Every prince has a kingdom… even if it's built in the dark.
After the red moon vanished, something in Xie Luan changed.
He walked differently—less arrogant, more alert.
Even Yooha noticed.
Even Jin, who usually teased him, grew quiet around him.
Nighttime. Academy Courtyard.
Xie stood alone, staring at his reflection in a blade—not his own.
> "You're getting loud again… father."
He whispered to no one.
But the shadows flickered.
A voice rose—deep, slick, ancient.
> "I gave you power, boy. You hide it for what? Friends? Weak bonds?"
Xie closed his eyes. For a moment… a second pair opened above his.
Flashback — Age 9, Forbidden Territory
A child Xie Luan stood in front of an altar.
Around him were fallen cultists. His hands… were not clean.
> "You are the chosen vessel," the voice had told him.
"The perfect heir to the Kingdom Below."
But he screamed, refused it, ran away.
Now
Xie gripped his chest. A glowing mark near his collarbone throbbed—black and red.
> "I'm not him… I'm not your prince."
Suddenly, the ground cracked beneath him.
From the shadows: a demon soldier, summoned from his bloodline contract.
Jin, Yooha, Bo Lang, and Yiran arrive, hearing the commotion.
> Jin: "Did you summon a hell-spider without inviting me?!"
Bo: "I knew you were shady!"
> Xie (growling): "I didn't summon it! It followed me!"
Epic Battle Begins!
Yooha slashes lightning-fast.
Bo tries to reason with the demon (fails).
Jin's Laughing Blade sings with divine light.
Yi Yiran holds the barrier.
In the end—Xie Luan finishes the beast, using a technique forbidden to surface clans.
When he looks up…
They all saw.
They all know.
> Jin: "Xie... who are you?"
Xie looked away.
> "I… was born a prince.
But not one you'd want to serve."
End of episode 18(continue)