Ran couldn't sleep
He lay still on his bed, staring at the ceiling, his mind refusing to calm down. Beneath his pillow, hidden carefully, the ward pulsed faintly—almost as if it was alive… aware.
His heart was still racing from everything that had happened that night.
The temple.
The demon.
The escape.
Beside him, Emma slept peacefully, as if nothing had happened. As if they hadn't nearly died just hours ago.
Ran envied that calm.
He closed his eyes.
But sleep didn't come.
Instead—
Knock.
Ran's eyes snapped open.
His body froze.
Another knock.
A cold fear ran through him.
Had they been caught?
"Come in…" he said quietly.
The door opened.
Professor Citric stepped inside.
Fully dressed.
Awake.
And already watching him.
There was something in his expression—something unreadable.
"Professor…" Ran sat up quickly. "I—"
"You broke a rule."
The words came calmly, cutting through the silence.
Ran's throat went dry.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean—"
But Citric raised a hand, stopping him.
Then, unexpectedly… he smiled.
"When the desire to do something becomes greater than fear… when the need to achieve outweighs the risk…" he said slowly, his voice calm and steady,
"…that is when people reach their goals."
He looked directly at Ran.
"Just like you did… when you obtained that ward."
Ran froze.
"How do you—"
Citric didn't answer.
He simply smiled again.
Then walked closer.
"Listen carefully, Ran," he said, his tone shifting—more serious now. "Tomorrow… summer vacation begins."
Ran blinked.
"You'll be going home."
Home.
The word hit differently.
"But before you leave," Citric continued, pulling a chair and sitting beside him,
"you need to understand what you have."
His gaze slowly shifted toward the pillow.
Toward the ward.
"That… is not a normal ward."
Ran instinctively tightened his grip on the blanket.
"It's a demon ward," Citric said quietly. "One of the most powerful kinds that exist."
The room suddenly felt heavier.
"It is ancient," he continued,
"and it is dangerous."
Ran swallowed.
"But…" Citric leaned slightly forward, his voice soft but firm,
"…it is also your greatest strength."
Silence filled the room.
"How… do I use it?" Ran asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Citric stood up.
A faint smile returned.
"The ward will teach you," he said.
And with that—
He turned and walked out.
Leaving Ran alone.
With more questions than answers.
The next day came too quickly.
Everything felt… unreal.
Villim stood before Ran, holding something small in his hand.
"A gift," he said.
Ran looked down.
It was a glowing stone.
A neon-colored crystal, faint energy pulsing within it.
"This," Villim explained, placing it in Ran's hand,
"contains forbidden magic."
Ran felt its warmth immediately.
"One of these stones can open a portal," Villim continued. "To another world."
Ran's eyes widened.
"Hold it… focus on where you want to go… and it will take you there."
He paused.
"But be careful. This kind of magic… is not meant to be used lightly."
Ran nodded slowly.
He understood.
At least… a little.
He closed his fingers around the stone.
And thought—
Of home.
His room.
His school.
His father.
For a moment… nothing happened.
Then—
The stone began to glow.
Brighter.
Stronger.
Energy pulsed through his hand.
And suddenly—
Space itself began to tear open before him.
A portal.
"Wait."
Ran turned.
Emma.
She stepped forward… and hugged him tightly.
"Promise me," she said softly, "you'll come back."
Her voice trembled slightly.
"You have to come back. There's still so much left… a promise you made…"
"To save us."
Ran closed his eyes for a moment.
Then nodded.
"I promise."
He pulled back slightly.
"I'll come back next year."
"No matter what… I'll be back."
Edward stepped forward next.
He didn't say anything.
He just hugged Ran.
But that silence said everything.
Trust.
Friendship.
Belief.
Ran took a deep breath.
Turned toward the portal.
The light shimmered.
Unknown.
Dangerous.
But also…
Home.
He looked back one last time.
Then stepped forward.
And disappeared into the light.
As the portal closed behind him…
The ward beneath his clothes pulsed once more.
Stronger.
Darker.
As if whispering—
"This is only the beginning…"