"Listen to me carefully, child," the old woman said, her voice suddenly serious. "But first, you must promise me you will tell no one what I am about to say. Whatever I reveal here will only bring you harm if it spreads. Nothing will happen to me. So, if you are smart enough, you will keep silent."
I nodded, my throat too dry to speak.
"Your father... was not human. You see, you are a child of a demon."
"What?" I whispered, the word barely audible. "My father was a demon?"
"Well, you don't need to shout," she said, a hint of her old sarcasm returning. "I am right here."
"What do you mean, 'I don't need to shout'? Are you insane? My father was a demon? He wasn't just some ordinary human? This is a fucking big thing for me! That means... I'm not human? What about my mother? Was she a demon too?"
"Ah, your mother," she sighed, a flicker of something like sadness in her ancient eyes. "She was a commoner from this realm. So yes, she was human. You are not a pure demon. You are a halfling—the blood of a demon and a human flows in your veins."
"I don't... I don't understand anything you're saying. And why should I trust you?"
"Well, I wouldn't have come here just to lie to you, are you dumb or something?" she snapped. "Think."
My mind was a whirlwind of chaos, but one thought cut through it all. "Tell me more about my father and my mother. How did they meet? How did they die? Please," I begged, my pride crumbling. "I am begging you."
"Child, now is not the time," she said, her tone firm. "I told you what you needed to know for now. You will learn the rest by yourself soon, when the time is right. But the most important thing, the reason I came, is to tell you how to use your power."
"Power? What do you mean? I don't possess any power! And I don't care! And for me, the right time is now! So do me a favor and tell me the whole story!"
"Aah, not gonna happen," she said flatly. "And you should not shout at an elder woman. I know your mother wasn't around to raise you, but did they teach you no manners? Even demon children know this. Keep quiet, or your head goes off."
The air grew cold and heavy. An immense, crushing pressure settled on my shoulders, and for a terrifying second, I felt my skull might actually implode.
"Eep... sorry," I squeaked.
"How do you know that you don't have any power?" she asked, the pressure vanishing as quickly as it came.
"Well, I checked on the magic ball. It always shines for my sister, Flare, but not for me. Only those with magic power can make it shine. I've tried many times, but nothing ever happened."
"Oh, you fool," she cackled. "How can a device made to detect human magic detect demonic power?" Even though his powers are locked, she thought to herself, I am sensing a great aura from him. It's giving me chills. Is it because my presence is acting as a catalyst?
"So... that means I possess power?"
"Oh, yes," she grinned. "You have the powers from your father's bloodline. But the power system for demons is totally different. What humans have is a small seed of magic from the Eternal Tree. We demons have had our own system for thousands of years. We've developed it into skills, far greater than any raw magic. The spell you saw me cast? Any great demon can do it. But even the best human sorcerer couldn't pull it off. Do you see the difference?"
"What are you saying? That means demons are that strong, and humans are just... weak?"
"Well, yes," she said with a dismissive wave. "Anyway, until or unless a supreme demon can't chant or invoke the magic inside you, you can't use it for yourself. Every demon child receives this invocation when they turn five. But you were not in the demon realm, so you are... a little late."
"Then?" I asked, leaning forward, my heart pounding. "What do we do?"
"Well, nothing," she said, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "Your father asked me to do it, but it just... slipped my mind. Hahahah!"
"Ehhh?!" I roared, jumping to my feet. "That means it's your fault! You lousy haggggg!"
I stared at her, my world collapsing and reforming in the span of a single breath. The tavern, frozen in time, felt like a tomb. A tomb for the boy I thought I was. "I... I don't understand," I stammered, my voice barely a whisper. "A demon?
"I am old!" she roared, her voice making the frozen air vibrate. "I have a thousand vows and a thousand memories! One slipped through the cracks! Is that so hard to believe? But I am here now, am I not? The question is, are you ready to stop whining like a child and listen?"
I took a deep, shuddering breath, forcing the rage down. This was it. The answer to everything. "I'm listening."
"Good," she grumbled. "Now, about your power. You asked what makes it different. It's not just about strength, boy. It's about essence. Human magic is like borrowing a cup of water from a lake. You can use it, but the lake remains. Demonic power is being the lake. It is part of your soul, your blood. It manifests as Skills, not just spells."
"Skills? What kind of skills?"