"It's now that you're coming home?" said a calm yet firm voice from the room as he stepped through the door.

Deon flinched, then turned around to see his father. As always, he hadn't managed to sense his presence, even though he stood only a few meters behind him.

"Yes…" he replied hesitantly.

Even though he was already quite tall, Deon found his father imposing and charismatic. There was always something otherworldly about him—something he couldn't quite explain.

…

The moment Deon entered the room, Nox sensed a mark on his son. Being himself a user of similar skills, no matter the nature of the mark, it couldn't escape his hunter's senses.

"Oh? What exactly did you encounter inside that portal?" he asked curiously, studying him closely. "I think it's time we have a father-to-son conversation," he added, inviting him to sit.

Once both were seated face to face, Deon didn't take long to start recounting what he had gone through. He told his father many things—but omitted some parts: his oath with Sana and the fact that she was residing inside his consciousness.

"Hmm… so you're telling me you survived an irregular portal thanks to a stranger who happened to be the portal's boss, and that someone marked you right after the boss sacrificed herself so you could escape?" summarized Nox, skeptical.

Although Nox didn't doubt Deon's words, he could feel that his son was still hiding something important.

"Looks like you've grown up—grown enough to hide things from your father, huh?" he said with a knowing look.

"Uh… I gained an artifact and a new technique," Deon replied hastily, stammering.

Nox smiled at his son's predictable reaction. "Everyone has their little secrets. Even if I don't say it often, you can always come to me if you have problems or worries. I am your father, after all."

Deon looked at his father, moved. So this is what it feels like to belong to a family… Is this what they call warmth? he thought inwardly.

"Father…" Deon murmured, his voice trembling.

Nox continued, a hint of sadness in his eyes: "I tried to keep you away from the life of a guardian. I wanted you to be like other normal children—to live freely and happily… but I guess blood doesn't lie."

The atmosphere grew heavy, especially for Deon. He had never seen his father so emotional. Yet, for some reason he couldn't explain, he felt a warmth inside—a comforting feeling that came from someone who truly cared about him. He wanted to speak, but the words stayed stuck in his throat. He didn't know what to say or do.

"Deon, it's time you learned a few things. But first, let me take care of your mark. Even if he can't track you while you're here, once you leave, it'll be child's play for him," said Nox solemnly.

Soon, Nox gathered a considerable amount of mana in the palm of his hand. He formed a small projectile and shot it straight at Deon's forehead.

Pshic.

At the moment of impact, Deon's senses sharpened; he felt invisible eyes fixed on him—then nothing. Everything returned to normal.

"I didn't erase his mark," Nox explained as he sat back comfortably. "You still bear it, but he won't be able to find you. I've suppressed it with a stronger mark—my own. However, mine isn't permanent, unlike that of this Celestial Demon. Each time you level up, the effects of the mark will weaken. Once you reach rank A, it should disappear."

"Disappear?" Deon whispered in disbelief.

"Yes. By then, I believe you'll already be strong enough to face this Celestial Demon," said Nox nonchalantly.

Deon hesitated, then asked, "Father, what exactly are the portals? And… can higher beings interact with us through the system?"

At that question, Nox's eyes narrowed. Memories he had tried to forget resurfaced. He took a deep breath and looked Deon straight in the eyes.

"It's good to be curious, but don't get ahead of yourself. All you need to know for now is that portals are fragments of destroyed worlds. We're not one hundred percent sure, but that's the closest truth. If you met humans inside a portal, that thought should have already crossed your mind, shouldn't it?" he said gravely.

Deon nodded. Based on Sana's story, that was indeed the logical conclusion he had reached—but as his father said, it probably wasn't the full truth.

"As you grow stronger, you'll come to learn certain truths," Nox said after a short pause. Then he added, "Before we continue, tell me… do you really plan to leave here for the academy?"

"Yes, I plan to leave the village after my coming-of-age ceremony," he replied firmly.

"I see…" said Nox calmly, crossing his arms. "Given how perceptive you are, you must have already noticed that this village isn't normal, right? We live alone in the middle of a dangerous forest."

"Yes, I've noticed," admitted Deon.

"If you knew something was off, why didn't you ask me or your mother? All your friends already know, you realize?"

Deon fell silent for a moment. He had already suspected as much. Whether it was Amelia, Theo, or Alexia, they all seemed far too mature for their age. Each had something special about them, as if they were pursuing a specific goal. That was what fascinated him most about Alexia.

"So, I'm really the only one who doesn't know what's going on here?" he asked, his tone a mix of bitterness and curiosity.

"Yes," Nox answered simply. "Because you never asked. And your mother and I… we never wanted to involve you in that kind of business."

Caught off guard, Deon was left speechless. He wanted to reply, but nothing came to mind. Nox was about to speak again when the front door suddenly opened.

A familiar voice echoed through the house:

"Oh! Nox?"

Tilda froze in the doorway, surprised to see her husband home earlier than usual. But when her gaze fell upon Deon, who was also in the room, she immediately understood.

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