As we spend more time together, Yumi begins to open up, sharing bits and pieces of her life. She tells me about her dream of becoming a doctor, a goal she’s held onto despite the many obstacles in her path. Her face lights up when she talks about it, but there’s a tinge of sadness in her voice that betrays how difficult the journey has been.

A few years ago, Yumi’s mother left their family to be with another man. The loss shattered her father, who spiraled into a destructive pattern of gambling and alcohol. He lost his job and quickly burned through the family’s savings, leaving Yumi to shoulder the burden of their household.

But Yumi proved to be remarkably strong, refusing to give up even when the odds were stacked against her. She took on two part-time jobs while caring for her father, juggling work and school with relentless determination. Her academic performance earned her a scholarship, which eased some of the financial strain, but it was clear her life had been anything but easy.

As the banquet carries on, Yumi draws some attention from the other guests. A few individuals—mostly men—approach her with small gifts and compliments. However, their remarks rarely go beyond surface-level admiration of her appearance. Rather than showing interest in her Heroic Rank or her abilities, many focus solely on how cute or pretty she is. Some even go so far as to suggest she become their lover or concubine, offering her lavish benefits in exchange.

Despite the inappropriate offers, Yumi handles herself with remarkable poise. She politely declines each one, her tone firm but respectful, ensuring she doesn’t anger anyone. I can’t help but feel impressed. At just sixteen years old, her maturity and grace surpass that of many adults I’ve met.

Meanwhile, even I, despite my reputation for having the worst blood talent, also find myself approached by a few individuals. Most of them are older, high-status women who extend invitations for me to work in their mansions as an attendant or butler. Their promises of a luxurious, labor-free lifestyle are thinly veiled offers, and I’m well aware of their true intentions.

Still, I engage them in conversation, hoping to glean some useful information. Unfortunately, none of these exchanges prove fruitful. It seems no one here knows anything about the things I’m searching for.

As the evening winds down and the banquet nears its end, Yumi approaches me. Her expression is resolute, her usual hesitation replaced by a newfound determination.

“Jack, I’ve decided,” she says, her voice steady. “I’m going to go back. I’ll let the King know.”

Her words take me by surprise, and I pause before responding. “Oh? Are you really sure about that?”

“Yes,” Yumi nods firmly. “Even after coming here and being given the chance to start over, I just can’t abandon my family. My father… he needs me. I have to be there for him, to find a way to help him. After all, if I can’t save my own father, how can I possibly save the world?”

Her words catch me off guard. Her determination, despite everything she’s endured, leaves me deeply impressed.

What a remarkable young woman.

Moved by her conviction, I place a hand gently on her shoulder and meet her gaze. “It sounds like you’ve made up your mind, I’m glad to hear that, Yumi.”

Her eyes soften, and she offers a small smile.

“However, life back on Earth won’t be easy. You know that, right?” I add.

“Yes, I’m well aware,” she replies. “But after talking to you, I feel so much better about it. I can do this. I’ll aim for med school and work my hardest. Somehow, I’ll make things work.” She pauses, then bows deeply. “Thank you so much, Jack.”

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I return her bow with a warm smile. “You’re welcome.”

There’s a quiet strength about her that I’ve come to admire in the short time we’ve spent together. Yumi is responsible, determined, and resilient—qualities that make her stand out. Despite everything she’s endured, she remains hopeful and unyielding. With the resolve I see in her eyes, I’m certain she’ll achieve her dreams once she returns to Earth.

That is, of course, if she actually makes it back.

The thought lingers in the back of my mind like a shadow I can’t shake. Some of the subtle behaviors I noticed from the King and a few guests tonight leave me uneasy. The whispers, the veiled glances, the occasional smirk—they all feel off. I hope I’m just being overly cautious, overanalyzing meaningless details.

But a gnawing doubt remains, quietly urging me to stay alert. For now, I can only hope that I’m wrong.

———————

As the banquet winds down and the lively atmosphere begins to fade, Yumi approaches Seraphina and King Alaric, her resolve evident in the way she carries herself. Calmly but firmly, she informs them of her decision to return home. The King, despite making one last attempt to convince her to stay, ultimately agrees to honor her choice.

“I will arrange for your return immediately,” he says, though there’s a slight edge of reluctance in his tone.

Satisfied, Yumi thanks him with a polite bow.

However, when I step forward and express my desire to stay, the King’s response is starkly different.

“I’m sorry, Jack, but you must go back as well,” he declares, his tone leaving little room for argument.

I blink, caught off guard. “But Your Highness, didn’t you say we could choose whether to stay or not? I like it here, and I want to help fight the Demon God. So why must I leave?”

Before the King can reply, a burst of laughter echoes from behind me. The mocking tones and muffled slurs are unmistakable, and my stomach tightens as the jeers grow louder.

The King exhales a long, weary sigh, his expression softening slightly. “Jack,” he begins carefully, “without a good blood talent, you are not qualified to be a hero. This world is unforgiving to those without magic or power. You would be treated poorly, and we cannot offer you the support you would need to survive. For your own sake, I highly recommend you return home.”

“But what if I still want to stay?” I press.

The King narrows his eyes.

“Then you would be living a life of hardship and danger,” he says bluntly. “You would be seen as an outsider, a powerless individual in a society that values strength above all else. You would have no means to protect yourself, no way to improve your status. This isn’t your world, Jack. Here, those without magic live as commoners—often in poverty, scraping by at the mercy of others. Is that the life you want?”

As he speaks, the laughter behind me grows louder, the mocking voices dripping with disdain.

Though the King’s words seem sincere on the surface, something about his reasoning doesn’t sit right with me. If I truly am “the lowest of the low,” as he implies, why would my decision to stay matter so much? Why expend this effort to send me back?

Could it be… because the other summoned heroes are present, and he fears upsetting them?

There’s also something restless about his demeanor—an impatience that suggests he’s eager to rid himself of me, regardless of my feelings. The laughter and mockery from the crowd only deepen my suspicions.

Still, I know arguing further won’t change his mind. For now, I have no choice but to comply.

“Then, when will we depart?” I ask.

The King gestures toward two knights standing nearby. Their polished armor gleams under the banquet hall’s chandeliers, making them appear almost statuesque. “These knights will escort you to the reverse summoning chamber,” he instructs. “Please go with them.”

At his signal, the knights step forward, their towering forms imposing. Without another word, the King turns back to the assembled guests, delivering a final speech to formally conclude the banquet. The crowd claps politely as the evening comes to an official close.

We bid quick farewells to Hiroshi and Takumi, who seem reluctant to part but are soon swept away by Seraphina for further training. Then, with little ceremony, Yumi and I follow the knights as they lead us out of the grand hall and into the castle’s shadowy corridors.

The air grows colder as we descend deeper into the castle. The knights lead us down a spiraling stone staircase that seems to go on forever. My unease deepens with every step.

And then, I notice the faint, sinister curve of their lips—the subtle twitch of amusement they fail to hide. Despite their rigid postures, I can see it clearly now: the evil grins spreading across their faces.

Something is terribly wrong.

I’m very sure of it.