True to Albert’s word, there were spare rooms here. That night, he assigned one to Chu Xueyue. His sister Muse was also staying over—they hadn’t seen each other in ages and had much to catch up on. Not wanting to be a third wheel, Chu Xueyue took a quick shower and obediently went to bed.

"Xueyue, wake up! You’ll be late for school again!" His mother’s voice. *Huh. So it really was just a dream.* That other world had been a pain, but… not a bad dream.

He opened his eyes. The ceiling wasn’t his own. "Ugh, what a hassle. Guess I’ll snooze a bit longer." He flopped back down, ready to steal another moment of sleep.

"Xueyue! Rise and shine!" Albert called from outside the door.

"Coming!"

When the host was up and calling for you, how could you stay in bed?

After a quick wash, Chu Xueyue headed downstairs. Breakfast was already laid out.

"Morning," he greeted.

"Good morning! Come eat," Muse smiled. "Start without me—I’ll go wake my brother. He prefers to eat after his workout."

Chu Xueyue knew Albert’s morning routine well. He didn’t hesitate, sitting down to eat. These past few days, he’d grown used to not waiting for Albert.

"Brother, don’t push yourself so hard right away! You were locked in the Demon King’s Castle dungeon for months! How can you handle such intense exercise already?" Muse’s voice floated in from outside, scolding with concern.

*How nice… to have family.*

Last night, Albert had explained his months-long disappearance—imprisoned in the Demon King’s Castle. Chu Xueyue was recast as a fellow captive recently snatched by the Demon Army. Together, they’d escaped the dungeon. But with his home destroyed by the Demon Army, Chu Xueyue had nowhere to return to. Now, he followed Albert here.

A simple story. But it only needed to be believed.

Better to keep his Hero identity secret. Too much attention would weaken his power later. Human faith was… complicated.

"Brother, Mobert will pick me up soon," Muse said after breakfast.

*Seriously? Leaving us to watch your lovey-dovey reunion?*

"Hmm. Then I’ll take Chu Xueyue out now. I shouldn’t be seen yet. Don’t tell Mobert I’m back."

"Understood."

"Xueyue, let’s go. I’ll show you around."

"Perfect. I wanted to explore anyway. Lead on."

As they left Muse behind, she wondered: *Who is this Chu Xueyue? Why does Brother treat him so well? And why hide his return from Mobert? If Mobert knew, proving Brother alive would be easy—he could reclaim everything he lost. I’ll obey this time… but next time, I’ll tell Mobert.*

By then, the two were already out the door.

"Your Hero’s power, the people’s trust, the world’s protection… Albert, you truly are a Hero," Chu Xueyue said as they walked.

"What are you talking about?" Albert frowned, puzzled.

Chu Xueyue stopped, grinning. "I mean—even without the title, you’re still a true Hero."

"Why’s that?"

"Think about it. The world’s will only blurs you so much. Your sister recognized you instantly. And her fiancé? He’d know you on sight. If he saw you, the whole kingdom would learn you’re alive. Even with the world’s blurring, people would recognize you. Then the new Dragon Slayer Hero might lose the nation’s full support—his Hero’s blessing would weaken. That’s why you stay hidden, isn’t it?"

"Is that what you think?" Albert chuckled dryly. "Maybe part of it. Or maybe… I’m just lazy. I’m human. I get tired too."

"No, no, no." Chu Xueyue wagged a finger. "You’d never be that lazy—not as a Hero. That’s unchangeable. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have come back here. Or tried to introduce me to the king earlier—though I’d rather skip that now, pretty princesses aside."

"What makes a Hero? It’s not just a title. You fought the Dark Lord alongside the Demon-Slaying Hero. You rescued me. You returned here and gave up fame, pretending to be dead… all to ensure the new Dragon Slayer gets the people’s support."

"If that doesn’t make you a Hero… does someone like me qualify? Don’t joke. Only someone with the Heart of the Hero is a true Hero."

Albert burst out laughing. "The Heart of the Hero? I never expected to hear that from you. But you’re naive. No Hero has possessed it for generations—not even me. I never mentioned it. How did you know?"

*Wait—was that thing real?! I just made it up!* Chu Xueyue’s mind reeled. "The Heart of the Hero? Seriously exists? I was just… talking!"

"It’s a legendary artifact," Albert explained. "They say it grants the Hero’s blessing even without human recognition. Lost ages ago in a battle against the Dark Lord. Later Heroes searched for it… but none ever found it."

"Anyway, Heroes kept defeating the Dark Lord without it. Modern Heroes don’t even look for it anymore. Human recognition alone grants the blessing. It’s… unnecessary."

"I see. Pretty useless, then."

…

"Albert, why are we here? Buying books?" Chu Xueyue followed him into a shop, a bad feeling creeping in.

"Obviously—to get you beginner’s textbooks. You can talk with us fine, but you can’t even read? Even mercenaries need to write their own names." Albert’s smile hid something ominous.

"No way!!! I finally escaped studying! I’ve never heard of an Otherworldly Hero needing homework!"