Lyrien, Arlen, and Toma talked about everything that had happened while sitting in the hotel room.

  Fear was clearly visible on Lyrien’s face. “It’s unbelievable how cruel those criminals are… They executed everyone in cold blood…”

  “And they’re dangerous too.” Arlen scrolled through his phone as he spoke. “Everyone on social media is talking about the Demonblood Alliance. But from what I’ve read, it’s all speculation—no one knows if they’re truly that dangerous or if they just wanted to scare people…”

  Toma, however, couldn’t stay calm. “I can’t accept this! Humanity is facing such a serious threat, and I can’t do anything? How am I supposed to become stronger? How can I help stop the Demonblood Alliance?”

  Lyrien gently placed her hand on his shoulder. “Calm down, Toma… I understand how you feel, but right now, this is all we can do.”

  Arlen nodded in agreement. “She’s right. We don’t even know who the members are… We have almost nothing to go on.”

  Toma took a deep breath, then let it out slowly. “Yeah… you’re right. I’ll go for a run. That always helps me calm down and clear my head.”

  After changing clothes, he left the hotel and started running.

  The capital was huge and crowded, and he didn’t know the area well. Without realizing it, he followed a major road leading out of the city.

  His thoughts wouldn’t stop.

  My own weakness is holding me back… I have to become stronger… I have to fight the Demonblood Alliance… I need more power… More!

  He sprinted with everything he had left and finally shouted at the top of his lungs.

  “I NEED MORE POWER!!!”

  Only then did he realize he had already left the city.

  He stood alone by the roadside, surrounded by vast open land.

  Suddenly, a voice called out to him.

  “Good heavens… what’s all that shouting about?”

  Toma turned quickly, but at first he didn’t see anyone—except for a young man a short distance away, working on a car.

  He walked closer.

  The car’s hood was open, and the man was examining something inside.

  “Sorry… I’m just really frustrated…”

  The man stopped and looked at him.

  “Oh? Just a kid? What are you doing out here?”

  “I came out for a run… but I got tired, so I stopped for a break.”

  Toma then took a closer look at the guy, who appeared to be in his early thirties. His black-and-white hair fell across his forehead in stark contrast, as if two opposing forces were meeting within him. His faint smile was calm, yet carried a dangerous confidence. His eyes were hidden behind classic aviator sunglasses. He had to be over six foot three.

  The man chuckled softly. “I see… taking a break, huh?”

  His gaze moved over Toma.

  “What’s with that unusual blue hair?”

  “It’s like this because of my power,” Toma replied sharply. “And I like it this way—it’s what makes me unique.”

  The man’s smile widened slightly. “That’s a good answer. I like that.”

  A brief pause followed.

  “And if you have an ability… does that mean you’re a warrior?”

  Toma shook his head. “Not yet. I’m still studying.”

  The man slowly closed the hood of the car but kept his attention on him.

  “So, what’s your name, kid?”

  “My name is Toma Sorien.”

  The man repeated it quietly.

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  “Toma Sorien… That’s a rare name. I’ve never heard it before.”

  “My grandfather’s name was Thomas… so I was named after him. My mom just shortened it to Toma…”

  After that, the guy extended his hand toward Toma. “Nice to meet you! I’m Veyan!”

  Toma shook his hand. “Nice to meet you too, Veyan.”

  Veyan opened the car door and glanced back at him. “If you’re heading to the capital, get in. I’ll give you a ride.”

  “Okay, thanks!” Toma got into the passenger seat.

  The car was old and worn, far from good condition.

  Veyan turned the car around and started driving back toward the capital. After a while, he rolled down his window.

  “Sorry, Toma. The air conditioning doesn’t work, so roll down your window if you’re hot.”

  “Alright!”

  Veyan kept talking. “Do you live in the capital?”

  “No, I’m just visiting… What about you?”

  “I live and work here.”

  That caught Toma’s interest. “What do you do?”

  “I’m a car mechanic. I have a workshop and a small shop where I sell car accessories.”

  “That’s cool.”

  Veyan nodded lightly. “Yeah, I enjoy it. I was actually test-driving this car. Though honestly… it’s already a hopeless piece of junk.”

  Toma looked around the interior. It was old, but still working.

  “But it runs… And if a car can run, that’s enough, isn’t it?”

  Veyan laughed. “You’re right. It just won’t be running for much longer…”

  By the time their conversation slowed, they had already reached the capital.

  Veyan pulled into a fast-food drive-through.

  “Ahh, I’m starving. What do you want, Toma?”

  Toma shook his head. “Nothing. You already helped me a lot.”

  “Come on, don’t be like that.” Veyan smiled, then turned to the cashier. “One cheeseburger meal. And you, Toma?”

  Toma sighed. “Alright… I’ll have the same.”

  “Then two cheeseburger meals,” Veyan told the cashier. “And a large bucket of fried chicken wings.”

