They often say curiosity is a light. For me, it burned like fire.
At nine years old, I had never seen the outside world. The walls of the residence kept me trapped, as if something outside wanted my demise… or as if something within me had to remain hidden.
On the day of my seventh birthday, my mother gave me a small library.It was just a piece of furniture, nothing impressive. Yet, it became my kingdom. Among its shelves, I traveled through worlds I would never have seen otherwise.
That's where I discovered magic. The real kind. Not the one full of heroes or prophecies.No… what fascinated me was demonic magic.Contrary to what some said, it was not forbidden. It was simply… too dangerous.They said a single spell could turn energy against you, that people died just trying to learn the basics. Academies refused to teach it — not because of royal prohibition, but because no one wanted death on their conscience.Those who truly wished to study it had to sign a document stating they accepted the risk of dying during training.
And yet, the risk only drew me closer.One evening, while devouring another dusty book, a thought struck me:If this magic is so dangerous… is that why I'm not allowed outside?
I forced myself to stop imagining. I knew I wouldn't find answers by pacing alone.So I left my room, the book still open in my hands, and went to find my mother.
I found her standing in front of the large window, motionless, gazing at a horizon I knew only through the stories of others. She seemed lost in something far too vast for me.
— Mother?She turned abruptly, as if pulled from far away.— Greed… you surprised me. What is it?I took a breath, as if preparing to break an invisible rule.— Why do you prevent me from going outside?
A heavy silence fell.Her hands trembled for a moment before she pressed them against herself, as if holding something back.— Why ask that… now? she said softly.— I just wanted to know.She looked away, then approached me. Her features carried a sorrow I had never noticed before. An ancient sadness.
— Listen, Greed… one day you will know everything. But not today. Not yet.Just promise me you'll never cross the doors of this residence.
I knew I shouldn't insist. I knew I just had to say "yes," like a good son.So I nodded and replied:— Alright, Mother.
But deep inside… I already felt that this promise would not hold.One day, I would cross these doors.With or without permission.And on that day, nothing would ever be the same.
I returned to my room after our exchange.I was disappointed… but also even more curious than before.
Not even five minutes after leaving her, I heard a knock at my door.Knock. Knock.
When I opened it, I found one of our servants, slightly out of breath.— Madame sent me… to see if you need anything, she said softly.
I shook my head.— No, I don't need anything. Thank you.
But she remained still, as if frozen, before asking a second time:— Are you sure, young master? Really sure?
Her insistence surprised me.What could Mother have told her…?I looked at her for a few seconds, then repeated:— It's fine. You may go.
She bowed and left silently.
I threw myself onto my bed, my mind full of questions. I wanted to think… but my eyelids grew heavy before I realized why.
When I opened my eyes, the room was bathed in a different light.I had slept for a very long time. Far too long.And that… had never happened to me before.
As I left my room, I noticed a familiar figure in the hallway: my former instructor.I still remembered his praise for my "gifted mind." He had taught me to read and write since I was seven.
He visited the residence once every three months, but I had never wondered why.This time… my curiosity got the better of me.
He walked toward the main guest hall, where my mother often stayed.I followed him quietly, and just before reaching the door, I heard their voices.
— Do you intend to keep hiding him much longer, Dame Luna? asked my instructor.— Yes… it's the only way to keep him safe, replied my mother, her voice trembling. That's why I turned to you. I hope you can convince the Patriarch not to involve my son in all this.— Haaah… I will try, said the instructor.
I froze behind the wall.Their conversation struck me like lightning.Hide? Danger? Patriarch?
I wanted to move closer to hear better, but at that moment, the instructor turned slightly.Our eyes met.He had that little smile… the one that said, "I knew you were here."
Then he added, as if wanting me to hear:— Just because he is born weak and unfit doesn't mean he can escape his destined path. But I will do everything I can to help you hide him… for as long as possible.
These words pierced me."Unfit.""Weak.""Destined path."
They echoed endlessly in my mind.Why… why did it hurt so much?Because I have always loved challenges?Because I've always seen myself as strong?Because no demon is supposed to be weak?Or because… my own mother saw me as a burden?
Without thinking, I pushed the door open abruptly.— WHAT DESTINED PATH IS THIS FOR ME, INSTRUCTOR?!
My mother jumped, her face gone pale.The instructor looked at me with a nearly satisfied expression… as if he had been waiting for this moment.
And in that heavy silence, I understood one thing:My life had just changed forever.