In an unassuming old tavern at the city center, the spacious hall stood empty. Only a man reeking of alcohol lay slumped over a damp table, lost in deep slumber, seemingly drowned in a life of decay.

Morning sunlight filtered through the broken roof, spilling onto Gali’s stubbled face. Slowly, he roused from sleep, accompanied by the sharp shatter of a glass cup hitting the floor.

Soon, the white-haired owner gently tapped the drowsy Gali. With a sigh, he spoke slowly.

"Hero, it’s about time. I’m closing up."

"Oh!"

Gali rubbed his throbbing head, struggling to rise from his seat. He staggered slightly before steadying himself.

"Bill, boss."

"No need. My treat."

The old man waved a weary hand, his gaze sweeping the room with quiet reluctance.

"This place is shutting down anyway. Consider it my gift to a loyal customer. But where are your companions? Haven’t seen them in ages."

Gali said nothing. He closed his eyes, memories flooding back—only to fade as mere echoes of the past.

Those shared moments with five friends. One by one, they vanished. Now, only he remained. Times had changed long ago.

When Gali opened his eyes, the owner was gone. Only the sound of packing echoed from the back room. Gali placed the exact payment neatly on the table.

"Time to head back. Nothing left to do anyway."

He lazily brushed liquor stains from his clothes, his dejected face etched with indifference. He’d already lost what mattered most. Aimlessly, he wandered onto the bustling street.

"Ugh, that reeks of alcohol."

"What is that? This old drunk really has no shame."

"Ew, disgusting."

Gali walked on, bottle in hand, gulping down swigs. He ignored the disgusted stares—he’d grown used to them. Once, these crowds had cheered for him.

Suddenly, his grip slipped. A heavy thud echoed as the full wine jug crashed to the ground, cracking the pavement. The jug itself remained unscathed.

Forged from a legendary artifact, this jug would’ve made others scream "wasteful heir!" after all, such relics were near-impossible to find.

A strong gust swept past him, but it barely registered. Being the Hero meant more than just a title.

Gali bent down lazily to retrieve the jug—then froze. His hazy eyes lifted ahead. A familiar fragrance, carried by the wind, teased his nose like an old friend reunited after years.

His gaze cut through the crowd. There she was—unchanged by time. He stood rooted, bewildered.

Their eyes met across the throng, as if time itself had paused.

The next second, the rushing crowd severed their connection, buying Kevin a moment’s breath.

"Damn it."

Kevin realized the danger instantly. She fumbled to cover her stunning face—but it was too late. Escape was urgent.

She tried spatial magic, yet something blocked it. Gari Barodale’s presence seemed to solidify the surrounding mana.

"Troublesome. But as a Tenth Tier man, this won’t stop me."

Gali’s mind cleared from the haze. Maybe it was someone who looked like Manna Suhuali. Maybe the alcohol tricked him. Maybe…

No. He knew he hadn’t imagined it. Before his thoughts caught up, his body surged forward. Buried emotions erupted like a drowning man grasping a fraying lifeline.

"Excuse me."

"Coming through."

"Make way."

Gali pushed through the dense crowd, muttering urgently. This was the empire’s busiest district—every step felt impossible. He nearly resorted to force.

Then he amplified his vision with mana. The world sharpened. He activated long-unused physical enhancements.

Instantly, he locked onto Kevin’s location. Leaping into the air, he darted across rooftops like a starving wolf tracking prey.

"Fast."

Kevin’s voice held no surprise. She knew Gari Barodale too well. Ordinary tricks wouldn’t shake him.

She weaved through the crowd like a ghost, yet the gap closed relentlessly. Even years of idleness hadn’t dulled Gali’s strength or magic control.

Just as he nearly caught her, Kevin ripped off her cloak. Dust billowed across the street, choking pedestrians. Gali lost her trail momentarily.

But only for a moment. Tenth Tier senses transcended mortal limits. Emerging from the haze, he spotted her familiar back in the distance.

A storm of emotions crashed over him.

Why? Why wouldn’t Manna Suhuali face him if she’d returned? No time to wonder—he’d grab her first.

He chased her to a narrow alley’s bend. Then—she vanished. As if she’d never existed. Only Gali stood there, silent.

………………………………

"Lorin, sorry to summon you right after your return. But I have a critical task. You’re the one I trust most."

Kurt Stoudenmire slid a photo across the table. "Study this carefully. Kevin’s elder brother entrusted it to me—no room for error." His finger tapped the image.

"This person will join your class soon. Watch over her well."