A full year had passed since the day blood stained the arena and fear took root in every corner of the Arcane Academy.
Lucifer Morningstar's name was no longer spoken lightly.
It was whispered.
And now, the next stage of survival had arrived.
The scorching winds of the desert howled as the students stepped into the vast territory of the Dwarven Kingdom—a land carved from fire, sand, and steel. Beneath its barren surface lay treasures that shaped empires: rare ores, enchanted metals, and weapons worthy of legends.
Standing before them, the principal addressed the students.
"Your final examination is simple," she said. "Forge a weapon or armor worthy of yourself. Those who fail... will not advance."
A murmur spread through the crowd.
Chirin floated beside Lucifer's shoulder.
"Well, that sounds easy."
Lucifer smirked faintly.
"No. It's the opposite."
Chirin blinked. "How?"
Lucifer's gaze swept across the bustling dwarven city.
"Dwarves don't just craft weapons. They judge the wielder. If they think you're unworthy... they won't even listen."
And just as he said—
One noble after another was thrown out of blacksmith shops, humiliated before they could even speak.
Lucifer chuckled.
"See? Spoon-fed lives don't work here."
After wandering through countless streets, Lucifer stopped at the end of a narrow alley.
Before him stood a broken-down forge—rusted tools, cracked walls, and silence.
Chirin frowned.
"You're not serious."
Lucifer grinned.
"Hidden gems shine in places like this."
"You read too much manga," Chirin muttered.
Ignoring him, Lucifer stepped inside.
The interior was worse.
Dust. Broken steel. And in the center—
A drunken dwarf, passed out.
Lucifer sighed.
"Of course."
Chirin floated closer.
"How do we wake him?"
Lucifer casually pulled out a bottle of aged alcohol.
"Simple."
He opened it.
The scent alone was enough.
In an instant—the dwarf shot upright, snatching the bottle and emptying it in one go.
"...That hit the soul," the dwarf muttered, wiping his beard. "Who are you?"
"Lucifer Morningstar," he replied calmly. "I want armor."
"Not interested," the dwarf said immediately.
Lucifer turned, already walking out.
"Shame. I was going to give you this 300-year-old whiskey."
The dwarf froze.
"...Wait."
Lucifer stopped—but didn't turn.
"Talk."
The dwarf gritted his teeth.
"What kind of armor?"
Lucifer finally faced him.
"Unbreakable. But comfortable."
The dwarf scoffed.
"That's impossible."
Lucifer tilted his head.
"Or you just can't do it."
Silence.
Then—
"You little bastard... bring me mithril," the dwarf growled. "And I'll make you armor that no one in history can match."
Lucifer's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Mithril? That's not just rare—that's insane."
The dwarf smirked.
"Then prove you're worthy of wearing it."
Minutes later—
Lucifer stood at the entrance of the mines.
A dark abyss stretched before him.
He stepped in without hesitation.
The deeper he went, the heavier the air became.
Monsters emerged from the shadows—golems, beasts of stone and metal.
Lucifer unsheathed Chirin.
"Good. Let's farm."
Blue flames ignited.
Steel met stone.
And destruction followed.
Chirin spoke mid-battle.
"So this is about defense, huh?"
Lucifer sliced through a golem's core.
"Yes. My offense is already overwhelming. But defense? Lacking."
Another enemy crumbled.
"I won't survive everything with brute force forever."
Chirin nodded.
"Fair."
Then—
A sudden strike came from behind.
CLANG.
Lucifer blocked it instantly.
He turned.
A dwarf stood there—weapon raised.
Lucifer smirked.
"Nice hit. For a dwarf."
The dwarf prepared to strike again—
"Stop!"
A clear voice echoed.
Lucifer glanced sideways.
A girl approached.
White-silver hair. Sharp eyes.
Royal presence.
He recognized her instantly.
"Dwarven princess... Emily."
She bowed her head slightly.
"I apologize for my guard's behavior."
Lucifer shrugged.
"Doesn't matter."
He turned to leave.
"Wait," she called out.
Lucifer stopped—but didn't turn.
"Team up with us."
Silence.
"No."
Emily blinked.
"May I ask why?"
Lucifer glanced over his shoulder.
"There's no benefit."
Her guard snapped.
"Watch your tone—"
"Enough," Emily said calmly.
Then she looked at Lucifer.
"What if I offer something in return?"
Lucifer's interest sparked.
"What kind of 'something'?"
"Anything within my power."
Lucifer smiled faintly.
"Careful. I might ask for something... unreasonable."
Emily didn't hesitate.
"I'll still honor it."
A pause.
Then—
Lucifer turned fully.
"Fine."
As they walked deeper into the mines—
Chirin whispered.
"You don't team up. Ever."
Lucifer smirked.
"You're right."
"Then why?"
Lucifer's eyes flickered toward Emily.
"Because someday... she'll be queen."
Chirin blinked.
"And when that day comes..."
Lucifer's smile sharpened.
"She'll owe me."
Behind them—
Emily walked forward, unaware.
But her guard frowned.
"What if his future never comes true?"
Emily answered quietly—
"It will."
And in the depths of the mines...
Three paths had just intertwined.
Power.
Ambition.
And destiny.
None of them realized yet—
This alliance would reshape far more than a simple exam.