For a month, Kei stayed by himself without being disturbed by Shima or Freddy, just as they had agreed a few weeks earlier.
Since Kei decided to be alone, Shima spent her breaks with her female friends instead.
Sometimes, Shima and Freddy would leave a small plastic bag filled with bread for Kei before quietly leaving him alone to continue reading his book.
Kei sat alone in the school gazebo, rubbing the back of his neck as it felt stiff.
He leaned back for a moment, trying to rest his mind after memorizing too many magic techniques from the book.
A small smile appeared on his face as he watched Freddy and Shima laughing together not far away.
Maybe they're more compatible as friends than as lovers.
Kei smiled again when he saw how much happier Shima looked.
He lowered his eyes back to the chapter about half-magicians.
His gaze shifted toward Freddy.
After reading the book for weeks, he finally knew how to summon the name of the djinn within him.
The only thing left was discovering who Freddy really was.
After weeks of searching, he finally found the answer.
He never expected the information about half-magicians to be hidden inside this book.
He couldn't continue reading anymore.
His mind needed a break.
Maybe for half an hour...
Or until he got home after school.
He still had to memorize every page.
The school bell rang, signaling the start of class.
Kei stretched his shoulders and waist, trying to ease the stiffness in his body.
From a distance, Shima and Freddy walked toward him.
Every day after lunch break, they would walk together even though they were in different classes.
Once they reached Shima's classroom, Kei and Freddy left her there before continuing to their own classroom.
Shima smiled and waved at both of them.
"Fred... I've noticed that you and Shima have become much closer since your breakup, haven't you?"
Kei asked without looking at Freddy.
"Hm...? Are you jealous?"
Freddy lightly punched Kei's shoulder while smiling.
"It's not jealousy."
Kei shook his head.
"I'm just saying... I'm not the only one who noticed. Since you two broke up, your friendship has become even closer than when you were dating. That's what confuses me. A lot of the girls at school keep asking me about your relationship with Shima."
"Oh... Is that so?"
Freddy smiled.
"Shima and I are just friends. Besides, she still has hope for you. You're the one with the heart of stone."
"I'm not interested in romance."
Kei answered calmly.
"Shima already knows the principles I live by. Even if she decided to be with you someday, I would never stop her."
"My only focus right now is one thing."
Kei corrected himself.
He couldn't allow himself to think about love anymore.
Although he did have feelings for Shima...
Saving both worlds was far more important.
"I understand, Keishii."
Freddy's smile slowly faded.
"Shima isn't the type of girl who forces her feelings on someone. She's known you for years, so she understands you better than anyone."
"She doesn't want to become another burden in your life."
"That's why she's patiently waiting."
Kei glanced at Freddy before giving a small nod.
Whatever happened...
His feelings would have to wait.
His world was already being invaded by demonic creatures because he was the last magician.
He looked down at the thick book in his hand.
Simply reading it wasn't enough.
He had to memorize every spell...
Every step...
Every summoning chant...
Every story about magicians...
Everything.
It wasn't an easy task.
In the World of Magic...
Plifer sat on a wooden bench near the playground behind the house.
Several half-beast children were happily playing together.
A female half-beast walked toward him.
Plifer smiled slightly.
"Are you really sure that boy will save our world?"
She asked as she sat beside him.
"I'm not completely sure."
Plifer sighed.
"But Fullus sincerely asked me to trust him."
"Besides... That boy possesses extraordinary magic, Grilly."
Grilly looked unconvinced.
"I've seen him once."
"He doesn't look like a magician at all."
"His fingers aren't long like those of ordinary magicians."
"He looks exactly like a normal human."
"So how could he possibly possess the power of the last magician?"
Plifer remained silent for a moment.
"At first..."
"I didn't believe it either."
"But I saw it with my own eyes."
"He possesses seven different magical powers."
"And the djinn within him..."
"It is incredibly dangerous."
"I don't think he's an ordinary human."
Grilly lowered her gaze.
"I don't want the two of you to make the wrong decision."
"Our world has never accepted humans."
