I Swear I'm Not a Demon Masquerading as a Human

The sound of chatting, turning pages, and the faint clatter of desks and chairs blended together to create a subtle harmony. Though slightly noisy, the atmosphere was comforting, a genuine reflection of life in motion.

In the back of the classroom, Hyperion remained silent as conflicting emotions began to swirl within her. Her gaze wandered between the teacher's podium and the classroom exit, and her fingers lightly pinched the pages of her book as her resolve wavered.

Finally, Hyperion managed to steady herself. Her voice flowed softly and calmly as she explained, "Lance, generally speaking, challenging the Shadow Realm requires a great deal of preparation beforehand. Of course, you also need to carefully consider whether your teammates are a good fit."

As well as run through more practice drills, confirm that your teammates were truly trustworthy... In short, setting off immediately felt too abrupt and impulsive.

Hyperion’s voice grew quieter and more subdued as she suggested, "Why don't we wait a few days? Please, give it some serious thought."

Perhaps by tomorrow, Lance would learn of her identity as someone with demon blood from Mordan or someone else. He would see her true self. And then, he could decide not to associate with her and make a better choice. That might well be the better outcome for him.

Lance watched Hyperion hesitate, and the way she seemed to be backing away from the idea. He had a hunch about her inner turmoil. In truth, she needed a teammate with more resolve than she did to help her make the decision.

Lance grinned. Every trace of fatigue had vanished now that he had a plan to legitimately skip class. He stood up and looked at Hyperion. His voice was brimming with energy as he cajoled, "Hyperion, sometimes what looks like 'taking the time to plan carefully' is actually just endless procrastination until you decide to simply give up altogether. If we don't set off now, we’ll never get started! So trust me. Let's go!"

He could hardly wait to embark on a magical journey with her.

The sky began to shift toward sunset, and it was tinged with a soft pink, a hue that also resembled the light of dawn. The classroom’s floor-to-ceiling windows were as calm as the surface of the sea, reflecting their figures.

Lance’s voice was like a small boat cutting through the waves of her storm-tossed heart, echoing endlessly. Hyperion gazed into her new friend’s clear, earnest emerald eyes. She could no longer conceal the glimmer of unspoken feelings in her own. She had finally made up her mind.

"Let's go." Hyperion stood up and walked briskly alongside Lance toward the classroom exit.

***

The departure of the two of them was like a blast going off in the previously bustling classroom. Ripples went outward until a sudden, heavy silence fell over the room. Every eye remained fixed on Lance and Hyperion as they resolutely slipped away just as class was about to begin. They watched until the two vanished completely from sight.

A wave of astonishment and curiosity surged up, accompanied by a rising clamor of voices. The entire classroom erupted with animated chatter.

"Where did they go?"

"Are they skipping class for a date?"

Some students gossiped with rapt attention, while others gathered in excited clusters, discussing the matter with eager, shining eyes. Even those who had been quietly reading put down their books to join the heated discussion.

One student had overheard their discussion and still looked a bit dazed and incredulous as they said, "I heard them say they were going to tackle the Shadow Realm..."

The immediate area quieted down significantly. The news drew a great deal of attention.

Another student scoffed. "No way? Going to the Shadow Realm on the very first day of school? You must have misheard. They were definitely just making up an excuse to go on a date."

The first student retorted, "It’s absolutely true. They agreed to go to a Shadow Realm dungeon."

"Just the two of them?" asked the other student.

"Just the two of them."

"Huh???"

In an instant, the atmosphere in the classroom grew tense. All eyes focused on the few students who were confirming the details of the conversation between Lance and Hyperion. Immediately afterward, a chaotic buzz of excitement filled the room.

At Ikerite University, there was almost no precedent for two freshmen teaming up to enter a real Shadow Realm dimension on the first day of school! After all, the vast majority of first year students weren’t registered challengers yet.

Even super-rookies who were certified as an Iron Licensed Registered Challenger upon enrollment usually made their debut alongside upperclassmen. This wasn't a speedrun or a mere achievement to unlock. It was a life-or-death challenge that staked one's very life and soul!

Someone asked, "If, and I mean if, the two of them really passed the third test of the entrance exam through sheer skill and teamwork, without any of the crazy luck the rumors suggest, then could they actually handle a real Level 2 Shadow Realm dungeon without any prior experience?"

Another replied, "It’s hard to say. There are incredibly dangerous Level 2 Shadow Realm dungeons, just as there are relatively safe Level 3 ones. A lot of it comes down to luck.

"Some Shadow Realm dungeons are tied to timelines or historical scenarios that are inherently perilous. When facing those kinds of alternate worlds, even if the challengers outrank the dungeon itself, mass casualties are still common."

Amid the students' chatter, Associate Dean Ron walked into the classroom carrying a thick, ancient tome. He was personally teaching the day’s final class: Mana Sensing and Concealment.

He placed the book on the lectern and surveyed the room. The atmosphere in the classroom was far too lively. The freshmen were acting as if it were a holiday. Even now, they couldn't stop discussing something amongst themselves.

Soon, the students quieted down and turned their attention to him. Yet, at that very moment, a look of puzzlement crossed Ron’s face. Why did the students seem to hesitate whenever they looked at him? It was as if they wanted to tell him something crucial but were unsure if they should speak up.

He looked at the students in the front row. "What’s going on?"

Under his sharp eyes, one student stammered, "...Two students went off to challenge the Shadow Realm."

Ron glanced toward the back of the room. He didn't need to ask who they were; he already knew the answer. After all, Lance and Hyperion, the two he had been keeping a close eye on, were nowhere to be found in the classroom.

He rubbed the bridge of his nose, his expression becoming complicated. While the rest of the student body remained unaware of how well the pair had coordinated and performed during the third test, he knew the truth.

If other students had run off to a real Shadow Realm on their very first day of school, Ron would have been frantic by now, perhaps even calling an emergency meeting. When it came to Lance and Hyperion, however, the nature of the problem changed somewhat...

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