Rebecca hadn't even reached the church when Laura found her, face tight with worry.

"Where did you run off to?" Laura asked, relief washing over her.

Rebecca glanced at Laura, then at the crowd trailing behind her—clearly, they'd all rushed out to search.

Rebecca wasn't stupid. Dusk was falling, and in Laura's eyes, she was a helpless, orphaned girl. Vanishing without a word must have terrified them.

"Come back with me! You're far too reckless, wandering alone like that!" Laura snapped sternly. She turned to a nearby servant. "Go tell Kami and the others we found her."

Laura yanked Rebecca back, fuming. Rebecca stayed silent, realizing her mistake. Her desperate hunt for the Alchemy Codex had made her act rashly. After all, posing as a vulnerable orphan in the Kasmo Empire was key to hiding and safely studying Demon Potions.

"Speak up. Where did you go?" Laura dragged Rebecca into Kami's room, voice sharp.

During their time together, Laura often played the stern leader of their group, but she was genuinely gentle—especially with Rebecca. This disappearance, though, had shaken her. She saw Rebecca wasn't just a quiet child; she was willful. And that demanded seriousness.

"The library... books..." Rebecca admitted honestly. Nothing to hide there.

"The library? You went to the library? Near the Prophet's Tower? That's far! You walked alone? How did you even know where it was? Who told you?" Laura bombarded her with a barrage of stern questions.

"The gate... warriors..."

"The Temple Guards at the entrance told you?" After months together, Laura could fill in Rebecca's half-spoken words effortlessly.

"Mm-hmm..."

Laura wiped her forehead. She and Kami had returned from the imperial palace to find Rebecca gone. Panic had blinded them—they'd forgotten to ask the ever-stationary Temple Guards.

"Why didn't you tell us you were going to read? Wandering off like that is dangerous! Thank goodness you wore your nun's habit. Otherwise, troublemakers in a crowded city like Rucadan would've targeted you." Laura was right. Rebecca's looks drew attention, but the habit shielded her.

"Sorry..." Rebecca played obedient, eager to avoid more scolding. But just then, Kami and the others burst in—and the lecturing began anew...

"Rebecca! Are you alright?" Lilia swayed her hips, shoving Kami aside to reach Rebecca first.

Rebecca shook her head slightly. Laura quickly explained what she'd learned.

"You ran to the library? Why not tell us?!" Lilia pinched Rebecca's cheek, feigning anger.

"This little one's too bold! Years in the Dark Lord's palace, and now she dares to roam alone!" Laura still trembled with leftover fear.

"This is your fault, Kami! I'm seriously doubting if leaving Rebecca with your Norna Faith was wise! If she gets lost here, I'll burn your hair off!" Lilia jabbed a finger at Kami.

Kami rubbed her sore waist—Lilia's shove had stung. "I never expected her to sneak out alone!"

"Five silver coins..." Rebecca suddenly held out her hand to the group.

"Five silver coins?" They stared at her, puzzled.

"Library... permit... five silver coins... borrow..." Rebecca stammered.

"Oh! Right, the Hobi Library requires a permit to read. Rebecca, you silly thing! You didn't even ask—you worried us sick and wasted your trip. So foolish!!" Lilia kept pinching Rebecca's cheek, then thrust her small purse into Rebecca's hands. "Take it all. Borrow? What could you possibly repay with?"

Rebecca almost blurted that borrowing was a cover—she'd planned to rob with Golago. Sudden wealth would raise questions; a loan hid her tracks better.

"A job..."

"What job could you do?"

"At the library..."

"Ugh, fine. Just stay put at the church for now. What work could you handle?" Lilia chuckled, tension easing now that Rebecca was safe.

Everyone treated Rebecca like a child—no roaming, let alone job-hunting.

"Since Rebecca loves books," Laura said abruptly, "she should enroll at Hobi Academy."

"Mm, she needs schooling," Kami agreed. They'd decided this on their journey here.

Rebecca shook her head—firmly! School? That would waste precious time.

"Huh? Unwilling? Nonsense! Be good. Hobi Academy has tons of books. You'll study there~" Lilia coaxed.

Rebecca frowned, silent.

The downside of playing meek: no voice, no control.

"Lilia, contact Hobi Academy. Rebecca must learn to fit into society. She lost over a decade—she needs to catch up!" Laura declared firmly.

"I will. I'll send someone right away~"

The women chattered on, ignoring Rebecca's opinion. She resolved never to go. If forced? She'd be a delinquent student skipping class daily! Yes! Absolutely!

"Rebecca..." Emily, silent until now, tugged Rebecca's sleeve.

Rebecca turned, questioning.

"Part-time work... I support you..." Emily whispered.

Rebecca froze. Quiet Emily backing her? But she knew the other three chatty women mustn't hear—so she kept her voice low.

"If you need help... find me..." Emily added softly.

Rebecca nodded, offering a small smile.

Emily ducked her head, fingers brushing her nose under the mask—acting oddly. Rebecca didn't notice; she was too busy wincing at the three women already planning her school supplies. They saw her as a doll to dress up...