Prince of Gluttony: Born from Betrayal

For the remainder of the day, Everything seemed releatively normal. At least as normal as one could get after murdering their former best friend on the Life and Death Duel Arena surrounded by a massive crowd.

He could feel the heated stares from his peers as he sat in his class diligently taking notes in his Introduction to Magic course. Every glance felt like a judgment, a silent accusation that he could not escape. The chalk squeaked across the board as the instructor outlined basic elemental theory, but the words seemed distant, almost irrelevant. His hand moved automatically, scratching down symbols and diagrams he barely registered.

Occasionally, a whisper floated across the room, low enough that only a few caught it, but it carried the weight of curiosity and suspicion. He could feel the tension in the air, thick and suffocating. Even the walls of the classroom seemed to press in, as though the building itself disapproved of what had happened in the arena.

He stole a glance at the others, noticing subtle reactions. Some averted their eyes, pretending to focus on their own work, while others could not hide the sharp flicker of recognition that passed across their faces when they remembered what he had done. None of them spoke directly, but every look was a reminder.

He noticed more than a few glances that were less accusatory and more complicated. Some eyes held awe, others fear, and a few radiated respect. Then there were the bolder ones, girls who dared to flirt, hoping perhaps that if they caught his attention, he might show them favor. Cain barely registered them. His heart and thoughts were already occupied with Jayden, and he was still uncertain about his feelings for Anna. Any attempt at flirtation met with his cold, uncaring expression.

Ironically, his indifference had an effect he did not intend. Hearts skipped beats when they found themselves face to face with Cain's flawless features. When he politely declined their attempts at conversation or closeness, the girls blushed, muttered a shy thank you, and scampered away. Cain never understood why they thanked him, but the pattern continued, and whispers began circulating about how exhilarating it was to be turned down by the Demonic Prince.

By the next class, Cain's patience wore thin. He was trying to follow the lecture when someone hesitantly approached and said that someone was looking for him outside. Annoyed, Cain grabbed his things and stormed out of the classroom, prepared to cuss out whoever dared bother him now.

Outside, the sun had begun its slow descent, casting long shadows across the courtyard. Students passed by, their chatter and laughter filling the air, yet Cain felt detached, as if a barrier separated him from the rest of the world. Every glance from his peers was sharp, every whispered word just beyond his hearing. He was a storm contained, walking through a sea of people who both feared and revered him, yet none of it mattered in that moment.

He pushed through the main doors, expecting a minor annoyance. Perhaps a student who had misjudged him, or someone curious about the rumors swirling around the arena incident. His thoughts were sharp, ready for confrontation. He was prepared to unleash his words like knives, to cut through any pretense.

And then he saw her.

She stood there in the courtyard, but this time she looked completely different. The wild, scantily clad blacksmith he knew was gone, replaced by someone almost unrecognizable. Mira was dressed like a student, her uniform neat and properly fitted. Her long, black hair was tied up carefully, a few loose strands framing her flawless face. Cain blinked, momentarily stunned.

"Mira?" he said, his voice laced with surprise. "What are you doing here?"

She tilted her head, a sly smile playing on her lips. "While I may be a blacksmith, I am also a student. Just because I do not come to the school much does not mean I cannot show up."

Cain's brows shot up. He had expected chaos, a minor annoyance, or perhaps someone trying to gossip or provoke him. He had not expected Mira, calm, composed, and dressed like any other student, to appear out of nowhere. Her presence carried an energy that pulled at his attention, making everything else fade into the background.

"I made something for you," Mira said, stepping a little closer. Her eyes sparkled with anticipation. "An accessory. Something that would help you in your duel."

Cain froze, the words catching him off guard. His mind immediately tried to process her excitement, but the timing was impossible. "The duel already happened," he said slowly, his voice quiet but firm.

Mira's expression changed in an instant. Her smile faltered, her eyes widening in sheer shock. She stumbled backward a step, her hand rising instinctively as if to steady herself. "What? I was told it was in a week. I thought I had time."

Cain scratched the back of his cheek, his usual composure flickering with the faintest hint of amusement. "Abel wanted it moved up," he said casually.

Mira's jaw dropped, her hands hanging awkwardly at her sides. Her dark eyes darted between him and the distance, trying to process the sudden shift. "I do not understand. He did not tell me," she stammered.

