Because it was the first day of school, classes were pretty relaxed. Most time was spent on student-teacher interactions. But since the first lesson, I’d been under Shen Yufeng’s murderous glare. So what if I called you flamboyant? Everyone’ll forget soon. Don’t sweat it.

Outside, the sunshine was bright and warm. Crisp bird chirps drifted by now and then. Inside, teachers and students chatted cheerfully.

Is this… the life I’ve always dreamed of? Is such happiness even okay?

“Kill it! Drive it away now!”

“Get out! Doom Dragon! You don’t belong here! This continent has no place for you!”

The black land was utterly lifeless. Bare branches held only a few crows, waiting for me to leave. They gazed down at rotting corpses below.

Humans—so fragile. Clad in laughable metal plates, gripping rusted iron chunks. How dare they challenge me?

I am the Illusory World’s most feared calamity. I am the apocalypse’s Endsinger—Mordred!

“No!!”

I stood up, scanning the room. Sweat trickled down my forehead. Everyone stared in horror, then burst into laughter. The teacher on the podium stood frozen, face dark, words stuck in his throat.

“Sleeping in class? Fine. Talking in your sleep? I’d tolerate that. But such cringy, chuunibyou lines? Stand for this lesson.”

I shook my head, wincing at the pain. How long since I last dreamed of my past life? I thought we’d never connect again. Yet those unwanted memories surfaced. It felt deeply unsettling.

At lunch break, I bolted from class. My best buddy Shen Yufeng chased close behind—practically whipping out his forty-meter cleaver to hold to my neck. No doubt he sought revenge. Even if I gave him the benefit of the doubt, he might just want lunch together. But he’d been labeled “gay” in our class. Hanging with him meant trouble. If people called me gay too, my rosy life would shatter.

After hiding in the toilet for ten minutes, I remembered my bento was still in my backpack at my seat.

What now? Going back meant running into him.

I patted my pockets. Only enough for one bread roll. Sigh… I’ll make do today.

With nowhere better to go—and being new here—the rooftop seemed ideal. Quiet, few people, decent view.

As I pushed open the rooftop door, something mysterious had already claimed the space.

What was this fluffy white lump? A quilt? Cotton fluff? Some weird rooftop seat?

The rooftop was huge. I could ignore it. But as a Doom Dragon fresh to this world, curiosity got the better of me. I walked over and poked it lightly. The texture surprised me—softer than any teddy bear I’d felt.

Forget it. I’ll just lie here, rest, and eat my bread.

Fresh air, a blue sky, gentle scenery. The mild sunlight felt perfect. A cool breeze swept away the last heat. This fluffy “bed”… nothing beat it. If I could, I’d nap here all afternoon.

Unconsciously, I recalled my past life again. The damp cave. Annoying water drips. Eating raw lizards, skin and blood intact. Just thinking made me nauseous.

Humans are truly blessed. They have companions. Delicious food. Though fragile and short-lived, they find such joy. If possible, I’d want this forever.

As a chronic lazybones, I had zero resistance to this afternoon sun. A quick nap. Let the school bell wake me (hopefully it will).

*Ding-dong…*

The lunch bell rang. But the Sandman still wanted another chess match. Truth was, I was awake. I just didn’t want to move. Break was over, but class hadn’t started. Ten more minutes. I’d slip in right on the bell.

As I lazed, something fluffy brushed my face. The “cotton seat” behind me shifted restlessly.

Before, I’d roar as a dragon to scare off disturbances. But now I was human. This wasn’t the magic era. Why was it moving?

I snapped my eyes open and stood. Behind me loomed a giant creature. Snow-white fur. Golden eyes lined with red. Six tails swayed in the air.

I swallowed hard. I knew it was a fox—but who’d seen one adult-sized? Had I met a fox spirit?

The Snowy Fox didn’t move except for its tails. It stared intently. I stared back.

To locals, this size was rare. To me? Nothing. As a Doom Dragon, it’d fit in my palm. Scared? Honestly… it was kinda cute.

We locked eyes for five minutes. It was a fox. It couldn’t understand me. Why the hostility? Was it mad I’d used its tail as a pillow?

A saying goes: when unsure of your expression, just smile. It had merit.

I gave my calmest smile, hoping to ease the tension. The Snowy Fox stepped back, baring sharp teeth. Its body leaned forward.

I’d seen this before. Countless times in my past life—carnivores before a hunt. Had I angered it? I wished for a bone to buy escape time (worked on my Husky, anyway).

What now? Celestial Sister warned against breaking this world’s rules. But if forced, I’d reveal my true form. Yet if others saw… human labs awaited.

As I wrestled with this, the Snowy Fox shot forward at blinding speed. Instinctively, I raised my hands to block. It ignored me completely—leaping off the rooftop in one bound.

Hey! This is the fifth floor! That desperate to die?

I rushed to the edge. No blood-soaked scene. Everything normal. No trace of the Snowy Fox.

“Found you! Searched all lunch. Yuchen, you’re here! Class starts soon. Why sightsee?”

Hands grabbed my collar, dragging me back. Shen Yufeng’s voice.

“Partner, seen a person-sized white fox?”

“Huh? Save dream talk for after you wake! Class soon. Wash your face?”

“No need.”

After noon’s events, I couldn’t focus. My mind raced with that Snowy Fox. I knew this world’s rules—no adult-sized foxes existed. Bio-mutants? Spirits? Both sounded absurd.

“Strange. Haven’t seen that girl who stepped on my face all afternoon.”

I glanced at the empty seat right of me. Skipping first-day class? Must be a delinquent.

“Who knows? Maybe she thinks you’re too much of a pervert to show up.”

After what you said, be grateful she didn’t call the cops.

“Seriously? I minded the face-stepping, but she was cute, right?”

Looks-wise, she was stunning. Great figure too. Pity only B-cup. A bit disappointing.

“By the way, perv, what’s the new classmate’s name? Slept through intros.”

Shen Yufeng shot me a disdainful look—like, *How do you forget such a pretty girl’s name?*

“Xia Bing. Tomorrow, greet her properly. Don’t ask if she’ll mate with you.”

“You’re the one pointing at her face tomorrow, demanding she strip!”

“Hahaha…” x2

Two white sticks flew at us. Such weak attacks? A smooth head tilt dodged them both.

“Hmph! Not bad. Middle school habits stick, Shen Yufeng.”

“Same, Yuchen. Thought your skills rotted with your body. Not bad.”

“So? Wait for the teacher to yell us out?”

“Like old times?”

“Agreed.”

We stood, shared a knowing smile, and strode out before the teacher reacted. Leaving a cool back view for classmates. That was enough.

“Ah~ You’re always by my side, Yuchen.”

“Shut up. Don’t talk to me. I don’t know you.”

The moment I stepped out, regret hit. This wasn’t middle school. I wanted to ditch the “world-wrecking Demon King duo” label. Why re-team with this idiot? Worst part—the teacher handed us each two water buckets. Standing like this all afternoon… I wanted to bury him in the school garden.

Damn! Why was day one such a mess?! Shen Yufeng, I swear eternal enmity!