TTND 73

CHAPTER 73

The Hero and the Demon King’s Daughter

After leaving Dynaise Academy to work in nearby fields with mixed groups of boys and girls, a strange mood began to form among the students.

In illusion and mind-control classes, they had done group work before, but it was just in regular classrooms. Even though meeting the opposite gender was a special experience, noble students had strict manners and knew their place.

They believed love not influenced by family or background was just “temporary passion.” And since they knew how their families would treat them if they got swept up in such feelings, most students kept their emotions in check.

But this time was different.

Although they were still on the same island, they had stepped outside the academy walls into an unfamiliar world of bugs, rats, and a rude farm owner. In this new place, students began working together, and naturally, some started showing interest in each other.

“Ah, yes! This is it! If only I could take them to a dimension dungeon for some shaky-bridge effect! But they’re still first-years… what a shame.”

Sadia, one of the instructors, was excited seeing this development among the students.

‘She’s scary… She’d toss the students into danger just to enjoy watching them interact.’

Idnia felt nervous about Sadia’s joy, but she still studied magic from her seriously.

Sadia eagerly taught useful farm spells like pest control and weed removal. These spells had many real-world uses. Even though other students were exhausted doing physical work and studying at the same time, Idnia, who was physically strong, had no problem handling both.

Because of her strength, Idnia could focus fully on Sadia’s magic theory. Even if she weren’t that talented, she would still do better than others — but in truth, she was very talented. After all, she was originally meant to be a villainess in the story and had top-level skills.

“Great! I’m really happy with today’s lesson. Sometimes, it’s nice to do this kind of hard work. Let’s end class here. It’s almost lunchtime, right?”

Just then, the farm owner arrived with his family, bringing food.

“Hmph. You didn’t help much, but work is work. Here’s your snack.”

Students didn’t expect much, since they had already tasted the bad food from this place. But to everyone’s surprise, the food was really good. There were flaxseed rolls, meat stew, and fresh fruits and vegetables.

“Uh, what is this?”

“Food. What, never had lunch before?”

“No, I mean… this is way better than the food at the academy!”

“Ah, the food we send there? That’s what you get for the money they give us. But you’re guests and workers now — I couldn’t serve you that junk.”

Idnia tried the flaxseed roll and clicked her tongue in surprise. Even though it was made with flaxseed oil instead of butter and used coarse ingredients, it was much tastier than the academy’s food. The stew was filled with chicken, paprika, and pepper — spicy and strong. Some students found it too spicy, but for Idnia, who had a Korean soul, it was delicious.

She had expected weird dishes like mole or rat stew, but the food was made with great care.

‘This old man is odd… but at least…’

Idnia had never felt sympathy for him before. He gave them terrible food and treated students harshly. But seeing that he still had principles — feeding guests and workers properly — she couldn’t help but respect him a little.

‘So… the problem might not be the old man. Maybe the academy is giving him very little money and then selling the bad food to make a profit?’

This made Idnia think deeply.

After lunch and finishing their work, the students returned to the academy. Since they had done hard labor, they were given rest time.

Idnia used an extraction spell to clean her clothes and headed to the professor’s garden. A thick fog blocked the way, but as she got closer, a shadowy figure appeared.

“Idnia Kache Betelgeuse… permission granted.”

“Authorized by: Professor Buremhyde.”

The shadowy guards disappeared, and the fog cleared.

“Wow… those things were monsters. Even if it’s for security, is that safe?”

Idnia realized the shadowy figures were Arctic Wraiths — evil spirits of frozen people who died in icy places. They could kill intruders by freezing them but had allowed Idnia to pass after checking her identity.

The fog cleared, revealing a beautiful, sunlit garden behind the professors’ building. The soil looked perfect for planting — though it was overgrown with tall weeds.

“Ugh, this would be hard to clear without magic. But…”

She used a new spell she just learned.

“Dig the ground!”

With one swing of her wand, the whole garden flipped over neatly. Bugs poured out — and one of them was a Blood Worm — a giant, red, man-eating leech.

This creature hides underground and pulls prey into holes to suck their blood. When Idnia’s spell disturbed the earth, the blood worm attacked.

“Oh my. It’s kind of cute.”

Calmly, Idnia released her sealed power and grabbed a nearby tree.

Thud!

She pulled the tree out by its roots and smashed the blood worm. It exploded into chunks of meat.

“What are you doing?!”

Someone called out. Idnia turned to see Professor Lachias, a fallen angel.

“Ah?! I, uh…”

“I heard someone authorized by Buremhyde entered… it was you. That’s fine. I’m in a good mood today, so I won’t overreact.”

“That’s because I’m here too.”

Behind Lachias stood Principal Ludwig, a vampire, holding an umbrella to block the sun.

“I see. That’s a relief.”

“But didn’t I tell you not to use your tyrant energy freely?”

“Well, would you have a delicate girl fight that monster instead?”

“Delicate? You’re currently ranked first in the store leaderboard.”

“Technically, Prince Karl Gustav is first. I’m tied with Isolde for second.”

“But as dorm leader, you get extra points, right?”

“That’s not something I can use for myself. Anyway, are you okay?”

“Yes. I’ve drained enough blood recently to be allowed out. I won’t ruin it. And… you’re a half-demon, aren’t you?”

Lachias suddenly exposed Idnia’s secret. Others had guessed it, but he was the first to say it openly.

“You carry the blood of Tyrant Yuric. A half-demon — how interesting.”

“What?! I have Tyrant Yuric’s blood?”

Idnia was shocked. She thought she was born from Saint Flora and a demon king. Duke Betelgeuse raised her, but she believed her biological father was a demon.

But Lachias was sure.

“I’m a fallen angel of blood. I know about bloodlines. And I think all five ‘professor convicts’ at the academy already know your secret.”

“But then… why am I a half-demon?”

“That’s probably because…”

Lachias hesitated, but Ludwig spoke bluntly.

“Your mother was captured by demons while pregnant.”

It was a shocking truth. Now they understood why Lachias didn’t want to say it out loud.

But Idnia’s reaction shocked even these two.

“Then… can I still play Wizard Ball? If people find out I’m half-demon…”

“Wait — that’s what you’re worried about?”

While they were reeling from the dramatic reveal, Idnia focused on the sports match.

She explained:

“Wizard Ball teams are made by race. So if I enter, I’ll get tested. That’ll expose me.”

“Ah, so that’s your concern.”

“Yes. I am shocked about my origins. But I’m also kind of happy.”

“Happy?”

“Because now I know I’m truly the daughter of the man who raised me — Duke Betelgeuse.”

She had always felt sorry to the Duke for being someone else’s child. Now that she knew she was truly his daughter, the guilt lifted.

‘He never said anything bad about my mother… but in the original story, Flora was a terrible villainess.’

Seeing Idnia’s firm attitude, Lachias and Ludwig looked at each other.

Lachias sent a telepathic message:

[If she thinks like that, I’m relieved. But Ludwig, was that really okay to say?]

[That was the polite version. It’s better than telling her that Flora chose the Demon King and betrayed humanity.]

Because the truth was — Saint Flora had used her position to get close to the Demon King and became his mate.

Ludwig already had that confirmed through his sources.

But even now, they couldn’t bring themselves to tell Idnia:

“You were born because Flora betrayed mankind and sided with the Demon King.”

“Your body may be Betelgeuse’s gift, but your soul was influenced by the Demon King.”

That truth — for now — remained unspoken.