Reincarnated as the disaster prince

Theodore woke the next morning in his comfortable bed, the warm sunlight filtering through the curtains and the soft chirping of birds pulling him from sleep. The calm morning was soon interrupted by a polite knock. Belial entered, carrying a tray with tea, toast, and eggs. He opened the windows, letting in fresh air, and set the breakfast before Theodore.

As Theodore sipped his tea, he found himself curious about Belial's history. "How did a creature like you end up serving me?" he asked.

Belial chuckled. "Years ago, I was tamed by a noble—a young man. I served him for years until his untimely death."

Theodore tilted his head. "Was he the Disciple of Shadows?"

Belial shook his head, his expression growing somber. "No, just a normal human. Annoying, but… special in a way." His voice trailed off, sadness clouding his face. The sudden silence filled the room, making it feel awkward and heavy.

Theodore quickly finished his meal and broke the tension. "I'll hear the rest of your story when you're ready, but right now, I have classes to attend."

Belial smiled faintly. "I wish you a good day, my lord. And a safe return."

Theodore nodded and left the room, stepping into the dormitory hallway. The corridors were bustling with students—some younger children, others teenagers or even adults. As he passed, many paused to glance at him. Their eyes were filled with mockery, but Theodore paid no mind, keeping his composure as he made his way to the classroom building.

The school was alive with mana. Students practiced spells in open courtyards, the air brimming with energy. Theodore smiled inwardly. He could manipulate mana far better than anyone his age, thanks to the God of Shadows. Still, he hid his smirk and strolled into the classroom, his hands tucked casually in his pockets.

When he entered, nobles and commoners alike turned to sneer at him. The three boys from the previous day sat silently, trembling as memories of their humiliation replayed in their minds.

Theodore ignored them and took a seat. To his irritation, Vivian sat beside him. The class erupted into murmurs, many insulting Theodore for not respecting her status. Vivian, however, blushed deeply, thrilled by his cold indifference. Her darker personality reveled in his disdain, but she quickly hid her face, pretending to be shy.

Disgusted, Theodore stood and moved to sit beside a timid boy with glasses. The boy, startled, grabbed Theodore's arm. "Why are you acting like this? And why did you even come back?"

Theodore yanked his arm free, brushing off his clothes. "I hate being touched."

The boy scoffed. "You must've hit your head or something. You're acting so… strange."

Ignoring the comment, Theodore asked, "What's your name?"

The boy looked surprised. "You forgot my name? We've been classmates for a while."

Theodore crafted a quick lie. "I was so sick my memories are fuzzy."

The boy clearly didn't believe him but answered anyway. "I'm Jin. A noble, but I can't share my surname—family orders."

"I don't care about your family," Theodore said bluntly. "Tell me more about this school."

Jin adjusted his glasses and hesitated before explaining. "The three bullies that used to torment you? That was your stepbrother's doing. He practically commanded them to make your life miserable."

At the mention of his stepbrother, Theodore's curiosity piqued. He opened his mouth to ask about him when the classroom doors burst open, and a group of girls squealed loudly. A blonde boy entered, his angelic features and confident smirk drawing everyone's attention.

"Speak of the devil," Jin muttered. "That's your stepbrother, Caden."

Theodore studied Caden, noting the striking resemblance to his stepmother. His memories stirred, but he remained silent, looking back out the window.

Caden sauntered over, smirking arrogantly as he sat on the edge of Theodore's desk. "So, the cursed boy is back. Still weak, I see." When Theodore didn't react, Caden's smirk faltered. Annoyed, he grabbed Theodore's hair. "Hey, I'm talking to you!"

The class erupted in laughter, mocking Theodore.

But Theodore snapped. He slapped Caden's hand away, hard enough to make him stagger. The room fell silent. Caden's expression turned dark as he tried to provoke Theodore again, but Theodore's memories surged. He recalled the original body's pain—being poisoned at five, bullied relentlessly. A tear slipped down his cheek, unbidden.

The class mistook his tears as a sign of weakness and laughed louder. But Theodore wasn't crying from fear—he was enraged. Without hesitation, he grabbed Caden's hand and broke it. Caden screamed in agony, silencing the class.

"You dare mock me?" Theodore growled, his voice icy. He cast a wind spell, sending Caden flying into the classroom board. The spell's power left everyone stunned. The cursed boy, who was supposedly unable to use magic, had just cast a powerful spell.

"Take him to the infirmary," Theodore ordered, pointing to the three bullies. They scrambled to obey, terrified.

Jin, pale with fear, didn't dare speak. Theodore leaned back in his chair, satisfied. Still, he felt a pang of frustration—arguing with children seemed beneath him, given his thirty-year-old soul.

The teacher arrived moments later, introducing herself as Miss Dalia, a fifth-circle magician. She began teaching basic magic manipulation, a subject Theodore found painfully dull. While most students struggled, Theodore effortlessly succeeded, hiding his boredom.

When class ended, Theodore followed Miss Dalia to her office. She raised an eyebrow. "What is it, Theodore?"

"I need a private meeting," he said, his mature tone startling her.

In her office, Theodore sipped the tea she prepared. "The tea is fragrant," he remarked. "It reminds me of the sea."

She blinked, surprised. "I bought it from a coastal continent," she explained.

Theodore set the cup down. "I didn't come to talk about tea. I've already mastered basic magic. My circle is at the fourth."

Miss Dalia froze, nearly dropping her cup. "Fourth? At your age?" She touched his chest, sensing the four circles of mana surrounding his heart. Her shock deepened when she realized he could wield both aura and magic.

"This is unprecedented," she murmured, awestruck.

"I want to advance classes," Theodore said simply.

Miss Dalia hesitated. "I'll bring it to the council. But no more breaking arms," she warned.

Theodore smirked. "As long as no one gets in my way, there won't be a problem."

After he left, Miss Dalia sat in thought. She believed Theodore to be a prodigy—a beacon of hope for the future. But she didn't realize the boy she admired wasn't destined to save the world. He was chaos incarnate, the harbinger of disaster.