Truth be told, as the former prince of the Haya Empire, Sophia naturally knew that etiquette.

But to avoid trouble, pretending to be foolish and inexperienced was the wiser choice.

Perhaps having a powerful mage at her side eased her nerves—this time, standing again in the deathly silent courtyard, Sophia’s fear had faded significantly.

Though…

She still couldn’t be sure if this mage was friend or foe.

“So, esteemed Mr. Edward,” Sophia said calmly, her gaze steady on the young man beside her, “what do you plan to do next?”

Yugo remained silent the entire time, quietly clutching Sophia’s robe.

Hugh glanced at Sophia, then shifted his eyes toward the village outskirts.

Bright daylight bathed the sky, yet a thick mist still clung to the village perimeter.

“Let’s talk first,” Hugh suddenly spoke. “You’ve been here a while. Noticed anything?”

Sophia’s brow furrowed slightly. Why would this Babel Academy instructor ask *her*?

“We arrived last night. From my observations… time here seems frozen at some point ten years ago. But I couldn’t determine the exact duration.”

“Ten days.”

“?”

“I arrived earlier. I calculated it: everything resets every ten days—memories, food, even broken objects.”

“…”

Sophia fell silent.

*Ten days…*

*What does ten days truly mean…?*

Unseen by her, a faint flicker of admiration crossed Hugh’s eyes as she pondered.

“Honestly,” Hugh cut in, “I’m more curious about your identity… or rather, your magic.”

Sophia’s eyes sharpened instantly, wariness deepening. Her fingers tightened slightly around her wand.

“I mentioned it—the village signpost was sealed with my mental magic. A mage of your level shouldn’t have broken free.”

Hugh seemed oblivious to her tension or the subtle shift in her grip.

“Magical disparity stems from two sources. First: quality. But you’re only a seventh-level mage—so we can rule that out.”

“As for the second…”

He let the words hang, studying her with quiet curiosity.

Sophia’s expression tightened.

Though her magic training was unconventional, years buried in the royal library had taught her this basic truth.

*The second: magic type.*

This continent held countless races. Magic was never humanity’s alone.

Blood magic of the Bloodline Clan, draconic chants of the Dragonkin, life magic of the Elf Clan, forest rites of the Druids, necromancy of the Necromancers, celestial words of the Celestial Clan…

Each race’s magic carried unique traits—especially the innate ones.

“You… aren’t human, are you?”

“!”

A jolt shot through Sophia’s chest, but her face stayed icy calm.

“Mr. Edward,” she replied flatly, “whatever do you mean?”

“No need for alarm. I mean no harm—only curiosity. My research at Babel Academy focuses precisely on race-specific magics.”

No matter how well Sophia masked herself, Hugh saw through the act. Yet he offered clear goodwill.

“…”

Still, Sophia remained unconvinced.

“My race holds little relevance to the esteemed Mr. Edward. Wouldn’t investigating this eerie village be more worthwhile?”

“Besides…” Her voice cooled. “Lingering too long on a lady is hardly befitting a distinguished Babel Academy instructor.”

To divert his focus, she’d even played the card of her femininity.

“Who says…” Hugh’s silver-gray eyes met hers, calm and detached, “…my focus has nothing to do with this village?”