Chapter 69. Bend over
Going back and forth between our world and the demon realm made me realize that time flowed differently—one week in the demon realm was roughly 14 hours in the human world.
So, when I returned, it was still the same day I had left. But instead of heading back to Eldoria, I teleported straight from the demon realm to the Zephandria Kingdom.
There was no time to waste. I had to face the first Guardian of the Ascension Key and return home within three days—before the academy resumed on the fourth. Mom would worry if I didn’t make it back in time.
From Zephandria, I didn’t stop. Using my map as a guide, I soared through the sky with my new spell, moving faster than I had in the demon realm. Maybe it was because the air here was fresh, untainted by demonic miasma.
Rin flew beside me, dressed in a hoodie so people wouldn’t see her horns as we cut through the sky with ease.
Though the spell didn’t drain my magic, flying nonstop was exhausting. By the time the sun began to rise, I realized we had spent the entire night in the air. Finally, we spotted a small village and decided to take a break.
Something felt off the moment we arrived. The place was eerily quiet—no guards at the entrance, no signs of life beyond a few thin, sickly-looking villagers.
As we strolled through the settlement in search of an inn, a child in a tattered dress ran past, clutching a small bucket of water.
I was parched. I stopped her. "Hey, kid. Can I have some water?"
She hesitated, looking up at me with hollow, tear-filled eyes. Her messy black hair obscured most of her face, but as a doctor, I could tell—she wasn’t well. Her pupils were dark, her gaze empty.
She handed me the bucket. The water inside was filthy.