I stopped, my fork suspended mid-air, staring at her with a mix of surprise and caution.
The determination in her green eyes was palpable, and for a brief moment, the tension between us could have been cut with a knife.
'Why would she be interested in my abilities? Is it just curiosity, or is there something more?' I thought, carefully choosing my next words.
Before I could respond, Seraphina leaned forward, closing the already narrow distance between us.
"And don't think I've forgotten about our duel. I want to fight you again. Right now, after you finish eating."
"What?"
I replied, half-surprised, unable to help myself. Her words caught me off guard, heightening the tension of the moment.
I had other plans, and fighting Seraphina again wasn't one of them.
"I don't have as much free time as you," I tried to deflect, hoping not to appear like I was avoiding her.
Seraphina raised an eyebrow, clearly not expecting such resistance.
"Then make time as soon as you can."
"I'll think about it and let you know," I assured her, unwilling to commit so soon.
With a barely perceptible nod, she stepped back, leaving me alone to finish my meal in peace.
As I resumed eating, I couldn't help but reflect on the challenge she had proposed and how far she seemed willing to go to prove her superiority—or perhaps to understand the extent of my powers.
'I don't remember anything like this happening in my novel.'
In the novel, Seraphina knew about Evan's abilities but never showed curiosity about them.
I didn't know what she wanted, nor had I imagined she would come to the cafeteria just to propose another duel.
—————————————————————————————————
After leaving Evan alone in the cafeteria, Seraphina walked slowly toward the Spectra gardens, seeking the silent refuge among the trees.
There, where the sound of rustling leaves was the only interruption, she sat on one of the more secluded benches.
Allowing herself a rare moment, she let her mind drift to painful memories she often avoided.
The memory was as vivid as it was relentless.
The day her father, a hero renowned for his kindness and compassion, was taken from her.
He was admired not just for his abilities but for treating everyone with kindness, regardless of their background or status.
Seraphina had been just a child, but the image of her father being murdered right before her eyes remained etched in her memory.
The killer was never identified, but she remembered the scene as clear as day. He had abilities similar to those Evan displayed.
As sunlight filtered through the treetops and a cold breeze whispered through the branches, Seraphina whispered to herself, almost unconsciously.
"Why do his powers remind me so much of that bastard?"
The question echoed in the silence, a mix of curiosity and resentment in her voice.
She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath, trying to contain the storm of emotions.
When she opened her eyes, her expression was resolute, a fierce gleam in them.
'I will find out, Father. I'll find out who that bastard was who destroyed our family. And when I do…'
Seraphina clenched her fists until her nails dug into her skin.
Looking toward the horizon, where the blue sky seemed to touch the buildings of Spectra, she felt that to unravel the mystery surrounding her father's death, she would have to learn more about Evan, about who he really was, and the origin of his abilities.
To her, those abilities were too similar to be mere coincidence.
But what if that led her to confront her past? She wondered.
'I won't hesitate.'
Lost in this whirlwind of thoughts, the sound of light footsteps approaching pulled her from her bubble of isolation.
Luna, her closest friend, appeared among the trees with a soft smile and a concerned look.
Her vibrant purple hair was styled in a sleek bob, perfectly neat.
The color matched her purple eyes, which sparkled with youthful energy and an animated expression.
"Seraphina, what are you doing here alone?" Luna asked, sitting beside her.
Seraphina forced a smile, trying to mask the turmoil still burning in her chest.
"Just thinking about some things," she said, though her voice carried a slight tremor.
Luna, sensing the tension, gave her a look of understanding before changing the subject to lighten the heavy mood.
"I saw your duel with that guy earlier. Everyone's talking about it. What did that idiot want with you?"
Seraphina sighed, considering her response. Just thinking about Evan brought a mix of anger and unease.
"I don't know, Luna. There's something about him… about his abilities… that unsettles me. But maybe I'm just imagining things."
Luna studied her friend for a moment, trying to grasp what lay behind her words, but eventually smiled and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Maybe you are, Seraphina. There's so much else to focus on at Spectra. It's not worth wasting your time on a fleeting duel."
Seraphina looked at Luna, and for a moment, the tension seemed to fade, replaced by a sense of gratitude for her friend's practical perspective.
"Maybe you're right," Seraphina replied, taking a deep breath.
"There's much more I should be focusing on right now."