  They picked up the order and drove off again.

  Toma felt a bit awkward. “Thank you… you really didn’t have to.”

  Veyan just shrugged. “You’re young. Enjoy it. Want to eat at my place?”

  “Sure.”

  A cold breeze drifted in through the half-open window as they drove through the city.

  Eventually, Veyan stopped in front of a larger property.

  “We’re here.”

  As they stepped out, Toma noticed the yard was full of cars, motorcycles, and spare parts. A large garage stood nearby.

  Veyan led him inside.

  The house was simple and ordinary. On the ground floor, there was a large kitchen, a living room, and stairs leading upstairs.

  Veyan raised his voice.

  “Jarek, I’m home! Come on, I brought chicken wings!”

  At that moment, a huge man stepped out of the kitchen. He stood nearly as tall as Veyan, wore glasses, and sported a mustache. His long brown hair was tied back, and his muscular build made him look even more imposing.

  “Well finally, where have you been, Veyan?” His gaze shifted to Toma. “And who is this boy?”

  Veyan scratched the back of his head. “This is Toma. I gave him a ride and invited him to dinner.”

  The mustached man stepped closer and shook Toma’s hand. “Nice to meet you, my little friend! I’m Jarek!”

  “Nice to meet you. I’m Toma.”

  Veyan clapped his hands once. “Alright, let’s eat!”

  During dinner, Toma tried to make conversation.

  “By the way… are you two together?”

  Jarek paused mid-bite, still holding a chicken wing. “Hmm? What do you mean?”

  Toma grew awkward under their gaze. “Well… you’re both guys, and you live together… so I thought maybe you’re in a boy-with-boy relationship… You know?”

  Veyan immediately spat out his cola. “Whoa, no, no. We’re business partners, not some romantic tragedy. We share the house, that’s all.”

  Jarek nodded in agreement. “We just share our car mechanic business. We work together, that’s all. We’re just friends.”

  Veyan laughed. “You’ve got quite the imagination, Toma.”

  “Sorry! I didn’t mean to make it awkward!”

  Jarek waved it off. “It’s fine. It was actually funny. And there’s a third person living here too. He’s just not home right now. So it’s not only the two of us.”

  That eased Toma’s mind, and the rest of the dinner passed pleasantly.

  After they finished eating, Toma stood up.

  “Wow, it’s getting late. I should head back.”

  Veyan stood as well. “I’ll drive you. I brought you here, after all.”

  “Okay, thanks.”

  But as Toma stepped toward the door and put on his shoes, something suddenly stabbed into the sole of his foot.

  “Ahh! I stepped on something!”

  He quickly sat down and pulled it out. It was an earring.

  Veyan’s face lit up. “My earring! I’ve been looking everywhere for that. Thanks, Toma!”

  Toma frowned. “That seriously hurt, you know!”

  Veyan scratched his head with an awkward smile. “Sorry… But you’ve got an earring too. It suits you.”

  That immediately changed Toma’s mood. “Really? Thanks.”

  Soon after, they got back into the car and drove off.

  It was already evening. The city shone with brilliant lights.

  Veyan pointed ahead. “That’s the royal palace. It’s close. My shop is in that direction too.”

  Toma stared in amazement. It was beautiful.

  Then Veyan suddenly accelerated.

  “By the way, Toma… have you found the answer yet?”

  Toma didn’t understand at first. “What answer?”

  Veyan kept his eyes on the road. “The one that’s troubling you. When we first met, you were shouting your lungs out.”

  Toma ran a hand through his hair. “Oh… that. I don’t even know. I just want to become better. Stronger. A true warrior.”

  Veyan fell silent for a moment, thinking.

  “Hmmm… having a goal is important. But the path that leads you there matters even more. Every challenge you overcome shapes you. That’s what makes you strong. And no matter how much you grow, don’t lose the person you are now. Stay the same good person. Grow, of course—but never forget yourself.”

  Those words sank deep into Toma’s heart.

  “Wow… I’ve never thought about it like that before. Thanks, Veyan. I’ll remember that.”

  A faint smile appeared on Veyan’s face. “You’d better.”

  After a moment, he nodded toward a tall building ahead. “Is that your hotel?”

  “Yes, that’s the one.”

  Veyan pulled over and stopped in front of the entrance.

  Toma stepped out, then turned back and waved. “Thanks for the ride. And for the food.”

  Veyan raised a hand in return. “Nice meeting you, Toma Sorien.”

  Toma started to leave, but something made him stop. He turned back once more.

  “Tell me, Veyan… will we meet again?”

  A quiet laugh escaped Veyan. “You know the saying: if we don’t meet in the future, we’ll meet somewhere along the way.”

  And after that, they went their separate ways…..

  Veyan drove off into the glowing city night.

  “Toma Sorien… interesting kid,” he murmured to himself. “But I’d better hurry home before the engine boils over.”