“Wait!” Julius shouted and sat up abruptly. His body was drenched in sweat. He gasped for air and looked around in panic. But as he recognized the room, he realized—he was in his own bedroom.

  He tried to stand up, but his legs gave way, and he collapsed onto the floor. The door opened, and his father entered. Without hesitation, he helped him up and carefully sat him back on the bed. His eyes were filled with concern, but he spoke only a few words.

  “What happened? How is Jina?” Julius asked with the last bit of strength he could muster.

  His father avoided his gaze, a shadow passing over his face. He looked as if he might cry.

  “We’ll talk about it later. You need to rest.” His voice was heavy.

  He turned toward the door. “If you need anything, just let me know.”

  “Wait!” Julius called out again, his voice trembling.

  He lowered his head. “What about my sister?” he asked softly, afraid of the answer.

  His father hesitated. “Just focus on getting better. That’s the most important thing right now.”

  Without another word, he left the room.

  Julius sat motionless on the bed. Anger and frustration boiled within him. Why wouldn’t he tell him what was going on? Why was he avoiding his questions?

  He couldn’t wait any longer. After a few minutes, he realized his strength was slowly returning. Without hesitation, he opened the window and climbed out. If his parents wouldn’t tell him the truth, he had only one other option—his friends.

  He walked along the street when a familiar voice called out his name.

  “Julius?”

  He looked up and saw Stier staring at him with wide eyes.

  “You’re already awake?” Stier asked, concern in his voice.

  Julius forced a smile. “I’m feeling better.”

  “I wanted to see Jina. How is she?”

  Stier lowered his gaze and fell silent. Julius’ heart pounded.

  “Tell me what’s going on.”

  Stier took a deep breath. “Let’s go to the fire pit. I’ll explain everything there.”

  As they walked, Stier asked again, “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  Julius trembled. “I can feel how empty my mana is. I haven’t felt this bad in a long time.”

  “No surprise. You were unconscious for three days.”

  Julius stopped dead in his tracks. “What?!”

  Three days?

  A sinking feeling spread in his stomach. He was ready to ask about his sister when they arrived at the fire pit. Bon sat there alone, staring into the flames.

  “Bon!” Stier called out, waving.

  Bon turned, his expression darkening the moment he saw Julius.

  The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

  Julius frowned. “Hey.”

  But Bon refused to look at him.

  “What’s wrong?” Julius asked, growing more confused.

  “Why did you go into the forest?” Bon suddenly asked, his voice cold.

  Julius blinked. “What kind of question is that? To look for my sister, of course.”

  Bon clenched his fists. “And Jina? Why did you take her with you?”

  Julius stepped back. “What are you talking about?”

  “Tell me how Jina is! And what happened to my sister?”

  Suddenly, Bon snapped. Without warning, he punched Julius square in the face. Julius staggered back, spitting blood, his eyes widening in shock.

  “What the hell was that for?!” he yelled.

  Bon stood over him, fists trembling with rage. “Everyone says you took Jina into the forest at night to look for Anja. That you ran into demons!”

  Julius’ confusion deepened. “What kind of nonsense are you talking about?!”

  Bon’s face twisted in anger. “You killed her. Anja is dead.”

  Silence.

  Julius’ mind reeled. He could hear his own heartbeat pounding in his ears.

  That’s not possible.

  Bon didn’t flinch. His eyes burned with fury.

  Julius’ body moved on its own. Without thinking, he swung at Bon, knocking his glasses off. They both crashed to the ground, fists flying.

  “Stop it!” Stier shouted, pulling them apart.

  Julius lay on the dirt, panting, his strength drained. Bon stood up, picking up his glasses without a word.

  “I don’t know what you’ve heard, but that’s complete bullshit!” Julius gasped.

  Bon said nothing. Then, without another glance, he turned and walked away.

  Julius clenched his fists and slammed them into the ground. “Damn it!”

  He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. Finally, he turned to Stier. “Tell me what happened.”

  Stier hesitated before speaking.

  “The guards saw a fire in the forest and rushed to the scene. When they arrived, they found you, Jina, and demons. Jina was badly injured and had to be treated. You suffered mana depletion and were unconscious for days.”

  He paused before continuing. “They also found something else—burnt clothing and a necklace. Later, they identified them. They belonged to Anja.”

  Julius’ stomach twisted.

  “The story going around is that you took Jina to search for Anja, found her in the forest, and then demons attacked. They say you used fire magic to fight them off, but…” Stier hesitated. “Anja got caught in the crossfire.”

  “That’s a lie!” Julius roared, eyes blazing with fury.

  That story was completely wrong. He never even saw Anja in the forest. The ones who attacked him and Jina were the soldiers. And yet, somehow, the soldiers had twisted the truth.

  “Do you believe that story?” Julius asked, his gaze locking onto Stier’s.

  Stier hesitated before lowering his eyes. “Of course not. But that’s what everyone is saying.”

  Julius clenched his jaw. He wanted to set things right, but who would believe him? No one would take the word of a commoner over that of the soldiers.

  “How is Jina?” he finally asked.

  “She was treated, but… she won’t wake up,” Stier admitted.

  Julius narrowed his eyes. Something wasn’t right.

  “Can you bring Jin here? I need to tell you both the truth,” he said, his voice softer now. If the town wouldn’t believe him, at least his friends would.

  …Wouldn’t they?

  “What about Bon?” Stier asked cautiously.

  Julius hesitated. He and Bon had been friends for so long, it hurt to think that he actually believed this ridiculous story.

  “That stubborn bastard… If he doesn’t want to listen, then let him be,” Julius muttered, crossing his arms.

  But deep inside, it still hurt.

  Stier had brought Jin with him. Jin looked pale—he hadn’t eaten much lately, which was understandable after what had happened to his sister. Stier and Jin sat down across from Julius.

  Out of the corner of his eye, Julius noticed someone hiding behind a tree. Bon… he thought. Stier must have convinced him to come after all.

  Julius took a deep breath and began telling his story—from the scream he had heard to the soldiers’ arrival.

  “Do you believe me?” he asked anxiously.

  Stier nodded. “I don’t see why you would lie to us.”

  Julius felt a slight sense of relief. Then he turned to Jin. His heart pounded. What would he say? His sister had been hurt—would he really believe him?

  A long silence stretched between them before Jin finally spoke.

  “That night… when it happened… my sister also heard a scream,” he admitted, his voice trembling.

  Julius and Stier exchanged shocked looks and leaned in closer to listen.

  “I didn’t hear anything myself, but… she insisted on going to check.” Tears streamed down Jin’s face. “If only I had stopped her, then maybe…”

  He couldn’t finish his sentence.

  Julius jumped to his feet, rage burning in his eyes. “Those bastards are going to pay for this!”

  He was ready to storm into the city and confront the soldiers, but Stier quickly grabbed his arm, stopping him. “They’re already gone,” he said firmly.

  Julius hesitated, his fists clenched.

  The scream Jina had heard—it had to be Anja’s. It had to be. They never found a body.

  That meant… she could still be alive.

  But for now, there was nothing he could do. He was only thirteen. If he wanted to stand a chance against the soldiers and save his sister, he had to get stronger.