I stood before the old house. The night wind carried the scent of damp earth and rotting wood. It was silent, yet the aura around it sent chills down my spine.
"Let's go," Yena whispered.
We stepped inside. The wooden floor creaked beneath our feet. The house was covered in dust, but it felt like something still lingered within its walls.
Yena suddenly stopped, then lifted a filthy rug. Beneath it—an old wooden door with a rusted metal handle. Fingerprints were visible. Someone had used this door frequently.
She gripped the handle and pulled it open. A rush of warm air greeted us. A wooden staircase descended into darkness.
"Follow me." Yena took my hand. Her fingers were cold—I wasn't sure if it was from nervousness or if this was simply how she was.
We descended. The stairs groaned under our weight, swallowed by the shadows.
"No light?" I whispered.
"If there is, the traps will activate," Yena replied.
I fell silent. "But… how can you see?"
Yena's eyes glowed faintly. "I have Eyes Vision."
I stiffened. A rare ability—the power to see in absolute darkness.
"So, you can see everything?" I asked.
"Yes. My father and I share the same eyes. That's why I'm holding your hand—so you know I'm here."
We reached the bottom. The door before us opened. Inside, her family was waiting.
---
"YENA!"
An old woman's voice rang out, sharp with anger.
I flinched. The woman stood in the shadows, her eyes filled with suspicion.
"Who is this young man?"
"He helped me. I was attacked by bandits, and he took them down… with a single strike."
The woman stared at me for a long moment before her tone softened. "I'm sorry… because of us, you got involved in this."
I shook my head. "No need to apologize. I just want to know the truth."
From the corner of the room, a man stepped out of the darkness. Tall, broad-shouldered, his face lined with scars.
I spoke without hesitation. "Are you her father? Or should I call you… Norman?"
He nodded slowly. "Just call me Norman."
---
A cup of hot tea sat before me. I was seated across from Norman.
"So," he began, "what do you want to know?"
"What really happened here?"
Norman took a deep breath. "That… is my secret."
I frowned. "Then tell me about Zepr."
His expression shifted—from calm to heavy.
"You look about seventeen. You should be at the academy."
"I'm on my way there. But the problem is… he's already dragged the name of Nao into this."
Norman clenched his jaw. "You won't stand a chance against Zepr. Go home."
"Go home?"
"Yes, before it's too late—"
"Papa!" Yena cut in. "He took down bandits with a single strike! We don't have time for pride! Zepr is coming tomorrow!"
A tense silence filled the air.
Norman turned to me.
"A single strike? You haven't entered the academy yet?"
"No. Why?"
"Who taught you how to fight?"
I smirked slightly. "My uncle."
Norman leaned back. "What's his name?"
I shrugged. "Takeshi Sarutobi."
Norman froze. His eyes widened, his breath hitched. The calmness he had carried earlier was now shattered by shock.
"Takeshi… Sarutobi?" He repeated the name in disbelief.
I nodded slowly.
Norman let out a heavy sigh. There was no hesitation in his voice anymore.
"Alright. In that case… I will tell you about Zepr."