I froze, fork suspended mid-air, staring at her with a mix of surprise and caution.
The determination in her green eyes was almost tangible, and for a brief moment, the tension between us could be cut with a knife.
'Why would she be interested in my abilities? Is it just curiosity or something more?'
Before I could answer, Seraphina leaned in, closing the distance between us even more.
"And don't think I've forgotten our duel. I want to fight you again. Right now, after you finish eating."
"What?"
I replied, a little surprised, since there was no way to avoid it.
Her words caught me off guard, increasing the tension of the moment.
I had other plans, and fighting Seraphina again wasn't one of them.
"I don't have as much free time as you do."
I tried to dodge the situation without sounding like I was backing down.
Seraphina raised an eyebrow, clearly not expecting that resistance.
"Then make time as soon as possible."
"I'll think about it and give you an answer."
I wasn't looking to commit to her again so soon.
With a barely noticeable nod, she walked away, leaving me alone to finish my meal in peace.
As I returned to my lunch, I couldn't help but reflect on the challenge she'd proposed and how far Seraphina was willing to go to prove her superiority—or maybe to better understand the extent of my powers.
'I don't remember anything like this happening in my novel.'
In my novel, Seraphina knew about Evan's abilities, but she never showed much curiosity about them.
I had no idea what she was after and didn't expect her to come to the cafeteria just to challenge me again.
—————————————————————————————————
After leaving Evan alone in the cafeteria, Seraphina walked slowly toward the gardens of Spectra, seeking quiet refuge among the trees.
There, where the sound of rustling leaves was the only interruption, she sat on one of the more hidden benches.
Allowing herself a rare moment, she let her mind drift back to painful memories she usually avoided.
The memory was as vivid as it was merciless.
The day her father, a hero known for his kindness and compassion, was taken from her.
He was admired not just for his abilities, but for treating everyone with respect, regardless of their origin or status.
Seraphina had been just a child, but the image of her father being killed right in front of her eyes remained etched into her memory.
The killer was never identified, but she remembered the scene as clear as day. He had powers similar to the ones Evan had shown.
As the sunlight filtered through the treetops and the cold wind whispered through the branches, Seraphina murmured to herself, barely realizing it.
"Why do his powers remind me so much of that bastard's?"
The question echoed into the emptiness, her voice a mix of curiosity and resentment.
She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of emotions.
When she opened them again, her expression was firm, a fierce glow in her eyes.
'I'll find out, Father. I'll find out who the bastard was that destroyed our family. And when I do…'
Seraphina clenched her fist until her nails dug into her skin.
Looking toward the horizon, where the blue sky touched the buildings of Spectra, she felt that to uncover the truth behind her father's death, she needed to understand more about Evan—who he really was, and where his powers came from.
To her, those abilities were far too similar to be just a coincidence.
But what if this led her to confront the past? she wondered.
'I won't hesitate.'
Lost in this whirlpool of thoughts, the sound of light footsteps approaching snapped her out of her bubble.
Luna, her closest friend, appeared through the trees with a soft smile and a concerned look.
Her vibrant purple hair was cut into a sleek bob, neatly styled.
The color of her hair matched perfectly with her purple eyes, which sparkled with youthful energy and a cheerful expression.
"Seraphina, what are you doing here all alone?"
Luna asked, sitting beside her.
Seraphina forced a smile, trying to cover the conflict still burning inside her chest.
"Just thinking about a few things."
Luna, sensing the tension, gave her a knowing look before switching the subject, trying to lighten the mood.
"I saw your duel with that guy earlier. Everyone's talking about it. What did that idiot want with you?"
Seraphina sighed, pondering the answer. Just thinking about Evan stirred a mix of anger and unease.
"I don't know, Luna. There's something about him… about his powers… that unsettles me. But maybe I'm just imagining things."
Luna studied her friend for a moment, trying to grasp what was behind her words, but ended up just smiling and placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Maybe you are, Seraphina. There are so many other things to focus on here at Spectra. It's not worth wasting your time on some passing duel."
Seraphina looked at Luna, and for a moment, the tension seemed to fade, replaced by a sense of gratitude for her friend's down-to-earth perspective.
"Maybe you're right."
"There's a lot more I should be focusing on right now."
