After imparting Ethan with its final words, the demon within Elara seemed to lose interest and released its possession of her. As soon as it did, the pressure vanished, and her crimson aura dissipated.

Instantly, her body slackened, and her eyes returned to their normal state.

Elara blinked, looking around confused.

Her gaze landed on Ethan, who lay backwards on the ground, but his eyes remained locked onto her.

"...?"

She tilted her head, then quickly signed, *Why are you staring at me like that?*

Ethan just sighed.

*And what happened to your forehead?* she added.

He reached up, touching his sore face to feel a massive bump.

"Huh."

It was definitely noticeable, bright red and almost cartoonish.

But what was more surprising was that she didn’t seem to know what had happened. Meaning not only was that entity capable of possessing her, but it could also do so without her even knowing what occurred.

"Nothing," he said casually. "Sir Demon just came out to play."

*Sir Demon?* Elara wasn’t sure whether to laugh or be concerned.

Ethan straightened up and brushed himself off before explaining to her what had happened. She listened and nodded along to what he had said, and wasn’t surprised by their exchange at all.

’She accepted that all very easily.’

It seemed like her focus was on something else entirely.

She clenched her hand slightly, feeling the faint lingering energy coursing through her body.

’If I can learn to use this as my own power...’

Without relying on that thing inside her that showed up whenever it pleased.

’Maybe I can actually become a true A Rank.’

A small smile formed on her lips.

Then, her expression twisted slightly.

She winced.

*My head hurts.*

She tapped her temple lightly, to which Ethan smiled.

"Mana drain," he stepped closer. "You’ll get used to it."

She looked up at him, tired and unsteady.

Then, without saying anything, she leaned against him, resting lightly against his shoulder. Despite her exhaustion, she had a hopeful smile on her face.

Ethan helped her settle down in the corner of the private training room. After that, he began looking around the room with his hawk-like eyes for any signs of cameras.

’I can’t see any, but to be on the safer side of things, I’ll avoid using my abilities in here,’ he decided.

If these private training rooms were monitored, they would have already seen his C Rank-like abilities while partially assimilated with Talon. But there was no need to use his Beast Summoning as well.

’I’ll just use Beast Mend on them again later.’

With that, they both set off.

But before leaving, they showered and shamelessly raided the association’s spare clothing.

Ethan pulled on a fourth hoodie, glancing at himself.

"I’ll get that 20% Titled tax back one way or another."

Elara had also done the same, copying what he had done last time, waddling over to him. They both looked bulky with his excessive layers, laughing at each other, but free clothes were free clothes.

The next thing on the duo’s mind was food, as always.

They ate a bunch, and then Ethan made a decision that surprised Elara.

"Let’s go see them."

She nodded, also wanting to see Mark’s family again.

’Checking in on them once a day is the least I can do.’

It would keep him grounded, and he had promised them and himself that he would do so.

Before they could even knock on the door, Adonis spotted them coming from the window, rushing to let them in.

"Uncle Ethan!"

The kid ran up, eyes bright.

"Can we go out?!"

Ethan blinked, patting his head awkwardly as he stepped inside.

"Um..."

He glanced at Tasha, Adonis’s mother, who was cleaning the living room, as if to ask for permission.

She casually nodded, which caught him off guard.

"Why do you look so surprised?" she said. "You’re his uncle, aren’t you?"

Something warm settled in his chest.

"Yeah," he said quietly. "I am."

Adonis excitedly put his shoes on before holding Elara’s hand as they stepped outside. Ethan thought back to where he would want to go when he was his age, and only one place came to mind.

’I wonder if it’s still there.’

To his surprise, it was, but of course, it had changed entirely and was far more advanced than he remembered.

"Joystick Junction."

It went from being filled with retro arcade games to now having VR setups, flashing lights, and noise everywhere.

Adonis loved it.

"This is amazing!"

Ethan chuckled.

"This was my favourite place when I was a kid."

They then ran around the place trying out every game, Elara following them both around as if she was their mother.

After that, she bought them both whatever snacks they wanted, enjoying this outing just as much as they did. It was wholesome and something she would have never experienced if she hadn’t met Ethan in that gate.

Then they headed back together.

And on their way back, Adonis surprised Ethan.

"I’m glad I have another uncle," the kid said directly.

Ethan smiled, "Oh, yeah?"

"Uncle Mark is cool, but he’s too serious. And after my dad died, he was the only guy I had."

Ethan paused.

"Your dad?"

"He was a fireman," Adonis said proudly. "He died during a gate break. He’s a hero, and I want to be just like him." 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Ethan ruffled his hair.

"I’m sure you will be."

He had been curious about where his father was, but didn’t question it. Now he was definitely glad he didn’t. Though surprisingly, Adonis seemed to have accepted it and continued telling Ethan about his deceased father.

’Kids these days really are sharper than we were.’

It almost made him want to have one of his own, but now was definitely not the time for that.

’Maybe once I’m a retired S Rank,’ he joked internally.

As soon as they returned, Adonis breathlessly told Tasha everything they had gotten up to. He had a bunch of candy in his hand, and his energy was overflowing.

She shot Ethan a look.

"Did you buy him all this sugary shit?"

Ethan immediately pointed at Elara.

"Nope. Her."

Elara blinked, scrambling for her phone to explain.

Tasha laughed, assuring her it was fine and that she appreciated it. Then she stepped forward towards Ethan, who instinctively flinched.

’You never know with the Reeds.’

But instead, she hugged him appreciatively.

"Thanks. I haven’t seen him this happy in a while."

Ethan smiled.

"It was my pleasure."

But Ethan was about to receive a massive shock when the others showed up...