Deep down, as Seraphina gazed at the horizon again, she knew that until she found answers, the shadow of that day would continue to haunt her.
—————————————————————————————————
1:00 PM
I had arrived at my part-time job, stepping into the car wash that had become part of Evan's daily routine.
The place was a modest establishment on one of the city's busiest streets.
Each car left shining was a tangible reminder of hard work—a trait appreciated by Mr. Hendricks, the owner, who, in many ways, was a paternal figure for "Evan" in this world.
Mr. Hendricks was a character I had described with completely silver hair and blue eyes that always seemed to understand more than he let on.
He was the kind of person who made you want to do better.
His kindness wasn't just an extension of his personality; it was a philosophy he applied to all aspects of his life and business.
When he saw me, he paused what he was doing and approached, his expression a mix of light reproach and genuine concern.
"Evan, I already told you that you didn't need to come today. You should focus on your studies and take care of your siblings. I don't want you overworking yourself."
His voice was filled with genuine concern.
In my novel, I had written that "Evan" worked every remaining day before focusing on Spectra.
I felt I should stick to the script, at least somewhat.
I simply smiled in response, acknowledging his concern, but offered an explanation.
"I know, Mr. Hendricks, and I truly appreciate your understanding. But I need to be here. It helps me keep my head straight, and… honestly, it helps me forget things for a while."
I had to add a little lie, or he would've sent me home.
There was a brief silence between us—a mutual understanding that always seemed to exist.
With a resigned sigh, he finally nodded.
"Alright. But please don't push yourself too hard. And remember, you'll still be paid for the whole month, even if you decide not to come," he insisted, an offer I knew came from the heart.
I thanked him with a nod, touched by his generosity.
===
After the conversation with Mr. Hendricks, as I prepared to start working, a voice caught my attention, making me turn.
"Evan, you came after all."
A girl appeared beside me, her smile catching me off guard.
Her light brown hair was tied back simply, and her eyes reflected genuine concern.
She always had that effect on people—a comforting presence that made any worry seem smaller.
"Leah," I greeted, feeling an instant sense of ease in her presence.
She was Hendricks's daughter, someone "Evan" regarded as a sister.
Leah always acted like a big sister to Evan, making sure he didn't overwork himself.
"Your dad just told me I shouldn't have come today."
She shrugged, a soft expression on her face.
"He's right, you know. You push yourself too hard. We're all worried about you."
Once again, I was hearing how many people cared about Evan.
Hearing this, I realized more and more how harsh I had been on Evan in my novel.
"I know, Leah. And I really appreciate it. But I need to do this—not just for my siblings but also to feel… useful."
I explained, trying to convey the mix of necessity and determination that motivated me to keep going.
Leah studied me for a moment, the afternoon sunlight shining around her, giving her an almost ethereal aura.
"Just don't forget that you deserve rest too. And you have us," she emphasized, placing a supportive hand on my shoulder.
"You don't have to carry everything alone."
Those words, coming from her, carried a special weight. Leah always had the ability to see past the façade Evan tried to maintain.
But I couldn't help but wonder if she could see past mine as well.
"Thank you, Leah. I… I'll try to remember that."
She smiled again. It was the kind of smile that could brighten the darkest days.
"And don't forget, I'm here if you need anything. Even if it's just to talk or to help with Noah and Emma, especially now that things are going to get busier for you."
In that moment, with Leah beside me, the prospect of facing the rest of the day felt a little less daunting.
"I know, and it means a lot to me."
With that, I returned to work, carrying a bit of light with me, courtesy of Leah's unwavering kindness.
"…"
Water flowed continuously, mixing with soap as I maneuvered the hose, striving to leave every car shining under the midday sun.
I'd never worked at a car wash before.
It was a strange reality, considering that until recently, my biggest concern had been how to structure the next chapter of my novel—not how to scrub mud off a fender.
Luckily, Hendricks always came by to give me instructions on how to wash each car.
It seemed like he did this often, even though he knew Evan should already know how to wash them.
"It's simple, Evan," he said.
"Just keep this rhythm and make sure every customer leaves satisfied."
Your confidence in me was both comforting and terrifying. I felt I couldn't let you down.
The work was methodical, almost therapeutic. There was something strangely satisfying about watching the dirt wash away and the shiny surface of the cars emerge.
However, as the hours passed, I felt the exhaustion mounting.
