Malak bows to them.


    Malak: "Congratulations on reaching this level. I look forward to seeing what you will accomplish in the future, heroes of the Kingdom of Anastasia. But for now, farewell—until we meet again!"


    She flies away with her wings, leaving the students with the happiness of such indescribable growth.


    The next day, an intensive training session is presented to the students by the Queen of the Sky kingdom, and Malak will train with them.


    A month later, they have been training, developing their physical strength. The training was intense and harsh, and they also explored a large part of the Kingdom of Sky while they were there.


    After training, Damian walks around the city. He sees a sweets shop, goes in to buy some, and then sits on a chair near the store.


    While eating the sweets, his mind drifts to old memories from the past.


    When Damian was five years old, he was an ordinary child who loved to play and have fun. His parents were kind, and they made sure he lived the best life possible, even though they were of average means. because, simply, he was their only child.


    Damian loved to help people. He would help his parents, friends, and anyone who needed assistance. He never turned down a request for help.


    On his sixth birthday, joy filled the house. Balloons were on the floor, and the cake was in front of him with candles on it. He was wearing a birthday hat. Damian made a wish for the well-being of everyone he loved, then raised the knife with his mother to cut the cake.


    He was about to cut it when there was a knock on the door. His mother stands to open the door, but is suddenly pushed backward. His father quickly rushes to help his wife, but he sees the people who came to them.


    Damian''s father gambled a lot at a certain casino, and he had debts from gambling.


    This casino was owned by a gang. Damian''s father had been given two months to pay off his debt, but not even a month had passed, and here was the gang leader with his assistants.


    The father speaks, shocked and terrified: "W-What does this mean? Not even a month has passed!"


    The gang leader responds: "I have money from you, so I can demand it whenever I want."


    Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    Damian doesn''t understand what''s happening, but he is worried. His mother speaks in a voice filled with horror: "W-w-why didn''t you say anything? I could have helped you…"


    Her husband doesn''t answer her. He stands up to speak with the last bit of courage he has.


    "I don''t have your money, but don''t do anything to my family. They have nothing to do with this."


    The leader glares at him before turning his gaze to his family.


    "You speak so bravely, asking as if you have the right. They have nothing to do with this? Fine."


    Damian''s father feels a little relieved. He was about to speak when the gang''s assistants grabbed Damian and his mother, and the third holds his father and ties him to a chair. The gang leader speaks with mild annoyance.


    "I expected you didn''t have any money, but you''ve given me a better way to repay your debt."


    Damian''s father begins begging the leader, asking him not to do something horrific in front of his wife and son, while his wife begins to tremble in fear. Her wide eyes show the horror inside her.


    Damian is shocked by the scene. His mind cannot understand why this is happening.


    The gang leader takes out a cutter and begins cutting Damien''s father''s nails, cutting a little of the flesh beneath them. What''s left of the nails is ripped out with no mercy at all.


    The father tries not to scream so Damian won''t be terrified even more, but it is very difficult, and eventually, he starts screaming in pain. Damian shakes unnervingly from the sight before him.


    His mother begins crying and screaming at the leader, but his assistant silences her forcibly. Then the leader begins to do the same with the father''s teeth. He slowly pulls them out to make the father feel every possible ounce of pain. The house fills with the sounds of screaming and crying.


    After the leader has pulled out seven teeth, he stops. Damian''s father is in a terrible state. His mother can no longer scream. Damian feels nauseous, like he is about to throw up. Tears fall from his eyes silently.


    The leader places his hand on the father''s skin and uses his ability to separate the skin from his body. The father begins screaming hysterically as though his body is burning. The air alone makes his exposed flesh hurt intensely, and the clothes that touch his flesh make the pain worse. He shakes terribly from the pain.


    Damian''s mother loses consciousness, and Damian starts screaming strangely as though he is seeing demons in front of his eyes.


    In fact, he is seeing them.


    The leader speaks in a completely cold tone.


    "You''ve paid off your debt, even though I know you can''t hear me. But you should be grateful I didn''t do anything to your wife and son. Alright, men, let''s go."


    The leader and his assistants leave as Damian sits in front of his father, who has stopped moving. Damian''s father is dead.


    A few minutes later, Damian''s mother wakes up and starts crying again, while Damian looks at her with dry eyes.


    Damian''s father is buried, and then Damian''s mother goes to live with her parents to stay there with her son. There, Damian meets Siron and becomes his best friend. At least after all this, Damian found someone who could help him forget that day, even if for just a few brief moments.


    As Damien remembers these dark days, Leo approaches him and says: "Where have you been? You missed one of the training sessions."


    Damien: "W-What?... I lost track of time."


    Leo: "This must be one really tasty treat then."


    Damian smiles as he starts to feel at ease and answers Leo calmly: "Yes, it is indeed."


    Leo: "You seemed lost in thought. Is everything alright? You know you can always talk to us."


    Damien: "Yes, thank you. I was just remembering some old memories."


    Leo tries to comfort Damien.


    "Memories are there to remind us why we''re here and what we want to do, but don''t let it''s despair swallow you."


    Damian answers calmly with a slight smile: "What is your dream?"


    Leo: "My dream? What a sudden question... I want to bring peace to the world."


    Damian''s smile grows clearer.


    Damian: "That''s a great dream. I''m sure you can do it."


    Leo becomes joyful at Damian''s words and responds.


    Leo: "What about you? What''s your dream?"


    Damien: "My dream is to protect those I love... No, to protect everyone."


    Leo: "Our dreams are almost the same. Let''s achieve them together."


    Damien: "Together."


    Demons are everywhere.


    We smile at their faces, and they smile at ours.


    We greet them, and they greet us.


    We love them, and they love us.


    They are just like me and you.