The awkwardness in the tiny cabin was palpable, time seeming to freeze as both froze for a moment. But Kevin snapped out of it quickly, instinctively wanting to flee.

"Sorry for the intrusion. I'm leaving."

She turned to vanish with magic, but instantly the temperature plummeted. Even the surrounding mana froze solid.

A loud crash echoed from Gali's feet. The distance between them vanished in a flash. Her face twisted with terror, powerless to stop it.

Kevin was like a lamb cornered by a wolf, desperate to escape but too late.

Gali seized her injured hand tightly. The wound, barely stopped bleeding, tore open again. Blood soaked through the bandages, staining them crimson.

Pain shot through her body. She couldn't help but cry out—this body had terrible pain tolerance.

"It hurts!"

"Oh, Manna, sorry!" Gali realized he'd hurt the "Manna" before him. He loosened his grip instinctively but held on gently to avoid more injury.

He refused to let go, afraid "Manna" would disappear again. He feared losing what he cherished. Softly, he asked, "Manna, why did you leave me? Why won't you see me? Why?"

Gali had endless questions, but no blame in his voice. He waited quietly for her reply.

"Uh... uh... you've mistaken me for someone else."

Kevin decided to play dumb, unsure if it would work. Sweat beaded on her delicate face; she hadn't expected this at all.

"Is that so?"

Gali felt this "Manna" was the real one. Even after years apart, the feeling she gave him was unmistakable. Absolutely unmistakable.

He frowned slightly. Her magical aura seemed deliberately hidden—even from him. Fewer than five in the world could do that.

Only one person here could: Kevin Jaeger. Lately, he'd been acting strangely. Mysterious, as if hiding secrets. Next time, Gali would demand answers.

"Then why did you run? Answer me, Manna."

Gali asked urgently, blood dripping to the floor. Yet they kept a careful distance.

He just feared this "Manna" had forgotten him. Feared he'd mistaken her. Feared his hard-won hope would vanish again.

"Well, if a stubble-faced man chased you, wouldn't you run too? And let go!"

Kevin spoke with feigned composure, reproachful and avoiding his gaze. Then, as if remembering something, she added, "One more thing—I'm... I'm..."

She paused, realizing she couldn't use her real name. She blurted out a random one.

"Kailen."

"Oh, Kailen? Which family?"

Gali asked while healing her hand. As the Hero, he knew everything—though he rarely used such skills.

"Right, the Kaslana family. I'm Kailen Kaslana. Satisfied?" A certain figure flashed in her mind. She said it naturally, then yanked her hand free.

"The Kaslana family? I've never heard of it."

Gali stroked his rough chin, confusion on his unkempt face. But his eyes never left Kevin. He'd never heard of any Kaslana family.

By now, Gali was sure this wasn't Manna. But why so alike? Like cast from the same mold, down to the tiniest detail.

"Still, I apologize, miss. I got carried away. You resemble my late wife so much, I lost control. Forgive me."

Gali sincerely apologized. His recklessness had hurt Miss Kallen, but her identity was suspicious. She gave an unheard-of family name and used Kevin's magical aura to confuse him. She seemed to appear out of nowhere, with no records. Very suspicious. Yet she looked like a runaway noblewoman, identical to Manna Suhuali.

Gali didn't know what to do. Torn inside: wanting to get closer but held back by reason; wanting to leave but craving to know more.

"Haha, it's fine. Please accept your loss with composure."

Kevin forced a smile to ease the tension, but it was visibly strained. Behind her back, she quietly gathered magic, ready to flee.

"I'll take my leave now. See you next time."

But as the words left her mouth, the boat suddenly rocked. It collided hard with the water, closing the distance between them.

Gali pinned Kevin's hands to the deck with both hands. They could feel each other's breath. Their eyes held only each other's reflections.

Kevin opened her mouth to speak—but Gali's sharp gaze startled her. It was like a predator eyeing prey—a look she hadn't seen in ages.

"Miss, would you chat with me a while? I am Gari Barodale. Honored to meet you." He shouted hoarsely, as if afraid she'd vanish.

"Fine. But let go of me first, okay?"

Kevin reluctantly agreed. Gali showed no sign of releasing her. She just hoped he wouldn't force himself on her—or she'd make him feel a man's pain.

Soon, they sat apart in the small cabin, staring silently at each other.

As the boat neared shore, Gali suddenly spoke, catching Kevin off guard.

"Miss Kallen, I'll visit your Kaslana family in a few days. That shouldn't be a problem, right?"

"Sure, go ahead."

Kevin replied excitedly. The family didn't exist; once ashore, she could escape Gali.

Ah, goodbye, friend. Ah, goodbye, friend.

"I heard you're an Executor under Kevin. If I can't find you, I'll just go to Kevin."

"............"

This left her speechless. How did Gali know so much? Had he bought off her intelligence network? Her info was so inaccurate.

Now she was stuck. One lie required countless more. Fine, she'd just conjure up a family out of thin air.