But deep down, as she looked at the horizon again, Seraphina knew that until she had answers, the shadow of that day would keep following her.
—————————————————————————————————
1:00 PM
I had arrived at my part-time job, stepping into the car wash that had already become part of 'Evan's' daily routine.
The place was a modest establishment tucked along one of the city's busiest streets.
Each car that left sparkling was a tangible reminder of hard work a trait deeply appreciated by Mr. Hendricks, the owner and, in many ways, a father figure to 'Evan' in this world.
Mr. Hendricks was a character I had written with fully silver hair and blue eyes that always seemed to know more than he let on.
He was the kind of person who made you want to try harder.
His kindness wasn't just part of his personality it was a philosophy he applied in every aspect of his life and business.
When he saw me, he stopped what he was doing and walked over, a look of gentle scolding mixed with concern on his face.
"Evan, I told you already, you didn't need to come in today. You should focus on your studies and take care of your siblings. I don't want you to push yourself too hard."
His voice was filled with genuine concern.
In my novel, I had written that 'Evan' worked every remaining day before focusing on Spectra.
I figured I should follow the script a little.
I just smiled in response, acknowledging the concern but also explaining.
"I know, Mr. Hendricks, and I really appreciate your understanding. But I need to be here. It helps keep my head on straight and... honestly, it helps me forget things for a while."
I had to add a small lie, or he would've sent me home.
There was a brief silence between us, a mutual understanding that always seemed to exist.
With a resigned sigh, he finally nodded.
"Alright. But please, don't overdo it. And remember, you'll be paid for the full month even if you decide not to come in."
It was an offer I knew came from the heart.
I thanked him with a nod, touched by his generosity.
===
After the conversation with Mr. Hendricks, as I got ready to start working, a voice caught my attention, making me turn around.
"Evan, you came after all."
A girl appeared beside me with a smile that surprised me.
Her light brown hair was tied back simply, and her eyes reflected genuine concern.
She always had that effect on people a comforting presence that made any worry feel smaller.
"Leah."
She was Hendricks' daughter, someone that "Evan" considered like a sister.
Leah had always acted more like a sister to Evan, constantly making sure he wasn't overworking himself.
"Your dad just said I shouldn't have come in today."
She shrugged with a soft expression on her face.
"He's right, you know. You push yourself too hard. We're all worried about you."
Once again, I was hearing that people were worried about Evan.
And hearing it, I realized more and more just how harsh I had been on Evan in my novel.
"I know, Leah. And I really do appreciate it. But I need to do this. Not just for my siblings, but also to feel... useful."
I explained, trying to convey the mix of need and determination that kept me going.
Leah looked at me for a moment, the afternoon sunlight shining around her, giving her an almost ethereal glow.
"Just don't forget that you deserve to rest too. And you have us,"
She emphasized, placing a hand on my shoulder in a supportive gesture.
"You don't have to carry everything on your own."
Those words, coming from her, carried special weight. Leah had always been able to see past the front Evan tried to keep up.
But I couldn't help wondering if she could also see past mine.
"Thanks, Leah. I... I'll try to remember that."
She smiled again the kind of smile that could brighten even the darkest days.
"And don't forget, I'm here for whatever you need. Even if it's just to talk, or even to help with Noah and Emma, now that things are going to get more hectic for you."
In that moment, with Leah by my side, facing the rest of the day didn't seem quite so intimidating.
"I know, and that means a lot to me."
And with that, I went back to work, carrying a little light with me, courtesy of Leah's unshakable kindness.
"…"
Water ran continuously, mixing with soap as I handled the hose, trying to make every car shine under the midday sun.
I had never worked at a car wash before.
It was a strange reality, considering that until recently, my biggest concern had been how to structure the next chapter of my novel not how to remove mud stains from fenders.
Luckily, Hendricks always came by to give me instructions on how to wash each car.
It seemed like he did it often, even though he knew Evan already understood how they should be cleaned.
"It's simple, Evan... Just keep a steady rhythm and make sure every customer leaves satisfied."
His confidence in me was both comforting and intimidating. I felt like I couldn't afford to let him down.
The work was methodical, almost therapeutic. There was something oddly satisfying about watching the dirt wash away and the shiny surface of the cars emerge.
