When Sophia tensed up, An’s lazy voice sounded in her heart.

The moment Hugh entered, An had already turned into the bracelet on Sophia’s wrist.

From the very start, An had been watching this young man. It just hadn’t spoken.

Hearing An’s promise, Sophia felt much more at ease.

Hugh, however, was a little stunned.

He looked at the girl before him. Even under the pressure of his magic, she had stayed calm and indifferent. A trace of admiration flashed through his eyes.

In his senses, the girl’s magic fluctuations were only at level seven.

And the child behind her had no magic at all.

To stay this composed under the pressure of someone like him, a “quasi-Sage,” was enough to make him see her in a new light.

“Yes, just as you said. I really can’t force you to do anything. But this place is indeed very dangerous. Even I still haven’t fully investigated it.”

Hugh fell silent for a moment, then explained to Sophia.

Sophia’s gaze was as cool and calm as ever. She looked at the young man holding the wand before her.

“Don’t worry. We’re capable of protecting ourselves.”

“...”

Hugh sneered inwardly and shook his head.

In a place even he couldn’t fully figure out, a mere level-seven mage and a little boy with no power at all could protect themselves?

He only took it as the little girl trying to save face out of pride.

Still, Hugh couldn’t be bothered to expose her.

“Alright then. But if you don’t mind, you can stay by my side. At the very least, if danger comes, we can protect each other.”

He said “protect each other,” but both sides understood what that really meant.

But then another question came up...

“Why?”

Sophia’s tone was cold, but it carried a hint of confusion.

She didn’t understand why this young man, whom she had known for less than three minutes and who didn’t even know her name...

would want to protect her.

Sophia didn’t understand, so she asked.

Hugh smiled and shook his head. “Just take it as me appreciating talent. Your character and your magical talent have earned my admiration.”

And in truth, that was exactly what Hugh thought.

He had always been this kind of person...

someone who cherished talent.

But Sophia didn’t understand.

The girl looked at Hugh warily, her eyes full of caution.

“Big Sis... this uncle doesn’t seem like a bad person,” Yugo suddenly said in a small voice, tugging lightly at Sophia’s robe.

Yugo wasn’t stupid. He didn’t directly call out Sophia’s name.

“‘Uncle,’ huh... forget it... I guess uncle isn’t wrong.” Hugh’s mouth twitched. In the end, seeing how young Yugo was, he could only nod helplessly and accept it.

Sophia glanced at Yugo, then at Hugh.

An’s power couldn’t be used casually... If she could borrow this person’s strength to uncover the secret of this village, that wouldn’t be a bad thing.

But...

“An... are you sure that no matter what happens, you can guarantee this guy won’t be able to harm us?”

“Of course. Don’t forget, I am—”

“Mhm, okay.”

Sophia wasn’t in the mood to listen to An’s endless self-praise, so she cut it off before it could go on.

“Since you’ve put it that way, then naturally, we’d be honored to receive your protection.”

Sophia returned the bow, copying the etiquette he had used just now.

Maybe because she had just learned it on the spot, Sophia’s gesture was extremely stiff, even a little awkward.

But Hugh didn’t mind. He nodded to Sophia, then walked toward the door.

“Follow me.”

Hugh’s calm voice came from ahead.

Sophia glanced at Yugo, then took his hand and followed after Hugh.