The Boy Who Walks Beyond The End-Chapter 67: The Half Within

The moon hung high, casting a silver glow over Grandovale. A heavy silence had fallen since the end of the Trial Beyond Light.

Zen lay on his dorm bed, eyes fixed on the ceiling, the air still thick with memories. His left eye, now faintly glowing red when alone, reflected something... foreign.

And familiar.

Suddenly—

[Ding!~ System has entered your thoughts, looking dazzling as ever!~]

[Nex: Yep, your ever-stylish, ever-handsome system companion is here. Sooo~ how's our favorite half-demon doing? Feeling dramatic yet, or should I cue sad violin music?]

Zen sighed, sitting up. "I don't want to talk about it."

[Nex: Which part? The fact that you sprouted a single demonic wing like a gothic angel, or the red eye thing? Because let me tell you—ten out of ten, would rewatch in slow motion.]

Zen narrowed his eye. "I... hate demons. Ever since Eldoria. What they did. What they are."

[Nex: Yeah, yeah, I know. Big betrayal. Burned homeland. The trauma, the monologue... But here's the twist, boss. You? You're not them.]

Zen's hand clenched over his heart.

"I felt it... during that battle. The fog in my mind—it wasn't just rage. It was something deeper. Something calling me."

[Nex: Because it's inside you, genius. But it doesn't define you. You're not a demon. You're not a god. You're Zen. The guy who blushes when Lyra teases him and goes quiet when she smiles too brightly.]

Zen's cheeks turned a soft shade of red.

"...That's not related."

Updated from freewёbnoνel.com.

[Nex: Sure, sure, totally unrelated. Like how your heartbeat spikes every time she says your name.]

Zen threw a pillow at the empty space. Nex dodged, laughing in sparkles only Zen could see.

"But seriously," Zen muttered, looking at his left hand. "What if I lose control again? What if I become like them?"

[Nex: Then I'll be there to punch you back to your senses. Or Lyra will. Or maybe both. But the real question is—will you give in... or will you take that power and make it yours?]

A pause.

Zen looked out the window. The stars didn't seem as far anymore.

"I don't want to be feared, Nex. I don't want to become something... unforgivable."

[Nex: Then don't. Be the outlier. Be the demon who saves. The winged warrior who carves fate by choice, not birth.]

There was silence. Then Zen smiled, just slightly.

"...Still annoyingly poetic for a cube."

[Nex: I aim to please.]

---

Downstairs, the common room lights were dim, but a quiet knock came at Zen's door.

"Zen? You awake?" It was Lyra's voice—soft, hesitant.

He opened the door. She was leaning on the frame, arms crossed, blue hair tied back in a loose braid. Her gaze flicked to his face—and then to his slightly glowing eye.

"You've been quiet lately," she said, stepping inside. "Since the trial."

Zen didn't reply. Lyra nudged him with her elbow.

"No brooding. That's my job when I burn breakfast."

He huffed. "I'm not brooding."

"You're brooding."

She plopped down on the bed, pulling her knees up.

"...I saw you change, Zen," she said quietly. "I didn't say anything then, because... I didn't want you to feel like a monster."

Zen looked away.

"But you weren't a monster. You were you. Just... more."

That made him glance back at her.

"And honestly?" she added, grinning slightly, "The wing? Kinda cool. Bit edgy. But I like it."

Zen blinked. "You... like it?"

Lyra smirked. "You saved everyone. If that's what being half-demon means... then maybe being a little 'demonic' isn't so bad. Just... don't let anyone else know. The world would hunt you for it."

Their eyes met. For a moment, there was only silence.

Then—

[Nex: Cue romantic tension! Add sparkles and a violin solo!]

Zen twitched.

"...What was that face?" Lyra leaned in.

"Nothing. The wind."

She squinted. "Wind doesn't make people blush, Zen."

Zen quickly turned his back. "Goodnight, Lyra."

"...Night, oh mysterious half-demon hero."

She giggled as she walked out, and Zen covered his face.

[Nex: Aww. My little demon prince is growing up. So proud.]

Zen groaned.

"Shut up, Nex."