It was the day the Academy for the Blessed Ones officially opened.
For most people, it was a day filled with excitement.
Panther felt excitement too—but beneath it lay guilt.
The lie he had told Luoice weighed heavily on his chest.
He stood near the edge of the yard, staring at the ground, fists clenched. No matter how hard he tried, the feeling wouldn't fade. Every passing moment made it worse.
Finally, he looked up and noticed Eve standing nearby.
"I can't do this anymore," Panther said suddenly.
Eve turned toward him.
"I can't keep the truth inside," he continued, his voice low but firm. "Every time I look at Luoice… or Dion… it feels wrong. We have to tell them. About us."
He hesitated before asking the question he had been avoiding.
"Are you still afraid… that Luoice might harm you?"
Eve didn't answer immediately.
She looked into Panther's eyes.
"The myth is bound to happen," she said softly. "But whatever happens… it's still the future."
Panther's shoulders tensed.
"But," Eve continued, turning back to him, "I believe in you now. I believe in Luoice. And Dion too."
She gave a small, honest smile.
"We can tell them today."
Panther exhaled deeply, as if a weight had finally lifted from his chest.
"Thank you," he said quietly.
From inside the house, Lucy's warm voice called out.
"Did you pack everything, kids?"
"Yes, Mom!" Panther and Eve replied together.
"Then come eat before the food gets cold."
They sat at the table, the smell of warm food filling the room.
Panther poked at his plate before finally speaking.
"Mom… I'm going to tell Luoice and Dion the truth today."
Lucy paused, then laughed softly.
"You really are like your father," she said. "Neither of you could lie to save your lives."
Panther looked up. "Father… was he really like me?"
Lucy's eyes softened.
"I want to know more about him," Panther said quietly.
"He was the Demon King, right?" Eve asked carefully. "How did you two meet?"
Lucy leaned back slightly, memories pulling her far away.
"Let me tell you."
---
### **Long Ago — The Demon Realm**
"I was one of the daughters of the Seven Demon Generals," Lucy began. "Your father, Vorath, was one of them too."
"The first time I saw him was during the battle for the Demon King's throne. At that time… we had no king."
Her voice slowed.
"The realm was in chaos—blood, fire, screams everywhere. Then… he arrived."
Lucy closed her eyes briefly.
"He stood at the front. He became the hope of the entire realm. He imprisoned cursed demons, defeated the uncontrollable ones, and even went to the gods' realm to end the curse and bring peace."
"He was the most suitable king. The demons accepted him… and he became the Demon King."
She smiled faintly.
"One day, he saved me during a fight with a vampire. After seeing everything he did, I fell in love with him."
"I followed him everywhere using my ability. I knew how strong he was—but I stayed behind him, watching."
Lucy laughed softly.
"Then a rumor spread that he was going to marry another demon. I stopped following him. I was terrified."
Panther leaned forward.
"The next day, he came to my home and asked why I wasn't following him anymore. He always knew I was there."
Lucy shook her head, amused.
"He proposed in the simplest way possible. He said he always knew I was behind him… and pretended not to notice because he liked my presence."
"He said he wanted that presence for his entire life."
Lucy's cheeks reddened.
"Then we married. And then… you were born."
The room fell silent.
"In the end," Lucy whispered, "he gave his life to protect us."
Tears filled her eyes.
Panther stood up. "We'll avenge him, Mom."
"I'll be with you," Eve said firmly.
Lucy smiled through her tears and walked into her room.
She returned holding a sword and handed it to Panther.
"You need a sword now," she said gently. "It's not very good… but it's all I can afford, my son."
The black sword gleamed sharply.
"Thank you, Mom," Panther said. "I'll treasure it always."
She then turned to Eve.
"I didn't get anything useful for you… so I bought some clothes instead."
She handed them to her.
Eve's eyes filled with tears. She hugged Lucy tightly.
"Thank you for everything, Mom. I'll miss you."
---
After breakfast, Panther and Eve waited outside.
Soon, a taxi stopped in front of the house.
Dion and Luoice stepped out, bags over their shoulders.
"Only thirty minutes left," Luoice said. "The academy bus should be here soon."
Dion forced a smile. "I'll miss you guys."
"We will too," Panther replied.
Lucy and Eve watched quietly.
"Thank you… for letting me call you Mom," Eve said softly.
Lucy gently patted her head.
Before the moment slipped away, Panther stepped forward.
"Wait. Before you leave… there's something we need to say."
His hands trembled.
"We're sorry," he said. "We don't know how you'll react, but… Eve and I aren't human."
He told them everything.
Silence followed.
Dion stared blankly. Luoice said nothing.
"We're still friends, right?" Panther asked quietly.
Eve lowered her head.
Then Luoice spoke.
"I knew something was off," he said slowly. "But I never expected this."
He smiled.
"Still… you're my friends."
Dion nodded firmly. "Yeah. And if fate's against us—then we'll break it."
They all hugged.
A horn echoed through the air.
The bus had arrived.
---