"They are our enemies."
"I came here to warn both of you."
"Don't trust humans too easily."
"They have always been the enemies of magicians and half-beast demons."
"Never forget that."
Without another word...
Grilly stood up and walked away.
Plifer remained seated, quietly thinking about everything she had said.
Plifer let out a quiet sigh before standing up.
He walked toward the building and entered a room marked:
[Entrada Proibida] — No Entry
Only he and Fullus were allowed to enter.
Inside the room, Fullus sat quietly before a floating sphere of water.
Within the sphere, the image of Kei attending class could be seen clearly.
Plifer approached him.
"Fullus..."
"Grilly came to see me."
Fullus didn't look away from the water.
"Oh?"
"What did she want?"
"She came because of Keishii."
Plifer folded his arms.
"She doesn't want us to be influenced by humans."
Fullus sighed.
"So... it's the same topic again."
He finally lowered his eyes to the book resting on his lap.
"You already know who that boy really is, don't you?"
Plifer asked.
"I do."
Fullus answered calmly.
"That's why I'm certain."
"He is the last magician."
Plifer frowned.
"I know what magicians look like."
"Keishii doesn't look like one."
"He's completely human."
"Our world has never accepted humans."
"You know that humans and magicians have always been enemies."
Fullus suddenly closed his book.
"If that's true..."
"Then explain this."
"Why does that boy possess seven magical powers?"
"And why does he carry such a dangerous djinn?"
"Only the Golden Magician possesses that kind of power."
"And the Golden Magician exists only once..."
"The Last Magician."
Plifer remained silent.
"A boy Keishii's age could never steal such power."
Fullus stood up from his chair.
"I know we still don't have proof of who Keishii really is."
"But believe me."
"He's our only hope."
"He can save our world."
Fullus walked toward the door.
Before leaving, he stopped.
"Plifer..."
"If we lose this chance..."
"There will never be peace in the world of magicians again."
"We'll remain slaves to the Demon King for the rest of our lives."
"Is that what you want?"
"Do you want every half-beast demon to live as slaves forever?"
Without waiting for an answer...
Fullus left the room.
Plifer clenched his fists tightly.
He had never liked Kei from the very beginning.
But because he trusted Fullus' judgment...
He followed him.
He brought Kei into their world.
This morning...
He witnessed it with his own eyes.
The Five Elements had awakened inside Kei.
But...
That wasn't all.
Kei possessed seven different powers...
And an incredibly dangerous djinn.
The mark burned onto Fullus' palm proved one thing.
Kei possessed the Phoenix Djinn.
But...
That power was far too dangerous for an ordinary human.
If Kei truly was a magician...
Then why didn't he resemble one?
Why did he look exactly like a human?
Every magician carried a unique mark...
Along with the name of their djinn.
Kei had both.
The mark was clearly visible on the back of his neck.
What Plifer couldn't understand was...
Why had Kei never used his magic before?
Magicians were normally able to control their magic naturally from childhood.
They didn't need anyone to teach them.
Plifer slowly placed a finger against his chin.
"I have to know..."
"Who are you, Keishii?"
His eyes remained fixed on Kei's image inside the water sphere.
As Kei lowered his head to write...
Plifer suddenly noticed something.
His eyes widened.
The mark on Kei's neck...
It had changed.
There were now...
Two different symbols.
"...Impossible."
Plifer's breathing became heavier.
"So..."
"He's not only the Last Magician."
"He's also half demon."
His smile slowly faded.
His heart began to pound.
"No..."
"It's not just five powers."
"Not seven..."
"Eight."
Plifer swallowed hard.
"Phoenix..."
"And Demon..."
"Both exist inside him."
"This changes everything."
Could Kei control both powers?
Or...
Would he be forced to choose only one?
Even half-beast demons never used their demonic power to its fullest.
It was far too dangerous.
Using it carelessly could eventually turn them into monsters themselves.
Plifer immediately stood up.
He had to tell Fullus.
And every half-beast demon.
As soon as possible.
"Keishii... What exactly are you?"