"Allen, wake up." Ken enchanted the red crystal on the table. It burst into an orange glow. Magnified by the magic lens, it cast a modest pool of light—just like a Magic Crystal Lamp.

This small gadget was a product of magical tech advancement. It replaced the Magic Crystal Lamp. Compared to the expensive lamp, it was dirt cheap. But for ordinary folks, oil lamps were still more practical.

Allen didn’t know what this was. This technology had only emerged about three years ago. And it had been roughly three years since then.

Allen didn’t really want to get up. Honestly, she was in a bad mood. But years of habit kicked in. She sprang up like a coiled spring—*pop*—sitting upright instantly. Though still groggy, her mind started working as soon as she sat up.

It wasn’t dawn yet. Stars from last night still dotted the sky outside the window. They glimmered faintly with a trace of glow. Like tiny fireflies dancing across the Milky Way.

"I have to head back to school..." Ken said, lowering his head. "We probably won’t see each other for a while."

"I’m a bit worried about you. What are your plans next...?" Ken continued.

Last night, they’d just chatted idly, listening to stories. He’d forgotten to arrange what Allen should do next. It ended in awkward silence. Things that should’ve been said remained unsaid.

It wasn’t until Ken was showering that he suddenly remembered this. To his chagrin, it was already late. He peeked into Allen’s room and found her asleep. So he didn’t disturb her, letting her rest. That’s why he was here early this morning.

"Did you tell my father and brothers about my return?" Allen asked, rubbing her sleepy eyes. She was silently calculating in her mind.

"No, they’re in the capital. After all, he’s a Grand Duke. He feels he’s getting old, so he keeps his two sons close," Ken replied. Ken knew Duke Mana realized he was no longer fit for politics. So he always took his two sons to the royal capital. To build rapport with the future king, Crown Prince Richard. This would give them political advantages later. He planned to retire quietly once his sons were established in court.

Ever since Gloria’s tragic death, he’d cherished his two sons like treasures. As for Allen, he simply couldn’t accept her. A tiger doesn’t eat its cubs—he’d never harbor outright hostility toward Allen. But he couldn’t control his aversion to her. So he turned a blind eye. At least, he believed he’d never done anything to betray his conscience toward Allen. Unbeknownst to him, his neglect had left Allen with permanent psychological scars.

The mighty Hero actually feared the dark. All thanks to his brothers.

"The capital... I want to go too..." Allen muttered softly, as if even she didn’t know what she was saying.

"I don’t want to stay in this house. It makes me uneasy..." Allen said after a moment’s thought.

Everything that happened here was vivid in her mind. She’d been under house arrest for so long. She absolutely, absolutely didn’t want to experience it again. That endless waiting—where time seemed to vanish—waiting for the day they’d forgive her and let her out. Even in this comfortable, bright room, the waiting felt like a perfect, exquisite cage. When she finally escaped this cage, the world had changed. Everything. Just five years locked up—from age eight until she left this gilded cage—her mind hadn’t grown an inch. She didn’t know if this time, she’d be locked away for ten years, twenty, or forever. If she ever broke free, would her mind be lost? Would she become a puppet, not even knowing herself? She was terrified.

"Listen... Allen, I know you’re scared of this house. But you have to stay here..."

"I don’t want to!..." Allen cut Ken off before he could continue.

"Hear me out!" Ken snapped.

"Even you..." Allen fell silent, lowering her head without a word.

"Don’t be so impulsive and willful, okay... Do you know where I found you and brought you back?" Ken pulled out a chair and sat by Allen’s bed. He folded his hands into a platform, resting his chin on them, staring straight at Allen.

"Where?..." Allen was startled by Ken’s intense gaze. She’d never seen him like this before.

"At a slave auction..."

"?!!" Allen couldn’t believe it. Her mouth fell open slightly in shock. She’d been put up for slave auction?

"Haven’t you noticed? That black collar around your neck—it can’t be removed. It looks like jewelry, but no matter how you pull, it won’t come off." Ken lowered his arms, sitting back in the chair, gazing at the starry sky ahead. Dawn was beginning to break.

