Later That Same Morning at the Safe House
"That was so cool! I totally wiped out those demons!" Ainz practically shouted, throwing his arms up as he crashed onto the old, squishy sofa in the corner of the safe house.
The morning sunlight filtered through the half-drawn curtains, casting a soft glow on the room. The scent of grilled meat and spices filled the air as Arsh calmly stirred the pan on the stove, completely unfazed by Ainz's over-the-top energy.
Ainz was practically vibrating with excitement. "Bro, I swear I felt like some kind of battle god yesterday! The way I sliced that last demon's arm clean off... like swooosh—you saw that, right?"
Arsh chuckled slightly without turning. "Yeah, I saw. Your form's improving. Just don't let it get to your head."
Ainz grinned proudly, still riding the adrenaline high. But something on the nearby counter caught his attention. It was a sleek, matte-black watch that looked deceptively simple from afar. However, when he stood up and leaned closer, the details emerged. Gold-rimmed dials, runic engravings along the side, and a quiet pulse of energy flowing through its core. It didn't just look expensive—it looked unreal.
Then he remembered something OSAI had told him just a few days ago:
"This watch is custom-forged from pure Osmium. It weighs over 200 kilograms. Don't even think about lifting it."
"No way… This little thing weighs more than two grand pianos?" Ainz muttered. "Nah, OSAI's gotta be exaggerating. It looks so normal."
Curious, he crouched beside the table and wrapped both hands around the watch, gritting his teeth as he prepared to lift.
"Alright... 3… 2… 1—RAAHH!"
Clunk. It didn't move. Not a single inch.
He pushed harder, arms trembling, face turning red, legs bracing against the floor like he was trying to deadlift the Earth.
"What are you doing with my watch?" a calm voice came from behind him.
Ainz flinched. He turned to see Arsh walking toward him, still wearing an apron, a plate of breakfast in one hand.
"Uhhh… nothing! Just checking it out, hehe," Ainz said, trying to play it cool.
Arsh casually picked up the massive watch with two fingers and slipped it onto his wrist like it was made of feathers.
Ainz stared at him, mouth slightly open. "How… how are you even alive with that thing on your arm?"
"Get stronger," Arsh said with a smirk as he handed Ainz a plate.
Just then, Noar stepped out from one of the bedrooms, shirtless but freshly bandaged. His demon markings faintly glowed across his torso.
"Good morning, my lord," he said respectfully, bowing slightly.
"Wait—WHAT?" Ainz pointed at him in disbelief. "You were bleeding and limping like crazy last night. How are you standing so casually right now?!"
"Because he's a demon," Arsh said, sipping his juice. "They heal like video game characters. Honestly, I'm jealous. My shoulder still hurts from that punch."
"I swear, this is so unfair," Ainz muttered as he sat back down with his food. "I get a scratch, and I suffer for days. You guys get stabbed and just brush it off."
"Eat up. We've got college in an hour," Arsh said, glancing at the clock.
"Wait, seriously? You're still going undercover?" Ainz asked. "After all that last night?"
"Exactly why I'm going. If demons are hiding there, I need to stay close," Arsh said. "Also, I'm starting to enjoy this student life."
Later That Day – At College
The massive school gates stood open as students poured into the campus. Laughter echoed through the halls, and posters for club recruitment fluttered in the wind.
Arsh walked beside Ainz, his hands in his pockets, blending in perfectly in his Azura disguise.
"So…" Ainz began, tilting his head toward Arsh. "Any thoughts on which club you're joining?"
"I'm still thinking," Arsh replied. "My main priority is information. I'll join whichever club can feed me the most intel—student movement, politics, demon rumors, anything."
Ainz sighed. "Man, you're really gonna live this whole college life like it's a royal mission."
Arsh gave a sideways glance and a grin. "I am a king, remember? But yeah… you're right. I might be the King of Humanity, but right now—I'm just a student named Azura. So maybe I should enjoy it while I can."
"That's the spirit!" Ainz said, throwing an arm around him. "By the way, I'm the president of the basketball club. If you want in, I can get you past all the entry stuff."
"No thanks," Arsh said. "It's hard to hold back in sports. I might break someone."