But as the hours went by, I could feel the exhaustion building up.
It wasn't just the physical strain of repetitive work, but also the toll from the duel with Seraphina.
I realized that fight had drained a significant amount of my magical energy, something that didn't recover easily.
Every movement seemed to demand more effort.
Muscles I barely knew I had began to protest, every fiber burning from the repetitive motion.
Besides the physical fatigue, there was a slight emptiness, like my body was still trying to restore the energy spent during combat.
I was exhausted, but at the same time, a sense of accomplishment came with the fatigue.
'Is it because things are actually working out?'
I couldn't help but wonder.
From time to time, Leah showed up with her encouraging smile, bringing a burst of renewed energy with her.
I sighed, feeling the weight of the day on my shoulders.
When the clock finally marked the end of my shift, a sense of relief mixed with satisfaction.
'I really shouldn't have come here.'
But I had done it.
Despite my initial doubts and all the physical and magical strain, I had faced this small challenge and come out the other side.
"It must be about time."
As I put away the last pieces of equipment and said goodbye to Mr. Hendricks and Leah, part of me was already preparing for the next task of the day: picking up Noah and Emma.
Work at the car wash was over, but I still had responsibilities as the older brother.
Walking toward the exit, a sense of determination filled me.
The day had been a success. It was a small victory in a world full of uncertainty.
I had managed to duel with Seraphina, earning 100 points to use in the system and buy other abilities. I had also completed all of Hendricks' tasks without much trouble.
I was satisfied.
As the sun began to set, marking the end of another day, I made my way to Noah and Emma's school.
Since it was a bit far, I took a bus.
The weight of a long day of work and the duel with Seraphina was still on me, but the thought of seeing Noah and Emma gave me new energy.
When I arrived, I saw them coming out of the school's main gate, their faces lighting up when they saw me.
Emma ran to me, her arms wrapping around me in a tight hug, while Noah, trying to maintain a mature façade, walked calmly—though his smile gave away his excitement.
Once I organized my thoughts, I learned a lot about Evan's life.
Emma was 7 years old, and Noah was 9.
That explained their behavior.
"How was your day?"
I asked as we started walking back home.
Emma began chattering about her day, recounting every detail of her classes and recess games. Noah, on the other hand, shared his academic achievements with quiet pride, his eyes shining with each word.
On the way home, we stopped at a small convenience store. I wanted to buy them something special, a small reward for being so understanding about my packed schedule.
Watching them choose their favorite snacks, I felt a wave of gratitude for having Noah and Emma in this world with me.
I wouldn't be trying this hard if it weren't for them. And that wasn't a bad thing—it was a good thing.
I needed a reason to take this world seriously.
As we continued our walk, the conversation flowed naturally, shifting from school topics to weekend plans.
Back home, we settled in for a quiet evening.
I made dinner while they did their homework; the comfortable silence only broken by their occasional questions about math or grammar.
After dinner, we shared stories and plans before getting cozy to watch a cartoon together.
Watching them fall asleep on the couch, wrapped in a soft blanket, a feeling of satisfaction and purpose filled my heart.
With both of them safe and dreaming peacefully, I opened the system window.
[Name: Evan]
[Age: 17 years]
[Vitality: 7]
[Stamina: 3.2]
[Magic Power: 6.2]
[Physical Strength: 3]
[Abilities]
Shadow Manipulation
[Points: 165]
I had gained 0.2 in both Stamina and Magic Power in a short amount of time.
'None of my other stats went up because I didn't push them like I did today.'
Since I dueled with Seraphina and then worked at the car wash right after, these gains made sense.
Forcing my body to deal with the physical stress of combat and then demanding even more from it with manual labor caused my Stamina to increase.
Likewise, the duel had drained my magical energy and by pushing it to the limit, my Magic Power also improved.
Suddenly, a translucent message blinked in front of my eyes, pulling my attention away.
"..."
[System Alert: Time remaining until full possession by the demon: 4 years.]
"Haaaaf."
As I sighed, I wondered how I was supposed to overcome this.
The first time I saw the warning, I hadn't taken it seriously. A part of me still didn't believe that world was real.
But knowing that this would be my life from now on made the threat real—tangible.
The demon that gave Evan his powers came with a price: Evan's body, to be used as a future vessel.