I Became the Weakest Demon Prince!

It had been hours since Noah started wandering.

The endless red desert stretched ahead, barren and lifeless. The air was dry, the sun hanging like a molten brand in the sky.

He sighed, rubbing his empty stomach.

"I'm starving..."

There was no sign of life. Just twisted, spiky plants jutting out of the cracked ground like skeletal remains.

His legs felt heavier with each step.

"If I don't find something soon, I'll collapse before anything even gets to kill me."

He gritted his teeth and forced himself forward.

Then—

"AWOOOOOO!" A deep howl tore through the silence.

Noah's body stiffened.

Ahead, perched on a jagged rock, stood a dark-red wolf. Its gleaming yellow eyes locked onto him, its fur bristling, claws digging into the dirt.

Their gazes met.

"GRRRRR..."

The wolf then lunged.

"Oh, come on. Not again!" Noah raised his sword, planting his feet.

The beast closed the distance in a blur, dust kicking up with each powerful stride. Its muscles tensed, mouth parting wide to reveal rows of jagged fangs.

It leaped.

Noah's grip tightened.

Swoosh!

A sharp whistle sliced through the air.

Just when the wolf reached him.

Thud!

An arrow pierced through its skull, sinking deep between its eyes.

The beast let out a strangled whimper before collapsing mid-leap, its lifeless body crashing into the sand just a few feet from Noah.

"..."

His eyes flicked from the fallen beast to the direction the arrow had come from.

"Hah. Thought you'd get eaten there for a second." An amused voice came to his ears.

Noah's gaze snapped to the side.

A figure stood a short distance away, bow still raised, its string slightly relaxed but not yet lowered.

"Who are you?" Noah said cautiously. "I don't recall asking for help."

He glanced once more at the dead wolf, then back at the figure.

The stranger chuckled.

"Yeah? Then next time, I'll let the beast chew on you first before stepping in."

"..."

"Relax I'm not here to fight. Just passing by when I saw you about to become lunch."

Noah didn't say anything and just kept his eyes locked onto the figure and tightened his grip.

"You're way too cautious."

The archer finally lowered his bow and stepped forward.

Noah's fingers tightened around the hilt of his sword.

With each step, the figure became clearer.

He looked to be a young boy, not much older than Noah, with a similar build.

His dark blue hair was unkempt, matching the sharp blue of his eyes. Pointed ears peeked through his hair, marking him as a demon.

Noah didn't move. His sword stayed up.

The boy stopped just a few feet away and raised his hands up in the air.

"Like I said, I'm not here to fight."

His blue eyes looked down to Noah's grip on the weapon. "Is it your first time holding a sword?"

"..."

"Thought so. You look like you're about to break your own wrist just standing there."

The boy looked him into his eyes and shook his head. "Look, if I wanted to kill you, you'd be dead already."

He tapped his bow. "And I don't miss."

"..."

Noah just stared back at him and didn't say anything.

The boy sighed. "Suit yourself. But judging by how that wolf nearly tore into you. I'd say you could use some help."

"Well, whatever. Not my problem." the boy said, turning away and taking a few steps before—

"W-Wait!"

The boy stopped but didn't turn immediately. He sighed before finally glancing back at Noah. "What now?"

Noah hesitated before gripping his sword tighter. "Why did you help me?" His voice was firm and then he looked at the fallen wolf. "You could've just let it kill me and walked away."

The boy scratched his cheek, tilting his head slightly. "Hmm.. that's a good question."

Then with a completely serious expression.

"Maybe I just enjoy watching people owe me their lives."

"...What?" Noah blinked. 'What the hell does that mean?'

The boy nodded to himself. "Yeah. Makes me feel all-powerful, you know? Like some benevolent god looking down on mortals."

"..."

Noah's expression darkened. "Are you an idiot?"

The boy smirked. "Some say genius, others say idiot. Same thing, really."

Noah rubbed his temple, feeling his headache worsen. "So, you have no actual reason?"

The boy shrugged. "Maybe I was just bored. Maybe you looked too pitiful to ignore. Who knows?"

"Haaaa...." Noah exhaled and looked at him carefully.

He really didn't seem to have any bad intentions.

Despite the nonsense, there was no hostility in his stance, no hidden malice in his gaze.

Noah sighed. "I see..." He hesitated for a moment before bowing slightly. "Then... thanks..for saving me."

The boy raised his brow, looking at Noah as if he had just grown a second head.

Then he smirked and took a step forward, extending a hand. "You're weird, but I like you."

Noah looked at the outstretched hand, hesitating for a moment before shaking it. "Name's Azazel. What's yours?"

