A week has passed since my father and I defeated the Shadow Demon.

Our recovery went smoothly, and now we are back to full strength.

I'm sitting with my father in the back corner of the guild, while Selmira has taken a seat across from me. She watches me intently as I try to activate my Singular Magic. My father sits beside me with his arms crossed, observing everything with his usual critical gaze.

"Focus." Selmira says calmly. "Don't try to force it. Let the mana flow naturally."

I take a deep breath, close my eyes, and consciously direct my energy into my eyes, just like I did during the fight.

At first, nothing happens. But then, my vision changes abruptly. All around me, I see pulsing currents of magical energy. Some people in the guild emit weak streams, others stronger ones. 

Selmira is glowing, her magic flowing in calm, controlled waves. My father, however has no mana at all.

"I can see it." I whisper, fascinated. Selmira leans forward. "What exactly do you see?"

"The magical currents. They run through everything. Some people have large amounts, others almost none."

My gaze drifts through the room, until it lands on the door. My breath catches. There, right at the entrance, a massive flow of mana is building up. It's bigger than anything I've ever seen. It even surpasses Selmira's magic by far.

My heart races. 

What is that?!

I want to warn Selmira and my father, but as I blink, it's gone. Without a trace. I look around frantically, but there's nothing there anymore.

"Sota?" Selmira frowns.

"There was..." I shake my head. 

Was that just my imagination? 

"Never mind."

Before I can think any more about it, a group of adventurers walks up to our table. They must have been watching us for a while.

"Hey, Sota!" A tall man with a spear slaps me hard on the shoulder. "So, it's true you took down a Shadow Demon? Damn, that's unbelievable!"

"Yeah, yeah..." I mumble absent-mindedly, my gaze wandering back to the door.

"Tell us about it!" another one chimes in. "What was that thing like? How did you take it down? Did you at least bring back a trophy?"

"No idea, it's all a blur." I answer irritably.

The man with the spear laughs. "Hah! The kid's playing so modest! Come on, you've gotta tell us something!"

I sigh and rub my temples. "I'm not in the mood right now, so please leave me alone."  

My voice is sharper than I intended. The adventurers look at me disappointedly while my father gives me a stern look. "Sota! You could have said that more politely." Then he turns to the men. "Sorry, he'll tell you about it another time."

The group mutters and withdraws, a few casting disapproving glances at me.

My father turns to me. "Sota. What was that just now?"

I shake my head. "It's not important. Can we go home?"

He watches me for a moment, then nods. "Alright. Selmira, thank you for your time."

Selmira smiles. "No problem, anytime."

After we say our goodbyes, we leave the guild.

As we walk through the darkening streets, I ask my father. "Father... what exactly are Shadow Demons?"

He sighs. "Shadow Demons are independent beings. When the fallen angels freed the demons, there were some that refused to submit. They chose a life of solitude. They fight alone, they're unpredictable, and deadly. That's what makes them so dangerous."

Later, as I look out the window in my room, a strange feeling suddenly comes over me. I let my gaze drift through the darkness and then I see him.

At the gate stands a man in a long coat.

An icy shiver runs down my spine. But when I look more closely, he's gone.

Was that just my imagination? Or does someone know more about me than I would like?

A knock on my door jolts me out of my thoughts.

"Come in." I say, still uneasy.

Shiro enters the room. His expression is tense, almost angry.

I frown. "What is it?"

"You lied to me." His voice is quiet but full of tension.

I blink. "What do you mean?"

"You and Father fought something, but neither of you is telling me what really happened. Why?"

There's more than just curiosity in his eyes. It's frustration. Maybe even jealousy.

"I don't really remember." The lie slips out before I can think.

Shiro's voice trembles slightly. "I don't know what happened that night. But I can see that you've gotten stronger. And I'm left behind."

"That's not true." I quickly contradict.

But Shiro just shakes his head and turns away. "Forget it." Without another word, he leaves the room.

For the first time, the distance between us feels insurmountable. Father and Mother are hiding so much from him. No wonder he's reacting this way.

Night falls. I stare into the darkness.

If someone really is watching me, what should I do?

If that person has so much mana, I don't stand a chance.

What does he want from me?

Maybe... maybe they want to help me.

No. Definitely not. Whatever it is, it can't be anything good.

That wasn't just my imagination. Someone is watching me.