The Legendary Programming Mage

(Few minutes ago)

Outside the banquet building.

Edo left after he had given me his point, and since I had nothing else to do, I decided to go inside the banquet.

Psst!

A soft sound caught my attention, and as I turned my head I met the gaze of the blonde-haired woman.

What's she doing?

Behind a broad streetlight was Beatrice, calling me over.

I glanced around to double-check if I was the one she was calling before moving toward her.

"What are you doing?"

Beatrice didn't reply.

Instead she held my wrist and pulled me toward her, then walked to the back of the building.

"Wait—what are you—"

My words caught in my throat as a familiar figure came into sight.

Alicia Frostmoor.

I had seen enough of her fan art to know how she looked.

What's the Dean doing here?

Alicia, seeing Beatrice and me approaching, fixed her gaze on us as her lips curved upward.

"You must be Allen."

She was average height, maybe around 166 cm or so.

She wore a white sundress; her figure wasn't large but had noticeable curves.

Honestly, she was hot.

What am I even thinking?

Realizing my gaze had been on her for too long, I glanced at Beatrice.

"So?"

Alicia blinked. "So? That's all you have to say?"

I tilted my head—not in mock confusion but because I was actually getting confused.

Clench.

Beatrice tightened her grip on my hand, as if to give me a sign.

I winced from the pain but kept speaking.

"Nice to meet you, Lady Alicia."

Alicia's smile grew warm. "I like you already. At the very least you don't treat me like those high-rankers."

Her gaze shifted to the sky. "However, Allen Vanderbilt, I would like to ask you for a favour."

She wanted to ask me a favour?

Is that the reason she called me aside?

There were only so many things an E-rank student could do for a Dean.

Regardless, I nodded.

The wind stirred, carrying her words as she spoke, almost like a vow.

"Mr. Unknown, I want you to stand above all the first years — not merely as the Apex, but as their god and their king."

"Huh?"

Those words didn't even begin to explain how confused I was becoming.

"Dean, I don't—"

Beatrice looked me straight in the eyes and shook her head.

The Dean took in a deep breath. "Allen, what do you think the purpose of the academies is?"

To bring out the next generation of hunters?

That was what the plot said, at least.

It wasn't like I was even from this world, so I couldn't know.

However, I had a vague idea.

"To foster an SSS-rank."

Alicia turned to me with wide eyes. "How did you...?"

The reason I knew was simple.

All academies except Apex had fallen after Jake Kim became close to SSS-rank.

"But, Dean, what does this have to do with anything?"

Alicia hesitated, her fingers curling into a fist. "The demons have someone with an SSS-rank prospect."

SSS-rank.

It wasn't supposed to be possible.

In this world there were only meant to be seven people with SSS-rank prospect — the three children born to the Kim family, their father, the demon king, and two other men from the past.

No one from the demon realm was meant to awaken such a rank.

Even if my transmigration had caused some butterfly effect, it shouldn't have affected the demon realm or seeded an SSS-rank.

Alicia stared at me as if peering into my soul. "You get it, right? The demons are stronger than humans, but since our SS-rank is on par with the demon king in his prime, they can't attack."

But if they were to nurture such a talent, humanity would be done for.

Beatrice sighed. "It is impossible for humans to even attack the demons, so killing him beforehand isn't an option."

Alicia agreed. "Yes. Instead of pouring resources into something that would yield no results, the government chose a different approach."

"Using the academies."

She nodded. "We need to foster as much talent as we can, as fast as we can."

"That's why," she added, "I called you here."

After a pause she said in a softer tone, "Allen Vanderbilt, no, first year's Apex — please be at the helm of your generation."

I didn't need extra context to understand what she was saying.

Judging by her tone and the fact she called me separately, I was certain.

"Have you thought what if I don't ever reach SSS-rank?"

She shook her head, her hands hidden behind her back as the wind made her clothes flutter.

"It's a gamble, Allen Vanderbilt. Gamblers aren't meant to have 100% odds."

She was strange, but what was stranger was the fact that an SSS-rank existed in the demon realm.

Was it Jake Kim?

I quickly shook off the thought.

The hero would never leave his job empty even if it was hypnosis or memory loss.

So until a new person stepped up...

"What do you want me to do?"

Alicia smirked, though somehow it was still tender.

She removed her hands from behind her back and raised a finger.

"One word: dominance. Beatrice said you were a lazy genius, so use that mentality to dominate the first years and make them competitive."

Dominate, huh?

I knew that word all too well.

A way to assert control.

"I hope I will get your full support on this?"

She turned away, then spared one final cheeky glance. "My door is always open."

She waved at me then vanished.

Turning back to Beatrice, I asked, "So did you—?"

She cut me off before I finished. "I didn't."

I nodded. "Okay."

We both started walking toward the building's front door.

"So..." Beatrice began, "How do you plan on dominating the first years?"

I glanced at my master. "Will I be your number two no matter what I do?"

Beatrice's eyebrow knitted. "What are you going to do, Allen?"

I took an extra step forward to break our even pace. "Leave everything to me."

With that I left her behind and went backstage.

The moment Alicia called out my name, I walked in with noble strides and a confidence that could feed a thousand.

I could feel and see people's breath stolen away, and as soon as I stood in front of them I muttered, "Nice to meet you, you lot."

I continued in a lazy whisper, "I'm your god and king, Allen Vanderbilt."

In my past life I had worn different masks.

The persona of a playboy, a rich kid, a chess master, an idol.

Even though I was still Allen, the legendary programmer and lazy genius, I had assumed many roles.

And now it was time for another act to begin.

A persona my predecessor would never have approved of.

The monster.