It wasn't just the physical strain of the repetitive work but also the toll from my duel with Seraphina.
I realized that the confrontation had drained a significant amount of my magical energy, something that didn't recover easily.
Each movement seemed to demand more effort.
Muscles I didn't even know existed began to protest, every fiber burning with the repetitive strain.
Beyond the physical fatigue, I felt a slight emptiness, as if my body was still trying to restore the energy expended during the fight.
I was exhausted, but at the same time, a sense of accomplishment accompanied my fatigue.
'Could it be because things are going well?'
I couldn't help but wonder.
From time to time, Leah would show up with her encouraging smile, bringing with her a burst of renewed energy.
"Sigh!" I sighed, feeling the weight of the day on my shoulders.
When the clock finally signaled the end of my shift, a mix of relief and satisfaction washed over me.
'I guess I really shouldn't have come today.'
I had managed it.
Despite my initial doubts and the physical and magical strain, I had faced the small challenge and come out the other side.
"It must be about time."
As I put away the last of the equipment and said goodbye to Mr. Hendricks and Leah, a part of me was already preparing for the next task of the day: picking up Noah and Emma.
The car wash shift was over, but I still had responsibilities as the eldest brother.
Walking toward the exit, a sense of determination enveloped me.
The day had been a success; it was a small victory in a world full of uncertainties.
I had dueled Seraphina, earning [100 points] to use in the system to buy other abilities. I had also managed to complete all of Hendricks's tasks without much trouble.
I was satisfied.
As the sun began to set, marking the end of another day, I made my way to Noah and Emma's school.
Since it was a bit far, I took a bus.
The weight of a long day's work and the duel with Seraphina still lingered, but the thought of seeing Noah and Emma brought me a renewed sense of energy.
When I arrived, I saw them exiting the school's main gate, their faces lighting up at the sight of me.
Emma ran toward me, wrapping her arms around me in a tight hug, while Noah, trying to maintain a facade of maturity, walked calmly—though his smile betrayed his excitement.
After organizing my thoughts, I discovered more about Evan's life.
Emma was seven, and Noah was nine.
That explained their behavior.
"How was your day?"
I asked as we started our walk home.
Emma began chattering about her day, recounting every detail of her classes and recess games. Noah, on the other hand, shared his academic achievements with restrained pride, his eyes shining with every word.
On the way home, we stopped by a small convenience store. I wanted to buy them something special—a small reward for being so understanding of my busy schedule.
Watching them choose their favorite snacks, I felt a wave of gratitude for having Noah and Emma with me in this world.
I wouldn't be working so hard if it weren't for them.
This wasn't a bad thing; it was good.
I needed motivation to take this world seriously.
As we continued our walk, the conversation flowed naturally, shifting from school topics to weekend plans.
When we got home, we settled in for a quiet evening.
I prepared dinner while they worked on their homework, the comfortable silence only broken by their occasional questions about math or grammar.
After dinner, we shared stories and plans before settling down to watch a cartoon together.
Seeing them fall asleep on the couch, snuggled under a soft blanket, a sense of satisfaction and purpose filled my heart.
With the two of them safe and dreaming peacefully, I opened the system window.
[Name: Evan]
[Age: 17]
[Vitality: 7]
[Stamina: 3.2]
[Magical Power: 6.2]
[Physical Strength: 3]
[Skills]
🔹 Shadow Manipulation
[Points: 165]
I had gained [0.2 points] in Stamina and Magical Power over a short period.
'My other stats didn't increase because I didn't push them as I did today.'
Since I had dueled with Seraphina and immediately followed it with physical work at the car wash, those gains made sense.
Forcing my body to handle the physical pressure of combat and then demanding even more from it with the repetitive labor caused my [Stamina] to rise.
The duel had similarly drained my magical energy, and by pushing myself to the limit, my [Magical Power] had improved as well.
Suddenly, a translucent message flashed in my vision, pulling my attention away.
"…"
[System Alert: Time remaining until full possession by the demon: 4 years.]
"Sigh!"
As I exhaled, I found myself wondering how I was going to overcome this.
The first time I saw the warning, I hadn't taken it seriously. Part of me still couldn't believe this world was real.
But knowing this would be my life from now on, the threat became real, tangible.
The demon that granted Evan his powers had a price: Evan's body as its future vessel.