With a shiver of concern, her thoughts turned to the oldest demigod of the Lilies Park. Marina smiled, imagining the man's face when he was called old, after all he often remembered that he was only 27 years old. He had been the demigod who had guided her when she arrived there and the inspiration that Ien's daughter looked to every time she had to give lessons to new demigods. A couple of months had passed since she had last seen him and she had received no news of his whereabouts.

Darryl Fyreborn, son of Corgi, was known by all for his playful nature and his mastery of controlling flames. However, what distinguished him from his kin was his impeccable control of mana which he implemented thanks to his divine particle. If Havel was considered the strongest demigod in the park due to his imposing temper, Darryl represented the exact opposite.

His ability to manipulate flames so finely made him a formidable and unpredictable opponent. He was even said to be a potential candidate to replace his father as fire god when the time for the passing of the masks came. His fame made him a respected and admired figure within the Lilies Park and Marina couldn't help but wonder where he was.

His attention was stolen by the low voice of Cragar's son to his left.

"You mean the guy in the long cloak who controls the fire?"

Marina looked at him, "Do you know Darryl?"

Before she could ask anything else, though, Shirei began to explain.

"I emerged into the mortal world following Cragar's instructions. There I met the demigods of the recovery group. Before we could do anything, the monsters surrounded us, then forced me to run away even though I wanted to fight."

"Wait, so you have already met them all?"

"Yes", confirmed the boy, "But we didn't have much time to talk. They just gave me the directions to reach the mortal side of the Lilies Park and they stayed to fight."

Shirei's words were full of sincerity. Marina listened to him attentively, but had difficulty believing him after the revelation reached that same morning. She was so worried about those thoughts that she had even forgotten the embarrassment of the previous day.

"I understand," the demigoddess finally said, with the most reassuring smile, "Thank you for telling me all this, Hollow."

She was grateful that he opened up to her. She appreciated the way their relationship was changing day by day, bonding them more and more. She feared, at the same time, that his was just a farce.

I can't afford to fall into a trap.

She remained silent for a few seconds, before diverting the conversation towards more superficial curiosities, "If you were alone, how did you get here with Ammir's portal? Only Havel, Elaine, Ada, Darryl and Lyceum can make it accessible."

Shirei went back to eating, "I didn't."

"Meaning you didn't cross it?"

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Cragar's son shook his head in response.

"And how did you get here?"

The demigod stopped and looked up at her, causing her to freeze.

"A spectral travel. I have crossed the Interworld."

"Can you do that with spectral travels?"

Marina widened her eyes, the books she had read hadn't mentioned that possibility.

Shirei pondered how best to explain the concept and how he transitioned through it. The first idea that came to mind was to use an analogy.

"Imagine the gap junctions present between the cells," he began, trying to find the right words to explain simply. "The Interworld works in a similar way. It is as if it were a system of invisible connections that connect the worlds to each other, allowing the passage from one to the other. Like the connective tissue between two cells."

He had been quite specific, but he had tried to convey the idea as best he could. Marina looked at him curiously, wondering how he knew such complex notions.

"Like if we put two grapes in a glass of water, would the Interworld be the water that connects them?"

Cragar's son nodded, "Exactly."

"Shirei… how do you know these things?"

Ien's daughter was amazed at his knowledge. At the Lilies Park certain subjects relating to the mortal world were not studied, usually one waited to be transferred to the Daffodil Academy to continue their studies.

"I don't…" Shirei tried to answer, but the words seemed to die in his throat, "I have no idea," he finally admitted with an expression of confusion.

Is he lying? Marina wondered.

The conversation reached a stalemate but, just as the two were lost in conversation, the leader of the recruiting group approached Shirei with a cocky smile.

"Well well, here you are!" He said in a firm voice, "I spoke to Lyceum a little while ago and he told me in general terms about you. I have to say, it was quite unexpected."

The two girls followed Sidal's son and caught up with them, taking the still standing demigods with them.

"Hi!" greeted Elaine with a smile, "Damn! We thought you couldn't do it!"

Marina smiled sheepishly at Mardi's daughter's incorrect pronunciation, after all it wasn't even the girl's fault. She wondered if it had been difficult for her to learn Italian.

"I hope you're ready for the challenges ahead," Ada simply added.

Shirei nodded respectfully, however, before they could continue their conversation, the crowd of demigods around them began to whisper and murmur, instigating Havel to demonstrate his superiority. Some of them were arguing about who was the strongest and Shirei was mentioned a lot.

Stimulated by the crowd's taunts and eager to assert his status as the most powerful demigod, the group's leader spoke up.

Havel turned to the demigods and raised his hands for them to listen, "Silence a moment, dear comrades. I need to talk to the boy."

"So," he defiantly said to Shirei, "I've heard the story of what happened. It seems you have some talent in combat... but I am not a son of Tefine. I am representative of the children of Sidal. I am the son of the god of war, and I have no intention of being compared to a newcomer."

Shirei remained expressionless at the warrior's words but, at the same time, seemed curious about the possibility of a confrontation.

"What do you suggest?" Cragar's son asked.

Havel smiled, "One on one. If you beat me, you will be allowed to join the elite."

The demigod reached out to Cragar's son, "What do you think?"

Marina observed Shirei in silence. Havel had used the secret news of Lyceum decision to have a pretext to force Shirei to clash against him. Beating his new ally would consolidate his position as leader and, at the same time, demonstrate his magnanimity. Shirei would have shown his abilities so, despite the defeat, Sidal's son would have granted him a place within the group. It was a very smart move.

Ien's daughter hoped that the boy next to her was considering rejecting the proposal. She was aware, however, that fighting was the demigod's favorite pastime. There were no rational reasons for him not to consent.

Sure, she said to herself, Maybe he might be afraid of losing, but that wouldn't be like him.

Shirei stood up and placed his cold irises on Sidal's son.

"Okay," he replied, accepting the challenge.

The demigods held their breath in disbelief. Marina almost coughed, her fears were coming true at the worst possible time.

The strongest demigod in the park would face the mysterious new black sheep.