"Ah, sorry, I'm a bit late," Albert jogged over and said.

"Mm, it's fine. I wasn't too bored—someone was just chatting with me."

"Oh, I see. So you finally made a friend? You've been stuck with me since arriving here. I never gave you a chance to find others. Now that you have someone to talk to, I'm so happy. That's wonderful!"

"Don't look at me like my mom, okay? I might be a bit of a homebody, but back home, I had friends too."

"...I'm sorry... for dragging you to this strange place..." Albert lowered his head and apologized to Chu Xueyue.

Crap, did I say something wrong?

"It's not your fault. I came here through no doing of yours. If you hadn't saved me and given me food and shelter, I wouldn't be alive now. So please, stop this. You're making me feel like the villain."

"Let's go. We should head back fast. I already caused a scene earlier. If you keep this up, people will gossip about me again."

In truth, the crowd had already turned their stares back this way. Moments ago, he'd been muttering loudly to himself. Now, a handsome guy was bowing in apology right before him. Onlookers were already spinning wild theories.

Feeling those eyes, Chu Xueyue refused to stay. He wasn't a monkey to be gawked at for free. He urged Albert to leave with him.

...

Returning to their area felt like stepping into another world. The streets had been packed just minutes ago. Now, eerie silence reigned. How could one city feel so different?

"Albert, look what I got!" Chu Xueyue waved the two tickets Zhang Yong had given him.

With Albert's sharp eyes and experience, he recognized them instantly. Open day tickets for the academy—and judging by the intricate patterns, these granted access to the noble district.

Albert grabbed Chu Xueyue's wrist, stopping the waving. "How did you get these? They're not easy to obtain. Do you even know what they're worth?"

Chu Xueyue yanked his hand back. He hated being held by a guy—even if Albert wasn't into men and no one was watching.

"Two people I met today gave them to me."

"Who?" Such valuable tickets, freely given in the commoner district to a stranger? Highly suspicious.

"I only know their names. But from their clothes, they seemed like nobles. And while chatting, they used some invisibility item—or at least, everyone else ignored them completely."

"Nobles using invisibility gear in the slums? Are they spying on commoner life?"

"Dunno. Maybe it's their hobby. Forget others' opinions. What matters is these tickets—we can enter the noble district now, right?"

Seeing Chu Xueyue's bright smile, Albert—who'd planned to scold him for accepting such gifts—found his words stuck.

"True. But the open day lasts only a few days. When will you go? I heard something special happens in the noble district the day after tomorrow," Albert added, shifting to gossip he'd overheard.

Hearing about even grander events on the final day, Chu Xueyue decided to save the best for last.

"Then the day after tomorrow. Perfect timing, right?"

"Mm. Fine. We'll go then," Albert nodded. Any day worked for him.

"By the way, what did you buy?" Chu Xueyue eyed Albert's tightly wrapped bag. Curiosity got the better of him. "That stuff looks intriguing. Can I peek?"

Albert's spatial gear had been confiscated by the Dark Lord at Demon King's Castle. Such items were costly and rare. As a retired Hero, he no longer needed one—buying it would be wasteful. So today, he carried everything by hand.

"Hero's intuition? If you must know, I'll show you. But swear you'll tell no one. Understand?"

What could be so secret he couldn't share it—but would show me?

"Mm, no problem."

"Here." Albert tossed the bag over.

Whoa! What the heck? My eyes!!

Meanwhile, with the new Hero's party.

"Lady Evelyn, one hundred demon sorcerers are hidden and ready," a shadow murmured behind her. The new Hero was absent.

"Mm, good," Evelyn smiled slightly. Had anyone seen her then, they'd have been spellbound. But no one was there.

"I never imagined the 'Hero's companion' title would be so useful. Before, entering human cities meant endless preparations to evade the city's Magic Circle. Now, with the Hero's help, we walked right in—no prep needed."

"Naturally. Past Heroes had traitors from our side too. Thanks to your wisdom, Lady Evelyn, we exploited this loophole," the shadow flattered.

"Enough. I have little time—I must return to the Hero soon. Order everyone to stay hidden these days. Don't expose yourselves. This city houses the Magic Academy's heart. With the festival underway, mages won't lower their guard. Tread carefully near that Magic Circle," Evelyn commanded.

"Yes, Lady Evelyn. If nothing else, I take my leave."

"Wait." Evelyn called out as the shadow turned to go.

"Your orders, Lady Evelyn?"

"Investigate what Holy Wars occurred in recent years."

"Yes, Lady Evelyn." The shadow melted into the corner's darkness like water.