From Rock Bottom To Hero

The Truth

I can barely speak. I wanted to say so much, but nothing comes out. Everything feels wrong.

I walk up to Reina and without thinking, I hug her tightly. "Don't forget me!" I cry, tears starting to form in my eyes.

Reina laughs, but her hand gently rests on my head. "I won't. I promise."

I let go of her and quickly wipe my eyes.

"Goodbye!" I say as she turns to leave.

"Goodbye, Sota." She says as she walks away from me. I watch her until she disappears in the distance.

I already miss her.

I go back into the house and head to my room. Shiro is still lying in the bed, as if he's still sleeping.

I lie down beside him, wanting to sleep again, but at that moment, he suddenly speaks. "Don't worry. You'll definitely see her again."

I look at him, surprised. "You're awake?! Did I wake you? Sorry!"

Shiro gives me a grumpy look and covers his ears. "Must you shout so loudly?"

I smile sheepishly, then think about his words. Maybe he's right. I will see Reina again.

It's time to look ahead. I still have a lot to do. After two years of training with Reina, I haven't managed to awaken a single one of my Singular Magics. Without them, I'll never be able to defeat the demons.

Speaking of demons. Father has been silent for far too long, and it's time I finally ask him the question.

I get up and head toward the door. Shiro looks at me. "Where are you going now?"

I turn to him and answer firmly. "I want to ask Father something."

Shiro turns away. Apparently he doesn't care what I want to ask Father.

I walk down the hallway until I reach the living room. As expected, Father is sitting there in his chair, a cup of tea in his hand.

"Father." I say, and he slowly turns to look at me.

"What's going on, Sota?"

I gather my courage. Now uor never. "What... what are you hiding from us about the demons?"

He looks at me, surprised, and his face darkens slightly. "Demons? What are you talking about?"

"I know about them." I answer seriously.

His brow furrows. "How do you know about them?"

"I heard it from Elara." I've slipped up. I quickly correct myself. "Uh, I mean from the conversation you interrupted at the guild, because Shiro and I were nearby. They were talking about the demons. I heard everything back then."

Father seems distant for a moment, his eyes narrowing. "What did you say about someone named Elara?"

That was a fatal mistake. How could I have slipped up like that?

"Oh, it's nothing."

He remains silent for a moment, but I can see that the name Elara is sticking with him. He doesn't say anything else, though, and changes the topic. "It doesn't matter what you know about the demons, Sota. You're not ready to deal with such things. You're a child."

I don't let myself be distracted. "What's really happening out there? What's going on?"

Father takes a deep breath, as if to calm himself, and then shakes his head. "There are things you shouldn't know."

"But I need to know!" I reply with a serious look.

Father crosses his arms and leans back. "I've tried to give you both a happy childhood, Sota. The demons are not something you should concern yourself with."

"But I want to know now!" I exclaim insistently.

Father takes a deep breath, realizing that there's no more escaping it. "Years ago, when the war began, four fallen angels came down to our world. They broke the seal that kept the demons away. And with them came an army."

He pauses for a moment, as if searching for the right words. "The demons aren't all the same. There are the Archdemons, far more powerful than the ordinary ones. They lead the attacks."

He looks at me directly, his voice becoming more serious. "As for the fallen angels... Their power is unimaginable. They are the true threat. The pure evil. And we don't stand a chance against them."

I stare at Father, shocked.

I knew it was bad, but this... This is worse than I could have ever imagined.