"Master, don't pull me like this... slow down..." Ken was dragged out of the inn by Allen.

Outside, passersby stared at the scene—a petite young lady hauling a servant-like guy from the inn, his face utterly bewildered.

Ken frowned in confusion. Was watching a card game really such a big deal? But Allen took it seriously. As the Hero, the embodiment of justice, he couldn't let his disciple stray down a dark path. If Ken got hooked, wouldn't that ruin him? After all, the boy had respectfully called him "Master"!

Allen smoothed his hair and turned.

"I've lived longer than you. Just listen to me! Don't play with those burly men—they'll cheat you! Play too much, and you'll get addicted! Over time, you might even lose your hair!" Allen rambled on with wild claims.

"Worse! The scariest part! Hanging out with them yesterday could make you develop... unnatural tastes!" Allen exaggerated even more.

"Huh?!" Ken's eyes widened in disbelief. He'd never heard such a thing could happen—it was terrifying!

*I'll obey Master! I won't learn from them!* Ken thought firmly.

"Yes, Master! I understand!" Ken shouted.

"So many weirdos this Ice Festival..." a lavishly dressed noblewoman whispered to her companion nearby. "Just saw a beastkin gorging like crazy over there..." Her voice was low, but Ken, blessed with Frenzy, heard every word clearly.

"Uh..." Ken froze, utterly embarrassed.

Allen, lacking any special abilities, couldn't hear them. Pleased his lecture worked, he felt smug, while Ken's face flushed crimson as he scratched his head.

*Run!* Ken's first instinct kicked in.

"Master, let's go! Don't linger here—look, that snack looks delicious! Let's check it out! My treat!" Ken grabbed Allen's arm and dashed toward the street lined with food stalls.

"W-wait... slow down! Don't pull me so fast!" The roles reversed—now Ken was dragging Allen through the streets.

"Truly, so many oddballs," a passerby muttered.

"Customer~ These candied haws are two silver coins each. That'll be four silvers total!" a street vendor called from his cart.

"Here..." Ken numbly handed over the coins.

"Hold on~" the vendor smiled.

Ken watched curiously as the vendor crafted the candied haws. His movements were practiced, but most fascinating—he used a bit of fire magic to melt the sugar. For Ken, it was a first. He stared intently, and Allen, equally new to this, leaned over the cart like an eager child. The vendor occasionally flicked a spark from his fingers, and both boys dutifully gasped in awe. It felt like a tiny magic show, utterly mesmerizing.

"Here you go, customers~!"

"Oh! Thanks!" Ken took the two candied haws, handing one to Allen.

"Where'd you get the money?!" Allen suddenly remembered.

This kid was broke—Allen had even paid for his clothes! Where did he suddenly get coins? There must be some shady deal he was hiding!

"Ah... n-nothing... I found it on the ground~" Ken grinned foolishly, unaware Allen didn't believe him.

In truth, while Allen bathed and changed, Ken had finished early and gone downstairs to watch the burly men play cards. Bored, he studied their game. Gifted as he was, he grasped the tricks quickly. Borrowing one silver coin from a bald neighbor, he bet everything each round. Soon, he'd won over fifty silvers. Tired, he sat quietly watching when Allen finally came down—unaware of it all.

"Never mind. You wouldn't tell me anyway..." Allen grumbled, plopping onto a nearby bench.

"Hehe~" Ken chuckled sheepishly.

"Snow's falling, but it's light..." Allen remarked.

"Yeah," Ken replied.

"Why follow me?" Allen asked.

"You're brave. And strong," Ken answered.

"You stood up for our village in danger—I'm grateful. Even without powers like mine, your combat skills are sharper. You must have a story."

"Is that all?" Allen pressed.

"No. I saw your serious wounds. I feared you'd collapse on the road, so I followed. During our fight, you were as weak as I guessed. Without me, you'd have fainted in the jungle." Ken left unsaid the real reason—he'd been drawn to her beauty.

"...Thank you." Allen fell silent for a moment.

*How selfish of me to refuse help...*

"You're welcome," Ken said.

Allen glanced around—and froze. A flash of crimson caught his eye.

Vibrant as autumn maple leaves. In Allen's memory, only Luna had such striking hair. The figure seemed to overlap with her image. Allen stiffened, then relaxed.

*I rushed nonstop, crossing the great forest in just five days. With the snow and sleeping potion's effects, she couldn't possibly be here. I'm imagining things.* Still, he'd stay alert—better safe than sorry.

The red-haired beastkin girl had ears like Luna's, but her hair was intricately braided around her head, secured with overlapping strands, leaving soft shoulder-length locks that highlighted her innocent charm. She wore a deep blue hunting dress over a black chiffon-cotton blouse, trimmed with trendy lace at the cuffs and collar. A silk bow adorned her neck, and the blouse flowed into a skirt—no hoop, yet elegantly simple. Her outer coat was a light blue formal jacket, perfectly matching her aura.

But what unsettled Allen more was her eating style. She devoured food like a storm, barely holding back her manners—the piled-up plates betrayed her monstrous appetite.

*Are all beastkins monsters?! Such huge appetites!* Allen thought.

Following Allen's stunned gaze, Ken saw the unforgettable sight: a cute beastkin girl surrounded by empty plates. It was almost embarrassing.

*What a huge appetite!!* Ken marveled.

"Master, that's the other weirdo people mentioned! The beastkin girl gorging herself!!" Ken whispered excitedly.

Such a rare sight—he'd remember it.

"Yeah..." Allen murmured, still staring.

Unease crept over him. The beastkin girl's face looked more and more like Luna's, stirring painful memories.

A faint throbbing started in Allen's head. He shook it off, refusing to dwell on her.

"Master?! Master?" Ken called.

"Ah... I feel dizzy. Let's head back?" Allen suggested.

"If Master's unwell, we should return." Ken sounded disappointed.

They walked back to the inn. New stalls dotted the street—trinkets and jewelry—but Allen hurried Ken past them with a glance.

"Ken, do you follow me to get stronger?..." Allen asked on the way.

"Yes... actually... ah, never mind." Ken wasn't sure himself. He wanted strength, yet that wasn't the whole reason.

"Hmm..." Allen understood.

*I'm a fugitive... I can't drag Ken into this. It'd waste his youth. I'll send him away—to grow strong, to avoid my suffering. I'll leave tomorrow. A letter for him...* Allen decided.

The beastkin girl had rattled him. He must leave quickly. He couldn't let his selfishness waste Ken's talent—a boy who awakened Frenzy before sixteen. He'd send him to the Imperial Academy in Kanado, fulfilling his wish for strength.

Silence filled the walk. Before they knew it, they reached the inn. After brief goodnights, Allen returned to his room. He asked the front desk for paper and pen, then wrote a letter. He placed all his gold coins on top.

Like a weight lifted, he sighed deeply.

He packed his clothes into his trunk, climbed into bed drowsily, and soon fell asleep.

Unlike Allen, Ken lay awake. He kept asking himself: *Why did I follow Allen?* But no answer came.

Night deepened. The bustling streets quieted. As if on cue, snow began to fall heavily.

Whoosh—whoosh—whoosh—the wind howled, driving the blizzard.

Dimly, Ken drifted off to sleep...