CHAPTER 13 - BLOOD OF THE MONARCH

The Arena was silent. Not because of S-Rank Demon Envoys bleeding on the ground.

Because of Jin's eyes.

Black flame. Not A-Rank black. Monarch black. The kind of black that ate light.

Vice-Master Elara descended from high seat. She did not walk stairs. She floated, her S+ wind magic making no sound.

She stopped between Jin and the Demon Envoys.

"Envoy Kraz," she said to the horned Demon, her voice sweet but every student felt pressure. "You came for a student. You are leaving with a message. That is fair trade."

Kraz wiped blood from his ear. His pride was broken more than his eardrum. Three S-Rank Demons forced to knees by a slave in front of 500 nobles.

"This human is Demon property," Kraz growled, pointing at Ren in Jin's arms. "He escaped mine-7!"

Elara smiled. "Arcadia law. If a slave steps into Arena seeking asylum and a Class leader accepts him, he is free. You know law, Kraz. You helped write it 10 years ago."

She turned to crowd.

"From today, Ren, D-Rank, is student of Shadow Class! Dorm 13!"

500 noble students gasped. Shadow Class was already the scary class. Now it had a Demon mine escapee.

Ren was shaking in Jin's arms. Not from fear. From hunger. His body was skin and bone. Whip marks on back, same as Jin had 2 weeks ago.

"Hyung..." Ren whispered in Korean, language only they knew from first world. "Is it really you? Library... fire..."

Jin answered in Korean, low. "It's me, Ren-ah. I died too. Woke here. Two months ago."

For the first time since he became Jin the ex-slave, Monarch Jin's hands shook. Not from battle. From memory. Library fire. He tried to save Ren in first life, failed. Both died.

[System: Monarch's Heart - Unsealed - Seal Break +15%]

[Warning: Monarch emotion detected. Seal weakening fast. Control needed.]

Jin controlled. He had 100 people watching.

He stood, carrying Ren like little brother. Ren was 15 but light like 10.

"Shadow Legion," Jin commanded. "We go home."

"YES, KING!" 100 ex-slaves shouted together.

The sound shook Arena more than S-Rank aura. Because 100 people who were told they were nothing, shouted as one.

Leon ran beside Jin. "Jin, you just declared war on Demon King! And Vice-Master supported you! Do you know what you did?"

"I recruited my brother," Jin said simple.

Back at Dorm 13, gate with dead A-Rank Demon assassin still hanging.

Jin stopped at gate. Looked at body.

"Varok, take it down. Not because I am scared. Because Ren should not see dead body on his first day home."

Varok nodded, climbed gate.

Inside, Mira ran to Ren. She was 8, Ren 15, but same height because Ren was malnourished.

"Are you new brother too?" Mira asked, innocent.

Ren tried to smile. "I am old brother. First brother."

Igris came forward, his shadow armor clinking. He knelt. Even S-Rank shadow knight showed respect to Monarch's blood.

Ren stared. "Hyung... what are those..."

"My family," Jin said. "Like you."

Jin put Ren on bed in his own room. Not floor. Bed. He called Miner shadow.

"Food. Not bread. Soup. Meat soup that human stomach can take after 2 years of mine food."

Miner nodded, ran to kitchen shadow.

Jin sat beside Ren.

"Tell me. 2 years. What happened?"

Ren cried finally. Safe now.

"I woke after fire... in Demon Kingdom... as slave in mine. They said humans who are caught near border become mine slaves. I tried to tell them I am from other world... they beat me. I remembered you... you always protected me in school... I thought if I die again I will see you..."

Jin held his hand. Small, scarred.

"You will not be slave again. Here, you are Prince of Shadow Kingdom. My blood brother."

Outside, Elder shadow came running, his old earth form shaking.

"Monarch... Academy Council emergency meeting. All Class Leaders called. Demon Envoy complained to Headmaster. They want you expelled."

Jin stood. Eyes cold again.

[Quest Update: SHADOW LEGION 7/10 - Ren joined]

[New Skill Unlocked: Blood Monarch - When blood family near, all Shadows +1 Rank for 30 seconds]

Leon burst in. "Jin! Council! My father is there! Demon King Azazel sent magic letter! He says if Arcadia does not hand you over in 3 days, Demon Kingdom will break 100-year peace treaty!"

Three days.

Jin looked at Ren sleeping, finally safe. At Mira sleeping on Knight's lap. At 100 ex-slaves guarding Dorm 13 gate like real kingdom gate.

He smiled.

"Good. Three days is enough to make A+ to S-."

He walked to center of courtyard. All shadows gathered.

"Shadow Legion! Training change! From today, we train to kill S-Rank!"

100 ex-slaves, weak, tired, hungry yesterday. Today shouted: "YES!"

Because their King finally found his brother. And if King can find family after death, they can find strength after slavery.

Far away in Demon Kingdom, Demon King Azazel sat on throne of bones. He got report: Three S-Rank envoys defeated by slave. His assassin hanging on Academy gate.

He did not get angry. He laughed.

"So, Shadow Monarch finally awakens his blood... Interesting. Ren? That name... Bring me the human files from Mine-7."

His eyes glowed red. S+.

END OF CHAPTER 13