"It’s not a collar at all. It’s a restraint, tightly bound to you. You probably thought it was just decoration," Ken said.

"You’ve forgotten so much. I don’t want you taking risks. As a friend, I hope you’ll reconsider. Even slave hunters could easily capture you, let alone people with ulterior motives... Your amnesia might even be caused by its owner." Ken reasoned. Logically, it made perfect sense.

The person hiding in the shadows might truly know everything. That would explain Allen’s three-year disappearance.

Allen broke into a cold sweat. Thinking about it was terrifying enough. She’d been captured and nearly sold into slavery. If Ken hadn’t recognized her on sight, she might have lost all freedom. In other words, Ken had saved her.

"..." Allen stayed silent. She was so weak—too weak to even fight an ordinary child. In physique, stamina, magic, or Frenzy, she had no strengths at all. Looking around, she had no one to rely on except Ken. And she’d just yelled at him...

"But... I really don’t want to see them..." Allen lowered her head, whispering so softly only she could hear.

"I know you don’t want to meet them. Actually, I have a solution for you," Ken said.

"Two days ago, the librarian of this mansion—Old Bu—left for the royal capital. He quit his job. His son started a business there and made a fortune. Now, he doesn’t need to work anymore. His son’s money will let him live comfortably in retirement. So he went to enjoy his golden years. I can get you an identity here. You’ll pose as the librarian, staying there for a while. I guarantee it’ll be safe—much better than wandering outside. As a librarian, the Grand Duke and your brothers won’t see you. They’ll think Allen is dead. Most importantly, you can heal there peacefully, slowly recalling past events. I think this is the safest option—killing multiple birds with one stone." Ken said confidently, having thought of everything. Logically, it was the best solution. But the final decision was Allen’s. If she refused, Ken was out of options.

"..." Allen said nothing, just nodding in agreement.

Ken had thought so much for her. She had no reason to refuse. This was truly the best solution—avoiding her father and brothers while staying safe. No flaws in any aspect. So she had to agree.

"Then it’s settled," Ken said.

With that, he pulled a recommendation letter from his pocket. It was densely covered in writing.

"Actually, I wrote this last night before bed. Just waiting for your agreement~" Ken said with a smile.

"You tricked me!" Allen said with slight displeasure, but warmth spread in her heart. It was that special feeling of being helped.

"Hahaha, don’t be mad, don’t be mad," Ken chuckled foolishly. Allen suddenly froze, as if recalling something. But the feeling vanished instantly. She didn’t dwell on it, dismissing it since she couldn’t remember.

"How were you so sure I wouldn’t refuse?" Allen asked with a smile, the brief negativity gone.

"No reason to refuse. Such a perfect plan," Ken grinned.

"Is that all?" Allen asked again.

"Maybe it’s just my good luck. I’ve never lost a bet," Ken chuckled foolishly.

"Never lost... I really envy you," Allen smiled.

Allen had never thought of such luck. She was only plagued by misfortune. How could she hope for such bizarre luck? No matter what she did, misfortune seemed to follow. If her luck had been just a bit better—if her mother Gloria hadn’t died—would her life have changed? Absolutely. Drastically. She wouldn’t have been bullied by her own brothers. She wouldn’t have faced unfair treatment at school. Everything would be different. But Allen was just... unlucky. She could only feel helpless, helpless, helpless. So she rejected anything related to luck. She didn’t want misfortune to control her, making her even unluckier. No matter what she did, it was futile.

"I wish I could have half your luck," Allen said with a bitter smile.

"If I could share it, I’d give you all my luck," Ken chuckled foolishly.

Allen froze. Looking at the grinning fool before her, waves of emotion surged in her heart.

"Ah, time’s up. I have to go. See you later." Ken heard the *thump-thump-thump* from the living room. He knew it was time—he had to return to school.

Ken stood up, put the chair back, and turned toward the door.

"Ken..." Allen suddenly called out.

"Th-thank you..." Allen choked out, tears welling up from being moved.

"You’re welcome." Ken turned back with a smile, then walked away without looking back.

.................................................