"Yes. He moved it up," Cain said. His tone was calm but teasing. "You did not miss it because of you. Timing just changed."

Mira's hands clenched at her sides. Her mind raced, trying to reconcile what she had prepared with the reality that Cain had already fought and won. Her voice was a mixture of awe, disbelief, and frustration. "I worked so hard on this and now…"

Cain stepped closer, his presence overwhelming without effort. "I appreciate it," he said quietly, letting the words sink in. "But the duel is done. There is no need for it now."

Her dark eyes widened even further, and her lips trembled slightly. She opened her mouth, closed it again, and then whispered, "I made this for nothing?"

Cain remained steady, almost stoic, though the faintest smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "Not nothing. It will be useful another time. Just not today."

Mira blinked, processing the implication. Her body relaxed fractionally, but the shock in her eyes remained. She let out a nervous laugh, the sound soft and uneven. "I cannot believe it. I was so ready and it was already done."

Cain's eyes softened just slightly. "I know," he said simply. "You showed up. That counts for something."

Mira's lips parted, her surprise giving way to a small, grateful smile. The tension in her shoulders eased just a fraction, but her eyes still glimmered with disbelief. She tilted her head, her voice barely above a whisper. "I will have to prepare faster next time."

Cain's eyes met hers, steady andunwavering. He said nothing, letting the weight of the moment and her unexpected presence linger.

Then she smiled again, her black hair tied neatly, her posture confident, her gaze locked on him.

"With that being said, Boss, please continue to take care of me," Mira said softly, her voice calm and certain.

To the students watching from a distance, the words were inaudible. They could see Cain and Mira standing close, their gazes locked, but the words themselves were lost in the noise of the courtyard. Still, the way Mira leaned slightly forward, the tilt of her head, and the intensity in her expression suggested something bold, something intimate. The crowd could not hear her clearly, but everyone assumed it was a confession.

Cain paused for a long moment, his eyes meeting hers without flinching. Then, ever deliberate, he nodded his head once. The faintest words slipped from him, just audible enough for a few nearby students to catch. "Please take care of me as well."

The effect was instantaneous. Gasps rippled through the courtyard. Some students dropped their books, others froze mid-step, unable to process what they had just seen. A dozen whispers erupted at once, each one growing louder as the crowd tried to confirm what had happened.

"Did she just…?" one girl whispered, her voice trembling.

"And Cain… he said it back?" another gasped, eyes wide.

The courtyard erupted into murmurs, guesses, and excited chatter. The school's social network ignited instantly. Who was the girl bold enough to approach Cain, the Demonic Prince, and speak to him in such a way? How had she managed to not only confess but elicit a response?

From a distance, some students craned their necks, trying to get a better look. Others whispered fervently among themselves, pointing fingers and exchanging wide-eyed speculation. The few who could hear fragments of the exchange were left stunned, their imaginations filling in the rest. Every student in the vicinity felt the weight of the moment, the sudden disruption of everything they thought they knew about Cain.

Even teachers who happened to glance toward the courtyard froze, adjusting their spectacles, trying to figure out what was happening. The whispers traveled faster than any official announcement could. By the time Cain and Mira stepped away, the courtyard was in a state of uproar.

"Who is she?" one boy exclaimed, his voice carrying over the chaos.

"She must be some kind of legendary student," another said, jaw tight with awe. "Who else could even approach him like that?"

"She's… she's gone and succeeded," someone else muttered, almost reverently.

The rumor mill churned instantly, spreading from one group to another. Students ran through the halls, teachers were asked questions they could not answer, and the entire school buzzed with speculation. Everywhere, the same thought repeated in hushed, incredulous tones. Who was bold enough to confess to Cain? And how had she won his attention so completely?

Cain and Mira walked slowly toward the shadows of the courtyard, their conversation private once more. Behind them, the school continued to swirl with shock, gossip, and fascination. The sight of Cain, the untouchable and feared, nodding in response to a single student, had shattered the balance of respect, awe, and fear he had always commanded.

And in that moment, the name Mira would quietly become the focus of every whispered conversation, every curious gaze, and every frantic attempt to uncover the identity of the girl who had dared to step into the Demonic Prince's orbit and succeed.