Kei sat in the passenger seat while Freddy drove.
Shima sat quietly in the back seat, leaning forward to read the book resting on Kei's lap.
"Keishii..."
Freddy finally broke the silence.
"Aren't you going to tell me what happened during the three days you disappeared?"
Kei closed the book and rested it on his lap.
"Actually, I was only there for less than an hour. After we were punished at school, I followed two demons... or rather, half-demon, half-beast people. They told me about magicians, the destruction of the Magicians' Kingdom, and the King of Demons."
He paused before continuing.
"But there's one thing I still don't understand. The creatures attacking our city aren't living in the Devil World. They're here... in our world."
Kei lowered his gaze.
"When I left the old house where Fullus and Plifer lived, I thought only an hour had passed. But when I saw Shima, everyone said I'd been missing for three days."
He frowned.
"I still can't understand how that happened."
Shima wrapped her arms around Kei from the back seat.
"Actually... we've been searching for you for two days. Your tracker kept showing that you were somewhere inside the forest, but we were too scared to go in. Today, I finally gathered enough courage... and that's when I found you."
Kei gently loosened Shima's arms from around him.
With Freddy sitting beside him, he felt a little embarrassed.
Freddy glanced at Kei.
"Shima and I broke up a long time ago... while you were missing. So stop worrying. I want to fight beside you now."
Kei looked at him in surprise.
Shima simply nodded from the back seat.
"It's dangerous, Fred,"
Kei said quietly.
"I don't think I can protect both of you. I asked you to take care of Shima... not follow me into danger."
Freddy shook his head.
"I said I want to be your comrade. Once I've made a decision, I won't turn back."
His voice became firmer.
"I can take care of myself. Besides... I want to destroy those creatures too. They destroyed our city."
Kei sighed.
There was no point arguing with someone just as stubborn as himself.
"Fine..."
He smiled faintly.
"But don't do anything reckless."
"Me too!"
Shima hugged Kei's arm with a bright smile.
"I'll stay with you until our world returns to normal."
Kei could only smile helplessly before gently pushing her back into her seat.
"Can I get some sleep?"
He asked.
"Sorry... I couldn't keep you company while you were driving."
Freddy nodded.
"Go ahead."
Shima smiled as well.
"You deserve some rest."
About forty minutes later, Freddy's car entered the quiet streets of Livre de Magia.
After dropping Shima off at her house, Freddy drove Kei home.
Kei was still fast asleep.
The car finally stopped in front of Kei's house.
Freddy turned off the engine before gently shaking Kei's shoulder.
"Keishii... we're here."
Kei slowly opened his eyes and looked around.
The lights inside the house were already off.
"Huh...? Where's Shima?"
"I dropped her off first,"
Freddy replied.
"You were sleeping, so I didn't want to wake you."
Kei nodded before opening the car door.
Then he suddenly stopped.
"You should stay at my house tonight."
Freddy blinked.
"Huh? It's okay. I'll be fine."
Kei shook his head.
"It's too dangerous to drive home alone this late."
Without waiting for an answer, Kei walked toward the front door.
Freddy smiled helplessly, grabbed his bag and car keys, then followed him inside.
The moment Kei opened the door...
His mother rushed toward him.
"Keiii!"
Mrs. Shenny wrapped her arms tightly around her son as tears streamed down her face.
"Where have you been? We were so worried!"
"I'm sorry, Mom."
Kei hugged her back.
"I wasn't running away... I ended up in another world."
He looked at both of his parents.
"I need answers."
Mrs. Shenny and Mr. Siumi exchanged worried glances.
Freddy quietly stood behind Kei, watching the emotional reunion.
A few minutes later, everyone gathered in the living room.
Mrs. Shenny served green tea while Kei placed the mysterious book on the table.
The atmosphere immediately became heavy.
"Mom... Dad..."
Kei looked at them seriously.
"Do you know anything about this book?"
Mrs. Shenny's expression changed.
"Where... did you get that book?"
"The world of magicians."
Kei answered calmly.
"I found it there."
Mr. Siumi let out a long sigh.
"That book belonged to your grandmother."
He looked straight into Kei's eyes.
"She returned to her own world many years ago."
Kei frowned.
"Her... world?"
Mr. Siumi nodded slowly.
"You... and your grandmother... aren't our biological family."
Silence filled the room.
Mrs. Shenny held her chest before speaking.
"Years ago, your father and I searched the forest for medicinal herbs to treat sick villagers."
"One day... we found your grandmother."
"And beside her... was a baby."
She smiled gently.
"That baby was you."
Kei lowered his head without saying a word.
"Your grandmother told us that only the two of you escaped from the World of Magic."
"That's why she always told you stories about magicians."
"She believed that one day... evil would come looking for you."
Mrs. Shenny slowly walked over to Kei.
"The mark on the back of your neck..."
She touched it gently.
"Your grandmother said it is the first... and the last symbol of the Golden Magician."
"It's the Phoenix."
She hesitated.
"And another spirit known as the Demon."
Kei listened silently.
"She also told us..."
Mr. Siumi continued.
"You possess two Djinn."
"The Phoenix... and the Demon."
"When you awaken either one, your personality may change depending on which Djinn answers your call."
"One may guide you toward kindness..."
"...while the other may lead you somewhere darker."
He placed a hand on Kei's shoulder.
"The choice will always be yours."
After a moment of silence, Mr. Siumi smiled.
"If I were in your place..."
"I'd choose the Phoenix."
"From everything I've read... the Phoenix has always been a symbol of hope."
Mrs. Shenny suddenly hugged Kei once again.
"We adopted you because your grandmother entrusted you to us."
Her voice trembled.
"You may not be our biological son..."
"...but you'll always be our only child."
"Please..."
"Don't ever leave us."
Kei wrapped his arms around his mother tightly.
"I won't."
His voice cracked.
"No matter what happens..."
"You'll always be my parents."
Freddy watched the scene quietly.
A warm smile slowly appeared on his face.
For the first time in days...
The house finally felt peaceful again.