"Zayne."

Noah let go of the handshake, rubbing the back of his neck. "Uh.. just so you know, I don't swing that way."

"..Huh?" Zayne blinked.

Noah cleared his throat, shifting uncomfortably. "I mean, I'm not into other guys."

"..."

Zayne's face twitched.

Then his lips parted slightly. Then a little more.

A second later...

"Pfft—!"

He burst into laughter, bending over, hands on his knees.

"What the hell?! You thought I was flirting with you?!"

"Weren't you?" Noah frowned.

Zayne wiped at his eyes, grinning like an idiot. "Dude I was just being friendly. But thanks for clarifying, I'll be sure to keep my hands to myself."

"You better."

Zayne let out a final chuckle before straightening up. "Man, you're something else."

Shaking his head, he slung his bow back over his shoulder. "So, where are you heading?"

Noah scratched the back of his head. "Uh… actually, I don't know."

"What do you mean you don't know?!"

"I was just.. kinda walking?"

"Kinda walking?!" Zayne threw his hands up.

"You're alone in the middle of a barren desert, wandering aimlessly with no plan... How are you even alive?!"

"Well, I—"

"You can barely hold a sword, you look like you haven't eaten in days, and honestly. I'm shocked you haven't keeled over by now."

Noah felt a sharp stab to his pride.

"Hey! My feelings, man!"

Zayne blinked. "Oh, sorry did that sting? My bad. Should I lie and tell you you're doing great?"

"That would be nice, actually!"

"Well, I'm not that nice."

"You b—"

Like that, the two kept bickering, throwing jabs back and forth as they trudged through the desert.

After a while, Zayne reached into a small pouch. "Here. Take this."

Noah eyed the dried strip of soething in Zayne's hand. "What is it?"

"Beef jerky."

"Where'd you even get this?" Noah took it, inspecting it suspiciously.

"I have some. You don't, so just eat it."

Noah wasn't about to argue with free food.

He bit into it and....

"...UGH."

Dry. Tough. Bland as sand.

But he kept a straight face and chewed.

Zayne smirked. "It's terrible, huh?"

"Nope. Delicious."

"Liar."

Noah pretended not to hear him and kept chewing.

Zayne chuckled and then offered up. "How about you come with me?"

"Huh?" Noah glanced at him

"I'm heading to Rhaegis city, one of the major cities in the demon realm. A lot of academies have set up temporary camps there for scouting, and the entrance exams are being held soon."

Noah paused mid-chew. "Academy? for demons?!"

"Yeah. What else would it be for?"

Noah stared at him. "You guys have an academy?"

Zayne raised a brow. "What do you mean, 'you guys'? You're a demon too, or did you forget?"

Noah opened his mouth, then closed it again.

Zayne scoffed. "Obviously. What, you think we demons just run around like brainless monsters?"

"..."

Zayne shook his head. "Unbelievable." He clicked his tongue before asking. "Anyway, how old are you?"

"Sixteen."

"Wait, seriously? Same here!"

He whistled, looking Noah up and down. "Man, you must've had it rough. You look like you've aged five years already."

"..."

Noah rolled his eyes and frowned. "Wait.. isn't sixteen kind of old for an academy?"

Zayne tilted his head.

"Not really. Sixteen's the standard age for full entrance exams. Before that, most demons either go to smaller regional schools or train under family tutors. The major academies only take students who've already learned the basics."

Noah crossed his arms.

"So, it's more like a higher education thing?"

"Something like that. The top academies don't bother with clueless brats who can't swing a sword or use magic. You'd probably get laughed out of the entrance exam, to be honest."

Noah felt another stab to his pride.

"Are you picking a fight with me?"

Zayne shrugged "No way.. I wouldn't want to fight against a 'swordmaster'."

Noah's eyebrows twitched.

'Why weren't there any memories of the original body—Azazel—training with a sword? If I had even a fraction of proper experience, I wouldn't be in this position. I could've handled those three demons much easier…'

He exhaled through his nose, forcing the thoughts away.

'No use whining about it now.'

He turned to Zayne. "How long until we reach the city?"

Zayne stretched his arms lazily. "Eh... about five more hours."

"...Five?!!"

Zayne smirked.

"Yeah, unless you want to collapse midway. Then I'd have to carry you, and honestly? You don't look light."

"Just bury me here." Noah rubbed his face.

"That'd make the trip easier."

Noah shot him a glare.

Zayne burst out laughing "HAHAHAHAHA!"

And so they kept arguing as they walked toward the city with the desert stretching ahead.