After dropping Emma off, Teo continued walking until he stopped next to a park where three children were playing.

One of the children: "Isn't that Teo? Let's show him what we learned!"

The children run, calling out to Teo, and he turns to them.

Teo (I don't have time for this): "Hello, Karl."

Karl: "I've improved my abilities! I can now explode my fireballs, not just launch them."

Teo: "How about you show me this later?"

One of the children, named Lucas, pulls Karl by the shoulder: "He seems a bit tired. Let's ask him later."

Karl: "We've waited a long time. What a disappointment, right, Ariel?"

Ariel addresses Teo: "W-we promise we won't take much time."

Teo looks at the faces of the three children, and one of his old memories from when he was a child flashes through his mind.

"...."

Young Teo: "Dad, look at this, I learned something new!"

His father looks at him with fear: "S-stop using your abilities!"

"...."

Teo: "Alright, here I am."

Teo follows them to the park.

Karl: "Watch me closely!"

Karl surrounds his hands with flames and launches them into the sky, causing them to explode like fireworks, followed by smaller fire fragments.

Teo (That's really impressive. It can cause damage over a wide area): "That was good."

Karl punches the air excitedly: "I can't wait! I want to fight a villain and defeat him with this skill! I'll call it... Explosive Flames!"

Teo looks at him disdainfully: "You should lay off the anime and manga a bit; you're becoming cringe. Who's next?"

Lucas: "I'll go next. I've improved my fist abilities. I can control them within a wider range of up to a five-meter radius. Their speed has also increased, and I can enlarge them as well."

Lucas generates a green aura that forms into two fists, which begin to grow slightly.

Lucas: "Now!"

Lucas waves his hand, sending the fists flying away from him and then bringing them back quickly.

Teo (Not bad, he can improve further): "Try creating a third fist. It will be a good challenge for you."

Lucas stomps his foot on the ground and stands straight: "Yes, sir!"

Teo: "Now, Ariel, it's your turn."

Ariel: "O-okay!"

Ariel surrounds the park with a transparent white barrier.

Ariel: "I-I've increased the size of the zone. I can expand it even more, but it will reduce its effects. If I shrink it, the effects will increase, weakening the enemy's senses and powers, and the opposite for me or my allies."

Teo (His ability isn't as dangerous as the other two, but it's very useful): "Well done. Try to develop it further; maybe you can reach the point of completely paralyzing the opponent."

Karl: "Wait! You gave instructions to Ariel and Lucas but not to me!"

Teo (Did I really?): "T-that's because... to be honest, you don't need any. Just keep doing what you're doing."

Lucas: "That's not true! If I fought him now, I could match him, maybe even beat him!"

Karl stands proudly: "The expert has spoken, I'm already at a higher level than you two."

Teo: "You've taken up a lot of time. I'll be leaving now."

Karl: "But, but!..."

Teo interrupts him: "Later. The sun is about to set, so everyone should head home."

Teo leaves, heading towards his home.

Lucas: "Ariel, what do you think about meeting up tomorrow morning to practice our powers more?"

Ariel: "I-I'll try to convince my parents."

Karl: "I'll join you!"

...

On his way home, Teo starts thinking (Even children are seeking power... Everyone is really obsessed with power and abilities "he stares at his right hand" To be honest, I enjoy seeing these children develop.)

"Outside Emma's house"

Emma approaches to open the door, holding a bag full of sodas.

Emma (That rascal, he really scared me.)

She opens the door and puts the bag on the couch. A girl comes out of the bathroom.

-: "Sister, you're finally back?"

Emma jumps: "Janet?! "gasps deeply, then exhales" I thought you wouldn't return soon. Why didn't you tell me you were coming back?"

Janet: "I tried calling you, but your phone was off."

Emma: "It's okay. But did you cause any trouble there?"

Janet: "What? No, don't worry. I got into a fight with a girl and she beat me. It was a friendly match, but I got seriously injured, so the nurse allowed me a three-day break."

Emma: "That doesn't sound pleasant. It's good I didn't attend 'BS' (Bright Horizon) School. I don't think I'm cut out for it anyway."

Janet: "So, what are your work hours?"

Emma: "I wake up at sunrise and get ready for work, as usual."

Janet: "Haven't you learned anything new?"

Emma: "I'm just trying to survive. What do you mean by that?"

Janet giggles: "Forgive me, sister. I'm just joking with you... By the way, is your colleague Teo still working with you?"

Emma: "Yes, as far as I remember, he's your age, isn't he?"

Janet: "Yes, it's been a long time since I last saw him. He was quite the trickster. Send him my regards when you see him."

Emma smiles mischievously: "Do you have feelings for him?"

Janet: "No, silly sister! We used to be friends in the past. But now, I don't think I would even want to talk to him."

Emma opens a juice can: "Alright then. You can drink these sodas, but don't drink them all, of course! I'm going to the bathroom to get ready for bed."

Janet: "That's really quick. It's like you're a machine."

Emma: "Just a few years and you'll become one of the gears beside me." "finishes her juice can" "Now I'm off. You'll find ramen cups in the fridge if you get hungry."

"Teo's house"

Teo opens the door and enters. He takes off his coat and hangs it up, then goes to check the kitchen and finds his mother.

Teo's mother: "Teo, you're back early today. Is everything okay?"

Teo: "Yes, it's just... there was an advertising segment, so the restaurant closed early."

Teo's mother: "I'm happy you returned safely. Dinner will be ready in a few minutes."

Teo: "Thank you. I'll take a quick bath."

"In the bathroom"

Teo sits in the tub, staring at the ceiling: "I feel so exhausted... Should I go to work tomorrow?"

"After Teo leaves the bathroom"

Teo's mother: "Dinner is ready."

Teo, drying his hair: "I'm coming."

...

Teo sits at the dinner table: "Thank you for your efforts, it looks delicious."

Teo's mother turns on the TV to the news channel.

News anchor: "Again, another victim from the high school students. A student named (Rabu Quinn) was found with his body mutilated and full of deep wounds. According to police investigations, the perpetrator likely wields a sharp katana sword. So, please be cautious of anyone carrying such a sword."

Teo: "As if it's normal for someone to walk around the streets carrying a sword."

Teo's mother: "The news gets worse day by day... Be careful, Teo."

Teo: "Don't worry, Mom. I'm not a student, and no one would want to kill me anyway."

-: "Even so, be careful... You're not as strong as your father to defend yourself."

Teo slams his hand on the table, spilling the soup: "...Forgive me for this, but that's exactly why no one will care about targeting a teenager like me."

Teo stands up and heads to his room: "Thank you for the food, it was very delicious." "closes his room door"

-: "But you didn't even touch it."

"Teo's room"

Teo lies on his bed (Maybe I will go to work tomorrow... I'll try to be earlier than usual. I need to keep my mind occupied with some useful things.) Teo closes his eyes.

...

On top of one of the buildings in the neighborhood where Teo lives, a person stands wielding a sword: "According to the information... my next target will be here. All I have to do is wait."