Jeigan suddenly woke up with a sharp gasp.
"Huh…! Huh…!"
His chest rose and fell rapidly as he tried to calm his breathing.
After a few seconds, he rubbed his eyes and sat up on the bed.
"…So it was just a dream."
A weak smile appeared on his face.
"Still… that was a horrible dream."
He tried to remember the strange voice he heard.
"What was that name again…?"
Jeigan frowned as he searched his memory.
"…Right."
"Jodenious."
"He said I should meet him at Mount Dieasgo."
Jeigan chuckled quietly.
"Haha… it was just a dream."
At that moment, his mother's voice came from outside.
"Oh! You woke up early today."
Jeigan turned toward the door.
"Yeah, Mom. I had a bad dream so I woke up."
"What kind of bad dream?" Sumie asked.
Jeigan laughed lightly.
"Nothing serious."
"I just dreamed about something silly… about the Second Devil King."
The moment he said those words—
Sumie froze.
"…What did you say?"
"The Second Devil King?"
Jeigan blinked.
"Yeah. Why? Is something wrong?"
Sumie quickly forced a smile, though her eyes still showed fear.
"No… nothing."
"Just go brush your teeth and come for breakfast."
"Okay, Mom."
Meanwhile in the dining room…
"Listen," Sumie whispered urgently.
Rudan looked at her with a playful smile.
"Yes, my lovely wife?"
"This is not the time for jokes," she said seriously.
"I need to tell you something important."
Rudan immediately became serious.
"What is it?"
"Jeigan said he saw the Second Devil King in his dream."
Rudan's eyes widened.
"…What?"
At that moment Jeigan walked into the room.
"Mom? Dad?"
"What were you talking about just now?"
"Something related to devils, right?"
Sumie quickly changed her expression.
"Yes, yes."
"I was just telling your father about the dream you mentioned earlier."
Rudan nodded quickly.
"Yes, son. Your mother said you saw a devil in your dream?"
"Yeah," Jeigan replied.
"I couldn't see him clearly though. He was invisible."
"But I remember his name."
Sumie leaned forward anxiously.
"What was his name?"
"Jodenious."
The moment the name left his mouth—
Rudan's face went pale.
"…Are you sure?"
"That was really the name?"
"Yes, Dad," Jeigan said confidently.
"That was exactly his name."
Then he looked at Rudan carefully.
"Why?"
"You look nervous."
Rudan quickly forced a smile.
"No, no."
"I'm just under a lot of work pressure."
"That's all."
Jeigan nodded slowly.
"Oh… okay."
"Don't take too much stress, Dad."
"I won't," Rudan replied.
Sumie interrupted.
"Alright, enough talking."
"Eat your breakfast. You need to go to university."
After breakfast, Jeigan finished getting ready.
"Mom! Where's my uniform?"
Sumie walked over and handed it to him.
"Here."
"The collar is slightly damp. I didn't have enough time to dry it."
"That's fine," Jeigan said with a smile.
Soon he was ready.
Standing at the door, he called out loudly.
"Mom! Dad! I'm leaving!"
"Okay, son," they replied together.
"Travel safely."
"I will!"
Jeigan stepped outside and started walking toward the university.
Back inside the house…
Sumie's face turned pale.
"I'm scared," she whispered.
"Nothing will happen to our son… right?"
Rudan placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Don't worry."
"Jeigan's soul is extremely strong."
"He'll be fine."
"Trust me."
A short time later…
Jeigan reached the university gate.
"Hi, Jinha!"
"How are you feeling today?"
Jinha smiled brightly.
"Oh, hi Jeigan!"
"I'm completely fine now."
"And… thank you again for yesterday."
Jeigan waved his hand awkwardly.
"You don't have to thank me again. You're making me embarrassed."
"Alright," Jinha laughed. "I won't say it again."
They walked together toward the campus.
"You know," Jinha said suddenly, "it would be nice if you were in second year like me."
"Then we could attend the same classes."
"Yeah," Jeigan sighed. "That would be nice."
"But what can we do?"
Jinha suddenly stopped.
"Wait… there might actually be a way."
Jeigan looked curious.
"What way?"
"How old are you?"
"I'll turn nineteen this year."
Jinha's eyes lit up.
"Then you can take the Second-Year Advancement Exam!"
"What's that?" Jeigan asked.
"Our university allows students over seventeen to take a special exam."
"If they pass, they can move directly to second year."
Jeigan's eyes widened.
"Really?!"
"Of course," Jinha said.
"But it's extremely difficult."
"Only two or three students pass each year."
"I even tried last year… and failed."
Jeigan scratched his head.
"If you couldn't pass, I probably can't either."
"I'm not good at theory. I only understand practical deals."
Jinha shook her head.
"You misunderstood."
"First year is mostly theory."
"Second year focuses on practical work."
Jeigan smirked slightly.
"Then I'm definitely taking the exam."
"Where do I apply?"
"You have to go to the principal's office," Jinha explained.
"Can you show me the way?" Jeigan asked.
"Of course."
A few minutes later they reached the door.
"There it is."
"Alright," Jeigan said.
"I'll go in."
"Good luck," Jinha smiled.
"Thank you."
Jeigan knocked on the door.
"Sir… may I come in?"
"Come in," a voice replied.
Inside sat Principal Jiroto.
"You're a first-year student, right?"
"Yes, sir."
"So what do you need?"
Jeigan stood straight.
"My name is Jeigan. I'm eighteen years old and currently a first-year student."
"And I want to take the Second-Year Advancement Exam."
Principal Jiroto raised his eyebrows.
"You're serious?"
"Yes, sir."
The principal handed him a form.
"If you're truly prepared, fill this out."
"The exam is extremely difficult."
Jeigan quickly signed the form and handed it back.
"I believe in myself."
Principal Jiroto studied him silently.
This boy…
There's something unusual about him.
"Alright," the principal said.
"You will take the exam here in my office."
He handed Jeigan the question paper.
"Here are the questions."
Jeigan looked down at the paper.
His eyes widened in shock.
"WHAT?!"