Ainz blinked. "Wait—are you serious or joking?"
"Yes," Arsh replied flatly, walking ahead.
In class, Arsh entered quietly and took his usual back seat—right next to a familiar sight: Luna, head down on the desk, snoozing away.
He smiled and shook his head slightly. "Good morning," he whispered.
Luna stirred slightly, blinking awake, then quickly turned her face away, embarrassed.
The class went on. Arsh paid attention in bursts, but something on Luna's bag caught his eye. Hanging near the zipper was a small keychain in the shape of… his royal crest.
After the bell rang and class ended, they walked out together.
"So… you're a fan of Arsh?" he asked casually.
Luna's cheeks flushed, but she replied confidently, "Who isn't? He's our king. A perfect human. Brave, smart, powerful… He's someone every human admires."
Just then, a tall, serious-looking student stepped in front of them.
"You're Azura from the Programming Department?" he asked.
"Yeah, what's up?" Arsh replied, unfazed.
"I'm Eran, President of the Student Council," he said, extending a hand. "I read your essay on Sitler. It's one of the most insightful critiques I've seen. You clearly have a strong sense of leadership."
Arsh raised an eyebrow. "Thanks… but I just wrote that essay randomly."
"Sir, I simply typed your thoughts as you dictated them," OSAI whispered in his ear.
Arsh smiled tightly. "Well, I appreciate the compliment, but I don't think I'm student council material. My grades are average."
"Grades don't define leadership," Eran said. "That essay showed bold thinking and concern for this city. I want you to join the council—as Vice President."
"OSAI, I told you to write it randomly—not accurately from my mind!" Arsh muttered internally.
He gave Eran a composed smile. "Thank you, truly. I'll consider it. But I'll need time."
Eran nodded. "I hope you'll say yes. This school needs leaders like you."
As he walked away, students around them murmured and glanced Arsh's way.
Luna looked impressed. "Wow. That's huge. You got an offer from Eran? On your second day?"
"Now I need a good reason to turn it down," Arsh sighed.
"Wait—what? You're actually going to reject him?" she asked.
"Too much paperwork. I'm not interested," Arsh replied.
"You're either dumb or a genius mastermind," Luna said, shaking her head.
In the Cafeteria
They joined Ainz, who had already grabbed a table.
"Bro, tell me it's not true—you really got an offer from Eran?"
"Yep."
"And you're seriously thinking of rejecting it? Do you know who he is? He won the election three times in a row—as a first-year! And he's our school's top scorer!"
"I respect him," Arsh said. "His aura says a lot. But I have my own path."
As they were eating, a graceful girl with striking presence walked up to their table. Her confident stride turned heads across the room.
"You're Azura from the Programming Department, right?" she asked, eyes locked on Arsh.
"I am. Something I can help you with?"
"I'm Hikari. Acting Department. President of the Stars club—the most famous club in this school," she said. "We'd like you to join us."
"Why me?"
"Well, for starters, we need a programmer to handle our web and social media systems. But more than that… a lot of girls in our club specifically asked me to recruit you."
Arsh blinked slowly. "I'm eating right now."
"Of course," she said, un offended. "But let me share some benefits. One: very little work. You only need to help if there's an issue. Two: we have a huge platform. If you want fame—we can deliver. With your looks, you'll have a million followers by summer. And three: unlike other clubs, we pay our staff. All of them."
She left a card and smiled. "Decide by tomorrow evening. That's your deadline."
Once she left, the entire cafeteria erupted into murmurs.
Luna's eyes widened. "This… this has never happened before. Both the Student Council and Stars want the same guy?"
Arsh stared at the card. "Great. Two offers. Two rejections to plan."
"WHAT?!" Luna and Ainz both shouted.
"I can't be tied down," Arsh said. "But… I think I'll accept them both. On my terms."
"Ohooo!" Luna grinned. "A deal with the devil."
"What are you going to ask for?" Ainz asked.
"Simple. Minimal workload. That's it."
They left the canteen, the three of them deep in thought.
"I've got class now. See you later," Luna said.
As she walked away, she glanced back once and muttered to herself:
"Who is this guy? A complete idiot… or a terrifying genius?"