Kairos sat on the bed, elbows on his knees, fingers locked together.
"What do I do now?" he muttered to himself. His eyes stared blankly at the floor. "Without Myra, everything becomes harder. She has a big role to play in my plan."
He stood up and began pacing slowly, hands behind his back.
"She said she needed time… That means she hasn't said no yet. There's still a chance."
He stopped and sighed deeply. "This is going to be tough. But nothing ever comes easy, especially for people like me."
His gaze turned sharp. "Still… I'll end this oppression. No matter what. But first—"
His stomach grumbled. "—I need food."
He walked out of the room, his footsteps light . The house was quiet.
"Myra's not here," he noticed. "Maybe what I said is still bothering her."
In the kitchen, he saw a plate covered on the table. Lifting the lid, he saw roasted meat underneath.
"Roasted meat, huh?" he said softly, a faint smile touching his lips.
He went to the sink, washed his hands, and then sat down on a stool.
His eyes lost focus again. "Change."
His fingers tapped the fork beside his plate. The rhythm echoed through the kitchen, but in his mind, it took him far away—back to when he was still a boy.
The early morning sun had just risen over the village of Quiri, in the kingdom of Futina. A small boy stood by the door, eyes wide, full of hope.
"Bye Mom!" young Kairos said, his face glowing with excitement.
"Be careful," Lucy replied. She knelt beside him, brushing dust from his shoulders. Her voice was low. "And remember, don't show your powers. If people find out…"
"They'll hurt me," Kairos said, nodding. "I know, Mom. I won't let anyone know I'm half-demon."
"Don't get into fights. If someone bothers you—"
"I'll tell the teacher," Kairos finished with a small groan. "I got it. You've said it a hundred times."
Lucy smiled, then kissed his forehead. "Be safe, my son."
He waved as he walked away, heart pounding with excitement.
His mother had always told him the truth about what he was. A demi-demon. His father only visited once in a while, teaching him how to hide his inhuman strength and healing. So Kairos stayed hidden. Rarely played with others.
But that day was different. His mother had finally let him enroll in the Spirit Academy.
When he arrived, the iron gate loomed tall, the wooden fence creaking softly in the wind.
"This is it," he whispered. He pushed the gate open and stepped inside.
No students in sight.
"Oh no," he panicked. "I'm late!"
He rushed to the classroom, heart racing. Voices came from inside.
"Already late on the first day," he whispered, knocking gently.
"Come in," a woman's voice called.
He stepped in slowly. "I'm sorry, Madam. I lost track of time."
The teacher glared. "Late already? What's wrong with you, Carlos?"
"Uh, it's… Kairos," he said quietly.
"What?"
"It's Kairos."
"So now you're correcting me?" she snapped. "Kneel on the floor. Hands up."
Kairos obeyed without a word. As he knelt, he could feel the eyes of the class. Some giggled. Others just stared.
One boy beside him caught his attention. He knelt too, face calm, as if he didn't care. His hair was long and gray. Half of his face looked burnt.
The teacher continued. "Now, who can tell me how many types of spirits there are?"
Silence.
She frowned. "No one?"
The boy beside Kairos nudged him gently and held up five fingers.
Kairos hesitated. "Can I try?"
"Go ahead, Carlos," the teacher sighed.
Kairos looked straight ahead. "Five."
The class clapped.
The boy beside him raised his hand. "I can name them."
"Alright, Veydris."
"There are Elemental, Ancestral, Ethereal, Animal, and Neverbound spirits," he said.
The teacher nodded, her voice softer. "Good work. Both of you. Take your seats over there."
"Thanks, ma'am," they said together and sat down.
During break, the class rushed outside. Only Kairos and Veydris stayed behind.
"Thanks," Kairos said, smiling. "Without your help, I'd still be kneeling."
"It's fine," Veydris replied.
"I'm Kairos, by the way."
"I know. The teacher said your name."
"Oh. Then you must be Veydris."
"That's right." He stood up. "I'm going out."
"Mind if I come?"
"Suit yourself. I'm not much fun."
"That's okay."
They walked side by side through the hallway.
"How long have you been here?" Kairos asked.
"Two years."
"And no friends?"
"No. People avoid me. My face… scares them."
Kairos frowned. "Looks don't matter. What's inside matters."
"My personality's bad too."
Before Kairos could respond, they saw an older student hitting a younger boy.
"Why is no one stopping him?" Kairos asked.
"This is how the world works," Veydris said calmly. "It won't change."
Kairos clenched his fists. "That's the problem. We wait for change, but no one acts. Someone has to take the first step."
"Kairos, wait—"
"Stop that!" Kairos shouted, running toward the older student. "I'll report you!"
The student turned. "What did you say?"
He punched Kairos in the stomach. Kairos dropped to his knees, groaning.
"If the teachers find out, you'll be in trouble," Kairos said.
"You're still talking?" The student raised his fist again.
Kairos shut his eyes, bracing for pain—but it didn't come.
Veydris was holding the student's arm.
"Leave my friend alone," he said.
The student hit him in the face. Veydris fell. Then both boys were beaten again and again.
Finally, a teacher arrived. "Enough!" he shouted, pulling the attacker away. "To the office, now!"
Kairos and Veydris lay on the ground, bruised and sore.
"That was painful," Veydris muttered. "You okay?"
"Not really. Think my rib cracked."
Veydris chuckled. "You're insane. Standing up to someone stronger than you."
"It had to be done," Kairos said.
The young boy they had protected walked up and knelt before them.
"Thank you," he said quietly.
Veydris looked shocked. Kairos nudged him.
"It's alright," Veydris managed to say.
The boy nodded and walked off.
Veydris turned to Kairos. "You were right."
"Hm?"
"If we want the world to change… we need to take the first step. Helping someone like that… it felt good."
Kairos smiled faintly. "Now imagine helping a lot of people."
Veydris looked forward. "Then I'll try. I'll try to make the world better."
Back in the kitchen, Kairos tilted his neck with a tired smile. "My friend … I wonder how you're doing now."