation and school evaluations, which will help in the selection ceremony!”

“No way we can ignore that! Everyone, let’s help clean up! We can’t let Damon raise his evaluation any more!”

“OOOOOO!”

“Fools! You weaklings shouldn’t be volunteering without pay! Free service is for someone like me, the strongest! Quit cleaning up!”

Damon treated everyone equally, ignoring status or gender distinctions.

“He’s blunt in his words. That’s why there’s no hidden agenda. He even speaks his calculations openly, baring himself to everyone. Because of that, other students can interact with him without caring about him being a prodigy or future hero.”

“Headmaster…”

“It’s not just his physical or magical abilities. His charisma—that’s proof of someone destined to be a hero. Surely, he’ll be the first hero to appear in the empire in twenty years! Even if not, he’s bound to become a historic hero, no matter his title!”

Having seen countless students, the headmaster praised Damon with confidence that he was in a league of his own.

“Indeed. Though Sekund hides in Damon’s shadow, he’s exceptional too. He surpasses Damon academically and has other abilities of the highest class in history. Who knows? Damon and Sekund together… they might just be the world’s first double heroes, born in the same year!”

“Indeed. Those two at the center, leading the next generation, might bring an end to the long war with the demon realm!”

They were filled with anticipation for a bright future.

But they didn’t know that future would turn to darkness.