The next day at school, Haruto could barely concentrate. His mind kept drifting back to the abandoned building. It was as if the secrets of the universe were calling out to him, urging him to uncover their mysteries.
As the final bell rang, Haruto hurriedly packed his bag and made his way out of the school. He took the same unfamiliar route as before, his heart pounding with anticipation. The abandoned building loomed ahead, its crumbling façade almost daring him to enter.
Slipping through the gap in the fence, Haruto cautiously navigated through the dusty halls and cluttered rooms. He searched in the storage area, searching for any clues that might shed light on the seniors' disappearance. Where he found a notebook of Ryo and there were something scribbled in last page as someone was trying to write something in hurry.
Hours passed, and just as he was about to give up, a glint of metal caught his eye. Wedged between two broken floorboards was a small, ornate ring. Its surface was engraved with intricate symbols that seemed to pulse with a faint, otherworldly light.
Haruto carefully pried the ring loose and examined it closely. It felt warm to the touch, almost as if it were alive. Deciding to take it with him, he slipped the ring into his pocket and made his way back home, his mind swirling with questions and possibilities.
That night, Haruto lay in bed, the ring clutched tightly in his hand. He couldn't shake the feeling that this artifact was somehow connected to the seniors' disappearance and the cryptic notes in the notebook. Exhausted from his investigation, he finally drifted off to sleep.
In his dreams, Haruto found himself standing in a vast, empty void. Suddenly, a blinding light enveloped him, filling him with a sensation of warmth and tranquility. He felt his body dissolve into the light, as if he were being transported to another realm.
When Haruto awoke, he was disoriented. He tried to sit up, but his body felt strange, unfamiliar. He looked down at his hands and gasped—they were tiny, pudgy, and unmistakably those of an infant. Panic surged through him as he took in his surroundings.
He was lying in a beautifully crafted cradle made of dark wood, adorned with delicate carvings of mythical creatures. The room around him was opulent, with high ceilings, rich tapestries, and plush furniture. A large window let in the soft glow of morning light, casting intricate patterns on the polished floor.
Before he could fully grasp what had happened, the door to the room creaked open, and a young woman entered. She had long, flowing hair and wore a simple yet elegant maid's uniform. Her eyes lit up with joy when she saw Haruto.
"There you are, little one," she cooed, lifting him gently from the cradle. "Did you sleep well?"
Haruto stared up at her, unable to respond. His mind was reeling from the realization that he had somehow been reincarnated into another world. The maid, oblivious to his inner turmoil, continued to speak to him in soothing tones, her touch comforting and warm.
As the day progressed, more people came to see him. First was a regal man with a commanding presence, whom Haruto quickly deduced was his father, the Demon King. His name was King Aric, and he carried himself with an air of authority and wisdom.
Next was his mother, Queen Liora, whose gentle demeanor and kind eyes made Haruto feel instantly at ease. She cradled him in her arms, her voice a soft melody as she spoke to him.
"Welcome to the world, my precious son," she murmured, her eyes filled with love. "Today is a special day—it's your name ceremony."
Haruto's new siblings soon followed. Theron, the eldest brother, was tall and strong, his presence imposing yet protective. Orion, the second brother, had a sharp intellect and a calculating gaze. Dorian, the third brother, was mischievous and full of energy, his laughter echoing through the room. Finally, there was Isolde, his older sister, who radiated kindness and warmth, her protective instincts immediately evident.
The name ceremony was a grand affair, held in the castle's magnificent hall. Nobles and courtiers gathered to witness the event, their eyes filled with curiosity and respect. Haruto, now cradled in his mother's arms, looked around in awe at the opulence and grandeur of the occasion.
King Aric stepped forward, his deep voice resonating through the hall. "Today, we celebrate the birth of my youngest son. He shall be known as Zephyr, a name that signifies strength and resilience."
The crowd erupted in applause, and Zephyr's new family beamed with pride. Despite the overwhelming nature of the ceremony, Zephyr felt a sense of belonging, as if this world had always been his destiny.
That night, as Zephyr lay in his lavish cradle, the events of the day replayed in his mind. He couldn't believe the turn his life had taken—from a high school student investigating a mystery to the youngest son of a demon king in a fantastical realm.
The ring, still clutched tightly in his tiny hand, seemed to pulse with a faint warmth, a reminder of the world he had left behind and the new life that awaited him. Zephyr knew that his journey was only beginning, and the path ahead was filled with uncertainties and challenges.
But as he drifted off to sleep, surrounded by the comfort of his new family and the promise of a future filled with adventure, Zephyr felt a sense of peace. He was ready to embrace his destiny, no matter where it led him.
The shadows of his past life began to fade, replaced by the vibrant possibilities of this new existence. Zephyr's heart swelled with determination and hope, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead as the Demon King's successor.
Zephyr's new life in the demon realm had just begun, and though the path ahead was shrouded in mystery, he knew he was not alone. With his family's love and support, he would navigate this strange new world, uncovering its secrets and forging his own destiny as the heir to the throne.
And so, with the dawn of a new day, Zephyr's journey continued, filled with endless possibilities and the promise of a future yet to be written.